“So?” Michael shook his head in confusion.
“It’s a capital offense, Michael. As soon as he told our clan leader, every vampire in the clan was ordered to kill me.”
“I never liked Lawrence, but I can’t imagine him capable of doing something like that. Are you sure?”
“Yes. You were right about him all along. The day I turned, Lawrence orchestrated the whole thing. He meant from the very beginning for you to be my transformation kill. He’s a bitter man, and he’s taken it out on me. I didn’t realize the truth before—” Something was wrong. In the back of Amaia’s mind, alarm bells rang. There was another vampire somewhere, about a mile away. Another benefit of her years of solitude had been an expanded range of sensitivity to energies. “We have to go. Now.” Amaia jumped to her feet, pulling Michael with her.
“Let me just grab some things.”
“No, Michael. You said you didn’t need to pack anything. I know this isn’t fair, but you have to decide right now whether you’re going to come with me or not. I can’t stay here any longer, and I won’t be coming back. It’s too dangerous.”
Michael silently appraised her face and then nodded. “Very well. Lead the way.”
Amaia, still holding his hand, led him outside. Once the door closed behind them, she scanned the street, hooking her arm in Michael’s, as if they were lovers out for a stroll. Nothing appeared suspicious, and the energy was to the right. It approached at a steady speed, clearly trying to mimic a human’s gait, but not succeeding. Humans rarely maintained a constant pace.
“This way.” Amaia walked to her left. Every instinct in her screamed to run, but she couldn’t. Michael wouldn’t be able keep up, and it was a bad idea to do anything that might draw attention. She needed to blend in and trust her skills to hide her energy. As long as they kept moving in the opposite direction, they would be fine.
“What’s going on?” Michael waited until they had walked for several minutes before speaking.
“I felt a vampire near.”
“Is he chasing you?”
“I don’t know. I also don’t know if it’s a he. Keep walking for now. Whoever it is shouldn’t be able to sense us.” Amaia drew more heat from the humans around her than normal. It would help her increase the frequency of her own energy without having to work so hard. Her eyes darted around, searching for a safe path out of the vampire’s vicinity.
“Do you have any money on you, Michael?”
“Yes. What do you need?”
“There.” Amaia nodded to her left. A cabbie waited with an empty carriage. “We can use him to reach the next city.”
Michael nodded and strode with purpose to the cabbie, his hand firmly clasping Amaia’s. “Are you looking for passengers?”
“Where are you headed?”
“Stockholm.”
“I can take you part of the way if you’ve got the money.”
“That’s fine.” Michael paid the man and opened the door, ushering Amaia inside. As soon as the door closed, they were off.
Amaia kept her senses tuned to the unknown vampire until they were far enough away that she couldn’t feel him or her anymore. Her shoulders dropped, and she leaned back, focusing her eyes on Michael for the first time. “The threat is gone. For now.”
Michael squeezed her hand where it rested in her lap.
“Don’t you have anything to say?” Amaia needed to hear Michael’s thoughts. He seemed content to sit and look at her, as if it was an everyday occurrence for his vampire lover to appear and whisk him away.
“Yes, I do.” Amaia’s nerves quickened at his somber tone. “I’m glad you came.”
Her nerves exploded into happy butterflies. “Is that it?”
“What else would you have me say, Amaia? I don’t care that we must leave. I don’t care that your clan knows. I don’t care if we have to live in poverty, as long as I can be with you. I fear that I’ll slow you down, and I won’t be much use in a fight against a vampire, but I’ll protect you with my life. I need you.”
Michael kissed her then, and Amaia’s heart swelled. It had been worth it. Leaving her clan, living on the edge, it was all worth it now that she was with Michael. He was right. He would slow her down, and in a fight he would be more of a liability than an asset, a distraction at best, but he made her strong. He poured tranquility into her heart and passion into her limbs. He gave her life.
Chapter 43
Stockholm, August 1819