Vampire in Chaos E-Book

Mayer Dale

• Herausgeber: Valley Publishing Ltd.
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2015

Beschreibung

Tessa's life has plummeted into chaos. Her father is missing, Goran is unconscious and showing no signs of healing, her mother has taken several steps off the deep end and David, well, she'll deal with him when she sees him - if she can find him.

Cody isn't sure what happened to the supposedly successful conclusion to the blood farm madness but he's back in hell and damn it Tessa is once again leading the charge.

Jared is on the run, again. With no one else he can trust, but Tessa's friends and family, he searches them out determined to help them solve this war - whether he is welcome or not.

With everyone in distress or missing, Tessa struggles to find answers, and create some kind of order amongst the chaos - before their attackers strike again.

Leseprobe

Vampire in Chaos

Book #7 of Family Blood Ties

Dale Mayer

Table of Contents

Cover

Title Page

About This Book

Complimentary Download

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Sneak Peek from Vampire in Crisis

Author’s Note

Complimentary Download

About the Author

Copyright Page

About This Book

Teenage vampire Tessa hasn’t had a chance to take a deep breath with her boyfriend Cody after the war the two of them and their human friend Jared prevented when her life again plummets into chaos.

Her father is missing, Goran is in a coma, her mother seems about to go off the deep end, and David has also disappeared, seemingly of his own volition. With her world plunged into fresh madness, Tessa finds herself leading the charge once again.

On the run, Jared has no choice but to seek out the peaceful vampires he relied on in the past despite that he’s not sure if he’s welcome amongst them anymore. But Tessa is the only one who can find the answers he seeks, the only one who can figure out what’s going on…preferably before their enemy strikes again.

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Prologue

In Vampire in Conflict we let off with this chapter…

Tessa sat beside her father as he drove toward the hospital. Cody was in the back seat. She’d been sending texts back and forth between David and Motre and getting them to connect. And to let everyone like Sian know what they were doing and why.

By the time she was done, they were at the hospital. Her father pulled into the underground parking space and stopped the car. The place appeared deserted, but she didn’t know or care anymore. As far as she was concerned, this place could burn to the ground.

She’d had enough. Sian hadn’t had any luck tracking down Seth, either. And that just sent fear racing down Tessa’s spine. She just knew that once he left the country, the chances were very slim that she’d get her brother back. She didn’t know if getting him back now would be any different, but to have him go so far away would be terrible. Who knew what these guys would do to him…no. She swore it wasn’t going to happen.

That David had taken off on his own was something else she planned to rip him a new one for. He hadn’t contacted their father or even Cody to go with him. Like crazy. And stupid. And freaking nuts. She loved both her brothers, but she didn’t love what either of them were doing.

Or her mother. In fact, she was pretty disenchanted with all of her family right about now. Except her father, and wasn’t that a switch?

They aren’t all bad. It’s just a tough time. Cody said in a gentle tone. Give them some space and understanding. Seth isn’t responsible, and neither is Rhia. It’s a tough time. Hang in there, Tessa. You’re tired and hurting emotionally.

She closed her eyes, loving the way his voice wormed through her heart. It felt so good. It filled the cold empty places inside and made her feel not so alone.

Thanks.

I’m angry, she whispered shamefully. That this nightmare isn’t over. I want it to be over. I want to go out on Friday night with you and your friends and be normal teenagers for a change.

You might want to be a normal teenager. I’m past that stage, thank you. But his voice was both humorous and wry.

True. She smiled and teased, You’re like really old. Almost your father’s age.

He laughed at that, and she felt infinitely better as his joy lifted her own spirits.

I’m worried about Seth and Mom, she said. I can’t believe Jewel and Ian are once again in trouble. It’s always been those two.

Yes, and I wonder if that is why they’ve been singled out now, Cody said. Maybe the scientists want to see the end results. Or maybe they want to move onto the next stage of their testing – whatever that is.

God help us all if that’s the case. She shuddered. Also, I don’t understand what’s happening in the human world with Jared finding four bodies today. He has no one left now.

And that made her sad. She had so much in comparison.

He didn’t go back to the home, did he? Cody said. Surely he’s too smart for that?

He has nowhere else to go. She frowned. Maybe a friend’s house? But how can he? He’s expected to be at the home. If he doesn’t show up there, they will put out an alarm about him missing. I imagine there is a curfew and possibly some kind of bed check at night.

