“I don’t like this,” Carter grumbled for at least the fifth time since our departure, gripping the steering wheel so tightly his tanned knuckles turned white. Apparently, traveling into the burbs was something his people didn’t do. Seemed the vampires marked those areas as off-limits, as their servants and families resided there.
He glanced from the road to the charm that had guided us in the direction of Brooklyn Heights. I could tell he wanted nothing more than to destroy the damned thing. The momentum of the car had jarred the little wooden cork more than once, causing us to travel in the wrong direction as a consequence, and burned up valuable time.
Looking away from Carter’s apprehensive face, I stared through the dingy glass window. I got a glimpse of my reflection in the side mirror, and it freaked me out enough that I turned away. My nose was no longer swollen or bruised. The wounds I’d suffered from Jackson closed over as if I’d ingested vampire blood to heal. Even the deep gashes in my leg were on the mend. I didn’t understand it, and at the present, I didn’t want to be reminded of it or think about it. Things were fucked up enough without adding additional pressure to the situation. Right now, I could only focus on one thing at a time.
We exited Prospect Park, drove past Union Street, and entered a place I’d known once upon a time. Apprehensive, I waited for the big reveal, to experience more of the weirdness I’d grown oddly accustomed to. Instead, the moment we drove into the populated area of Brooklyn Heights, it was as if we’d traveled back in time and I was home. People were out in force, chatting with each other as they pushed strollers, walked the streets and entered shops. The roads weren’t as busy as I recalled, but we did pass a few cars with passengers along the way.
“What the hell is going on?” I asked, studying the people as they stopped to stare at our vehicle. “It’s like I’m back home. It’s normal here.”
“It’s not normal. The humans are blood slaves,” Carter informed me and venom laced each word. “Every single one of them. That includes the children who have yet to consent to hand over their futures.”
“Doesn’t look like they’re suffering to me.”
“Why am I not surprised to hear you say that?”
“Because you’re Mr. Negativity?”
Carter growled and looked at me, his eyes glowing in the centers. “I’m not arguing with you.”
“I have an even better idea,” I said, keeping my tone amicable. “Why don’t you drop me off and pretend we never met. It’s a win-win for both of us. You can go your way and I can go mine.”
He didn’t respond and I sighed when I realized he wouldn’t.
The charm glowed brighter, and my spirits lifted.
It was apparent where our destination would be. As much as things had changed, something had remained the same. In all the years that had passed, Ethan McDaniel had chosen to reside in the same location.
As soon as we pulled to the curb and Carter killed the engine, I stared at the Brownstone. Visions of a shared kiss with Disco at the base of the stairs hit me like a sucker punch to the gut, so unexpected I couldn’t breathe.
Goddamn it. It wasn’t fair.
Once, my memories were caustic, bitter and allowed me to detach myself from everything around me. Now that I’d fallen in love, my emotions were turning against me. I knew it was a part of the relationship train, even though I tried to deny it.
Life really fucking sucked like that.
I palmed the charm and gazed at the stone.
It was shining brightly. With the brilliance of the aquamarine came a shard of hope. Maybe, just maybe, I could find a way to get my ass out of this mess.
A shadow in the side-mirror pulled my attention from the charm.