ASHADEOFVAMPIRE12:ASHADEOFDOUBT

BELLAFORREST

Contents

AlsobyBellaForrest

Copyright

1. Prologue:Corrine2. Chapter1:Rose3. Chapter2:Vivienne4. Chapter3:Derek5. Chapter4:Mona

6. Chapter5:Csilla7. Chapter6:Csilla8. Chapter7:Rose9. Chapter8:Rose10. Chapter9:Rose11. Chapter10:Rose12. Chapter11:Rose13. Chapter12:Rose14. Chapter13:Annora15. Chapter14:Aiden16. Chapter15:Sofia17. Chapter16:Ben18. Chapter17:Derek19. Chapter18:Rose20. Chapter19:Annora21. Chapter20:Rose22. Chapter21:Aiden23. Chapter22:Sofia24. Chapter23:Sofia25. Chapter24:Rose

26. Chapter25:Caleb27. Chapter26:Rose28. Chapter27:Mona

29. Chapter28:Derek30. Chapter29:Mona

31. Chapter30:Derek32. Chapter31:Ben33. Chapter32:Annora34. Chapter33:Rose

AnImportantNoteAboutKievNovalic

ReadMorebyBellaForrest!

A L S O B Y B E L L A F O R R E S T

ASHADEOFVAMPIRESERIES

AShadeofVampire(Book1)

AShadeofBlood(Book2)

ACastleofSand(Book3)

AShadowofLight(Book4)

ABlazeofSun(Book5)

AGateofNight(Book6)

ABreakofDay(Book7)

AShadeofNovak(Book8)

ABondofBlood(Book9)

ASpellofTime(Book10)

AChaseofPrey(Book11)

ASHADEOFKIEVTRILOGY

AShadeofKiev1

AShadeofKiev2

AShadeofKiev3

BEAUTIFULMONSTERDUOLOGY

BeautifulMonster1

BeautifulMonster2

Foranupdatedlistofmybooks,pleasevisitmywebsite:www.bellaforrest.net

JoinmyVIPemaillistandI’llpersonallysendyouanemailreminderassoonasmynextbookisout!Clickheretosignup:www.forrestbooks.com

Copyright©2015byBellaForrest

CoverdesigninspiredbySarahHansen,OkayCreationsLLC

Allrightsreserved.

Nopartofthisbookmaybereproducedinanyformorbyanyelectronicormechanicalmeans,includinginformationstorageandretrievalsystems,withoutwrittenpermissionfromtheauthor,exceptfortheuseofbriefquotationsinabookreview.

R

P R O L O GU E : C O R R I N E

oseNovakwaslikemyowndaughter.IbrahimandIhadprotectedherduringthefirst,mostvulnerableweeksofherexistence,andabondhadbeenforgedbetweenthatchildandmethatnothingcouldeverbreak.SofiaandDerekknewthat.Thatwaswhy,whenRoseandMicahhadgonemissing,they’dplacedtheirfaithinustofindthem.

Despitetheirtrust,IbrahimandIleftTheShadewithoutanysemblanceofaplan.Thefirstthingwedidwashoveraroundtheisland,scanningthewatersclosesttous,andthenspiralingoutfurtherandfurther.Aboutfivemilesout,wespottedanemptyboat.Micah’sfishingboat.IbrahimandIlandedonthedeck.

“Corrine,”Ibrahimcalled.Hepointedtoasplatterofdriedbloodatthebow.Hebentcloserandsniffedit.“Humanblood.”

PanicgrippedmeasIclutchedmyhusband’sshoulder.“Rose’s?”Ibrahimlookedupatmegrimlyandshrugged.“Whathappened?Wherecouldtheybe?”“Let’skeepscanningthewaters.”Wecoveredaradiusofseveraldozenmilesmoreinthisway,tonoavail.EitherMicahandRosehaddrownedandwerenowbeneaththewaters

somewhere,orMicahhadfoundanotherboatandthey’dsetoffonit.Butinthetimethatwe’dspent,weshouldhavecaughtthemifthey’dbeeninthewatersomewhere.

WereturnedtoMicah’sboatagain.Welookedaroundmorecarefullythis

time,lookingforanythingthatcouldhelpusunderstandwhathadhappenedhere.

Iwalkedtothebow,eyeingthesplattersofbloodagain,whileIbrahimlookedaroundthestern.

“Corrine,”hesaid.Itoremyeyesawayfromthebloodandapproachedhim.“What?”Heturnedtofaceme,astrandofblackhairbetweenhisfingers.Itwastoo

shortandcurlytobeRose’s,andMicahhadblondhair.“Wheredidyoufindit?”Ibrahimpointedtotheedgeoftheroofcoveringthewheel.Itwasatleastsix

feethighoffthefloor.“Whoeverthathairbelongstoistall,”Isaid.“Ofcourse,thisboatbelongstoTheShade.Thishaircouldbelongtosome

otherresident.”“CouldMicahhavehadanaccomplice?”“Who?”Ibrahimsaid.“Wedidathoroughheadcount.Whoelseonthe

islandhascurlydarkhairandcouldhavedonethistoRose?”Itriedtorackmybraintothinkofsomeone.Truthbetold,Icouldn’tthinkof

asinglevampire,human,wolforwitchwithhairthisdark,shortandcurly.“WhichmeansMicahcouldhavebeenanimposter,”Isaid,following

Ibrahim’slineofthought.“Ihaveafeelingthatablackwitchisbehindthis,”Ibrahimsaid.Ishudderedatthethought.ButwhyonlytakeRosewhenhecouldhave

takensomuchmore?WhynottakeAnna?WhynotusetheopportunitytotakeoverTheShadeandoverthrowMona?

Icouldn’tmakesenseoftheidea,butwedidn’thavetimetostopanddiscusstheories.WejustneededtofindRose.

“Wherecouldtheyhavetakenher?BacktoCaleb’sorStellan’sisland?”“IdoubttheywouldhavetakenherbackthereaftertheNovaksmanagedto

breakinbefore.”Istaredoutattheocean,afeelingofhopelessnessswellinginthepitofmy

stomach.

“IwonderwhathappenedtotherealMicah,”Imurmured,althoughIwassureIalreadyknewtheanswer.Idoubtedhe’dstillbelivingiftheblackwitcheswereindeedbehindthis.

Ibrahimsatdownonthefloornexttome,hisbackagainstthesideoftheboatashecontinuedstaringatthehair,hisbrowsfurrowed.

Wesatinsilenceforthenextfewminutes,bothofustryingtothinkofwhattodonextbutbothfailing.

Eventuallythesilencewasgettingonmynerves,soIstoodupandreacheddownahandforhimtostandtoo.“Let’sjustkeepmoving…anywhere.Ican’tsitstilllikethis.Let’sjustkeepscouringthewatersifwehaveto.”

Ibrahimheavedadeepsigh,thenstoodup.Bothfacingforward,wewereabouttovanishagainwhenaloudthump

soundedafewfeetbehindus.Theboatshook.Wewhirledaroundtoseetwoblondewomen—witches—standingbeforeus.“Brisalia?”Ibrahimgasped,staringattheolderofthetwo.Irecognizedtheminstantly.BrisaliaandCsillaAdrius.Motheranddaughter,

belongingtothelineageoftheAgeless.IbrahimandIbackedupontheboat,exchangingnervousglances.These

werewitcheswecouldn’taffordtomesswith.Theirpowersmorethanrivaledourown.

“Whatareyou—”Ibrahimbegantosay,butbeforehecouldfinishhisquestion,thetwowitchessprangforward,bothleapingforourmidriffs.Ifeltmyselffallingbackwardandbracedmyselftohitthewater.Butbeforeweevertouchedtheocean’ssurface,wevanished.

Aferociouswindengulfedme.IcouldbarelycatchabreathbeforemyfeetmetsolidgroundagainandIfoundmyselfstaringdownintoaholeintheground.Astarryabyss.Agate.Ibrahimstoodnexttome,thetwowitcheseithersideofus.Thicktreessurroundedus.Wewereinsomekindofforest—where,Ihadnoidea.AsIbrahimandIattemptedtofighttheholdtheyhadonus,aforcepushedusbackward.Welostourfootingandtheabyssconsumedus.Asweweresuckeddownward,Icaughtaglimpseofthetwowitchesleapinginafterus.

IreachedforIbrahim’shand,grippingittightaswetraveledatfuriousspeed.Igaspedastheendofthetunnelfinallycameintoview.SunshineblindedmeasIhurtledoutandlandedonagrassylawn.Ibrahimmadecontactwiththegroundafewfeetawayfromme.Scramblingtohisfeet,Ibrahimgrippedmyarmandpulledmeup.Weracedbacktowardthegateassoonasthetwowitchesshotoutfromit.Butasweattemptedtoleapbackthrough,ourbodiesfrozemidair,aninvisiblepowerkeepingusfromfallingthrough,resistingthesuctionpullingusdownward.

Weweresenthoveringbacktowardtheareawehadlandedfirstanddroppedontothegrass.Icastmyeyesaround.Ariverflowedafewfeetawayfromus,andawaterfallthunderedaboutfivehundredmetersaway.Theriverglistenedwithpreciousgems,thebankslinedwithtrees.Icouldhaverecognizedthisriverinmysleep.ItwastheriverthatsurroundedthemaincityofTheSanctuary.

TheSanctuary.IcouldbarelybelievethatIwasbackhere.Brisaliastoodup,Csillaclose

behindherastheyapproachedus.“I’msorrytodothistoyou,Ibrahim,”shesaid,lookingatmyhusbandwith

genuineapology.“Youwereloyaltomysisterforsomanyyears,butwejustcan’thaveyoumeddlingwiththings.”

“What?”Ibrahimspat.NomatterhowmuchIbrahimandItriedtobreakoutofthespellBrisalia

hadusunder,wecouldn’t.ShewasofthelineoftheAgeless,andagainstherandherdaughter’spowerscombined,wehadnohope.

Onceagainoursurroundingsdisappeared,andthistimewhenmyvisioncamebackintofocus,wewerestandinginalargebedroom.Itswallsweremadeofstarkwhitemarble,aswerethefloors.Itwasoval,andtherewasabeautifullycarvedfour-posterbedinthecenter.Lightsatincurtainscoveringtheopenbalconydoorsblewinthebreeze.Therewasascentofflowers.

“I’msureyouwillfindthisplacecomfortableenough.Itusedtobeyours,afterall.”

Thetwowitchesvanishedbeforewecouldutteranotherword.IstaredatIbrahim.Hestilllookedinastateofshockashelookedaroundthe

room.Webothhurriedovertotheopenbalconyandattemptedtovanishourselvesonceagain.Butaswetriedtoleavethebalcony,wehitaninvisiblewall.Werushedbackintotheroomandoutthroughthemainentrance,downasetofwidemarblestairsandtriedtoexitoutthedoor.Whilethefrontdooropened,wecouldn’twalkfurtherthantheendoftheporch.

IbrahimandIassaultedtheshieldwithcurseaftercurse,butnothingwecoulddodamageditintheslightest.

Sweatformingonmybrow,Iwipeditwiththebackofmysleeve.Ibrahimgrabbedmyhandandledmebackintothehouse.Aswestoodinthe

centerofthehall,webothlookedateachother,panting.“Whatthehellisthis?”Iblurtedout.Ithadallhappenedsofast,Ihadhardly

caughtupwiththefactthatitwasreal.Wewerenolongeronearth.WewerebackinTheSanctuary.Therealmof

thewitches.Myhome.AndIbrahim’s.ThelasttimeI’dspentabriefspellherehadbeentoescapeTheShadewhen

KievhadburntitdownwiththehelpoftheotherchildrenoftheElders.IswallowedhardasIlookedaroundtheentrancehall.Itwasuncanny.Istill

rememberedlivingherewithIbrahim.Whenwefirstbecamelovers,allthoseyearsago.

Ibrahimcaughtmyhandandwemadeourwaybackupstairstowardthebedroom.Wewalkedoutontothebalcony.Thishousewasperchedononeofthetallesthillsintheareaandaffordedamagnificentviewoftheheavenlycitysprawlingoutbeneathus.

Thisbalcony…itbroughtbacksomanymemories.ItwasthespotwhereI’dsharedmyfirstkisswithIbrahim.

Wewereoldflames,IbrahimandI.Wesharedahistorythatwentfarback.Muchfurtherthantheshortperiodwe’dspenttogetherlookingafterbabyRose.

We’dbeenloversbeforeIfirstcametoEarthfromTheSanctuary.He’dbeenthereasonIleft.I’dfalleninlovewithhim.Hard.AndI’d

thoughthe’dsharedthesamefeelingsforme.Buthisparentshadforbiddenhimfromseeingmeoncethey’dfoundout.

IbrahimcamefromafamilycloselyconnectedtotheAgeless’line,the

Adriusesthemselves.EvenmybeingadescendentofthegreatwitchCorawasn’tenoughforthem.

Ibrahim’sunwillingnesstobreakfreefromhisfamily’sholdhadsentmeintoaspiralofdepression.Mymother,whoatthetimehadbeenthewitchofTheShade,suggestedIcometoEarth.I’dwantednothingtodowithmyownkindforawhile.I’dintegratedmyselfintohumancivilizationandenrolledinacollegetostudypsychology.

Andthen,whenitwasmyturntotakemyplaceasTheShade’switch,I’dtriedtoforgetIbrahim.Ievenperformedseveralspellsonmyselftohelpblockhimfrommymemory.

I’dthoughtI’ddoneagoodjob.ButwhenI’dseenhimagain,whentheAgelesshadtakenmypowersawayandputhiminchargeofme,allthosebrokenfeelingshadreturned.

ThatperiodI’dspentwithIbrahimonEarth—whenitwasjustthetwoofuslookingafterbabyRose—hadbeenpossiblythehappiestweeksofmylife.

He’dtoldmehe’dregrettedlettingmegosincethedayIleft,allthoseyearsago.ButIwasafraidtogetclosetohim.Asmuchasmyheartfeltthatitmightburstwithjoy,Ididn’twanttohaveitbrokenagain.Istillhadn’tbeensureifwhatwehadwastemporaryandwhetherhewouldreturnwiththeAgelessassoonastheirbusinessonEarthwasdone.

Butthenhe’drefusedtoreturnwithher.AndthedayofVivienne’swedding,he’daskedmetobehis,forever.

IsnappedoutofmyboutofnostalgiaasIbrahim’sthumbbrushedagainstmycheek.Irealizedthathewasbrushingawayatear.Fromthehoodedlookinhiseyes,Icouldtellthathetoowasrememberingourstory,standingonthisbalcony,whereitallbegan.

Iclosedmyeyesashislipspressedagainstmine.Whenheliftedhisheadagain,hewassmilingslightly.

“Idon’tknowwhatjusthappened,orwhywe’rehere,orwhatwillbecomeofus,orRose,orTheShade…butIloveyou,Corrine.AndIneverstoppedlovingyousincethenightwefirstkissedonthisbalcony.”

Moretearsleakeddownmycheeks.Iknewthattheseemotionswerethelast

thingIshouldbefeelingrightnow.Ihadn’treturnedtoTheSanctuaryforsolongthatallthememoriesitbroughtbackofIbrahim,thefirstandlastloveofmylife,sentmyheadreeling.Isankdownonthebed,tryingtosteadymybreathing.

Afterafewmoments,Imanagedit,clutchingIbrahim’sarm.Itwastimewestartedfiguringoutsomeanswers.

“Iwonderwherethatgatewasthatwejustcamethrough.WhetheritwasnearTheShade.”

Ibrahimshrugged.“Ihavenoidea.It’spossibleitwasn’tevenmarkedonMona’smap.”

“Ibrahim.Corrine,”asilkyvoicespokefrombehindus.Ablondewomanhadjustenteredtheroom.Ishottomyfeet.“Thalia,”IbrahimandIsaidtogether.ShewasOdelia’ssister.“TakemetoOdelia,”Ibrahimsaid,walkinguptoThalia,hisfistsclenched.AsadnessfilledThalia’scrystal-blueeyes.“Odeliaisnomore.Beingthe

nextoldestsisteroftheAdriusline,IamnowtheAgelessoftheSanctuary.Inlightofthemanyyearsyouservedmysister,IthoughtitwasonlyrightthatImakeapersonalvisittoansweranyquestionsyoumighthave,soyoudon’tfeellikeprisoners.”

Myjawdropped.“She’sdead?”Igasped.“Shewasmurderedinhersleep.”Ibrahim’sbreathhitched.“Bywhom?”“Tothisdaywedon’tknowforsure.Butwesuspectthatitwasablack

witch.Itseemstheyarebecomingpowerfulenoughtopenetrateourrealm.”Asmuchaswewereshockedbythenews,itwasclearthatneitherofus

weretrulythatsorry.OdeliahadcausedTheShademuchtroubleduringhertime,andtothisdayIhadn’tforgivenherfortakingmypowersawayfromme—andforwhatshe’ddonetoSofia,leavingRoseandBenmotherlessduringthefirstweeksoftheirlives.

“Whyhaveyoubroughtushere?Andwhyareyourestraininguslikethis?”Ibrahimdemanded,gloweringather.

Thaliasighed.Drawingupachair,shesatdownand,gesturingtothebed,indicatedthatwedothesame.

“I’msorryifBrisaliadidn’tgiveyouasatisfactoryexplanation.ButsheandCsillahadtohurrybacktoTheShade.Theyhavesome…preparatoryworktodothere.”

“What?”“Please,sit.”IwasinnomoodtositdownandIcouldseeIbrahimwasn’teither,butwe

gaveintoherrequest.“Theblackwitchesmustbestopped,”shebegan.“Iftheyareallowedto

continuegainingstrength,boththehumanrealmandtherealmofthewitches—indeed,everyrealm—willfeeltheirthreat.Theywillnotstopuntiltheyhavemadeeveryspeciessubordinatetothem.Untiltheyhavereclaimedtheso-calledtruegloryofourAncients.Aglorythatcomesattheexpenseofallspeciesotherthanthemselves.”

“Whatdoesanyofthishavetodowithimprisoningus?Weneedtoleave.SofiaandDerekaredependingonusto—”

“Don’tworryabouttheNovakgirl,”Thaliasaidcalmly.“Hermia,myownsister,hasgoneafterher.She’salreadylocatedtheirtrailandwillbringthembackheresafely.Sofearnot.”

Itfeltlikeeveryclarificationonlyendedupconfusingusfurther.“What?Whywould—”

“TheNovaktwins—well,mainlythegirl.Ithasoccurredtotheblackwitchesthatshewillbeofmuchusetothem,farmorethantheyinitiallythought.”

“Why?”Thaliafoldedherhandsoverherlap.“ThereisanAncientstillremaining.

Lilith,hernameis.Sheisoneofthereasonstheyaregainingpowersoquickly.Sheguidesanddirectsthem.Butsheisailing.Oneofthereasonstheyneedsomuchhumanbloodisfortheritualstheycarryoutonherbehalf,tokeepheralive.Sheishangingontoherdecayinglifebyathread.Todenydeathinsuchawayrequiresaconstanteffort,animmenseamountoflifeforce,themostpotent

ofwhichcomesfromhumanblood.Sincetheyknowofthetwins’uniqueblood,theywanttoseeifitwillhelptoprolongLilith’slife,ifitwillbemorepotentthanregularhumanblood.Basically,theywanttoaddRosetotheiringredientsshelf.Andalsoexperimentwithotherwaysshecouldbeofvalueotherthangivingblood.”

“Whatotherwayscouldtherepossiblybe?”“Ibelievetheyseepotentialinher,toturnherintoawitch.Oneofthem.

Perhapstheyseehergeneticsasastrongfoundation,iftheytrainherright.”“WhataboutBenjaminNovak?”“Lilithconsumesprimarilyfemaleblood.Benjamin’sbloodisnotofasmuch

usetotheminthisregard.Besides,oncethey’vetakenoverTheShade,theywillgethimanyway.”

“TakeoverTheShade?”“Oh,yes.Thatisstilltheirplan.Infact,takingRosewilljustmakethis

easierforthem.Yousee,whatyouneedtounderstandaboutthesewitchesisthattheyvaluevampire,humanandwolflifealike.Humans,vampsandwerewolvesallhavetheirplacesintheirrituals.Theycanfindusesforeachofthem.So,whiletheycouldhaveattackedTheShadefullforce,theywouldmuchrathergaintheircooperation.Theydon’twanttoresorttomasskillinginordertogaincontrol.TheyseetoomanyusesforTheShade’sresidentstojustkillthemwhimsicallyandwouldratherworkoncoercionthanbruteforce.Oncethey’vedonesomeexperimentingwithRoseNovak,andaresuretheycanuseher,theywillusehertogaincooperationfromtheNovaks.TheNovakswillbemuchmoreamenabletonegotiationiftheblackwitcheshavetheirdaughter,don’tyouthink?”

Mymouthdriedout.IstaredatIbrahim.HiseyeswerenarrowedonThalia.“Whydidn’tOdeliatakethetwinsatbirthifsheknewwhatpotentialthey

had?”Ibrahimsaid.“Shecouldhaveeasilystolenthem,justasshestoleSofiaandsenthertoCruor.ThenyouwouldhaverunnoriskofRosefallingintothewronghands.”

Thaliaavertedhereyestothefloor.“Odeliawasaconundrum.”“Whatdoyoumean?”Iasked.

“Imeanshewasn’tasrationalinherthinkingasmostthoughtshewas.TherewasaflickerofremorseinherforthetroubleshecausedtheNovaks.Shedidn’twanttotakeawaythebabiestoo,asmuchasHermiaandItriedtopersuadeher.Shehopedthatthewitcheswouldnotfindoutaboutthetwins.Itoldherthatwasafoolishmove.Ofcourse,itwasonlyamatteroftime.”

“Aretheblackwitchesstillinterestedintheimmune,Anna?”Ibrahimasked.“AsIsaid,theywillgeteveryonewithinTheShade.There’snoneedfor

themtoexertthemselvesseparatelyforheranymore.RoseistheirkeytoBen,theimmune,andtherestofTheShade’slivestock.”

Ipaused,frowning.Somanyquestionshadbeencompetinginourminds,we’dforgottentoaskthemostobviousone.

“Howthehelldoyouevenknowallthisabouttheblackwitches?”Iasked.Shegaveusaknowingsmile.Standingup,shetouchedourshouldersand

theroomvanished.Wereappearedinthecity’sdungeon.Irecognizedthisplace.ThoughI’drarelyvisitedit,IrememberedventuringdownhereonceortwicewhenIwasyounger.

Thaliawalkeduptoacellafewfeetawayandpointedintoit.Crouchedinthecornerwasaginger-hairedman.Hisheadlollingontohischest,heappearedtobeunconscious.

“Wemanagedtostealoneoftheirown.That’showweknowallthis.MeetEfrenHansard.FormerlyaresidentofTheSanctuary.Turnedtraitormanyyearsagotojointheblackwitches.Wecaughthimsneakingaroundthebordersofourrealm.SincehehasnotyetbecomeaChanneler,he’snotaspowerfulasRhysandhisfamily.Iandseveralofourstrongestwitcheswereabletooverpowerhim.”

IbrahimandIgrippedthecells,staringthroughthebarsattheman.“Theblackwitcheswillbeangryoncetheyfindoutwhatwe’vediscovered.

Theywilldoubletheireffortstobringusdown.Butwehadtodoit.Wehadtoknowwhatwearefacing.NowweareinneedofactualcooperationwithaChannelerifwearetohaveanyhopeofretainingourfreedom…”

Knotsformedinmystomach.IdarednotmentionMona,incasetheyweren’tawarethatshewaslivingamongusinTheShade.Butsomehow,I

suspectedthattheyknewalready.Infact,IsuspectedMonawasthereasonBrisaliaandherdaughterhadbeenhangingaroundTheShade.PerhapstheyareconcoctingaplantostealMonaawayfromTheShade…thusleavingitutterlydefenseless.Despairclawedatmychest.IwasgraspingatanyhopeIcouldthattheystillweren’tawareofMona,sinceThaliahadnotmentionedheryet.

Althoughtherewerestillsomanyquestionschurninginmymind,Ifinallyaskedtheonequestionthathadhauntedmeeversinceshe’dfirstopenedhermouth.“Whywouldyoutrustuswithallthisinformation?”

IfearedIalreadyknewtheanswer.Thaliagaveasoftsmile.“Oh,Ineedn’tworryaboutyoutellinganyone.

Neitherofyouaregoinganywhereforalongtime.”

E

CH A P T E R 1 : R O S E

verysecondthatAnnora’shandsremainedwrappedaroundCaleb,itfeltliketheywerewrappedaroundmyneck.TheworstthingwasnotbeingabletoseeCaleb’sface.Ihadnoideawhetherhewasreturningherpassion,heraffection.Butwhenhereachedbehindhisbackandunclaspedherhandsfromhim,steppingawayfromher,IfoundsomehopethatperhapsIhadn’tlosthimyet.

Stillsittinghalf-submergedinwateronthefloor,I’dstartedtoshiverfromcold.ButIfeltnumbtoit.Theshockofwhatthatwhitewitch,Hermia,hadsaidabouttheblackwitchestakingoverTheShade,coupledwiththeshockofseeingAnnora,hadbeenenoughtoleavemenumbtoallpain.Tomakeanybodilydiscomfortseemtrivial.

AsCalebdrewawayfromAnnora,shetriedtolatchontohim.Heplacedherarmsfirmlyathersides.Hecastalookatme.Hisfacewasashen,moredrainedthanI’deverseenit.Thenhelookedawayfrommeandstraightaheadattheexit,focusingonneitherofus.

“Thosewitches…Wehavenotimetolose,”hemutteredasherushedoutoftheroom.

Itcutmehowhisvoicesoundedsodistant,soseparate,whenallIwantedwasforhimtoholdmeandtellmenothinghadchangedbetweenus.Thathisfeelingsstillremainedthesame.ThathestillwantedtoreturnwithmetoTheShade.Buthedidn’t.

PerhapsIamlosinghim.Annoradidn’tevenlookatmeasshefollowedhim.Reachinguptoametal

ledge,Ipulledmyselfupoutofthewater.Iwasknockedtotheflooragainasthesubmarineplungeddownward.Mystomachflipped,andIfeltdizzy.Insteadoftryingtostandagain,Icrawledtowardtheentrance.Itledtoaflightofstairs,andadryerareathathadn’tbeenexposedtothewaterAnnorahadletinwhilstsuckingusthroughthehatch.

Iwassurprisedshehadn’torchestratedtherescuetokeepmelockedoutandonlysuckCalebthrough.ThoughCalebwasholdingontome.Isupposedthatwastheonlyreason.IimaginedshewouldhavetakenpleasureinseeingthosetwowitchesabovewatertakemeawaywhilesheescapedwithCaleb.

Stillshivering,Igrippedtherailingincasethesubmarinesuddenlylurchedagain.Ifoundmyselfinapassageway.Therewereseveralnarrowdoorsoneitherside,leadingtocabins,Iassumed.Igrimaced.Theywereallclosed.IguessedthatAnnorahadclosedthedoortothecontrolcabin.

Iwastoodrainedtocarejustthen.Andtoocold.Igrippedthehandleofthenearestdoortomeandwasrelievedwhenitopenedintoasmallroomwithaclean-lookingcotinonecorner,asmallcabinet,andatowelrack.

Irummagedthroughtheclosetandfoundatowel.Strippingoutofmywetclothes,Idriedmyself.Ifoundcleanclothesinoneofthedrawers—pantsandashirt.Theywerebothtoolargeforme,butanythingwasbetterthanremaininginmywetclothes.

Wrappingmyhairupinthetowel,Ilaydownonthecotandcurledupinaball.

Mom.Dad.Ben.Grandpa…IthoughtofeveryonewhowasdeartomeinTheShade.Please,pleasebesafe.Iprayedthatthewitchwaslying.Calebhadseemedtosuspectso.Butitwasthedoubt,thenotknowing,thatwastorturous.

Ishutmyeyes,tryingtonumbthepainanduncertaintyboilingupwithinme.Scorchingmealive.Ishouldhavebeenmoreconcernedastowhetherornotwehadmanagedtogetthosetwoblackwitchesoffourtail.Butmymindwastoodistractedbyotherworries.

Afteranhourorso,Iheardtheclickofadoor.Icrepttomyowndoorand

openeditslightlytopeerout.Annorahadleftthecontrolroomandwaswalkingintoanothercabin,wheresheshutthedoorbehindher.

Ilaybackdowninbed,heavingasigh.Ididn’tknowwhetherCalebhadaskedhertoleave,orifshehadleftofher

ownaccord.Somehow,Idoubtedthelatter.

P

CH A P T E R 2 : V I V I E NN E

romiseme,Vivienne,thatyouwon’tfeelbadwhileyou’reaway.Iwantyoutoenjoyyourselfandnotthinkaboutus.Canyoupromisemethat?”

AsXavierandIenteredthelobbyofourhotel,mybrotherDerek’swordsrangthroughmyhead.I’dpromisedhimthatIwouldtry,evenifitprovedtobethehardestthingintheworld.

GiventhatweweretryingtogetawayfromthetroublesofTheShadeandthewaterssurroundingit,XaviersuggestedwegosomewherefarawayfromthePacificOcean.He’dsuggestedSantorini,Greece.Neitherofushadbeentherebefore,butwe’dheardthatitwasapopularhoneymoondestination.Iwasn’tpickyaboutwhereweendedup.MyhusbandwasallIwanted.Butnowthatwe’darrivedinSantorini,Icouldcertainlyseehowithadearneditsreputation.

Xavierinsistedwestayinthemostexpensiveroomofthehotel,thepenthousesuite,rightatthetopofthepristinewhitebuilding.Themanagerledusuptherepersonally,alongwithtwoemployeescarryingourbags.

Idrewabreathasweenteredthesuite.Althoughtheinteriorswerespaciousandbeautiful,myeyesweredrawntothebalcony.Itookoffmyshoesandwalkeduptotheglassdoors,partingtheblindstoallowtheeveningsuntoentertheroom.Iopenedthedoorsandwalkedoutsideontotheterracotta-flooredveranda,warmbeneathmybarefeet.

Therewasasprawlinginfinitypooltomyleft,atablefortwowithcandlesandaprettyflowerarrangementinthecenter,andbeyond,stretchingoutall

“

aroundus,wasavisionsoeye-wateringlybeautifulIcouldbarelybelievewewerestillonearth.TheseawasthemostbrilliantblueIhadeverseen.PerhapsonlyDerek’seyescouldrivalit.Andthesky…therewasnotasinglecloudinsightasthesunbeganitsdescentbehindthehorizon.IguessedthatthisplacecouldevengiveTheSanctuaryarunforitsmoney.

“Youbothlooklikeyouhavesometanningtodo,”themanagersaid,smilingasheeyedourpaleskin.

XavierandIexchangedglancesandchuckled.Themenleftourbagsbythequeen-sizedbedbeforetheyheadedfortheexit.

“Icanthinkofmoreinterestingthingsonourto-dolistthantanning,”Xavierwhispered,asthedoorclickedshut.

Myheartracedashedrewmetohimandplantedalong,tenderkissonmylips.“Iagree.”

Xaviercuppedmyfaceinhishands,heatsparkinginhiseyes.“You’reblushing,”hesaid,hisvoicehusky.

“Iam?”Henodded.“Viv,youhavenoideahowbeautifulyouarewhenyoublush.”IwassurethatIblushedsomemoreashisintenseeyesboredintomine.Ireachedforhisshirtandbeganunbuttoningitwhileheunzippedmydress.

Hesliditoffmyshoulders,thenreachedbehindmybackandunclaspedmybra.Hedroppedbothgarmentsonthefloorbeforeremovinghispants.

“Ithinkashowerisinorder,”hesaid,catchingmyhandandleadingmetowardthebathroom.Turningonthemonsoonshower,hebackedmeupagainstthecooltiledwallandtrailedkissesalongmyshoulders.

Wesoapedeachotherdownandwhenhishandsloweredtothesmallofmyback,Ifeltthingswereabouttogetalotmoreheated.Ashemovedtotastemymouthagain,Ipressedafingeragainsthislips.

“Wait,”Ibreathed.Itwinedmyfingerswithhisandledhimoutofthebathroom.Wecrossedthe

bedroomfloor,leavingatrailofsoapywaterbehindus,andsteppedontothebalcony.Onlyhalfofthedeeporangesunremainedabovethehorizonnow.Islidintothecrystalclearpool,pullingXavierinafterme.Drapingmyarmsover

hisshoulders,Ipressedmymouthagainsthis.Iclosedmyeyes,relishingthefeelofhistonguepartingmylips.Iwrappedmylegsaroundhiswaistandpulledmyselfflushagainsthim.

“Now,”Iwhispered.“Remindmewherewewere.”

T

CH A P T E R 3 : D E R E K

osaythatBen’sturninghadn’tgoneasI’dhopedwouldhavebeenanunderstatement.AsSofialeftthechamber,hecontinuedconvulsingandcoughingblood—toomuchblood.Hecouldn’taffordtolosethismuch.Peoplehadbeenknowntodieduringthistransitionphase,whentheywerestillvulnerableduetobeingpartlyhuman.AsmuchasIcouldseehewasinpain,Iforcedhimtositupright,hopingthatitwouldstemthebloodalittle.Nochance.Ifanything,hebegancoughingupmore.Hestartedtogetanosebleed.Irippedoffapieceoftheclothhewaslyingonandtippedhisheadback,tryingtoatleaststopthenosebleed.Again,itdidn’tseemtomaketheslightestbitofdifference.

I’dneverwitnessedaturningwithsomuchbloodbeingexpelled.Hewaslookingpalerbythemoment.

Theslabandthefloorwerecoveredinfrighteningamountsofblood.IcursedmyselffornotthinkingtobringawitchinherewithusincaseweneededmedicalhelpforBen.

IwasabouttoleaveBenandgofetchAdelleorPatriciamyselfwhen,tomyrelief,Sofiabargedintotheroom.SheletoutagaspashereyesfellonBen,claspingatremblinghandoverhermouth.

“GofindAdelle,Patricia,orMona,”Isaid.“Oranywitchwithmedicalknowledge.Whoeveryoucanfindfastest.”

Althoughshelookedlikethelastthingshewantedtodowasleavehimin

thisstate,shespedoutoftheroom.Ofcourse,therewasn’tmuchevenawitchcoulddoatthisstageofthe

process.Naturewastakingitscourse.Therewasnowaytostopmyvenomreactingwithhisbody.Wejusthadtohopethatthetransformationtookholdofhimbeforehelosttoomuchbloodtosurviveasahuman.IsupposeditwasmoreformyowncomfortthatIwantedtoknowthatawitchwastherewithus,eveniftherewasn’tmuchmoreshecoulddothanIcoulddomyself.

