Hunting Memories - By Barb Hendee Page 0,99
all right,” Rose said, taking a step toward him. “Put down the sword and come with us.”
The vampire’s face wavered, and then somehow he seemed to throw off Rose’s aura of wisdom, and in one split second, he snarled, pulling his blade back, about to rush her.
The air shimmered, and Seamus appeared directly in front of Rose. He swung with his fist as if aiming a hard blow.
The transparent fist passed through the vampire, but he still flinched and ducked, as anyone would, and Wade used the only weapon he had left. . . . Forming an image of Philip running toward them down the aisles, he drove this picture directly into the vampire’s mind.
He’s coming now, Wade projected. It’s safe outside in the dark. Jump. Jump out the door and you’ll be safe. Or he’ll take your head and turn you to dust.
The vampire’s eyes widened in terror, and he looked down the stairwell to the open door and the world rushing past.
Hurry! He’s coming. He’s almost here! He’ll take your head. You have to jump.
The vampire moved past Wade, to the top of the stairs, lost in the vision Wade kept pressing on him.
And then to Wade’s despair, he felt something pushing back, and he heard hazy thoughts.
No . . . no, he can’t be there yet.
This creature was pushing him out, fighting his suggestions.
Yes! Wade projected. He’s almost to the door.
The vampire’s expression altered, and fear turned to rage. He half turned, raising the sword, snarling and aiming at Wade.
An explosion sounded, echoing off the metal walls.
Black blood sprayed from the vampire’s chest, and he stumbled down three steps, choking in shock. Another explosion rocked the car, and blood sprayed from his forehead as he fell back through the outer door and vanished from sight.
Wade rushed down the steps and hung out the doorway. He could still see the body lying on the ground, growing smaller and smaller until the train passed him.
The vampire never even moved.
Panting from what felt like emotional exhaustion, Wade looked up into the car. Rose was standing in the middle, holding his gun with both hands. Seamus was still beside her.
“Philip should be back soon,” she said calmly. “We’ll get off at the next stop.”
Still looking at his gun, Wade had no response.
Maybe Rose’s wisdom could adapt to any situation.
Julian walked the dark street outside the Salem Amtrak station. The express train was due any moment. He was worried Eleisha might talk Robert into waiting inside the station and calling for a taxi.
But he was also counting on Robert’s instinct for complete independence in a dangerous situation. Angelo had known Robert very well—and now so did Julian.
He was walking the shortest route to a Hertz rental car office, and down a side street, he spotted a deep black doorway with a balcony up above it, creating darker shadows.
“How do you know they’ll get off?” Mary asked, floating beside him. She was fidgeting, as if anxious about something.
He was too distracted to even find her annoying. “He is a soldier, from a long line of soldiers. He’ll get off.”
She shrugged, looking down the street. “Shouldn’t I get back to Jasper? He’s all alone, and that Philip guy seems pretty mean.”
“Hmm?” Julian turned from the doorway. “No, leave him. I need you here.” He paused, running possibilities through his mind. “All right, this is what we’re going to do.”
Mary tilted her head, but thankfully, she just listened.
Coming out of Robert’s memories for a second time was even harder, and Eleisha had more trouble separating her emotions from his.
She could still taste Jessenia in her mouth.
Somehow, she managed to pull out right after Jessenia’s death—before Robert drained the gardener. She would have stopped sooner, but he had such a tight hold.
Once she was able to separate her thoughts and drives from his, she found him leaning forward on the floor, holding himself up by his forearms.
Maybe she should have refused to do this for him? He’d just wanted it so much.
He touched his head to the floor.
“Rob . . . ert,” she tried to say, her own voice sounding foreign. “Get up.”
He raised his head.
“The train is pulling into Salem,” she told him. “We have to get ready.”
Without a word, he climbed to his feet. They didn’t speak for a little while. What else could they possibly say after reliving all that again?
Eleisha got his coat and buttoned it over his bloody shirt. The coat’s shoulder was still ripped, but it looked better.
The cut on