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The vampires closed in on us from three sides. Mila edged closer to me.
There was a series of rapid clicks as they released their switchblades one by one. The long silver knives shone in the moonlight.
“That’s Andre,” she hissed. “The man who has Joey.”
“Bastards.” I released my own blade. It was Andre Redbone, along with two young vampires from his coven. Apparently, my little trick with Diesel and the G.P.S. hadn’t fooled them for long.
A cold fear skated over my skin. Three vampires against me, a dhampir—and I was all that stood between them and Mila.
“If you get a chance,” I muttered, “take the speedboat and stay out to sea until daylight. I’ll keep them busy.”
Her swallow was audible. “I don’t even know how to start it.”
Holy Dark Mother.Could this night get any worse?
“Then you’ll have to get to the passage,” I rapped out. “But for now, get the fuck behindme.”
17
Mila
Terror squeezed my lungs. I went motionless, staring at Andre like a mouse bewitched by a golden-eyed cobra. His fangs had elongated, and his irises were rimmed with vampire blue.
“Mila,” Gabriel growled. “Snap out of it.” A long arm swept me behind him.
I lurched backward, coming up short against the tall rocks behind me. It was the slap awake I needed. I gripped the switchblade and crouched beside him.
Inside, my mind was screaming.Run. Get the fuck out of here.
But where? I had no idea how to operate a motorboat, or any boat, for that matter. Unless you counted kayaking on the Chesapeake Bay.
And despite what Gabriel had said, the passage wasn’t an option. I didn’t know if any of his security force was still alive, and besides, a vampire could bring me down before I’d gone two yards.
“Dhampir.” Andre stopped just out of Gabriel’s reach, a sneer on his handsome face. “Stand down and the woman will live.”
The other two vampires closed in, switchblades ready. Like Andre, they wore all black, making them nearly invisible against the cliffs hemming us in on three sides. It was too dark to make out their features, but I caught the gleam of blond hair to my right.
Martin.
And something about the way the man on the left moved made me sure it was Stefan.
I gulped. For a sickening moment, I was thrown back to those three days of “training” in the basement of the apartment building. I’d been allowed only a few hours of sleep at a time. Food and water had been rationed, leaving me constantly hungry.
Andre had made it clear that would be my life if I didn’t do exactly as he said. But I was used to being tired and hungry. What had made those three days a nightmare were Stefan and Martin. The two vampires took turns browbeating me, telling me I was a weak human, and that Gabriel had never loved me. Reminding me they had Joey—and that they knew where my parents lived.
Worse, one of them was constantly in my room. I’d wake up to find Martin watching me like a hungry boy who’d been promised a piece of his favorite candy. Or Stefan would be sitting on my narrow cot, touching me: my face, my throat. Especially my throat.
Andre had promised me to them first, they’d told me, and he’d confirmed it right before releasing me.
“They’re young, and they can’t get enough blood”—Andre had smirked—"and sex. But don’t worry, do as you’re told, and you’ll be free to go along with your brother.”
Gabriel growled, breaking into my memories. I gave myself a shake.
This time, I reminded myself,you’re not alone.
I had Gabriel, and my own weapon. My fingers tightened on the switchblade’s handle.
“You’re dead,” Gabriel said, low and cold.
