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Authors: J. A. London

Darkness Before Dawn (18 page)

BOOK: Darkness Before Dawn
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“A dance?” I suggest. “Donate blood and get a free ticket?”

She puckers her brow. “I think it needs to be more than a dance. I think it needs to be a kick-ass party.”

I grin. “I like the way you think.”

“Write up some plans, some justification for the expense. We’ll run it by Clive on your way to school in the morning.”

“Thanks.” I pop off the couch, stop, and study her. “Rachel, have you ever known a vampire? Other than Valentine, I mean?”

“By ‘known’ I assume you mean for longer than it takes to put a stake through their hearts?”

I nod. “Yeah.”

A sadness touches her fudge brown eyes. “A lot of what I know about vamps I learned from one I considered a … friend. I was younger than you; the war was still raging. He would come into the city at night. It was easier then—we didn’t have the wall. We would talk. Then one night … he needed blood. He wanted mine. And when I said no, he tried to take it. I screamed. People rushed out of their homes and … they killed him. I felt guilty for a long time. Because he was just asking for help.”

“If he were really your friend, he wouldn’t have tried to force you.”

“No. He wouldn’t have. But if I were really his, wouldn’t I have given him what he needed? Relationships with vampires are complex, Dawn. Remember that. Valentine will never be your friend.”

She’s right, he won’t be. But I’m not thinking of Valentine. I’m thinking of Victor. Could we be friends?

“So here’s what we’re gonna do. After school, we’ll all go to blood site five and donate blood. Rachel is going to arrange for a news crew to be there so we get coverage. We’re going to start a special blood drive—the Teen Initiative—and every teen who donates a pint of blood between now and next Saturday will get a ticket to a party at the Daylight Grill. Free food. Free drinks.”

I’m sitting at a table in the lunchroom with Tegan, Michael, and Sin. I can see the wheels in their heads turning as they try to decide whether or not to embrace this incredibly cheesy idea. The Agency kept the blood bank theft under wraps, so no one knows about it. No need to scare the already frightened citizens.

Rachel and I met with Clive before school this morning. My delegate training paid off, because it took me fewer than five minutes to convince Clive to let us give the Teen Initiative a shot.

After my trip with Victor last night, I’m determined to see the blood donations increase. It’s part of my duties as a delegate, something I’ve been slacking off on. I have to admit that Victor’s outing helped me see the value of our blood.

“You sound like you’ve gone a little pro-vampire,” Michael says after a couple of minutes.

“What? No. It’s just that they need our blood. And I’m supposed to ensure that we get enough of it to Valentine”—although if some went to Victor, who was going to know?—“to keep the peace, and I thought this would be a fun way of doing all that.”

“Unfortunately I gave blood just before I left Los Angeles,” Sin says. “So it’s a little too soon for me. But I’ll definitely spread the word, maybe even help set up the party.”

“I hate needles.” Tegan gives a visible shudder, then grins at Sin. “But if you’ll hold my hand, I’ll do it.”

“I’d hold your hand without your giving blood, but of course.”

I glance over at Michael. “Michael?”

“Yeah. Okay.”

I wish he’d seen what I did last night. I know he’d be more enthusiastic then. I’m trying really hard not to compare his reluctance to Victor’s willingness to risk so much to procure blood for vampires on the verge of starvation. It’s an unfair comparison, because Michael would do anything for humans. Although Victor didn’t hesitate to save Tegan and me that night on the trolley.

“Think you could convince some of the guys around school to come with us? They’re not listening to me much lately,” I say.

“I’ll talk to the guys in the training program.”

“Thanks.” Reaching out, I thread my fingers through his and am unsettled to realize that the fit doesn’t feel quite as perfect as it did with Victor last night. That’s crazy. Michael means everything to me. And Victor… I don’t know what to think about him anymore.

A news crew is waiting at blood site five when I arrive with my small entourage: Tegan, Michael, Sin, and four of Michael’s buddies. Half a dozen other people are in various stages of donating. Even I’m surprised by the positive turnout.

I smile, stretch out on the recliner, and roll up my sleeve as though I’m about to have the most exciting time of my life. Michael takes the recliner next to me, and Tegan’s on the other side of me. She’s pale. Sin takes her hand.

