Darkness Before Dawn (34 page)

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Authors: J. A. London

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I rub her back. “I know. I know it hurts.”

She breaks out of my embrace and paces the room. “I just feel so stupid. How could I have not known?”

“No one knew. Not even Victor. Vampires can sense other vampires, but not Sin. No one knew what Sin was.”

She stops with her shoulders slumped in defeat. I hate seeing her like this. She’s always been ready for any adventure, grabbing all the fun she can from life. I’m afraid Sin has stolen that spontaneity and joy from her.

“I thought he was the one, you know?” she says in a low, self-effacing voice. “I’ve never been in love before and I thought… I thought he was everything. He bit me, Dawn.” She jerks her head up and I see the first sign of fire and life in her eyes. “He sank his fangs into me—without even asking! I mean, how rude is that!”

“Very rude,” I reassure her.

She dries her eyes, gives a few little sniffs. “Yeah, well, I plan to sink my stake into his heart without asking.”

“I’ll help you do it.”

She gives me a quick smile before she furrows her brow. “I wasn’t the only one with a vampire in my life. Victor is the new Lord Valentine. Why didn’t you tell me what he was?”

I hear the edge of betrayal in her voice. Michael and Tegan had met Victor, but they’d thought he was a Night Watchman. And I hadn’t corrected them. “I was afraid it would put you in danger.”

“You told me you liked him, but how could you if he’s a vamp?”

“It’s complicated.”

“Do you love him?”

I groan. “I don’t know. I care for him deeply, but we’re not a couple, if that’s what you’re asking. Humans and vampires never work out.”

“You got that right,” she mutters.

I know Tegan is struggling with everything she went through. In some ways, what she endured was worse than what I did. Vampires have been screwing with me for as long as I can remember. Even when I began to care for Victor, I was wary. I didn’t commit my heart completely.

Tegan thought she was falling for a human.

“I hope he’s dead,” she says quietly.

I know she’s talking about Sin. “I hope so, too.”

The door opens and the nurse strides in. “Sorry, visiting time is over.”

“One more minute,” I plead.

“Nope. You’ve got a lot of recovering to do.”

I give Tegan another hard hug. “It’s going to be okay.”

“I’ll try to sneak back in when she’s not looking,” she whispers.

My heart lifts at a shadow of the old Tegan.

The nurse flaps her hands at Tegan like she’s a bird that needs to be shooed away. “Now go on.”

When I’m finally alone, I feel exhausted, but my mind is racing with so many questions that I can’t sleep. I can’t stand being in the bed. I throw back the blankets, sit up, and swing my legs over the side. I ease my feet to the floor and when I stand my knees buckle. I catch myself by bracing one arm on the bed and grabbing the IV stand with the other hand.

I can’t believe how weak I am, but I’m also determined. Using the stand for support, I shuffle toward the window. The sun’s rays stream into the small room and I pause on the edge of them. I’ve never been afraid of the sun. So why am I now? It used to illuminate my world, make it seem worth fighting for. But now…

Oh, God. Did it happen? Did Victor turn me? Is the vampire instinct to fear the light already in my blood?

I hold out my hand and tentatively ease it forward, exploring the empty space in front of me, unsure of where the sunbeams truly begin. It feels like I’m pushing toward an invisible Venus fly trap, one that may snap close, or one that may let me pass.

I watch the light highlight the tips of my fingernails. No burning.

I expose more. Up to my knuckles. No stinging.

Finally I plunge my whole hand into the light rays, letting the golden glow wash over me. It feels wonderful.

I step fully into the sun and press my cheek and body against the glass of the window. Closing my eyes, I absorb the warmth. When I offered Victor my blood, I was certain that I would never again watch a sunrise, would never again experience its perfect illumination.

Yet here I am in a hospital with morning sunlight filtering gently through the window. I have to admit I’m slightly disappointed.

About the Author

J. A. LONDON
is the mother-son writing team of Jan and Alex Nowasky. As Rachel Hawthorne, Jan has written many novels for teens, including the popular Dark Guardian series. Alex, a recent graduate with a degree in Historical Studies, enjoys combining history and fiction to create unique worlds. You can visit them online at www.jalondon.com.

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Credits

Cover photograph © 2012 by Derek Brewster
Cover design by Sammy Yuen

HarperTeen is an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

Darkness Before Dawn

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

London, J. A.

Darkness before dawn / by J.A. London.—1st ed.

p. cm.

Summary: When seventeen-year-old Dawn Montgomery, daughter of the slain delegates to ruling vampire Lord Valentine, becomes the new delegate she finds herself falling in love with Valentine’s kindhearted son, and risks her life when she is drawn into their dangerous political game.

ISBN 978-0-06-202065-9

EPub Edition © MAY 2012 ISBN 9780062114327

[1. Vampires—Fiction. 2. Orphans—Fiction.] I. Title.