Keepers of the Flame (Trilogy Bundle) (15 page)

“We scoured the area along the Serpentine and as we suspected, a bomb was detonated.” She paused and there was complete silence in the room as all eyes were focused on her. “I certainly don't need to tell you all how serious this is. It is a breach of our protocol to use explosives; we leave that for the humans. What this tells us is that whoever is after the Keeper is both dangerous and wild. Whoever it is has absolutely no regard for our protocol and our laws and this is a serious matter.”

She turned to look at me as she spoke and I felt all eyes on me. I kept my eyes trained on her and I got the feeling that I could completely trust her.

“To put it bluntly, Luanne's life is in danger. But that's not all that's in danger, people. If anything should happen to Luanne, our race as we know it ceases to exist.”

The silence in the room was profound. I noticed that the other Protectors were now looking at me with something akin to awe. Even raven locks no longer had disdain written all over her face as she turned to look at me. The only person who kept his gaze determinedly away from mine was Dylan. I looked at him briefly and then turned away. He wanted to be childish, that was fine with me.

As the briefing went on, I felt anger begin to build inside me. I had issues, I readily acknowledged that. But in comparison with his issues mine paled into insignificance. How were we supposed to build a relationship when he wouldn't speak to me? This was not the first time he'd retreated into a sulking silence because of something I'd supposedly done, and I had no idea what it was. I was not going to allow him humiliate me that way. I decided to focus on the briefing instead.

Back in my room, I lay on the bed and stared at the ceiling. I felt numb and I desperately wished my mind could be numb too as I went through the information I'd heard during the briefing. They'd profiled possible rogue vampires who could have made use of the explosive, and as they'd discussed strategies and dangers, I began to feel real fear for Katrina's safety. It occurred to me for the first time that she might not make it out alive.

Thinking about it now, I clenched my teeth together tightly to keep from hyperventilating. I wish I could have given up the stone to save Katrina and if I'd thought for one moment it would have made a difference, I would have done it, even if it had destroyed me in the process. But giving up the stone would mean the destruction of our race and that meant Katrina would still lose her life. It was a catch-22 situation.

I got up and began to pace. I felt so helpless. Elona had concluded that we were powerless to act at that moment until we heard from the kidnappers. In the meantime, they were investigating and doing whatever protector things they usually spent their time doing. I had no idea what they were talking about. As soon as they'd begun talking shop, I'd excused myself and made my way back to my room. Suddenly my phone beeped. Picking it up I saw it was a text from Claire, my best friend. I suddenly remembered she'd been trying to reach me for a couple of days.

Girl, where are you?

I quickly tapped back that I was fine but in
London.

What are you doing there? Better get your ass back down here!

You know Katrina, up to her usual mischief so had to come keep an eye on her.

It wasn't strictly a lie. I had come to London because of Katrina even if it was not because of any mischief on her part. But I could hardly tell her the truth when she didn't even know I was a vampire.

You Aunt is a laugh a barrel. Have fun and bring something British for me.

I rolled my eyes at that, even as a reluctant smile formed on my lips. People like Claire gave me hope that the world was not all bad. She was one person who would always go to battle on my behalf and she stood up for me. I wondered briefly if she would still be my friend if she found out I was a vampire. Probably not. But I was not going to dwell upon that. Just like I wasn't going to dwell on the fact that as I'd left the Top Secret, Out of Bounds briefing room, raven locks and Dylan had been so engrossed in each other that he hadn't even noticed me leaving. Whatever. He knew where I was if ever he decided to be an adult.

I flopped back on the bed just as my phone beeped again. It was another text message but this time from a number I didn't recognize. The message was short and to the point.

The Serpentine was just a warning. Come back home tonight and no Protectors.

If felt my body freeze up. I reached up to touch the stone hanging from the chain around my neck and it was freezing cold. That had never happened before. Come to think of it, when I'd gotten angry with Dylan at the briefing room, the stone had warmed up. Suddenly it was as though it was not just acting as an alarm whenever I was in danger, but was picking up on my emotions as well.

I shook my head to clear it and went back to the text message on my phone. If I understood it correctly, I was supposed to go to Greenwich that night, specifically to the house I'd grown up in and I was not to go with Dylan or any of the protectors.

What do I do?
I thought in consternation. Did I inform the Protectors or just sneak out and go by myself? I checked the time; it was already past ten p.m. I needed to make a decision and fast.

In the end, I decided to compromise. I left a note on my bed for Dylan telling him I'd received a text and quoting the message I'd received. I knew that I was taking a risk going alone and that leaving that note was a gamble. A gamble that he loved me enough to check on me later and discover my note. If he was still ensconced with raven locks and didn't bother to check on me, then I would have to find a way to get Katrina out on my own.

