Tainted Blood Read online

  I spin around and look up. Nothing. There’s a small metal vent near the ceiling on one of the walls, but it’s nowhere near big enough for me to fit through, and I’m tiny as hell. I could scream for help, but that will do me little good. He’s surely taken me somewhere no one will ever find me, let alone hear my screams. Or if someone can, I doubt they’re someone interested or fearless enough to come and rescue me.

  My thoughts turn to my sister. If the vampire took me, did he take her as well? Or did he kill... No, I can’t think like that. He said he didn’t want to kill me. I have to believe he doesn’t want to hurt Kara, either.

  He wants my blood. He has to be sure, whatever the hell that means. Whatever he thinks I am, I certainly am not. Yes, I don’t know who my parents are, but I’m confident they’re no shade of supernatural, and neither am I. At twenty-two years old, I would likely know that by now. But him thinking I’m special presents a big problem, because if it’s the only reason I’m still alive, what will he do to me when he finds out I’m just plain old Emily?

  Shit. I need to get out of here.

  Heavy footfalls sound in the hallway. They get louder with every step. I want to peek through the cracks, but they’re too narrow. Even the one under the door, wide enough for a draft, isn’t big enough for me to see who or what is coming. I take a step back and then another. I glance around the room again for a weapon—anything at all will do. There are two wardrobes on either side of the room, a table on either side of the bed—no drawers. A key slides into the lock, clicks, and the knob turns. I ball up my fist then spy the ceramic owl on a pedestal in the far corner. I run for it and snatch it up, holding it in my hands and over my shoulder.

  The door swings open wide, and the vampire who called himself Sebastian steps inside in his loosely laced black boots. He grins at me as he stares at the owl. “I’m not sure if that’s an upgrade from the frying pan. And if I’m being honest, it’s one of my brother’s favorite pieces. He might be upset if you break it.”

  Thinking better of it, I return it to where it was. The second I turn away, a loud smash echoes through the room, and I jump in fright. But I don’t turn around. I didn’t mean to do that, and I’ve likely pissed him off. But when he chuckles, it seems I’ve managed the opposite. Still, I ball up my fists, ready to fight, though it won’t do me any good. He holds up his hands in surrender. “I’m not going to hurt you. I already told you this.”

  “Where am I?”

  “Somewhere we won’t be disturbed.”

  “My sister? Did you kidnap her, too?”

  He pauses a moment before answering. “I did, but only to ensure you’re adequately motivated to cooperate.”

  “I’ve done nothing to you. And I never meant to hurt your friend. Maybe it wasn’t even me that killed her. Maybe she ate someone else bad, and it was a delayed reaction. Or she was just...old. I don’t know.”

  A cell phone rings, and he calmly pulls his phone out of the back pocket of his well-worn jeans. He holds up a finger to silence me, and I want to bite it off. “Yes?” Pause. “Good. Call me when you’re here.” He ends the call and shoves the phone back in his pocket.

  “I swear to God, if you let her go, I’ll do whatever you want. I swear I will. Just don’t hurt her.”

  He circles the room with me in the center. His eyes walk along the length of me in an appraising manner. “She’s important to you.” More statement than question.

  “She’s everything.”

  “I suspected she would be after losing your parents so tragically.”

  I hold up my chin and choke down the painful memory of when the cops came to my door in the middle of the night to inform me of their accident, the memory of learning my father died instantly in the car while my mother was on life support. I remember the moment she took her last breath. A single tear rolled down her cheek, and I wondered if she felt the pain of the accident or if she knew she was about to die. The memories are sharp, like the pointed edge of a blade, and each one cuts me deeper.

  I swallow hard. “Don’t talk about my parents.”

  A creak from the direction of the door warns me that we’re not alone. My eyes flicker to the tall man with the same electric-blue eyes as Sebastian. They look similar, though Sebastian has dark hair, and this one’s hair is blond with a bit of a curl to it. Their similarity lies in their square jaws and wide-set eyes. Their skin is pale, though each of them has a surprising spattering of freckles on his cheeks and nose.

