Blood's Voice Read online

  I could hear Declán approaching the door as I knocked. His eagerness was charming. I smiled when he opened the door.

  “Hello.” I leaned in to peck his cheek lightly and whispered, “I need to talk to you as soon as possible.”

  Reaching up to trace my lips with his fingers, he smiled. Even as upset as I was, that simple touch made me shiver slightly. “Let’s go for a walk then. Come on.” He took my hand and led me away from the house, towards the park.

  “Troubled? You’re paler than normal,” he asked amiably.

  “Declán, I don’t want to worry you unnecessarily, but there are others in the area. They’re not like Nicholas and me; they don’t respect human life.”

  “You mean other vampires?” he assumed calmly. He didn’t seem to understand the danger, ugh.

  “Yes, other . . . vampires. However, until we know what they want here, I’ve convinced Nicholas to help me. I don’t want you all out of our sight. It’s just me being paranoid really,” I smiled. “But, I don’t know them so . . .” Focus! Control the voice, Anya!

  “What exactly do you mean, out of your sight?”

  Making my voice soothing and gentle, I answered, “I want to pick you up in the mornings and even once I have to leave I will hang around, just to make sure there are no problems.”

  “Should I worry?” His was confused. I knew he wouldn’t like me using my powers on him, but he didn’t need to be afraid.

  “No, like I said, we are just being overly protective. Remember, I’m not used to others of my kind. Forgive me my paranoia, please.

  “But, enough stress talk, shall we return to your house and find something fun to do? Maybe you could, finally, show me some of your work?” I knew his hobbies and interests, but he had yet to share them, always seeming too shy to let me see. If he was going to be an architect, he’d have to get over this bashfulness of his.

  “You really want to see my designs? It’s not overly exciting except to those who design, like me, or those seeking a new design.” But, I could see that I was winning, his eyes were burning with an excitement I’d rarely seen.

  “Yes, of course I do. I want to know all of you, a ghrá. Now, come, let’s see how inventive you are.”

  “Morning everyone,” I greeted as they piled into my car.

  “Morning,” Kayla and Skye said together. “What brought on this bout of kindness? We don’t mind being rescued from the evils of the big yellow bus, just curious,” Skye continued.

  “I thought it’d be more fun, unless you prefer the noise and smell.” I couldn’t help smirking as Kayla made faces in the mirror.

  “No, no . . . this is fine,” Kayla countered.

  The rest of the ride was spent with Kayla and Declán trying desperately to convince Skye and me to tell what secret present or plot we were planning for their birthday party on Saturday –something about movable feasts and school days. Whatever.

  Once at school Skye towed me to class, grinning the whole time as the attempts at persuasion continued.

  “Wow, I’ve never seen them so focused on finding out a secret before,” Skye whispered as we entered Calculus. “I can’t wait to see their faces; this is going to be good.”

  “Yes, we just have to hope they don’t find a way to get details out of Caera and Liam.”

  “Yes, but what would they tell? They don’t know what we picked out either; they only know the very basics.”

  Just then, Mr. Dallas called us to attention; time to be good.

  School passed in relative quiet until it was time to meet up with Declán and Kayla for ASL. As was our custom, we always met at my locker and went to class together, but what brought me up short was the scent in the hall as I approached. Vampire, one of the ones leaving the red notes. I looked around quickly as the scent was fresh. No one looked out of place but the scent . . . Just then, Declán arrived with Kayla right behind him. He could immediately tell something was wrong, my expression must’ve been off, darn.

  “What’s wrong?” he whispered.

  “I’m not sure yet. You two stay right here for just a minute.” I went ahead to my locker, where the scent was the strongest. Opening it, I found yet another note, but this one was different. Still typed, the same scent, but this one was blue. Weird.

  – No more hiding, outside now –

  Oh, boy. They’re outside now? Well, if they’re going to sneak in and do no damage, I guess sending Declán and Kayla on to class should be safe enough. I hoped

  “You two go on to class, tell him I got sick or something. I’ll be back in just a bit.”

  “But, Anya,” Declán started.

  “No. Please just do this for me. I need to run outside for a little while. Stay inside until I come for you, please.”

  They both looked worried but nodded and slowly trudged off to class. How was I going to explain this to Kayla? She doesn’t know what’s going on . . .

  I headed toward the doors, trying hard to control my speed and movements while keeping all my senses alert. Who is this and why?

  Standing next to my car was a small male figure. Vampire, not human. He was casually leaning against the door as if this was a normal thing to do. His hair was so black it was bluish. I couldn’t see his eyes yet, but I already knew what to expect, creepy voids.

  I could feel myself tensing, as if for a fight, as I approached. I could not smell any others in the area, nor could I hear anyone else. So, at least he came alone to harass me.

  Patience, calm. “Can I help you?” I began. I would keep my voice and actions in check until . . .

  The stranger finally turned his face fully to me. Yes, he was one of the others. “Yes, actually you can. You see, I am tired of looking for things when just asking might be easier. If not, maybe asking one of your pets might be.” He kept his face casual and friendly.

