Blood Bond (10 page)

“How bad is it?”

I shook my head and stared at a loose thread
on the blanket. “He’s dead,” I whispered.

“God, Tay. I’m sorry. Are you all right?
Were you hurt?”

“I’m fine, I just—it’s my fault, and I feel
horrible about it.”

“I’m sure it wasn’t your fault.”

For some reason, that did it. The tears I’d
been holding in broke loose and streamed down my cheeks. When I
spoke again, my voice cracked and came out on a sob. “You don’t
understand. I got distracted and then Wes came over to help me and
if we hadn’t been there, if we’d been with the others, I know we
could’ve stopped it.”

He pushed himself into sitting and took my
hands in his. He stared at me, probably trying to get me to look at
him, but I couldn’t. “You can’t do this to yourself, Tay. None of
this is your fault. They’re the ones who attacked. Those wolves are
the ones to blame, not you.”

“I know that in my head, but my heart isn’t
getting the message. All I can think about is that I let myself get
distracted.”

“Talk it out with me. Why’d you get
distracted?”

“I can’t tell you,” I whispered. “I can’t
tell anyone.”

“Why not?”

I tried to put it into words. That the shame
and disgust my own kind already had for me was nothing compared to
how they’d treat me if they knew what I was becoming. “Because it
makes me a freak.”

“Uh, hello? Do you know who
you’re talking to here?” He squeezed my hand. “If there’s anyone
you
can
tell,
it’s me.”

Slowly, I lifted my eyes to his face. His
expression was open and earnest. The urge to say it aloud came over
me, and I couldn’t hold it in. I didn’t want to. “I’m turning into
a wolf.”

As I’d expected, shock crossed his face. He
blinked and I could see him digesting what I’d said, turning it
over in his mind, fitting it with what he knew of this world. Then
his expression smoothed out, and he smiled faintly. “So, we’re
twins.” And just like that, he moved on.

Through the sadness and loss, I smiled
back.

Wes and Derek were still out when I came
back downstairs. Cambria was on the couch, watching some survivor
show on TV. She muted the sound and shifted toward me. “How’s
George?”

I twisted my fingers together. “He’s looking
a little better.”

She gave a small smile. “That’s good,
right?”

“Not really. It means the stuff Fee gave him
is wearing off. He’s getting stronger as he gets closer to
changing.”

“Oh.”

I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to
still my fidgety hands. How long did we have before he changed? A
day? A week? What would happen when he did?

I needed a plan. A solution.

After today’s attack, everyone would be
focused on the hybrids, not to mention Bailey. Just thinking his
name brought a painful image of light hair and a sunny smile. I
clenched my fingers together and shook it away as the face morphed
from Bailey to George. My grief was twisted by thoughts of George,
and how if I didn’t figure something out soon, I would lose him
just as we’d lost Bailey.

George.

The one who’d known exactly what to say to
ease my guilty conscience and cheer me up in the face of losing
someone I cared about, someone too young to be lost in the first
place.

Footsteps clunked against the hardwood and
Grandma appeared. She sank down onto one of the chairs on the other
side of the room and leaned her head back against it. “Gordon will
be here tomorrow with a team,” she said without opening her
eyes.

“Who?” I asked.

“Gordon Steppe, the director of CHAS,” she
said.

“The
director
is coming here?” Cambria
asked, brows raised.

Grandma nodded and leveled her gaze on us.
“CHAS still hasn’t been able to locate the hybrids since the
initial attack when Miles loosed them. He wants to get a look at
them for himself.”

“We didn’t locate them. They came to us,” I
pointed out.

“Either way, Vera’s given him full access to
the premises. I think she’s hoping to partner with them on
this.”

“Partner how? All CHAS wants is to
exterminate them,” Cambria said.

“I think she’s hoping to change their minds.
I don’t know. She’s frustrated at her lack of mobility. And her
gift isn’t letting her see any of them, no matter how hard she
tries.”

“I thought her gift only allows her to see
Hunters,” I said.

“Some of them used to be. But she’s still
drawing a blank. At any rate, I’m coming back in the morning to
help them wade through those bodies and answer questions. Not sure
Fee or Cord will be up to it.” Grandma shot a glance toward the
ceiling. “Think I’ll go up and pay my respects. Then we’ll go.” She
pulled herself to her feet and trudged up the stairs.

