I slumped behind the wheel of my car with no idea where to go or what I should do next. Having made up my mind that I didn't want to die, my life now depended on getting John back from Josiah. But where had the Watcher taken him? The only vampires I knew that might be able to tell me were either M.I.A. or flat-out refusing to help. There wasn't anyone else to turn to.

Or was there?

Jamming my key in the ignition, I gave it a hard twist and threw the gear in drive, speeding away from Kinsley Real Estate in the direction of The Marauder's Cove with a small flame of hope guttering in my chest.

When I arrived several minutes later and stepped across the threshold of the bar, every head in the dimly lit room turned in my direction. It was strange to see so many people at a bar this early in the day, but then again, The Marauder's Cove wasn't your typical bar. I made my way to an available table and sat down, eyes closed as I willed my heart rate to slow. I especially didn't want to consider that I might be the only human in the bar who wasn't currently serving as some vampire's lunch. If any of the vampires decided to attack me, likely no one would step in to save me this time.

The booth shook as someone slid into the seat opposite mine. "Dang, girl," she said, wrinkling her nose. "You smell like—"

I raised my hand to stop her. "I know what I smell like." I recognized her as the waitress who'd waited on me the first time I visited the bar.

The woman twisted the beaded necklace at her neck around the tip of her index finger as she stared across the table at me. After a few uncomfortable moments of intense analysis, she shook her head and laughed under her breath, a deep and velvety-smooth sound. Her brow shot up in the shape of a question mark.

"Why are you here, baby girl?"

I raised my chin toward the back of the building and leaned forward, lowering my voice. "I know what this place is. I know what goes on behind that curtain over there, so let's cut to the chase, shall we?"

A slow smile stretched her already broad mouth. "You got a lot of nerve for a human." She sat back, folding her arms across her chest. "Go on then. Speak your mind."

"I want to know where Josiah Butler takes vampires who've broken the law."

The waitress's eyes widened, the whites of them gleaming like crescent moons. "I take it back," she said. "You got even more nerve than most of the vamps I know."

She started to rise from the booth, but I grabbed her wrist to stop her. "You have to tell me."

She looked down at my hand on her arm and shook her head, but she wasn't smiling anymore. "You listen to me, baby girl. Don't go stickin' your nose where it don't belong. You hear me?"

I released her arm with some reluctance but was relieved when she stayed put. "What's your name?" I asked, if only to stall her and keep her talking to me.

She looked over her shoulder, but those who had watched me walk in had already lost interest. "Donna," she answered, with a note of suspicion in her voice.

"Well, Donna. Here's the thing. Josiah took John, and I need your help getting him back."

Donna sat down abruptly. "Josiah took John? That doesn't make sense. I doubt John's done one wrong thing in his life. Ever."

"Well . . ."

She was rapt with attention as I recalled the events of the past two months. I finally ended with how John had been on the brink of turning me when Josiah rudely interrupted. "I went to Andrew Larsen," I said, "but he refused to help and literally shoved me out the door."

Donna took another look around the bar before returning her attention to me. "You're lucky you stink as much as you do. No vampire in his right mind would ever dream of taking a hit off you now."

"What a relief," I muttered.

She ignored my sarcasm. "As far as Mr. Larsen is concerned, he ain't gonna do nothin' to jeopardize what he got goin' on."

"What do you mean?" I asked. Donna looked around the bar again, reluctant to say anything more. Sensing her anxiety, I grabbed her hand. "Please, tell me."

She took a deep breath and leaned in closer. "Mr. Larsen's a Seeker. He's in charge of the Donor program, right?"

"Okay, so?"

"That means he gets a percentage of all Donor blood as payment, not to mention a nip of the fresh stuff whenever it suits him. Dude probably has more blood than he knows what to do with. Wouldn't surprise me none to find out he's sellin' his stash on the side just to make himself a few extra."

"Like on the Black Market?"

Her shoulders rose and fell. "Wouldn't you?"

Cringing, I couldn't help but visualize Andrew's mini-fridge in his office at Kinsley Real Estate overflowing with bagged blood. Maybe he even kept a few Donors at home for his personal use.

"Back to John," I said. "Do you know where Josiah might have taken him?"

"To the Head Watcher, I suppose."

"You mean there's someone above Josiah?" But of course, there was. John had told me so himself, though he hadn't mentioned who.

Donna snorted, the corner of her mouth turning up. "Josiah might be scary, but there are vampires even worse than him. Believe me."