Pushinghimbackdownontheslabashegroaned,hisbodyshakingandshivering,Iopenedhisjawandexaminedhisteeth.Ibreathedoutinrelieftoseethattheyweretakingform.

Soon.Soon.Ijusthadtohopethatitwouldbesoonenough.Sofiaappearedintheroomafewminuteslater,Adellebyherside.Adelle’s

eyeswidenedasshetookinalltheblood.“Hisfangsarecomingthroughnow,”Isaid.“Hopefully,itwon’tbemuch

longeruntilheispredominantlyvampire,andthebloodlosswon’tmatterasmuch.”

Ishuddered.Mysonisgoingtobeonehungryvampirewhenhecomesto.We’dhavetokeephimasfarawayfromhumansaswecould.Itwouldbe

tortureforhim,tryingtosatisfyhisnewfoundbloodlustonanimalblood.Itwouldbeliketryingtosatisfyaburningitchbyblowingonit.

Buthewouldhavenochoice.He’dhavetogetusedtoit,justaswe’dallhadto.

“Isupposethere’snotmuchIcandonow,”Adelleconcludedasshestoodbytheslab.

Inodded.SofiahurriedtomysideandbrushedthehairawayfromBen’ssweatyfaceashecontinuedtoconvulseandgroan.Sheplacedakissonhisforehead.

“It’sokay,Ben,”shewhispered,asthoughhecouldmakeoutwhatshewassayinginhisagony.“Itwillbeoversoon.”

Icouldn’thelpbutsmilebitterlyatherremark.Oh,no.Oncehe’sturned,itwillhavejustbegun.

Neitherofusexchangedawordforthenexthour.Wejuststood,staringat

Ben,willinghistransformationtotakeholdfaster.WeallbreathedeasieronceBen’scoughingfinallybegantosubside,thebloodhespewedoutbecominglessandless.Whenhisconvulsionsbecamelessviolent,andhisbreathinghadslowedtoanormalpace,IdeemeditsafetoleavetheSanctuary.

IlookedatAdelle.AsIsuspected,wehadn’tfounduseforhermagic.“Thankyouforcoming.”

“It’snoproblem.IhopeBenwillmakeaquickrecoverynow.Ifthere’sanythingIcando,justletmeknow.”

AsAdellevanished,IpickedBenupandwalkedoutofthechamberwithhim.Sofiafollowedalongsideme,anxiouslylookingatourson’sface.Itlookedalittlecalmernow,thoughitwasstillcontortedwithpain.Hiseyeswerestillgluedshut.Evenforme,carryinghimwasn’taseasyataskasithadoncebeen.Hewasalmostmyheight,andhewasamuscularyoungman.Hekepttwitchingeverynowandthen,makingithardtomaintainasolidgriponhim.

Wehurriedbacktoourtreehouse,andonentering,Iheadedstraightforhisroom.Sofiastrippedthesheetsandblanketsfromhisbedandcovereditwithtowels.Iplacedhimdownandheldhimstillwhilehefinishedthelastofhisconvulsions.WhenIthoughtitsafetoleavehim,SofiaandIlefttheroomandclosedthedoorbehindus.

We’dhavetokeepacloseeyeonhimuntilhefullycameto.Becauseoncehedid,he’dbereadytogoonarampageinsearchofhumanblood.Weneededtohaveanamplesupplyofanimalbloodforhimtoguzzledown,orhe’dlikelygoberserk.Hemightstarttearingthewallsdown.

Weheadedtothekitchen.Ibentoverthesink,washingmyhands,armsandface,clearingawaythebloodandsweatfrommyskin.

“Hopefully,theworstdangerisovernow,”Sofiasighed,usingthesinkandwashingherhandsafterI’dbackedawayfromit.

Isankintoachair.Shetookaseatnexttome.EvenifIdidn’tfeelconfidentaboutthestateBenwouldwakeupin,itdidn’tmeanIhadtoworrySofiaundulyaboutit.Whatwouldhappenwouldhappen,andwe’djusthavetodealwithit.Ireachedacrossthetableandclaspedherhand.

“Derek,aboutMona,”shebegan.

“Oh.”Inmyanxietyovermyson,IhadcompletelyforgottenaboutMona.“Whathappened?”Ileanedforward,staringatSofiaintently.Shebitherlipandlookedupatme.Uncertaintyandworryshowedinhereyes.Isqueezedherhand.“Tellme.”

“TwowitchesfromTheSanctuary,BrisaliaandCsillaAdrius—sisterandnieceofthelateOdeliaAdrius—arehereonthisislandaswespeak.”

Thereweresomanythingsaboutthatoneshortstatementthatsentmymindreeling.

“What?”Ispluttered.“Howdidtheygetinhere?WhydidMonaallowit?Odeliaisdead?Whatdotheywant?”

Shewetherlowerlip,drawinginasharpbreath.“Odeliawasmurdered.I’mnotsureexactlyhowithappened.Monasaidtheycalledherattentionoutsidetheisland…Theyclaimtheywanttoformanalliancewithus.Ididn’thavetimetodiscussanydetailswithher,but—”

“Iwantthemoffthisisland.”“Derek…theysaidtheycanhelpusfindRose.”IstaredatSofia,unabletobelievethatshewasevenentertainingtheideaof

cooperatingwiththem.“Idon’tcarewhattheysay,”Igrowled,scrapingmychairbackandstanding

up.IstalkedtothedoorandlookedbackatSofia.“StayhereandkeepaneyeonBen.I’mgoingtotellMonarightnow—”

Shehurriedovertomeandgrippedmyarm,pullingmeback.“Wait,”shebreathed,hereyesglisteningwithtears.“IhadthesamereactionasyouwhenIfirstsawthem.ButDerek…howlonghasitbeensinceIbrahimandCorrineleft?Whatif…whatifsomethinghappenedtothem?Theyhaven’tmadecontactwithusastheypromisedtheywould.Somuchtimehaspassed,withRosegone.I’mlosinghope…”Hervoicebroke.

Thewayshewaslookingatmemademeacheinside.Isawsuchsorrowinthosebeautifuleyesofhers.ItcutmethattherewasnothingIcoulddotoalleviatehersuffering.

Iheldherwaistanddrewherclosertome,wipinghertearswithmythumbsandkissinghercheeks.

Ibreathedoutasshewrappedherarmsaroundme,buryingherheadinmychest.Igrippedthebackofherheadandrockedhergentlyfromsidetoside.

DespitetheburninginmetoalleviateSofia’ssuffering,Iknewthatdesperationwascloudingherjudgment.Iwassurethatthewitcheswerepreyingonusatthisvulnerabletime,knowingthatwewouldbemorelikelytoacceptwhatevertheyproposedoutofdesperationtogetourdaughterback.Butthatwasinsanity.We’dalreadysufferedenoughattheirhands.Iwasn’tabouttoruneventheslightestriskofsufferingbecauseofthemagain.

Wecouldn’tapproachthemfromastanceofweakness.Fromvulnerability.ThatmuchIhadlearntaboutthesecreatures.Wehadtoapproachthemfromapositionofstrength.Wehadtobecoolinourdealingswiththem,evenifitkilledusinside.

Althoughitpainedme,IclutchedSofia’sshouldersandseparatedmyselffromher.Lookingherstraightintheeye,Isaid,“Wecannotallowthesewitchestorunalloverusagain.Wecannotagreetowhateverproposaltheyhave.Icanguaranteeyouwithoutevenhearingitthatwewillbeworseoffforit.Wearedesperatetogetourdaughterback,buttakinghelpfromthesewitcheswillnotmakethingsbetter.”

Tearsbegantostreamsilentlydownhercheeks.“Sofia,weneedthemoffthisisland,”Icontinued.IunderstoodhowSofiasawthesewitches.Shesawthemasaflickerofhope,

howeverfaintitmightbe.Me,Iwasapessimist.IalwayssawdarknessbeforeIsawlight.Andinthese

witches’case,Istruggledtoseeanyredemptivequalityinthemannerinwhichtheyhadapproachedus.

Theywantedsomethingfromus.Theyhadnointerestinhelpingusandtheywoulddoalltheycouldtowriggleoutofanycommitmenttheymightmakeinregardstoourdaughter.We’dberiskingthesafetyofourislandbyforminganalliancewiththem.Ididn’tknowexactlywhattheirmotivationwas,butIknewitwouldn’tbeforourbenefit.

“WhatiftheycouldactuallyhelpusfindRose?”Sofiacroaked.Itwasclearshewasn’tgoingtogiveupontheideaeasily.Iledhertothe

sofaandpulledherbackagainstmychest,strokingherhairasIwrappedanarmaroundher.

“Ican’tsayforsurethattheydon’tknowwhereourdaughteris.Perhapstheydo.Butforminganalliancewiththemislikeforminganalliancewiththedevil.YouknowthesewitchesaswellasIdo.”

Shegulped.“Ido,andyetIcan’thelpbutfeelIwon’tbeabletolivewithmyselfifIdon’tatleasttrythis.Weknowthatnotallwitchesarebad.Afterall,weareallstillherebecauseofwitches.Ijustwonder,sincetheAgelessweknewhasdied,perhapstheyhavedevelopedmorehumanequalities?”

Iforcedmyselftoconsiderherwordseventhoughmygutreactionwastorejectthem.Thesimplefactwas,Iwasn’twillingtoriskthesafetyofourpeopleorourisland.

Ishookmyhead.“TheyareofthesamebloodastheAgeless.YousaidOdeliawashersister,forChrist’ssake.Theyareoneandthesame.I’masdesperatetogetRosebackasyouare,butwesimplycannotletdesperationleadus.”

Sofiapaused,bitingherlip.Ihatedtoleaveherthisway.Iwasdenyingherthisavenuewhileofferingnoalternative.Butshewasn’tthinkingstraight.IwasinjustasmuchpainasheroverRose’sabsence,butwehadtofindawaytogetRosebackwithoutthesewitches’help.Wehadmanychildrenonthisislandforwhomwewereresponsible,notjustRose.Wecouldn’tbereckless.

“IneedtogotoMona,”Isaid.“Theynevershouldhavebeenallowedonthisislandtostartwith,andIdon’twantthemhereamomentlonger.”

LeavingSofia,Istrodebackovertothedoorandlefttheapartment.

T

CH A P T E R 4 : M ON A

herewasaloudbangingattheSanctuary’sfrontdoor.IdoubteditwouldbeKiev.I’djusttoldhimIwantedsometimealone.Whoeveritwas,Iassumeditmustbeimportant.

IopenedthedoortoseeDerekstandingoutside.Hisfistswereclenched.IwassurprisedtoseehimsosoonafterBrisaliaandCsillahadarrivedontheisland.WithDerekandSofia’ssonturning,I’dthoughtthey’dtakeatleastafulldaytocometoadecision.

JustlookingatDerek’sface,Ialreadysensedwhattheirdecisionwas.“Iwantthosetwowitchesoffthisislandimmediately.There’snoneedforus

tograntthemareception.Theyneedtoleave.”MymouthwentdryasIstaredatthevampire.“A-Allright.”“Fromnowon,don’tletanyonefromTheSanctuaryontothisisland.Ignore

them.”Inodded,althoughIcouldbarelyfocusonhiswords.Heturnedonhisheel

andwalkedaway.Iclutchedthedoorhandle,guiltandanxietywellinginthepitofmy

stomach.Evidently,Iwastobetheonetotellthemthenewsandthenescortthemofftheisland.Iclosedmyeyes,tryingtosteadymybreathing.

Ididn’tknowwhyIwasfeelinglikethis.I’dthoughtI’dberelievedtolearntheywouldbebootedofftheisland.AllIfeltwasanxietyasmymindwhirred,

tryingtoimaginehowIwasgoingtotellthem.HowIwouldwordit.Derekhadmadeitclearthathedidn’twantmetowaitaroundbefore

removingthem.Andhewasright.YeteveryfiberofmybeingfoughtagainstitasIvanishedmyselffromTheSanctuaryandreappearedoutsidethewoodencabinI’dleftthetwowitchesin.

ItookadeepbreathasIclaspedthedoorknob.Justdoit.Justgetitoverwith.Iunlockedthedoorandsteppedinside.Icrossedthelivingroomandheaded

tothebedroom.BothBrisaliaandCsillasatuprightonthebed,lookingunruffledasifthey’donlybeensittingtherefiveminutes,showingnodetectablesignsofimpatience.Theystoodupasbothsetsofblueeyessettledonme.

MyvoicecaughtinmythroatasItriedtospeak.Istilldidn’tknowhowIwasgoingtosaythis.

Brisaliasmiledkindly.Itkilledmehowwidehereyeswerewithexpectation.ExpectationthatIwasabouttodash.

“Well,Mona?Havethekingandqueengrantedusameeting?”Ishookmyhead,avertingmyeyestothefloorboards.Igrippedthesidesof

mydress,tryingtokeepmyhandsfromtrembling.“Youneedtoleave,Brisalia,”Imanaged.Therewasasilence.ThemostuncomfortableIeverrememberedenduring.ThenBrisaliasaid,“Iunderstand,Mona.That’sokay.”Ilookedupandstaredather.Iwassurprisedthatsheshouldbesoeasily

acceptingafterthetroublethey’dundergonetocomehereinthefirstplace.Brisaliawassmilingsoftly.Shecaughtherdaughter’shandandbegan

headingforthedoor.“IsupposeIshouldn’thaveexpectedmuchdifferent,”shesaidasshe

stoppedwithCsillaoutsidethefrontdoor.“ThoughIsupposeIthoughtSofiawouldgiveourofferalittlemoreconsideration,giventhatwecouldhelpgetherdaughterback.Isupposeourkindreallydidputthemthroughthewringerbefore.Perhapstheirtrustnevercanberestored.”

Inoddedfaintly,thenplacedmyhandsonBrisalia’sandCsilla’sshoulders,vanishingusfromthespot.WeappearedagainoutsideTheShade.Wehovered

overthewatersoutsidetheborderoftheisland.Istillcouldn’tbeartolookthemintheeye.IletgoofthemafterIreturnedtheirpowersandtheyhoverednexttome.

“I…I’msorry.”Mychestfeltconstricted,mythroattight.“Itoldyoutherewerenoguarantees…butIsupposeIthoughtthey’datleastgiveyouaproperreception.”

ThistimeitwasCsillawhocomfortedme.Shereachedoutandsqueezedmyshoulder,assumingthesameunderstandingsmileashermother.“That’sallright.Iguessweweren’texpectingaproperreception.Thoughitwouldhavebeennice.”

Ismiledawkwardly.Brisalialeanedtowardme.Herperfumefilledmynostrilsasshedrewmeinforanembrace.Asshepulledaway,herlipspressedagainstmycheek.Csillaembracedmelikewise.Ifeltmyfacegrowhot.

Itboththrilledanddisgustedmethattheyshouldtreatmesowarmly.Ifeltlikeamonsterfornottellingthemthetruth.

ThatmomentwastheclosestI’devercometofinallyadmittingthatithadbeenmewhohadkilledBrisalia’ssister,Odelia.Butsomehow,Icouldn’t.Ijustcouldn’t.EventhoughguiltclawedatmychestatallowingthemtotreatmelikeafriendwhenI’ddonenothingbutcausethemharm,Ididn’tthinkI’dbeabletohandlethedisappointmentintheirfaces.Becausethetruthwas,apartofmewasacoward.Iwasstillrunningawayfromthehorrorsofmypastratherthanfacingthem.

“Well,goodbye,Isuppose,”Isaid.Igavethembothafaintsmileandwasabouttovanish,butjustbeforeIdid,Brisaliacaughtmyhandandsqueezedit.

“Wait,Mona.Beforeyougo,there’ssomethingIwanttogiveyou.”Shesnappedherfingersintheair.Sheclenchedherfists,thenopenedthem

torevealasmallbox.Agaspescapedmylips.Mykneessuddenlyfeltweak.Ireachedoutand

tooktheboxfromher.Iranmyfingersarounditsgem-encrustededges,relishingeverycontourofthesmallboxinmyhands.Ithadbeenmymother’sjewelrybox.Myfatherhadgivenittoherasaweddingpresent.TearswelledinmyeyesasItriedtoswallowbackthechildhoodmemoriesthisboxbroughtabout,

memoriesofmybeautifulmother.“Yourecognizeit?”Csillaasked.Ibitmylip,nodding.“HowcouldInot?”Openingitup,Iwasyetagainsurprisedtoseethesmalloblongboxwasstill

filledwithjewelry.Itwasmymother’sjewelry,stillintact.IstaredatBrisalia,atearspillingfrommyeye.“Howdidyougetthis?”Sheshrugged,stillholdingthatcalmsmile.“Whenyourfamilypassedon,myservantwasputinchargeofsifting

throughtheirbelongingsandkeepinganythingofvalue.Iwasn’tsurethatIwouldeverseeyouagain.Idoubtedit.ButIknewthatifIeverdidmeetyouagain,Mona,Iwouldgiveyouthis.”

Iwasspeechless.ItwasallIcoulddotocontrolmytears.Ididn’tknowthatIcouldmanagetospeakwithoutmyvoicebreaking.

“Thankyou,”Ibreathed.“You’rewelcome…Isupposeweoughttogetgoingnow.Ifearwe’ve

alreadyoutstayedourwelcome.”Shepaused,reachingoutandclutchingmyhandsagain.“Weknowthatyou’veleftRhysandarenolongeralliedwithhim.Iwantyoutoknowthatifyoueverneedsomewheretogo,orifyouwanttojustvisithome,youarealwayswelcomeinTheSanctuary.”

Paintorethroughmychest.Iwantedtogomorethananything,evenifjusttoexperiencewhatitwasliketofeelwelcomeinmyhome,tolivetherewithoutfearingformylife.ButIcouldn’t.Itwouldforeverbeadistantdream.

Inodded.“Thankyou.ButmyhomeishereinTheShadenow.”Shewithdrewherhand,hercooleyesstillfixedonmine.“Ofcourse…”SheloopedherarmthroughCsilla’sand,assheraisedahandtowave

goodbye,bothofthemvanishedfromthespot.I’dbeenclutchingthejewelryboxsohard,itsgemswerebeginningtoform

dentsinmyskin.IvanishedmyselfbackinsideTheShadeandappearedoutsideKiev’sand

myhome.Ididn’tbothertocheckifKievwasback.Openingthefrontdoor,Irushedstraightupstairsandlockedmyselfinthebedroom.Sittingatmydressingtableinfrontofthemirror,Istaredatthepale,teary-eyedgirllookingbackat

me.Ireachedoutandpositionedtheboxinfrontofthemirror.Staringatit,Itraceditwithmyfingersonceagain,asthoughtomemorizeeverypartofitbytouchalone.Fumblingforthelatch,Iflippeditopen.Anamberring,twosetsofrubyearrings,andasilver-platedamethystnecklace.Closingmyeyes,breathingdeeply,Icouldstillremembermymotherwearingthem.

Ipickedupthepiecesofjewelryonebyoneandtriedthemon,withshakinghands,inthemirror.IwasabouttoreplacethemagainforsafekeepingwhenIrememberedtherewasasecondleveltothebox.IfIrecalledcorrectly,ithadcontainedastashofmymother’spearls.Igrippedthesmallhandleatthebaseoftheboxandtriedtopullitopen.Butitwasfastenedtight.Withage,Isupposed.I’dlostcountofhowmanyhumanyearshadpassedsinceI’dlastseenmymotheralive.Ididn’twanttoforceitopenincaseIdamagedthebox,soIclosedthelidandreplaceditonmydressingtable.

Islumpedbackinmychair,myeyesstillfixedonthebox.ThelookofdisappointmentinBrisalia’sfaceandthewordsshe’dspokenbeforewe’dpartedreplayedinmymind.AndIfeltsuddenlydisturbed.

Asmuchasitwasn’tfair,Icouldn’thelpbutfeelresentmenttowardthekingandqueenofTheShadefordismissingmytwooldfriendssounceremoniously.

O

CH A P T E R 5 : C S I L L A

nceMonawassafelyoutofview,mymotherandIvanishedourselvestoaclusterofrocksafewmilesawayfromtheboundaryofTheShade.

Ihadtoadmit,I’dthoughtthekingandqueenwouldhaveatleastgrantedusameeting,consideringwhatwe’dsaidwecouldofferthem.Theirkickingusofftheislandsoswiftlyhadn’tbeenexpected,butwehadofcourseplannedforit.Aswewalkedtowardthecenteroftherocks,mymotherdidn’tseemtoofazedbyit.

“Youknow,Csilla,”shesaid,sittingdownonarockandgatheringthehemofherdress,“Ithinkthisactuallymightworktoouradvantage.”Placingherhandsonherlap,shelickedherlipsthoughtfully.“Yes,itwouldhavebeenhelpfulifwe’dbeenabletoscopeouttheislandforourselvesabitmore…butthiswaytheyaremuchlesslikelytosuspectus.Outofsight,outofmind.Wejustneedtotrustinthepreparationswemadebeforearriving,andtrustthatthingswillgoaccordingtoplan.”

“Isuppose,”Isaid,sittingdownoppositeher.Mymothercasthereyesabouttherockssurroundingus.Theyfellonasmallpoolnearherfeet.Shelookedatmeandnoddedtowardit.Istoodupandwalkedovertoher.Webothleanedoveritasshedippedherfingersintoitscenter.

“Yes,”shemuttered,slippingherselfofftherockandkneelingdownoverthepool.“Thisisdeepenough…”

Whenshespreadoutherfingertips,ametallicliquidflowedfromthem.

Heavierthanwater,itsanktothebottomofthepoolandasshefilledthepoolwithmoreandmore,soonithaddisplacedthewater.Mymotherstoppedonceitwasfilledtothetop.Sheranherfingertipsoverthesurfaceofthepoolandthesurfacehardenedbeneathhertouch.AsIpeeredoverit,ittookaboutthreeminutesforittoformamirror.BothmymotherandIstaredatourreflections.

Mymothersmiledasshelookedoverherhandiwork.“Now,wewait,”shesaid.“Howlongdoyouthinkitwilltake?”“Italldependsonwhenhedeemsitsafe.”Isteppedawayfromthepool,manifestingmyselfsomethingmore

comfortabletositonratherthanrocks—arecliningarmchair.Mymotherdidthesameasshetookaseatoppositeme,andwhenitbegantorain,sheformedagazebooverusalongwithaninvisibilityspelltopreventanybodyfromnoticingus.

Forhourswesat,watchingtheglassysubstance,waitingforanysignofmovement.Asmidnightapproached,Ibegantowonderifsomethinghadgonewrong.Ikeptlookingupatmymother.Sheremainedcalmthroughout,nosignoftheslightestbitofanxiety,sothatcalmedmyownnerves.Iknewifshesuspectedsomethinghadgonewrong,Iwouldnoticeitinhercountenance.

Shewasrighttobecalm,forasmidnightstruck,thepoolfinallystirred.Whathadpreviouslybeenareflectionofourselveswasnowadifferentvisioncomingintofocus.Blacknessatfirst,thenasliveroflightformingaroundthelidofthejewelrybox.Asthelidopenedfurther,abedroomcameintoview.Monaandamalevampirelaytogetheronabed,wrappedineachother’sarms,sleeping.

Mymother’seyesgleamedaswecroucheddownclosertowhatwasnowourwindowintoTheShade.

“Yes,”shebreathed.“Now,weseethroughSilas’eyes.”

A

CH A P T E R 6 : C S I L L A

sourviewleftMona’sbedroomandglideddownthestairs,towardtheexitofthebuilding,Icouldn’tshaketheworrythatSilasmightmessup.

Yes,wehadaccesstohisvisionthewholetime,butwewerepowerlesstoensurethatheactuallyobeyedtheplanwe’ddiscussedwithhimearlier.Ifhedecidedtobedisobedient,we’dhavetowatchweeksofplanninggotowaste.Mymotherseemedtosensemynervousness.

“Silaswouldbeafooltofailthistask.Thisishislastassignment.Afterthis,hisbondtousisbrokenandheisafreespirit.”

Ibreathedalittleeasierhearingthisassurancefromher.Ifshewasnotworried,Ishouldn’tbeeither.

Shewasrightofcourse.Silaswouldbeafool.IsatbackonmychairandtriedtorelaxalittlemoreasSilasbeganzoomingalongabeach.Twothickhandspressedagainsthiseyelids,blurringourvisionforamoment,towipeawaytherainthatwasbucketingdown.

Hisspeedsoonfoundusenteringadenseforest.Silasraisedhisheadupward,scanningthetreetops.

“Good,”mymothermuttered.“Herememberswheretolookfirst.Weneednotworry,Csilla.It’sinhisinterestasmuchasourstocompletethistasksuccessfully.”

Ibegantowonderhowhewasn’tbashingintothingssincehisfocuswasonthetreetopsthewholetimeandheneverseemedtobelookingwherehewas

going.AlthoughghoulslikeSilasweresubtlebeings—theycouldfoldintoimpossiblysmallspacesandmanifestthemselvesatwill—whentheydidmanifest,asSilashadnow,theywerefleshandbone.Isupposedhehadextrasensoryabilities,sincehedidn’toncesmashintoatree.Ithelpedthathewasfloatingtoo—hedidn’tneedtolookattheground.

“He’sgoingtoofast,”Imurmured.“He’sgoingtomiss—”Mymotherlookedup,throwingmeaglare.“Calmyourself,girl,oryour

nerveswilldrivemeinsane.Havesomefaithinhim.Hewillnotdowrongbyus.”

Ibitmylip,andavertedmyeyesbacktotheghoul’svision.Mymothersqueezedmykneeastheghoulstoppedshortsuddenlyatthefoot

ofatree.“See?Upthere.ThosearetheResidences.He’sspottedthemnow.”MystomachclenchedasSilasrushedtowardatreeandbeganzooming

upwardwithbreathtakingspeed.Ibegantofeeldizzyjustwitnessingit.Whenhearrivedatthetop,hecasthiseyesabout.Hewasonawideverandawithflowerpotsandivygrowingupthesidesofthewallsofamagnificenttreehouse.Silasscannedthebuildingandthen,onspottinganopenwindow,helurchedtowardit.Twopalehandswithsharpblacknailsreachedoutandpriedthewindowopenwiderbeforehefloatedinsideit.

Nowwefoundourselveslookingaroundalivingareaofsorts—comfortableseatingandvarioustypesofhumantechnology,whichledthroughtoanopenkitchenarea.

Iwonderedwhosepenthousewehadenteredfirst.Iwasrelievedthathe’dfoundtheResidencessoeffortlessly.Idoubtedbythesizeandlavishnessofthepenthousesthattheycouldbeanythingbuthousingfortheroyaltyoftheisland.Now,wejustneededtofindourtargets.

Silasdriftedquicklyfromroomtoroom.Ihadtokeepmyeyespeeled.HemovedsofastitfeltlikeImightmisssomethingifIblinked.

Finally,afterwhatfeltlikethesixthroom,Silasexitedthecorridorbydriftingthroughanotherwoodendoorandthistimeweappearedinthelargestbedroomwe’dseensofar.

Adark-hairedvampirelayinthecenterofthebedwithabeautifulred-haired

womaninhisarms,sheetswrappedlooselyaroundtheirbarebodies.Theybothsleptsoundly.

Iwasn’tsurewhatSilaswassointerestedin.Ididn’tknowwhothismanandwomanwere.Itlookedlikethewomanwasawitch,butIdidn’trecognizeher.Asforthevampire,Iwasn’tsurewhohewas.Butneitherofthesepeoplewereourtargets,soIdidn’tunderstandwhySilaswasbotheringtolingersolonginthisroom.

“Whydoesn’theleave?”Iwhispered.Mymotherleanedforward,watchingintently,asIdid.Tomysurprise,he

reachedouthisgnarledhandsandtheirsoliditybegantofadeuntiltheybecamealmostinvisible.Hisblacknailsmadeiteasiertolocatetheirshapeastheyloweredtowardtheman’shead.Ishiveredashisghostlyhandssankrightintothevampire’sskull.Thevampiredidn’tstiratall.Ofcourse,hewouldn’tfeelathing—perhapsafaintbreeze,achillaroundhishead.ForSilas’handswerenowtransparent,thinandlightasair.

Silaswasleavinghismarkinthisvampire’smind,andIdidn’tunderstandwhy.Itseemedtomelikehewaswastingtimetaggingotherswhenheshouldhavebeenfocusingonourtargets.

Mymotherdidn’tanswerforseveralmomentsasshestared,herlipsparted,barelybreathing.Thentheyformedasmall,knowingsmile.“Silasisjusthavingsomefun.”

“Whatdoyoumean?”Mymotherlookedatme,nowsmilingmorefully.“It’sharmless.Aslongas

hedoesn’twaittoolongtoreachourtargets,wehavenothingtoworryabout.”Twominuteslater,Silasliftedhishandsawayfromthevampire—still

sleeping—andexitedtheroom.Weheadedstraightoutoftheapartmentandrushedbackdowntotheforestground.EventhoughIwassittingsolidlyinmyseat,mystomachlurchedatthethoughtoftravelingthatfastdownthoseenormoustrees.

Iwasexpectinghimtoimmediatelymoveontothenexttreehouse,afewmetersaway,andcontinuehissearch.Insteadhehurtledforwardalongtheforestpath,whippingthroughthetrees,nowinhissubtleformagain.Iwantedtoask

mymotherwhathewasdoingnow,butsheseemedtohavehadenoughofmyincessantquestioningsoIremainedsilent.

ItwasonlyoncethetreesdisappearedandaclearingcameintoviewthatIcouldn’tholdinmygasp.Ididn’tneedtohavelivedinTheShadetorealizethathehadstrayedawayfromthevampires’residentialquartersandenteredthehumans’.

“He’sstrayingfromhiscoursealready?”Icouldn’tbelievemyeyes.He’donlyjustexitedthejewelryboxandalreadyhewasstrayingfrommymother’sexplicitorders.

Mymotherignoredme,herfaceseriousasshefocusedallherattentiononthewindow.Herfacewasexpressionless—itwasimpossibletotellwhethershewasdisturbedbySilas’conductorapprovedofit.

Silasheadedstraightforthenearesttownhouse.Nowindowswereopen,butnonewereneeded.Therewasblacknesssuddenlyasheseepedthroughthestonewallandemergedagainontheinsideofthebuilding.Aspacioushallway,decoratedwithsoftcarpetsandpaintingsonthewalls.Acozyhome—andsotypicallyhuman.

ThestairsflewawaybeneathSilasasheascendedthestaircase.Onceagainhedriftedthroughawallandappearedinanotherbedroom.Ahumancouplesleptinabed.AsSilaspassedalongmirrorfixedtoacloset,hestoppedandstaredintoit.Ishivered.EventhoughI’dseenhimbeforeintheflesh,catchingthisunexpectedglimpseofhiminthedarkness—hisambereyesglowing—mademyhearthammeragainstmychest.Hisskeletalbodywascoveredwiththin,translucentskinthatrevealedthecoldblueveinsbeneathit.Hehadjagged,shark-liketeethandtuftsoflongblackhairhungfromthebaseofhisotherwisebaldskull.

Asheleftthemirrorandcontinuedmovingthroughtheroom,Iwasn’tsureIcouldstomachthesceneIwasabouttowitness.But,likewatchingatrainwreck,Ifoundmyeyesgluedtothescene.

Glidingaroundtheedgeofthebed,heextendedhishandstowardthemanandwoman.Theybarelyhadachancetoopentheireyes,muchlessscream,astheghoul’sblacknailsdugintotheirthroatsandpuncturedtheirarteries.As

bloodbegantooozefromtheirnecks,soakingthebedsheets,andSilaspulledawaythesheetscoveringthem,Icouldnolongerlook.Iknewwhatwascomingnext.

Humanfleshwasasweetdelicacyghoulsdidn’toftenhavetheopportunitytotaste.MymotherhadoftentaskedmewithfeedingSilasbackinTheSanctuary.Hedevouredallhumansthesameway—aftertearingtheirthroatsout,hedugintotheirstomachsandatetheirguts,swallowingtheintestineswhole,last.Insteadofwitnessingthisnightmarishscene,Ifixedmyeyesonmymotherwhoremainedwatching,stillunflinching.

Itseemedunlikemymother.IhadseenhowharshshecouldbewithSilasduringtraining.Shewouldn’tlethimstrayevenaninchfromherinstructions.TowatchhersocalmlywitnessingSilasviolatingtheveryfirstrulewegavehimwasbewilderingtome.

“Mother,whatareyouthinking?Didn’twefeedhimenoughbeforeweleft?Ithoughttheplanwastofillhisstomachtolasthimatleastafewdays,sohewouldn’thavetoriskkilling.”

Shedidn’tanswermeforseveralmoremomentsasshecontinuedwatchingSilas’gruesomefeast.Finally,sheclearedherthroat.“I’mnothappywiththeattentionthisisgoingtocause.Ifhewasherewithmenow,Iwouldpunishhim.Butitseemshecouldn’thelphimself.Heknowsoncehehascompletedhistask,hewillbeclosertofreedomandthere’snosayingwhenhewilltastehumanfleshagainafterthat.Aslongashe’scarefultohidehistracks,wehavenothingtofear.”Shelookedatmepointedly.“Youcanlooknow,he’sfinishedhismeal.”

Ilookeddownatthebedtoseeitsoakedwithblood,thecorpsessplitopen,fragmentsoftheirstomachsstrewnaboutthebedroom.

Wrappingtwostrongarmsaroundthecorpses,heliftedthemupoverhisshouldersanddriftedoutoftheroom.Sincehecarriedthesephysicalbodieswithhim,hehadtoopenthedoorinordertoexit.Iwinced,hopingnobodyelsewasinthehousewhomightnotice.Andthenhewasrushingbackintothewoods,asfastasthewind,grippingthebodies.Hesoonreachedthebeachand,hoveringoveraclusterofboulders,heshiftedoneasideandstuffedthecorpsesintoacrack.

Iwasgladthatatleasthehadthesensetodisposeofthebodiesratherthanleavethemonthebed.NeithermymothernorIknewhowmuchexperienceMonahadwithghouls,orifshe’devenencounteredonebefore.Wedidn’tknowwhethershe’dbesmartenoughtodetectaghoulattackbyexaminingabody.Butwecouldn’taffordtotakethatrisk.Themomentshesuspectedaghoulwaspresentontheisland,shewouldsuspectus…andthebox.WitchesofTheSanctuarywereknownforthepactstheyenteredintowithghouls.

