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“Somewhere I should’ve brought you a long time ago.”
I’ve been avoiding taking Mariah to the guesthouse where Katherine and John spend most of their time, helping Isabel come to terms with her death. It’s also the place where Chastity stores large quantities of my blood, before she and Edward slip it into the wine after the workers clock out.
Unlike human blood, vampire blood doesn’t separate, and it stays fresh a great deal longer if kept cold. Chastity keeps the guesthouse locked down like Fort Knox. But here in the twilight realm, Katherine could, in theory, open one of the refrigerator doors and show Mariah the stores of my blood.
Mariah remains convinced that I’m a ghost. Once she learns the truth about what I am and what Edward intends to do to her, there’s a good chance she’ll run screaming. Best case scenario, Mariah runs as far away from this place as she can, tonight. Before it’s too late.
I’ve accepted the inevitability of her loss, as I’ve accepted the fact that I cannot consciously sacrifice her to free myself. Driving her away is the only option, because even if I do nothing, I will end up killing her regardless.
Edward was supposed to feed me yesterday. He never showed. I am weak and famished, which means by the time he drags Mariah down to the cellar, I will have no control over my impulses.
There is still time to save her, but I have to act fast.
I guide her down the winding dirt drive that leads through a patch of woods on the edge of the estate. It’s dark within the trees, and she squeezes my hand as we move deeper into the forest. I kiss her knuckles. As we round the bend, we come upon the guesthouse, its windows glowing with lamplight. Having been built in the late fifties, the architecture is modern compared to that of the main house.
The front door opens at our approach, and Isabella steps out. Mariah gasps. They run toward each other, pulling one another into a tight embrace.
“I’ve missed you so much,” Isabella says, remarkably composed for a spirit who croaked barely a month ago.
John and Katherine step out of the house. Mariah beams at the sight of her grandfather and rushes to hug him. He swings her around like a child, then sets her down to get a good look at her.
He introduces her to her grandmother, who smiles shyly. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Katherine so nervous. It’s unnerving, like seeing a dog walk on its hind legs. She reaches out to touch Mariah’s face. Mariah smiles warmly as grandmother and granddaughter embrace.
I wait patiently on the small patch of lawn, letting this belated reunion play out as it’s meant to. Mariah is the happiest I’ve ever seen her, and I know I deserve all the pain Edward can pitch at me and then some for denying her this happiness these past few weeks.
John ushers the women into the house. Katherine pauses in the doorway.
“Come inside, William,” Katherine says.
I expect to feel out of place among the family, but watching Mariah interact so easily with the people she loves fills me with a warmth I haven’t felt since I was a very young vampire among my brothers.
Isabella is cooking something on the stove that I can’t smell. I’m willing to bet she can’t smell it either, but old habits die harder than the body.
The interior of the guesthouse is decorated in a distinctly sixties fashion. However, I can see through the twilight’s veneer to the physical, modern décor underneath, including the refrigerators that house my blood.
“Grandpa and I are going on a short walk,” Mariah says, squeezing my hand. “He wants to show me some night-blooming moonflower not far from here.” She kisses my cheek and whispers, “Thank you for bringing me here.”
I nod, fearing it’s all too little too late.
John and Mariah head outside, leaving me to contend with Katherine and Isabella on my own.
Katherine takes a seat in one of the armchairs, while Isabella fusses over whatever she’s pretending to make on the stove. Seeing the two of them together is a head trip. Having died so young, Katherine looks like she could be her daughter’s daughter.
“I know why you’ve brought her here,” Katherine says. “And I’m afraid we can’t help you.”
“She has to leave tonight,” I say.
“She won’t,” Isabella says. “Your bringing her here has ensured that. She knows her family is here now. This is her home.”
“They’re going to kill her.”
Katherine smirks. “Meaning, you’re going to kill her for them.”
I clench my jaw, biting back a groan. “Isn’t there something you can do?”
“Mariah is on a path she must walk all the way down,” Isabella says. “As are you.”
Katherine glances at her daughter. “Indeed.”