She narrowed her eyes, as though realizing for the first time what I was asking. "Whaddya think you're gonna do? Just bust through the front door and demand they hand John over?" She snorted again. "You a lot crazier than I thought if you think that's how it's gonna go down, baby girl."

My stomach dropped as I realized I hadn't really thought this through, and whatever I must do to get John back probably wasn't going to be as easy as simply asking. I put my head in my hands. "I don't know. I hadn't really thought about it." I looked up at her then and put on what I hoped was my best pleading face. "But you're going to help me, right?"

She sighed, obviously not completely immune to my predicament. "Honey, I been a vampire for some thirty-odd years. That's a drop in the bucket compared to the Head Watcher and that particular bunch. I honestly don't know how I can help you. And I wouldn't, even if I could. You don't want to mess with them."

But if Donna turned me down now, I was out of options. "Please. You're my only hope. You've got to help me."

"No, I don't," she said. "Sorry, but you're gonna have to manage by yourself."

I opened my mouth to protest, but she held up a hand to stop me, casting a look over her shoulder one last time. "I will tell you one thing," she said. "You'll likely find what you're looking for at the Abernathy mansion? You know the place?"

"You're kidding, right?"

The Abernathy mansion was only the most well-known property in town. It had belonged to the same family for the past two hundred years, passing from one generation to the next. The previous owner had died suddenly three years prior, near the time Conrad Abernathy and his family moved to town and bought the monstrous home. My mother had sold them the place.

"You're not suggesting—"

"I'm not suggesting anything," Donna said. "I'm telling you. Conrad Abernathy is Head Watcher of this jurisdiction."

"But Conrad Abernathy is the chief of police!" I exclaimed, causing several vampires to look in our direction. Donna gave me a look that warned me I should keep my voice down.

"Conrad Abernathy has a finger in both pies," she said, matter-of-fact.

I sat back, numb with the shock of learning that such a high-profile person in the community wasn't even human.

"My parents know him," I said. "He's been to our house. His kids go to my school!"

"His kids are vamps, too. You don't usually meet an entire family of 'em, but there they are, foolin' everyone. They'll have to move on soon enough, just like the rest of us."

"Why?"

"Use that pretty little head of yours, baby girl. You can't have vampires in the public eye for very long without people noticing they don't ever change."

My mind was working on overdrive. The Abernathys were nice people . . . or so I thought. Thomas was a junior this year, and Margaret was in my grade. We had art together. She kept mostly to herself. In fact, the only one I'd ever seen her willingly talk to was—

"John."

"What?"

I shook my head. "Nothing. I know Conrad Abernathy. He doesn't scare me. Josiah's a lot scarier."

"Josiah takes his duties real serious and does a good job keeping vampires in line." She gave me a hard look. "So does Mr. Abernathy. You best keep that in mind."

I nodded silently, my front teeth sunk so hard in my bottom lip I was in danger of drawing blood.

Donna put her hand on top of mine. "I happen to like you, baby girl. You're a sweet kid. Don't do nothin' that's gonna get you hurt."

"I don't have much choice. It's either find John and get Mr. Abernathy to let him go, or . . ."

My voice trailed off, but Donna patted my hand in understanding. "You know," she said, giving me a calculated look. "If you're worried about John not having a chance to turn you, I'd be happy to do it for him."

I got up then, taking that as my cue to leave. "That's very generous of you, Donna. I'll keep that in mind."

She grinned. "Go on. Best be on your way before Josiah makes his rounds back here."

"You won't tell him about our conversation?"

"Not a chance."

Giving her a fleeting smile, I left as quickly as I could.

**********

The Abernathy mansion had been built on the southern end of Cayuga Lake some two centuries earlier. Always the talk of the town, it garnered even more attention when it underwent extensive renovations to appeal to more modern tastes. Aside from a private dock, the house boasted an indoor pool and full-size gymnasium, not to mention a tennis court. There was even a go-kart track that snaked the perimeter of the property. I supposed even vampire teenagers liked to have fun, too.

I watched Margaret and Thomas Abernathy from the relative safety of my car as they raced each other around the track, disappearing among the forest of pines before zooming into view again. Under normal circumstances I would be ecstatic at being one of the few—perhaps the only—people from our school to step foot on the property, but these were not normal circumstances. If anyone realized the Abernathy mansion was a hotbed of vampires, they'd probably torch the place and run every member of the family out of town with pitchforks.

