Okay, there are several problems with that. One, Tyger listens to my thoughts, so I’m sure he will know I’m running. Unless, he has to be close, but still. Two, they are freaking vampires and shifters, so there’s no way we can outrun them if they give chase. Three, they can smell us, or at least the blood in our veins, so we can’t hide either. Four, I get the sense Arctic will know if I leave whatever area we are in. I sensed the distance between us, and it wasn’t enough to give us a snowball’s chance in hell. Five, Ryker started a bond between us, so I fear he’ll know if I leave his territory, like Marcus. Six, I have no clue where we are. Seven, sending me is a surefire way to ensure they will come after us. Liam waited for me and dangled Matty before my nose to get me to come here. So, saying I should go is stupid. Eight, I don’t want to go. I have no reason to. Sure, being trapped here is daunting, and I don’t like it, but Ryker never said we were. He hasn’t said we can leave, but he also did not say we couldn’t either. Nine, I don’t know what the mark on my hand does. I sure as hell don’t want to find out while I am tired and cold.
Instead of saying any of that, I murmured, “I’m the one they want, Tammy. So even if I desire to leave, that’s a foolish idea. And guaranteed to fail. Me? They’ll come after me. If you want to go, by all means, leave. I won’t help you, nor will I stand in your way. I doubt they’ll let Matty leave either. Because I will not rest easy, not knowing if he got away or if something nastier caught him. Besides, Liam is fond of Matty and has taken him under his wing. Speaking of, Ryker hasn’t tried to hurt either of us, so why should we risk that over something doomed to fail? And I don’t want to leave. I feel like I belong here. Albeit, I’m missing a few pieces of myself too. But I know who they are and I doubt werewolves and vampires oft play nice together. So, no, we will not be leaving, Tammy, but you may.”
Sneering, her eyes narrowed, and I sighed. “Angel, if you do not take your brother and go, I will leave.” Well, yes, that’s the point. Go, Tammy, before they decide you’re more trouble than you’re worth. Go live your life and forget about us. We shall be fine. I doubt my monster can touch either of us here. “And, when I make it back to civilization, I will make it known that you fail as a surrogate parent. You’re placing your brother in harm’s way and risking his life. They drink human blood, Angel! How long do you think it will be until one of those monsters decides Matty would make a decent snack? By the time you know about it, it’ll be too late. He’ll be gone. Or worse. What if they make him into one of them!?” Reeling from her words, I stumbled a step back and shook my head while trying to come to terms with what I saw as her betrayal. She’d try to take Matty from me? Because if she declared I was unsuited to be Matty’s guardian, they’d send him to a foster home if they found us. I heard that speech enough times from hospitals and his school to know that. They allowed me to be his surrogate parent because I was his only blood relative, and I could provide for him. And because we stayed under the radar. As soon as someone high up hears of us, that’s over.
“They’re not monsters,” I protested. “I know monsters, Tammy, and those we’ve met are not like that. Ryker has been nothing but gracious. Sure, they could kill us with ease, but so can any human. Guns, knives, hell they can use their bare hands. The only difference here is the vampires might kill us for a purpose rather than just to do it. I get that some of them treat humans abysmally, but do we not do the same to other creatures because we deem they are lesser? Vampires were once human, and some of them continue to bear one of our worst traits. Humans are a parasite upon this earth. All we do is take, but we never give. We destroy everything we touch and hunt a species to their extinction because we think it’s fun. Vampires are a parasite to humans if you want to get technical since a parasite requires another’s nutrients to survive. It’s about time that we as a species had something nastier breathing down our necks. Treat others as you wish to be treated, correct?”
Scoffing, Tammy snarled, “do not side with those bastards, Angel. I bet they rape you as soon as you drop your guard. They’ll slaughter you and glory in your death! Where does that leave Matty? What if they turn him and make him kill you?” I doubt that’ll happen to us. Another human perhaps, but they were interested in me. I clung to that because it meant Matty would be safe so long as I kept him close. Otherwise, I didn’t understand what was so special about me. But if it protected my little brother, then I’d accept it.
“I do not see that happening, but if it does, then there isn’t much I can do about it,” I answered with a shrug. Fighting against vampires seemed like a stupid idea. Physically, at least. I’d give them my sass and defiance since it seemed to amuse Ryker, but I wouldn’t run away or pick a fight with
