“No. She does not,” Granny growls at me.
“But why is that girl crying and calling me mommy?” Miriam mumbles at Granny. I can tell my librarian is still out of it.
“Because they’re vampires, and they want to trick you so they can drink your blood. Now run. Stairs are down the hall to the left. There’s a blue Smart car at the curb. I’ll be right behind you.”
Granny knows the building well. So I was right. She has been snooping around. I bet she’s the one who tripped the alarm yesterday, too.
“Are you sure you’ll be okay?” Miriam asks her grandma.
“Yes. Now go!”
Miriam takes off without so much as a glance our way.
My heart feels like it’s being torn out and danced on. A polka dance. Very unpleasant. Worst of all, it sounds as though my librarian’s getaway car is the Caca Azul reboot.
Why must my manhood always be tormented so by such vehicles? I make a mental note to buy the factory and shut it down.
“And you! Wipe that angry look off your face,” Granny raises that crossbow at Freddy again and snarls. “We both know I’m doing my granddaughter a favor. You were never good enough for her and never will be. Stay. Away.”
“But he loves her,” I say, my anger starting to get the best of me. “He would do anything for her.” I’m speaking for myself, of course.
“He’ll only corrupt her again, and I can’t have that.” Granny steps back, keeping that arrow pointed straight at Freddy’s heart. I have the feeling she won’t miss this time. “Thank you for doing something good for once in your dark, violent life, and giving me back my granddaughter; but if you go anywhere near her, if I get so much as a whiff of a vampire sniffing around us—especially you, Executioner—I will kill her. Do you understand? I’d rather she be dead than cavorting with you vile, unholy monsters again.”
My lips smashed together in a hard line as I watch Granny go. I know I am faster and stronger, but this woman is wily and well trained. If she got in a lucky shot, what would become of Stella? Now more than ever, I have to put my daughter first.
“We’ll follow them,” says Lula.
Before I can object, she and Alex are gone. I can only hope that they don’t get too close.
Stella runs to me, bawling into my kneecaps.
I pet the back of her long blonde hair. “Hush, little one. All will be well.” But my effort to soothe her does nothing. Can’t blame her. I want to cry too. I crouch down and hug Stella hard. “We will get her back. I promise, Stella. You will have everything you’ve ever dreamed of, a perfect life. We won’t rest until you do.”
In my heart this is not a lie, because I believe it. I know it.
Our story cannot end like this. Life cannot be so cruel.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
After I calm Stella, I call Gretta and tell her to meet us in my office. The darkest, deepest corners of my undead heart want to go and hunt down Killer Granny and end her life—no. Wait. Make her into a vampire. Then give her the serum and make her be Baby Nice’s playmate. But revenge is a dish best left to fate. Nevertheless, I have no words for the frustration and anger I feel—mostly at myself for this serum blunder and at that damned old woman for hijacking my librarian.
Surprisingly, Lula and Alex returned shortly after they left, claiming the old woman slipped away.
Granny is a very sly Keeper, indeed. She also seems a little screwy, which worries me when I think of Miriam in her care.
But I have learned from my mistakes, and I know what Miriam would want. I must do right by those who had their mortal lives stolen by vampires. Some were forced to leave behind children, spouses, friends and parents. So, whatever loss I may be feeling in this moment, it does not compare to their suffering.
This will be my final act as king. One for the history books.
The official text goes out to all five hundred and eighty-two societies. An emergency meeting called by the king. Those who are local will gather in the great meeting hall on the ground floor. Everyone else will Skype.
“Are you sure you are okay with this?” I ask Freddy, straightening out his blood-red tie in my office. Ex-office. After this, everything is his. Throne, cars, houses, most of my money, and vampire ice-cream shop downstairs. It won’t make up for what I did to him, but it is a start.
His dark eyes fill with pride. “This is my chance to change the world for the better. I think I was destined for this role.”
“I couldn’t agree more.” I never wanted to be king. I never wanted power. I took the role because I knew I could keep the peace and weed out the vampires who have no regard for human life. Those vampires fail to understand one simple fact: Humans can live without us. But we cannot live without them. And that is why they must always be protected. For better or worse, they are the species that makes this world what it is.
“Do you think anyone will notice their king is different?” Freddy asks.
“Doubtful. Especially if you stick to the script.” Be ruthless when it comes to enforcing our laws. Do not show your true heart to anyone. Wear nice suits. And, above all, let no one touch your damned books. If Freddy sticks to this, nobody will catch on. Gretta will remain by his side to help. She is down to earth, well educated, and beautiful. I already have a feeling that their relationship might turn into something genuine. Lots of flirty exchanges happening. And if she keeps wearing those tight pantsuits with no blouse underneath, Freddy will not be