I always imagine it to be one step away from prison.

She laughed. I don’t think it’s that bad. Her laughter died and she started texting again. I’m going to ask him where he is. If nothing else, he can bunk at our house. The thing is empty and there is lots of room. I should have made the offer earlier.

There was silence. She turned to stare at him. Then got it. She gasped. Surely you’re not jealous?

He grinned. Honey, when it comes to other men, I’m never going to be happy to have them sleep under the same roof as you.

Ha, she motioned outside the car. See where we are? The only one getting sleep this night will be Jared.

The gloominess in the underground lot surrounded them as Tessa walked to the entrance with Cody and her father. “Are we going downstairs after David or upstairs to help Motre and Ian?”

“Downstairs after David,” her father said immediately. “Then the four of us will go and get Ian and Jewel. Then home. We’re not here to fight a battle. Just retrieve a few friends that haven’t been able to leave on their own.”

Tessa hoped it would be that easy.

It won’t be, Cody said with a groan. It never is.

He walked over to the big door and pulled it open. “Are you ready?”

Serus walked through first. Tessa next. Cody slipped in behind them. The three of them stared at the staircase that seemed to go on forever. And damn if Serus didn’t look up, then down over the railing, then with a wicked grin at Tessa and Cody, he said, “See you at the bottom.”

And he dropped over the side.

“What the…” Cody said as he raced to look down. Tessa was already there. She grinned. “He’s taken the fastest way.”

“Oh no, you don’t,” Cody said. “I’m not jumping over that edge.”

She laughed. “Okay.” She jumped to the center of the landing and then down a flight of stairs to the center of the next landing. And repeated it. Again and again.

Cody raced behind her, swearing and crying foul. She laughed and for the first time all day she felt good – in fact, she felt great.

She dropped down several more flights of stairs and realized her father hadn’t called up to them. He was long gone. She leaned over the railing and waited for Cody to catch up. There was no visible end to the stairwell. Just blackness.

And her stomach sank. There was no bottom. Her dad had jumped.

But he was a glider. Not a flier.

“Dad?”

No answer.

Her father was gone.

“Dad!”

The cry echoed around and around.

Nothing.

Chapter 1

Tessa stared down the stairwell in horror. Endless darkness stared back. She stretched further out, balancing precariously on the railing, and called frantically one last time, “Dad?”

“Easy, Tessa.” Strong arms grabbed her by the waist, tugging her back against a warm chest. “He’ll be fine.”

She closed her eyes briefly. “Hope so.” She rotated in Cody’s arms to stare up at him. “We have to find him.”

“And we will.” He dropped a kiss on her forehead. “But not by repeating his mistake.”

Typical. She smirked. “Right. Then race you to the bottom!”

She bolted sideways, laughing down the next flight of stairs. The laughter might not have been appropriate, but it was her way of coping with the fear. She – they – had been through so much. If something had happened to her father…that would be more than she could stand. He was larger than life. He had always seemed indestructible.

Unfortunately, she had proof than no vamp was safe forever. Not even ancients like her father.

She wished he’d waited for her, for them. But he’d always been so in control. So powerful and capable. A take-charge kind of guy.

That didn’t mean he was infallible.

She poured her energy into getting down the stairs as fast as she could go. There was a serious silence the deeper they went. She couldn’t bear the thought that something might have happened to him. She rounded another flight of stairs, her heart pounding as the tension inside threatened to choke her.

“Dad?” Still no answer. She gritted her teeth, drew in more energy, and jumped again. This time Cody landed in front of her, his hand reaching out to slow her progress. She fell against him as she hit the brakes. “What’s the matter?”

“We’re at the bottom.”

“Really?” She looked around at the empty concrete space. “Oh thank heavens.” Her father wasn’t lying in a broken heap anywhere. That meant he had to be fine.

“Wher—”

“Shh.” Cody placed his finger against her lips and leaned forward to whisper into her ear. “I hear something.”

She gasped and spun around. It’s probably Dad.

With her head cocked, she strained to hear what Cody had heard. She couldn’t hear anything. She raised her eyebrow at Cody. What is it? What did you hear?

I’m not sure. He slipped around behind her and placed his hand on the wall. There’s no door here, is there?

Tessa walked closer, shifting her vision to open both her vampire and human eyes. She shook her head. I can’t see any energy on the wall.