Several Agency guards are strategically placed at doors and elevators. This place is practically the Fort Knox of blood now. Only donors ever get to see this floor, but beneath it are several levels of frozen and chilled blood, all waiting to be delivered. During the day, of course. Placed outside the manor in insulated containers every Friday.

“So, Dawn,” the reporter with the mic begins as the nurse rubs the inside of my elbow with a cold, alcohol-drenched cotton ball, “if you weren’t our delegate, would you be donating?”

“I would, Chip,” I say, recognizing him from other news stories he’s done. “Vampires can’t survive without our blood. Giving my blood… I see it as charitable.”

“Some people consider vamps parasites.”

“It’s true that they need our blood in order to survive. But recently, I had the opportunity to visit with a vampire family.” Standing behind him, Rachel widens her eyes, and I know I’m going to have to do some explaining after this. “They feed only on legally drawn blood. I guess… I think we have an obligation to do what we can to preserve all life. We can either give our blood to the vampires or have it taken from us. By giving it, we control how it’s taken and how much is taken. Meanwhile, negotiation is the best path to reclaiming our place alongside vampires rather than beneath them.”

Rachel gives a subtle nod of approval. When I asked for this publicity op last night, she gave me a list of talking points to memorize.

“Do you honestly think Valentine will ever consider us equal?”

Not him, but maybe his son. But Chip doesn’t specify whether he’s referring to Lord Murdoch Valentine or Victor, so I simply say, “With time, yes.”

I grimace as the needle slides into my vein.

“With all due respect, Dawn, you’re a kid who Valentine can’t possibly take seriously—”

“I don’t hear much respect there, Chip. I’m young, yes, but I learned a lot from my parents. And I don’t carry the hatred that those who fought in the war do.” Sometimes delegates lie. “I truly believe I can make a difference for the citizens of Denver. I wouldn’t have accepted the position otherwise.”

“Well, here’s one reporter who hopes you and the Agency know what you’re doing.”

“The Agency knows exactly what it’s doing, and has full confidence in Dawn,” Rachel says, stepping forward. “As you can see, several teens came in with Dawn. Under her guidance, we’re starting a new program that we’re calling the Teen Initiative. To help get it off the ground, we’re throwing a party a week from Saturday at the Daylight Grill. There will be a live band, and free food and drinks for any teen who donates blood during the next week.”

As she fields the tougher questions, I relax, pressing my head against the pillow. Cameras are clicking. Michael reaches over and wraps his hand around mine.

“Not exactly the most exciting date we’ve ever had,” he says.

I laugh softly. “Maybe we can do something about that afterward. Thanks for coming.”

“All finished,” the nurse says, as she removes the needle. She has me press a cotton ball to the tiny wound and raise my arm until the bleeding stops. Then she slaps on a bandage.

“Okay, kiddo,” Rachel says. “Good deed done for the day. Let’s go celebrate.”

She and Jeff take our little group to a Chinese buffet. Michael peppers Jeff with questions. It’s no secret that he was a Night Watchman before he became a bodyguard for the Agency.

After dinner, Jeff gives everyone a ride home. I’m thinking I’ll get a chance to see where Sin lives, but he gets out of the car with Michael. Apparently they’re going to practice some defense moves together.

As we drive away, Rachel says, “What do you know about Sin?”

“Not much. Why?”

“Just like to keep up with who you’re hanging out with.”

“Afraid he’s going to get me in trouble?”

“He does give off that vibe.”

I look out the window. Yeah, he does.

From the front seat, Rachel turns around completely to face me.

“So … speaking of who you’re hanging out with … care to explain how you came to spend time with a vamp family?”

Busted!

“They were at Valentine Manor,” I tell her, and wonder how many lies I’m going to have to spout. It seems like I’ve turned into a serial fabricator since Victor entered my life. “I thought mentioning them might be the best way to humanize vampires.”

“Only they’re not human.”

“But we need the citizens to see them as not exactly monsters. Or at least, not all of them as monsters.”

She studies me for a moment. “I’m impressed by how quickly you’re coming to understand your role as delegate, but why didn’t you mention meeting them when we were discussing everything that happened at Valentine Manor?”

