Crimson Born - Amy Patrick Page 0,62

But my only chance of being with you, at least occasionally, is to become one of the Bloodbound.”

31

Promise Me

In shock, I staggered backward.

“No. This is crazy. This can’t be happening.”

Reece caught and steadied me. He wrapped me in his arms and pulled me close again. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

I shook off his efforts to comfort me, overcome with revulsion. “That’s vile. And it’s not true. It just... it can’t be. I don’t want that, Reece. I don’t want any of this.”

“It doesn’t matter. It’s going to happen.”

“Not if I leave.”

He shook his head. “It’s pointless to run. She’ll find you—wherever you go. She can always find you. She’s your maker. Any ‘independence’ she may have offered you was an illusion. You’ll never be able to break the bond. Neither will I. She owns us both, Abbi.”

“Reece...”

Finally, I understood why he’d made the choice he’d made. Imogen had convinced him there really wasn’t a choice.

But I didn’t believe that. I couldn’t. There had to be something we could do.

“We can’t give up. Maybe Imogen was lying. I think there might be someone who could help us, who’ll tell us the truth. And she might know how to break the maker bond. Another vampire—one who sees things differently from Imogen.”

“Whoever it is, they won’t be able to help. Imogen is too powerful—she’s a queen, and she’s ancient. There’s no one strong enough to break her hold on us.”

“There is one person, just as old, just as powerful. And I know exactly where to find her.”

“Who? Where?” He looked entirely baffled.

“Her sister. Sadie.”

His hand shot out to cover my mouth, and he looked around, presumably to check if anyone had overheard me.

“Don’t say that name here—ever again,” he hissed. “And don’t be ridiculous. You’re Imogen’s daughter. Sadie is her mortal enemy. Why would she help you? You can’t go to her. How would you even know where to find her?”

“She’s going to be in Washington D.C. tomorrow night leading a sit-in at the Lincoln Memorial. I’m going to see her speak, and afterward, I’ll find a way to talk to her privately.”

I grabbed his hands, begging. “Come with me, Reece. If anyone can help us, it’s her.”

For a moment he just looked at me, wearing an apprehensive expression. But there was also a spark of hope. “Do you really think so?”

“I do. We’ll leave at darkfall, before the ceremony.”

At my mention of the ceremony, his expression morphed into one of fierce concentration. “The ceremony is the only thing that might hold Imogen’s attention long enough for you to slip out unnoticed and untraced. And all the Bloodbound will be there, so the surrounding land won’t be patrolled during that time. It’s definitely the best time to leave.”

Yes. We were doing this. We were going to be free of Imogen and the Bastion for good. My heartbeat danced with joy and hope.

“But I can’t go with you,” he said. “If I’m not there with the rest of the Bloodbound, someone will report me. And if we’re both missing... Imogen will know something major is going on. She’ll track us down and stop us before we can even get to D.C.”

Damn it. He was right. I hated to admit it, but I knew Imogen. And I knew he was right.

“I’m afraid to leave you here,” I said, clinging to him.

“I’m afraid for you to go.”

He petted the back of my head, stroking my hair again and again. “But you should. You’re right. It may be your only chance to avoid Imogen’s plans for you, and you should take it. Maybe Sadie will have some information that will help.”

Throwing my arms around him, I hugged him fiercely. “I’ll come right back afterward and tell you what I learn. Promise me something, okay?”

“What?”

I pulled back so I could look into his eyes. “Promise me you won’t take the vows. You can’t—not until I get back and we know for sure there’s no other way.”

His lips drew back from his clenched teeth, and his eyes winced. “Abbi... I’m not sure if I can—”

“You can,” I interrupted. “I’m going to do my best to get back before midnight. But if I’m late, do whatever you have to do to avoid the ceremony. You can say you’re not ready yet, you’re not sure. You can say you’ve been thinking about it and maybe there’s another job in the Bastion you’d prefer, say you were still under the effects of the animal blood when you made the commitment.”

After another moment’s