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Frey leans forward. “And now he knows,” he says. “He knows what Williams has been saying is true. You are indestructible. The Chosen One.”
That stupid expression brings simmering anger boiling again to the surface. “Why does everyone always throw that at me? The Chosen One. Sounds like bad Buffy. There’s nothing special about me. I’d know if there were.”
“Then think.” Frey’s voice is hard, insistent. “How do you explain what you did? How do you explain pulling Lance out of those flames? Vampires can’t do that. Williams couldn’t do that. From the begi
“Recognized what?” The volume of my voice escalates with frustration. “He’s done nothing but fuck with me. If he’s trying to win me over to some great cause, he sure as hell has a strange way of doing it.”
Lance looks at Frey. His expression makes me think they’ve spent the last two days discussing me. It’s pissing me off. “Okay. Will you stop acting like conspirators in a spy movie? What is it you’re not telling me?”
This time, Lance takes point. “I told Daniel about what happened in San Diego. How you were attacked. We think there’s a co
“What co
Lance’s gaze slides away. A wave of guilt emanates from him making me realize the reason for his remorse and regret. “I can’t be sure that Julian didn’t know. We have a powerful co
“No.” A vehement shake of my head. “I don’t believe it.”
“Well, there could be a simpler explanation.” Frey lifts a shoulder in a half shrug. “You could have been followed.”
Lance and I exchange glances. Now that’s an explanation I can accept. An explanation so obvious I can’t believe we didn’t think of it ourselves. “I didn’t pay much attention on the drive,” I admit. “There wasn’t a lot of traffic, but I wasn’t looking for a tail.”
“Neither was I.” Lance is visibly and emotionally relieved at the possibility that he hadn’t led Julian to us.
So am I. Until I realize the implication. Williams is here? Lance picks up the thread of my thought.
Williams and Underwood working together.
Again.
His face flushes. “It is my fault.”
“Christ, Lance.” I grab his arm and give it a shake. “It is not your fault.”
Frey looks from Lance to me. “I don’t understand.”
Lance is reluctant to admit to Frey how we came to be together, so I do. Briefly, unemotionally. Frey’s eyes never leave Lance’s face as I tell the story of how Lance and I met. Of the lie that it was Culebra who brought us together when in reality, it had been Underwood and Williams.
I wish I could read what Frey is thinking. I can’t. I see only a subtle shift in his attitude toward Lance. Not so trusting. A shadow of suspicion in his eyes, a tensed jaw muscle.
“Frey.”
He turns to me, eyebrow raised.
“I trust Lance with my life.”
Simple words I’ve never meant more seriously.
Frey is still and quiet. He looks at me for a long moment. Then he nods. “All right. Your instincts have always been good. I respect them.” He turns to Lance. “Maybe we should pay this guy a visit. Get some answers.”
Lance tries to hide his alarm at the suggestion. He manages to shield his actual thoughts from him, but Frey isn’t stupid. He senses Lance’s anxiety. Suspicion once again tightens the lines around his mouth. “Unless there’s a reason you’d rather not have us meet with him.”
Lance’s face mirrors his distress. But it’s not fear for himself I’m picking up. Frey has no idea how powerful and cruel Lance’s sire can be. Lance is afraid for Frey and me.
“No, not yet.” I draw Frey’s attention with a wave of my hand. “I’ll take care of Underwood when the time is right.”
“A
I manage a wry smile, though the grimness of his expression sends an icy finger sliding along my spine. “They’re going to try to control me? Is that what you’re saying? How the hell are they going to do that? You’re being melodramatic, my friend.”
“I don’t think so.” Frey leans forward, his eyes devoid of all humor. “I have never known a Chosen One,” he says. “But I have known of them. They are charged with shaping the destiny of the vampire race. It’s a tremendous responsibility affecting not only vampires but all of mankind. There are likely to be more tests. You will be tried in ways you can’t imagine. But the end result will be the same. The fate of the world is literally in your hands.”
CHAPTER 19
The fate of the world?
Frey is so solemn, so serious, it takes all my strength not to insult him by replying with a derisive laugh. Instead, I temper it down to a derisive snort.
“Frey, my friend, do you hear yourself? You know me. You’ve been through some of the worse times of my life with me. What makes you think anyone in his or her right mind would put the fate of the world in my hands?”
He closes his eyes for a moment. Shakes his head slowly. “You constantly denigrate yourself. But I have seen you at some of the worst times of your life and you always choose the right road, the moral path. This time, though, choices may not be so clear. Williams and Underwood are powerful vampires. They will try to influence or coerce you. You need to be on guard now more than ever.”
Listen to him, A
“Protect myself? From what?” I look from Lance to Frey. “What do you expect me to do? How do I protect myself? Hide in a cave? Abandon everyone I care about? What?”
Lance and Frey have no answers. I see it in the worry that shadows their eyes, the grim set of mouths drawn tight with concern. I also see that it’s up to me to put an end to this nonsense. The Chosen One will have to wait. There is another more pressing problem to take care of first—Underwood has to pay for what he did to Lance.
I push myself away from the table and stand. “I suggest we go home. David is going to be wondering where the hell I am. Lance, will you come with me? Frey?”
The two men exchange looks, probably thoughts, but thoughts they keep from me. Lance gives in with a shrug. “When do you want to go?”
I pause, pretending to think about it when in reality, my path is already set. “Tomorrow morning, first thing. Lance, why don’t you take Frey into town for di
They look at me as if I am crazy to suggest they leave me alone.
Gives me a chance to throw the foolishness back at them. “Hey. You don’t think I can take care of myself? I walk through fire. The Chosen One, remember?”
Frey’s lips tip up. Even Lance’s shoulders relax a bit.
“And I’m not alone. Adele is here. It’s early. If you leave now, you’ll be back before dark. Nothing bad happens before dark. You’ve seen enough slasher flicks to know that.”
There’s still too much hesitation in his eyes. “Look, I bet there’s not much to eat in the house. Whatever Adele has been feeding the hosts is probably gone. Frey is a meat eater. How long has it been since he’s had a good steak?”