“Whatever. I’m going to sleep,” I say aloud. I’m in a bad mood. Talking about my parents always makes me sad.
I look out the window of the first bedroom I’d cleaned and see Eldaren walking across the wide, open field, toward a part of the forest where the trees grow thicker. I don’t fear for him. Eldaren is fast and strong. “Not to mention bullets only scratch you,” I say into the quiet of the house.
I settle into bed, slipping under the blanket. “Why aren’t you gone?” I say to the linens. “If this place has been abandoned since the War, shouldn’t you be rotted away or covered in moss, or something?”
The blanket doesn’t answer, and I close my eyes. It’s not completely dark out, not yet, but I’m exhausted after the day I just had. “I feel like I’ve been uprooted,” I say aloud. “Like a plant and placed somewhere without any soil to grip.”
I close my eyes just as light flashes behind me, lighting up the wall for a split second.
With a strangled yelp, I roll out of bed, my feet hitting the wooden floor with a thump. “Stars!”
Nothing. The room is unchanged.
I rub my hands on my jeans, unease flickering through me. Perhaps going out into the woods to find Eldaren would be safer than staying here.
Or my mind was just playing tricks on me. “Maybe too much greenery addles the brain,” I say uncertainly. “Or perhaps I’m just tired. I’m starting to dream before I’ve fallen asleep.”
Or maybe I should search every nook and cranny of this house to confirm I’m the only person in it. The idea of finding a creep in one of the closets makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, but there’s nothing for it. I won’t get any peace until I know.
So I look. I look under the beds, in the closets, cupboards, corners, and even under the oak table and benches in the front room.
I am the only person here. I find a couple of spiders and a few dead beetles, but aside from them, I am well and truly alone.
“Well, fine.” I settle back into bed, only this time I lay so my back is toward the wall. This way, I’ll be able to see if anything comes into my room.
I hope not, or my scream may be heard all the way to Liberty.
11
Wilder
… Your spark in the night.
Stella’s letter crumples in my fist. I had come here so quickly.
But the prince was faster.
He must have known I would come. Somehow. How could he not? It was too much of a coincidence to have Stella be all but ready to run away with me and then have her gone the very next night.
Where could she be? A search of her room doesn’t lend any obvious answers. I mutter a curse and pocket the letter. There’s no use staying here any longer. It’s already risky coming here as I did.
I should have known something was up when I saw there wasn’t anyone guarding the area standing outside her window. I also don’t detect the scent of elves on the other side of her door.
Stella is no longer here and I need to figure out where the prince has taken her.
It occurs to me it isn’t beyond the realm of possibility that Stella is no longer on this planet, and the thought fills me with dread. I can do a lot of things, but if Stella’s in space, I doubt I’ll ever see her again.
My breath becomes ragged, and I step toward the open window. No. I will not despair until I know she’s gone for certain. Smoothing out the paper, I reread the letter.
We’re close to finding the gaia.
My eyes narrow. No. They haven’t gone to space.
They’ve gone to Vashon Island.
They’re looking for help. The elves want to heal the planet.
I hesitate. I want to see Stella. She’s the most important person in my life. But if Earth is truly in danger, will my going there get in the way?
Maybe I can help.
A sneer tugs at my lip. There’s no way the prince would accept my help, even if I offered it freely.
Thirst fills my belly with painful emptiness. I need to drink.
I shove the letter into my jeans pocket and leave, climbing up onto the roof. It’s raining—again—but I find handholds without any difficulty. One of the few perks of being a vampire, I guess.
I can’t say I blame the elven prince for not trusting me, but if anyone is to blame for my current state, it’s him.
Vampires stalk the streets of Liberty because of him.
Crossing the roof, I drop into the gardens where the trees grow closer together, giving me some cover as I bolt toward the fence.
“Halt!” An elven voice calls out. “Identify yourself, intruder.”
I don’t even hesitate. Leaping effortlessly over the fence—which probably gives me away; no human can jump like that—I run, the wind whipping my hair back. I hear another shout, but it already sounds muted; the elf isn’t giving chase.
“Hey, man.” Javelin is suddenly there, running beside me. He’s smiling widely, and his eyes shine with excitement. “Here to join the hunt?”
“What hunt?” Uncertainty fans through me at his words. I hate killing, but my thirst grows.
“Vivienne went that way.” Javelin motions with a pale hand. “I’m coming up this way to make sure the human doesn’t escape.”
“Is this person a gangster?” I ask.
“Who cares?” Javelin rolls his eyes.
I still keep pace with him, but now I feel anger growing. “You joined us, Javelin. Cecil and I. We only hunt those I say.”
A growl rumbles in Javelin’s chest, but he nods once. “Fine. Come check him out, then. Let us know what you think.”
I follow, but fear webs my thoughts. What if this is an innocent civilian of Liberty and I can’t hold back? What then?
As if reading my thoughts, Javelin speaks. “You’re getting too wrapped up in thoughts of what’s right or