Unable to put it off any longer, I got out of the car and made my way to the edge of the track to wait. Margaret saw me first, and she immediately pulled over and killed the engine of her car. Removing her helmet, she shook out her long dark hair. Her skin glowed like moonlight, her eyes twinkling a sapphire blue.

"Blake Ehlert," she said. "How odd to see you here." Her voice held a faint lilt that sounded too cultured for someone as young as she looked.

"Not as odd for you as it is for me," I said.

Margaret smiled in a slow, deliberate manner. She was unnervingly pretty, though in a way that warned against getting too close. "Whatever the reason for your being here, I have a feeling it is not to see me."

"I'd like to speak to your father."

"My father is a busy man," she replied. "Surely you know that."

"It's important."

The rev of an engine caught my attention, and I watched as Thomas raced toward us and came to a stop alongside his sister's car. He yanked off his helmet and smiled up at me. "I wondered how long you were going to sit in your car before coming over."

Margaret pushed her lips out in a pout. Thomas had a way of monopolizing attention. Though he was equally good-looking as his sister, he had an easy way about him that naturally attracted people. He was one of the most popular guys in his grade, and there was never a shortage of girls surrounding him.

"Tommy, run along and tell Father there's someone here who wishes to speak to him."

"We're not to disturb him," Thomas said. "He's in a meeting—"

"I think Father won't mind the interruption." Margaret's eyes cut to me as she gave me a Cheshire-cat grin.

"All right," Thomas said. "But it's your neck." He rose from his car and broke into a leisurely jog toward the main house.

"That's a hideous tattoo," Margaret said. "So uncouth. I don't even pretend to understand children these days."

"I don't recall asking your opinion," I said, though I tugged self-consciously at my collar. "I've come for John."

"Such a silly boy."

"I was told Josiah might have brought him here. To your father, the Head Watcher."

"Who told you that?" Margaret asked casually, removing the driving glove from her left hand one finger at a time. Still, I didn't miss the surprise that flitted over her face when I mentioned Josiah and her father, the Head Watcher.

"No one you need to be concerned about."

That earned me a faint snort. At last, Margaret got out of her car and stood in front of me, her eyes traveling the length of my body.

"Then you know what we are."

"Yes."

She studied me a moment longer, and then: "The entire school will mourn your loss, Blake Ehlert. Students who did not know you will lay claim to grief. They will say things like She was so young and What a tragedy. I have seen it happen before."

"I assure you I have no intention of dying."

"It would appear you do not have a choice."

"Don't I?"

Thomas hailed us from across the yard then and we turned in his direction. "Father says he will see you!"

"I suppose we shall learn of your choices," she muttered before walking away to catch up with her brother.

Trailing behind Margaret, I silently revised my earlier opinion of her character. Quiet she might be, but she possessed the same predatory instincts of a tiger lying in wait. I made a mental note never to get on her bad side.

An attractive older woman greeted us at the door, introducing herself to me as Mr. Abernathy's assistant, June. "Can I get you anything while you wait?"

"I would like a pint," said Margaret. "Preferably body temperature. I'm feeling not altogether myself at the moment."

June nodded. "And for you, Miss Ehlert?"

I felt not altogether myself, as well, having pushed the limits of my practically non-existent stamina already. I should have been at home taking it easy, not trying to rescue my vampire boyfriend from the clutches of the Head Watcher and his minion.

"A glass of water would be nice," I said. "Thank you."

June turned on her heel and proceeded with her errand, her footsteps echoing against the marble, like the rhythmic measure of a metronome. While we waited, I opened my bag and fished out the bottle of prescription iron pills.

"Those won't help," Margaret commented when I shook one into my hand.

"They won't hurt, either," I said, not looking at her. I decided I didn't like her very much. "And they do help."

"Perhaps a little. Still, your body's red blood cells are dying faster than they can regenerate."

"Spare me the biology lesson," I said. "You're not my doctor. You don't have to explain it to me."

Margaret turned away, a slight smile on her face, and we waited in silence. June returned a few moments later, presenting a tray topped with a clear glass of water, as well as a blue plastic tumbler. Margaret accepted the tumbler, though with a look of disgust on her face.

"How many times have I told you that I prefer to take it in the family crystal?"

"I was being sensitive of our guest," June replied.

Margaret narrowed her eyes but didn't respond. Instead, she sipped the drink indifferently, delicately wiping the corners of her mouth with the tip of her finger. When she had finished, she handed June the tumbler and stalked off.

Thomas, who'd been lurking in the doorway, approached and kissed June's cheek. "She's such a spoiled brat," he commented.