  I could feel my face harden and my eyes tighten. “And exactly what are you looking for? You’ve already trashed my living space, stalked me at school and home, what else do you desire?” Yes, I was glad I had gone ahead and chosen to do this now and not have waited until the end of the day.

  “Ah, yes, you and your oddities. I don’t see what’s so fascinating about them,” he said looking toward the school. “Seems wrong to live and play with your food.” Shaking his head, he continued, “You have made it difficult to track you till recently, Anya. We were starting to wonder how long you could stay hidden.

  “Anyway, now that I’ve found you, I’m intrigued to find nothing they did seems to of stuck. You are just as perverted as before . . .” He looked slightly nauseous, “Playing with humans.”

  “You’re one of them?” Now it was my turn to feel ill. I didn’t want any of them here.

  “Oh, don’t tell me, you forgot me already. Huh, they said you cracked, guess they really meant it.” He merely shrugged. Infuriating!

  “I have no idea who you are.” Using my voice in this situation seemed appropriate, considering he just admitted to belonging to my captors. “Who are you and what are you doing here?”

  With satisfaction, I could see him lose focus, and knew it was working. “Er, I am Thomas. I’m here to observe and see if you had changed your mind about things. You should be glad it’s just me. If you continue to be difficult, I must warn you, they will send others. That’s actually why the meeting today. I felt I should warn you that you’re going to have more problems soon as I’m being sent back.”

  “You are warning me that the ones that took me before are sending more into my area to harass and cause problems? Why?” His logic seemed flawed.

  “You really don’t remember do you? I’m warning you because I’m one of those who helped you escape. I’ve done what they ordered, but I’ve tried to cause as little trouble as possible.” His face seemed sincere as he spoke. Could this being actually be not as bad?

  “You helped me escape? But why and why warn me now?” This was making no sense to me. Could I get a headache? Do they make vampire aspirin?


  He smiled coyly, “Well, you helped me before and I guess I still feel like I sorta owe ya. Plus, well, I guess I always kinda admired your stubborn wilfulness. I’ve never seen anyone resist the Educators before.”

  Educators? Helped him? Weird. “Um, Okay. I wish I had some idea what you were talking about but thank you, I guess.”

  “I can’t stay and help run interference any longer, sorry. While I still think you an aberration, I do have respect for you, and I don’t agree with what they want. I have to go now, just know there will be more like me here soon, but they will be determined to find a way to finish what the House was working on before. Your humans won’t be safe either – I have been careful not to feed locally, knowing you would find out and become a hazard to us otherwise.”

  “Thank you for the warning. What do they want and what were you looking for in my things?”

  “They put a lot into making you a lethal weapon, they still want their weapon. And, I was not actually looking for but rather looking at, really. I was trying to see who you had become. I knew there should be changes from who you were. I mean, you were so unstable when you escaped. Sadly, for them, you seem to have reverted to exactly the same kind of person you were before. But really, I need to leave. If Caria and I don’t get back soon, they might suspect something. They’re still trying to figure out how you got away before – it’s only because of the voice control you have that they cannot just pull it out of my mind. Just please, don’t give in. No one will be safe if they win. You are too dangerous!” He had not even finished the last word when he bolted for the trees. Seemed he meant he had to, literally, leave right then.

  Not a minute later I heard the last bell ring inside and knew everyone would be filing out soon. How to explain to the others? How to tell Nicholas? What to do now?

  Declán came over immediately, wrapping his arms around my waist from behind and whispering into my ear, “So, are you going to tell me what all that was about?”

  I could see Kayla and Skye walking towards us, but they were approaching much slower, both with curious looks passing between them. I leaned back and whispered, “Just a warning about my past. Nothing for you to fret over. But, weren’t you supposed to wait inside for me?”

  “Um, yeah, okay, but the girls are really curious; you may have trouble placating them.” He released me, taking my hand as they arrived.

  “So . . . what’s new?” Kayla asked.

  “Oh, just someone delivering something. They were in a hurry, nothing to worry about. Now, where to you three, since we still have a few hours to kill?”

  As I pulled up to Nicholas’s home later, he came bounding out the door, looking puzzled but happy. “Hey Anya, what brings you over?”

  “Well, I had a visitor today at school and thought I should let you know about it. Are Jonathan and Amber here?”

  “Yes, come on,” he said as we entered the house. “Amber, Jonathan, we have company.”

  They both appeared at the same time, looking curious; Jonathan motioning for us to sit. “What brings you over?”

  Taking a deep breath first, I began, “I had a visit from my friendly stalker today at school. His name is Thomas, but that’s not the interesting part. He was warning me that he’d been recalled and that the new ones being sent are supposed to try to finish turning me into a weapon. Seems they don’t give up easily.”

  Looking panicked but still moving normally, Jonathan asked, “I don’t understand, dear, he warned you? And what do you mean about still trying to make you a weapon?”

  Nicholas and Amber were both showing stress but not moving as they awaited my response.