  “This is the hunter?” the other vampire says.

  I frown at his choice of words. Hunter? What the hell are they talking about?

  “She’s unimpressive,” he adds.

  “Eat shit, vampire,” I snap back, unable to stop myself. They kidnap my sister and me and bring me God knows where, and now they want to insult me?

  Sebastian covers his smile with his hand.

  “And hostile—like the other one.”

  “Kara? Is he talking about Kara?”

  Sebastian merely shrugs. “She claims she’s a normal human.” He nods in my direction.

  “I am.”

  “I suppose killing Cassandra was an accident?” the man says.

  “I don’t know if I killed her. She bit me, and then she just kind of jumped away and started projectile vomiting. When the other vampire carried her away, she was still alive. I swear it.”

  Sebastian’s grin fades, and his expression becomes wary. “Well, if she’s lying, she’s a good actress.”

  “For the record, I still believe this is a bad idea,” the other one says.

  Although I fear the vampires, I’m starting to get angry. They apparently need me for something, but they won’t tell me what that something is, and they sit here and appraise me like I’m a cow at an auction. My blood starts to boil.

  Sebastian glares at the other one then focuses on me. He points to his brother. “Emily, meet my brother, Alexander. Alexander, Emily.”

  Neither of us comments or acknowledges the other in any way. It’s clear from the set of his jaw and his narrowed eyes that he’s as excited about my being here as I am, a realization that leaves me curious.

  Alexander clucks his tongue as he scans the shattered porcelain on the hardwood floor. “Is that my owl?” He points to the carnage while staring at his brother.

  Sebastian shrugs.

  “It was an accident,” I say quickly.

  He shakes his head before glowering at me.

  Sebastian’s phone rings, and he pulls it out to glance at the display. The distraction cuts the tension, but only minimally. With the flames brewing in his colorful eyes, I half expect Alexander to charge me and tear off my head.

  Sebastian holds up his phone and clears his throat. Thankfully, it forces Alexander to release me from his chilling stare. “Henry’s here. Finally. What do we pay him for anyway? He should have been here hours ago.”

  “Humans are incredibly unreliable—and clumsy,” Alexander says. His releases a quiet growl that seems to originate from his gut. “I don’t imagine she’ll be any different.” He slides his hands in his pockets and strolls out the room. At this, Sebastian whirls over to my side, startling me. He wraps his cold, slender fingers around my bicep, applying enough pressure to bruise me. I keep my face even and bite back a whimper.

  He yanks me forward, and I stumble behind him until I match his pace. He’s taller than me, and I take two steps for his every one. Outside of the room, I find myself in a hallway with walls made of stone. Tapestries and old oil paintings line the walls. When I pass a statue of a knight in armor I ask, “Where the hell are we, Castle Transylvania?” There are no buildings like this in Brimstone or the surrounding area.

  He grunts at me with an amused expression.

  He leads me to the end of the hallway where he pulls a bookcase away from the wall. I stare at a secret passageway lit by torches. I can’t help feeling amazed. It’s something straight out of a Nancy Drew novel. Natural light comes from somewhere lower down. I
peek inside and look down a circular staircase leading some three or four stories below. The narrow steps only allow for one person at a time. He waves me forward. I frown at him and glance at my arm. As if on springs, his fingers flick open. The immediate change in pressure makes my arm throb. I’m torn between a tingling and a burning sensation. Without meaning to, I rub my arm. It’s already brilliant shades of pink and dark blue. The ones earlier tonight faded so quickly, and I wonder how long it will take for these to fade too. It never occurred to me before how rapidly I heal or how few bruises I’ve acquired over the years. It never gave me pause before, and now... I find it curious.

  When we descend a couple of flights, I find a small window, and I slow to look out and get my bearings. The moon sits big and round in the sky, and like last night, traces of red still remain on its edges. Surrounding this building are trees as far as the eye can see, but there are also lights in the distance, and I wonder if it’s Brimstone.