He turned in frustration to stare at the circular stairway they’d descended. Can you take a look at where we’ve been? Are we following any tracks? Energy trails?

She studied the wall at this level. No, nothing. Cody was at her heels, waiting, watching her. She turned slightly to look from a different angle. And stopped. She grabbed his hand and motioned to the wall. There is a door here.

He looked at her as if to make sure. At her nod, he walked closer, his hands slipping across the old surface, looking for the break in the wall.

To the left, she said. Yes, right there, as his fingers found the crack. She could see the door shape surrounded in light. And part of the energy in that doorway had come from her father. And…she couldn’t be sure, but maybe David as well.

Dad is behind here.

Are you sure? Cody looked over at her, his gaze searching.

Tessa nodded and walked over and kicked the wall where there was a shimmering ball of energy. Cody jumped back as the wall slid inward silently.

What kind of doors are these that they open like this? So quietly.

Old technology. The energy is very young, but the wall is very old.

He shot her a questioning look as she moved past him. Don’t ask, she said.

She slipped into the space behind the open door. There were no lights shining, but she could see the energy blazing a trail. The corridor ahead was empty and gloomy. Cody moved ahead and led the way.

Careful, she said.

Of course, he murmured, in a deeper tone than he’d used so far. It sent warm tingles down to her toes. If she hadn’t been so worried about her dad, she’d be tempted to take advantage of the situation. Cody turned and shot her a look, his steps slowing.

No! She grabbed his shoulder and turned him forward. Dad comes first.

First? I like that. He grinned and grabbed her hand. Let’s find your father then.

But they hadn’t made it much further when she heard sounds off to the side. Cody froze, his arm instinctively tucking her behind him.

She snorted at that.

Shhh, he whispered. Someone is coming.

*

Rhia curled up into big wingback chair. Her head pounded and her stomach ached. Something she hadn’t expected. Or experienced before. Her thoughts were so confused. Tessa. Seth. Cody. David. There was so much going on in there. Orders. Instructions of some kind.

She buried her head in her hands, the pounding building to the point that she wanted to bang her own head into the ground. She groaned.

“Easy, Rhia,” Sian said. “Take it easy.”

Rhia’s eyes fluttered open, and she gazed into her old friend’s face. At least it looked to be Sian. She blinked several times, but it was hard to focus. Everything was blurry. She could barely discern her features. “Sian?”

“Yes.” A warm hand brushed the hair back from Rhia’s forehead. For the first time, she noticed her forehead was damp, her throat struggling to swallow, the tissues dry and empty of saliva. She choked.

“Easy. Here.” Sian held up a glass to her lips. After the initial dryness, Rhia drank with a vengeance.

“Drink it slowly.”

Rhia couldn’t. She gulped greedily. When the glass was empty, she collapsed backward on the couch. “Thank you.”

“Are you feeling better?”

Rhia groaned and closed her eyes. “I’m not sure. Everything is mixed up. I can’t make any sense of it.”

There was an odd silence.

Rhia’s eyes shot open. “What? What don’t I know?”

She caught the merest whisper of a grimace before Sian managed to school her features.

“Sian?”

With a heavy sigh, Sian said, “I think you’ve been drugged – again.”

“Oh no.” It took her a moment to digest the news. “How? Why?”

Sian shrugged. “We don’t know yet.”

“How did you find out?”

There was that same ugly pause. Rhia studied her best friend’s features, cold fear edging out her confusion. “Sian, What did I do?”

“When we found you, you had chained Tessa up to a bed and were trying to arrange her passage out of the country.” Sian paused then added quietly, “You were also trying to inject her with drugs.”

Rhia gasped.

Sian, her voice lowered to a hoarse whisper, added, “And apparently you’ve already arranged to have Seth taken away.”

Rhia’s chin wobbled. “Oh no. I wouldn’t have done that.” She stared blindly ahead as multiple conversations rolled through her mind. Bits and pieces were all disjointed and jumbled up. Nothing made any sense. “Where’s my son, Sian?”

“Honey, we don’t know.” Sian shook her head, a sad look on her face. “He was taken to the hospital for treatment after the blood farm.”

“Right.” Rhia struggled to sit up. “He was getting treatment at the hospital.”

“Except the hospital has been taken over by the bad guys. They are holding several of our people in the hospital. We have no idea who is involved.”

“No. No. It can’t be.” Rhia shuddered. “He’s supposed to be safe. Getting proper care.”