Silashadtokeephimselfhiddenorourwholeplanwouldcomecrashingdown.IjusthopedthatSilaswouldn’tslipupifhewastomakefeedingonhumansaregularhabit.

Mymotherseemedtosensemyfear.“Weneednotworrytoomuch,”shesaid.“Allthatfleshhe’sjustconsumed

willkeephisstomachfilledforatleasttwodays…”

I

CH A P T E R 7 : R O S E

’dlosttrackofhowmuchtimehadpassedsinceAnnoraleftthecontrolroom.But,despitetheanxietygnawingawayatme,Icouldnolongerignoremyhungerandthirst.IthadbeenalongtimesinceI’dlasteaten,andI’dswallowedtoomuchsaltwaterwhenCalebhadkeptduckingmeunderwaterduringourescapefromJulisseandArielle.

Igotoutofbedandwalkedtothedoor.Openingit,Ilookedoutintothecorridor.Allseemedquiet.Novoices.IwonderedifCalebhadevenleftthecontrolcabin,andwhereAnnorawas.

Butmyfirstprioritywasfindingwaterandsomethingtoeat.Iwasbeginningtofeelamigrainecomingonfromdehydration.Iwalkedfromcabintocabin,lookingforsomekindofkitchenarea.Therehadtobeagalleyhere.AnnorahadsaidthatshehadsurvivedonthissubmarinefordaysalreadyasshewaitedforCalebtoarrive.

MostdoorswereopenalreadyandIcouldpeerineasily.Istoppedshortattheendofthecorridor,justbeforethelastcabintomyleft.Iheardtherustlingofaplasticbag.MyheartleaptasIwonderedifitcouldbeCaleb.

Itwasn’t.IturnedthecornertoseeAnnorasittingatopacupboardfilledwithdried

snacksandastashofwaterbottles.Hereyesshottowardme,andIstoodstaringather,speechless.Therewasa

coldnessinhergazeasshelookedmeoverfromheadtofoot,asthoughshewas

sizingmeup.Shewassittingrightontopofthefoodcabinet,herlegshangingdownover

thedoor.TheonlywayIcouldgainaccesstothefoodwouldbebyaskingher.IrealizedI’dratherputupwithmymigrainethanaskanyfavorofher.

Breakingeyecontact,Iturnedaroundandheadedbacktomyroom,cursingbeneathmybreath.I’llhavetotryagainlaterwhenhopefullyshewillbegone…

Ilookedbackovermyshouldertobesureshewasn’tlookingafterme.IalmostwalkedrightintoCaleb.Isteppedbackinshock.

“Sorry,”hemurmured.IremainedwhereIwas,blockingthenarrowcorridor,staringathim.Iwas

expectinghimtosaysomethingelse.Hedidn’t.Hiseyesremainedonthefloor,hisexpressionstonyasever.

Isteppedasideandwasabouttolockmyselfbackinmycabinwhenhereachedoutandgrippedmyarm.Hewasstillavoidingdirecteyecontact,buthiseyesloweredtomycrackedlips.

“You’redehydrated.”Notwaitingformyresponse,heletgoofmeandwalkedinthedirectionof

thekitchen.IremainedwhereIwas.AsCaleb’sfootstepsapproachedthekitchen,IheardAnnoramurmuringsomethingtohim,thoughIcouldn’tmakeoutwhat.Whateveritwas,itwascutshortasCalebexitedthekitchenandmadehiswaybacktome.

Hewascarryingabottleofwaterandseveralpacketsofoatcakes.Heplacedtheminmyhandsandsteppedback.“Ifthat’snotenough,there’splentymoreinthekitchen.”

Hekepthiseyesonthefloorashecontinuedwalkingdownthecorridorbacktothecontrolcabin.Istoodstaringafterhimasheclosedthedoor.

Ilookeddownatthefoodandwaterhe’djustgivenme.Atthatmoment,IfeltIwouldhavepreferredhimtojustlookmeintheeyes.Iwouldhavegivenanythingtoknowwhatwasgoingthroughhishead.

Iwonderedifhewasperhapsstillinshockaboutthewholething.Maybethiswashiswayofdealingwithit—toretreatintohimself.ItookcomfortinthefactthatheseemedtobeavoidingAnnoratoo,notjustme.

Heavingasigh,Iretreatedintomyroomandsatdownonmybed.Irippedopentheoatcakesandbeganchuggingdownthewater.Thecakeswerebland,butfilling.IfinishedallthreepacksandrealizedIwassatisfied.Ididn’tneedtomakeanothertriptothekitchenfornow.

AsIwasswallowingthelastofthewater,Ialmostchokedastherewasarappingonmydoor.Discardingthewaterbottle,Ileaptupandopenedit.ThiswastobethesecondtimeinthirtyminutesIwasdisappointedtoseeAnnora’sfaceinsteadofCaleb’s.

She’dignoredmesinceIarrivedonthissubmarine.AsmuchasIhatedher,Icouldn’thelpbutfeelcuriousastowhyshewasknockingonmydoor.ThatwastheonlyreasonIdidn’tslamitshutinherface.

Iraisedabrow,staringathericily.Shelookeddownatherfeetandclaspedherpalehandstogether.“Ithoughtweoughttotalk,”shesaid.“Aboutwhat?”ShelookedtowardthedirectionofthecabinCalebwaslockedin.“MayI

comein?”Iwasreluctanttoletherintomypersonalspace,butIdid.Iwassuretoleave

thedoorajarincaseIhadtomakeaquickescape.Istilldidn’ttrustthisgirlonebit.

Shewalkedovertotheendofmyroomandleanedagainsttheheater,stillstaringdownatherfeet.Finallyshelookedupatme.“Sincewe’restuckonthissubmarinetogether,wemightaswellbestraightwitheachother.Firstly,Ican’tblameyouorCalebforstrikingupa…friendship.”

Herchoiceofwordprickledme.Iwalkedovertoher,lookingherrightintheeye,andstoppedtwofeetaway.Iwasalmostastallasher,andnowthatsheseemedtobedevoidofpowers,therewasnothingthatintimidatedmeaboutthisyoungwoman.

“Firstly,”Isaid,“IplacetheblameentirelyonyouforthebrokenmanCalebhasbecome.Secondly,whatCalebandIshareismorethanfriendship.Thesooneryouacceptthat,thebetteroffwe’llallbe.”

Herjawtensed.

IwasbreathingheavilyasIlookedather,mylowerliptremblingwithangerandfrustration.IwantedtowringtheneckofthislittlewenchandthrowheroffthesubmarinesoCalebandIcouldcontinuewithourstory.Herexpressiontoldmethatshefeltnodifferentaboutme.

Shedrewinasharpbreath,obviouslyattemptingtoreelinhertemperasIwasmine.Whenshespokeagain,hervoicewashigherpitched.

“Praytellthen,whatexactlydoyouandCalebshare?”Shewasattemptingtomaintainaciviltonewithme,buteachwordsheutteredwasdrippingwithjealousy.

Herquestionmademestumble.Whatdoweshare?ThoughI’dnotyetsaiditaloudtohim,IknewthatIlovedCaleb.AllhisactionsupuntilwemetAnnorahadindicatedthathefeltstronglyformetoo.Thewayhe’driskedhislifetoprotectme.HisagreementtoreturnwithmetoTheShadeeventhoughIknewitmadehimuncomfortable.

ButIwassuddenlystrugglingtoarticulatetoAnnoraexactlywhatitwas.Lovesomehowfelttoostrongofaword,sinceCalebhadn’tyetprofessedittome.

“Wecaredeeplyforoneanother,”Isaid,wincingevenasIsaidthewords.Itfeltlikesuchanunderstatement.

Shecrossedherarmsoverherchest,frowningatme.“WouldyouliketoknowwhatCalebandIshare?”

“Ialreadyknowwhatyoushared.”Sheglaredatme,thenshovedherrighthandinmyface,brandishingthering

onherfinger.“Hisengagementringstillsitsonmyfinger.Idon’tseeoneonyours.”“Anoldbandofmetalmeanslittleagainstactions,”Isaid,tryingtokeepmy

cool.“Backinthecave,hediscardedyouforme.”“I’vechanged,Rose.I’mnolongerthepersonCalebdiscarded.I’vereturned

asthepersonCalebsworeundyingloveto…many,manyyearsbeforehemetyou.”

“IfyouhadevenanounceofloveforCaleb,you’drealizeyou’vedoneenoughdamagealreadyandstayoutofhislife.”Inarrowedmyeyesonher.

“Youdon’tdeservehim.”Shelookedlikeshewasabouttoslapme.Takingadeepbreath,shestepped

back,tryingtoassumeacalmerexpression.“Well,perhapsweshouldletCalebdecideforhimselfwhodeserveshim.”

Sheextendedahand.“Let’sjustseewhoCalebchoosesnowthatI’mback,shallwe?”

Igrippedherhand,squeezingitinafirmshake.Iwasn’tgoingtoletCalebfallbackintothisbitch’sarms.EvenifCaleb

didn’tlovemeIwouldratherheendedupwithanyotherwomanthanthiswench.

“Gameon,”Isaidthroughgrittedteeth.

A

CH A P T E R 8 : R O S E

nnoraleftmycabinandheadedstraightforthecontrolcabinagain.Iwatchedwithamusementassheknocked,onlytobecompletelyignoredbyCaleb.Evenwhenshecalledtohimthroughthedoor,hedidn’tanswer.Throwingascowlbackatme,shewalkedbacktoherowncabinandslammedthedoorshutbehindher.

Iwasfedupofsittinginmyowncabin,sowhileIdidn’tgotoCaleb—Iwasn’tsurethathewantedtobearoundmeeither—Iwentforawalkaroundthesubmarinetostretchmylegs.AsIwasdescendingaflightofstairsdowntothestoragechambersbelow,thevesselshudderedsuddenly,makingmelosebalanceandfalltothefloor.MystomachturnedasIfeltusrising.Iwincedasmykneewhackedagainstasharpmetalstep.

Whatwasthat?Iheardtwocabindoorsclickopen.Iretracedmystepsbacktothefrontof

thesubtoseeCalebstandinginthecorridorwithAnnora.HelookedupatmeasIapproached,agrimexpressiononhisface.

“We’verunoutoffuel,”hesaid.“Ithoughtwemightbeabletomakeittoland,butImiscalculated.”

HebrushedpastAnnoraandmeandwalkedtowardtheladderleadinguptothehatch.Whenweclimbedupit,therewasagrindingofmetal.Asthehatchopened,Calebgroanedassunlightstreameddownoverhim.Ihurriedover,breathingindeeplyasfreshseaairfilledthechamber.Annorawasaboutastep

behindme.Caleb’sfeetdisappearedthroughthehole.Ihurrieduptheladderafterhim,

peekingthrough.Wewereinthemiddleoftheocean,thesunbeatingdownonus.AtfirstIcouldn’tmakeoutanysignoflandatall.ButthenIsawit—afaintoutlineofashoreinthedistance.

Ifeltasharppaininmyankle.MyeyesshotdownwardtoseeAnnorapinchingme.

“Hurryup,”shehissed.Scowling,Itookmytimeinclimbingupontotherooftomakewayforher.

ItpainedmetoseeCalebstandinginthesun.Hecouldbarelyseewiththeglareofthesunreflectingoffthewavesandbouncingintohiseyes.

Annorabrushedpastme,almostmakingmelosebalanceandfallintothewaves.Igrippedholdofapipe,pullingmyselftothecenteroftheboat.ShewalkeduptoCaleb,removinghershawlandcoveringhisheadandshoulderswithittoshelterhimfromthesun.

“Whatnow?”sheasked.Calebsteppedawayfromherandwalkedtotheendofthevessel,staringout

atthelandinthedistance.“Ididn’tnoticeitonthemap…butthatseemstobeanislandafewmiles

away.Weneedtoreachit.”Hewalkedbacktowardthehatch,passingAnnoraandapproachingme.He

stopped,allowingmetoclimbbackdownbeforeheenteredinafterme.Shutthehatchonthebitch,Icouldn’thelpbutthinkasCaleblowered

himselfdown.AsAnnoraturnedthewheelofthehatchshut,weallstoodtogetheronthe

floorofthesub.“I’mgoingtoseeifthere’sanywaytojumpstarttheenginetomoveusforward,justuntilwereachtheisland.Ifwecandothat,we’llbevery,verylucky.”

Hedisappeareddownthesteps.Annora,predictably,followedhim.Unlikeher,IhadnointerestinfollowingCalebaroundlikealostpuppy.Iwalkedtothecontrolcabinandstaredatthemap.Calebwasright—thisislandappearedtobeunmarked.Igrippedthebackofachairasthesubmarineshudderedagain,the

enginebeginningtohumandsplutter.Afewmomentslater,CalebandAnnoraenteredtheroom.Calebresumedhis

seatbehindthecontrols.“Itrestarted.Wemightjustmakeittoland…”IwatchedwithbatedbreathasCaleburgedthevesselforward.Itsoon

becameapparentthatwewerenearingshallowerwater.Theseabed,coveredinrocks,bouldersandmulticoloredflora,wasbeginningtoemergebeneathus.Eventuallythesubmarinehitsoftsand.

Weclimbedbackoutofthesubmarineagain.Standingontheroof,Ifoundmyselfgazingoutatapristinewhitesandbeachlinedwithcoconuttrees.Furtherinland,therewasdensevegetation.Itlookedlikeajungle.

“Whatisthisplace?”Annoraasked.Calebshrugged.Wesliddownintothewaterandmadeourwaytowardthe

drysand.CalebspedupaheadandrushedbeneaththeshadeofthetreeswhileAnnoraandIfollowedafterhim.

AsIturnedmybackontheislandandlookedbackoutattheocean,Ibreathedoutdeeply.Great.Nowwe’restrandedonadesertisland.

IfAnnorahadn’tbeenwithus,theideaofbeingstrandedherewithCalebwouldn’thavebeensounappealingatall…

IquickenedmypacetoreachCalebbeforeAnnora.Shewaspantingalreadyandwe’dhardlytraveledfaratall.Apparentlyherpowershadallowedhermusclestogrowweakandlazy.

IsatdownwithCalebonafallentreetrunk,staringatherasshestruggledtowardusthroughthesand.Ilookedpastheratthesubmarinemooredonthebeach.AtleasttherewasstillastockoffoodforAnnoraandmeonthevesselifweendedupstrandedherefordays.AsforCaleb,Ihadnoideawhatwe’dfeedhim.Ifherefusedtodrinkbloodfromeitheroneofus,whichIknewhewould,he’dhavetogohunting.

Annoracollapsedassoonasshereachedtheshade,pantingandspreadingherselfoutonthesand.

Dramaqueen.Ilookedoutatthehorizon.Ididn’tneedawatchtoseethatitwasevening.

Thebrightorangesunwasdescendingovertheocean.Wehadperhapsafewhoursleftofsunlight.

“Thesubmarinemusthavearadio?”Isaid.Calebgrimaced.“It’scapableofcontactingmyorStellan’sisland.Nowhere

else.”“Damnit.”Istoodup,kickingsandbeneathmyfeetasIpacedupanddown.Thetruthwas,Iwasn’tsurewherewecouldheadtoevenifthesubmarine

wasfilledwithlimitlessfuel.Evenifthesubmarinehadn’tbrokendown.TheShadeofcoursewasmyfirstchoice.ButafterwhatHermiasaid,Ididn’tknowifgoingtherewouldbelikeridingrightbackintothejawsoftheblackwitches.

Mybreathhitched.IsuddenlyrememberedMicah.I’dbeensowrappedupintheideaoflosingmyfamily,andthesituationwithAnnoraandCaleb,I’dtotallyforgottenthatwe’dlefthimbehind.IturnedtoCaleb.

“WhathappenedtoMicah?”Helookedconcernedasheshookhishead.“Idon’tknow.Ilostsightofhim

inthewavesaswewereescapingJulisseandArielle.”Iwetmylowerlipnervously.Ihopedthewitcheshadn’tgottenholdof

Micah.Orperhapshe’dmadehiswaybacktoTheShade…andwhateverlayinwaitforhimthere.

“Youknewthosetwowitches?”Iasked.“Iknewofthem.”Annorabegantofidgetinthesand,annoyednodoubtthatshewasn’tgetting

theattentionshewasseeking.Calebstoodup,leaninganelbowagainstalow-hangingbranchand

squintingatoursurroundings.“Atleastwhilewe’rehere,itmakessensetosleepinthesubmarine.”

Icouldn’thaveagreedwithCalebmore.Ididn’tfancytryingtosleepouthere.Godknewwhatkindofwildanimalsandinsectscameoutonthisdesertedislandatnight.Evenifwebuiltsomekindofshelterupinthetrees,therecouldbepoisonoussnakesanddangerousinsects.

Atleastthesubmarineofferedsomelevelofcomfortinthissituation.Therewereshowerstheretoo—basicamenitiesthatIsuspectedwewouldbeginto

cherishinthedaystocome.IshudderedasIrealizedwemightnotbeanyclosertoescapinginaweek

thanwewerenow.Wehadnocommunicationdevice.Unlesswefoundsomeoneelseonthisisland,wewouldbejustasstuckhereinaweek’stime.Noclosertoescaping.

Wehadtotrynottothinkaboutthefutureandjustfocusonsurviving.AnnorafinallystoodupandwalkedovertoCaleb,takinghishandinhers.

Shestoodrightinfrontofhim,tryingtomeethiseye.“I’mhumannow.Youdon’tneedtoworryaboutblood.Icanfeedyoumine.”

IrolledmyeyesasCalebscoffed.“YouhonestlythinkIwouldsinkmyfangsintoyouagain?”

Shetookastepback,lookinghurtashebrushedheraway.“Oncenightfalls,”hesaid,“I’llexplorethisislandwhilethetwoofyou

remaininthesubmarine.I’llscopeoutthisplaceandfigureoutifitreallyisuninhabitedorifthere’sperhapsatownorvillagesomewherewithboats.”

“Inthemeantime,”Isaid,notinghowredCaleb’seyeswerebecoming,“weshouldreturntothecoolofthesub.”

Nobodyhadanyobjections,notevenAnnora,sowewalkedbackacrossthesandtowardthesub.Beforeweclimbedontotheroof,Calebgrippedholdofthefrontrailingofthevessel,digginghisheelsintothesandandpullingtheentirevesselwithhisbarehandsuntilitwasfullyinland.Heloweredhimselfthroughthehatchandreappearedmomentslater.Heleaptbackdownintothewaterand,holdingthevessel’sanchor,dugitintothesand.Thatwouldhopefullystopthesubmarinefromgettingsweptawayduringthenight.

ThenhehelpedbothAnnoraandmeontotheroof,andweclimbedbackinside,sealingthehatchaboveus.

Weheadedtothecontrolcabinwherewealltookaseat.AnnoraattemptedtositonCaleb’slap,buthecaughtherbythewaistandsatherdowninherownseat.Iheavedasigh,rollingmyeyesagain.IwantednothingmoreatthatmomentthantohavetimealonewithCaleb.Toholdhiminmyarms,feelhislipsagainstmyskin.Butitwasn’ttobe.AnnoyingAnnoraremainedwithusthewholetime.Notmanywordswereexchangedaswesatwatchingthewaves

becomingdarkeranddarker.EventuallyCalebdeemeditdarkenoughforhimtoleaveonhisexcursion.IwouldhavegivenanythingtogowithCaleb,tohavesomequalitytime

withhim,butIdidn’twanttoslowhimdown.Itwasbetterhewentalone.Besides,ifIwent,Annorawouldwanttogoaswell.Shewouldn’twantmetoeverbealonewithCaleb.

ItwaswithadespondentheartthatIwatchedCalebclimbupthestairstowardtheexit.Beforeheleft,helookeddownatmeseriously.“Lockyourdoorwhenyougotosleep.”Asanafterthought,headdressedAnnora.“Youtoo.”

Inodded,watchinghimdisappearandclosethehatchbehindhim.AnnoraandIstaredateachother.Ihadnoreasontobeoutherenow,soIleftherandwalkedbacktomy

cabin,lockingmyselfinside.AsIfloppeddownonthebed,Annora’sfootstepsapproachedmydoor.To

mysurprise,theystoppedoutside.“Goodnight,”shecalled.WhenIdidn’trespond,herfootstepscontinuedalongthecorridortowardher

owncabin.Iwasn’tsurewhyshe’dbotheredtosaythatatthetime,asIdriftedoffto

sleep.ButwhenIwokeupafewhourslater,coughingandsplutteringasthicksmokechokedmylungsandstungmyeyes,Irealized.

Shewasplanningtomakethisagoodnightforherself.Thenightshegotridofme.

A

CH A P T E R 9 : R O S E

deafeningexplosionpiercedmyeardrums.Irolledoutofbed,landingonallfours.Iscrambledtowardthedoor,reachingforthehandleandpullingitopen.Ablastofheatscorchedmyface,stingingmyeyes.Awallofflamesengulfedtheentirecorridortomyleftandhadalmostreachedmydoor.Ihurledmyselfout,flatteningmyselfagainstthefloor.

Theflameswereblockingtheroutetotheexit.TherewasnowayIwouldmakeitthroughtherealive.TheonlydirectionIcouldheadwasright,towardthecontrolroom.AlthoughIfeltclosetosuffocating—myheadfaint—IforcedmybodyforwardwithallthespeedIcouldmuster.Igrippedthehandleandpushedthedooropenbeforeclosingitbehindme.

Itfeltliketherewasmoreoxygeninthisroom.Thedoortothisroomwasthicker.Iwasabletostand.Ilookedaroundtheroomforanyplanofthesubmarine,hopingIcouldfindanemergencyexit.Ihadn’tnoticedonesinceIboarded.IcursedmyselffornotmakingmyselfawareofalltheemergencyexitsassoonasIboarded.Iwasunabletofindanyplanofthevesselandthetemperatureinthecontrolcabinwasrisingbythesecond.Itwouldn’tbelongnowuntiltheflamesbeganlickingthedoor.

Istaredatthelargeglasswindowandgasped.Ihadexpectedtoseethemoonlitbeach.AllIsawwasawallofdarkwater.Theanchorhadloosened—orbeenloosened—allowingthetidetoclaimthevessel.

Ibeganscramblingaroundforaheavyobject.Ifoundaboxoftoolsbeneath

oneoftheseatsandpulledoutascrewdriver.Ididn’tknowifIwouldsurvivethesuddenrushoftonsofwaterspillingintothisroom,mixingwithglass.Itmightcutmetoshreds.Butitwaseitherthisorcertaindeathbyburningalive.

Ifoundapairofgogglesinoneofthedrawers.Donningthem,Ididn’thesitateamomentlonger.Wieldingthetool,Ismasheditagainstthecenterofthescreen.

Itdidn’tsmash.Itbarelyevenmadeascratch.Thiswasthickglass.Islammedagainstitagain.Aslightlystrongercrack.AgainandagainIattackedtheglassuntilfinallyitgaveway.

Ibarelyhadtimetoholdmybreathbeforewatercrashedoverme,smashingmebackagainstthedoor.Theforceofitwassooverwhelmingasthecabinfilledupwithwater,Icouldbarelymovemylimbs.ThebreathI’dtakenhadn’tbeendeepenough.Asshardsofglassrippedmyskin,Iwasalreadyfeelingmylungs—weakenedfromthesmoke—beginningtostrainandonlyafewsecondshadpassed.Thesubmarinebegantocreakandgroanaswaterleakedthroughthedoorintothecorridor,andthevesselbegansinking.

Grippingholdofapipeintheceiling,Iforcedmyselfforward.Althoughmylimbswerescreaminginagony,IcontinuedtoreachforfixtureafterfixtureuntilIreachedthewindow.

IcouldonlythanktheheavensthatI’dthoughttoputthegoggleson.IcouldseewhatIwasdoingatleast.Withoutthem,IdoubtedIwouldhavehadachanceinhellofsurviving.

Squeezingmyselfthroughthecrackedwindow,andgrazingmyselfevenmoreintheprocess,Ikickedwildlytowardthesurface.Afewmoreseconds,andIknewmylungswouldgivein.Theweightofthesubmarinesinkingwascausingsuction,draggingmedown.Ifeltdarknessclosinginonmyvision.Everythingwasbecominghazy.

Iwasabouttoloseallhopeofeverreachingthesurfacewhenastrongarmwrappedaroundmywaist,jerkingmeuptothesurface.AsIwasliftedupabovethewaves,Igaspedforbreathtooearlyandswallowedseveralmouthfulsofseawater.Ichokedandspluttered,gaspingforbreath.Myvisionwasstillunfocused.Myheadfeltlikeitwassplittingintwo.EventhoughIhadairnow,I

wasfindingithardtobreatheproperly.EachtimeItried,itwasonlyshallowbreaths,notenoughtosatisfymysorelungs.

Iwasdraggedthroughthewater.Ifeltsandbeneathme.“Rose.”Thegogglesweretornfrommyhead.Legsclosedaroundmyhips.Hands

pumpedmychest.Fingerspinchedmynose.Andthenacoldmouthsealedovermylips,breathinglifeintome.

Myvisioncameintofocusforbutamoment—enoughtoseeCaleb’schocolate-browneyeslessthananinchaway.ThenIlostconsciousness.

A

CH A P T E R 1 0 : R O S E

warmbreezeblewoverme.Iopenedmyeyes.Iwasstaringupataroofofglisteningleaves.Inthedistance,wavescrashedagainsttheshore.Itriedtositup,buthandspushedmebackdown.

“Don’tsitupsofast.”IturnedmyheadtothesidetoseeCalebsittingbesideme.Iwaslyingona

bedofleavespiledontopofsand.Hisfacewaslinedwithworryashelookedatme.Hereachedoutand

touchedmyface,brushinghairawayfrommyforehead.“Oh,thankGod.”Tomyright,Annorakneltinthesand.Shehadalookof

reliefonherface.“Wethoughtwemighthavelostyou.”Memoriesoftheburningsubmarinecamefloodingback.“Wouldyoulikesomecoconutwater?”sheasked.IjustglaredatherandturnedtheotherwaytofaceCalebagain.Calebtook

thecoconutfromAnnoraand,slidinghisarmaroundmyback,helpedmesitupanddrink.

Myheadstillfeltdizzy,thoughmycutsseemedtohavehealed.IguessedCalebhaddrippedhisbloodintomymouthwhileI’dbeenasleep.

HelookedatAnnorapointedly.“Apparently,somethingblewintheengineroomandtheforceoftheexplosionunearthedtheanchor.”

Annoranodded.“Ionlyjustgotoutintimemyself.”Clearly,CalebhaddoubtsaboutthestoryAnnorahadfedhim.Though

neitherofuscouldprovethatshehadjustattemptedtomurderme,Iknewthetruth.

ButIwasn’tgoingtobringitupwithCaleb.Iwantedtohandlethebitchmyself.

“Sonowwhat?”Isaid,rubbingmyhead.“We’vejustlosttheonesafeplacewehadtosleep.Alongwithallthefoodandwaterwehadthere.”

“I’dalmostfinishedscanningtheislandwhenIheardtheexplosionandcamerunningback.”Calebsaid.“Ifoundnothingbutjungleandbeachesduringthattime.I’llneedtocompletethesearchstill,butitdoesn’tlookhopeful.”

That’sjustgreat.IshotanotherglareatAnnora.Ihadn’tbelieveditpossibletohatehermore

thanIalreadydid.Well,she’djustmanagedtoprovemewrong.Thankstoher,we’dlosteverythingthatwouldhavemadesurvivingonthisislandabitmorebearable—comfortablebeds,showers,toilets,food,freshwater,andclothes.

Nowwehadnothingbuttheclothesonourback.Hell,Ididn’tevenhaveshoes.

ImagesflittedthroughmyheadofAnnoraandIrunningaroundinbikinismadeoutofpalmleaves.Calebwearingaloincloth…

“Whataboutyou?”IlookedatCaleb.“Aren’tyoucravingblood?”“IfoundaboarwhileIwasoutlastnight.Howareyoufeeling?”“Okay.IthinkIcanstandnow.”Grippingthetrunkofatreenearby,Islowly

proppedmyselfup.Bloodrushedthroughmyhead,blindingmesuddenly.Iclosedmyeyes,waitingforittopass.

WhenIopenedthemagain,Icouldseefine.Mykneeswerealittleshaky,butnothingthatIwouldn’trecoverfromsoonenough.

Irealizedonlynowthatmypantsweresotorn,myunderwearhadbeenshowingallthistime.IsupposedI’dbetterstartgettingusedtowearingfewerclothes…

Calebrosewithme,indicatingthatAnnoradothesame.“Weshouldfindsomewheretosleeptonightbeforeitgetsdark.We’llhavetofindsomewhereupinthetrees,nearastream.Ipassedbyonelastnight,soIthinkIknowwheretolookfirst.”

Istaredatthethickjungleliningthebeach.ThenIlookeddownatmybarefeet.IlookedatAnnora’sfeet.Sheworenoshoeseither.

“I’llhavetocarryyouboth,”hesaid,followingmytrainofthought.“Weshouldleavenow.”

Annoraapproachedhimfirst,reachingherarmsaroundhisneckandwrappingherlegsaroundhiswaist.ItleftmenochoicebuttoclimbontoCaleb’sback.ImadesureIbashedmylegsagainsthersasroughlyasIcouldasIclimbedontohim.

Calebwastallandsturdy—butbothAnnoraandIwerealsofairlytallandwithbothourarmsandlegswrappedroundhim,tosaythattherewasn’tmuchbreathingspacewouldhavebeenanunderstatement.IhatedthatIhadtotwinemylimbswithhersjusttoholdontightenoughasCaleblaunchedforwardintothejungle.

Ijusthopedhewouldhurryandgetusthereassoonaspossible.EspeciallywhenAnnorapressedherlipsagainsthisneck.Iscowledatherandrestedmychinonhisleftshoulder,wherehersmugfacewasoutofview.

ItwasluckyforCalebthatthejunglewasdense.Thetreesshieldedhimfrommostofthesun’srays.

Asitturnedout,whatCalebhadseenthenightbeforewasmorethanastream.Itwasabeautiful,crystal-clearlake.Ibreathedoutinreliefasitcameintoviewthroughthetrees.Iwassweating.BothAnnora’sandmylimbshadbeenrubbingagainsteachother.AssoonasCalebstopped,Ijumpedoffhimandwalkedovertothebank.

Discardinganyconcernformodesty—Calebhadseenmebarealready,andIdidn’tcarewhatAnnorasaw—Istrippedtomyunderwearanddovein.IrealizedasIwasalreadyunderwaterthatIhadn’tconsideredthepossibilityofdangerouscreatureslurkinginthesewaters.Butatthatmoment,Icouldn’tthinkaboutthat.Itwasjustarelieftohavefreshwater.Iscrubbedmyscalpandranmyhandsovermybody,washingawayallthestickyseasaltandsweat.

IwishedIhadsomesortofsoap.Icaughtsightofabunchofexotic-lookingflowersnearby.Hopingtheyweren’tpoisonous,Ireachedupandgrabbedthem.Theysmelledwonderfullyfragrant.Icrushedthemupinmyhandsandrubbedthemagainstmyskin.TheysmelledbetterthananybodywashI’deverused.

BythetimeIclimbedoutofthelake,Iwassmellinglikeaflowermyself.IcaughtsightofAnnorabathingfurtheralongthebank.Shehadn’tbothered

toevenkeepherunderwearon.Ididn’tbotherputtingonmyrippedclothesagain.Theyweredirtyanddamp

andsweaty.Iwouldhavetomakedoinmyunderwear.Steppinggingerlyovertheroughjungleground,tryingtonotcutmyself,IlookedaroundforCaleb.Icouldn’tseehimanywhereintheclearing.

“Caleb?”Therewasasnappingofabranchoverhead.IlookeduptoseeCaleb

halfwayupatalltree.“Uphere,”hegrunted.Grippingholdofoneofthebranches,Istartedtoclimbupmyself.Itriednot

tolookatallthegrossinsectsIpassedasIclimbedgingerlyhigherandhigherintothetreeuntilIreachedthespotwhereCalebwasstanding.Hewasrippingbranchesandsnappingthemalltothesamelengthwithhisbarehands,layingthemoutoverthickbranchestoformaflatplatform.Ilookedupwardtoseehe’dalreadylaidouttwoplatformshigherup.Heworkedfast.

“Therearethreebedshere,”hesaid.“Youwillsleepontop.Iwillsleepinthemiddle.Annorawillsleepdownhere,onthelowestlevel.”Helookedatmedarkly.“Clearly,thereneedstobeseparationbetweenthetwoofyou.”

Ikeptclimbingupward,pastCaleb’splatformuntilIreachedmyown.Itwassurprisinglystable.NowIjusthadtofigureouthowtoavoidgettingeatenalivebymosquitoeswhilesleepinghereinmybikini.Oh,andI’dhavetohopeIdidn’trolltoomuchinmysleep…Still,itwascomfortingtoknowthatCalebwasdirectlybeneathme.

Ibegantearingoffleavesandlayingthemdownoverthewoodtohopefullymakeitmorecomfortable.Ididn’tstopuntilthewholeplatformwascoveredinleaves.

IlookeddownatCaleblayingdownthelastslabofAnnora’slayer.IclimbeddowntohislayerandbeganlayingdownleavesasI’djustdonewithmine.ThenIloweredmyselfbackdowntoAnnora’slevel.Shecanmakeherownstupidbed.

Calebleanedagainstatrunkashefinished,wipingthebarkonhishandsontohispants.

Oureyesmetforamomentbeforehelookedawayagain,clearinghisthroat.Thegentlechirpingofbirdssurroundedus,thesighofthewindinthetrees.Foronce,Ididn’thaveAnnora’svoiceinmyears.

Ididn’tknowifitwouldmakehimfeeluncomfortable,butIdidn’tknowhowtostopmyself.Ireachedoutandheldhishand,drawingmyselfclosertohim.

Itouchedhischin,guidinghimtolookatme.Thewayhewasstillactingdistantwaskillingme.

Ijustwantedtounderstandwhatwasgoingthroughhismind,whetheranythinghadchangedbetweenus,soIatleastwouldn’tcontinuethinkingandactingunderfalsepretenses.Ifsomethinghadchanged,Iwouldratherfacethepainnowthanhavetheuncertaintydragoutlonger.

