Sasquatch have chosen to hide rather than fight for centuries, but in the past, we were hunters and at the very top of the food chain. The proliferation of humanity pushed us deeper into the woods. I chose to leave that life.
Before he speaks, I catch Ion’s scent. “Killing the monster will not ease your soul, Max.”
“How do you know?” It would be so easy to rid the world of this filth.
“Because a man who chooses to serve justice will suffer if he becomes judge and jury.” Ion lays his hand on my shoulder.
“Is Tilda alright?” My heart pounds, and adrenaline forces my hand tighter.
The boogeyman struggles to free itself.
There’s a long pause. “No. She needs care.”
It’s hard to breathe. “And Olivia?”
“The child is unharmed, but filled with fear.” Ion steps around me. He presses his finger to one of his fangs, then applies that finger to a deep bite mark on the monster’s neck. “Sleep.”
All the energy goes out of the boogeyman, and it becomes limp in my grasp.
Releasing it, I watch as it falls to the floor of the cave.
The chief walks into the cavern. “Is it dead?”
It’s hard to catch my breath, I’m so filled with rage that I struggle to get under control. “No. Mr. Radu put it to sleep.”
“How long will that last?” Chief Martinez crouches down to get a better look with his flashlight.
Ion says, “Several hours. You should have time to reach the monster authorities to take over its incarceration.”
“I called for assistance when you first told us what this thing was. Hopefully, some help will come soon.” He turns to me. “The EMTs don’t really know how to help Miss Schwan. She’s lost a lot of blood, and she’s not healing the way she should. They’ve got her on an IV of fluids, but she’s going to need something else, I think.”
With a nod, Ion turns, and I follow him toward the exit of the cave. “If her sire were alive, his blood would restore her quickly. Hopefully, as her distant relative, my blood will help.”
“Mr. Radu, I know you’re far older and wiser than I am, but it’s my blood that Tilda needs, not yours.” I reach the four-wheeler that the EMTs are using to get her out of the woods.
She is secured to a backboard, which is strapped to the back of the vehicle. Pete, an EMT I’ve known since I came to Harmony Glen, holds an IV bag filled with saline and sits so that he can monitor her while they move. His expression is grim. “Meet us at the hospital, Max.”
The driver’s name is Carol. She’s a panther shifter who came to town a year ago.
Always pale, anyone who didn’t know Tilda might not see the gray in her skin. Everyone can see the blood seeping from several wounds despite Pete’s efforts to bandage the worst of them.
Gripping my arm, Ion’s eyes are bright as if a golden light emanates from within. “You may be right. I can see that… things have developed since I was last in Harmony Glen. Vampires in this kind of state can die without the nourishment of their sire.” There’s a touch of panic in his voice. “I’ll only give her a few drops. When she can make her own choices, you will be the source of her full recovery.”
I’d lop off my arm if I thought that would help her. I nod. “Whatever it takes.” I hold up a hand to signal Carol to stay put.
Ion draws a knife from his jeans pocket and slices open his palm.
Praying for some sign of life, I press my fingers against her jaw and open her mouth.
Mouth in a thin line, a bead of sweat drips down Ion’s temple. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen a vampire perspire. He lets a few drops of his blood fall into Tilda’s mouth before the cut closes as if it were never there.
Pete presses his fingers to her throat. “Her heart rate slowed.”
“Good.” Ion lets out a long breath. “Your hospital won’t do her much good, I’m afraid.”
“We can give her blood,” Carol says.
Shaking his head, Ion says. “May I suggest her own home would be more appropriate for healing? This may take some time.”
