It hisses and backs to the wall, where it becomes nothing more than a shadow. “I feel your desires, and they intrigue me. If you leave, I will kill the child. Bite, and I’ll kill the child. If you are good, I’ll become something that would feed the bloodsucker.” His shadow grows and shifts until it turns from shadow to man and from man to giant. Hunching to keep from hitting its head on the rock, the giant smiles. The vein on the side of his neck pulses with rich, sweet blood that’s impossible not to smell.
Max’s blood still nourishes my body, and there is no temptation to take what the boogeyman offers. “I’m not hungry.”
As its eyes turn red, it returns to shadow. “Noooo? I must find a form that will tempt you.” Shifting to a naked young human male with blond hair and blue eyes, he rushes forward.
“Keep your eyes closed, Livi.”
She whimpers.
I move like lightning, and dig my nails into the human face, drawing blood and leaving a deep scratch across its cheek.
One long, hairy, black arm whips out and knocks me to the ground as an ear-piercing scream rents the air and echoes off the rocks.
I hit the ground, and my head smashes into the wall. Pain rushes through me from hip to shoulder while my brain feels as if it’s been scrambled. Pushing back keeps my body between the beast and Livi. I shake my head to clear my vision.
It was much faster than I expected, as well as stronger.
Back in the shadows, it says, “You should not have done that.”
Darkness, that not even my vampire eyes can penetrate, descends over the cave. The fire goes out and all the warmth with it.
“Try to leave and I’ll kill you both.”
Chapter Seven
MAX
The woods are too big, and I’ve lost the scent of the boogeyman. My phone pings. Expecting news from Chief Martinez, I’m shocked when Tilda’s name comes up. There’s no message, just a pin dropped in these woods about ten miles northwest of my current location.
What is she doing out here? Why isn’t she safe at home? I know she’s a good tracker, but I’d hoped she would know nothing about the events of the day and stay out of this. A monster who steals children in order to corrupt them feels too close to what Pierre did to her. She was already an adult when he made her a vampire, but he took all ease out of her life.
I call Sam.
“Max.” Sam’s deep voice comes through the speaker.
“I’m sending you a pin. I think Tilda found something.” I don’t like the waver in my voice.
There’s a pause while the pin goes through.
“We’re not close, but we’ll get there as soon as we can.”
“I’m heading there now. I’ll call for more backup.” Hoping Mari and Sam were closer than I am was a pipe dream, but worth a shot. Since I followed the initial trail, it’s not really surprising I’m closer. “I’ll be in touch.”
I start running and dial the station. I don’t instantly recognize the man’s voice when he picks up. “Harmony Glen Police.”
“This is Max Gant.”
“Hi. I’m John Fieldstone. I’m just helping out.”
“John, can you tell the chief that I may have a location? I’m sending a pin to the station now.”
The ping sounds through the phone. John says, “I’ve got it. I’ll let him know.”
Closing the call, I keep the phone in my hand to track toward the pin and jump over a fallen tree. The underbrush gets denser and taller as I run. My long legs help, but it still slows me down. My need to reach Tilda overrides everything else. If she’s found Lori’s daughter, then they’re both in danger, or the message would have had more than a pin drop.
For the first time in my life, I wish I could fly.
TILDA
