Page 33 of This Blood that Bonds Us

“We need to go to the city hospital and pretend to have an animal attack injury. Emphasis on the blood loss. That’s how they found us the first time . . . because of the police report. You could help us because you’re a nurse, and you could help keep suspicions down while we’re there. Make sure the report is made and the blood loss is specified in the medical records.”

“I do know a few colleagues in the hospital close to Fairbanks.”

“Believe it or not, this is the least dangerous option.”

“Okay.” She nodded and picked at the loaf of bread, like it was the simplest answer in the world.

“Just like that?” Presley asked.

“Whatever we need to do to find your brothers, I’ll do it.”

“Well, I want to help too. You’ll need me. I’m good at sneaking,” Presley said.

The more the better. We needed to put out the equivalent of a bat signal.

“If I had to guess, they’ve been tracking us up the coast anyway. This should be simple. Easy to pinpoint,” Kimberly said.

“What have you guys been doing that would get you on their radar?” Mom asked.

I looked to Presley, and he raised his brows and motioned for me to speak.

I could practically read his mind.You’re the oldest. You explain.

“We kinda . . . roamed bars and fed.”

“On people.” Presley specified.

“Right.” Mom took another sip of her tea. “But you won’t do any of that in town, right? Can you venture out?”

“Yeah, don’t worry. Plus, it’s not time yet. We drank right before we came.” Presley rubbed Mom’s hand.

Her face had drained of color as she picked up a fork to eat, but with each steaming hot bite, it came back. Blood-drinking would be the hardest thing for her to accept. It was for me. Oddly enough, I’d forgotten about blood completely. A few days earlier, that was impossible. Kimberly’s blood worked to tame the need. I didn’t know what that meant or how long it would last, but it was a relief. I could focus on what mattered, which was getting my brothers back. Then our only problem would be buying more dining room chairs so we could all sit together at the dinner table again.

“How do we keep Mom safe?” Presley asked. “What if Kilian goes all evil again and uses her as bait or something.”

“Good point,” I said.

“We don’t let anyone at the hospital know we’re related. Maybe she found us after the attack?” Kimberly’s brain worked quickly.

“Sounds like we have a plan.”

This was it. The last hope my brothers had.

Me. A hopeless case who was driven mad by blood occasionally. Not a strong fighter and not a good plan maker. My brother? Childish and about as hopeless and confused as me with the queen’s blood, but he could be cunning. Especially if it involved talking. My mom? A brave, strong woman who should not be involved. Then Kimberly. Maybe our actual only hope. I was confident we wouldn’t have made it out of the forest that day without her. Not just her smarts buther. Presley and I needed her.

This was the last hope we’d all be together again. Something told me there wasn’t any more running. Our next encounter with The Family would decide everything, and we needed to be ready to end this once and for all.

Fourteen

Kimberly

My life had officially come full circle, and I hadn’t seen it coming. Not like this anyway.

Aaron, Presley, and I stayed in the cover of trees while fresh blankets of snow continued to fall from the sky. One great thingabout Alaska was it was quiet everywhere. There was a low rumble of cars and a few animals in the distance, but nothing too loud. Which was great because I needed all my brain power for what we were about to do.

“Okay, Kim, let’s get you looking like a final girl.” Presley splashed me with fake blood from the craft store, barely leaving time for me to cover my mouth.

He poured it haphazardly over his hands and moved it over his clothes and hair.