  “Under the power of my voice he explained that he was warning me, so I would know what was coming. Seems he was one of the ones responsible for my escape from the House that sent him to watch me. The problem is that while he harassed me a little, they are calling him and his mate back and sending others here. Others who are supposed to try to find a way to finish the job.

  “Also, he mentioned Educators; do you know what they are?”

  “Educators? That’s who’s after you?” I could hear the panic slipping into his voice, just as clearly as I could on his face. “If that is who wants you, I’m not sure what we can do to help, but we have to make sure that they never get their way with you!”

  Nicholas finally seemed to awake, shaking his head as if to clear it, he spoke, “You know who they are?”

  “Oh, I know them. They are lethal, powerful, and if they could bend dear Anya to their will, they would be unstoppable. One of the Elder Houses is after her, Nicholas; one of those that would see all like us annihilated.” The oddest look passed across Jonathan’s face before he continued. “But if it was they that did this to you, and they not only lost you but failed to turn you, to twist you, into their image . . . you must be something much more . . . well, more.

  “Also,” he seemed to deliberate before continuing, “this news might explain your memory loss. Educators, as they call them, are torture experts.”

  “I don’t understand, Jonathan. Why would that explain it?”

  “If they were trying to break you so that you would become like them, the trauma might, in very rare cases, be enough to cause you to blank your own memory.”

  “Oh! It would have to have been extremely severe to have done that to her,” Nicholas said wrapping his strong arms around me again.

  “So why are they just watching and harassing me now?” I asked.

  “My theory?” Jonathan continued, “Having failed so completely before, especially since they actually made you more dangerous to them, they probably don’t want to make a direct assault on you. Either recruit you or drive you to turn dark on your own would be my guess. Wish we knew exactly which House was after you.”

  “That I don’t know; my apologies. But, with this information, what do we do? I fear that since they know about you being like me, and in the area, you may be in danger as well.”

  “Anya, love,” Nicholas interjected. “You’re not alone. And this time, you are not running off on your own!”

  “I have to agree,” Jonathan added. “It’s too late to worry about them bothering us, but we’re not who they want . . . you are. As to what we do next, I suggest that you ignore them as much as possible. Be aware that they are around but do not let them deny you your life. I’m more worried about your humans than about us.”

  “I disagree, Jonathan,” Amber voiced. “If they’re the ones that made her so much stronger yet still lost her, the fact she bonded the one human to her will make them wary of attacking him and his family. They’ll want to bend her to their will, not set her on a blind vengeance kill. We haven’t tested how lethal her voice may be, but I am pretty sure they won’t want to find out by having her go after them.” She seemed so sure of her words I was actually comforted . . .

  Pulling away from Nicholas and turning to face him partially I struggled for the right words, “Okay, so, I have some Elder House after me; however, we don’t know which one. The fact Declán is blood bonded to me should add a layer of protection to him and his family but that depends on how suicidal and determined they are. And . . . at least one of the ones that helped me escape is still with that same House. Oh, and he says I became mentally unstable just prior to my memory loss happening. Am I missing anything?

  “Oh, wait . . . thanks to the fact Thomas showed up at the school Declán, Kayla, and Skye all know something’s up; though only Declán realizes it’s something to be really worried about.” Unstable? Yes, I could believe it. Unreal and unfair, much?

  Nicholas wound me in his strong arms, pulling me tight against him. “Love, this changes nothing. We will look out for each other and your humans. We just know more, that’s all. As for Declán . . . that’s up to you of course, but honestly, I think letting him know you made contact with your stalker is probably about the most he should know at this point. You don’t want to overwhelm him or needlessly scare him.”

  Amber shook h
er head indulgently as she looked at the two of us. “I truly do not understand you two.” She sighed.

  “We’re happy Mom, just accept that and all will be fine,” Nicholas said with a homey laugh.

  Chapter Ten

  “Skye, are you sure your parents won’t mind me picking you up so early? I mean, I appreciate you helping me deliver their surprises, but I don’t want you in trouble.”

  “Are you kidding? I wouldn’t miss this for the world! They’re fine with it, though they are a bit curious why we are the ones doing this and not their parents. They’ll be even more curious about how their parents are affording what you picked out for them.” She was still confused how I could afford what we were getting for Declán and Kayla with the funds their parents authorized.

  “Well, you said you wanted to know what he wanted . . . and he did mention wanting this for both of them.”

  “Yes, but the cost is what I’m curious about.” She wasn’t going to give up, it seemed.

  “Fine, fine, so I added some of my own funds to the cause. Besides, it’s too late for any of you to fuss.” I couldn’t help the smile that seemed permanent right then.

  “You can afford this? And their parents aren’t going to freak?”

  “Yes, I can and no, they’re not. Relax, and remember to set your alarm, so you don’t have me pounding on the door too loud and end up with your parents upset.”

  “Okay, okay. Oh, I got gift boxes for the keys. I hope these are alright with you.” With that, she took out two nice gift boxes. They were a little larger than an earring box, but the key rings should fit flawlessly.