  He nudges me forward, and I stumble on the stairs, almost tripping, but I put my hands out to stop myself. After a deep breath, I stand tall, glancing over my shoulder at his expressionless face.

  “Oops,” he says without humor.

  When we finally reach the bottom of the staircase, he pushes me aside to stick an old metal key into the keyhole of a door no less than seven feet tall. Key still inside, he pushes it open, and I walk through. He takes the key before shutting it behind us.

  “Where are you taking me? Are you going to lock me up in a dungeon, chain me to a wall, and throw bread at me that I’ll have to fight over with the rats?”

  “Not today.”

  “Tomorrow?”

  He disguises a laugh with a cough. His ability to smile and laugh at me eases my mind—if only a little. I have no reason to believe him, and everything I’ve ever read about vampires makes them seem pretty untrustworthy—except maybe, Edward Cullen—but my gut tells me I’m safe. For now.

  The basement has florescent lights and another hallway with multiple doors and no windows except for one room with a wall made entirely of glass. With two hands pressed against the pane, I take the space in, surprised at what presents itself on the other side. It looks like a laboratory or some sort of medical facility. A chair similar to the ones at the blood donor clinic sits in the middle of the room with a stretcher a few feet away and to the right. Cabinets and medical equipment dot the walls. A man walks into the room through the only entrance. He’s in his late thirties and plain looking. He wears a lab coat over black pants and a polo shirt. His chocolate brown eyes and tan skin make him decidedly human. At least, I think he is.

  “What is this place?”

  “You’re about to find out.”

  He places a hand on my shoulder and pushes me forward. He’s so cold his temperature bleeds through my shirt and chills me. I lower my shoulder to slide away from his hand. It’s cold enough down here without him. He opens the next door and waits for me to enter.

  “Torture?” I guess.

  “No, although I wouldn’t be averse to it,” he says with a waggle of his eyebrows.

  “Necrophilia isn’t my thing,” I say.

  “Pity. I suppose I’ll have to settle for some blood.”

  “Bite me. I dare you,” I say, knowing full well that he won’t.

  He leans in to whisper in my ear. “You’re not my type. I like my blood a little less toxic.” The hair on my neck stands on end. My body stirs at his low, seductive voice, and a kiss of heat touches my cheeks. I want to slap myself for responding to him sexually when he’s so damn morally repulsive.

  He chuckles. The air he forces from his lungs waves across the back of my neck, and I take a step back.

  “Shall we?” He points to the door that leads to the glass room. He stays close to me as I venture slowly inside. The man inside offers a hand, which I grudgingly take. It’s warm and clammy, not frigid like Sebastian’s. He has to be human.

  Sebastian sits on a rolling stool in the corner of the room and pushes off the stone floor. With his feet lifted, he glides over to us and toward the chair in the center of the room. I raise an eyebrow in question but leave it at that. It strikes me as very human thing to do.

  “I’m Henry,” the man says.

  “Emily.”

  “Nice to meet you, although I wish the circumstances were different.”

  “You work with vampires?”

  “Yes.”

  I have so many questions. Most of all, why? “How does that even happen? They’re not supposed to be real.”

  “You’ve met Felix, yes?”

  I shrug my shoulders.

  “He was with the vampire you…um…killed?”

  “Oh! Yes. I met him,” I look away sheepishly.

  “He’s my father.”

  “What?” I swear to God he’s younger than this man by at least fifteen years.

  Henry slides blue gloves over his hands and tugs on the wrists to pull them into place with a quiet snap. “Most vampires give up their lives to avoid the obvious questions about their eternal youth, but not my dad.”

  “He held me while the female vampire bit me,” I say quietly. I’m about to tell him I watched his dad kill a girl, but I stop myself. Regardless of what he did, reminding him that his dad is a monster isn’t likely to help my situation…or help him much either.

  “There’s a dark side to all of them.” He glances at Sebastian, who simply looks bored. “But that doesn’t mean there’s no good left. I love my father…despite what he is. And Sebastian and Alexander…well, they have their good points too.”

  “They abducted me and threatened my sister’s life.”