“Gordon Steppe is coming here,” Cambria said
when we were alone.

“Is that bad?” I couldn’t tell from her tone
if she was impressed or nervous.

“He’s not someone you mess with, I’ll tell
you that.”

“Why?”

“Let’s just say if the Secret Service and
Osama Bin Laden had a baby, it would be him.”

“Is he that bad?”

“He’s that intense. And he channels it into
a singular focus: killing Werewolves.”

I shuddered. Cambria scooted closer and
dropped her voice. “Are you okay? I mean, seriously, that attack
was no joke, and then Bailey … I’m sorry about him. I know you two
were friends.”

“I’m fine.” I stared at a spot on the floor.
If I looked at her, I’d lose my control. She slid her hand into
mine and squeezed. I squeezed back.

A few minutes later, Grandma returned and
herded us out the door. “Fee says she’ll see you both tomorrow,”
she said.

I nodded at her, grateful I wouldn’t be
expected to go upstairs and say goodbye in person. I wasn’t ready
to face them yet, to face Bailey. No words seemed right for the
loss. Nothing I could say would bring him back, and I knew if I
tried, I’d fall apart. They didn’t need that right now.

Outside, the sun dipped below the treetops,
casting long shadows across the lawn. Wes, back in human form,
jogged up as we walked toward the Hummer.

“You’re leaving?” he asked, frowning. His
words were directed at all of us but his eyes were on me. I could
almost feel him probing my mind, silently checking on my mental
state.

“Grandma’s taking us home. We’ll be back
tomorrow,” I said.

He pulled me into a hug without a word. I
let my hand slip free from Cambria’s so I could put my arms around
him. His shoulders were sturdy and strong—everything I wasn’t. “I’m
going to wait here for Jack,” he said when he let go. “He called
and said he’ll be back soon. You want me to come over when I’m
done?”

I opened my mouth to say “yes” and then
remembered my mother. I wasn’t sure what I was going to tell her
about the events of the day. If I told the truth, she’d probably
ban me from ever returning. If I lied, and she found out, well, the
same outcome applied. I wasn’t sure I could handle her disapproving
glares aimed at Wes on top of it all.

His hand in mine stiffened.

“I think I’m just going to crash after
this,” I said. Another thought flitted through my mind. One I’d
been pushing aside all day. I didn’t want to add another item to
the list of worries.

“We’ll figure it out,” he said.

“What?” Cambria asked, clearly aware of a
conversation taking place without her.

“The hybrids. Tara’s wondering why they want
her, and who they’re working for,” said Wes.

“I’m wondering the same. There’s a new
player here, only I’m not sure who,” Grandma said.

“You think it’s Demi?” Cambria asked.

“Demi?” Grandma repeated. “Hmm. I’ll look
into it. In the meantime, Tara I need you to—”

“Yeah, yeah, I know the drill. Don’t go
anywhere alone.” I rolled my eyes.

“I’m afraid so,” said Grandma.

Wes kissed me on the cheek. “I’ll see you
tomorrow,” he said.

“See you tomorrow.”

We were almost home when Grandma spoke up.
“I’m going to speak to your mother about what happened,” she
said.

“You’re going to tell her?” I asked.

“I’m not going to lie. Besides, she needs to
learn to handle stress better.”

I couldn’t argue there. Maybe Mom would hear
it better coming from Grandma.

And maybe I’d win the lottery.

“She’s not going to let me go back once she
finds out,” I said.

“I’ll talk to her.”

The car jostled side to side as it rolled
over half the curb to get into the driveway.

“Who’s that?” Cambria asked, pointing toward
the front yard.

I made out two shapes against the darkness
as they made their way toward us from a beat-up minivan parked
curbside. My stomach twisted with the thought of faking a smile
right now.

Sam reached me first.
“You’re home.” There was an accusation in the words. “Angela said
she thought it was yesterday but then you didn’t call and we
wondered if you got held up or maybe in trouble or something, since
you know, it’s
you
and I know how you are…” She took a breath and hugged me
stiffly. “It’s good to see you.”

I smiled weakly and hugged her back. “I
missed you too.” I held my arm out to include Angela in the
reunion. “Both of you.”