Asmylipspartedtospeak,hereacheduptomyface,caressingmycheekwiththebacksofhisfingers.Histouchsenttinglesdownmyspine.ThewaymybodyrespondedtohimmademerealizejusthowmuchIachedforhisaffection.

“Caleb,”Isaid,myvoicehoarseasIstaredintohiseyes.“I…Ineedtoknow—”

“Caleb.”Iexhaledinfrustrationtohearbranchescreakingbeneathus.Afewseconds

later,Annorahoistedherselfupontotheplatform.Calebbrokeawayfromme,steppingbackandeyeingher.Tomyhorror,shewastopless.Shereliedonherlongthickhairformodesty.Aroundherwaistwasanarrowwreathofleaves.

Shemightaswellhavechalkedthewordslutontoherforeheadwhileshewasatit.

“Youwillsleephere,Annora,”Calebsaid.“Wherewillyousleep?”

Calebnoddedtotheplatformaboveus.“And…Rose?”“Stillhigher.”Shelookedlikeshewasabouttoobject,but,apparentlyhavingsecond

thoughts,closedhermouth.Iwantedtoscream.Unabletoremaininherpresenceamomentlonger,I

grabbedabranchnexttomeandswungmyselfupontoit.Iclimbedhigherandhigher,hopingtoblockouthervoiceanddistractmyselffromthefrustrationofbeingunabletogeteventwominutesalonewithCalebbeforesheinterrupted.IclimbeduntilIreachedtheverytopofthetree,andpokedmyheadoutfromthecanopy.

Theviewwasbothbreathtakinganddisconcerting.Weweresurroundedbycrystal-blueoceanforasfarastheeyecouldsee.AndtheislandwaslargerthanI’dimagined.Icouldmakeoutthecoasttooureast,nearesttous,butwhenIlookedinotherdirectionsallIcouldseewasmoredensetreetops.Iloweredmyself,lookingdownward.

CalebandAnnorawerestillstandingtogetheronherplatform.Itlookedliketheywerehavinganargument,butIcouldn’thearwhattheyweresaying.Atleastshedidn’thaveherarmsaroundhim…orperhapsshe’djusttriedtoflingherselfathimandhe’drejectedher,hencetheargument.

SinceI’dreachedthetopofthetree,IwasabouttobeginmakingmywaybackdownwhenIcaughtsightofalargebird’snest.Ileanedclosertoitandpeeredinside.Itwasemptyexceptforaheapofdarkolive-greenmuck.

Ilookedbackdownatmyownplatform,gaugingthedistance.Grabbingtwothickleaves,Itippedthesloppysubstanceontothemandwrappedthemuptightly.OnceIreachedmyownplatformagain,Ifixedthepackagetoabranchnearby.

Somethingtoldmethatitmightcomeinhandytonight.

Wespenttherestofthedaylookingforfood.ForAnnoraandme,we’d

harvestedseveraldozenmangoes,orangesandcoconuts.Thecoconutswereparticularlynourishingwiththeirmeatyflesh.Asforwater,ifthewaterfromthecoconutswasn’tenough,wehadtogodowntothestreamnearourtreeorthelake.

AsforCaleb,hewouldjusthavetocontinuehuntinganimalseachtimehecravedblood.

Aseveningapproached,AnnoraandIstillhadn’tsolvedtheproblemofmosquitoes—beingsoclosetothelakeandawayfromthebreezeoftheocean,Ifearedthiswouldbeabigproblem.

Westoodonthegroundbeneathwherewe’dsetupcamp.CaleblookedatAnnora.

“YouknowmoreaboutplantsthanIdo.Theremustbesomeherethatcanactasarepellant.”

“Hm.”Annoraconcentratedonscanningtheareaforthenexthalfhour.Ifollowedheraround,payingcloseattentiontowhichplantsshepulledupsoIcouldreplicateitformyselfifIhadto.

Seeminglysatisfiedwiththeleavesshe’dfound,shecroucheddownonthefloorand,pickinguptwolargerocks,begantomushtheplantsandflowerstogether.Shesqueezedsomeofthejuiceontoherskinandsniffedit.

“Thiswilldo,Ibelieve,”shemuttered.Shecoatedherselfwiththejuice,thendiscardedtheusedplants.Ipicked

themupafterherandsqueezedtherestontomyself,coveringasmuchofmybareskinasIcould.Iendedupsmellingbitter,butifitdidthejob,Ididn’tcare.

Nowthatthistaskwasdone,weallclimbedbackupthetreeandsettledintoourrespectivebeds.

Calebstillneededtofinishhisexplorationoftheisland,butitwasclearhedidn’twanttoleavemealoneagain,sofornowhewasputtingitoff.Ihopedthathewouldaskmetoaccompanyhimthefollowingday,withoutAnnora.

AssoonasIreachedmybunk,Irolledontomystomachandpeekedovertheedge.IhadaclearviewofbothAnnora’sandCaleb’sbedsfromthisangle.Perfect.

Iremainedinthispositionforthenexttenminutesorso,untilwhatI’dbeen

expectinghappened.AnnoraslunkoutofherbunkandbeganclimbinguptowardCaleb.Withoutwastingasecond,IreachedupandgrabbedthegreenbundleI’dcollectedearlier.

Ipositionedmyselfbackovertheedge,waitinguntiljusttherightmoment.Thelightingwasn’tgreat,buttherewerejustenoughshaftsofmoonlighttricklingthroughthecanopyofleavesformetoseewhatIwasdoing.IheardAnnorawhispertohimseductively,thoughIcouldn’tmakeoutthewords.Justhersoftwhisperfollowedbyamoan.Brushingherhairawayfromherchest,shecaughtholdofCaleb’sarms,tryingtopullherselfup.

And…fire.Holdingmybreath,Itippedthebundle.TherewasasplitsecondwhenI

doubtedthatitwouldmeetitsmark.But,oh,itdid.Thegreenmucklandedrightonherhead,oozingdownherfaceanddrippingontoherchest.

Iquicklypulledmyselfbackincaseshelookedup,fightingtostiflealaughasshecriedoutindisgust.Thebeautyofitwashernotknowingexactlywhatthesubstancewas.Imaginationwasusuallymorehorrifyingthanreality.

Itcouldhavejustbeenanexceptionallylarge,constipatedbird.ButIhopedthatshe’dguessI’ddroppedit.

Brushingawayafewleaves,Ipeeredthroughthecracksofmybed.Shestaggeredback,stillgasping.Iwatchedasshebegantoclimbdownthetree—alate-nightbathinthelakewasinorder,Isupposed.

Nothinglikeapileofcraptospoilthemood.Irolledontomyback,staringupattheleavesblowinggentlyinthewind.I

doubtedshe’dtryanythingelsewithCalebtonight.Inhalingdeeply,IsupposedIoughttotrytogetsomesleep.TheplantpotionI’dappliedearlierseemedtobeworking.Ihadn’tnoticedasinglemosquitoorotherinsectlandonmesinceI’dbeenlyinghere.

Calebletoutadeepsighbeneathme.WhatIwouldn’tgivetobelyinginhisarmsrightnow…

Iturnedontomystomachagainandpeereddownathim.IsupposedIhadatleastafewminuteswhileAnnorabathedbeforeshereturnedandcausedadistraction.

IslidoffmybedandclimbeddowntowardCaleb.Helayonhisback,hisarmsbehindhishead,hiseyeswideopen.HiseyesfollowedmeasIcrepttowardhim.

UnlikeAnnora,Ididn’ttrytoclimbontohisbed.Hesatup,staringatmeandraisinganeyebrow.

Iwasrelievedwhenhebrokethesilenceandsaidinadeepvoice,“Youweretryingtoaskmesomethingearlier.”

“Yes.”Iswallowedhard.“Caleb,I—”Ifroze.Awaveofscreamspiercedthenightair.Calebjumpedoutofhisbedandrusheddowntotheground.Iwenttofollow

him,buthelookedbackupoverhisshoulderandhissed,“No.Youstaywhereyouare.”

Imovedaboutinthetree,swingingfrombranchtobranchasItriedtogetabetterofviewofwhatthehellwasgoingon.I’dhopedatfirstthatsomethingawfulhadhappenedtoAnnora.Butthescreamswerefrommorethanoneperson.Howcouldthatbe?

IclimbedtotheedgeofthetreewhereIcouldgetaclearviewofthelake.IspottedAnnorastandingonthebank,clutchingherchestandshivering.Calebarrivedbyhersideasecondlater,shakinghershoulders.Thenheleftherandsprintedawayintothejungle.

IwaitedwithbatedbreathforCalebtoreturn.IhadnoideahowlongI’dhavetowait.Annorareturnedinthemeantime.Soakingwet,sheclimbedontoherbunk.Iignoredher,keepingmyeyesfixedonthespotwhereI’dseenCalebdisappearintothejungle.

Myheartpoundedinmychest.Asecondwaveofscreamswashedthroughthejungle.Andthenathird.Afourth.

Thescreamswereloud,butthey’dcomefromthedistancesomewhere.IlookeddownatAnnora.“Doyouhaveanyideawhatthatis?”Icalled.Shescowledatmeandturnedoveronherside,herbackfacingme.Ikeptwaitingforafifthwaveofscreams,buttherewasn’tone.They’d

stopped.Thequietsoundsofthejunglereturned.IbreathedoutinreliefasCalebfinallyappearedatthefootofourtreeandswunghimselfbackup.

“Whathappened?”Hewaspanting.Hishairwasdisheveledandhisarmswerecoveredwith

scratches.“Ihavenoidea.Irantothesourceofthenoise,oratleastwhereIthought

thesourcewas.Icouldn’tseeanyone.Ievenshoutedout.Nobodyreplied.”Ishuddered.Perhapswe’renotasaloneaswethought.

T

CH A P T E R 1 1 : R O S E

hosescreamsstillringinginmyears,Iwastooscaredtofallasleep.Idriftedinandoutofconsciousnessthroughoutthenight,tossingandturninginmybunk.

Astheearly-morninghoursapproached,Irolledbackontomystomachandlookeddown.IwassurprisedtoseeCaleb’sbedempty.Perhapshecouldn’tsleepeitherandhaddecidedtogoforawalk.IlookedpastCaleb’splatformtowardAnnora.Hereyeswereclosed,hermouthslightlyopenasherchestheavedgently.

Imightaswelldosomethingusefulwithmytime…ConsideringAnnorahadtriedtoburnmealive,therewerestillafewlessons

Ineededtoteachher.Swingingmylegsoffmybed,IloweredmyselfontothebranchbelowasquietlyasIcould.

Iscannedthebranchessurroundingmeonceagainforanythingthatcouldassistmeinmyendeavor.Therewereafewmoreemptynestsnearbythatprobablycontainedmoremuck,butsheneededaworsesurprisenow.IwasabouttostartclimbingdownthetreeinhopeoffindingsomethinginthejunglebelowwhenIwasmetwithasightthatsentgoosebumpsrunningalongmyskin.Aredspiderthesizeofmyhandswayedonabranchaboutfourfeetawayfromme.Itsdewywebgaveoffaneerieglowinthemoonlight.

NowIneededtofigureouthowtogetitoffthebranchwithoutitbitingme.Ileanedforwardandreachedouttoseehoweasilybrokenthespider’sbranch

was.Itwasn’tthickandwouldn’tbehardtosnap.Ijusthadtomakesurethatthecreaturedidn’tgoboomerangingtoitsdeath…orontomyface.

ThecloserIgottoit,themoredisgustedIwas.I’dneverseensuchavilespider.Itsredbodywascoveredwithpatchesofbrownfur,anditspincerslookedlongenough—perhapsevensharpenough—tobenailclippers.

AsIwassecondsfromsnappingoffthebranch,Istopped.Itsbrightredcolorledmetobelievethatitwaspoisonous.Althoughitwasnotimetostarthavingmoralquandaries,Icouldn’thelpbutthinkthatmymotherwouldn’thaveapprovedofthis.

Whatifitsvenomisdeadly?DoIreallywanttobecomeamurderer?Thepartofmethatwasclosertomyfatherbrushedthethoughtaside.Eh.

Maybeit’sdeadly,maybeitisn’t…AssoonasIsnappedoffthebranch,thealarmedspiderscrambledupward,

itsfatbodyquivering.Iwasrelievedthatitstoppedwhereitdid—asafethreefeetaway.Brandishingthebranchinfrontofme,ImademywaydowntowardAnnora’sbed.Iprayedthatshewouldremainsleepingsoundlyandwouldn’tsensemypresence.Shemusthavebeentired,becauseshedidn’t.NotevenwhenIplacedthebranchbetweenherlegs.

Iracedbackuptomyownbunkand,lyingonmystomach,peekedovertheedge.Thespiderwasalreadybeginningtomakeitswayupward,ontoAnnora’sleafskirt.Iheldmybreathasitcrossedtheleavesandbegancrawlingoverherstomach,acrossherbarechest,uptowardherface.Hereyesdidn’tshootopenuntilitstartedclimbingontoherface.

Therewasamuffledscreamasshesatboltupright.Herhandsshotuptoherface,whichonlysquishedthespidercloseragainstherskin.Feelingitsfurryback,sheloweredherhandsagain,nowscreamingsoshrillyithurtmyeardrums.

SheonlyhadtoendurethetraumaforaminuteorsobeforeCalebcameswingingupthetree.Basedontheterrorinhervoice,he’dprobablythoughtoneofushadjustmurderedtheother.Grippingthespider’sback,heyankeditoffAnnoraanddroppeditontothecanopyofleavesbeneaththem.

Spoilsport.

Imovedmyheadoutofviewagain.Ifoundmyselfwonderingifthespiderhadbittenher.Shewasstillmoaning,whichgavemehopethatithad.Nowwejusthadtowaitandseeifitsvenomreallywasdeadly…

OnceAnnorastoppedsobbingafterhalfanhour,Ifinallystartedtodriftoff.Thenacoldhandtouchedmyshoulder.IopenedmyeyestoseeCalebstaringdownatme.

“Caleb?”Isaidinnocently.“Iwanttofinishmytouroftheisland,”hewhispered.“AndIwantyouto

comewithme.”IlookeddownatAnnora.Sheappearedtobesleepingagain.Ididn’tneedasecondinvitation.Isatupandashemovedhisbodycloserto

mybunk,Iwrappedmylegsaroundhiswaist,myarmsaroundhisneck.Heputonearmaroundmywaist,supportingmeasheleaptdownwardfrombranchtobranch.

Iheldhimtighteraswehitthegroundandhebeganrunningforward.Iclosedmyeyes,buryingmyfaceinhisneck,wantingtolosemyselfinhim.Iwishedhewouldkeeprunningforever.Acrosstheocean,awayfromthisisland,awayfromAnnora.TosomewhereCalebandIcouldbetogetherwithoutanyinterruptions.Nodistractions.Justus.

Fornow,Iappreciatedhimtakingmeawayfromher,ifonlyforanhourorso.Ifelthimstoprunningandheloweredmedown.Ilookedaround.We’dstoppedattheothersideofthecrystallake.Istaredoutatthebeautiful,calmwaterscoveredinlotuses.

Calebcaughtmyhand,pullingmetofacehim.Helookedatmeseriously.“You’vebeentryingtosaysomethingforthelasttwodays.Therearenointerruptionsnow.Talktome.”

Finally,Idid.“I-IwanttoknowwhatAnnora’sreturnmeansforus.”Heremainedsilentforseveralmoments,hiseyesroamingmyface.Iwas

reassuredthathisgriponmyhanddidn’tloosenafterI’daskedthequestion.Ifanythingittightened.

Iheldmybreathashislipsparted,fearinghisanswer.“IlovedAnnora.Deeply.Madly.IdoubtIwouldhaveputupwithherall

thoseyearsifIhadn’t.WhenIsawheragainonthesubmarine,asahuman…andshekissedmethewayI’dwishedshewouldforthelongesttime,Iwasafraid.Afraidthatallthosefeelingswouldreturn.”Heslidhishandbeneathmychin,tiltingmyheaduptolookdirectlyintohiseyes.“Buttheydidn’t,Rose.Iwonderedatfirstwhetheritwasjusttheshockofseeingherandtherushoffeelingswouldcomelater.Buttheystillhaven’tandnowIdoubtiftheywilleverreturn.She’s…differentthanthegirlIfellinlovewith.Eventhoughshe’shumanagain,shejustdoesn’tfeellikethatsamegirl.I’vecometorealizethatI’mmoreinlovewiththememoryofherthanIamwithher.Ijustfeel…numb.You,ontheotherhand…”

Iheldmybreath.Hetookastepclosertome,slippinghishandseithersideofmywaistandrestingthemonthesmallofmyback.Dippinghishead,herestedhisroughcheekagainstmineashewhispered:“Myheartstillraceseverytimeyouglancemyway,Rose.”

Theemotionscoursingthroughmeleftmebarelyabletobreathe,muchlessspeak.

Catchingmylipsinhis,hebackedmeupagainstatree.Ifelttearsinmyeyesashislipscaressedmine,slowly,tenderly.Irelishedeverysecondthatkisslasted,andwhenhebrokeapart,Igrippedhishairandpulledhimdownformore.Iwasstarvingforhim.IfeltlikeIcouldkisshislipsallday,juststandingherelostinthisperfectmoment.

“Soyou’llstillcomebacktoTheShadewithme?”Igasped.HekissedmeharderuntilIfeltthetipsofhisfangsagainstmylowerlip.“If

wecanfindawayoffthisisland.”“WhataboutAnnora?”Iwhispered.Hepaused,furrowinghisbrows.“Untilwecanfindsomewheresafeforhertostay,Iamresponsibleforher.”

Hestaredatme,apparentlyreadingmythoughts.“Ican’tjustabandonher.”Ifearedhemightsayasmuch.Calebwasamanofvalorandresponsibility.

Afterall,he’dgrownupinatimeverydifferenttomine.EvenafterallAnnorahaddone,Icouldn’timaginehimleavingayoungwomanaloneandhelpless.Hisold-fashionedvalueswereapartofhimthatIloved,butinthiscaseI

couldn’tdenythattheywereannoying.“She’snotgoingtobewelcomedbyanyoneinTheShade,”Isaidbluntly.“Oh,Iknow.”“Thenwhatcouldwepossiblydowithher?”Helookedoutatthelake.“Idon’tknowyet.Butwhilewe’refiguringout

howtogetoffthisisland,wehavetimetothinkaboutit.”Heturnedbacktome,pressinghislipsagainstmineoncemorebeforepickingmeupagain,guidingmylegstowraparoundhiswaist.“Weshouldfinishscopingouttheislandnow.”

Evenashestartedrunning,Icouldn’tstopkissingeverypartofhisskinthatIcouldreach.I’dbeenscheminghowtogetbackatAnnora.ButnowIrealizedIreallydidn’tneedto.Calebhadalreadychosenme.AndthatwasenoughtocutherdeeperthananythingIcouldpossiblydotoher.WhatCalebhadadmittedtomewasenoughtowipeheroutcompletely.I’dalreadywonthebattle.Infact,basedonthewayCalebhadjustlookedintomyeyes,IsuspectedI’dwonthebattlebeforeithadevenbegun.

C

CH A P T E R 1 2 : R O S E

alebransofastmysurroundingsblurred.Butheevidentlywastakingineverydetailaswezigzaggedacrosstheremainingpartoftheislandthathehadn’tyetexplored.Itlookedmuchthesameastherestoftheisland:densejunglesandsandywhitebeaches.Therewasnosignofanyhumanhabitationherewhatsoever.

Aswearrivedbackatthespotonthebeachwherewe’dfirstarrivedinthesubmarine,Calebstoppedrunning.

“Well,”hesaid,wipingsweatfromhisbrow,“there’snothinghere.”“Wheretonow?”Ifearedhewasgoingtosaybacktoourcamp,butinsteadhesaid,“Iwantto

gobacktotheareawhereweheardthosescreamslastnight.Clearly,there’ssomethingaboutthisislandthatwe’remissing.”

Ifeltnervousasweracedbackintothejungleanddrewnearerandnearertothespot.

Hestopped,lookingaroundaclearingcoveredbytrees.“Thisiswherethebloodsmellsstrongeststill.Itwasaroundherethattherewereagroupofhumans.”

“What’sthat?”Ipointedtowhatappearedtobeapieceofclothingafewfeetaway.Hebentdownandpickeditup.Itwasagraywoolenshawl.

“Youmightaswellkeepit¸”hesaid,handingittome.Ihelditagainstmychest.Thiswouldbeusefulasablanket,sinceitdidget

quitechillyupinthetreesintheearlymorningandIcouldn’taffordtogetsick.Calebstoodandsearchedtheareaformorecluesthatcouldhelpustopiece

togetherwhatwe’dfound,buthediscoverednothingmore.SoIclimbedbackontoCalebandwereturnedtocamp.

IgroanedinternallyasCalebfinallystoppedagainatthefootofourtree,bracingmyselftohearAnnora’svoicegratingagainstmyears,askingCalebwherewe’dbeen.

Butasweclimbedupthetree,Annorawasn’tthere.Calebwenttochecknearthelake,thinkingshemighthavegonethereforanotherbath,buthereturnedwithablanklookonhisface.

“She’snotthereeither,”hemuttered.Calebdidabroadersearchofthearea,callingouthername,butwithno

reply.Asheclimbedbackuptomeinourtree,helookedatmeandshrugged.“I

can’timaginewhereshe’sventuredofftoalone…”Helookedconcerned.“I’llwaitafewhours.I’msureshe’llbeback.Wherevershe’sgone,sheobviouslydoesn’twanttobefound.”

IhopedtoGodthatshe’djustdoneusallafavoranddrownedinthelakeorgottenswallowedwholebyagiantanaconda.Orperhapsthespidervenomhasfinallyclaimedher.

ButIcouldn’tshakethefeelingthatthiswasjustanattention-seekingstunt.Itwouldn’thavesurprisedmeifshewashidingsomewhere,hopingtodrawareactionfromCaleb.

Well,evenifthatisthecase,Idon’tcareanymore.BecauseCalebismine.

A

CH A P T E R 1 3 : A N NO R A

sI’dfloatedinthelake,tryingtowashoutthegreenfilththatwasstillplaguingtherootsofmyhairevenafteritssixthscrub,I’dswornthatIwasdonewiththisgame.Iwasn’tgoingtomessaroundwiththisgirlanylonger.

ItwastimethatIcuttothechase.Thenthenextmorning,whenIwokeupalonetofindmynoseswollenfrom

thespiderbite,andthenclimbedoutofbedtospotthemstandingineachother’sarmsacrossthelake,IknewIcouldn’twaitanotherdaytodoit.

Myfirstattemptatfinishingheroffhadfailed.Itwasjustaswell,Isupposed.Calebhadseemedtosuspectthatitwasme.ThistimeIneededtobemorecareful.Because,onceIwassuccessfulatgettingridofher,ifCalebblamedmeforit,itwouldtakelongertomakehimfullymineagain.Forhimtoforgiveme.I’dhopedthatRosewasjustadistraction,totakehismindoffme.NowIfearedthatshehadcometomeanmoretohimthanthat.Thesituationhadtobehandleddelicately.

Iwassurethat,withtime,Calebwouldforgetherandlosehimselftomeagain.IjustneededthechancetoremindhimwhoIwasandwhyhe’dfalleninlovewithmetostartwith.

Buttodothat,IhadtoeliminateRose.ItmightbetruethatIhadlostCaleb’sheart,butIwouldstopatnothingto

reclaimitnow.Thescreamsfromthenightbeforestillplayinginmyears,Ileftourtreeand

headeddeeperintothejungle,towardwhereIthoughtthenoisehademanatedfrom.Myprogressthroughthetreeswasslowenoughwithoutshoes.Ididn’twanttowastetimestoppingtotreatmynose.

ThemomentI’dheardthosescreams,I’dhadasneakingsuspicionwhatthisislandmightbe.Andifmysuspicionswerecorrect,Iwasvery,veryluckythatweendeduponthisisland.Ofalltheplaceswecouldhavewashedashore,thiscouldn’thavebeenamoreperfectarrangement.

ItwasafternoonbythetimeIfinallygotconfirmationofmysuspicion.Althoughmythroatwasparched,myfeetbleeding,IfeltasenseofeuphoriaIhadn’tfeltsincefirstfindingCalebagaininmyheartthatdayI’dwokenupasmyselfonLilith’sisland.

AsIstoodinthemidstofthejungle,staringintoanoldstonewell,Icouldn’tkeepthesmilefrommyfaceasaplanformulatedinmymind.

Yes…Yes.ThiswillbeamuchmorefittingendingforRosethanevenhandingherovertotheblackwitches.Theyonlywantherblood,afterall…

T

CH A P T E R 1 4 : A I D E N

hemomentKyleandAnnadiscoveredthebloodiedbedsheetsoftheirneighbors,CarolineandThomas,theislandwasinanuproar.KyleandAnnawerebothabagofnervesastheycamerunningtoinformDerekandSofiawhathadjusthappened.They’dbeenthroughsuchlossandtroublerecently,andforthistohappenjustnextdoorshookthembothdeeply.KyleandAnnatookCarolineandThomas’twochildren—noworphans—intotheirhome.

Alargenumberofvampiresandhumansontheislandwerestillconvincedthatthewerewolves—inparticular,Micah—wereresponsibleforRose’skidnapping.Manyhadheldagrudgeagainstthewerewolveseversince.

Now,withthebloodymessthatCarolineandThomashadleftbehind,itwasjustanotherstabtoanalreadygapingwound.Allthedoubtresurfacedagaintenfold.

DerekandSofiawereforcedtocallameetingintheGreatDome.TheShade’scouncil,consistingofvampires,humans,andnowwerewolvesalike—exceptforEli,whoforsomereasonhadrefusedtoattend—arguedforhours.Iremainedsilentthroughout,listeningtotheargumentsforandagainstawerewolfbeingresponsibleforthis.Thewholetime,IkeptlookingatSofia.Icouldn’thavefeltmoreproudofandsorryformydaughterandson-in-lawatthesametime.Theirdaughterwasmissing,theirsonwasstillhavingatoughtimerecoveringasavampire,andnowtheyhadtodealwiththisnewoutragethatwasthreateningtooverruntheislandwithanimosity.

Theentiretimeweweresittingthere,wehadtobeawareprimarilyofMona—weknewthewerewolveswereherfamily,andforthatreasonDerekandSofiasimplycouldnotsidewiththoseopposedtothewerewolves,eveniftheywereresponsibleforthis.Thewerewolveshadtostayontheisland,betheyinnocentorguilty.Isawitinmydaughter’seyesasshestruggledwiththisconundrum.SheandDerekweresupposedtobecompletelyimpartial,searchingonlyforthetruthfortheprotectionofthehumansontheisland,yetatthesametimetheyhadtomaintainapartialitytowardthewerewolves.Evenifitwasunjust.

No,themeetingwasnotintendedtogettothetruth.Itwasintendedtoreachbalanceandcompromise,tryingtoappeaseopponentsonbothsidesoftheissue.Becauseiftheculpritwasfoundtobeawerewolf,thesituationwouldbecomeevenmoretense.NeitherDereknorSofiawereusedtorulingtheirkingdomthisway,andyetnow,dependentonMonaaswewere,theyhadnochoice.IcouldseeDerekclosetolosinghistemperonseveraloccasions,andhavingtopausetoreelhimselfin.

Backandforththeargumentswentallday.BythetimeeveningcameandDerekadjournedthemeetinguntiltomorrow,Iwasexhausted.IwasrelievedforDerekandSofia.Theyhaddarkshadowsundertheireyes—fartoodarkevenforvampires—andworrylinedtheirfaces.Nowthatthetorturousmeetingwasoverfortheday,theyhadtoreturntomoreworries.Worriesmuchclosertohome.

IstayedbehindintheGreatDomeastheassemblypiledout.SofiaandDerekremainedseatedatthetableevenasthelastpersonexited.Iapproachedthemslowly,waryofinterruptingtheirconversation.Sofialookedupatmeandgavemeaweaksmile.

Ibentdownandkissedherforehead.“Idon’tthinkthere’smuchIcandotorelievethepressureonyou.ButIjustwantyoutoknowhowproudIamofbothofyou.”

Shebreathedout,rubbingherforehead.“Thanks,Dad,”shesaid,hersmilealittlebroaderandwarmerthistime.Shesqueezedmyhand.

“Youbothshouldgetanearlynight.”Theyexchangedglancesandnodded.“Wewill,”Sofiasaid.

WelefttheDometogetherandmadeourwaybacktotheResidences,wherewepartedways.

Icouldn’tbebotheredtowaitformyelevator,andbesides,Ineededtostretchmylimbsaftersuchalongmeeting,sowithonegiantleap,Iplungedmyselfupwardand,shootinguptowardthecanopyofleaves,landedonmyveranda.

Iheadedstraightformyfrontdoor,anddidn’tnoticeashadowstirringtomyleftuntilithadfullyemerged.

“Aiden.”IalmostjumpedwithsurprisetoseeKailynstandingnexttome.“Oh,hi,”Isaid,attemptingasmile.Ihadn’tseenhersinceI’dtaughtherandhersisterhowtousetheirwashing

machine.Openingthedoorforher,Inoddedinside.“Wouldyouliketocomein?”ShesteppedinsideandIfollowedafterher.Igesturedtowardthecouchand

shesatdown.Sheshiftedinherseat,lookinguncomfortable.Finally,shestaredatmeandasked,“Doyoureallysuspectoneofus?”

Iheavedasigh,leaningbackinmychair,asIlookedather.Thetruthwas,Ididn’tknow.Noneofushadknownthesewerewolveslongenoughtojudgetheircharacter.FromwhatI’dseenofthemsofar,theyappearedtobecivilizedcreatures.ButIofallpeopleknewthatappearancescouldbedeceiving.

Iwasn’tsurehowtoanswerKailynwithoutoffendingher.Ishookmyhead.“Idon’tknow,”Isaidhonestly.

Disappointmentshroudedhereyes.“Iknowourpack,Aiden.Nobodywouldhavedonethis.Wemayhavealeaningtowardhumanflesh,butwewerewolvesareloyalcreatures.Wewouldnothavebetrayedyouinthisway.Besides,manyofusaregratefultobeonthisislandandhavebasicamenitieslikerunningwater.Youdon’tknowthelifewelivedbeforewecamehere…”

WhenIdidn’trespond,sheshottoherfeetandbegantopaceimpatientlyaroundtheroom.

“TheMicahwhotookRosewasn’tMicah.Iswear.Mysisterispracticallybestfriendswiththeguy.Heneverwouldhavedonethis.”

Iranahandthroughmyhair.“I’mnotsurewhatyouwantmetosay.”Kailynletoutasoftgrowlasshewalkeduptomyseatandtoweredoverme.

“Saythatyoutrustus.”“Idotrustyou.ButthenIalsotrustourvampires.Ofthetwogroupswho

couldhavecarriedoutthisattack,I’minclinedtobelievethatthewerewolvesarebehindthis.I’veknownthevampiresonthisislandfartoolongtosuspectthem.”

Herblueeyesboredintomineforseveralmomentsbeforesheslumpedbackintoherchair.

IfeltguiltythatIcouldn’tgiveherthestraightforwardanswershewanted.ButIwasbeinghonest.“Youshouldn’tbetooworriedthough,”Isaid.“AslongasweneedMona,youwillalwayshaveaplaceonthisisland.Wemayjusthavetoputsomeextraprecautionsinplace…somestrongboundariestokeepyouwolvesseparatefromtherestofus…”

NowitwasKailyn’sturntoheaveasigh.Therewasnopointdiscussingthisnow.We’dbeenbackandforthalldayin

theDometryingtocomeupwithasolution,acompromisethatwouldkeepallpartiessatisfied.Iwassickofthistopicnow.Istoodupandwalkedovertothekitchen.Sinceshewasstillinherhumanform,IfiguredIshouldofferherarefreshment.

“Doyouwantsomethingtodrink?”“Whatdoyouhave?”Iopenedmycupboardandscannedtheshelves.Ismiledbitterlyatthe

homemadechamomileteabagsthatAdelleusedtolovewhenshevisitedme.Ihadn’ttouchedthechamomilesinceI’dlastseenher,andIguessedthatitwouldbeawhilebeforeIcouldbeartomakeitagain.

“Howdoesherbalteasound?Elderberry,nettle,mint…”“I’lltryelderberry.”Isetaboutpreparingthetea.KailynwalkedovertomeasIdid.Leaning

againstthekitchencounterasthekettleboiled,shecasthereyesaroundmyapartment.

“Soyouliveinthisbigplaceallbyyourself,huh?”Shethrewmeasideways

glance.“Yes.”AsilencefellbetweenusasIbusiedmyselfpreparingthetea.Isetacup

downforherandwesatoppositeeachother.Iwatchedhersipitcautiously.Shereachedforthehoneyinthecenterofthetableandaddedadollop.Herfreckledfacelitupasshetastedthedrink.

Shelookedup,andoureyesmet.Herexpressionwasserious.“Youknow,Ilostmypartnertoo.”“Oh,”Isaid,takenaback.“I…I’msorrytohearthat.”Shebreathedindeeply,andaflickerofpaincrossedherface.Thiswas

hardlyturningouttobethelight-heartedconversationI’dhopedtoleadustoward,butsomehowIwastouchedthatshewouldchoosetosharesomethinglikethiswithme.

“Mymate,”shecontinued,tracingtherimofhercupwithherindexfingerasshestareddownathertea,“hewaskilledbackinthesupernaturalrealm.Duringanattackbyogres—relativesofBrett’s,actually.Mymatewastheoneleadingeveryonetocharge.Hewentfirst.Gotspearedthroughtheheart.”

Iguessedthatthismusthavehappenedlongago,becauseshespokecalmly,asthoughshewasjustreflectingonamemory.Thoughherjawstillclenched.ItremindedmeofhowIthoughtofCamillanow…asadistantmemory.Exceptforwhenmydaughterspokeofher—somehowthatalwaysslicedopenthewoundsafreshandittookawhiletostemthebleeding.

IreachedforKailyn’shandacrossthetableandsqueezedit.Shelockedeyeswithmeandsmiled.

“Don’tworry,”shesaid.“Iwon’tbreakdownonyou.Thishappenedmanyyearsago.”

Iwasabouttorespondwhentherewasarappingatthedoor.Icouldn’timaginewhoitmightbe.IdoubteditwouldbeDerekorSofia—theyhadbothlookedreadytoflopintobedaftertheexhaustionoftheday.

