Immortal Grave (23 page)

“What about the Guardians in the town?” Bryce asked.

“When did you hear from them last?” Ree looked back to look at the map, her mind running over different strategies.

“Met and Niall called an hour before we realized there was something wrong with you. They had gotten two families and were heading back to their boat.” Bryce came over to look over the map.

“Hm. Did they have any trouble?” Ree tapped her finger on the college and then traced a line to City Market and River Street.

“They had trouble with one set of parents.” Bryce frowned. “Not that I blame them. Any parent would be freaked out if people with fangs showed up and demanded they bring their kids and go with them.”

Ree grunted in agreement. “What did they do?”

“Well, Met said that Niall was pretty good at convincing them to go along.” Ree saw Bryce shake his head out of the corner of her eye. “I think he liked knocking the father out a little more than he should have.”

“What about the others?”

“We’ve had contact off and on, but not a lot of chatter. There have been run-ins with darklings, but nothing they couldn’t handle.” Bryce shrugged.

“What about the cops?” Ree moved her fingers back to the college, her eyes moving over the surrounding squares and houses.

“Magda had a run-in with some cops. Thankfully, she was able to get out of it. Very diplomatic, that one.” Roland smiled. “Makes a nice balance, considering her partner.”

“Tall guy?Very military?” Ree looked at Roland surprised. “I thought relationships were forbidden between godlings.”

“The gods tend to overlook things when the godlings have already completed their battle.” Roland frowned. “Most do not form permanent attachments, though. I think they feel they must be battle ready at all times. Considering the current situation, I can see their reasoning.”

Ree looked at Roland for a moment, remembering her barter with Athena. She couldn’t help but wonder if those godlings had also found themselves in a position to be on call in the future. It felt as if the gods planned on keeping them all for future purposes. Sighing, she turned back to her map. There were other things that required her attention.

“How do we know Tristan will be at the college tonight?” Juliette drew everyone’s attention to where she was sitting.

“Do you see the way these houses are set up? There is a pattern, a strategy to where they set up the Dark One’s bases. They are protecting the school.” Ree tapped the spot on the map that stood for the college.

“You’re saying Tristan has been hanging out on the college grounds this whole time?” Juliette stood up and looked at the map. “Why there?”

“Home court advantage.” Paden put his hands on the desk and leaned forward. “He always liked playing on our soccer field better than anywhere else. He would go on and on about the dips and where rain water pooled.”

“Then even if we attack tonight, he’s going to know the area much better than we do,” Bryce pointed out.

“Yes. And he will no matter when we attack. If we wait for him to lure us in, then not only are we playing on his court, but on his schedule.” Ree shook her head. “We have to take any advantage we might have.”

“We could wait another day or two and study the layout of the buildings. The school isn’t set up like a regular campus. It’s spread throughout the historic district.” Melanie chewed on her thumbnail. “And if he is there, then it’s a sure bet that some of the teachers and staff are darklings or worse. There are a lot of night classes.”

“No. We do it tonight. We can’t wait any longer. We focus on the buildings in the center of their circle.” Ree shook her head. If, for some reason, the other gods found out what she had done to Ares, it would likely end up with her dead. If Tristan found out she was no longer human, she would lose her secret weapon.  Time was of the essence and she wasn’t going to waste it. Explaining all of her reasons wasn’t an option, either. Everyone was just going to have to follow her lead on this. Thankfully, she didn’t feel much opposition to her plan; it was more like they wanted to be prepared as much as possible.

“This is it. We can’t wait for Tristan to have a giant supply of convention-goers to use as leverage. We can’t let the darklings continue to tear apart our city. Tonight we do what we were made to do. Tonight, we go to war and send the dark gods packing.” Ree looked at everyone, her eyes lingered for just a moment on each of them. “I don’t know how this is going to go. I don’t know if we will all make it out of this alive. But, I do know I wouldn’t want anyone else at my side, and I will do everything in my power to make sure we win.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

Ree checked her watch one more time before looking at the dock again. They still had a couple of hours before dusk, but she wanted to be headed for the city before full dark. If things went as she hoped, they would be scouting the college before the Dark Ones even woke up. She was only waiting for the refugees to show up and somehow the waiting was the worst part. Frowning, she batted away a piece of pine straw that had landed on her shoulder. So much to do. So little time to kill her brother.

