Crimson Born - Amy Patrick Page 0,19

need—a steady blood supply, shelter, companionship, training. Plus, it’s the safest place to be with all the changes happening in the country.”

“What changes?”

“Don’t you watch the news?”

“No. My community doesn’t involve itself in the affairs of the outside world.”

Another loud sigh. “Right. Amish. Well, my community does—we don’t have a choice. If we don’t get organized and do something, we’re headed for the Dark Ages again. Vampire rights will disappear, and the Accord won’t be worth the paper it’s written on—no matter who signed it.”

The way he said that made me curious. “Who signed it?”

Kannon hissed a laugh through his smile. “You want an education in vampire-human history? Come with me. You’ll get the real story with none of the bullsh—”

Here he stopped himself, beginning again, “...none of the crap. The internet is absolutely full of lies about us these days, and the politicians are worse. Come to the Bastion. It’s where you belong. You’ll be safe there, and so will your friend Joshua.”

“Josiah,” I corrected.

Oh. Josiah.

I needed to get back to him before he went out and attempted to drink cows’ blood. I’d probably been gone too long already.

Something about the look on his face just before I’d dropped below the window haunted me.

“What time is it?” I asked.

Kannon pulled a cellphone from his pocket. “Three a.m. If we hit the road now, we can just make it to the Bastion.”

Hurrying to the door, I stopped and looked back with an apologetic smile.

“I’m sorry. Tell Imogen I appreciate the invitation, but I know where I belong. I have to get back. Josiah is waiting for me.”

9

Demon Child

Josiah wasn’t waiting for me.

Not in his room, not, as far as I could tell from peering through the windows, on the first floor of his family’s home, which was dark and quiet.

He must have decided the temptation of his parents sleeping so close by was too much. After what Kannon had told me about newly turned vampires and their lack of self-control, I was relieved Josiah had been wise enough to leave his house.

But where had he gone?

The barn. I ran to his family’s barn and scrambled up the ladder to the loft, fully expecting to find him there.

He wasn’t.

For the next couple of hours, I searched the surrounding farms, checking any place that seemed like a suitable shelter but found no trace of Josiah. I was at a complete loss as to where he might be.

Worried and disappointed, I went back to the barn and took shelter in the loft, planning to renew my search when the sun went down again.

The peal of the community bell woke me from a drugged-feeling slumber.

Struggling to my elbows, I rolled over and crept on hands and knees as close to the loft opening as I dared. The placement of the sun told me it was morning. I stayed well within the shadows as I peered down at the Yoder’s house and yard.

People were rushing around the property while others poured from the home’s front door.

There were shouts for help, some loud crying, and a single scream. Two men I knew, David and Levi, emerged from the open front door carrying Josiah’s father between them.

Correction—carrying his father’s body. Mr. Yoder was gone. His complexion was gray, and there was dried blood around his neck.

Oh no. Please no.

A woman—the minister’s wife—came out of the house next, rushing over to her husband.

“They’re both dead. He’s killed them both. Sarah is there in the bed, covered in blood.”

Feeling dizzy, I rolled onto my back again and stared up at the wooden rafters of the barn. Up in one corner, a spindly red wasp hovered over its nest, nurturing a new generation of vicious pain-inflicting creatures.

I was one of those now—only much worse. A wasp sting would hurt, but unless you were particularly allergic, it wouldn’t be deadly. Vampires were.

Josiah was. He killed his own parents.

He’d been right. We were monsters. There was no place for us in this community. No place among decent, innocent humans.

The hysterical woman went on, pleading now with her husband. “We have to leave this place, take the children out of here. None of us is safe. Brother Yoder should have done as Brother Byler did and expel his demon child from our midst. Josiah will come for all of us tonight.”

Demon child? It took me a second to comprehend.

She means me.

Dull pain spread in my belly, making its way upward to surround my heart.

“It’s all right, Rebecca. There’s no danger any longer,” I