Ipeeredthroughthespyholeandswungopenthedoor.IfoundmyselffacetofacewithEli.Hisexpressionwasserious,hiseyesintenseashelookedatme.

“Eli?Whatbringsyouhere?”

“MayIcomein?”“Ofcourse,”Isteppedasidetoallowhimentrance.HiseyesfellonKailyn

sittingatthetablebeforeheturnedroundtolookatme.Hisbrowswerefurrowed,hisfaceagitated.Ihadnoideawhatcouldhave

causedsuchadisturbanceinhim.Henormallyavoidedconflictatallcosts.“Howcomeyouweren’tatthemeetingtoday?Areyouallright?”Eliscoffed,thenbeganpacingupanddowntheroom.IexchangedglanceswithKailyn.ShelookedjustasconfusedasIfelt.When

hestillfailedtorespondtome,Ireachedoutandgrippedhisshoulder.“Eli,what’s—?”Hishandshotout,knockingmyhandawayfromhim.“Don’ttouchme,”he

snarled.Iwassostunnedbyhisbehavior,Istaggeredback,barelybelievingwhatI

wasseeing.Hisbreathingbecamelouderandmoreunevenbythesecond.Hetookastep

closertome,andfinallyspokewhatwasonhismind.“IsawyouwithAdelledownbythelakelastnight.”

Hiswordsknockedthebreathrightoutofme.Myfacecontortedwithconfusion.“What?”

“Don’tmesswithme,Aiden,”hesnapped,hisfacenowmerelyinchesfrommyown.

Myshockwasbeginningtoturnintoangerathisaccusatorytoneofvoice.“Iwasn’tevenatthelakelastnight,”Isaid.“AndAdelleandIarejustfriends.EvenifIdidfeelsomethingforher,Iwouldnever,andImeannever,poachanotherman’swoman.”

Mywordsbarelyseemedtoregister.“Howlonghaveyoutwobeenseeingeachother?”Hishandsshotoutandgrippedthecollarofmyshirt.

Iclutchedhishands,pushingthemawayfromme.Whatiswrongwiththisman?He’scrazed.Mymotiononlyseemedtoagitatehimfurther.Hishandsshotoutagain,this

time,tomyshock,hisclawsextending.Ihadtojumpbacktoavoidbeinggrazed.

Istaredathim,stunned.“Eli,”Igasped.“Whatthehell?”Helurchedforward,aimingformeagain.Icaughtbothhisforearmsbefore

hecouldreachmeandpushedhimbackward.Bynow,Kailynhadabandonedhertea,tooshockedbywhatwasgoingon.

SheapproachedElifrombehindandattemptedtorestrainhim.Butassoonasshewaswithinthreefeetofhim,helashedoutathertoo,catchinghercheekwiththetipofhisclaw.

Sweatdrippedfromhisforehead,hischestheaving.“You’reacheat,Aiden,”hehissed.

Thathitarawnerve.“Howdareyou,”Igrowled.“WhomeveryousawAdellewithlastnight,it

wasnotme.”Ididn’twaitforElitolungeagain.Idoveforhiswaist,sendingusboth

thuddingtothefloor.Grippinghisneckwithonehand,placingmyotherroundhisback,Iflippedhimoveruntilhewaslyingfacedownonthefloor.

PerhapstheoneadvantageIhadoverhimwasthat,despitebeingavampire,Eliwasnottrainedincombat.Heusedhisbrainfarmorethanheeverusedhismuscles.SohebarelyhadtimetostruggleasIsnappedhisneckwithoneswiftmotion.

Therewasagruntinthecorner.IturnedtoseethatKailynhadnowturnedintoawerewolf.Shepaddedovertome,andwebothstareddownatEli’sunconsciousform.

He’dbebacktonormalsoonenough.Igrimaced,thinkingthatwe’dhavetotakehimtoAdelletogetfixedupandI’dhavetospeaktoher.

Ididn’tknowwhattothinkasIstareddownatEli—alwaysthemostgentleofpeople.Itsentchillsdownmyspine,thewayhehadlookedatmewithsuchhatred…suchdarkness.Howhecoulddoubtme,andwhatIhaddonetodeservesuchdoubt,Icouldonlywonder.

Andwhohadheseendownbythelakelastnight?Howhadhemanagedtomistakethatmanforme?

Icouldonlywonderwhathadgottenintohishead.

D

CH A P T E R 1 5 : S O F I A

uringthesecondday’smeetingattheGreatDome,wefinallycametoadecision—albeittemporary.Monawouldenforceaboundary,separatingtheirpartoftheislandfromours.Nowerewolfcouldcrossitwithoutpermission.

We’ddiscussedtheideathedaybefore,butI’dfeltdeeplyuncomfortableaboutit.Now,afteranotherdayofdiscussion,wewerenofurtherforward.Itseemedthatthiswasouronlychoiceifwewantedtokeepthisislandfromgoingunder.

Ihatedit.Itcausedadividefardeeperthanthephysical.Ihadbeguntomakefriendswiththem.Itfeltlikeweweregoingbackwards.IwasgratefulatleastthatMonaseemedtobeunderstandingaboutit.Althoughshe’dmadeclearinnouncertaintermsthatthewerewolveswerelikeherfamily,shewasatleasthelpingusdealwiththesituationandcometoacompromise.

Oncethiswasdecidedupon,DerekandIpaidavisittoKyleandAnna,whoweredoingtheirbesttocareforCarolineandThomas’children—aten-year-oldboyandathirteen-year-oldgirl.JackandStephanie.

Ourwitcheswerestillscouringtheisland.Ihopedthey’dfindthebodiessoonandwewouldbeclosertodiscoveringthecauseoftheirdeaths.Partofmewasafraidtofindoutwhowouldhavedonethis.Ifitwasavampire,itwouldbedevastating—likewise,ifitwasindeedawerewolf,theanimositywouldbecomegreaterandtherewouldbenochanceofgettingtheboundaryremovedanytimesoon.

Butifitwasnotavampireorawerewolf,theotherexplanationwasfarmorechilling.Iwonderedifwecouldhaveanotherimposterlivingamongus,justaswe’dhadMicah.

Afterthemeetingwasover,IcalledMonatostaybehindwithDerekandme.Fromthelookonherface,sheseemedtoguesswhatthiswasabout.

“Weneedtoscreeneveryoneonthisisland.Justincaseanimposterhasmanagedtoinfiltrateus,”shesaid,beforewecouldevenexpressourselves.

DerekandInodded.“Assoonaspossible,”Dereksaid.“Howwillwedoit?”Iasked.Monatookaseatnexttous,placingapalmoverherforehead.“We’llhavetoarrangeforeverysingleinhabitantofthisislandtoseeme.I’ll

castaspelloneachthatwillforcethemtorevealtheirtrueforms.”Ibreathedout,justthinkingaboutwhatacolossaljobthiswouldbe.DerekstoodupandbeganmakinghiswaytotheexitoftheGreatDome.

“Wehavenotimetolose,”hecalledback.“I’mgoingtostartappointingmanagerstohelpwiththis.”

Irealizedwithashudderthatwe’devenhavetoscreenthechildren.Ofcourse,Iwasn’tsurewhyablackwitchwouldbothertokillCarolineandThomas.Butweoughttoscreenthemanyway.Infact,weshouldhavedonethisthemomentwesuspectedMicahhadbeenanimposter.

IexchangedafewmorewordswithMonabeforewepartedways.IneededtoreturntoourpenthousetocheckonBen.

AsInearedourtreehouse,Iheardarguingboomingdownfromthetreesabove.ItwascomingfromAshleyandLandis’penthouse.

Notwantingtoeavesdrop,Iplacedmyhandsovermyearsandhurriedaway,butthetoneoftheirvoicesshookme.I’dneverheardthemshoutlikethatateachother.

Everyoneisjustfeelingthisstress.JustasElihadsnappedsoeasilywithmyfatheratasimplemisunderstanding.ItwasasurprisetoallofusthatAdellewouldbecheatingwithanotherman,butIknewthatmanwouldn’tbemyfather.Ifullybelievedmyfatherwhenhesaidhewouldneverdosomethinglikethat.

Ihurrieduptoourpenthouseandpushedopenthedoor.ItwassohardleavingBenathomewhileDerekandIattendedtotheaffairsoftheisland.Mystomachwasinknotsbecause,evenafterallthistimesincehisturning,Benstillhadn’tcometo.JasonandArianahadrecoveredmuchfaster.

IwentstraighttoBen’sbedroomand,unlockingthedoor,peeredinside.Igaspedtoseemysonsittingboltuprightinthegloom.Hewassittingon

theedgeofhisbed,hiseyesfixedonthemirror.Hedidn’tevenregistermyentrance.WhenIrecoveredfromtheshock,reliefrushedthroughme.Hehadfinallycometo.

“Ben,”Isaid,hurryingovertohim.Hiseyesremainedfixedonthemirror.ItwasthefirsttimeI’dseenthem

openfully.Mybreathhitched.Now,asavampire,BenlookedsomuchlikeDerekitwasuncanny.HisgreeneyeswerejustasintenseasDerek’sblueones.

Itouchedhisarmandshookhimalittle.“Ben?”Stillheignoredme.“Ben,areyouokay?”

Heseemedtobeinadaze,andyethiseyeswerenotglassy.Theywerequitefocused,staringathisreflectioninthemirror.

Istoodinfrontofthemirror,blockinghisviewofit,andforcedhisheadtofaceme.

“Howareyoufeeling?”Heraisedhiseyestomeslowly,hisjawtensing.Whenhespokefinally,it

wasthroughharsh,unevenbreathing.“I…need…blood.”Icaughthishandandpulledhimupoutofhisbedroom,leadinghimtothe

kitchen.Thecoldnessofhishandsentguiltrunningthroughme.IcouldonlyimaginetheguiltDerekwouldfeelonseeinghimfinally,recoveredandfullytransformed.

Ipulledoutajugofbloodfromthefridgeandpouredhimaglass.Hestaredatitonthetable.Heraisedtheglassandtookasip,thendroppedit,doublingoverandcoughing.Itwasdisgusting,anditwouldbetortureforBenhavingtodrinkthiswhenallhecravedwasfresh,hothumanblood.Buthehadtogetusedtoit.

“Ican’tdrinkthis,”hegasped.

Hestaggeredback,awayfromthekitchen,wipinghismouthonhissleeve.Thenhemovedtowardthefrontdoor.Myheartbeatquickening,Irushedtowardhim.Butitwastoolate.Inbarelytheblinkofaneye,he’drippedopenthedoorandleaptofftheveranda.

I

CH A P T E R 1 6 : B E N

landedinatreeoppositeourownandleaptfrombranchtobranchuntilI’dmadeitbackdowntotheground.

Mybrainwasinafog.Ididn’tknowwhatIwasdoingorwhyIwasdoingit.AllIknewwasthatIneededtogetawayfromthestenchofthebloodmymotherhadjustpassedtome.Itmademystomachturn.Iheardmymother’sshouts,andthesoundofherrunningafterme,butIranforwardwithspeedI’dthoughtimpossibleevenforavampire.

Icaughtthescentofhotbloodintheair,comingfromtheVale,andmystomachclenched.Althougheveryfiberofmybeingwasachingtoruninthatdirection,Icouldn’tallowmyselfto—atleastIhadthatmuchpresenceofmind.

IkeptrunninguntilIreachedtheocean.AndIdidn’tstop.Idovein,buryingmyheadbeneaththewavesasifthecoolwaterswouldhelptoextinguishthefurnaceinmystomach.

“Ben!”AfemalecalledmynameasIduckedonceagainbeneaththewaves.Itwasn’tmymotherthistime.IlookeduptoseeAbby.Shewasalreadywadingthroughthewaterstowardme.Ikickedbackandswamawayfromher.

Shewasinnodangerfromme,butsomehowIdidn’twantanyoneapproachingmeformiles.Ijustwantedcompletespace.EverythingaboutTheShadesuddenlyseemedclosed,claustrophobic.

IswamfurtherandfurtherdownthebeachuntilAbbygaveuponfollowingme.Eventhoughshewasavampireherself,herspeedwasnomatchformine.I

lookedbacktoseehersilhouettebobbinginthewaterinthedistance.Everypartofmefeltonfire.Ididn’tevenknowwhoIwasanymore.The

bloodlustwasconsumingallrationalthought.Onevisionreplayedoverandoverinmymind—rippingopenahuman’sthroatanddrinkinguntiltheyhadnobreathlefttospend.Untiltheirfragilebodiescollapsedinmyarms.Icouldbarelyevenconcentrateonmysurroundings,Iwassoconsumedwiththevision.

IwasafraidthatthefirsttimeIlaideyesonahuman,Iwouldn’tbeabletostopmyselffromrippingtheirthroatout.Itwashorrifyingtorealizethatthevisionbothdisgustedanddelightedme.

Icontinuedswimming,forhowlong,Iwasn’tsure.Inoticedmymotherfollowingmealongthebeach,keepingwatchonme.Iwasgladthatshedidn’tfollowmein.Thatshegavemethisspace.

AlthoughIfeltclosetopassingoutfromhunger,Iforcedmyselftoremaininthewater.IwasafraidofwhatmighthappenifIallowedmyselfbackonland.

“Ben!”Thistimeitwasthebaritonevoiceofmyfather.I’dbeenexpectinghimtoarriveatsomepoint.Unlikemymother,heimmediatelyleaptintothewater.Itseemedthathewas

theonlyonewhocouldmatchmyspeed.Hecaughtupwithmeand,grippingmyarm,pulledmeroundtofacehim.“Ben,”herepeated,staringatmewithamixtureofconcernandhorror.Hisgriparoundmyarmtightened.“Youneedtodrinkthebloodyourmothergaveyou.”

Igrowledandpulledawayfromhisgrasp,swimmingfurtheruptheshore.Myfathercaughtupwithmeagain,grippingmefirmerthistimeandpullingmetowardtheshore.Ithrashedagainsthim,buthekeptholdingmeandwrestledmeintosubmission.Bythetimewereachedtheshore,Iwasstillfightingagainsthim.

Hepinnedmedownagainstthesand,myarmslockedinanarmbarbehindmeasheforcedmetostandup.

“Ifyoudon’tfillyourselfwithanimalblood,youwon’tbeabletokeepyourselffromattackinghumans.”

Istoppedstrugglingagainstmyfatherasamomentofclarityfelluponme.Sothisiswhatit’sliketobeavampire.

Atthatmoment,Ididn’tunderstandwhyI’deverwantedtobecomeone.HadIknownthiswaswhatitwouldfeellike,IdoubtedIeverwouldhavewantedtoturn.Ofcourse,myparentshaddescribedwhatitwaslike.Butnowordscouldhavepreparedmeforthepainburningthroughmenow.

Stillgrippingmyarmtightly,myfatherranwithmeuntilwereachedmymotherandAbby,waitingforusontheshore.Iallowedmyfathertoleadmebacktothepenthouse.MychestheavedasIstaredattheanimalbloodstillwaitingformeonthetable.

Myhandstrembling,Ipickeduptheglass.“Justholdyournoseandswallowitback,”hesaid.Iglaredathim,butdidashesaid.Withoneswiftmotion,Iswallowedback

halftheglassinonegulp.Closingmyeyes,Itriedtoignoretherevoltingtaste.IwasabouttoswallowdowntherestoftheglasswhenIdoubledover,coughing.IretchedallthebloodI’djustswallowedontothefloor.

Itwascompletelyinvoluntary,asthoughmybodywashavinganallergicreactiontoit.Ileanedagainstthebackofthechair,mymotherwipingmymouthwithatowel.WhenIlookedupatthem,bothwerelookingatmewithconcern.

“Ican’tdrinkthatstuff,”Ibreathed,beforeretchingagain.“I…Ineedproperblood.Humanblood.”

Icouldbarelybelievethewordsspillingfrommyownmouth.Myparentsexchangedworriedglances.“Wecantryinjectingyouwithblood,”myfathersaid.“Atleastthatwill

helptoeasesomeoftheburning.”“I’llgotoCorrine’smedicalroomintheSanctuaryandfetchsome

equipment,”mymothersaidandhurriedoffoutofthedoor.Igroaned,sinkingintoachair,grippingmyheadinmyhands.Inadditionto

myburninginsides,Inowfeltasplittingheadachecomingon.Myfathersatdownnexttome,watchingmesilently.Ilookedupathim.“Isthisnormal?”Imanaged,clutchingmyabdomen.Myfatherfrowned.“Detestinganimalbloodisnormal.Throwingitup

isn’t,”hesaidbluntly.Isqueezedthesidesofthetable,anotherwaveofhungerroaringthroughmy

stomach.“Andbeinginjectedwithanimalblood,”Igasped,“itwillmaketheburning

stop?”“Thecravingforhumanbloodwillremain,buttheburningwillcalmdown.

Itwon’tbeasunbearable…”Hepointedtothejugofblood.“Whydon’tyoutryoncemoretostomachitwhilewe’rewaitingforMomtoreturn?”

Ishookmyhead.“No,I’lljustwait—”BarelyhadIfinishedmysentencewhentherewasaknockatthedoor.I

breathedoutinrelief.Myfathersprangtohisfeetandopenedit.Iturnedmyhead,expectingtoseemymotherbackalready.

Instead,myeyesfellonfourgirls.GirlsIrecognized,butsuddenlycouldnotputanametoasadarknesssettledovermyeyes.

Twovoicesspokeatonceamidgiggling.“WeheardBenhaswokenup.”“Wewantedtosayhi.”“Getthehelloutofhere!”myfatherbellowed.Hewasabouttoclosethedooronthem,butwithspeedIdidn’tunderstand,

myfootlodgedthroughthecrackandbeforemyfathercouldevengrabmetoholdmeback,I’dcaughtagirl—Ididn’tevenhavethesensetoknowwhich.IfelthersquirmingbeneathmeasIbroughthertotheground.Asplitsecondlater,myfangsfoundherneck.Herscreamsinmyearonlyaddedtomyfrenzyasherwarmbloodbegantogushintomymouth,drippingdownmythroatlikesmooth,sweetecstasy.Finally,thesatisfactionI’dbeenseekingeversinceI’dfirstwokenasthisbeast.

Itwasastruggletoevenfeeltheguiltamidthewavesofpleasurecrashingoverme.ItwasonlyoncemyfathermanagedtoprymeoffthegirlthatIrealizedwhatI’ddone.

I’djustclaimedmyfirstlife.Thelifeofmyex-girlfriend,YasmineRenner.

I

CH A P T E R 1 7 : D E R E K

couldhardlybelievemyeyes.Iwashopingthatsomehowthiswasadream.ThatI’dwakeupandBenwouldstillbelockedsafelyinhisbedroom.AndyethereIwas,ayoungwoman’sbloodsoakingmyhands,staringatdeepwoundsinherneckcausedbymyownson.

AtfirstIhopedtheremightbesomehopeofsavingher.ButIsoonrealizedthatshewascoldinmyarms.

“No,”Ibreathed.“No.”Itwasthethirdhumancasualtywithinthespaceofafewdays,afterwe’d

goneyearswithoutasingleviolentdeathontheisland.Thegirlstilllayonthefloorofourapartmentinapoolofherownblood.My

firstpriorityhadtobegettingmysonawayfromtheothergirlsstillstandingoutsidethedoor,shellshockedatwhatthey’djustwitnessed.Ihurledmyselfathim,dragginghimbacktowardhisroom.Hegavenoresistance.Bloodstilldrippedfromhislipsandstainedhisclothes.Hisfacewasashenashestaredatthebodyonthefloor,hisbreathingharshanduneven.

Ben’sexpressionremindedmetoomuchofthefirsttimeI’dkilled.Therush.Thepleasure.Thehorror.PushingBenbackintohisroom,Ilockedthedoorbeforeracingbackinto

thehallway.Iglaredatthegirls.“Leavenow,”Isaidhoarsely.Allthebloodhaddrainedfromtheirfaces,andtheylostnotimein

scamperingaway.Lookingdownonceagainatthecorpse,Icursedbeneathmybreath.WeknewYasmine’sparentspersonally.Howwillweevertellthem?

AsIwrappedthecorpseupinsidetheblanketitrestedon,Iheardagaspbehindme.IlookeduptoseeSofia,handclaspedoverhermouth.

“No,”shebreathed,kneelingdownnexttomeandstaringatYasmine’scorpse.“No.”

BrushingSofia’shandsawayfromtherug,IproceededtowrapYasmineup.Icarriedheroutsideandlaidherdownoutsideontheveranda.

“WhereisBen?”Sofiachoked.Inoddedmyheadtowardthedirectionofhisbedroomandshehurriedaway.Icastmyeyesaroundthebloodstainedroom.We’dbeenworriedabout

werewolvesattackingourhumans.Nowwehadtoconcernourselvesfirstandforemostwithprotectingthemfromourownson.

IstaredatthemedicalequipmentSofiahadbroughtinanddroppedonthefloorassoonasshe’dseenthecorpse.Thenmyeyesfellonthejugofbloodwe’dtriedtofeedBen,stillperchedonthekitchentable.

Inafitofrageandfrustration,Igrabbedthejugandsmasheditagainstthecounter.Bloodsoakedthesurface,drippingdowntomixwithYasmine’sonthefloor.

W

CH A P T E R 1 8 : R O S E

henAnnorastillhadn’treturnedbytheafternoon,Calebwentlookingforheragain.Hereturnedafewhourslater,unsuccessful.

Truthbetold,Iwasexpectinghimtolookmoreworriedthanhedidasheswungbackupontomybranch.Whilehecertainlylookedconcerned,Iwonderedifhealsowassecretlyhopingsomethinghadhappenedtoher.Itwouldrelievehimoftheresponsibilityheseemedsobentonhavingforher.Itwouldbeaneasywayout.

“Iwonderifsheperhapssawusacrossthelake,”hemurmured.Oh,Isohopethatshedid.“Perhaps,”Isaid.“Ihaveafeelingshe’llreturnthough.”Hesatdownonthebunknexttome.Reachingformyhand,heplantedakiss

onthebackofit.Mycheeksgrewwarm.Iclearedmythroat,leaningbackagainstthetruckofatreeandtryingtomakemyselfmorecomfortablenexttohim.IoughttomakethemostofthistimeIhadalonewithCaleb.Ididn’tknowwhenAnnorawouldreturnandthenhowlongitwouldbebeforewehadtimewithouther.

“So,CalebAchilles…”Ithrewhimasidewaysglance.“Itseemsyouhaveatype.”

Heraisedabrowatme,asmallsmilecurvinghislips.“Tall,longblackhair…”Icontinued,unabletoholdbackagrin.Herolledhiseyes,butindulgedme.“PerhapsIdo,”hesaid.“ButI’dneed

moreofatrackrecordforyoutoconcludethat.”“WasAnnorayourfirst?”Henodded.“And…whatnumberamI?”“I’mnotsureIfeelcomfortableplacinganumberonyou,princess.”He

twinedhisfingerswithmine.“Butifyou’reaskingiftherewasanyonebetweenAnnoraandyou,theanswerisno.”

Hereachedformesuddenly,pullingmebackagainsthischest.Heranhisfingersthroughmyhair,pullingmyheadbackwarduntilthebaseofmyheadtouchedhiscollarbone.Hewassostrong,itfeltlikehecouldsnapmyneckintwo.Hisroughcheekbrushedagainstmyfaceandsettlednearmyneck.

“Whataboutyou,RoseNovak?Doyouhaveatype?”Ifeltheatriseinmycheeksagain.Thetruthwas,I’dneverreallyhadacrushbeforeCaleb.Sure,I’dmetboys

I’dthoughtwerecute.Butnevertheheart-stopping,all-consumingpassionIfeltforCaleb.

“I…Idon’tknow.”Heloosenedhisgrip,hiseyesfixingonmeintensely.Hisexpressionwas

suddenlyseriousashestudiedeveryflickerofemotionthatcrossedmyface.“Whatdoyoumean?”“You’remyfirst.”Hiseyessoftened,andhelookedatmelikeIwasthemostpreciousthingin

theworld.AsthoughthosethreewordsI’djustspokenhadmademeseemfragile,vulnerable.

“Whydoyoulooksosurprised?”Iasked,tryingtobreakuphisseriousnesswithagrin.

Heranahandthroughhishair.Hislipsparted,thenclosedagain.Ididn’tunderstandwhathadrenderedhimsospeechless.

“ArealltheyoungmeninTheShadeblind?”hesaidfinally,staringatmeincredulously.

Ilaughed.“No.ButI’mnottheonlygirlthere.Iguessitalsodoesn’thelpbeingthedaughterofthemostintimidatingvampireontheplanet.”

Calebfellsilent.IreachedmyhandsaroundhisneckandbroughthisheaddownsoIcouldplaceakissonhislips.Ithadbeenamistakementioningmyfather.Calebalwaysfellsilentandgrewseriouswhenheturnedhisthoughtstohim.

RealizingthatIwashungry,Ireachedforacoconutinthecornerofthebunkandattemptedtosmashitopenagainstanearbybranch.Aftermythirdfailedattempt,Calebtookthecoconutfrommeandsplititopenwiththepressureofhishandsalone.

“Thanks,”ImutteredasItookthetwohalvesfromhim.Hereachedforalongsharpleafandhelpedmetoloosenthefleshfromtheshell.

“ShallIfeedyouwhileI’matit?”heteased.Hewasjoking,butItookhimuponhisofferallthesame.Isliddownhis

chestuntilmyheadrestedonhislap,openingmymouthinexpectation.Hesmiled,thenslidthefirstpieceoffleshintomymouth.

IstaredupathimasIchewed.Ibrushedmyhandagainsthisstrongjawline,tracingmyfingersoverhisroughstubble.

Asheslidthelastpieceoffleshintomymouth,Icaughthishandbeforehecoulddrawitaway,pullinghisthumbtowardmymouth.Isuckedonit,thengentlydugmyteethintoit.

Movingthecoconutshellsaside,Isatupand,holdinghisshoulders,pushedhimbackward.Hehadaquestioninglookinhiseyes,butleanedbackasIwasrequesting.Placingmylegseithersideofhiships,Icroucheddownoverhim.Iloweredmyheaddowntohisneck,kissinghischeekalongtheway.Ipressedmymouthagainsthisthroatandgrazedmyteethoverhiscoolskin.

“Whatareyoudoing?”heasked,amusementinhisvoice.“Practicingbeingavampire,”Iwhisperedback.Hischestshookashechuckled.Themomenthechuckled,Iwantedtolookintohiseyes.Theylituponthe

rareoccasionsthathelaughed.Iliftedmyselfup,stillsittingontopofhim,andspreadmypalmsoutoverhischest.

I’dalreadydecidedthatwhenthetimecameformetoturnintoavampire,IwantedCalebtodoit.Ididn’tdarementionitnowthough.He’dhavetogetover

thetraumaofhisturningAnnorafirstbeforeIevendaredbringupthesubjectwithhim.Hewasstillfartoobrokenfromthatexperience.He’dbeenafraidhemightruinmejustbykissingmebackontheboat.Atleastweseemedtobepastthatstage.Heseemedcomfortablebeingcloseandintimatewithmenow.

ThoughtherewerestillboundariesIknewhewasn’tyetreadytocross.AndIhadtobecarefulnottomakehimfeeluncomfortableaboutthat.

Caleb’sarmshotouttowardanearbytree.Whenhewithdrewit,hewasholdingalargepurplehibiscus.Myheartflutteredashebrushedthehairawayfromthesideofmyfaceandtuckeditbehindmyear.

Iliftedmyselfoffhimandlaydownbyhisside,positioningmyselfsothatmyfacewaslevelwithhis.Hehaddiscardedhisrippedshirtbynow,andworeonlyhispants.Itpainedmetoseeallthescarshestillhadfromthebulletshe’denduredbackinBrazilandVenezuela.Icouldevenseethedarkshadowofmanyofthembeneathhisskin.

CalebAchilles.Mybeautiful,brokenwarrior.Welayinsilenceforthenextfewminutesasbothofusbecameserious.We

justlaythere,staringintoeachother’seyes.Whenhefinallydidbreakthesilencewithahuskywhisper,itletlooseathousandbutterfliesinmystomach.

“You’rebeautiful,RoseNovak.”IfonlyAnnorawouldjustvanish,Icouldhappilyspendthenextfewyears

aloneonthisislandwithCaleb.

I

CH A P T E R 1 9 : A N NO R A

climbedupontotheedgeoftheoldcrackedwell,staringdownintothestarryblackabyss.Iwasalmostsuckeddowninstantly.Drawingadeepbreath,Ileapedintothegate.

ItwistedandturnedinthevoidasIrusheddownwardatwhatfeltlikethespeedoflight.Ibarelyhadtimetobenervousatwhatmightbewaitingformeontheotherside.Whichwasagoodthing.Icouldn’taffordforthemtodetectapprehensioninme.

IbracedmyselfasIdetectedthelightattheendofthetunnel.Placingmyhandsovermychesttocovermyself,Ifinallyshotoutofthetunnel,landinginaheap.IscrambledtomyfeetassoonasIcould,adjustingtheleavesaroundmywaisttocoverasmuchofmeaspossibleandbunchingmyhairovermychest.

Itookinmysurroundings.Iwasstandingonalong,widebeach.Oceanstretchedoutinfrontofmeforasfarastheeyecouldsee.Behindmewasatoweringstonewall.Behindit,Icouldmakeoutthepeaksofthemassiveblackmountainrangesthatthisrealmwasfamousfor.Myeyestraveledalongthewall,andrestedonagiantirongate,spikedwithhumanskulls.

Idrewinadeepbreath.IhadonlybeentotherealmoftheogresoncebeforeanditwasamemoryIwouldnoteasilyforget.I’dgonewithIsolde,toaccompanyheronanegotiation.Theblackwitcheswouldsupplyogreswithhumansinexchangefortheirownkind’sblood,whichwastheingredientofmanyritualswecarriedout,alongwithsomeotherfavors.

AlthoughI’dknownaboutthistradebetweentheogresandthewitchesforalongtime,IhadneverbeendirectlypartofitsincethatmeetingandIhadn’tknownexactlywherethegatetotheogres’realmwaslocatedonearth.ItwassuchluckthatCalebhadledusallrighttotheirprimarypointoftrade.

Irealizedwithashudderthatitwaslikelysomeblackwitcheshadalsobeenpresentthatnightweheardthescreams,tocarryouttheexchangethroughthegate.

Brushingthesandoffmybody,Itriedtogetmythoughtsinorder.Iknewthekingandqueenofthisislandwouldrecognizemefromallthoseyearsago.AndifIplayedmycardsright,theywouldhavenoreasontosuspectIwaswithoutmagicnow.Ogresbothfearedandreveredblackwitches.IwouldhavetoplayonthisknowledgeifIwastogetwhatIwanted.Iknewhowdangerousitwastoinvoketheorderoftheblackwitchesfraudulently.Butrightnow,thevisionofRoseandCalebembracingacrossthelakestillfreshinmymind,Iwaswillingtorisktheconsequences.IwasintroublewiththeblackwitchesanywayiftheyfoundoutaboutmyhelpingRoseandCalebescapeJulisseandArielle.Onemorenotchonmyreputationwouldn’tmakeawholelotofdifferencetothepunishmentIwouldundergoshouldtheyevercatchme.

Isnappedmyselfbacktoreality.Iwasstandingheretopless,withnothingbutabreakingwreathofleavesaroundmywaist.Ihadtosomehowmakemyselfpresentablebeforeenteringtheogres’kingdom…

Iscannedtheshorelineoncemoreandnoticedaclusterofsmallboatsinthedistance.IranuptothemasfastasIcouldandpeeredintothefirstone.Itwasempty.Aswerethesecondandthirdboats.WhenIclimbedaboardthefourthboat—abouttwicethesizeofthepreviousthree—IfinallyfoundsomethingIcouldworkwith.Alargeblackcloak—belongingtoanogrenodoubt—restedoverthebackofachair.Itwassoheavymyarmmusclesfeltstrainedjustpickingitupandsolongitdraggedalongthefloorbehindme.

Iwalkedtothecabinatthefrontoftheship,rummagingaroundinalargechestafewfeetawayfromthegiantwheel.Ifoundanarrayofweapons—daggers,swords,axes…IpickedupthesharpestdaggerIcouldfind.Layingthecloakdownontheground,Iusedtheknifetoshortenittomyheight.

Ipulleditoverme.Althoughitlookedbaggyaroundmychest,thiswouldhavetodofornow.ItriedtotidyupthehemssothatitlookedlessobviousthatI’djustcutitwithacrudeknife.ButthenIhadnomoretimetospendonthis.

Ithrewtheexcessclothovertheedgeoftheboatintothesea,replacedthedaggerinthechestandthenleftthevessel.Iracedbacktowardthewall,myeyesfixedonthenightmarishirongates.

Thegatesofhell,theywereoftencalled.For,asthesayingwent:Hewhoventuresindoesn’tventureout.

MybreathingquickenedasIreachedthegates.WhatIwasabouttodowouldbesuicidalifanyoftheogresfoundout,orsomehowknewalready,thatIwasaroguewitch.TheirbeliefthatIwasstillwiththeblackwitcheswouldbetheonlythingkeepingthemfromfryingmyinsidesfordinner.

Itriedtotamemylonghairabit,brushingthroughitwithmyhandsandwindingitintoatightbunatthetopofmyhead.ThenIduckeddownand,pickinguparock,slammeditagainsttheironthreetimes.Theeeriesoundoftheechoingmetalsentshiversrunningdownmyspine.

MymouthdriedoutasIwaited,mystomachchurning.Iprayedthattheroyalswouldremembermefrommyvisitbefore.IhopedI

didn’tlooktoodifferentnowthatIwasahuman.Myheartleaptintomythroatastheclankofaboltbeingdrawnbroke

throughthesilence.ThegatescreakedopenslowlyuntilIstoodfacetofacewithabulgingogrewholookedalmostfivetimesmysize.Hisbrightyelloweyesglintedashestaredatme,frowning.

Ispokebeforehecouldcometotoomanyassumptionsofhisownaboutmypresence.

“MynameisAnnora.IamoncommissionherefromRhysandIsolde.InserviceoftheorderofourAncients,IamheretoseeHisandHerHighnesses.”

HiseyeswidenedthemomentImentionedRhysandIsolde.Hegrunted,beckoningmeforward.WhileogresgenerallydespisedthewitchesofTheSanctuary,mentionoftheorderoftheblackwitcheswasenoughtoinvokereverenceandfearinthisguard.

