On The Run With A Vampire

20. Raven

CHAPTER 20

RAVEN

A photo of a middle-aged man with a jolly smile is plastered across the TV screen. Below the photo are the words: SERIAL KILLERS STRIKE AGAIN.

Serial killers strike again.

A lump forms in my throat as the screen switches back to the newsroom. The same journalist from before—Edward, I think—is sitting behind the desk. I’m not sure how it’s possible, but he looks even more serious than before.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I remind you that the topic of tonight’s news is not suitable for young children.” He pauses, as if giving a chance for his audience to shoo away their little kids, and then takes a deep breath. “I’m saddened to report that there has been another death in the case that has shaken our community.”

The photo of the middle-aged man appears to the right of Edward.

“Glenn Smith was found at a bus stop earlier this morning with a significant amount of blood loss and strange markings on his neck. The police have confirmed that they believe him to be the latest victim of Raven Hartley?—”

My photo flashes up on the screen.

“And her still unidentified accomplice?—”

A blurry photo of Lucien is added beside mine.

“Mr. Smith was believed to have been returning home from a night shift at St. Anne’s Hospital, where he worked as a nurse, before he was attacked by the two.”

The rest of the report fades into the background as I sink into my armchair and drop my head into my hands. We’re back in Cordelia’s office, and she’s conjured up a television for us. I can’t tell if she’s done it to be helpful or if she’s getting a twisted sense of joy out of watching my life fall apart.

Honestly, it’s probably a bit of both.

She does, to her credit, keep silent as Lucien and I watch the news report.

“God,” I whimper. “This is awful.”

“But if we’re looking on the bright side,” Lucien starts, “if there was any doubt in anyone’s mind that I was the one behind all of this, I imagine that’s gone now.” He’s staring pointedly at Cordelia. “Perhaps you could spread the word to some of your other clientele?”

Cordelia rolls her eyes, and I get the distinct impression that clearing Lucien’s good name amongst the local supernatural community isn’t something she’s going to put much effort into doing.

“There is no bright side to any of this,” I say. “Someone else is dead.”

“And it’s because of me,” Lucien says quietly.

I shake my head. “No. Not because of you. It’s because of some maniac with a grudge.”

Cordelia cocks her head to the side. “Care to fill me in?”

Between us, we give her a rundown on everything we found earlier and our suspicions about the S.B.E.F. By the time we’re finished explaining, Cordelia’s eyes are wide.

“You really think the S.B.E.F. are behind this?” she asks. “That they’d risk it all just to capture you?”

“Not just me,” Lucien says. “I’m just the first step in a plan that’ll give them the ability to come for every single supernatural being you could think of. If they capture me and are able to prove to the powers that be that vampires are real, there’s no telling what they’ll do next.”

Milo’s parting words echo in my mind.

If this goes much further, all hell is going to break loose.

It feels like we’re getting closer and closer to that reality. How many more innocent people are the S.B.E.F. going to kill in order to try and get to Lucien? Even one more is too many. This needs to end, and it needs to end now.

“We’ve got to deal with this head-on,” I say. “No more hiding. No more running away. We need to draw them out.”

Lucien frowns. “What do you mean?”

“The S.B.E.F. want you, right?”

He nods.

“Then let’s give them what they want.”

Cordelia claps and squeals with delight. “What’s this? A betrayal between lovers? How exciting.”

I roll my eyes. “I’m not betraying Lucien. I never would.”

Lucien smiles softly. “I know you wouldn’t.”

Cordelia pretends to puke.

I ignore her and continue explaining my hastily cobbled-together plan. “Whether Melody and Todd are involved in all of this is still up for debate, but we do know one thing. Whoever is heading up the S.B.E.F. currently is probably the person masterminding all of this. We need to find them.”

“What a genius idea. Why didn’t I think of it?” Cordelia drawls. “Oh, wait. I did. If you’ll remember, I’ve spent the better part of the last year trying to identify the current leader, and I’ve gotten nowhere.”

“I did remember,” I reply, trying to insert as much faux politeness into my tone as I can. I’m not entirely sure I succeed. “But now we have something you didn’t have before. Lucien. They clearly want him, so why don’t we give him to them? We’ll use Lucien to draw Melody and Todd out, and I’ll follow them to wherever they end up taking him. I’m not a big gambler, but I’d bet a lot of money that they’ll lead us to whoever is currently in charge.”

Cordelia huffs out a long sigh through her nostrils. “That’s leaving a lot to chance. Who’s to say they don’t just kill him on the spot?”

I wince at the thought of it. “It’s definitely a possibility, but I don’t think they’re trying to kill him if they can help it.”

“Please tell that to the two stake-shaped holes in my back,” Lucien says dryly.

“But that’s just my point,” I say. “If they really wanted to kill you, those stakes would’ve gone through your heart. I think they’ve just been trying to incapacitate you. And why would they do that?”

“Because, ultimately, they want to bring me somewhere,” Lucien says, somewhat reluctantly. “Damn it. I think you’re right.”

“So we’ll use the vampire as bait,” Cordelia says, a little too brightly. “And then what? This whole thing hinges on you—” She nods dismissively in my direction. “Being able to not only follow them, but also to break into their hideout, rescue him, and get out with your life intact. Is that what you’re telling me?”

“Well.” I bite my lip. “When you put it like that.”