June gave Thomas an affectionate squeeze around the middle. "You shouldn't speak of your sister that way." She handed him the tray with Margaret's empty cup. "Be a sweetheart and take this to the kitchen."

When we were alone, June turned to me. "You're here to see John, I gather."

"So he's here?" I said, perking up at once. "I wasn't sure. I had hoped, but Margaret didn't—"

"That's just Margaret being Margaret," June said with a wave of her hand. She nodded at a set of closed doors behind me. "He's in there, speaking with Mr. Abernathy."

I turned and stared at the doors as though willing them to open with nothing more than the power of my mind. My insides were knotted with anxiety. "What do you think they're talking about?"

June shook her head. "I can't say for sure, but he came in with Josiah. They both looked very serious."

The doors opened then and Conrad Abernathy stepped out. He was a kind-looking man, slight like his children and with deep blue eyes, though they were lined with age. His neatly cropped hair was the color of steel wool.

"Miss Ehlert, what a nice surprise!" He smiled, exposing his fangs, and I took an automatic step back, bumping into June with a startled exclamation.

Mr. Abernathy frowned at my reaction and then clapped a hand over his mouth, understanding finally dawning on him. "Please accept my apologies," he said. "I am not always so careful in my own home. I'm sure you understand."

"N-no need to apologize," I stammered. I could hardly believe this man, the town's chief of police, was also a vampire. What would my parents think if they knew?

Mr. Abernathy took a long stride forward and grasped my hand in his, deceivingly firm and disconcertingly warm. "How are your parents these days?" he asked. His voice had the same subtle lilt as Margaret's. "I do love those parties of your mother's."

"They're fine." I withdrew my hand from his as inconspicuously as possible. "Mr. Abernathy, I'm here to see John."

"Straight to the point, I see," he said with a chuckle. "How did you know Mr. Kelly is here?"

"I have my sources," I said.

He smiled. "I take it you are loyal to those sources."

"Let's just say I don't plan on starting my new life betraying others."

Mr. Abernathy's brows shot up in a look of genuine interest. "Your new life?" He shook his head. "Forgive me, but I don't understand."

"My new life as a vampire."

Mr. Abernathy gaped at me for several moments before a rumbling laugh bellowed from his thin frame, echoing through the cavernous room. He pulled a satin handkerchief the color of blood from inside his jacket pocket and dabbed the corners of his eyes. I shifted from one foot to another, waiting for him to stop laughing.

"Miss Ehlert," he finally said, fixing me with a serious expression. "Have you looked at your reflection in the mirror lately? I'm sure you've heard the saying on Death's doorstep. Well, I'm afraid it applies to you."

I gritted my teeth. "I am aware of what I look like, Mr. Abernathy. That's one of the reasons I've come for John. He offered to change me."

My words had a sobering effect on him. "That will be all for now, June. Thank you," he said, dismissing her with a flick of his wrist.

"Follow me," he said when it was just the two of us.

"Where are we going?"

He gestured me ahead of him. "To my office, of course."

My heart leaped in my throat at the sight of John sitting in a plush wing-back in front of Mr. Abernathy's desk, his gaze fixed on the door as though expecting me. As soon as I entered, he rose to his feet and came to me. Josiah was there, but I spared him no more than a passing glance.

"I heard your voice," John said. "What are you doing here?"

Mr. Abernathy closed the door with a sharp click, putting an end to our conversation before it had even begun. He resumed his seat behind the desk. "Now then," he said, arranging a few loose papers into an orderly stack and situating his pens in a neat row. He clasped his hands in front of him and fixed us with a direct gaze. "It seems we have a few matters to discuss. Please, take a seat so we can begin."

John sat down again and I took the chair next to his. From the corner of my eye, I kept a discreet watch on Josiah, who appeared entirely too at ease on a settee for my taste.

"Mr. Kelly, is it true that you offered to change Miss Ehlert so that she may exist as one of us?"

"Yes," he said. "I would have changed her already if Josiah hadn't interrupted us."

Mr. Abernathy tapped the blotter on his desk with his finger, his eyes narrowing. "Then you are one very lucky vampire, Mr. Kelly."

"Lucky?"

"Miss Ehlert's blood is badly tainted with vampire venom. Surely you can smell the rot on her."

John glanced at me. "What difference does that make?"

"Had you consumed even an ounce of her blood, it would have been a most—" he hesitated as he seemed to search for just the right word—"ungratifying experience."

"Ungratifying?"