“Yes, and that’s what we thought, until you chained up Tessa and started talking all crazy like.”

“I’d never hurt Tessa. Not willingly.” Rhia closed her eyes. “You know that, right?”

“I know you wouldn’t.” Sian stroked her hand. “You were doing this so that Tessa would stay safe – at least in your mind. It was the drugs talking, twisting your thoughts, your actions. Making all of it sound very reasonable.”

“I didn’t hurt her, did I?” Rhia couldn’t believe what she was hearing. But she knew she had to know the worst. She had to make amends and before she could do that, she had to know what she’d done.

Sian winced again, her gaze straying down Rhia’s body.

And for the first time, maybe because of the drugs wearing off, maybe because Sian had unintentionally brought it to her attention, Rhia could feel the agony rolling toward her head in greasy waves. Her leg was injured, and healing…slowly.

“No, you didn’t hurt Tessa, but you fought and she was forced to hurt you to protect herself.”

“Oh no.” Rhia collapsed onto her back, crying out in torment.

*

David knew his family was behind him somewhere, but how long until they got here? He had to find Jewel. Who knew what they’d done to her while she’d been a prisoner in this damn hospital?

He was still questioning his decision to go down the stairs. Stairs that seemed to go on forever only to end at a cement basement level showing a huge expanse of open space on the other side of the open door. He stopped to listen, but there was nothing, just an echo of his footsteps. Surely there had to be someone here.

As far as he could see, the damn place was empty. Still, that was much better than being full of assholes. It made no sense that this massive space existed. And as he was lost in all this vast emptiness, Jewel was tucked away somewhere else. Why had he come down here again? Feeling like he’d wasted precious time, he headed back toward the staircase. He should have gone up. Jewel was above him somewhere.

He had to find her.

He stopped and turned to retrace his steps. And heard a voice. He spun around, looking to take cover. He was no longer alone.

*

Jared stood in the middle of his bedroom and couldn’t decide what to do. He hadn’t eaten yet. He’d come straight to his room, had a shower, and now he dithered, uncertain of his next move.

He didn’t want to be here. It wasn’t his room, but it was familiar. He needed food, a place to sleep. He’d spent some time here. Knew some of these kids. But after the last few crazy days, he felt he no longer knew anything. His aunt and uncle were both dead. He tried to feel sorry for them but couldn’t. Not after all they’d done to his father.

But they’d been murdered. If it had only been one of them killed, then he’d have been able to toss it off as a random act. A burglary gone wrong. But to have targeted both, well…his mind couldn’t help but lock onto the fact that they’d both had regular dealings with the blood farm coalition and maybe with all the craziness there, the men behind that nightmare were cleaning up.

Or the middlemen were cutting ties to save their asses.

Or just as likely the humans busy selling their own people were trying to get the hell free of their own web of deceit.

Either way, he hoped the investigation uncovered a shit ton more people involved. The only way to clean this up was to purge the whole lot from society. He didn’t know how far the disease had spread, but they needed to stop it before it spread any further. He hoped that none of his friends and their families were involved but as he stared out the window of his bedroom, he figured that the chances were good that some of them were. This was a relatively small community.

He hoped Tessa was all right.

Of course she was likely out doing something constructive. Something proactive to stop this nightmare. He was stuck here.

“Hey, Jared.”

He turned to see a new kid he didn’t recognize at his door. “Yeah, what’s up?”

“The manager wants to speak with you. He said go down and grab some dinner then meet him in his office right after.”

His stomach sinking at the thought, Jared kept his face schooled with disinterest and nodded. “Thanks. Will do.”

The kid took off.

And Jared headed down. He might not want to eat, but if he had to take off again tonight, he needed his strength. That meant food.

Then he’d deal with the manager.

*

Serus slipped behind the wall. His leg still ached from that crazy ass landing. He thought for sure he’d have ended up at the bottom of the stairwell with both legs broken once he realized how deep the stairs went. He’d lived for centuries – how had he not known about this place? Not that he was in this area all that often. Why would he be? It was a hospital – like he needed that. His body was damn good at doing what it was supposed to do – heal itself.

Besides, who’d have thought this vast dungeon existed below?

Somewhere a hundred years back, there’d been an outcry about needing medical facilities. He couldn’t remember the arguments for and against. He’d thought it had been a complete waste, but whatever, if the Council wanted to emulate the humans, so what? He knew Rhia had held the same belief. After Tessa was born, not quite normal but not quite abnormal, Rhia had consulted a few of the older vampires instead of the doctors. Deanna, the oldest of them all, had been one of them. She’d retreated from society soon after.

