To Love a Vampire - A.K. Koonce Page 0,45

meant to help us. They aren’t helping us. They’re controlling us. We need to help ourselves.”

A few dazed looking individuals nod back at me and a few remain impassive to my words.

“I’d like you to meet the person that saved me from my life here.” Ky’s face flashes through my mind as well as Asher’s. As well as my mother’s… “Meet a mystic just like Luca.” The room shifts as a single unit, all bodies turning to stare at the beautiful werewolf, seeing her for what she really is for the first time.

She smiles at them, a look of kindness touching the curve of her lips.

“With the help of many, Luca saved me. Tonight, I ask you all to tell those that you trust, that you care about, that a change can happen in their lives. If they’re strong enough to allow it.”

I glance to Mrs. Hollis, the woman that shows compassion and strength with her every breath. “I’ll arrange a meeting place with Mrs. Hollis. She’ll only reveal the location if the person asking is trustworthy of the information.” Sweat begins to appear at the woman’s brow and she wipes it hastily away as her darting eyes meet mine.

I lean over the hardwood counter now, resting my hand on hers. “Say you’ll help us. Say you’ll help them as well as yourself,” I whisper.

She swallows and adverts her eyes toward the flour-dusted floor. “When I was your age, I wanted kids. Loads of them.” Her lip quivers as she takes a big breath, her chest heaving wide with the movement. “I was told I wasn’t qualified but my cooking skills were above average. They assigned me to cook for the local school instead.” My hand tightens on hers, my chest growing heavier with every word she confesses.

Her breath catches but she continues. “I ran away. I just couldn’t let someone else live my life. They found me though and brought me back to the work camp. Sentenced me to live my life here alone, without my unity partner or family or any children. And I’ve done it. For fifty-six years, I’ve done nothing but live the life I was told I was qualified to have. We’re done with that lifestyle.”

She releases my hand and looks to the overflowing and stifling room full of people. “For those of you that are tired of not having a say in your life, come to me and I will tell you the time and the place for a change.” Her voice booms over the heads of the listening audience. “A change that will promise your children a better life. A life of freedom!”

Anxious smiles greet the cook that everyone knows and respects. My heart leaps at the sight of the responsive community. I whisper a location and hour to the beaming woman and then as quickly as possible, Luca and I scurry back to the woods. Like two mice plotting a secret revolution…

Sixteen

Hostility

Asher slips his fingers through mine, his palm squeezing a jolt of reassurance through me. The five of us stand in the camp’s shed. Half a dozen tractors are lined against one wall, outdated and twisted metal shine against the dim lighting in the room. It’s as much light as we’re willing to risk at this hour of the night.

Kaino stands with his arms folded across his wide chest, a look of impatience filling the commander’s stern face.

Luca brushes her arm against his. “Relax your posture. These people have never met a mystic before, they don’t want to walk in here and come face to face with a scowling wolf. Smile a little.” She nods to her brother.

He thinks for a moment and then uncrosses his arms, she gives him another reassuring nod. Slowly the most conflicting and tense smile fills his face. A smile that makes my stomach drop. A smile that appears false and a little sadistic.

“Don’t smile,” she says in a rush. “Just, stand toward the back and maybe they won’t notice you too much.”

Declan smirks and joins me at the center of the room. “You sure this is a good idea? What if they decide to just burn this shack down instead? Get rid of the few mystics that are creeping into their territory.”

I turn to him, the shadows hiding his feelings from me. He stuffs his hands into his pockets as he waits for my response. He wants to leave. He doesn’t trust these people. Maybe he’s afraid they’ll reject him. All Declan’s ever felt is