Ienteredthroughthegates,buryingmyhandswithintherobetohidethe

waytheywereshaking.“TheirHighnessesusuallyrestatthistime,afterlunch.ButIwillseeif

Anselmisawake,”theogreboomedintomyear.Anselm.Irackedmybraintorememberwhohewas.Ofcourse,Icouldn’t

ask.Ineededtoappearasknowledgeableabouttheseogresaspossible.SoInodded,despitethefactthatIhadnoideawhatIwasabouttowalkinto.

“MayIcarryyou,witch?Itwillbefaster.”Eyeingthegrotesqueogre,Inodded.“Youmay.”“Or,ofcourse,youcouldsimplymagicusinside,ifyouarefamiliarwiththe

castle.”“Iamnotsofamiliarwiththeexactlocation,”Isaid.“It’sbetterifyoucarry

me.”“Asyouwish,”hemumbled.Hereacheddownhishandandlaiditflatonthefloorlikeastep.Istepped

ontoit,andheliftedmeuptoleanagainsthisshoulderashebeganthunderingforward.Myheartpoundedinmychestashespeduptoanevenfasterpace.Ihopedhewouldn’twonderwhyIwasbarefoot.IwouldtrytohidemyfeetwiththehemofmycloakwhenIwaspresentedbeforethisAnselm,whoeverhewas.

Wetraveledalongadirtpath,linedeithersidebygnarledblacktrees,whichledintoaclearingfilledwithtombstones.Theroyalgraveyard.Irememberedpassingbythisbefore.Thefootofamountainlayupahead.Therewasamassivewoodendooratitsbase.Theogredrewkeysfromhispocketandpushedthedoorsopen.Chillyaircreptdownmyneckasheenteredthebaseofthemountainandlockedthedoorsbehindus.

Wepassedthroughonecavernoushallafteranother.Thewallswerelinedwithlong,bloodredanddeeporangetapestriesdepictingvariouspastimesoftheirancestorsofold.Mostlyinvolvingconsumptionofhumanflesh.

Iwasbeginningtolosetrackofhowmanychamberswehadtraveledthroughwhentheogrefinallystoppedandsetmedownontheground.

“Pleasewaithere.”Turninghisbackonme,hewalkeduptoadoortoourrightandknocked.It

swungopenafterseveralseconds.Icouldn’tseewhowasbehindthedoor

becausetheguard’simposingformwasblockingmyview.“Youhaveavisitor.Ablackwitch.HernameisAnnora.”Therewasapausebeforeadeepmalevoicesaid,“Showherin.”Theguardsteppedasidetorevealatallfigure,hisfacecastinshadow.I

steppedintoagrandhigh-ceilingedhallwhosewallswerecoveredwithrichvelvettapestries.NowthatAnselmhadturnedaround,inthelightofthetorches,IwasbetterabletomakeouthisfaceandIimmediatelyrealizedwhohewas.Hewasalmostasplittingimageofhisfather.Hewastheprinceofthiskingdom.

Ashewasroyalty,hisfeaturesandphysiquewereverydifferentfromanyusualogre’s.Hisframewastall,muscularbutslender.Whilehehadbrownleatheryskin,hisfacialfeaturesweremorehumanoid.Hisnosewasthinandstraight,hisjawlinesharp,andhehadnotusks.HehadaregalappearanceandIfoundhimalmosthandsome.

“Annora.”Hebowedhishead,reachingoutastronghand.“Apleasuretomeetyou.”

Ishookhishand.“Comesit.”Ifollowedhimtotheendofthehallwheretherewasalongtableandhigh-

backed,cushionedchairs.Hedrewoneupformeandtookaseatoppositeme.Hereachedforajugofbloodandfilledtwogoblets.

NowthatIwasahuman,theideaofdrinkingbloodwasvile.Iwasn’tevensurewhattypeofbloodthiswas—human,Isuspected,sincethatwasafavoriteoftheroyals’.Icouldn’tmakehimsuspectanythingwasdifferentaboutme,soItookapolitesipofthecoolliquidbeforesettingthegobletbackonthetable.

“Whatbringsyouhere?”Heflashedmeacharmingsmile,revealingasetofsurprisinglywhiteteeth.

“Onbehalfofmyfellowwitches,andtothankyouforyourloyaltyalltheseyears,Ihavecometoofferararegifttoyourmajesties.Ahumangirlwhosebloodisoneofakind.Itwilltasteunlikeanythingyou’vehadbefore.”

Anselmlookedatmeexpectantly.“Well,whereisshe?”“Sheisinthehumanrealm,waitingforyouontheislandweusetotrade.

Notfarfromtheothersideofthegate.”

Hefrowned.“Whydidn’tyoubringherwithyounow?”Igavehimagracioussmile.“Well,yousee,thisyoungwomanreallyisquite

abeauty.Ifyouhaveroominyourharem,beforeyoutasteher,Iwasthinkingshewouldmakeanexquisiteaddition.”

Hesmirked.“MyfatherandIalwayshaveroominourharem.”Ichuckled.“Ithoughtasmuch.ThenyoucanunderstandwhyIwantedto

leavecapturinghertoyou.Iknowyouroyalsenjoythechase…”Helickedhislips,hisdeeporangeeyesgleaming.“Indeedwedo.”

A

CH A P T E R 2 0 : R O S E

nnorastillhadn’tshownupbythetimenightfell.Althoughwe’dstayedaroundbasecampincaseshereturned,webothwantedtotakeabathbeforesleeping.Weclimbeddownthetreeandwalkedtotheedgeofthelake.

MymouthfellopenasCalebdroppedhispantsonthegrass.Hedoveinandresurfacedinthewater,flickinghishairbackandlookingupatme.Hecockedhisheadtooneside.

“Whatareyouwaitingfor?”Apparentlytooimpatienttowaitformyanswer,heclimbedoutontothe

bankandstoodup.Mycheeksablaze,Ikeptmyeyesfixedonhisfaceasheapproachedme.Hefingeredmybrastraps.

“Thisthingisfilthy,”hesaid,lookingitoverdisapprovingly.BeforeIcouldrespond,hereachedaroundmybackandunclaspedmybra.

He’dalreadyseenwhatIlookedlikeontheboat,butIstillfoundmyselfblushingashiseyesroamedme.Therewasawarmthinhiseyesashesmiledatmybashfulness.Hecaughtmyhand,pullingmetowardthewater.Scoopingmeupinhisarms,heleapt,submergingbothofusinthecoolwater.

Iresurfaced,gaspingforbreath.Sincemypantieswerehalfoffalreadyfromthecontactwiththewater,Ijustdiscardedthemcompletelytoo.Ithrewthemonthebanknearmybra.

Calebresurfacedafootawayfromme,reachingoutandpullingmeagainsthim.Ishiveredashispalmsbeganrunningupanddownagainstmyskin,

scrubbingmelikeasponge.Hebreatheddeeplyintomyneck.“Youalwayssmellgoodtome,”hewhispered.Icouldn’thelpbutgiggleatthat.“WouldIstillsmellgoodifAnnora

droppedapileofbirdpooponme?”Helaughed,andIonceagainfoundmyselflookingupintohisgorgeous

browneyes.Theysparkledastheyreflectedthemoonlighthittingthewater.“Iguessedthatwasyou,”hemuttered,lookingatmewithmockdisdain.Iconsideredpointingoutthatthecrapandthespiderwerebothalight

punishmentconsideringshe’dtriedtoburnmealiveinthesubmarine.ButIwasintoogoodamoodtobringupthattraumaticincident.

Itwistedaroundandbegantorunmyhandsalonghismusculararmsandshoulders,takingmyturntowashhim.Iswamtowardthebankandgrabbedahandfulofcleangrass.Bunchingitup,Iusedittoscrubhisskin.Itwasmoreeffectivethanmypalms,whichweren’troughlikeCaleb’s.Imovedroundtohissculptedback.Whenhefeltmeslowingdownaroundtheareashehadbulletsembedded,hesaid,“It’sokay.Thosepartsarenumb.Theydon’thurt.”

OnceI’dfinishedmakingmywayaroundhisbody,Iletgoofthegrass.“Thankyou,Princess,”hewhispered,gatheringmetohimandclaimingmy

lips.“A-Anytime,”Irepliedbreathlessly.Mybodyrespondingtohistouch,Ishiveredagain.Mistakingmypleasure

forcoldness,hespedforwardandcarriedmeoutofthewater,backontothebank.

Thatwasthethingwithvampires—therewasbarelyasecondtoobjectbetweenthetimetheymadeadecisionandthetimetheyexecutedit.

Still,withimagesofspendingthenightwithCalebinhisbunkfloatingaroundinmyhead,Ididn’tmindtoomuchleavingthewatersosoon.

Gatheringupmydirtyunderwear,Ibentoverthewaterandscrubbedthemcleanbeforelayingthemoutonastonetodry.

IdriedmyselfwiththeshawlCalebhadfoundearlier.IturnedaroundtoseeCalebrippingoffleavesfromaclusterofbushesnearby.Iwalkedovertohim,eyeinghimquestioningly.He’dfoundtherippedpairofpantsI’ddiscardedon

thebankthedaybeforeand,removingtheelasticfromthewaist,begantostringitthroughthebroadleavestoformaskirt.

Iwatchedwithfascinationashisnimblefingerscompletedthegarment.Helookedupatme,beckoningmecloser.HetuggedawaytheshawlIwasholdingaroundmybodyandwrappedtheskirtaroundmywaistbeforeknottingtheelasticattheside.

Iwasimpressed.Itwaslongenoughtomakemefeelcomfortablewearingit,butnotsolongastogetintheway.TheleaveswerealsosofterthanI’dimaginedtheywouldbe.Theyfeltalmostvelvetyagainstmyskin.

Usingthepieceofelastichehadleftover,hebeganstringingitthroughtwomorebroadleaves.Thenhestoodup,kissingmedeeplyashereachedaroundmeandadornedmychestwiththebikini.

“Wow,”Isaid,eyeingthecompleteresultonceI’drecoveredfromhiskiss.Ilookedathim.“Andwhataboutyou?”

Icouldseehe’dbeensoabsorbedinthinkingaboutmyownmodestythathehadn’tyetstoppedtoconsiderhis.

Hecasthiseyesaroundthebank,anamusedlookonhisface.“Doyouthinkaskirtwouldsuitme?”

Ilaughed.“Um.Probablynot.”Hefurrowedhisbrows.“ThenwhatdoyousuggestIwearuntilmyown

pantsdry?”Stillgiggling,Ipickedupmytornpants.Therewasnoelasticleftinthem,

butwecouldusethefabrictostringsomethingtogether…Ipickedsomemoreofthevelvetyleaveshe’dusedformybikini.

“Canyouripthreelongstripsoffthefabricwithyournails?”HedidasI’drequestedandhandedthemtome.Myskillsweren’tas

impressiveashis,butafterafewminutesI’dmanagedtofashionhimsomethinghalfdecent.

Iheldituptohim.“Howaboutaloincloth?”Hegrimacedashetookitfrommeandfasteneditaroundhiswaist.“Sexy,”Isaid,gigglingashefinishedputtingiton.

Herolledhiseyes.“Howdoesitfeel?”Iasked.“Stupid.”Ilaughedharder.Atleastitwasbetterthanaskirt.Pickinguphisownpants,hewalkedovertothewaterandwashedthem,

layingthemouttodryonastonenearwhereI’dleftmyunderwear.Then,bendingdownsoIcouldgetontohisback,hecarriedmebacktothe

footofourtreeandclimbedwithmeuptohisbed.Iclimbedupfirst,crawlingtotheedgetomakeroomforhim.Hewasabout

tofollowwhentheinevitablefinallyhappened.Annorareturned.Caleb’sandmyeyesshotdownwardasweheardthecreakingofabranch.I

groanedinternallyasherdarkheadapproachedcloserandcloseruntilshehadreachedourlevel.Sinceshe’dfoundmeabouttoclimbintoCaleb’sbed,Iexpectedhertothrowmeadeepscowl.Shedidn’t.Shebarelyevenlookedateitherofusashereyesfixedonherclaspedhands.

Calebslippedoffhisbunkandstoodup,staringdownather.“Wherewereyou?”

Hervoicewasdeepandcrackedassheresponded.“Ithoughtweneededatimeout…Ineededsomespacetothinkaboutthings.”

CalebandIexchangedglances.Helookedasconfusedasme.“Whatdoyoumean?”heasked.Annorasigheddeeplybeforefinallyraisinghereyestohis.“I’vebeenthinkingaboutyou,aboutme…aboutRose.First,Ineedto

apologizetoyou,Rose.”Hergazefellonme.“Iwastheonewhosetthesubmarineonfire.”

Igapedather.Calebexhaledsharply.Whywouldsheadmittothat?“IwassoblindwithjealousyseeingtheaffectionCalebheldforyou.I

wasn’tthinkingstraight.I’mnotsurethatyou’lleverforgiveme,butI’msorry.”Sheleanedbackagainstatree,clutchingherleftarm.CalebandIremained

speechless.“It’snotfairthatIresenteitherofyou.IneglectedCalebformany,manyyears.Ican’tjustexpectthingstobethesameastheywere.”Hervoice

trembled,andIthoughtshewasabouttobreakdown,butsheswallowedhardandcontinued.“I’mgoingtostepback.”

Icouldbarelybelievemyeyesasshegrippedtheengagementringonherfinger,pulleditoffandhandedittoCaleb.Shehadtearsinhereyesasshelookedathim,herchestheaving.“It’sbetteryouhavethisback.”Shereachedforhishandandclosedhisfingersoverthering.

Thensheturnedtomeagain,placingahandonmyshoulder.“Iwon’tgetinyourwayagain.AndI’msorryforalltheharshwordsIspoketoyouearlier.Youdidn’tdeservethem.IjustneededthetimeIspentaparttoclearmybrainandthinkthingsthrough.AndasIdid,IrealizedIfeltlikeamonsterformybehavior…Soagain,I’msorry.Iwishthetwoofyouhappiness.I’llnolongerbeinyourway.Isupposewe’llhavetotrytofindawaytogetoffthisisland.Whenwedo,youcandropmeoffsomewhereandI’ll…I’lltrytostartanewlifeawayfromallthissupernaturalcraziness.Perhaps,inafewyears,I’llmeetanewsweetheartofmyown.”

Caleb’smouthopenedandclosed,butnowordscameout.IwassureIlookedlikeadrowningfishtooasItriedtounderstandwhatgameshewasplayingwithusnow.Itfeltlikeshe’djusthadapersonalitytransplant.Orbeenpossessed.

EventuallyitwasCalebwhomanagedtobreakthesilence.“Annora,I…I’mgladyou’vecometothisconclusionbyyourself.”Hepaused,eyeinghersteadily.“BecauseIcan’tlie.Whatwehadisgone.Itdiedovertheyearswespenttogetherinthatfrozencastle…Idon’tloveyouanymore.”

Herjawtwitched,tearslookingdangerouslyclosetofalling.Iexpectedtoseeatleastsomehintofjealousyorangertowardme.ButIsawnothingbutsadnessandregret.

Hegrippedhershoulder.“Oncewemanagetogetoffthisisland,we’lltakeyoutothenearestshoreandfindyousomewheretostay.Ahostel,ashelterforthehomeless.Youcanstartyourlifeoverandstayoutoftrouble.”

Shenodded,thenturnedawayandbeganclimbingbackdowntoherbunk.IstaredattheringinCaleb’shands,dumbstruck.WhileeverypartofmewantedtobelievethatAnnorahadchanged,

somehow,Ijustcouldnotbelieveit.Ididn’tknowwhatgameshewasplaying,whatthisnewchangeoftackwas,butIdidn’tlikeit.

Itwassomehowmoreunsettlingthanwhenshehadchallengedmeoutright.

E

CH A P T E R 2 1 : A I D E N

venthoughwestillhadn’tmanagedtolocatethebodiesofCarolineandThomas,weheldajointceremonyforthemalongwithYasmine.Yasmine’sparentswereinconsolable.DerekandSofiadidalltheycouldtoapologize—butwhatwerewordsinthefaceofthelossofone’schild?ThedeathofCarolineandThomas,andnowthedeathofYasmine,allwithinsuchashortperiod,sentshockwavesthroughoutthecommunityofhumans.

I’dnoticedhumanskeepingtothemselvesmoreandeyeingvampireswarilyastheypassedby.Itseemedthey’ddevelopedadistrustofallsupernaturalcreatures.ThiswassomethingthatusedtohappenintheolddaysofTheShade,beforehumansweremadeequal.Toseeusregressingtowardsuchastateofdistrustinsuchashortspaceoftimewasdisturbing.

IlookedaroundthemoonlitcourtyardoutsidetheSanctuarywherewehadgatheredfortheceremony.Thecrowdofvampiresseemedthinnerthanitshouldhavebeen.Someofthemostfamiliarfaceswereabsent.Therewerealargenumberofhumansattending—albeitstickingtoonecorner.Therewerealsowerewolves,witches,andBrett,whowaswearinganewwaistcoatfortheoccasion.

DerekandSofiastoodoppositeme,nexttoKyleandAnna.InotedMona,Kiev,ErikandSairastandinginfrontofme.MatteoandHelinawereafewfeetbehind.Vivienne,Xavier,CorrineandIbrahimweremissing,ofcourse,andEliwasstillrecoveringfromtheinjuryI’dcaused,beingnursedbyAdelle.I

wonderedifthatwaswhyitlookedemptier…No.AsIlookedaround,Irealizedthatsixofourkeycouncilmembersweremissing:ClaudiaandYuri;LandisandAshley;GavinandZinnia.Ascouncilmembers,theyofallpeopleshouldhavebeenpresent.

AsYasminewasloweredintoagravebyherparentsandtheceremonycametoaclose,thecrowdsbegantodisperse.IwalkeduptoDerekandSofia,bothlookingfarpalerthanevenvampiresshould.Sofiahadtearstainsdownhercheeksandhereyeswereredfromcrying.

Iwasn’tsureiftherewasanythingIcouldsaythatcouldconsoleher.SoIdidn’tbringupthesubjectofYasmine.InsteadIaskedthequestionthathadbeennaggingme.

“Whyweresomanyvampiresmissing?”Iasked.Sofialookedsoanxious,Iwouldn’thavebeensurprisedifshe’dbarely

noticed.Derek,however,sharedmyconcern.“It’soddthattheywouldallbemissingatonce,”hesaid.“Leaveittome,”Ireplied,pullingmycloakcloseragainstme.“I’ll

investigate.”Theyhadenoughontheirplatealready.ThiswastheleastIcoulddotohelp.SinceGavinandZinnia’shomewasnearesttotheSanctuary,Idecidedto

stopbytherefirst.Ileaptuptotheirtreehouseandknockedthreetimesonthedoor.

Aginger-hairedlad,Rose’sbestfriend,Griffin,answeredthedoor.Worrymarredhisfaceandhecouldbarelyfinditinhimselftosmileatme.

Heraisedabrow.“Aiden?”“Whereareyourparents?”Hedrewasharpbreath.“They’rehere.Lockedthemselvesineithersideof

theapartment.”“Whyweren’ttheyatthefuneral?”Hegrimaced.“They…they’vehadafight.”“Oh.I…I’msorrytohearthat…Now’snotagoodtimethen.”Griffinshookhisheadgrimly.Iretreatedandallowedhimtoclosethedoor.

GavinandZinniawereknowntohavetheirdisagreements.ButfromthelookonGriffin’sface,Isensedthatthiswasworsethanusual.

IdescendedthetreeandcontinuedthroughtheforestuntilIreachedmynextstop—LandisandAshley’stree.IstoppeddeadinmytracksasIreachedtheveranda.Ashleywassittingonthefloor,leaningagainstthewall,sobbingintoatissue.

Ifeltawkwardencroachingonherduringsuchaprivatemoment.ButshenoticedmebeforeIcouldretreat,soIfoundmyselfwalkingoverandkneelingdownonthefloornexttoher.

Iplacedahandonhershoulderasshesobbedevenharder.“Ashley,what’swrong?”“Landis…he…he’scheatingonme.”“What?”“Isawhimwithoneofthehumangirls.”IwasstunnedspeechlessasIstaredather.“Ashley,areyousure?”Shenoddedvigorously.“Imean,areyouonehundredpercentpositive?YoudefinitelysawLandis?

Areyousureitcouldn’thavebeensomeoneelse?”“Ihavefreakingvampirevision,Aiden.IknowwhatIsaw.Itwashim.”Her

sobbingbecameharderandshestoodupabruptly,runningbackintoherapartmentandslammingthedoorbehindher.

Whatisgoingon?AsIdescendedthetreehouseandmademywaytowardthefinalcouple,

trepidationateawayatmethinkingwhatImightwitnessthere.Ididn’tknowthatIcouldstandseeingClaudiaandYurifight.I’dgrowntoofondofthemboth.

AsIreachedtheirtreehouseandbeganascending,Icouldalreadyhearanargumentboilingup,theangryvoiceofYuridriftingthroughthekitchenwindow.Ididn’tneedtoenterthehometohearwhatitwasabout.

Istoppedoutsidethekitchenwindowandstaredthroughit.YuriandClaudiawerestandingatoppositeendsoftheroom.TearsstreameddownClaudia’sfaceasYurishoutedherdown.

“Itoldyoualready,Ididn’t,”Claudiacried.“Iwouldnever,Yuri.Iswear—”“Stoplying.Juststopit,”Yuribulldozedoverher.“Whatdoyoutakeme

for?Amoron?Ithoughtatleastthatmuchhadchangedwhenyoumarriedme.NowIseethatIwaswrong.”

Icouldn’tbelievesuchharshwordswerecomingfromYuri’smouth.Heneverspoketoherinthisway.Itwassounlikehim.

Althoughitwasnoneofmybusiness,Icouldn’tstandwatchingmybestfriendcrushhiswifelikethis.Ihurriedtothefrontdoorandpoundedmyfistsagainstit.

“Openup,”Iyelled.Thedoorswungopen,Yuristandingthere,hischestheavingasheglaredat

me.“Whatdoyouwant?”hespat.Grippinghiscollar,Iforcedhimback,awayfromthedoorway,andbarged

intotheirapartment.Ipushedhimagainstthewall,pinninghimtherebyhiscollar.

“StopaccusingClaudiaofwhateveritisyouthinkshe’sdone,”Igrowled.Yuri’seyesnarrowedonmeashestruggledagainstmygrip.Iheldhimthere

fast.“Getoffme!”“Notuntilyoulistentome.”Hekneedmeinthestomach,looseningmygriponhimenoughforhimto

scrambleawayfromme.Herushedforthefrontdoor,butIgottherebeforehim,slammingitshutbeforehecouldexit.Heexhaledinfrustration,wipingsweatfromhisbrowwiththebackofhishand.

“Listentome,goddamnit!”Ihissed.“Youneedtostopyellingatyourwifebeforeyousorelyregretit.Somethingstrangeisgoingonaroundthisisland—”

BeforeIcouldfinishmysentence,Yurilurchedforoneofthetallwindowseithersideofthefrontdoorandsmashedthroughit.Shardsofglassfelleverywhere.Itriedtochaseafterhim,butheslammedtheelevatorshutbeforeIcouldreachit.Iglaredathimashedescendedtotheground.

IwalkedbackintotheapartmenttowardthekitchenwhereClaudiawas

slumpedinachair,stillsobbinguncontrollably.AsIputanarmaroundher,tryingtocomforther,Icouldn’thelpbutwonder.

Who’snext?

D

CH A P T E R 2 2 : S O F I A

erekandIwereinourkitchen,abouttopourourselvesaglassortwoofbloodfordinnerwhenIheardourelevatorcreaking.IlookedoutofthewindowtoseeAbbyhurryingtowardourfrontdoor.Ileftthekitchenandopeneditbeforeshehadachancetoknock.

Herpalmsweresweatyassheclutchedmyhandsandpulledmeoutofthepenthouse.

“What’swrong,Abby?”“There’sbeenanotherone,”shepanted.“Anotherwhat?”Derekhadappearedatthedoorbehindus.“Akilling.”Myheartsanktomystomach.“Who?Where?”Derekdemanded.Hisfacewasstonyashegrabbedhis

cloakandlockedthefrontdoorbehindus.“Just…justcome.”Derekhadnopatienceforelevators,andneitherdidI.Thethreeofus

jumpedoffthebalconyintoanearbytreeandleaptfrombranchtobranchdowntotheground.AbbyledusawayfromtheResidences,towardtheVale.Aswebeganwindingthroughthestreetstowardthetownsquare,Iprayedthatitwasn’tAnnaandKylethistime.Whateverpredatorthiswashadstruckjustnextdoortothemlasttime.

IwasrelievedwhenAbbyledusstraightpasttheirhouse.Wespeddown

severalmorestreetsbeforefinallystoppinginacul-de-sac.Shepointedtoahouseattheendofitwhereacrowdhadgathered.

ThecrowdpartedforDerekandmeassoonastheynoticedus.Ilookedaroundatthehumansaswepassed.Theirfacesweregrim,theireyesfilledwithpanic.

Weenteredthehouse,passingbymorehumansinthecorridorandonthestaircase.IheldmybreathasDerekandIenteredthebedroomatthetopofthestairs.

Itwasascenethatbelongedinahorrormovie,muchlikethelastincident.Clearly,thiswasthesamepredator.Thesheetsweresoakedwithbloodandfragmentsoforgansweresprayedabouttheroom.Asmuchasbloodwasdelicioustome,evenIfoundmyselfretchingatthissight.

Again,therewerenobodies.DerekandIscannedtheroomandtheensuitebathroom.Derekturnedto

Abby,whohadfollowedusupstairs.“Thewholehousehasbeensearchedforremains?”heasked.Shenodded,swallowinghard.“Whatyouseeinthisroomisallwe’ve

found.”MyhusbandandIstaredateachother.“Howcouldtherebenoskeletonatleast?”Ibreathed.Heclenchedhisjaw.“Eitherthispredatorisswallowingthemwhole,orwe

aren’tlookinghardenoughfortheremains.”“Thenweneedtodoubleoureffortsinsearchingthisisland,”Isaid.Dereknodded,runningahandthroughhishairashetookintheghastlysight

oncemorebeforeheadingtowardtheexit.“Andfromthismomenton,avampiremustbeappointedtoguardeachhumanresidence,”hesaidwhilewedescendedthestairs.“Nohumanhomecanbeleftunprotecteduntilwegettothebottomofthis.”

Aswewalkedoutthefrontdoor,backontothestreet,thecrowdassaileduswithquestionafterquestion.Dereklookedinmydirection.Inodded,indicatingthatheshouldleavetomakeemergencyarrangementswhileIremainedtotrytopacifyourpeople.

Ilookedaroundatalltheterrifiedandconfusedfaces.Ididmybesttoanswertheirquestions.Mostofall,theyjustwantedtobereassuredthattheirchildrenwouldbeabletosleepsafelyatnight.

“Derekhasjustlefttomakesurethisplaceisswarmingwithvampireguards.Theywillcampouthereandwillnotleaveuntilwehavefoundthekiller.”

“Butwhatifit’savampirewho’sthekiller?”ahigh-pitchedvoicecalledout.Ilookedtowardthesourceofthevoice,ayoungboywithjet-blackhair.Cal

washisname,ifIrememberedcorrectly.TheyoungestoftheAndersonfamily.Iwalkeduptohimandplacedahandonhisshoulder,bendingdowntohislevelsoIcouldlookhimintheeye.

“Noguardhastouchedahumanonthisislandforalmosttwentyyears,honey.Doyoureallythinkthatoneofthemwouldhavedonethis?”

Heshrugged.Ilookedaroundatthecrowdagain.Everyonesurroundingmewasalso

lookingatmequestioningly.Itshockedmethatthisdoubtcouldhaveenteredsoquicklyintotheirheartsafterwe’dlivedtogetherinharmonyonthisislandforsomanyyears.

“Whatifit’sShadow?”ahigh-schoolstudentnamedEmilyasked.“AdellehasalreadyconfirmedthathewaslockedupinEli’sapartment

duringthetimeofthefirstattack.Andbothoftheseattackswereclearlycarriedoutbythesamekiller.Besides,ShadowhasbeentrainedbyElitobeofnoharmtohumans.Liketheothervampires,hehasn’ttouchedahumaninrecenthistory.”

“Whatifit’sawerewolf?”Hector,anelderlyman,spokeup.“Wouldyousentenceittodeathorbanishitfromtheisland?”

It.Iwincedatthewayhereferredournewresidents.IlookedHectorrightintheeye.“Whoeveritis—werewolf,vampire,or

somethingelse—willbethrownofftheisland,nevertoreturn.”ThewerewolvesweredeartoMona,butifonewasproventobeakillerI

wassurethatevenshewouldagreethatheoughttobeexpelled.“WillBenjaminbethrownoutformurderingYasminethen?”Myeyesshottowardthethirty-somethingbrunettetomyleft,dressedin

black.Angelica,Yasmine’saunt.Myvoicecaughtinmythroat.Severalawkwardmomentsofsilencepassed

beforeIfoundmyvoiceagain.“Angelica,theincidentwithYasminewasatragicaccident,”Isaid,fighting

tokeepmyvoicesteady.“Asyouknow,BenjaminhadjustcometoafterbeingturnedandYasmineshoweduprightonhisdoorstep—”

“SoyoublameYasmine?”Istaredather,horrifiedatthewayshewastwistingmywords.“That’snot

whatIsaid.Isaidthatitwasanaccident.Yasminewasexcitedtoseemyson,whowasnotincontrolofhimself.ThedeathsofCarolineandThomas,andnowLucindaandIzmael,areclearlyinaleagueoftheirown.Theywerenoaccident.Theywerecold-bloodedmurders.”

“SoifBenwasindeedfoundtoberesponsibleforCaroline,Thomas,LucindaandIzmael’sdeaths,youwouldclassifyhimasacold-bloodedmurderer?”Angelicashotback.Shelookedaroundatthecrowd.“Rememberourqueen’swords,people.Wehavethisfromherownmouth.”

“Mysondidnotkillthem,”Isaidthroughgrittedteeth.Angelicalookedlikeshewasabouttothrowanotherbitterretort,but,

apparentlysatisfiedthatshe’ddoneenoughdamage,shepursedherlipsandbeganwalkingintheoppositedirection.

“Whenwilltheguardsarrive?”Hectoraskedafterapause.“Withinhalfanhour,”Ireplied,relievedforthechangeofsubject.“My

husbandisseeingtoitaswespeak.”Thecrowdmumbledamongthemselvesandafteransweringtherestoftheir

questions,Itookmyleave.AsIexitedtheVale,mymouthwasdry.TheencounterwithAngelicahad

shakenme,andIstillhadn’trecoveredfromit.Bencouldn’thavedonethis…couldhe?Istoppedinmytracks,shockedtorealizethatherwordshadinstilledeven

theslightestbitofdoubtinmeaboutmyson.Ifevenhisownmothercan’thavecompleteconvictioninhisinnocence,

wheredoesthatleaveTheShade’sprince?

Ishookthethoughtaway,tryingtodismissalldoubtthatitcouldhavebeenmyson.IhadalmostreachedtheResidenceswhenPatriciaappearedoutofthinairinfrontofme.

“We’vefoundthekiller.”Mymouthdroppedopen.“Who?”“Theogre.”

B

CH A P T E R 2 3 : S O F I A

rett?”Igasped,staringatPatriciaindisbelief.“Howwouldheevenfitinthosesmallhumanhouses?He’sfartoobig.Itwouldhavebeenimposs—”

“Theevidenceisquiteconclusive,”shesaid,lookingatmesternly.“Justcomewithme.”

Shetouchedmyshoulderandwevanished.Wereappearedafewsecondslater,standingonaflatboulderdirectlyoutsideBrett’scave.

Iwasshockedtoseethattherewasalreadyacrowdofhumanssurroundingthearea.HowtheyhadgottenwindofthisbeforeevenIhadwasbewildering.ThelastthingIwantedwaspeopletostartdoubtingBrettbeforeI’devenseentheevidence.

“Whyaretheresomanypeopleherealready?”Idemanded.Patricialookedaroundatthecrowdbeforeturningbacktome.“Thehumanshaven’tbeencontentwithleavingthesearchtothewitches.

Wewereintheprocessofscouringtheseawithinthebordersoftheislandwhenagroupofhumanscalledourattentiontothis…”

Grippingmyarm,shepulledmeovertowardagapintherocks,abouttenfeetaway.Ilookeddowntoseeamessofmangledlimbs.

“Fourbodies,allpiledupandsquashedintothesameplace,”Patriciasaid,grimacingasshelookedoverthecorpses.

“Theywerefoundinthisspotexactly?”“Yes,”shesaid,lookingbackatBrett’scave.“Lessthantenfeetawayfrom

“

theogre’shome.Thehumansrolledaboulderawayfromthemtogainabetterviewofthem,butotherthanthattheyhavenotbeentouched.Assumingthehumansaren’tlying,ofcourse.ButIdoubtthat.It’smoreintheirinterestthanourstofindthekiller.”

Myinsideswrithedtoseehowslashedandsquishedthecorpseswere.Theywereunrecognizable.Icouldbarelymakeoutthestartofonebodyandtheendofthenext.Icoveredmynosewiththesleeveofmyblouse,tryingtoblockouttherottingstench.

“AndwhereisBrettnow?”Iasked,castingmyeyestowardthedarkentranceofthecave.

“Sleeping.”Ilookedatthehumanssurroundingusagain.Theywereallstaringatus

expectantly.Fromthelooksontheirfaces,Iwassurethattheyfeltlikestormingtheogre’shomewithpitchforksalready.

“Patricia,”Isaid,turningmybackonthemtofaceheragain,“yousaidyouhadconclusiveevidence.Whereisit?”

Sheraisedabrowandnoddeddowntowardthebodies.Iexhaledimpatiently.“Thisisnotconclusiveevidence.Someonecouldhave

framedBrett,forallweknow.Besides,youstillhaven’tansweredhowhecouldhaveevengottentothosehumansinthefirstplace.”

Sheheavedasighandbitherlip,shrugging.“Well,it’sthemostconclusivewe’vefoundsofar.”

Ibrushedpastherandlookeddownonceagainatthemangledbodies.“Atleastwe’vefoundthecorpsesnow,”Imuttered.“Wehavetohopethat

theyarenottoomashedupforustoexamine.Butinthemeantime,nobodyistolayahandonBrett.Notunlessyouorsomeoneelsecanexplainhowhecouldhavefitthatelephantinebodyofhisintothosesmallhomes—”

BarelyhadIspokenthewordswhenagroanemanatedfromthecave.Iwhirledaroundandstaredinhorrorashumansclambereduptherocksandbeganrushinginside.

