CHAPTER 12 #2
“Just some flesh wounds.” I kick off my shoes. “Nothing serious.”
Haden eyes the bandage visible beneath my torn top. “That doesn’t look like nothing.”
Evan clears space for me on the couch. “What happened to Max?”
I sink onto the cushions, suddenly aware of how exhausted I am.
“Sire bond,” I say, my eyes closing involuntarily. “Turns out they’re real.”
“No way,” Evan breathes. “That’s just old vampire folklore.”
“Tell that to the hole in my stomach,” I mutter, accepting the glass of water Haden hands me.
I give them an abbreviated version of what happened.
“So, now you’re working with Redmoore again?” asks Haden, his tone carefully neutral. He knows how I feel about the organization that failed to protect my father.
“Temporarily,” I clarify. “Just until we figure out what Cain wants with me.”
Evan leans forward, brow furrowed. “What about Max? Will he be bound to her forever?”
“I’m not sure,” I admit, the weight of uncertainty pressing down on me. “We have never documented a sire bond before. There’s no protocol for breaking one.”
The room falls silent as we each contemplate the implications. Sire bonds are real, and if what I witnessed today is anything to go by, it changes everything we thought we knew about vampire-human dynamics.
The potential for manipulation, enforcing obedience, and creating armies of controlled vampires is terrifying.
“Why are you two still here anyway?” I ask, changing the subject. “It’s nearly dawn.”
“We were at Hot Shot with the group earlier,” Haden says, reaching for the last plasma berry. “They finally released Kyla.”
“Turns out she’s innocent of the murder,” says Evan with a subtle undertone of condescension.
It’s evident from the way his eyes brighten that he’s all too eager to tell me he was right about them being able to control themselves.
I digress and let him have his moment.
“Though she’s still on probation for bloodsucking.” Haden shrugs. “Three months of community service and mandatory counseling.”
“That’s great news,” I say, genuinely happy for Kyla. It seems she was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
“We wanted you to join us,” Haden continues, prodding me in that way he does when he wants me to hydrate, “so we came back here after, but you weren’t home.”
I drain my glass, promising them I’ll be there next time, the tension in my shoulders belying the calm in my voice.
Evan gives my back a light pat. “Go rest, busy bee.”
I don’t need to be told that a second time.
My wound may be healing, but severe blood loss and exhaustion have taken their toll.
They both get up from the couch to make space for me as I lie down.
Without needing to ask, my body is gently covered with a blanket.
The familiar comfort of it all is a relief after the chaos of the past few days. Within seconds, I’m drifting off.
Sleep claims me, but it’s fitful and filled with dreams of Max’s vacant eyes, Lexa’s knowing smile, and Revenant’s masked face watching from the shadows.
I wake to sunlight streaming through my curtains and the waft of bloda. My wound seems to have healed considerably overnight, leaving only a tender spot where the dagger entered.
I drag myself off the couch and follow the breakfast scent into the kitchen. Evan is asleep at the table, his head resting on his folded arms. Haden stands at the counter, pouring bloda into three cups with ice.
“Morning,” he says, sliding a cup toward me. “How’s the wound?”
“Better.” I take a grateful sip. “Thanks for staying.”
He nods, glancing at Evan. “He crashed out not long after you did.”
Evan stirs, blinking owlishly as he lifts his head. “You’re up.”
“You two should go home and get some real sleep,” I say, grabbing an energy bar from the cabinet.
Evan yawns, stretching his arms wide overhead. “And miss all the excitement? Not a chance.”
I roll my eyes but don’t argue. Their presence has been a comfort, a reminder that despite everything, I’m not completely alone.
“What’s the plan for today?” Haden asks, sinking into the chair next to Evan.
“Nothing.” I take a big bite from my bar.
Even if I wanted to do something, I couldn’t.
Going hunting right now is like asking to get caught, knowing Cain and his followers are not just watching my every move, but trying to control the ones around me too.
Going outside to do anything right now is just senseless.
Every step I make, I’m pushed back two. Until I figure out what I’m dealing with, it’s in everyone’s best interest for me to stay neatly tucked away within the moderately safe borders of Penn City.
“Nothing?” Evan’s eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “Did I hear that right?”
Haden nearly chokes on his bloda. “I’m not sure I did.”
I roll my eyes, leaning lazily against the counter. “I’m officially off duty until Monday.”
Evan and Haden exchange a look of theatrical shock.
