Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 57310 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 287(@200wpm)___ 229(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57310 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 287(@200wpm)___ 229(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
“Say something,” I pushed. “Tell me there’s another way to stop what’s happening.” I took a deep breath. “Please, I’m asking for your help.”
His anger came on faster than a high-speed train. “You think I want to turn you?” he growled. “Despite what you think of me, I abhor death.” He pointed to the tattoo on his arm. “Each symbol is a life, and I dread having to add another mark for you.”
All this time, I’d wondered what the symbols on the vines meant, but I’d never imagined they were a sort of silent penance.
“Why do you do it?” I asked.
“I was sold to a vampire as a young boy. Among my many daytime duties, my job was to lure innocent people to my master and then dispose of the bodies. I told myself that whatever I had to do to stay alive, to prevent him from murdering my mother and sister for disobeying him, I would do. However, the first opportunity I got, I would leave. Then I had that chance, Masie. My master was murdered by his maker one dark night, and for a few short moments, I was free. I had my life back.” Stark drew a long, sorrow-filled breath. “Until his master turned me. Right then and there. Simply because he thought it would be entertaining.”
I covered my mouth with a gasp. “That’s awful. I’m so sorry.”
“He was sorry, as well. After I tore off his head.”
I winced. “Graphic, but I get it.”
“Agreed. And after that, I had to accept what I was or die. So I began the task of surviving. Day by day. Night by night. I vowed I would never become like those vampires. Monsters. Animals. Nor would I be ruled by such vile, sadistic individuals again. I would be in control of my life, and I would not kill without reason. It was why I attempted to prepare you on the island so that you would follow the same way of life.”
“Oh.” That explained a lot about Stark—why he fought tooth and nail to stay on top. He’d learned the hard way what happened if a vampire controlled your life. The funny part was how well Stark hid all this from everyone. The way the man spoke and acted, you’d think he’d murdered hundreds of thousands of people.
Still, that’s a lot of ink on his arms. “So I’m guessing that the ‘no killing’ vow hasn’t gone so well.”
“It is a process.”
It was more of a choice, but okay.
He continued, “I am merely emphasizing that while I put up a strong front, I truly do not wish to take your life and turn you, Masie.”
“Then don’t,” I said. “I mean, I’ll do whatever I have to; I’ve decided that much. But if there’s a chance of…you know, keeping me human, I’d like that.”
He nodded slowly as if mulling.
“Well?”
He remained silent.
“Maybe if you explained why turning me is so important, we could find another solution.” I added, “See, here’s the part where you let me in.”
“I would be breaking a sacred vow if I tell you, but perhaps it is time to trust you—as I always should have.”
Great idea, genius. Why didn’t I think of that?
He placed a hand on my thigh. “In order to pull this off, you must communicate with all vampires as Anna. To do this, you will require moonshine.”
“Not this again.” Now I knew he was playing me. “I am not gettin’ high so you can command me.”
He took my hand. “This moonshine is different.”
Was he telling the truth? Maybe. Maybe not. “What makes this fancy moonshine of yours so ‘special’?”
“It contains—how shall I say?—ingredients from the most powerful vampires to ever exist. The brew is quite old. Quite potent.”
“You mean it’s got ancient, crusty vampire brains in it?”
He nodded. “Anna was added to the pot as well.”
“Oh, dear Lord. What is the matter with you people?”
“Say what you will, but one drop and you will be connected to every living vampire in the world.”
“Jesus. Haven’t y’all heard of email? How about a YouTube video? Snapchat?”
He shook his head. “Not all vampires embrace your modern ways, Masie.”
“I am not taking that stuff.” Not in a gazillion years. It had Anna in it!
“No. Not as you are. It is far too powerful for a human’s mind to withstand,” he explained.
So that was it. He wanted to turn me so I could address the vampire nation with their supercharged moonshine.
Stark added, “We must do it now if we are going to attempt this. We are out of time. You must tell them you have returned as prophesied and are reclaiming your throne. You will scold them for their unruly, greedy, and undignified behavior, and dictate change or face your wrath.”
I understood this situation was bad. Very bad. And, yes, I was willing to step up, but this was a difficult choice. It meant having to accept dying. Right here. Right now. Shutting all doors on another solution, based on the simple fact that Stark told me this was how it had to be.