And always in the background, the hospital had functioned, but more as a developmental place. Or so they thought.

He frowned thinking about that. Developmental? As in researching developments in the vampire genetics? He had to see this for what it was. Likely what it had always been. Was this the original headquarters for the blood farm? Could it be?

It galled him to think that this could have been – no, he had to be honest – had been operating under his nose. Because he hadn’t wanted to see, he hadn’t seen. And now look.

His beloved Rhia was under the influence of drugs. She’d helped ship his oldest son somewhere ‘safe’ where he couldn’t be found, and he was searching this damn mausoleum for his other son. When would this ever end? He should be tucked up in bed, his wife at his side, with all his kids safe and sound.

It was well past time for this shit to be over.

Chapter 2

Tessa slipped into the room, close behind Cody. They skulked in as far as they could away from the footsteps to try and come around from behind and catch the person by surprise.

Where did they go? she asked.

No idea.

They can’t have gone far.

No. Or they haven’t gone anywhere – they are just waiting for us to show our hand.

She froze. Oh no. That makes way too much sense.

Shh. He peered around the doorway. I think I heard them.

Them? Do you really think it’s more than one person? Tessa thought about it then replied. Let me take a look. I should be able to tell if there is more than one person. Hopefully it would be her father and brother.

Cody stepped back but stayed close, his warm breath sliding down her neck and under her shirt. And despite the worries, despite the circumstances, her missing brother, her father…she was so very grateful to be here with him. Well, maybe not here…but at least with him. They’d been through so much…and had come out so wonderfully well that she found it hard to regret this.

She made a quick movement and peeked around the corner. Cody squeezed her shoulder in warning. She pulled back, her mind processing what she’d seen. She turned to stare into Cody’s questioning gaze. There are four sets of energy. Dad. David. And two others – I don’t know who.

What? Really?

At her nod and wide grin, he reached out and hugged her.

She laughed silently and stepped back. The only thing, she said, I can’t tell if they were all together or if one is following the other. I need to take another look.

We don’t know where they are, and that’s a problem.

She nodded and studied the energy around the pair of them. She hadn’t seen any odd energy here. So the other two people had arrived from a different direction. Now what do we do?

There’s really nothing else to do but follow. He stepped out behind the wall, Tessa’s hand in his.

He turned left.

Tessa tugged him to a halt. We need to go this way.

He looked at her. She nodded to the right. He rolled his eyes and turned right. It’s a little irritating, you know?

What? But she knew. She tried but couldn’t hold the giggle back. Her voice, light as a feather, whispered ‘Sorry’ into his mind.

Cody squeezed her hand gently. Don’t be. It is part of the joy of being with you.

You sure it doesn’t make you feel…I don’t know… maybe insecure?

No. He shot her a disgusted look. My self–confidence is not affected by your abilities. I am not that shallow.

That his voice had some gruffness to it made her glance over. Surely he wasn’t really put out by her, was he? She tried to keep her thoughts to herself, but he heard her.

He stopped and turned to face her, a rueful look on his face. He snagged her chin and looked deep into her eyes. Never hold back that wonderful light inside you because you think it would upset me. I’m a bigger man than that. And even if I would have problem with it, I’d want to be that better man.

Ah Lord, he was killing her with his goodness. She was proud to know him. Honored to be with him.

No, you are something. He shook his head, something special shining in his gaze. You make me so much more when I am with you.

She smiled. She reached up and kissed him, her lips brushing his with the lightest of touches. Good. Remember that when you get pissed off at me.

Cody tried to deepen the kiss, but she pulled back with a smirk. So not the time. But hold that thought.Let’s go after Dad and David.

Right. He turned her in the right direction. Lead off.

*

“Where the hell are they?” Ian muttered to Motre. “Surely David and Serus’s group should be here by now?”

“They most likely are.” Motre pulled his phone out and checked for any texts for what had to be the tenth time in the last ten minutes. “They said David was on his way up here, but look at where we are. We haven’t stopped moving. I’ve given David some rough directions, but it’s not like we have a map of this damn place or kept them in the loop of what level we were operating on.”

