Davina (Davy Harwood #3)

“I thought they were coming back just fine.”


That was what she had told Gavin earlier when she relayed The Immortal’s wish to take over. Once that slipped out, Davy instantly regretted revealing that truth. They looked at her like she was an atomic bomb waiting go to go off, one she couldn’t diffuse herself. She lied after that. She made it sound like she was in control, that she could hold off The Immortal, that there was nothing to be worried about.

“Did you lie to us?”

Davy nodded, waiting for Gavin’s response.

What she got was instant anger. It slammed to his surface and she felt it, stepping back from reflex. But, balling her hands into fists, she stopped herself from taking another step. He had reason to be upset. They all did. She hung her head. “I’m sorry. I—”

“So what.”

The three looked over. Gregory had joined the conversation. His plump lips pressed together, and he was putting his own sword away, too. He added, swinging his head to look at both vampires, “There’s nothing you can do about it. The only choice you have is not to travel with her.”

“You’ve known?” Gavin’s tone was accusing.

Gregory didn’t answer, not at first. A beat of silence passed before he nodded. “I did.”

“When?”

“Since a day after she woke up in the cave.”

Tracey went rigid. She resembled a warrior statue, made in stone while Gavin’s nostrils flared. He hissed, “Are you kidding me?”

Gregory was unmoving. “She didn’t even have powers at that time.”

Davy gulped as the others looked at her. She turned away. She didn’t want to see the shock and outrage. She didn’t want to see the disappointment.

Gregory said further, “She’s got her powers back, but we can’t act surprised. We all heard her screaming. Who knows what Lucan’s witches did to her.”

Davy still couldn’t bring herself to turn to them. She cared, more than she should’ve—perhaps, but they would be the first affirmation that she was different. She couldn’t see that look in their eyes . . . like she was less than human . . . like she wasn’t human at all.

“Uh . . .” Cough. “Dudes . . .”

Hearing Spencer’s voice, a rush of relief went through her. These were the humans she had pulled to her, because she wished for them, because she needed a reminder of how to be a human. Spencer just fulfilled that desire for her and her lips twitched, forming a grin.

He went on to say, “So we don’t hear you guys, but there’s a monk smelling a flower dead ahead of us. Should we, be like, doing something about the dude?”

“I think that’s a girl.” Cal shuffled forward and craned his head, looking around them. “Yep. She’s a girl.”

“Yeah?” Spencer’s excitement was obvious. “Is she hot?”

“I can’t tell. She’s got a robe on, but . . .” Cal started to edge out from behind them. “Um . . .”

“Stop.” Tracey pushed him back. “You’re back there for safety.”

He pointed around her. “Either the chick nun is deaf and blind or there’s something funky going on for her not to see us. I think we’re safe.”

“Cal.” Spencer pulled him back. His voice dipped low. “We gotta do what they say. They’re not human.”

Cal said back, his voice dipping just as low, “I don’t think that chick is either.”

“Great.”

“Why do I have a feeling we’re not going to get out of this alive?”

The more the two humans conversed, the more guilt Davy was feeling.

“Get off your high horse.”

The Immortal was laughing at her. “They’re lucky to be brought on this path with you.”

“Stop,” Davy said to her.

“No. I mean it. Their lives were useless. Humans are weak and pathetic. They’ll probably be turned into vampires. If you don’t send them back to safety, the others will change them. They’ll do it to save their lives and when that happens, the two humans will get the best thing possible. They’ll have power and immortality.”

“Losing one’s humanity is not a gift. It’s a curse.”

“Having humanity is a curse. Look at you. Once you give in, you won’t feel any pain. There’ll be no more guilt, no more shame, self-loathing. None of that. You’ll be free. We’ll be free and we can do anything we want.”

“Stop . . .” But as she tried to muster the strength to shut The Immortal up, Davy found there was none. Her strength was depleting, at least against her own inner demon.

“That’s what you think of me?”

Davy shot back, “Aren’t you? You’re not human.”

“I’m not weak. There’s a difference.”

“Humans are weak.”

The Immortal snorted. “Right.”

“They aren’t.”

“Yeah. Sure.”