Drawing Blood (31 page)

* * * *

Astride his stallion Dakota, and looking down at the crushed car at the foot of the cliff, Stryker thought. ‘Poor
Lydia
.’ Candace was dead. The scene was hauntingly similar to Holly’s drawing. All they’d achieved by warning
Lydia
was to change victims. No doubt
Lydia
would rather it were her behind the wheel and not Candace. A mother would gladly die for her child.

Gingerly, he searched the ground for telltale signs of the figure Holly had drawn. He found nothing tangible, but he could smell it—the malice, the blood lust. The figure in the drawing had been the killer and the killer was indeed a bloodstalker.

Even from the top of the cliff, Stryker could hear what the men investigating the scene were saying.
Lydia
hadn’t been informed yet. He knew what he had to do. She deserved to hear it from him.

Stryker mounted the stallion. As always, Dakota was aware of the impulses of his rider and he took off through the woods towards
Lydia
’s house. Supernaturally fast, Dakota stopped in front of
Lydia
’s house within minutes. Stryker dismounted and thanked the horse for loaning him his speed.

He knocked once and entered. One look at his face and
Lydia
collapsed in his arms. Words weren’t necessary. Surrounded by her new Muskoka friends and neighbors,
Lydia
continued to sob in Stryker’s arms. He hadn’t said a word but she knew her daughter was dead. In time, more people would make their way to
Lydia
’s door. The death of a child was a tragedy felt by all.

Stryker held
Lydia
until she slumped against him, exhausted. Finally he picked her up and carried her to her bedroom.

He stroked her head and said, softly, “Sleep, my friend. You will need your strength. You are not alone. We look after our own.”

He discreetly questioned each person present.
Lydia
’s car had been checked by the local garage and they’d pronounced it sound. Candace was a competent driver and wasn’t known to drink alcohol or do drugs. He would of course have to investigate further just as a formality, but he knew in his heart this was the work of a bloodstalker, not some horrible yet random twist of fate. Candace Baldwin did not die an accidental death.

Interesting, he mused, their enemies were working from arm’s length more often in the contemporary world. In the past, they’d preferred to see the light die in their victim’s eyes as they slipped away. A bloodstalker usually preferred to dip his hands in the blood he’d spilled. This remote kill must have been singularly unsatisfying to the hunter. It was indeed, a new world they’d ventured in to.

Somehow, like
Irene
,
Lydia
’s vampire bloodline had been exposed to their human enemies. Stryker had to find out how and plug the leak. Permanently. There was no way to tell how much the bloodstalker knew of their overall plan, but one thing was certain, the murders would not stop until he’d located the bloodstalker and excised him. The hunter had their scent and would not be satisfied with isolated kills here and there. Stryker had smelled it in the air as he’d stood on the cliff overlooking the site of Candace’s death. This was the work of a relentless killer whose sworn purpose was to wipe out Stryker’s kind and the carnage had just begun. They were all in danger.

There were those more suspicious vampires who would conclude that Stryker had made a mistake telling Holly, Avery and Stephen about their intentions, but Stryker knew they weren’t the source of the leak. He didn’t have the slightest doubt about Holly and her friends. His heart knew they were incapable of such betrayal. Besides, Irene O’Neill had been killed by a bloodstalker long before they were aware vampires lived among them. No, if anything, he’d put Holly and her friends in the line of fire by confiding in them. By virtue of the fact that they knew about his mission and were willing to help, they’d inherited very dangerous enemies.

Against his natural instincts, he considered pulling his people out and starting somewhere else. If they left, there was a chance that Avery’s family would be safe. As his bloodmate, Holly had entwined her fate with his intimately. She could not run away any more than he could. They’d bonded. They would be together or die. Her friends were not so intimately linked with him. He had to consider retreat for everyone else’s safety. He knew
Lydia
would probably choose to leave her new home in Muskoka. Candace’s memory could prove too hard to bear. But before setting out on this mission, he’d selected only the most committed settlers and
Lydia
had been one of them. Perhaps she would dig in and fight, defying those who would destroy her kind and had executed her daughter. Stryker hoped so.

* * * *

It hadn’t rained much, so the earth around Holly’s house was hard packed. This visit Alison had dressed for the terrain. She still wore heels, but instead of stilettos, she walked in chunky espadrilles that tied around her delicate ankles. Her sundress matched the pattern on her shoes. Avery had always found that fascinating. She’d often asked Holly how Alison always managed to coordinate her entire wardrobe. Typically, Holly had no answer for her friend. While Holly had never worn socks with sandals, she had worn white after Labor Day once or twice. Alison had pronounced her hopeless.

Holly and Avery heard the doorbell ring.

In a loud whisper, Avery said, “She uses the doorbell? She’s your sister.”

Holly said quietly, “And I can’t just call out and tell her to enter. She waits for me to answer the door. I’m not sure what she thinks she’d find if she walked in on me. I gave up sacrificing virgins long ago.”

“Good thing too, seeing as how they’re so hard to come by these days,” Avery called out as Holly reached the front door.

Alison’s bright smile was the first thing to greet Holly. She looked fresh and confident even after her long drive.