“Someone check if hell has frozen over,” Evan says dramatically.
Haden lifts his hand and presses the side of it to his forehead, as if to block the sun and look around.
I throw my energy bar wrapper at him. “Very funny.”
Evan stands up, suddenly energized. “We are so doing something fun today. Non-negotiable.”
“What do you have in mind?” I ask skeptically, already feeling apprehensive about whatever scheme is forming in his head.
“Holloway District.” Evan’s eyes light up. “It’s been a while since we last visited their underground market. I heard they’ve got vendors from Mythcrest this weekend.”
Local vendors usually peddle cheap, sub-par goods, but Mythcrestean ones are different. Most of the stuff they bring is rare, authentic, of high quality, and overall worth the trouble of seeking out.
Haden claps his hands together. “I’m in.”
I consider protesting. The idea of crowds doesn’t exactly appeal to me right now, but the sheer excitement on their faces stops me. When was the last time I did something just for fun?
“Sure,” I cave, “but I need a shower first.”
Evan whoops, high-fiving Haden across the table.
“I can still change my mind,” I warn, but I’m already heading for the bathroom.
Half an hour later, we’re making our way through one of the many public tunnels of the city—well-lit, patrolled, and connecting various districts, allowing safe passage for vampires during the day as well as humans who may simply prefer a darker route.
We all have our reasons. Unlike Viktor’s illegal smuggling channels buried deep in the bowels of the earth, these tunnels were established after the war as a legitimate transportation network.
Checkpoints marked by sleek, curved archways embedded with pulsing blue lights dot every junction. Scanners check our IDs as we pass through, the barriers humming softly as they recognize our authorized signatures.
The tunnel eventually opens into a spacious, circular chamber with multiple branching paths. Digital maps on the walls mark each route with color-coded symbols. The ceiling is lined with artificial sunlight panels, designed to make the underground feel less claustrophobic.
“Holloway Market is the purple glyph,” says Haden.
He points in the direction we’re supposed to go, funneling us into the steady stream of people heading the same way.
The tunnel walls are adorned with murals depicting scenes from Penn City’s history: its founding, followed by the establishment of the first vampire-human accords, and the settlement of Northcross after the Industrial War that made it all possible in the first place.
All sanitized history, of course, leaving out the bloodier aspects of our shared past.
“So,” Evan says, nudging me with his elbow as we walk, “what are you going to buy at the market?”
“Who says I’m buying anything?”
“Come on, you can’t go to Holloway Market and not buy something.”
“I know what Evan’s getting,” Haden chimes in.
“What?” I ask, but it seems as if Evan is questioning the same thing.
“Probably some ridiculous charm that supposedly enhances your stamina.” Haden smirks, taking a jab at him.
“Though I don’t think he needs it, considering how many women I constantly hear leaving his apartment at dawn.
Last week it was, what, three different ones?
I’m surprised the neighbors haven’t filed a noise complaint yet. ”
Evan’s mouth drops in mock offense. “At least I’m getting laid.
The only thing you’ve been intimate with lately is that strategy game you play until two in the afternoon.
” He turns to me with a dramatic eye roll, his lips twitching like he’s barely holding back a laugh.
“Did you know he named his character after Marcus? Corny, right?”
Haden’s cheeks flush at the revelation.
“No way,” I snort.
Haden recovers quickly, a mischievous glint emerging in his eyes. “At least I can hold an intellectual conversation that lasts longer than five minutes.”
“Five minutes is all I need,” Evan winks, causing me to groan.
“You two give me a headache,” I say, smiling despite myself.
Evan holds back a retort, one he knows I’ll slap him for. “Anyway, I’m getting those glowing mushrooms for my apartment.”
“The ones that change color based on your mood?” Haden asks, to which Evan nods. “Fun stuff. I’m more interested in the tech section. I heard someone’s selling modified neural interfaces.”
My law enforcement instincts kick in. “Illegal ones?”
“No, mom,” he whines. “Custom ones. Those with better sensory feedback for gaming.”
I hold up my hands in surrender. “Just checking.”
More and more people crowd the tunnel as we approach Holloway.
The air becomes warmer, carrying the mingled scents of incense, fresh herbs, exotic foods, and the distinctive ozone smell of tech demonstrations.
The music grows louder, a fusion of traditional Mythcrest melodies and modern electronic beats.
We finally emerge into a vast underground cavern which has been cozily transformed into a vibrant marketplace.