Page 91 of Marked for Execution

“We have seen that among the newly made vampires. This is similar.” Samuel stared at me like he could see through my mind to the other side. “Does this mean we’re all teetering on the edge of something like this? Walking time bombs?”

“Well not as dramatic as that,”Silisaid. “My abilities came out so slowly at first, I didn’t notice until my first temper outburst.”

“And she’s half,” Reed explained. “Eliseo, you would be whole, right? Full blown bloodsucker? I mean, that’s what Crazy Otis was concluding. If it started as an airborne virus and entered the human body, transforming them, that means whatever is in our body right now could do the exact same transformation.”

“We’re all carriers,” Gunner flatly stated without emotion.

“Yeah, we are. Can’t go back now.”

“You said blood could have been the catalyst?” Samuel questioned further.

Sitting back, I pulledSilibetween my legs and wrapped my arms around her lower back, rubbing my hand inside her shirt. “That’s the theory. I don’t know if it’s true or not, but it’s the closest thing my mind could connect from what I know.”

“But you will be good vampires, right?” Remi asked weakly, clinging to Samuel’s side.

“Yeah, babe. We’ll still protect you, don’t you worry about that.”

She smiled up at him and he returned it with one of his own.

We all sat in silence, digesting everything I divulged. They took it better than I thought they would. Then again, we all knew Crazy Otis was up to no good when he brought us into his bunker constantly. My assumption was that he wanted to create some sort of super soldier to be under his thumb, fighting for the human race or for his coup—now, I was not sure.

Whatever his purpose was, he could suck a dick, because we werenotgoing back.

The air dropped in temperature dramatically the closer we got to this elusive town Margaret told us about: Blackmeadow. I wondered if this was her prior residence. If so, was there a reason why she left? I kept my guard up, not wanting to give into hope that we would finally find a place to settle.

The young girl, Remi, had been stuck to Samuel’s side like glue—a shadow that refused to leave his protection despite his broken leg. I was just glad he was able to occupy himself with something. She responded well toSili,but not always to the rest of us.

I didn’t blame her. She would get used to us soon enough, because she was part of our crew now. Change could be good.

“Guys, there’s something ahead,” Gunner called out from the driver’s side.

All of us gathered towards the front of the RV and looked through the front windshield. My eyes had sharpened these past few days as well. I was able to see the top of what looked like an outer gate to a community similar in size to Ashborne.

“What do you think? You trust old Margaret with her intel? Are they friendly?” Gunner asked, slowing the vehicle down. The arrow of the gas gauge was right above the letter E. Even if this wasn’t the exact town, we were going to have to stop soon anyway and try our hand.

“I have no damn clue. We’re about to find out,” Reed answered.

“Keep your weapons close to your body and concealed just as a security measure.” I turned to look over my shoulder atSili.“Keep your crossbow in the RV. We don’t want to look too aggressive.”

“You got it.”

“Samuel, let us do the talking this time, alright? Just keep Remi close.”

He scoffed, “Hell no, you’re not doing the talking, Eliseo. You’ll get us all killed with your asshole attitude.”

“What the hell do you mean? I know how to be civil,” I shot back.

Silipatted me on the shoulder and kissed me on the cheek. “You don’t. I can do the talking. They might respond better to a woman.”

“She’s right,” Reed agreed.

“You guys all against me now? How far have I carried us through shit?” I was a little offended, but deep down, I knew they were telling the truth.

“That’s the thing, when shit hits the fan, you’re good. When we need to come in with peace, however…” Reed chuckled as he put his hand behind his head, watching the community get closer and closer.

“Sili, tell them I can be civil. I can speak without causing trouble.”

Her eyes sparkled as she wrapped her arms around me from behind. “I remember distinctly how you made my acquaintance, you asshole.”