Page 51 of This Blood that Bonds Us

Twenty

Presley

I couldn’t believe they went. No protection, no nothing. The twins wouldn’t approve. No way. I hunched over on the side of my bed, rubbing my chest for the thousandth time. No matter what I did, nothing helped. Mom gave me heating pads—the weird rice kind that smelled when you put them in the microwave. Even showers were useless because the water was permanently lukewarm.

What if they got taken? Then I’d be alone with Mom till she died of old age, unless I convinced her to turn—already asked and she’d said no—but it was still early. I could probably still get her to do it if I begged on my hands and knees. Only, then I’d feel guilty because Mom’s been talking about heaven for forever. She also talked about missing grandma a lot and how excited she was to see her again one day, so taking her away from that kind of made me feel like a selfish loser. Would I be alone for the rest of eternity because I wasn’t brave enough to take risks?

Then it would just be an eternity in a cold barren wasteland.Oh God.

I popped up to my feet to pace my room. What was I thinking? I should have gone to help. I should have done something. Now I would turn into a lonely hermit, but not the cool kind like Yoda. It would be the bad kind. The kind that lives in a cave and talks to himself and tries to trick people with riddles.I’m terrible at riddles!

My phone ringing broke my thoughts. A shrill pop song I’d picked because I had nothing better to do. I sighed at the sound of my brother’s voice and listened intently while he explained the meeting with Kilian.

“Ireland?”

“Yeah, he said it’s an island, but they’re still trying to find the exact coordinates.”

“Well, that’s not too far. Right? We can go?”

“We will. I promise. We’re going to the cabin to talk about the details, and I’ll fill you in. I’ll send you that address just in case.”

“Don’t go into any basements!”

“I won’t, don’t worry.” Aaron’s voice was oddly calm and comforting. “I’ll text you updates and when I’ll be home.”

When he hung up, I thought I’d feel relief. I should have felt a little happier about the occasion, but all I could think about was how long until Kilian stabbed us in the back.

We needed to get to Ireland.

At least I had a little spot on the globe I could look at. Rummaging through the closet, I found what I was looking for: a world map that was tattered and should have been thrown away a long time ago. It’s probably been there since they built this cabin in the freakin’ 1970s. Mom said none of the furniture was hers and belonged to whoever was renting.

I sprawled it over my bed to take in the full view. An ocean apart was not that bad. I could probably swim there if I had to. Not ideal. Very cold. But I wouldn’t drown or anything. I mean, probably not. I didn’t exactly know all the vampire rules, but I didn’t think lungs full of water would feel that great.

Maybe we could hop on a boat and go over, but Northern Ireland was big and had a few parts that looked like islands. I wanted to look it up, but Mom was the only one with internet on her phone, and it was incredibly slow.

Suddenly, my phone felt heavy in my pocket. I could help another way.

We needed a backup plan when this thing fell through, and all our plans tended to do that. It wouldn’t hurt to think about it for a second or two.

The note was left to me for a reason, but I wondered what that reason might be. What did Akira see in me, anyway? Why didIget the note? Akira didn’t trust The Legion either. I guess we had that in common. He said a lot of stuff I didn’t remember, but I remembered that part.

I opened my phone and stared at my call log. The number had called me back numerous times, but I’d let it ring. No messages though.

Maybe Akira knew something about The Legion we didn’t and the number was supposed to help somehow. He didn’t hurt us when he could have. He was strong enough to kill us all that day at the farm. He’d obviously let us win so we would drink Hell Bitch’s blood, and that was not very trustworthy.

I just need to choose.

If I wanted to do it, I should just try it and see who was really on the other line. It wasn’t my brothers, but it could give us another clue. It wasn’t like I needed to tell anybody. I could make good decisions on my own.

That weird emotion bubbled in my stomach again. My body flushed and I felt . . . angry but couldn’t pinpoint why. Just the heat of the emotion rushing through me.

Another memory resurfaced before I could block it out.

Zach and I were in my room in Blackheart.

“Aaron is being such a baby,” I said to Zach after Luke had explained I couldn’t taunt Aaron anymore by fake flirting with Kimberly.

“I don’t think Aaron would actually hurt you. Luke just wants to be safe.”