Iracedafterthemand,asInearedthebackofthecave,gaspedtoseethreehumansalreadycirclingBrett,brandishingdaggers.Theogrewasslumpedina

cornerofhisstrawbed,grumblingandburyinghisheadinhishands.ThissightaloneshouldhavebeenenoughtoconvinceanyonethatBrettwas

notakiller.Hecouldhavesmashedtheirskullsagainstthewallofthecavewithaknockofhisfist,butinstead,hechosetocowerinacorner.

ThehumansloweredtheirweaponsasIstoodinfrontoftheogreandgloweredatthem,buttheystilldidn’tputthemawayentirely.

“OnwhatauthorityhaveyoudisturbedBrett?”Idemanded.“Whatauthoritydoweneed,Sofia?”oneofthemenspat.“Didn’tyoujust

seethosebodiesoutsidehiscave?Hehasmorethanenoughstrengthtomanglethemintosuchapulp.”

“Youneedmyormyhusband’sauthoritytolayahandonanyresidentonthisisland,howeverguiltyyoumaydeemthemtobe,”Ishotback.“YouallknowthelawsofTheShade,andifyoudon’t,Isuggestyoulockyourselvesindoorsforadayandstudythemagaintorefreshyourmemory.”

“Sofia,ourlivesareindanger—”“Yes,butchasingdownthewrongpersonisn’tgoingtorelievethatdanger.

Thosebodiesoutsidehiscaveprovenothinguntilwe’veexaminedthem.”Thecrowdpartedasawerewolfboundedintothecave.Saira.Hereyes

blazedasshereachedmeandturnedtofaceoffthehumansalongsideme.“Backoff,people,”shegrowled.“Bretthasanalibi.Me.I’vebeenvisiting

everynightforthepasttwoweeksforbonfiresonthebeach.”AlthoughBretthardlyneededanalibi—forthereasonI’dalreadyexplained

toPatricianumeroustimes—itcouldonlyhelphiscasehavingone.Themenlookedliketheywantedtoproteststill—perhapsarguethatSaira

couldbeinonittoo,sinceshewasawerewolf—butwithbothSairaandIglaringatthem,theysheathedtheirweaponsandbackedoff.

“Gobacktoyourhomes,”Isaid,usheringthemalloutofthecave.“IfBrettreportsanyofyoucomingwithinamileofhiscave,youwillanswertoDerekNovakpersonally.”

Thatmadethempayattention.Theblooddrainedfromtheirfacesandtheyscurriedawaylikerats.

Isighed,lookingbackatSaira.

“Thankyoufordefendinghim,Sofia,”shesaid.“He’smoregentleasoulthananyofthosehumanscaneverhopetobe.”

“Iguessedasmuch,”Isaid.“Hehasaphobiaofviolence.Wouldn’tcrackaperson’sskullevenifyou

beggedhimto.”Shescowled,shootingalookbackatthequiveringogre.“Ishouldknow.Whenwefirstacceptedhimasamemberofourcrewbackinthesupernaturalrealm,wethoughthe’dbeusefulhelpingusdefendourship…Whatdidhedothefirsttimeathreatcamealong?Heabandonedhispostandwentsquealingbelowdeck.Thewholelotofusalmostlostourdamnlivesbecauseofit.Afterthat,wetrustedhimwithnothingbutcookingandcarving.”

Shesmiledfondly.Paddingovertotheogre,shenuzzledherheadagainsthisarm.Still,herefusedtoraisehishead.

“It’sokay,sweetie,”shesaid.“Youcanlookupnow.”Therewasapause.“Arethemeaniesgone?”hemumbled.Sairaheavedasigh,rollinghereyesatme.“Yes,themeaniesaregone.”“Theywon’tbotheryouagain,Brett,”Ireassuredhim,walkinguptohimtoo

andpattinghisheavyshoulder.SairaremainedwiththeogrewhileIbadegoodbyetobothofthemandleft

thecave.ItwastimeformetotouchbasewithDerek.PatriciawaswaitingoutsidetheentranceasIemerged,stillleaningoverthe

bodies.Shelookedupatmequestioningly.“TakethebodiestotheSanctuaryand,withthehelpoftheotherwitches,

startyourexamination.ReportbacktomeorDerekonceyou’vemadesomeprogress.”

Shenoddedand,sincesheappearedtohavenofurtherquestions,Itookmyleave.Iranacrosstheboulderstowardthebeachandbackintotheforest.TheeventsofthedayreplayedinmymindasItraveled.

Well,sofarallwe’vedoneisestablishwhoisnotthekiller.Butwhoonearthis?

D

CH A P T E R 2 4 : R O S E

espitemymisgivingsaboutAnnora’smotivations,shekepttruetoherwordandstayedoutofCaleb’sandmyway.Shebarelyexchangedawordwitheitherofusthenextday.Shewentwanderingoffintothejunglebyherself.

Calebseemedtohavehisdoubtstoo,buthewasactingasthoughhebelievedherwords.TheideaoffinallygettingridofAnnora,droppingheroffinsomehomelessshelter,leavingCalebandIfreetoreturntoTheShadeanddiscoverforourselvesifanythinghadreallyhappenedthereorifHermia’swordshadbeenalie,mademedesperatetofindawayoffthisisland.

IsatonCaleb’sbunk,lookingaroundatthethicktreessurroundingus.Thatwaswhenithitme.Caleb’stradeusedtobebuildingships.Hisfatherhadbeenashipyardowner.

“Whatifwebuiltaboat?”Calebcrossedhisarmsoverhischest,lookingaroundatthetrees.

“Absolutelyfromscratch,”hemuttered.“Withnotasingletool.I’veneverdoneanythinglikethatbefore.But…Iguesswe’venochoicebuttotry.”

“Maybetherewillbesomepartsofthesubmarinewecanstilluse?”Isaid.“Ifwegotothewreck,andyoudivedowndeep,maybeyoucanfindsometoolstomakethejobeasier.”

Henoddedslowly.“Yes.Therewasatoolboxintheengineroom.Ifthatwasn’truinedintheblast,thatcouldproveinvaluable.Let’sgoandseeifthere’sanythingtherethat’ssalvageable.”

SinceAnnorawasn’taround,wecouldn’twarnherwherewewereheadingoffto.Itwouldbetoughluckifshearrivedbackandwonderedwherewe’dgone.

Itwasn’tlongbeforeCalebhadrushedtotheedgeofthejungle.Withthesunhighinthesky,Calebtoreabranchwithflatleavesoffatreenearbyandhelditoverhimselfasheracedustowardthespotofthewreckage.

Itookthebranchfromhimashesetmedownandcontinuedholdingitoverhisheadasheenteredthewater.IfollowedhiminasdeepasIcouldstillstand,andthen,asheduckedbeneaththewaves,Istopped,waitingforhim.Ididn’tknowhowmuchtimeIpassedwatchingthesurfaceofthewater,waitingforhimtoemerge.ButIbreathedoutasighofreliefwhenhedid.Ihurriedovertohim,holdingtheleafoverhimtoshieldhimfromthesun’sharshrays.

Hewasholdingalargegraytoolboxinonehand,whilewiththeotherhewasclutchingathickmetalsheet.Wemadeourwaybacktothesand,wherehedroppedtheitems.Ifollowedhimbackandforthfromthesandtotheseaasheretrievedmoreandmoreitemsforwhatfeltlikethenexthour.

Bythetimehe’dretrievedeverythinghedeemedsalvageable,thebeachwascoveredwithequipment.Hedraggeditallfurtherinland,beneaththeshadeofthetrees,sotherewasnochanceofpiecesbeingsweptaway.

Wipingsweatfromhisbrowwiththebackofhishand,helookedovertheentirecollection.

“Yes,”hesaidquietly.“Ithinkthismightjustwork.Wewillonlyneedasmallboat.Thesmalleritis,thelesslikelythingswillgowrongandthefasterIcanbuildit.”Hebeganpacingupanddownonthesand,thinkingoutloud.“We’llneedwood…Thesecoconuttreesaren’tasgoodasthetreessurroundingourbunks.”

Hegrabbedmeandbeganhurryingbackthroughthejungle.Hestoppedatourtree,pulledmeupandsetmedownonhisbunk.Annorastillhadn’treturned.

Afterplantingalingeringkissonmyneck,hedrewaway.“It’ssaferifyoustayupherewhileIwork,outofharm’sway.I’llcomegetyouifthere’sanythingyoucanhelpwith.Otherwisejuststayherefornow…AndifAnnora

returns,shoutoutandletmeknow.Istilldon’ttrustheralonewithyou.”Inodded,watchingasheleaptbackdownthetreeandjoggedawayfurther

intothejungle.SinceIhadnothingelsetodo,Idecidedtodosomeclimbing.Imademy

wayuptothetopofthetreeandlookedout.TheoceanwasstillcrystalblueandemptyforasfarasIcouldsee.Therewasn’tasinglecloudinthebluesky.Ibreatheddeeply,inandout,relishingtheseaairandthewarmsuntanningmyskin.IimaginedCalebandIsailingawaytogetheronthatcrystal-bluesea,wrappedineachother’sarmsandkissingasweheadedtowardthesunset…

IlosttrackoftimeasIperchedthere,myheadstuckoutofthetreetops,fantasizingandtakinginthebeautysurroundingme.

Whensomethingbrushedagainstmyankle,Ilookeddowninexcitement,expectingtoseeCaleb.

InsteadIwasmetwithavisionthatshouldhavebelongedonlyinanightmare.

Abrownleather-skinnedmanwithglowingeyesandsharpwhiteteethgrippedmyankleandpulledmedownward.

A

CH A P T E R 2 5 : C A L E B

screampiercedthroughthejungle.Idroppedmyaxeandhurtledbacktowardourtree.

IwassurethatitwasRose’svoice.Itsoundedsomuchlikeher.ButwhenIstumbledacrossAnnoralyingontheground,nursingableedingfoot,IassumedthatImusthavebeenmistaken.

Ibentdowntotakeacloserlookatitasshemoanedandwrithed.Iheldmybreathasthescentofherbloodinvadedmynostrils.Igrippedherfoot,examiningit.Thefleshbetweenherlargeandsecondtoehadsplit.Bloodwasseepingfromit,soakingthegrass.

Islitopenmypalmandhelditouttoher.Shegrippedmypalm,hersofttonguelappinguptheblood.Asthewoundhealed,Ihelpedherup.

IdecidedtogocheckonRosebeforeIgotbacktowork.Imotionedtoleave,butAnnoratuggedonmyarm,pullingmeback.

“Iwouldalsoliketoreturntocamp.Couldyoucarryme?Idon’twanttocutmyselfagain.”

Iallowedhertoclimbontomybackbeforerunningbacktowardourtree.“Ouch.”Islowedforamoment,lookingbackatAnnora.“What?”“Ididn’trealize,Igotacutheretoo.”Shethrustoutableedingwrist,

hoveringitbarelyaninchawayfrommynose.IalmostdroppedherasItriedtodistancemyself.Mymouthwasalreadywateringfromthebloodonherfoot.

Crouchingoverheragain,Ionceagaincutopenmypalmandfedher.Ididn’tdarepickherupagainuntilthesecondwoundhadclosedandshe’dwipedherhandsonherclothestoremovetheexcessblood.

“Ineedtogetbacknow,”Isaidimpatientlyasshepulledherselfontomeagain.

ShecomplainedacoupleoftimesthatmyspeedwashurtingherasIracedbacktocamp,butIignoredher.IwasrelievedtolowerhertothegroundonceIarrivedatthefootofthetree.Swingingmyselfup,IstoppedatRose’sbunk,expectingtoseeherthere,perhapsresting.

Herbedwasempty.“Rose?”Icalled,myheartbeatquickening.Icastmyeyesaround,upward,downward,sideways,thinkingperhapsshe’d

goneforaclimb.Shewasn’tthere.Perhapsshe’dbebythelake,takingaswimtocooloffduringtheheatoftheday.Shewasn’tthereeither.

“Rose?”Iyelled.Iracedthroughthejunglesurroundingthetree,wonderingifshe’dventured

insearchofmorefruit,despitemyrequestinghertostayput.“Rose!”Ibellowed,myhearthammeringinmychest.Iyelleduntilmythroatwashoarse.

Shecan’thaveventuredthisfarbarefoot.Ihaven’tevenbeengonelong.Therewasanotherbloodcurdlingscream.Rose?Iwhippedbackthroughthejungletowardthesourceofthenoise,onlyto

findAnnoraagain.Onepalmwasclaspedoverhermouth,theothershakingasshepointedafewhundredmetersawayfromthefootofourtree.

MyheadreeledasIfollowedhergaze.Lyingintheundergrowthwasabody.No.No.Almostblindwithpanic,Irushedforward.AsIapproached,Ifoundmyself

staringdownatacorpseswarmingwithbeesandsodisfiguredthat,haditnotbeenforhertorndarkhair,Iwouldn’tevenhaveknownthatitwasRose.

T

CH A P T E R 2 6 : R O S E

hemomentIscreamed,thecreature’sleatheryhandclampedmymouthshut.Withdrawingtwosilkhandkerchiefsfromhissnakeskinwaistcoat,heshovedonedownmythroatand,placingtheotherbetweenmyteeth,knotteditbehindmyhead.ItwasallIcoulddotonotvomit.

“Princess,”heraspedinmyear.“Iammosthonoredtomakeyouracquaintance.”

MystrugglingonlybroadenedhissmileashebegantouchingmeinplacesnotevenCalebhadyet.Heflungmeoverhisshoulderandleaptfrombranchtobranchdownthetree.Ashisfeethittheground,helaunchedintoasprint.

Everythinghadhappenedsoquickly.Iwasstillinshock.Thejunglewhizzedpastmeinablurasbloodrushedtomyhead.Itriedtograbholdofabranchaswespedpastone,butIonlyendedupcuttingmypalmsashehurtledforwardregardless.

Thenwithoutwarning,hisgriparoundmyanklesloosenedandIcrumpledtotheground,grazingmyheadagainstasharprock.Inadaze,Iscrambledbackwarduntilmybackhitatreetrunk.

Ilookedupinhorroratthecreaturestaringdownatme,asmirkstillonhisface.

“Youwanttorun?”hesaid,lickinghislipsashiseyesroamedmyalmostbarebody.“Now’syourchance.”

AsIstaggeredtomyfeet,Ipickeduparock.Ihurleditathimandspun

around,noteventakingthetimetoseeifithadhititsmark.Despitethornsandsharpleavesrippingthroughthesolesofmyfeet,Icouldn’tallowmyselftoslowdown.Icastaglancebackovermyshouldertoseehewasstillstandinginthesamespot.Iduckeddownbehindabushandthenflungmyselfbehindanearbytree,slowlypivotinginadifferentdirectiontothatwhichhehadlastseenmerunningin.

ItriedtoundothegagsoIcouldscream,butitwasknottedsotightitwouldhavetakenmeatleastafewminutes.AndIhadnosuchtime.

Iheardthecreakingofbranchesafewhundredmetersawayandfrozebehindthetrunkofatree.Peeringround,Isawthecreatureapproaching.Iheldmybreath.

“Iknowwhoyouare,treasure,”hewhisperedthroughthetrees.“ButIoughttointroducemyself.MynameisAnselmRaskid.Andwehavesomethingincommonalready.Myparentsarealsokingandqueen…Weareprincessandprince.”

Icouldbarelypayattentiontohiswordsashecreptcloserandcloser.Ashewassecondsfromdiscoveringme,Ipickedupathornybranchand,leapingoutofmyhidingpace,hurleditatthecreature’sface.Hestumbledback.Reachingforalow-hangingtreebranch,Ifoughttopullmyselfupontoit.I’dalmostmadeitoutofreachwhenhishandclosedaroundmyankle.Asheyankedmedownward,tomyhorror,Ifoundmyselffallingintohislong,strongarms.

Hisfacescratchedandbloody,heseemedtohavehadenoughofwhatevergamehe’dbeenplayingashewrestledmeintosubmissionandcontinuedrunningwithmethroughthejungle.

Heonlystoppedagainoncewenearedanoldstonewell.Heleaptontoit,balancingusbothonitsnarrowedge.

Whatintheworldishedoing?AsIlookeddownintothehole,ifmytonguehadn’tbeenattachedtothe

backofmymouth,Imighthaveswallowedit.Beneathuswasatunnelwhosewallsweremadeofwhatappearedtobea

swirlinglightbluesmoke.Beyondthewallswasablackabyss,scatteredwithstars.

Thiswasnowell.Thiswasagate.Leadingwhere,Iwastooterrifiedtoevenimagine.Asthecreaturepreparedtojump,IcaughtsightofAnnorastandingafew

feetaway,halfofhersweatyfacecastinshadow.TherewastimetohearbutafewwordsescapeherlipsbeforethebeastandIhurtleddownward:

“AnnoraAchilles.Ithasaniceringtoit,doesn’tit?”

I

CH A P T E R 2 7 : M ON A

thadbeenanotherlong,stressfulday.I’dmanagedtoscreentheentireisland.Therewerenoimposters.Iwouldhavesenseditthemomentmyspelltouchedthem.

No.Therehadtobeanotherexplanationforthedeaths.Andthisrevelationleftuswithanevenmorechillingconclusion:itwasoneofourownwho’dclaimedtheirlives.Nowthatwe’dfoundthebodies,hopefullyitwasonlyamatteroftimebeforewefoundoutwhowasbehindit.I’dtoldPatriciaandherteamthattheycouldcallonmetohelp,buttheyseemedmorethanabletohandlethejobontheirown.

Iwasrelievedtoreturnhome.Iwentstraightuptothebathroom,showeredandthensatdowninfrontofmydressingtable,staringatmyselfinthemirror.Icombedmyhairandtieditupinabun.Myeyesfellonmymother’sjewelrybox.IfingereditabsentmindedlyasItriedtoputafingerontheuneaseI’dfeltovertherecentdays.Sincethedeaths,itfeltlikethewholeislandwasriddledwithtension…uncertainty…doubt.Vampiresnolongertrustedwerewolvesthewaytheyoncehad,whilewerewolvesfeltwronglyaccusedbyvampires.Witches,ontheotherhand,doubtedbothvampiresandwerewolves.Andhumanstrustednoone.ThenBenhadgoneandmurderedahumangirl,causingmanyaccusingfingerstopointathim—theveryprinceofTheShade.

Ihadn’texperiencedsuchstrifesincearrivinginTheShade.IcouldseefromDerekandSofia’sreactionthatsuchturmoilwasn’tcommonplacehere.They’d

rebuilttheShadebasedontrustandloyalty.Thatwashowthingshadworkedforalmosttwodecades.Abreakdownoftrustwouldmeanabreakdownofthewholestructure.Ididn’tknowwhatwouldfollowifthathappened.

Pushingtheboxbackinitsplaceinfrontofthemirror,Istoodupandfloppeddownonthebed.Snugglingbetweenthesheets,IwishedthatKievwashomealready.Itwassolate,Iwonderedwherehecouldhavegottento.

Istayedawakeforthenexthourwaitingforhim,butwhenhestilldidn’treturn,sleepfinallyclaimedme…

ThecooleveningbreezeblewthroughmyhairasIstrolledthroughthewoods.Ididn’tunderstandwhereKievcouldhavegottento.Healmostalwaysreturnedbeforethislatehour.Iworriedthatsomethingmighthavehappenedtohim.

Ifoundmyselfexitingthewoodsandwalkingdowntowardtheshore.Iquickenedmypace,scanningthebeachasIwent.Itwasn’tuntilIreachedtheendofthesandandapproachedaclusterofrocksthatInoticedalightflickeringintheroomatthetopofthelighthouse.

CouldKievpossiblybethere?Whatwouldhebedoingthereatthistimeofnight?

Iclimbedovertherockstowardtheentranceandascendedthewindingstaircase.MyheartwaspoundinginmychestasIfinallyreachedthetop.Reachingforthehandle,Iwasabouttoopenit,butrealizedthatthedoorwasalreadyajar.Therewasnoneedtodisturbwhoeverwasinthere,incaseitwasn’tKiev.

Ikneltandlookedthroughthecrack.Mybreathhitched.TherewasKiev,croucheddownoverthebarebodyofawomanwhosefaceI

couldnotsee,foritwasbeingshoweredwithhiskisses.Butasmyeyesfixedonthepillowsbeneathherhead,Ididn’tneedto.

ItwasSofia’sbareformwrithingbeneathhim.Herdeepredhairsplayedoutonthepillow.HerfingersdugintoKiev’sbackmusclesashepressedagainst

her.Hislipsloweredtoherpaleneck.Whenhebrushedhishandsalongherhips,tremorsranthroughhisbody.

Theyweresoconsumedwitheachother,itfeltlikeIcouldhavewalkedrightovertothemandtheymightnotnotice.

Icouldn’tremainawitnesstothissceneamomentlonger.Pushingthedooropen,Iranuptothebed.IgrippedKiev’sshoulders,

attemptingtopullhimoff.ButmyfingersslippedoffhisskinlikebutterthemomentItouchedhim.

Ishouted.Iscreamed.Itriedtousemymagictoturnoverthebed.Butitwasasifaninvisibleforcefieldwasaroundthem,keepingthemlocked

intheirownlittlebubble.NothingIdidhadanyeffect.Myshoutingfellondeafears.Myspellsbouncedoff.Theystillremained,lyingthereinaworldoftheirown—aworldIwas

totallylockedoutof.Ifanything,withallmyattempts,theirpassiononlyincreasedeachsecondthatIstoodthere,untilfinally,Kievwhisperedthewordsthatslicedmyheartintwo:

“Ihavealwayslovedyou,Sofia.”

Myeyesshotopen.Gaspingforbreath,Isatboltupright.Beadsofsweatdrippedfrommyforehead.Shaftsofmoonlighttrickledthroughthecurtains,fallingonKiev’ssleepingformbesideme.

Idroppedmyheadintomyhands.Itfeltstrangelychilly.Fromthesweat,Iassumed.

Ibreatheddeeply,tryingtosteadymyracingheart.Itwasadream.Justadream.Iloweredmyselfbackdownagainstmypillowandreachedanarmaround

Kiev’swaist,pullingmyselfcloseragainsthisbackandkissinghisshoulderasheremainedinslumber.

Sofiawouldneverbetraymelikethat.Sheismyfriend.AndKievcertainlywouldn’t.

Inanycase,he’soverSofia…isn’the?

T

CH A P T E R 2 8 : D E R E K

henighthadbeenplaguedwith…astrangedream.Afterhoursoftossingandturning,Ieventuallygaveuptryingtosleepand

gotoutofbed.Makingmywaytothekitchen,Ipouredmyselfaglassofblood.TryingtopushasidethoughtsofthenonsensicaldreamI’dhad,Iforced

myselftothinkoftheproblemsthatwereplaguingus.Aswehadpromisedthehumans,swarmsofvampireswerenowtakingturns

toguardtheirhomes.SofiaandIhadalsodecidedthatwe’dpersonallytakeatourroundthehumanresidencesthreetimesadaytomakesureeverythingwasinorder.

Mythoughtsturnedtoourson.NowthathehadmurderedYasmine,humans,vampires,werewolvesandwitchesalikehadbeguntosuspectthatperhapshewasthecauseoftheothers’deathstoo.Ofcourse,SofiaandIknewthathecouldn’thavedoneit,butuntilwefoundtheactualkiller,thissuspicionwouldremainintheheartsofmany.

Ben.Ithadbeenawhilesincehe’dlast…fed.Hisbloodlevelswouldberunninglowagain.

GrabbingsomebloodfromthefridgeandthesyringeSofiahadfetchedfromCorrine’smedicalroom,Iheadedtohisbedroom.

Openingthedoorslowly,Iwassurprisedtoseethathewasawakealready.Helayflatonhisback,staringupattheceiling,hiseyesglassy.HedidnothingtoacknowledgethatI’denteredtheroom.Isatontheedgeofthebedand

reachedforhiscollarbone.Hedidn’tresistasIinjectedseveraldosesofbloodintohim.

ThenIlefttheroom.Iguessedhewasfeelingguiltyaboutwhathe’ddone.Hedidn’tneedmetorubitin.Silencewasthebestcourseofactionrightnow.Imadesuretolockthedoorbehindme.

Iretreatedtomystudyandpacedupanddownforawhilelonger,mullingoverthemosturgentissuesIhadtodotoday,untileventuallyIdecidedtotrytosleepagain—atleastforanhourbeforeSofiawokeupatsixo’clock,sowecouldwakeuptogether.

ButasIreturnedtoourbedroom,shewasn’tthere.Hersideofthebedhadbeenneatlymade,andhernightgownthathadlainonthechairnearbywasgone.

“Sofia?”Icalledsoftly.Iwalkedintotheensuitebathroom.Itwasempty.Iwalkedbacktothe

kitchen,thinkingmaybeshe’dalsohadarestlessnightandwashavingsomebreakfast.Butshewasn’tthere.Iwalkedthroughthelivingroom,intendingtochecksomeoftheotherrooms,whenInoticedthathercloakthatusuallyhungbythefrontdoorwasgone,alongwithhersetofkeysfixedtothekeyholdernearthedoor.

ThenIspottedastickynoteonthedoor.Sofia’shandwriting.“Goneforawalk…”Anearly-morningwalkwasappealingtometoo,soIgrabbedmycoatand

headedout.Abriskwalkwoulddomesomegood,helptoclearmythoughtsfortheday,andperhapsI’devenbumpintoSofia.

Idescendedintheelevatorandbeganwalkingthroughthewoods.Iwantedtofeeltheseabreezeagainstmyskinandthewaterlappingaroundmyfeet,soImademywaytowardtheshore.ButasIenteredtheclearinginfrontofthePort,Istoppedshort.

WhatIsawthere,attheendofthejetty,mademebelievethatImusthavestillbeendreaming.

I

CH A P T E R 2 9 : M ON A

triedtofallasleepagain,butthenightmarekeptresurfacingeachtimeItried.

IletgoofKievandtossedandturnedinbed,tryingtofindacomfortableposition.Idriftedoffonlybrieflybeforebeingwokenyetagainbythesamenightmare.Isatupinbed,rubbingmyeyes.

IglanceddowntowardKiev’ssideofthebed.Itwasemptynow.“Kiev?”Icalled.Icheckedthebathroomandalltheotherroomsupstairsanddownstairs.I

couldonlyassumehe’dgoneforawalk.SinceIcouldn’tsleep,IdecidedImightaswellgoforawalkmyself.

Iexitedthehouseandsteppedontothebeach.Iwalkedtothewater’sedge,dippingmyfeetinthewaves.Ilookedoutatthestilldarkhorizon.Thestarstwinkledoverhead,themoonlightmakingtheseaglisten.

Iwasn’tsurewhereIwasgoing.IjustkeptwalkingalonguntilIeventuallyrealizedthatIwasnearingtheisland’sport.Ishiftedawayfromthewavesandmovedfurtherinland.ItwasonlyonceI’dleftthebeachandclimbedupthestepstotheplatformalongwhichthesubswerelinedthatInoticedtwofiguresstandingattheendofthejetty.

Ihadtolookcloselyinthegloom—theycouldhavealmostbeenmistakenforonefigure,theywereembracingsotightly.Iwasn’tsurewhichlovebirdsweremakingoutatthistimeofthemorning,anditfeltintrusivetokeepstaring,

soIwasabouttoturnaroundandwalkbacktowardhomewhenIheardit.Adeepgroan,andthenawhisper—soft,butstillclearlyaudibleinthequiet

oftheearlymorning:“Sofia.”Ilookedmoreclosely,andnowIcouldrecognizeKiev’ssilhouetteinthe

moonlight,andSofia’slongredhair.Istaredinhorror.Thismuststillbeadream.Ineverwokeup.IwasabouttopinchmyselfwhenIheardthesnappingofbranchesbehind

me.IwhirledaroundtoseethedarkshadowofnoneotherthanDerekNovak.Webothlockedeyes.HelookedasdumbstruckasIfelt.

IfDerekishere…witnessingexactlythesamesightasme…howcanthisbeadream?

IlookedbackatKievandSofia.Hishandsrestedonherlowerback,holdingherflushagainsthimastheirlipskneadedagainsteachother.

Thisisn’tadream.I’mseeingthiswithmyowneyes.Thisishappening.Iwokeup.Kievwasn’tthere.He’dcomehere…tomeetSofia.Myhandswereshaking,mymindwasonfireasdoubtafterdoubtblazed

throughit.Couldmydreamoftheminthelighthousehavebeenavision?Hasitbeen

SofiaonKiev’smindwheneverwe’vemadelove?Didheeverevenloveme?WasIjustadistractionforhim?Howlonghavetheybeenseeingeachothersincewearrivedontheisland?Isthiswhyhewantedtoreturnhere?ForSofia?

Istumbledbackfurtherintotheshadowsofthetrees.Althoughmyheartwasburning,Ididn’tknowthatIhadthecouragetohearitfromhisownlips.TohearhimadmitthathelovedSofiaoverme.Ididn’tknowthatIcouldhandlethepainthatwouldcause.Iwasinenoughagonyalready.

SoIran.VanishingmyselfawayfromthePort,Ireappearedinourbedroom.Suddenlyallthelove,allthepleasure,I’dthoughtwe’dsharedinthisroom

togetherseemedtovanishintoanemptyhole.IfeltlikeIwaslosingmymind.

AllIcouldseearoundmenowweretracesoftheredhead.Hell,IeventhoughtthatIcouldsmellherhere.

Angercoursedthroughmyveins.Allthistime,bothofthemhavebeenplayingmeforafool.Itrustedthem

both,andtheybetrayedmeintheworstpossibleway.Ifeltfireheatingupmypalms,andasrageandgriefconsumedme,Icould

nolongercontrolit.Flamesburstfrommyfingertips,lightingupthebedsheetsandlickingthewallsuntilsoonthewholeroomwasengulfedintheblaze.Theheatwassoscorching,tearscouldbarelyspillfrommyeyesbeforetheydriedout.

Ilookedaroundatthefiredevouringtheroom.AroomI’doncecherished.Aroomthatnowheldnothingforme,except…

Myeyesfellonmymother’sjewelrybox,stillsittingonmydressingtable.Itsgemsglimmeredintheflames.

AsIstaredatthatbox,itsuddenlyfeltlikeitwastheonlythingofvalueleftformeonthisdeceitfulisland.

T

CH A P T E R 3 0 : D E R E K

hePort.WhereI’dsharedmyfirstkisswithSofia.NowwhereIsaw—orthoughtIsaw—mywifesharingapassionatekisswith

KievNovalic.EitherthepressureI’munderhasfinallydrivenmetoinsanity,orI’mstill

dreaming.YetseeingMonastandingoppositeme,sharingthesameshockedexpression

—itsomehowmadethevisionbeforemeseemreal.AnotherpersoncouldclearlyseewhatIsaw.

Iwasfrozentothespot.IcouldbarelycoordinatemyselfenoughtomovemyfeetasIstaredatmywifekissingKievasthoughherlifedependedonit.

EvenwhenIwasfinallyabletomoveandwalkforward,Istillcouldn’tfindmyvoice.ItwasasthoughI’dswallowedmytongue,orforgottenIevenhadone.

AsIreachedthejettyandbeganwalkingtowardthem,KievcaughtSofia’shandandtheyleaptofftheedge.Icouldn’tseewheretoatfirst,butwhenIspedup,Icaughtsightofasubmarinedisappearingbeneaththewaves.

What?Istoodstaringatthewavesforseveralmoments,blinking,tryingtomake

senseofwhathadjusthappened.“Derek?”

Ididn’tthinkthatthenightcouldbecomeanymoreinsane,butasIturnedaroundtoseeSofiarunningoutoftheforesttowardme,Ifoundmyselfreeling.

Assheapproachedmewearinghernightdress,abewilderedlookonhersleepyface,IlookedfromhertothewaterIthoughtI’djustseenherdisappearbeneath.

Ireachedoutandgrippedherarms,thencaughtherlipsinmine.Ikissedherhard,partlytomakesureshewasrealandpartlybecauseIwasstillsufferingfromthetormentofwatchingKievclaimher.

“Derek,”shegasped,asIfinallyletgoofher.“Whatonearthisgoingon?Whatareyoudoingoutofbedsoearly?”

Istaredather.Mymindfeltsomuddled,Iwasunsureofhowtoevenbeginarticulatingmythoughts.

“Ijustsawyoustandingrighthereattheendofthisjetty,kissingKiev.”“What?”“AsIapproached,youjumpeddownintoasubmarineanditsubmerged

beneaththewaves.”“Baby.”Shelookedatmewithconcerninhereyesassheheldmyheadin

herhands.“What’shappenedtoyou?What’sthelastthingyourememberbeforesteppingoutside?”

“I’dgottenoutofbedtogetaglassofbloodandcheckonBen.WhenIreturned,youwerenolongerinbed.Therewasanoteonthedoor,sayingyou’dgoneforawalk.AndthenIreachedthePortandsawyoutwo…”

Shereachedupandplacedapalmovermyforehead,lookingmoreworriedthanever.“IfeltyougetuptocheckonBen.AndIwasstillinbedwhenyoucameback.Ievenspoketoyou.YoulookedrightthroughmeasthoughIwasn’teventhere.Thenyoulefttheroomandaminutelater,Iheardthefrontdooropeningandclosing.”

BeforeIevenhadachancetoprocessSofia’swords,someonecalledouttous.

“Derek.Sofia.”WeturnedtoseeKievjoggingalongthejettytowardus,stillinhispajamas.“HaveyouseenMona?”

Iwasabouttoansweryes.ButthenIwonderedifthevisionofMonahadalsobeenanillusion.

“I…IthoughtIsawherhere,afewminutesago.”Kievfrowned.“Whatdoyoumean,youthoughtyousawher?”Iexhaledinfrustration.“Well,IalsothoughtIjustsawyoumakingoutwith

mywife.”NowitwasKiev’sturntolookflummoxed.“What?”Hiseyestraveledfrom

Sofiatome,thenbacktoSofia.“Hasyourhusbandbeendrinking?”Sofiashookherhead,thoughevenshedidn’tseemsosureasshestilllooked

atmeworriedly.“Ihaven’tbeendrinking,”Isaidimpatiently.Myheadinmyhands,Iclosed

myeyes,leaningagainsttherailing,tryingtomakesenseofmythoughts.Whatthehelljusthappened?“WeneedtotalktoEli,”Sofiasaidsuddenly.“Justrecently,hethoughthe

sawAdellecheatingonhimwithmyfather.”Shedidn’twaitformyresponsebeforerushingoff,leavingmestanding

alonewithKiev.Hispresencestillgavemeshudders.EventhoughIwasawarethatwhatI’d

witnessedwasanillusion,itdidn’tstoptheurgetoripouthisthroat,oratleastmaimhimalittle.DespitethefactthatI’dmadeupwithhim,mytemperstilltendedtobemuchshorterwithhimthanothersonthisislandbecauseofthepastweshared.AndIwasn’tsurethatmuchcouldeverbedoneaboutthat.