They pulled back quickly
and Angela frowned. “When
did
you get back?”

“
Yesterday,” I admitted. “I
was going to call you guys.”

“Who’s this?” Angela asked, eyeing
Cambria.

“Angela, Sam, this is Cambria, a friend from
school. She’s staying with me this summer.”

“Nice to meet you,” Angela said quietly.

Sam stared at Cambria for an extra moment
and the silence stretched awkwardly. Angela elbowed Sam in the
ribs. “Oh, we should all go to the mall for a girls’ day,” Sam
said.

“Um, I don’t know if I’m up to it,” I
said.

“Why not?” Angela asked.

I started to offer up an excuse about being
sick or tired but something in Angela’s expression stopped me.

“Um.” I glanced away, unable to hold her
gaze. “Something happened,” I began.

Grandma, who’d hung back until now, stepped
forward and cut me off. “How about tomorrow afternoon? You could
use some girl time.”

“But we have that thing,” I said
pointedly.

“That’s early. You can be back here by
lunchtime and meet up with these gals. Nice to meet you, by the
way. I’m Tara’s grandma. You can call me Edie.”

“Nice to meet you,” said Angela, offering
her hand. Sam nodded.

“I’ll be inside if you need me.” Grandma
dropped her hand onto my shoulder as she passed, giving it a quick
squeeze. Angela’s eyes narrowed.

“Tomorrow then?” Sam asked brightly.

“Tomorrow,” I agreed. We made plans to meet
at the food court, Sam doing all of the talking.

When they left, I followed Cambria inside
and closed the door. My mother’s voice drifted out from the kitchen
and I headed for the stairs. Grandma was on her own for this
one.

“Your grandma’s right, you know,” said
Cambria when we’d made it up to my room. “You could use some girl
time. Something normal.”

“
They’ve been my best
friends my whole life. Before I found out I was a Hunter, I’d never
lied to them about anything. Now, that’s all I do.”

“Yeah, but, it’s for a good reason. You’re
protecting them. Most humans can’t really handle the knowledge that
there are two species at war right under their noses. Especially
when humans are nothing but collateral damage or bait.” I scowled
at her. “I’m sorry, but it’s true.”

“Which is why staying away from them
would’ve been easier. I need to keep them safe. The last time we
went to the mall, Leo was stalking me. I sensed a Werewolf right
there in the parking lot. What if it happens again? The hybrids
want something from me.” Again, Bailey’s face flashed in my mind
and my voice broke. “What if it doesn’t stop? What if they keep
coming?”

“I don’t think they’d risk a public place.
They barely show themselves now. And when they do, it’s usually the
woods or somewhere equally secluded. And you need normal right now.
I know you want to blame yourself for Bailey, but it’s not your
fault.”

I met her gaze, surprised she’d read me so
easily. Sometimes I forgot how intuitive Cambria could be. “You
want me to compel them to blame you so you’ll feel better?” she
asked.

I sucked in a breath and let it out slowly,
imagining patterns in the swirls of paint on the ceiling as I
stared. “No,” I said finally.

“But you thought about it.”

“Yeah.”

“You can’t protect everyone. Sometimes, all
you can do is protect yourself.” Something about the way she said
it made me think we weren’t really talking about Sam and Angela
anymore.

Someone knocked. The door opened a few
inches and my mother poked her head in. “You girls getting ready
for bed?”

“Soon,” I said. I wanted to sleep, but I
wasn’t sure my brain would shut off.

She eased the door open and took a few steps
inside. “Grandma told me what happened. Are you both all right?”
Her hands were clasped tightly together in front of her. Her
knuckles had already gone white with the pressure.

“We’re fine, Mrs. Godfrey, thanks,” said
Cambria.

“Cambria, is there anyone you would like me
to call? I know you said your mother is hard to reach, but if
there’s anyone, I’d be happy to get in touch with them for
you.”

Cambria shook her head, her dark hair
bouncing. “No, thank you. There’s no one. I’ll let my mom know when
I talk to her again, but I’m really fine.”

She nodded and turned to me. I was still
watching and waiting for a reaction, a blow-up, the part where she
railed at me to never go back. “Tara?” She frowned. “Are you
feeling okay? You look pale.”