“Hi, sis,” she said, “I hope you don’t mind the intrusion.”

“Of course not, you’re always welcome. Come on in.” She moved aside and Alison walked inside.

In many Canadian homes, it was considered polite to shed one’s shoes upon entering the house, but given the intricacies of Alison’s footwear, Holly didn’t expect her to do so.

“Just go right in. Avery’s here.”

Alison’s smile widened but lost a little of its sincerity. Avery and Alison had never been comfortable around each other no matter how hard they’d tried. For some reason Alison felt shy in Avery’s presence and it didn’t matter what she did, Avery couldn’t make her feel at ease completely.

“Hi, Avery. It’s very nice to see you.” Alison flushed and stuck out her hand.

Avery grasped it firmly and shook. “You look lovely, Alison. It’s good to see you.”

She ran a hand down her flat abdomen and smiled shyly. “Thank you. I always seem to get it wrong when I come up here, but I figured a sun dress was a safe bet.”

Avery said, “I’ve never seen you look anything but well put together.”

Blushing, Alison said, “Thanks.”

Holly offered coffee, but Alison asked for water instead.

“I’ve had too much coffee today already. It makes me jumpy,” she said as she looked outside Holly’s kitchen window where wildflowers competed for room as they raced to face the warm sun. Holly had a green thumb and her garden thrived.

In a quiet voice, Alison said, “I don’t blame you for wanting to live here.”

Astounded Holly did a double take. Her sister laughed, “Just because Daddy can’t accept your decision, doesn’t mean that I’m incapable of coming around to your way of thinking.”

Avery said, “Well good for you, Alison. We might get you up here more often.”

Smiling shyly, Alison looked meaningfully at Holly and said, “I’d like that.”

Feeling uncomfortable around her sister’s rare show of shyness, Holly returned her smile. On impulse, she hugged her tightly and said, “I’d love it too. I have a spare bedroom. You should come up for a few weeks this summer. It’s summer in
Ontario
and Muskoka is
the
place to be.”

“One step at a time.” She pulled back and looked into Holly’s eyes. “At least this time I thought to bring my bathing suit.”

Avery said, “Well, that clinches it. You have to stay the day and have dinner with us. The kids would love to have company for dinner.”

“Thank you,” Alison said. “Just a sec.” She put up an index finger and with the other hand pulled out her Blackberry. After punching an endless number of characters with her thumbs, she stopped and proudly pronounced, “There, I’m scot-free for the day. It’s been ages since I’ve seen your children.” As she walked back to the front door she said, “Holly, I’ve got stuff for you in my trunk.”

Together the three women unloaded Alison’s car. She’d brought a new supply of prepared dinners.

Looking at the offerings, Avery said, “Hey, maybe I won’t have to cook tonight.”

Alison shook her head. “Holly tells me that everything you cook tastes better and I’d love to test that out, but if you don’t want to cook,
I
could whip something up for all of us. We don’t have to deplete Holly’s stash.”

Avery shook her head. “Just kidding. I have something up my sleeve for dinner tonight.” Deliberately, she turned to Holly with a teasing smirk. “What about Stryker? Think he’ll want to have dinner with us tonight and even up the numbers?”

Alison looked at her sister with narrowed eyes. She said, “I take it this, what’s his name, Strider, is the new man in your life?”

Holly corrected her. “Stryker.” She wrinkled her nose at Avery playfully and said, “Yes, I’ve just started seeing him.”

Alison smiled. “Well, then this is a celebration. I’ll go in to town and get us some champagne! Maybe pick up something decadent for dessert too. Just give me directions.”

Holly and Avery laughed at her enthusiasm and Holly said, “We’ll go with you. I’d like to show you a little of Muskoka. I love it. It’s so different than the city, but I fit in here.”

Alison frowned and touched her sister’s arm. “I’m sorry you didn’t feel you fit in at home. Daddy loves you very much.”

“I know and I love him too, we’re just different people. He’s not good at having his plans thwarted.”

Alison laughed deeply. “You can say that again. I’ve never had your courage.”

Surprised at her sister’s response Holly said, “I didn’t realize you ever wanted to take a different path from the one Father laid out for you.”

Tilting her head to the side, with a shrug, she confessed, “It’s a good thing I listened to him. He knew what was best for me and it’s worked out well so far.”

“I always thought it did for both you and Matthew,” Holly said.

Waving a careless hand she said, “Oh, Matt is proving to be a brilliant business man. He’s diversified quite a bit and made some very shrewd moves. He’s gaining a reputation that rivals Daddy’s.”

Shocked Holly said, “I can’t believe it.”

“Yeah, everything he touches turns to gold…no that’s the wrong way to put it. Everything he touches turns green. Our big brother has turned his genius to environmental sustainability. He’s proven that we don’t have to plunder the earth to make a profit.” Alison smiled proudly.

Avery said, “Wow, I wonder what all your father’s oil buddies are saying about that.”

Alison assumed the conspiratorial expression of the small town gossip when she linked arms with Holly and Avery and said, “Well, let me tell you…”

They showed Alison around the charming town of
Bracebridge
. She seemed impressed with Holly’s home base as she said, “It suits you.”

Holly nodded. “I guess it does.”