It does sound pretty far-fetched, doesn’t it?

Cordelia chews the inside of her cheek for a few seconds, then gives me a sharp nod. “I’ll ask Milo if he’s willing to spare a few wolves. They’ll be able to help track and provide an extra bit of muscle later on. I’ll just need?—”

“No,” I say sharply. “No Milo. No wolves. No one but us. If anything goes wrong and they’re caught, we’ll just be giving the S.B.E.F. what they want. I don’t want any more deaths to come out of this. Human or supernatural.”

Cordelia’s gaze flickers over to Lucien. I can practically see the wheels turning in her mind as she calculates the risks and the benefits of this admittedly reckless plan.

Finally, she lets out a slow breath, shoulders relaxing slightly, and turns back to face me. I might be imagining it, but I think I can see a glimmer of reluctant respect in her eyes. “Fine. No additional help. This is on the two of you.”

“Thank you,” I say, my voice steady despite the growing knot of anxiety I can feel in my stomach.

“Well then.” Lucien claps his hands together. “I believe we’ve got some work to do.”

“It’s so noisy in here,” Lucien grumbles as we push through the crowd. “Too many people. Too many heartbeats. It’s hard to concentrate.”

He’s got a point. The mall is a sensory nightmare, even for me. It’s filled with people laughing, chatting, and shrieking, but that’s the point. We’ve been in here for less than five minutes, and I’ve already counted at least twenty suspicious, worried stares from shoppers.

People are recognizing us from the news.

I have no doubt in my mind that at least half of the people who have given us wary looks have already contacted the police. Which means Melody and Todd will be here soon.

I feel a twinge of panic at the thought, but I quickly push it away. We’re in a confined space, and there are enough people around us that I’m sure Melody and Todd won’t do anything too drastic or dangerous. They wouldn’t want to risk hurting an innocent bystander, would they?

A small voice in the back of my mind reminds me that I am technically an innocent bystander in all of this, but I push that away too.

“Just focus on mine,” I mutter. A woman passes us, and I watch as her eyes go wide and her mouth falls open in shock. She’s already reaching for her phone by the time she leaves my line of sight. “This will all be over soon.”

“I’m always focusing on your heartbeat,” Lucien says. “It’s the background noise that’s irritating.”

“Is it always like that?” I ask as we make our way towards the food court. The irony of heading to the food court with a vampire in a mall full of humans isn’t lost on me.

“Somewhat,” Lucien says. “I can usually drown it out unless I’m actively trying to feed.”

“And you can pick someone out from their heartbeat?”

Lucien shakes his head. “All human heartbeats sound exactly the same to me at first. I have to pay actual attention if I want to distinguish them.”

“Like a snowflake?”

Lucien laughs. “I suppose that’s an apt analogy, especially because yours, Raven, is the most beautiful snowflake I’ve ever seen.”

I should absolutely not be feeling a fresh wave of attraction and arousal right now, but I can’t help it. Once this is all over, I’m going to—I’m going to what exactly? Date him? Move in with him? Start shacking up with a vampire?

Yes, I think with shocking clarity. Yes to all three.

“How about there?” Lucien says suddenly, completely unaware of my current train of thought. “I’ll wait at that table over there, and you can hide in that alcove.” He points towards a small alcove not far from the table he’s singled out. “Once they get me, make sure to follow as closely as you can without being caught.”

He rifles through his pockets and tosses me the car keys. “And remember, if things start to go awry, you need to leave. Don’t worry about me. Just go. Promise me you’ll do that.”

My heart clenches at the demand. The words feel hollow as they come out of my mouth. “I promise.”

A lie.

I know immediately that I won’t be able to leave him behind no matter how dicey the situation gets. Just the thought of abandoning him with the S.B.E.F. makes me sick to my stomach.

I’m sure Lucien can read the uncertainty in my eyes, but he gives me a tight nod. “Alright. Stay sharp and keep an eye out.”

I nod, trying to force a brave smile. “I will. Just be careful, okay?”

Lucien’s expression softens for a moment, but then he turns and melts into the throng of shoppers. I make my way to the alcove and tuck myself in behind the wall.

From my vantage point, I watch Lucien as he takes a seat at the table. I keep my eyes locked on him, scanning for any sign of Melody and Todd.

Thankfully, I only have to wait another five minutes or so before they appear.

I watch as they hurry into the food court, their crossbows raised. People immediately start shrieking and running towards the nearest exits, but Lucien remains at the table.

Melody spots him first. Her expression hardens, and she gestures to Todd to follow him. I can see Todd’s eyes narrowing as he focuses on Lucien. Melody’s face is set in grim lines as she grips her crossbow tightly.

“Specimen #1!” Todd yells, crossbow aimed squarely at Lucien’s chest. “You are under arrest. Come quietly and without resistance. This is your only warning.”

Lucien opens his mouth, but I don’t hear whatever it is he says.

A cloth is suddenly shoved over my mouth. The strong, sickly sweet smell of something chemical fills my senses, and I immediately start to struggle. I try to scream, to call out to Lucien, but the cloth muffles my cries. Panic surges through me, and I flail against a pair of thin and surprisingly strong hands that are holding me down.

Everything quickly becomes a blur. My limbs feel heavy, and my vision darkens around the edges.

My last coherent thought is, ‘ Lucien !’

Then everything goes black.