I could have zipped through the air and found myself in Greenwich, but I decided to take the train for two reasons. First, I wanted to buy myself some time and second, I was no longer completely familiar with London and didn't want to literally land in a situation that was beyond me. Besides I had a good idea that's what the kidnapper would expect me to do. Hanging around vampires, I'd come to realize that they could not fathom that a vampire might act and think like a mortal. I sometimes thought that I was more mortal than vampire; goodness knew how many times I cursed my vampire heritage.

Aboard the train from Knightsbride station, I sent the kidnapper a message.

What about my grandmother?

We were approaching Green Park station where I needed to change trains before I got a reply.

If you followed instructions, she will be safe.

What did that mean? She was either safe or she wasn't. I was not in the mood for nonsense and his penchant for cryptic messages was beginning to get to me. I just knew it was a
he.
He seemed to be enjoying the entire cloak and dagger thing a little too much for my liking. It was almost as though he'd taken Katrina for the sake of taking her. I didn't know any women who operated that way. They usually did things as a means to an end.

I'm the one you want. You tell me if she's all right or I will not show up!

The train had come to a halt so I got out and entered the train that would take me to Canary Wharf, where I would change trains yet again for the Greenwich train.

I'd settled into a comfortable seat when I decided to check my phone. Sure enough, the creep had replied.

You are in no position to demand anything. You show up or you say goodbye to your grandma.

I dumped the phone in the pocket of my jacket in disgust. This guy was unbelievable. The phone beeped again and I dug it out. It was another text message from him.

And if you're thinking of not showing up, I will find you and not even the protector from HQ will keep you safe.

I felt a frisson of fear run through me then I decided to get angry instead. The creep thought he could control me using fear, but I was damned if I was going to let him do that to me!

Close to an hour after I left Knightsbride station, I finally got out at Greenwich station. I took a taxi but got down at the Greenwich Business Center complex, deciding to walk the rest of the way. It wasn't as though I wasn't in a hurry to get to Katrina, because I was. But I was afraid. I knew I was walking into a trap, how could it be anything else? But I had no idea what to do to avoid it. It was like I was the proverbial sacrificial lamb, but I was feeling anything but sacrificial at that moment. I had not asked for all this, it had just come to me. Now I needed to figure out a way to save my grandma and save all of humanity in the process. Well, maybe not
all
of humanity, but the vampire portion of it, anyway.

I had just turned into the street where I'd lived with my family when the stone on my neck began to tingle in warning. I looked around me furtively, it was very late and the street was deserted. I couldn't see anyone else walking around, yet I had that undeniable feeling that I was being watched. It turned out I was right because a few houses from my destination, I was suddenly surrounded by a group of vampires. It was almost as though they'd materialized from the darkness. I came to a halt and stared at them, heart pounding. When they just stood there without saying a word, I became impatient.

“All right, which one of you is the leader here?”

There was no answer from any of them. I nodded like I'd expected their silence.

“Fine.” I said placing a hand on my waist. “Take me to your leader.” I spoke slowly, pacing my words as though speaking to the terminally stupid. I was being deliberately provocative, I knew. But I figured I had nothing to lose.

“You're to come with us and you are to come in peace.”

I turned to the one who spoke. Unlike the vampires who had come at me last year, these were unmasked. I gazed into his green eyes as I addressed him.

“You outnumber me. There are what, eight of you? I don't have much of a choice, do I?”

“You're to come with us and you are to come in peace.” He repeated.

I frowned. This was odd. “Who is your leader? Where is my grandmother?”

“You're to come with us and you are to come in peace.”

I felt a chill run down my spine as I took a second look at those green eyes. They were completely dead, not a single sign of life in them. Whatever this was, it was several times worse than I'd imagined. I began to wonder what I'd let myself in for.

“Lead the way.” I gestured.

They immediately formed a half circle around me, with green eyes leading the way. If any of the residents of that street had peeped out of the window, they would have thought we were mafia hit men out to make a hit.

I walked silently, using all my willpower to keep my knees from knocking together. As we got closer to the house, I fought down nausea and tried to draw strength from inside me. To distract myself I tried using telepathy to reach Katrina.

Grandma? Are you there?

My darling!

I felt relief course through me when she answered back.

Where are you? Are you okay?

Calm down love. Tell me something, are you actually coming to Greenwich?

I'm just a few houses down the road.

Is Dylan there?

No. They asked me to come alone if I wanted to see you alive.

Oh goodness! O Lord! Child, what have you done? Turn around now and keep going!

I faltered at the panic in her voice.
But Katrina, what about you?

Are you not listening? Forget about me!

I can't do that. Besides, it's too late. I'm already at the door.

Have mercy...oh have mercy!

Green eyes opened the door to the house and I followed him inside. The stone was so hot; I could feel the heat all over my body. It was almost as though it was trying to consume me. Yet it was not burning me. The air was filled with the smell of evil; I was practically choking in it. I looked at the foot soldiers who had escorted me to the house and one by one, they melted away until I was standing alone in what must have been the living room. There was nothing of the home I grew up in and I felt both relief and disappointment. I felt a presence and turned.