“YoureallythoughtI’ddothat?”heasked,staringatme.Ishothimaglance.Ididn’tbelievethatmySofiawoulddothat.Butasfor

Kiev?Thetruthwas,Ididn’tknow.He’dmadenosecretofthefactthathe’dheldastrongattractionforheryearsago.I’devenfearedthathe’dhavehiswaywithherwhileshewasunderhiscareinTheBloodKeep.Ididn’tknowhowstronghisattractionforherstillwas.Althoughhe’dchanged,hestillhadadarkside…liketherestofus.

AnawkwardsilencefellbetweenusasIchosenottoanswer.Itdidn’tlastlongthough,asSofiacameracingbackthroughtheforest,withbothAidenandableary-eyedElitrailingalongbehindher.IwasgladtoseethatEliseemedto

haverecoveredfromhisneckinjury.Aidenwasthefirsttospeak.“YuriandClaudia.LandisandAshley.Zinnia

andGavin.Doyouknowwhytheywereallabsentfromthefuneral?”Istaredathim.“Why?”“Allhadarguments.Ibelieveallaboutthesamething—oneofthemthought

theotherwascheating.”Aidendidn’tneedtosayanotherwordformysuspicionstobegintofinally

alignandmakesense.Islammedmyfistagainstawoodenpost,cursingbeneathmybreath.“I

knewweshouldn’thaveletthosewitchesontotheisland.”“Derek,buthow—?”Sofiastammered.Ishookmyhead.Ididn’tknowhow.Butnow,inarushofthoughts,Iwas

beginningtoguesswhy.“WeneedtofindMona,”Isaid.Ibeganlurchingforwardtowardthedirectionoftheirhomealongthebeach

whiletheothersfollowedme.Thatwasthelogicalplacetostart.PerhapsthevisionI’dhadofherwasindeedreal,andshe’dmagickedherselfbacktothehouse,narrowlymissingKiev,who’dcomeoutlookingforher.

Aswenearedthestretchofbeachwherethevampireswerehoused,myheartbeatquickened.Dozensofvampiresandwerewolvesstoodoutonthebeach,allstaringandpointingatabillowingvortexofsmokerisingupfromthetopofKiev’sbuilding.

“Whatthe—”Kievsworeand,beforeanyofuscouldholdhimback,hehurtledintotheburningbuilding.

“He’smad!”Aidengasped.Icouldn’targuewithmyfather-in-law.WewaitedwithbatedbreathforKievtoemerge.Hissiblings,Erikand

Helina,rushedovertous.Theireyeswerewidewithpanic.“Whathappened?”Helinacried.Ishookmyhead,myeyesstillfixedonthefierybuilding’sentrance.WeallbreathedasighofreliefwhenKievfinallyemergedfromit.Butour

reliefdidn’tlastlongashestaggeredtowardusempty-handed.Hisclotheswere

singed,hehadburnsalloverhisbodyandashsmearedhisface.Hefelltohisknees,wheezing.“Mona’sgone.”

A

CH A P T E R 3 1 : B E N

bouthalfanhouraftermyfatherinjectedme,bloodbegantospillfrommynostrilsandIfeltanoverwhelmingurgetoretchagain.Drawingopenthewindow,Icoughedupmouthfulsmoreofit.

Ididn’tunderstandwhy,butonethingwasbecomingcleartome.Mybodyrejectedanimalblood.I’dhadnoproblemconsumingYasmine’sblood.

Islammedthewindowshut,breathingheavily.Isensedatingeofhumanbloodinmyroom,carriedinbyabreeze.Mymouthwatered.

Ipacedupanddownmyroom,tryingtodistractmyselffromthehungertearingthroughmystomach.Butitwasimpossible.Itfeltlikeeverycellofmybeingwascravinghumanblood.

GuiltstillgrippedmeforwhatI’ddonetoYasmine.AndyetIrealizedIwouldn’thesitatetokillagainifitmeantsatisfyingmyhunger.Itriedtofeelguiltyattherealization,butIwastooconsumedbybloodlust.Remembranceofthetasteofherbloodfilledmymind,tantalizingmytastebuds.Mymouthtingledjustatthememoryofit.

Iwalkedbackovertothewindow,staringoutatthestarrynightsky.Ican’tremainherelikethis.I’dthoughtitwouldgetbetter.I’dthought,asmyparentshadhoped,thatI’d

getaccustomedtoanimalbloodanditwouldfillmeupenoughtonotbesodangerous,notbesuchathreattohumans.ButIdidn’tseehowthatcouldeverhappenwhenIcouldn’tevenholddownthestuffformorethanafewminutes.

Thisislandwasunderenoughstressasitwaswithoutmegoingaroundmurderingpeople.AndIdidn’twanttorisktakingthelifeofanotherpersonIcaredfor.WhatwouldbecomeofTheShadeiftheycouldn’teventrusttheirownprince?

Althoughitcutmetothinkofhowitwouldhurtmyparents,thereonlywasonesolution.AndIneededtodoitsoonerratherthanlater.

NowthatI’djustthrownupagain,Ifelthungrierthanever.Iclutchedthehandleofmydoor.Itwaslocked.Icastmyeyesaroundthe

room.Grabbingabackpack,Ibeganpilingitemsofclothingandpersonalbelongingsintoit.Iemptiedmycupboard,drawers,andlookedundermybedformoney.WhileIhadafewnotes,itwouldn’tbeenough.Ididn’tknowhowlongIwouldneedtostayaway.

Icouldn’tbreakdownthedoor.Itwouldwakemyparents.Swingingthebagontomyback,Ipulledopenthewindow.Mybreath

hitchedasIlookeddown—theforestgroundwashundredsoffeetdown.Iclimbedout,grippingholdofthewoodenframe.Withoneforcefulswing,Ihurledmyselfagainstthewindowledgenexttomine.Itwasthewindowinthehallway.Iwasrelievedthatitwasslightlyopen.

Haulingmyselfup,Ipulledthewindowfullyopenbeforeclimbingbackintotheapartment.Iheldmybreath,listeningforanysignofmyparentsstirring.Theapartmentwascompletelysilent.Icouldn’theartheirsnoring…orevenbreathingforthatmatter.Iwonderediftheywereevenintheapartment.

Ipaddedalongthecarpetandheadedtomyfather’sstudy.Easingthedooropen,Iwalkedtothesafeandenteredthecode.Ipulledoutseveralwadsofcashbeforeclosingitagain.Wehadplentyofmoneyonthisisland.Morethanweneeded.Itwouldn’tbemissed.

Next,IreachedintothefilingcabinetnexttothesafeandpulledoutoneoftheseveralphotocopiesofMona’smapmyfatherstoredthere.Iwasn’tsurewhyI’dtakenit,buttherewasnoharmhavingit.

Afterstuffingboththemoneyandthemapintomybag,finallyIwalkedovertomyfather’sdesk.Ipickedupapenandrippedoffapieceofpaperfromhisnotepad.

Istaredatthepaperforseveralminutesbeforeputtingthepentoit.NomatterhowIwordedit,itwouldcutmyparentsdeep.SoImightaswell

justbeasdirectaspossible.Ididn’thavemuchtimeafterall.Icouldn’tbecaught.IfIwas,Ididn’tknowthatIwouldbeabletoescapetheisland.

Bendingdownoverthedesk,Ibegantowrite:“Ican’tholdinanimalblood.I’veleft,becauseit’swhatisbestforTheShade.Ourpeoplearesafer

withoutme.Idon’tknowwhenI’llreturn.But,please,don’tcomelookingforme.Ben.”Istaredatmyhandwritingafewmoremoments,jaggedandmessyfromthe

waymyhandwasshaking.ThenIslidthenoteintothecenterofthetablewheremyfatherwouldseeit.

IregrettednotbeingabletosaygoodbyetoeveryoneIcaredforinTheShade.EspeciallyAbby.We’dbecomeclosefriendsinrecentweeks.Ihopedthatshe’dunderstand.

Drawingadeepbreath,Ilefttheroom.AlthoughIguessedthatitwouldbelocked,Itriedthefrontdoor.Iwasrighttohavetried.Itwasopen.Icouldn’tusetheelevatorincaseIbumpedintosomeone.Climbingontothebalconyrailing,Ileaptintoanearbytree.MyhearthammeredinmychestasIclosedthedistancebetweenmyselfandtheground.Assoonasmyfeethittheground,Ilostnotimeinracingforward.Iwhizzedthroughthetreessofast,Iwouldhaveappearedtobebutablurtoanyonlooker.

OnceIreachedthePort,Iduckeddownlow.IhadtokeepmyselfhiddeninshadowasmuchasIcould.Iarrivedatthebayofsubmarinesand,scanningthelineforthesmallestone,openedthehatchandloweredmyselfinside.

AsIseatedmyselfinthecontrolroomandstarteduptheengine,navigatingitawayfromtheharborandintotheopensea,Ididn’tknowwhereIwouldgoorwhatIwoulddo.OrhowIwouldsurviveasthisbeastIwasstilltryingtounderstandmyself.

Ididn’tunderstandwhyIwasdifferentfromalltheothervampires.Theyadjustedtoanimalblood.Theirbodiesdidn’texpelitlikeitwaspoison.They

didn’tfeeltheurgetoviolatethelawoftheislandbyharminghumans.Ididn’tknowwhatwasdifferentaboutme,orwhatwastobecomeofme.

Butwhateverthecase,onetruthremained:InolongerbelongedinTheShade.

A

CH A P T E R 3 2 : A N NO R A

nselmhadbeengraciousenoughtograntmethecorpseofablack-hairedwomanwithoutaskingmanyquestions.I’dnoticeditpiledupoutsidetheroyalkitchensasIwasescortedbacktowardthegate.AftertheguardledmebackoutontothebeachandsetmedownnexttothecircularholeinthesandI’darrivedthrough,Ilookedoverthebody.Iwaiteduntiltheogrehaddisappearedbehindtheirongatesbeforestartingworkonit.ThiswomanlookedverydifferentfromRose.Herhairandheightweretheonlysimilarities.IwalkedovertotheshipI’dfoundthechestofdaggersinandstartedrunningthincutsalongthebody,enoughsothatnodiscerniblefeaturescouldbemadeout.Sincethehairalsowasn’ttherightlength,Islashedthetipstogivethemarippedeffect.

Draggingthebodywithmetowardtheedgeofthegate,Ileaptthroughwithit.

OnceIarrivedattheotherendofthetunnel,Ihadtobecareful.IfCaleborRosefoundmebeforeitwastime,myplanwouldbespoiled.Andmorethanjusttheplanlayinthebalance.AnselmwasscheduledtocometocollecthisgiftsoonandifCalebgotintheway,AnselmwouldrealizeImightnotbewhoIsaidIwas.No,Icouldn’taffordforthattohappen.

IdraggedthebodyclosertoourtreeandleftitinsomebusheswhileIcrepttoseeifCaleborRosewereanywhereinsight.Theyweren’t.Icircledthetreesclosesttoours,lookingupwardandstrainingmyeyestospotthebees’nestIhadnoticedthedaybefore.Onspottingit,Ihurriedbacktofetchthebodyand

placeditdirectlybeneaththenest—somemetersawayfromthefootofourowntree.ThenIcovereditwithpilesofleaves.Fortunately,thebodyhadalreadybeentreatedwithpreservativesbytheogres,soitwouldstilllookfresh.Buttherewasn’tmuchIcoulddoaboutthefactthatthecorpsewasnaked.Calebwouldjusthavetoassumethatherunderwearrippedawayfromherbodyduringherfalltotheground,andsharpbrancheshadslicedherskin.SinceRoseseemedtolikeroamingaroundinthetreetopssomuch,Ihopeditwouldn’tbetooimplausibleastorythatshemighthavetriedtogathersomehoney.Itwasfarfromideal,thatwasforsure.ButitwasthebestIcoulddo.Ihadtohopethattheshockwouldleavehimtoodevastatedtothinkmuchfurtherintoit.

ThenIwaiteduntilCalebandRosereturnedtotheirbedsbeforeapproachingthem.Itstungmetoseethewaytheyweredressed,andthewayhewastouchingher.AndwhenCalebtoldmehenolongerlovedme,Iwasn’tsurethatIcouldkeepupmyact.ButIhadto,soIdid.ItoldthemwhatIneededtoandleftthemalonethatnight,andthenextmorning.

ItwasfortunatethatCalebhaddecidedtoleaveRoseinthetreewhileheventuredintothejungle.OtherwiseIwouldhavehadtocauseadistraction.Now,allIhadtodowasuncoverthecorpse,loosenthebees’nestfromitsbranchandcoverupRose’sscreamsasAnselmcarriedheraway…andofcoursehurrytothewelltosaygoodbyetoRose.Thelatterwasn’tdifficult.Calebseemedsoconsumedingriefashetriedtobrushawaythebees,Idoubtedheevennoticedmeslipaway.

HewasstillinthesamespotthatI’dlefthiminonceIreturnedhavingbiddenfarewelltoRose.Hewascroucheddownonthegroundnexttothebody,hisheadonhisknees.Hewassostill,Iwonderedifhewasevenbreathing.

Ihatedhowaffectedhewasbyher.Iwonderedifhewouldhaveevergrievedsointenselyforme.

Isnappedmyselfoutofmyjealousy.Ineededtothinkstraightnow.CalebandIneededtoleavethisislandassoonaspossible.Itwasn’tsafetobehereanymore.IftheblackwitchesfoundoutaboutmyvisittoAnselmandthatI’dhandedRoseNovakrighttothem,mylifewouldn’tbeworthliving.AndtheywerestillafterCalebtooforstealingawayRosefromLilith’scave.

IapproachedCalebcautiously,touchinghisshoulder.ThemomentItouchedhim,hishandshotoutandgrippedmythroat.BeforeIcouldevengasp,heslammedmyheadbackagainstatreetrunk.Painsearedthroughmyskull.Itfeltlikeithadcracked.Heheldmeinplacebymythroat,hiseyesblazingintomine.

“Youdidthis,”hesnarled.“What?”Ichoked,myeyeswidening.Hisgriponmynecktightenedasheslammedmeagainstanothertree.His

clawsextended.Ifelttheirtipsbeginningtodigintomyflesh.“C-Caleb,no!Iswear!”Hiseyesdarkened.Heseemedtobelosingcontrol.Ithrashed,tryingtopryhishandsawayfromme.“There’snowayIcould

havedonethis,”Iwheezed.“Ihaven’tbeennearourtreesincemorning.”“Youlie.”“No!”Ibegantopanicashisclawsdugsohardintome,theydrewblood.I

clutchedhishair.“Please,Caleb.It’sme…Annora,”Iwhispered.“Don’tdothistome.”

Growlinginfrustration,hethrewmetotheground.WhenIlookedupagain,hehadvanishedintothejungle.

Hejustneedstimetogetovertheshock.He’llbeallright.Shaking,Iclimbedupourtreeandsatonourbunk.Iwaitedthereforhours,

andbynight,Calebstillhadn’treturned.Ibegantofearthatperhapshehadfinishedtheboatandlefttheislandwithoutme.

No,Ican’tbelievehewoulddothat…DuringtheearlyhoursofthemorningIwasseriouslydebatingleavingand

goingtolookforhim.ButIforcedmyselftotrustthathewouldreturn.IfIleft,Imightgetlostinthejungleandwouldn’tbehereifhecameback.

Iwasrighttowait.Justbeforesunrise,hereturned.Iheardthesnappingoftwigsashewalkedonthegroundatthefootofourtree.Hemovedtowardthebody.Imovedinthetreetobetterseewhathewasdoing.Helifteditupandcarrieditovertothelake.Istaredashelaiditdownonarockandbeganpilingdriedleavesandtwigsaroundit.Afewminuteslater,therewasthesparkofafire.Iclimbeddowntothegroundandwalkedtowardhim.Istoppedtwentyfeet

away,givinghimspaceasthefireclimbedhigherandhigher.Hekneltontheground,staringintotheflamesastheylickedthecrisp

morningair.Dawnwasbeginningtobreakinthedistance.Todaywouldhavetobethe

dayweleft.I’dfeltnervousaboutstayingthenighthere.ButCalebhadneededthespace.

Iwaitedforanhourorso,watchingasheremainedmotionlessinfrontofthefire,watchingastheflamesconsumedthebody.Heremainedinthesameposition,stillwatchingthecorpseevenasitfadedintoapileofashes.

Finallyhestoodupandwalkedovertome,hiseyesred,hisfaceashen.Ithoughthewasgoingtosaysomethingashewalkedtowardme,buthe

brushedrightpastme.“Wait,”Icalled,hurryingtokeepupwithhim.“Whereareyougoing?”“Leaving,”hesaid,hisvoicehoarse.Ibreathedoutinrelief.“Haveyoufinishedtheboat?”Heignoredme.Icaughthishandandtuggedonit,tryingtoforcehimtostopandlookatme.Heyankedhishandawayfromme.“Don’ttouchme.”Thewayhewasglaringatmecutmetothecore.I’dhopedthathewouldbe

lesslikelytoblamemeafterallthepainsI’dtakeninsettingupRose’skidnapping.IsupposeditwasfoolishtoexpectthatafterI’dalreadyadmittedtryingtokillRoseonthesubmarine.

“Caleb,please.”MyvoicebrokeasIkneltathisfeet.“Don’tleavemealoneonthisisland.IsweartoGodIdidn’tpushRoseoffthattree.”Hepaused,turningaroundtostareatme.IhopedthatIwasgettingthroughtohim.“Iknowyoudon’tlovemeanymore.I-Ican’texpectyouto.Butpleasedon’tleavemehere.Dropmeoffatthenearestshore,andyou’llneverhavetoseemyfaceagain.”

Itriedtoreadhisexpression.Amyriadofemotionsseemedtobreakthroughthemaskhe’dbeenassumingatonce.Grief.Anger.Confusion.Conflict.Ithoughthewasabouttoturnawayagain,butinstead,grippingmyshoulder,he

pulledmetomyfeetandpulledmeontohisback.Andthenhehurtledforwardthroughthejungle.

Itsplitmyheartintwotothinkthatthethoughtofabandoningmeonanearbyshorewasprobablytheonlyreasonhe’dagreedtomyproposal.Ofcourse,Ihadnointentionofallowinghimtodoanysuchthing…butrightnow,theimportantthingwastojustgetoffthisislandbyanymeansnecessary.Icoulddealwiththeconsequencesofmywordslater.

Itwasn’tlongbeforewereachedthebeachandhedroppedmeontothesand.Igottomyfeet,staringatasmall,half-completedboat.

Heseemedtonotevenfeelthesunbeginningtoriseintheskyashebeganworkingfuriouslytofinishit.Hecertainlyhadn’tlosthisskill.

TearswelledinmyeyesasIwatchedhim.Itbroughtbackmemoriesofthetimewhenmyfatherwouldmoorourshipinhisfather’syard.I’dalwaysfindanexcusetobeinthepartoftheshipCalebwascarryingoutrepairsin.AndI’doftencatchhimglancingatmewhenhethoughtIwasn’tlooking.

WhatIwouldn’tgivetoturnbacktime…Itriedtooffertoholdabroadleafoverhimwhileheworked,sincethesun

wasbeginningtosizzlehisskin,buthebrushedmeaside.Iwasstunnedthatwithinwhatfeltlikelessthantwohours,theboatwas

completed.Itwasasmallboatconstructedofamixtureofpiecesfromtheoldsubmarineandwoodhe’dfelledinthejungle.He’dbuiltasmallcoveringoverittoprotecthimfromthesun.Wedidn’tknowifitwouldfloatyet.Buttherewasonlyonewaytofindout.

Ifollowedafterhimashepushedtheboatintothewavesandleaptinside.Igrippedtheedgesandhauledmyselfupafterhim.Imovedtotheendoftheboatwhileheraisedthesailshe’dconstructedoftarpaulinhe’dfoundinthewreckedsubmarine.

Wehadnoengine,ofcourse.Thiswasanold-fashionedboat.ThetypeCalebhadbeenusedtosailingallthoseyearsago.ThetypeCalebandIhadbeenplanningtotraveltheworldinafterwegotmarried…

IsuspectedthatCaleb’shopewasthatwewouldcomeacrossalarger,fastervesselwecouldjumpaboard,whichcouldtakeustoland.Becausethisboat

wouldonlygetussofar.Ididn’tknowwhereI’dgowithCalebonceImanagedtogethimtostick

withme.Butitdidn’tmatter.AslongasIwaswithhim,Ididn’tcare.We’dfiguresomethingout.

ButIwasgettingaheadofmyself.Firstthingsfirst.AfterCalebsetourcourseandwebeganglidingthroughdeeperwaters,he

sankdownonthefloorbeneaththecovering.Heturnedhisbackonmeandburiedhisheadinhishands.

Ishiftedinmyspot,tryingtorackmybrainastohowIwouldevenstartconvincinghimtonottakemetoshoreandabandonme.

Ifoundmyselfjuststaringathim.Istillwasn’tusedtothefeelingsthateruptedinmewheneverIlaideyesonhim.Eventhoughheseemedlosttomerightnow,myyearningforhimwasjustasintenseasever.Itpainedmetoseehowsoreandblisteringhisskinwasfromthesun’srays.Anditwasshowingnosignsofhealing.Iwonderedhowlongithadbeensincehe’dlastdrunkblood…

Blood.Thewordrangthroughmymindlikeabell.BloodwasthestartofCaleb’sandmydownfall.Coulditalsobetheendofit?Ilookeddownatmypalms.Thenatthepileofunusednailslyingonthe

deckfewfeetaway.IknewCalebhadaparticularweaknessformyblood.Ialsoknewthe

consequencesthatwouldcomewithtrickingCalebintodrinkingit.Hewouldcraveme.Desireme.Possessme.Perhapsevenconsumeme.ButasIlookedathimacrossthedeck,stillsodistantfrommeashe

mournedthelossofRoseNovak,IrealizedthatI’dfoundmyanswer.Therereallyisnootherway…

A

CH A P T E R 3 3 : R O S E

sAnselmandIreachedtheexitofthetunnel,wewenthurtlingthroughtheairandlandedonsand.Itriedtoscrambleawayfromthecreatureassoonaswereachedtheendofthetunnelandlandedonabeach.BeforeIcouldevenfullytakeinmysurroundings,hegrabbedmyarmand,pullingoutanothersilkhandkerchieffromhiswaistcoat,tieditaroundmyeyes.

Stillgagged,Icouldn’tevenscream.Ifelthimpickmeupagainandbeginwalking.Whereishetakingme?Therewasaknockingagainstmetal.Andthenthedeafeningsoundofheavy

doorscreakingopen.“YourHighness,”araspingvoicesaid.“Wouldyoulikemetocarryherfor

you?”IshudderedasAnselm’sroughlipsbrushedagainstmyearlobe.“No,”hesaid,breathingheavilyintomyear.“I’dratherhandlethislittle

beautymyself.”Hestartedwalkingagain.Ikickedandthrashed,butheheldmeinplace.Whatfeltlikethenexthalfhourpassedwiththesoundsofhisfootstepsin

myear.Atsomepoint,thelightseemedtodimandIheardtheopeningofadoor,soIcouldonlyassumewe’dgoneinside.ThesoundofAnselm’sfootstepsturnedfromwhatsoundedlikecrunchingoverstonestoaclackingagainstsomekindofsmoothsurface.Ishivered.Theairseemedtobegettingcolderbythe

momentasAnselmcontinuedwalkingforward.Ifelthimclimbingseveralflightsofstairs.

Finallyhestopped,andanothervoicespokeafewfeetawayfromus.ItsoundedeerilysimilartoAnselm’svoice,exceptthatitwasalittledeeperandolder-sounding.

“Sothisisher?”Footstepsapproachedandleatheryfingersbrushedagainstmycheek.“Yes,”Anselmsaid.Iwassoclosetohischest,Icouldfeelhisvoice

rumblingthroughit.Thefingerstuggedonmyblindfold,looseningitandpullingitdown.My

heartpoundedasIfoundmyselfstaringupatanalmostsplittingimageofAnselm,exceptthathehadsilverstreakinghishairandmorelinesinhisface.Iwasgrantedthissightforbutamomentbeforethecreaturefastenedtheblindfoldovermeagain.

“Doyouapprove?”IcouldtellbyAnselm’stoneofvoicethathewassmiling.

“Sheneedstobefattened.Otherwise,yes.”Whatarethesecreatures?“Weshouldn’tmixherinwiththeothergirls.Thisone’sspecial.I’llgiveher

privatequartersinthewestwing.”“Ofcourse.”Anselmcontinuedwalking.Morestairswereclimbed,morefloorscrossed,

andbythetimeIfelthimloweringmetotheground,mywholebodywasshaking.Notwithterror,butrage.

IkeptreplayingthefewsecondsbeforeAnselmhadjumpedwithmethroughthegate.Annora’ssmugtoneofvoice.Hersmileasshewavedgoodbye.

Iwasburningupinside.Icouldn’tbelievethatI’djustbeenkidnappedagain.Iwasbeginningtolose

countofthenumberoftimesithadhappenedinthelastfewmonths.Iswear,thisisthelasttimeI’mgoingtobeswungoversomeone’sshoulder

likeasackofonions…Adoorclickedopen.Iwasdraggedforwardandpusheddownontoacold,

smoothfloor.Theblindfoldwasremovedagain,andfinallysowasmygag.Icoughedandspluttered,theedgesofmylipsstinging.

Iturnedaround,expectingtoseeAnselm,butthedoorslammedshutagainbeforeIhadachancetoswearathim.Icastmyeyesaround,takinginmysurroundings.MybreathhitchedatthebeautyoftheroomIwasstandingin.Ihadn’texpectedtobebroughttosuchaluxuriousroom.Inthecenterwasadarkmahoganyfour-posterbedcoveredwithfurblankets.Alargegold-platedmirrorwasfixedtothewalloppositeme,andnexttoitwasadressingtable.Thefloorwasmadeofsomekindofpolishedwhitestone.Inthefarcornerwasanotherdoor,leftajar.Abathroom,Iassumed.Strangely,thewholeroomsmelledofroastedspices.

Myeyesweredrawntothesourceoflightintheroom.Tallwindowpanestookupanentirewall.IgaspedasIapproachedthem.Pitch-blackmountainsstretchedoutforasfarastheeyecouldsee.Graysmokeswirledaroundtheirsharppeaks.Theskywasovercast,nosignofthesunbreakingthethick,low-hangingclouds.

WhereamI?“Hullo.”Athickvoicespokebehindme.AsIwhirledaround,theblooddrainedfrommyface.Istumbledbackasmy

eyesfellonagrotesque-lookingcreature…anogre.HaditnotbeenforBrett,Iwouldn’thaveevenknownwhatitwas.Butitsharedthesamethick,muddybrownskin,tusks,smallsquashednose,andbulgingeyes.Therewasonlyonerealdifferencebetweenthisogre’sphysiologyandBrett’s.Andthatwasthatthisogrehadlonghairandbreasts.It—orrather,she—worealongbeigesmockoverherbulgingform.

Sheploddedforward,holdingoutameatyhand.Ikeptmyarmsfirmlybehindmyback,pressingmyselfharderagainstthewall.

“I’mArabella…ButyoucancallmeBella.”Bella?Iwouldhavelaughedhadmysituationnotbeensodire.“I’mtobeyourmaidwhileyou’reinthewestwing,”shecontinued.AlthoughIwasn’tmakinganymotiontoindicatethatIwasgoingtoaccept

herhandshake,stillsheheldoutherhandexpectantly.

“WhereamI?”Iasked,myeyesnarrowingonher.Herexpressionsuddenlytightened.Shecasthereyesdownwardanddropped

herhandbacktoherside.“HisHighnessdidn’tpermitmetoanswerquestions.”“WhatisAnselm?Hedoesn’tlooklikeyou.”Shechewedonherfatlowerlip,shakingherheadapologetically.Iexhaledinfrustration.“Whatcanyoutellme?”“Notreallysupposedtotalkotherthanintroducemyself,”shemumbled.Ibrushedpasther,walkingovertothebedandslumpingdownonthe

mattress.MyeyesfollowedBellaasshecrossedtheroomandopenedacupboard.Shepulledoutalightpinkrobemadeofsilkandhandedittome.SinceIwasstillwearingthenowbatteredbikiniCalebhadmadeforme,Ieagerlypulleditovermyself.

ThenBellamovedtowardadoortomyleftthatIhadn’tnoticeduntilnow.Ifollowedherinside.Itwasakitchen.Therewasastoveandadeepclayoven,andthewallswerelinedwithsteelpots,knives,platesandothercutlery.

“Wasexpectingyouaboutnow,”shesaid,reachingforapanofoilonthestoveandshakingit.Ithissed,andgaveoffastrongspicysmell.Shereachedforalargerpotsittingonthefirebehinditandliftedthelid.Itwasfilledtothebrimwithakindofcolorfulstew.Howmanypeopleisshecookingforhere?Tippingtheoilintothestewandmixingitalltogether,shereachedforabowlandsloppedsomeintoit.

Shenoddedtowardthebedroom.“Goandsit.”Ihesitated.I’dlivedonnothingbutfruitforthelastfewdaysandIwas

famished.ButIhadnoideawhatitwasshewasabouttofeedme.AndIdidn’tdareask.Iwassuretheanswerwouldmakemefeelqueasy.

Seeingnootheroption,IdidasBellahadrequested.Sincetherewasnoothertableintheroom,Isatdownatthedressingtable.Sheplacedthebowlinfrontofmeanddunkedaspooninit.

Bellasatdowncross-leggedonthefloornexttome,watchingasItookmyfirstmouthful.Iwaspleasantlysurprisedasthewarmliquidglideddownmythroat.ItwasunlikeanythingI’dtriedbefore,butitwastasty.

“What’sinit?”Icouldn’thelpbutask.

Sheflashedmeagoofygrin,revealingasetofwideyellowingteeth.“It’sasecret…myspecialrecipe.”

HeranswerhardlymademefeelmorecomfortableaboutwhatIwasputtinginmymouth,butsinceIwasn’tretchingyet,Ifinishedthebowl.

“Youwantsomemore?”Ishookmyhead.Mystomachhadshrunk,andonebowlwasmorethan

enough.Shegotupandtookmybowlintothekitchen.Iheardwatergushingandpotsclankingasshebegantowashup.

NowthatIhadsomepropernourishmentinme,Ifoundmyselfabletothinkalittleclearer.Ipushedmychairbackandwalkeduptothemirror.Islippedahandbeneathmygown,runningitoverthetornleavescoveringmychest.

Caleb.Iclosedmyeyes,wincing.Itcutmedeeptothinkthathe’dbeallalonewith

Annoranow.Ihatedtothinkwhattheymightbedoingwithoutme.Iprayedthathewasstrongenoughtokeepresistingherandnotgiveherasecondchance.

MybloodboiledasIrecalledAnnora’s‘apology’anddeclarationthatshewouldleaveCalebalone.Shewasfullofmorecrapthananygiantbirdnestcouldhold.

Ididn’tknowwhathorrorslayinwaitformeinthisghastlyrealm.Ididn’tknowwhatwouldbecomeofme.OrhowIwouldeverescape.

ButasIstaredatmyselfinthemirror,thefuryrunningthroughmyveinsleftnoroomforfear.Ifeltlikeaballoffire.

AndIdidknowonething.AnnorawasgoingtoruethedaysheevermessedwithaNovak.

ReadyforthenextpartofDerek,Sofiaandthetwins’story?AShadeofVampire13:ATurnofTidesisavailablenowfromAmazon!:Clickherenowtograbyourcopy!I’veneversaidthisbefore,butIhonestlythinkthatATurnofTideswillbe

possiblythemostepicbookintheseriessofar.Myheartwaspoundingallthe

waythroughwritingit.Here’sapreviewofthecover(youmayneedtoturntothenextpageforitto

bevisible):

Ican’twaittoseeyouthere!:)Love,BellaxP.S.JoinmyVIPemaillistandI’llsendyouapersonalreminderassoonasI

haveanewbookout!Clickheretosignup:www.forrestbooks.comP.P.S.Ifyouwantmorefrequentupdates,followTheShade’spageon

Facebook:www.facebook.com/AShadeOfVampireP.P.P.S.YoucanalsosayhitomeonTwitter:@ashadeofvampireAndInstagram:@ashadeofvampire

D

A N I M P O R T A N T N O T E A B O U T K I E V N O V A L I C

earShaddict,Ifyou’recuriousaboutwhathappenedtoKievduringhistimeaway,howhe

metMona,andhowhecameuponAnna,Isuggestyoucheckouthiscompletedtrilogy:AShadeofKiev.

Kiev’sstorywillalsogiveyouadeeperunderstandingoftheShadebooksandthekindofthreatDerek,Sofiaandthetwinsarenowupagainst.

ThetrilogyisavailablefromAmazon.Clickheretograbthefirstbook!

R E A D M O R E B Y B E L L A F O R R E S T !

A S H A D E O F V AM P I R E S E R I E S

AShadeofVampire(Book1)

AShadeofBlood(Book2)

ACastleofSand(Book3)

AShadowofLight(Book4)

ABlazeofSun(Book5)

AGateofNight(Book6)

ABreakofDay(Book7)

AShadeofNovak(Book8)

ABondofBlood(Book9)

ASpellofTime(Book10)

AChaseofPrey(Book11)

AShadeofDoubt(Book12)

ATurnofTides(Book13)

ASHADEOFKIEVTRILOGY

AShadeofKiev1

AShadeofKiev2

AShadeofKiev3

BEAUTIFULMONSTERDUOLOGY

BeautifulMonster1

BeautifulMonster2

Foranupdatedlistofmybooks,pleasevisitmywebsite:www.bellaforrest.net

JoinmyVIPemaillistandI’llpersonallysendyouanemailreminderassoonasmynextbookisout!Clickheretosignup:www.forrestbooks.com