“You’ve been staring at the water for the last ten minutes.” Melanie’s soft footfalls made the pine straw whisper.

“I’m worried.” Ree didn’t look at her friend.

“About what?” Melanie stood next to Ree and watched the water.

“Everything.” Ree took a deep breath. “I’m worried about the people on their way here. I’m worried about you guys.” She stopped and took another breath. “I’m really worried something is going to happen to one of you. I try to not think about it, because we don’t really have a choice. But it’s still there. Still nagging in my head and heart.”

Melanie reached out and put her arm around Ree’s shoulders. “What else?”

“And I’m worried about Tristan.” The air fell out of Ree’s mouth and she felt oddly deflated. “This whole time, I’ve tried to not focus on him. Not focus on the fact that it is Tristan. But tonight, there is no turning back. Tonight I have to kill my brother.”

“Ree.” Melanie turned Ree to face her, a hand on each of her shoulders. “We’re all worried for each other. This is a huge deal. A massive thing we have to accomplish. But we can’t focus on those things. We just have to focus on what we’re doing and why.”

The sound of a motor drifted over the water and reached their ears. Both of them looked out at the water and saw the glint of the setting sun on the boat hull. Ree felt a little tension in her stomach release. At least these families would be safe for now.

“Tristan always wanted more, Ree.” Ree jerked back to look at Melanie. “He hated that he went to school on scholarship. He chose this, Ree. You know it, and I know it. He was never a bad guy; not a bully or cruel. But he wanted more. Maybe he didn’t understand why they wanted him. Maybe he didn’t know what it would do to him, but he chose it. And we all have to accept the consequences of our decisions.”

“Do you think he knew? Knew he would have to kill me?” Ree lowered her voice. “Did he know that the consequences would affect us too?”

“He’s the only one who knows for sure, Ree.” Melanie squeezed her shoulders before letting go. “It really doesn’t matter now.”

Ree shook her head and looked back at the water. It really didn’t matter anymore. He had made his decision and Ree was making hers. She couldn’t let the Earth fall into the dark gods’ hands. Even if that meant she had to kill her brother. Even if it meant killing a piece of herself in the process.

Sighing, she headed for the dock. She wanted to welcome the new people to the island, help them feel safe. The closer the boat came, the more she could feel the fear and worry of the humans. She caught the rope Met threw to her and tied it to one of the cleats. Ree brushed her hands off when she stood and offered to help the first family off the boat.

“I’m Ree. Sorry for the suddenness of everything, but you will be much safer here on the island.” She smiled at the father, but he just looked at her hand.

“Who’s in charge here?” He hopped onto the dock and held his hand out to his wife and young children.

Ree looked at Met and Niall for a minute. She hadn’t really thought about it, but if she was being honest, she was the one in charge now. And she had a feeling she needed to assert that fact right away.

“That would be me. You’re the Thornton family, right?” Ree smiled at the kids. “Why don’t we go on to the house where you’ll be more comfortable? We’re expecting more people and it would be easier to explain it once.”

“We’re not moving off of this dock until you tell me why we’re here.” He looked at Ree, his face stubborn. “That little guy stuck me with something and the only reason I haven’t done something about it is because I didn’t wake up until we were on the boat.”

“Um, excuse me.” A small grey-haired woman with bright blue eyes looked at Ree. “Does this have anything to do with the vampires?” The little old man holding her hand rolled his eyes and the angry father cursed under his breath.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“Actually, yes, it does.” Ree smiled at the old woman. “The Dark Ones are looking for people that have a little something extra in their blood. Both of your families were at risk.”

“You’re out in the sun. You aren’t a vampire.” The man crossed his arms over his chest. “Are you planning on using us as hostages? We’re not joining any cults or worshipping monkeys. Just give me the keys to the boat and we’ll be out of here.”