“I was a little more freaked out by Victor Valentine’s presence.”

“You didn’t seem freaked.”

“Geez, Rachel, I’m not the enemy here.”

“I just don’t like it when I don’t know everything that’s going on. Yes, you’ve had two months of delegate training, but it takes years to become truly proficient at dealing with vampires—especially someone like Valentine. Don’t kid yourself, Dawn. You’re still a novice. I need to know everything, so I can advise you and keep you safe. And keep the citizens safe. So what else haven’t you told me?”

A lot. I should tell her about Victor.

“Nothing.”

Through the window I can see the lights of the Works. We’re nearing home. I’m tempted to ask Jeff to drive a little faster.

Chapter 18

W
hen we get to the apartment, Jeff comes in with us. I sink onto the couch and turn on the TV. We’re immediately greeted with the image of Roland Hursch outside the blood site we were just at.

“The Agency is making slaves of us all!” he shouts from a makeshift podium that I swear he carries around with him. A small crowd has gathered beside the raging warmonger. News cameras capture his rant, and flash photography bounces off his sweating, angry face. “Now they’re targeting teenagers, our own children. They are asking them to trade their souls for a party. A party! The Agency isn’t satisfied draining adults. No, they’ve moved on to our kids. This is a tragedy!”

“Wow,” I say, “can you believe it?”

No answer.

I look behind me. Rachel and Jeff are in the kitchen, definitely standing closer than they need to be. I hear them talking quietly and feel like an intruder, or worse yet, some kind of roadblock for this blossoming romance. Muting the TV, I call out, “I’m going to my room. I’ve got some homework to do.”

“Okay,” Rachel says back.

Closing my bedroom door, I’m just as relieved at having a moment of privacy as they are. I tuck my legs beneath me on my bed and start writing a report that I can give to our public relations department about the Teen Initiative. If they can spread the word throughout the city, maybe it’ll generate some excitement at the other schools. It should be a nice counter to that idiot Hursch.

It’s nearly midnight when I have outlined some suggestions for how to promote this event. Satisfied that my work is done, I flop back on my bed and stare at the ceiling. I wonder what Michael and Sin are doing. Since Sin’s arrival, Michael and I have had even less time for each other. Or maybe the fault is mine. Lately, so much of my energy is focused on figuring Victor out.

I roll off my bed, cross the room, open the French doors, and step out onto the balcony. The night is clear, the moon is bright, and the electricity from the Works is strong. The entire city looks like a collection of fireflies.

I sit down in a cushion-covered wrought-iron chair. Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath. A familiar scent is in the air, one I spent way too much time inhaling last night.

I open my eyes, unsurprised that Victor is standing at the edge of the balcony. His tall figure leans carelessly against the railing; he’s unafraid of the perilous fall waiting for him if he tips over.

“What are you doing here?” I ask.

“I wanted to thank you. I saw the news tonight. Your… Teen Initiative.”

I shrug. “Just doing my job.”

“Were you?”

I don’t want to examine my motives, and I especially don’t want him examining them, so I say, “You probably shouldn’t be here. Jeff is inside.” I think. I didn’t hear him leave.

“I know. I can elude him easily enough if necessary.” He looks out over the city. “I wish I could see this place when the sun is out.”

I look across at the streets covered by the choking smog coughed up by the Works. “I wish I’d seen it before the bombs destroyed so much.”

“I used to enjoy walking around here before the War. Everything was much brighter back then, and overflowing with life. Right over there”—he points to an intersection through which cars seldom travel—“I saved a child from being hit by a truck. He was human then. Now he’s a Lesser.”

“Justin?”

He turns his attention back to me. “Yes. He was maybe three or four when he ran into the street. But early in the war, his father was turned. He came back here to preserve his family in the only way he knew how. The thing about Lessers … they never age, never change from how they were when they were turned. Justin will remain a child forever. Never mature enough to outgrow his toys, fall in love, or dream of changing the world. I despise when vampires turn children—even when it’s their own.”

I don’t know what to say. So much about Victor can leave me speechless.

“People are either reviled by vampires—or they want to become one,” he says. “But forever isn’t what anyone expects it to be.”

BOOK: Darkness Before Dawn
7.91Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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