Page 33

I hesitated, then lifted the lid. It was quite heavy, but if I shoved it off the chest, I was sure I could manage to splinter it.

It fell back with a sharp bark. I tried hard not to look down at the beautiful woman still slumbering within.

“Please hurry back,” May's plaintive voice responded.

Before I could answer her, the woman’s eyes snapped open. The sapphire eyes slid over and captured my gaze. I found that I could not speak. Slowly, she extended her hand out to me.

I do not know how I managed to break her gaze, and therefore free myself of her power, but I found myself turning and rushing to the door.

Completely panicked, I banged my hands against the door and tried to open it. May was caught up in my hysteria and joined me as the room echoed with our panicked cries. We pounded on the door begging for mercy, but none came.

Glancing over my shoulder, I saw the blond vampire standing in her chest. She shone like a jewel in the darkness, and I cried out in terror.

Beside me, May turned, but she could not see what I could. Yet, she must have felt the menace. Her hands were bruised and her nails split from her desperate scrabbling at the door.

I had seen my father's dead body, and I knew not where my mother was. My throat tight with emotion as I moved to stand guard over my sister as she desperately jostled the door latch.

“Leave us be,” I begged the blond woman.

“He has given her to us,” she answered.

It took me a moment to realize the woman's lips had not parted when she spoke. Beside me, May tugged hard on the door latch, whimpering. She had not heard the woman speak.

“Leave us be,” I repeated.

“Who are you speaking to?” May's voice was a bare whisper.

Elegantly and terrifyingly, the blond woman flew out of the crate to land lightly before me.

Shoving May hard behind me, I pressed my arms back trying to keep my sister protected.

With a languid smile, the golden haired vampire raised her hand and gently stroked my cheek.

“Who's there?” May's strangled voice cried out in terror.

“May, stay behind me,” I ordered, slapping the blond woman's hand away.

She slightly recoiled, but her sly smile returned as she ran her fingertips lightly over my wounded throat.

“Glynis!” May screamed. “Glynis, answer me! Answer me!”

I could not move to comfort her. I was transfixed by those beguiling eyes.

“Glynis!”

I felt the cold hand take mine and I stared into the deep glowing embers of the vampire’s eyes. She drew me away from the door, away from May, and I followed, unable to resist.

Night is falling over the valley. The sisters shall soon awaken.

“My sister,” I whispered. “Don’t hurt her!”

He has given her to us.

“Please,” I begged. “Please. ”

“Who are you talking to?” May screamed. I could hear her languishing behind me, trying to find me in the darkness. “Why are you leaving me? Glynis!”

He has given her to us. To you. Do you not feel yourself changing?