“Met? Would you mind a demonstration?” Ree nodded at the Guardian who smiled.

Before Met could say or do anything, Niall looked at the father and opened his mouth in a wide smile. His Guardian fangs slid free and gleamed in the remaining sunlight.

“Nom, nom, nom.”

Ree wanted to slap herself on the forehead, but decided it would be better to slap Niall instead. Grabbing his shoulder, she pulled him back behind her with a glare. The Guardian was still smiling, but Ree didn’t have time to deal with him. The little old woman was crossing herself and her husband looked close to a heart attack.

The father had taken a step back, blocking his children from view, but his expression said he clearly didn’t think Niall was all that dangerous. More like he was extremely annoyed by his sense of humor. Ree heard someone approaching from the house and sighed in relief. Kay came into view and smiled at everyone. There was a dishtowel hanging over her shoulder, and something in her expression seemed to ease the tension on the dock.

“I’m not going anywhere with that little freak. Not sure why you think showing me you’re vampires would make me want to go with you.” He stared at Niall, but his words were for Ree.

“Oh, those aren’t the bad vampires.” The older woman stepped up. “They have such a nice aura. Even the cheeky one.”

From the look on Niall’s face, Ree felt like he had just gotten better than a slap.

“Hi! Welcome to Sanctus Island!” Kay pushed her way past Niall and held her hand out to the father and mother.

“So are you in charge? These kids aren’t making any sense.” The father shook Kay’s hand with a look of relief.

“In charge? Oh, no. That would be Ree.” Kay smiled at Ree over her shoulder and moved her hand to the man’s elbow. “However, I am the one that will be helping you guys all get comfortable and making sure you’re fed.” She smiled at the mother and children over her shoulder, all the while guiding the man past Ree and toward the house.

Ree looked at Kay, feeling surprised. The woman that had popped her and Melanie’s butts with a wooden spoon for stealing cookie dough had just told everyone Ree was in charge. Turning back to look at the older couple, Ree was relieved to see Melanie helping the woman navigate the dock. She smiled at the two and nodded her head at the man trailing behind them. He stopped and looked at Ree.

“Do you have those teeth, too?” He adjusted his glasses and glared at Ree.

“No sir, I don’t.” Ree clasped her hands in front of her body, trying to look innocent.

“Then why would you be in charge?” His gaze never wavered, making Ree feel very young.

“Because there is a war happening, and I am the only one that can end it.” Ree’s words seemed to cut through the wind coming off of the water, even though she had said it softly.

“Heh.” The man looked away from Ree and followed his wife’s progress. “She’s been going on about vampires and magic for a while now. I just thought her mind was goin’, you know?”

“I can understand why you would think that.” Ree shifted from one foot to the other.

“But she’s right?” The man looked back at Ree.

“Yes. She’s right.” Ree pressed her lips together and met his stare.

“Well, then. And this island is safe?” He looked back toward the house.

“Yes, sir. As safe as I can make it.”

“Thank you for bringing us here, then. I’m glad to have as much time as possible with Libby.” He smiled at Ree. “And I’m very glad to know she is still in touch with reality.”

Ree smiled at him, but the sound of more boats nearing the dock drew her attention. The old man patted her shoulder and headed for the house. Ree looked back in time to see him grab his wife’s hand. Very clearly the woman looked at him and said, “I told you.”

Melanie came back to the dock chuckling, but the sound died away the closer the boats got to the dock. There was something stuck in the side of one of the boats and small holes lining another.

“Go get Paden.” Ree moved toward the end of the dock and the sharp, copper smell of blood grew stronger. Melanie was gone in a second and Ree could hear her calling for Paden.

One of the Guardians had several holes in his shirt, the black material slick with blood. Magda was standing on the prow of the other boat, the rope in her hand and ready to throw to Ree. Snatching the heavy rope out of the air, Ree quickly tied the boat down and moved to the next one. There was a girl around twelve or thirteen crying on the floor of the boat. There was blood in her hair and she had her hands pressed to a wound on her leg. Ree’s eyes raked over the passengers, some of them in shock, others trying to help those that had been injured.