Mr. Abernathy smiled indulgently. "You are a young vampire, Mr. Kelly. There is much you have yet to learn about this life. Typically one's maker assumes the responsibility of teaching his progeny, but yours doesn't strike me as being a particularly responsible sire."

John remained silent, unable to refute the accusation. After all, Ian was the reason we were both here.

"I don't want to die, Mr. Abernathy. Are you saying I can't be changed?"

Mr. Abernathy flinched at my question. "On the contrary, Miss Ehlert! I do apologize if that is what you gleaned from the conversation. As I stated, Mr. Kelly is a young vampire, relatively speaking. The young ones simply cannot withstand blood that has been allowed to fester. It takes someone much older, someone like Mr. Butler here," he said, gesturing to Josiah, "to endure the effects of tainted blood. Even then it is an unpleasant experience."

Josiah straightened, seeming interested in the conversation for the first time since my arrival. "Excuse me, Mr. Abernathy, but I—"

"Seeing as how you are so intent on becoming one of us," Mr. Abernathy continued, cutting off Josiah, "I'd like to broker a deal."

"What kind of a deal?" I said.

Mr. Abernathy sat back in his chair, steepling his fingers. "Your life in exchange for something else."

"What could I possibly have that you want?"

Mr. Abernathy leaned forward. "Ian McAvoy. That's all, and nothing more."

John gripped my hand but said nothing. If I refused, I was as good as dead. Taking the deal meant dooming John's sire.

"Lead me to Ian McAvoy, and Mr. Butler will give you what you want."

"I will not turn her," Josiah said before I could respond.

Mr. Abernathy turned his gaze on his employee. "You would refuse an order?"

"I would," Josiah said. "Being bound to another would interfere with my ability to effectively do my job."

Mr. Abernathy waved his hand. "I am not concerned about that, Mr. Butler. Neither should you be."

"I will turn her," John said. "Whatever the consequences."

"But you heard what he said," I said, turning to John. "My blood is too badly tainted with venom."

"It's the least I can do for the hell you've been through." John took my hands in his. "Remember what I said about the bond between a maker and his progeny?" He glanced at Josiah. "I couldn't stand it, Blake. He doesn't love you."

My hands felt cold and clammy in John's, but I squeezed them even tighter. "Whatever happens, my feelings for you won't change."

"Blake—"

"The girl is as good as dead," Josiah interrupted. "I say let her die."

Mr. Abernathy narrowed his eyes at Josiah. "Mr. Butler, need I remind you who in this room is in charge?"

"How am I supposed to help you when I have no idea where Ian is?" I asked Mr. Abernathy.

He pulled his attention away from Josiah, his expression softening as he looked at me. "As Mr. Kelly explained, the bond between a maker and his progeny is quite strong. As such, I believe Mr. McAvoy will not remain hidden for long."

"What do you mean?"

His eyes shone suddenly with a cold, hard gleam. "Does that mean we have a deal?"

"You didn't answer my question."

Mr. Abernathy picked up the phone on his desk and pressed a button. "June, please escort Miss Ehlert from the premises."

I gripped the arms of my chair. "What? No! I didn't mean—"

Mr. Abernathy drew a deep breath and fixed his gaze on me. "Miss Ehlert, please do control yourself."

I sat back and shut my mouth, though it took considerable effort. "Sorry."

"Deliver Mr. McAvoy to me and I will release Mr. Kelly. As a token of my gratitude, Mr. Butler will reward you with eternal life."

My heart pounded in my chest. "But what if I can't find him? I might be dead before that happens. And I have school tomorrow!"

"I hope you fed well before you came here," Mr. Abernathy said to John. "When you receive your next meal depends entirely upon Miss Ehlert bringing me what I want. Consider going hungry your punishment for not reporting Mr. McAvoy's presence to me sooner."

There was a knock at the door then and June stuck her head inside. Mr. Abernathy turned to me. "I suggest you hurry, Miss Ehlert, and not only for your sake."

He got up then and reached for my hand. I was in such a daze I stupidly let him have it. "By the way, there is such a thing as playing hooky. Use your illness to your advantage."

Josiah rose from the couch, his expression stony and devoid of any emotion. He wrapped his fingers around my wrist so tightly I thought my bones would splinter. Coming to my senses, I struggled to break free, protesting that I needed a moment alone with John. I was no match for Josiah's strength, though. With little effort, he pushed me through the door and into June's arms. Still, I managed a fleeting glance of John before the door closed and the lock turned in place. And judging by the look on his face, he wasn't holding out much hope for either of us.

*****

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