AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I was relieved to discover the boathouse contained a high-end black speedboat with a long, pointy front end, which looked fast as hell. It was bobbing on the water in the center of the building, flanked by two bumper-lined walkways.
Elias punched a button just inside the door, and what was basically a garage door opener raised a gate at the far end of the building, opening it to the sea. I climbed into the boat, and he quickly untied the moorings, then jumped in beside me and dialed a number on the satellite phone.
When the call connected, Elias said, “Carter, it’s me. Someone’s coming. We’re in the boat, in case we have to leave in a hurry.” Another alarm sounded, and he added, “They’re a mile out and moving unusually fast, especially in this storm.”
My hearing was good enough to catch Carter’s reply on the other end. “Sit tight,” he said. “As long as you’re behind the wards, you should be safe. I’m on my way, but it’ll take time to get there.”
“I doubt the helicopter can make it to the island. It’s too windy.”
“Then I’ll steal a Coast Guard cutter, or whatever the hell can get me there. Is Mateo with you?”
“Yeah, he’s right here.” I closed my eyes and tried to reach out with my senses, and Elias asked me, “What are you doing?”
“Trying to see if I can get a read on whoever’s coming, but they’re too far away. When do the wards kick in?” Just then, the final alarm sounded as our soon-to-be visitor passed the one-mile mark.
Carter answered that one. Not surprisingly, his hearing was as good as mine. “The wards are set up two hundred yards from shore, and there’s no way over or under them.”
“As long as that’s not the brothers themselves coming for us,” I said.
“Yes. Well, let’s hope they decided to send their lackeys on this errand,” Carter said. “Assuming this even has anything to do with them. We don’t know that yet.”
“Why else would a boat be making a beeline for the island in this weather?” A few moments later, a tremor passed through me. I turned to Elias and asked, “Did you feel that?” He shook his head, and I told him, “They just sent out a wave of energy to test the wards.”
He pushed his hair back from his forehead as he muttered, “Shit, so whoever it is has some magical ability.”
Another wave of energy rolled over us, stronger this time, and a faint blue glow appeared out over the water for a moment. “I felt that one,” Elias said. “What was that flash of light?”
“The wards just gave a little.”
“That shouldn’t be possible,” Carter said. “Unless—”
Just then, I was able to locate whoever had come for us. I sensed darkness and unbelievable power, and I blurted, “It’s a demon. I guess one of the brothers decided Elias was worth a house call.”
Carter asked, “There’s just one?”
“Yes, and there are three humans with him. Correction—three vampires.” The sky lit up brighter blue as another shockwave rolled over us, and I said, “Our only chance is to make a break for it. The wards are collapsing. We probably only have a minute or two before they’re totally dismantled.”
“I’m going to run,” he said, “but you need to stay here.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I can lead him away from you. Then you’ll be safe.”
I exclaimed, “Absolutely not! I’m coming with you. That’s not up for debate.”
“But that could get you killed! Please, Mateo, I’m begging you. Stay here and hide. Carter has an additional set of wards on the boathouse. Unless the demon knocks them down, he can’t sense you in here. Right now, he doesn’t even know you exist.”
“I’m not leaving your side, Elias. Not for any reason. I have magical ability and you don’t, which means I can help!”
Elias dropped the phone and drew me into his arms. He kissed my forehead, and then he said, “Please don’t be angry. This is for your own good.”
He ran his thumb down the side of my throat, following the line of my jugular vein. There was something cold and wet on it. A wave of dizziness washed over me, and I stepped back and asked, “What did you do?”
He tossed aside a tiny glass vial, then picked me up just as my legs gave out and climbed out of the boat. “I used a potion Carter gave me to make you sleep for a while. I knew if we were discovered you wouldn’t stay behind, not even if I begged you. This is the only thing that’ll keep you safe. I’m going to hide you in the storage room. There’s a final ward on it, so even if the boathouse wards are knocked out, no one will be able to see you or sense you’re there.”