Ian nodded, pulling out his cell phone from the pocket of his stolen pants. Map? That he might be able to help with. The phone buzzed in his hand. He read the text out loud. “Hey, this is Tessa. She and Serus have become separated in the basement.”

Motre spun back to face him. “What? Did you say they got separated?” He smacked his hand on the side of his head. “Like what the hell. How do they always end up like that?”

“Easy.” With a grin, Ian answered, “It seems to come naturally to them.”

With a snort, Motre turned and approached the next door. “Come on, then. Let’s get on with it. Before we have to go and rescue the others.”

“Ha,” Ian laughed. “I wouldn’t mind that happening for a change. Usually it’s the other way around and Tessa’s the one riding to the rescue.”

“Too true.” With a shake of his head, Motre reached out to turn the knob on the door.

*

Serus stopped in place. There was a sound off to his left. Damn it. He felt like he’d been playing hide and go seek with someone. A game. Not for the first time, he had to wonder if it wasn’t his son David. He pulled out his cell phone and sent him a text.

I’m hiding in the basement of the hospital, looking for you. Are you okay?

He stayed in place waiting for an answer, an ear straining to locate the other person. He shifted positions, waiting for his phone to light up. Waiting for something. He heard a noise to his right. He caught his breath and closed his eyes, using all his energy to pick up the stealthy movement.

His phone lit up. David. Then his heart plummeted at David’s message. I’m being stalked. I’m almost at the stairs again.

Serus spun around. The stairs were on the right.

He grinned.

And stepped out into the open.

“David?”

There was a startled silence, then a hard gasp. “Dad?”

And David stepped out of the shadows.

Serus grinned, stepping forward to slap David on the shoulder. “Glad to see you, son.”

“You too. Where’s Tessa?”

Serus snorted. “She’s supposed to be behind me. I took the fast way down, but I’m sure they are still coming. It’s a long way down.”

“It is.” David frowned and looked around. “But honestly, it doesn’t take that long. She should be here.”

“She’s with Cody. And yeah, it shouldn’t take that long.” And the fact they weren’t here was worrisome. But as he’d been walking forward all the time, it wasn’t likely that they’d have caught up to him yet.

David had his cell phone out. “I’m texting her now.”

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” The voice came from the shadows. “In fact, you need to hand that phone to me.”

And out of the shadows came two old vamps all dressed in black – including black gloves. Serus instinctively shoved his own gloved hand into his pocket, reassured by the feel of the spike he’d refused to hand over at the Council Hall. There were too many assholes roaming around to give that up.

“Who the hell are you?”

“None of your business. You’re trespassing, and we don’t think much of strangers.”

The second vamp stepped forward just as David’s finger hit send on the message.

“Too late,” he said in a loud voice, pocketing his phone. “The message is gone.”

“Good. We don’t have all that much to do lately. Now we can have a bit of sport with whoever you’re expecting to join you.”

Serus’s insides cramped. God damn it. What the hell had just happened?

*

Wendy curled up in the chair in the corner of the Council common room. She’d only been here a couple of times, but never alone. The place was huge, full of official vamps doing important things. There was an aura of secret doings, secret plans. Big things afoot. People rushed from room to room, and still others arrived in a panic. Throughout it all, she sat in the corner, out of the way, and watched.

She understood that David had taken off after Jewel. That Tessa, her father, and Cody had left soon after. She’d wanted to go, but she was tired, scared, and not fully healed from the car accident. And she’d only hold them back. She hated that. She’d gone into the mine after Ian but now that damn hospital…it was freaking scary. Besides, as David had said to her when they were alone, she couldn’t go. She’d been seen, and the security staff would be on alert for her. She was better off staying and helping here.

But how? She barely knew anyone. And had no idea how to make herself useful.

Her eye caught sight of one woman walking toward her. Sian. Now that was a scary woman. Anyone who could walk with one foot in the human and vamp worlds was very good at that whole balancing act.

She could teach Tessa a thing or two. She was also Rhia’s friend. Wendy stood up as Sian reached her. “Hi”

Sian’s gaze was assessing and concerned. “Hi, Wendy. How are you holding up?”

Wendy’s bottom lip wobbled. “I really wanted to go to the hospital to help rescue Ian, but…”

Sian immediately shook her head. “Not until your head heals, and not likely even then. Not if the hospital staff saw you as a threat. They will have your face plastered all over the security screens.”

Wendy winced. “Yeah, I figured.”

“But there is something you can do for me, if you wouldn’t mind?”