  He sighs and encourages me to sit on the white vinyl chair that looks like it should be in a dental office. “All right, I lied. They’re complete and utter pricks.”

  Sebastian snorts but wipes his hand over his mouth and follows up with a scowl.

  I hop onto the chair and wait with my legs dangling. I might be special in some ways, but I wasn’t blessed with height.

  “Please lean back in the chair and relax. This will only hurt for a moment.”

  He turns his back to me while he preps some equipment on the counter behind him. I crane my neck to see what he’s doing, but I can’t see through him.

  “I’m going to take a few samples. One is just a blood draw, but for the other, I’ll scrape a teeny bit of your skin off you arm.” He wraps a plastic band tightly around my bicep and asks me to make a fist. He pricks me quickly, and the sting abates seconds after. He takes three full vials of my blood. With a focused gaze, he holds one up to the light and stares at it. I strain to do the same.

  “What are you looking for?”

  “Just noting the color and consistency.”

  “Doesn’t all blood look the same?”

  He smiles easily. “Sure. Human blood.”

  “And does mine look...human?” I feel foolish for even asking.

  “At first glance, yes.”

  I sigh as I feel a twinge of disappointment, though I’m not sure why. I’m already convinced this is a mistake, but part of me hopes it’s not. What a foolish thing to wish for. These people are dangerous, and I don’t need them in my world. But what if I was extraordinary? Special? Doesn’t every girl wish for that, especially a girl who was given away as a child? Or maybe I wasn’t given away at all. Maybe my parents are dead. Killed for being hunters. Or maybe I was stolen or hidden because my blood is unique. But these are all fantasies dreamed up by a girl who still clings to them as an adult.

  Henry takes a razor blade and holds it inches above my forearm.

  I tense, and Sebastian appears beside me. A gush of wind hits me before I register his movements. I hate how damned fast these vampires move. He reaches out and holds my arms down by the wrists. As an added consequence, his face is close to mine, and it makes my heart beat accelerate.

  “Be a good girl now, and sit still.”

  “I wasn’t resisting.”

  He
doesn’t bother to respond.

  “Emily, this will be unpleasant. I’m going to very carefully scape away some skin cells so I can look at them from under a microscope. Is that okay?”

  I almost laugh at him. “It’s not, but you’re going to do it anyway, so why ask me?” I tip my head back against the rest and respond with a sigh. He scrapes my arm, and though it burns, I don’t flinch. I lie quietly, still as a statue, and think of my sister. This is all for her.

  When he gets what he needs, he walks away, leaving me alone with Sebastian. “You can let go of me now.”

  “Too many sharp objects in here.”

  “As much as I would like to embed one in your eye, you have my sister, and I’d never do anything to hurt her.”

  Though he hesitates, his dark eyes meet mine. He opens his hands, and takes a step back and then another until he reaches his stool. Without looking, he seems to sense when it’s behind him, and he slowly lowers himself onto it without looking away. It’s almost comical.

  “Now you’ve got my blood, care to tell my why you want it so badly?”

  He props his hands on his knees and drums his fingers on his kneecaps before sliding over to me on his stool. “Like I said before, you’re not normal. There’s only one kind of person who can kill a vampire with her or his blood, and I haven’t seen one in a very long time.”

  “What kind of person?”

  “A blood hunter. If you’re one of them, I need to know it, and if you’re not, I need to know what other threats there are to my kind.”

  “Well, since I have no idea what a blood hunter is, I’m likely not one of them.”

  “Maybe. Maybe you’re trying to act innocent because you know what vampires do to blood hunters. Maybe you’re trying to protect what family you have left in this world.”

  “Well, it’s too late for that,” I say quietly. “With the exception of my sister, every relative I have is dead.” And if you find my blood relatives, how about telling me who they are?

  “Sebastian, you want to take a look?” Henry says from the other room.

  I look over my shoulder and watch him go to Henry, who is in a room with high countertops and microscopes and computers. It reminds me of high school chemistry, only an updated, fancier version. The countertops are gray stone, and they’re thicker than my thighs.