Part 25 (1/2)

I was out of time. If I didn't act-and act fast-we could all go down. Kali and the Daemoni would win after all.

”All right,” I told Vanessa as I marched into her room. ”We're going.”

Chapter 22.

Blossom had a fit when I told her about the plan that evening, especially the part about Vanessa, since not even she knew about the vampire's presence in the safe house or the conversion. I'd felt bad about keeping the secret from her for so long, at least until I thought about her own safety, as well as that of the rest of the colony. She probably wouldn't tell anyone else on purpose, but something might have slipped unintentionally during one of her mind vomits.

”I can't believe you trust her!” Blossom said when I finished laying out the plan as we sat at her little kitchen table.

Blossom's home was just like her-full of all kinds of interesting things. Bookshelves overflowed with ancient-looking books I imagined to hold spells and potion recipes, as well as various bowls and pots that looked a lot like cauldrons. More books were stacked on tables and counters. Odd shaped objects were scattered about, some with strange symbols engraved or painted on them. And more shelves held jars and jars of ingredients, ranging from human fingernails to muskrat eyelashes to a variety of herbs from all over the world.

But even with all the old books and objects and the array of organics, her house didn't smell musty or icky. It smelled delicious, as if she always had a cake in the oven. Probably because she pretty much did.

”I don't,” I said, ”but I have no choice.”

She looked at me skeptically. ”You really think she's converted?”

I shook my head slowly. ”She feels like she is, but we're talking about Vanessa. She's been lying and deceiving for so long, maybe she has some way of fooling me. But all the signs ... she feels Amadis now.” I waved my hand in the air dismissively. ”It doesn't matter anyway. Whether or not she's fully converted, I'm out of options. I have to do this.”

Blossom's mind spun through all kinds of ideas as it always does, but I had a response for everything she proposed. Eventually, she came to the same conclusion I did.

”Okay,” she admitted with exasperation. ”You're right. You have no choice. So how can I help?”

I gave her a tired smile. ”I was hoping you'd ask.”

But when I told her my idea, she freaked out.

”You want me to give her my blood? Are you crazy?” Her eyes bugged, and her mouth hung open.

I sighed, regretting I'd put her in this situation. ”Yeah, I am. But again, no choice, remember? She needs something stronger than animal blood, and also some magical power so she can at least flash. I need her to have some basic powers.”

Blossom made a face. ”We'll have that connection vampires get, though. I mean, I've had it with guys, but with another girl? It's just weird. And with Vanessa? It feels wrong in so many ways.”

I nodded. ”I understand. I wouldn't have asked you if I had any better ideas. Would it help if you saw her?”

Blossom's shoulders sagged. ”You already said you don't trust her.”

”Right. It's just ... I don't know ... on some level I guess I do trust her. I mean, I just feel that she's not Daemoni anymore. That whatever she's planning is to serve her own selfish needs, not theirs.”

”Doesn't mean she won't feed you to the wolves to benefit herself.”

I rose from the table. ”Of course not. I'll be keeping a close eye on her. Anyway, I don't blame you. I'll figure something out.”

Blossom couldn't help her generous heart, and by the time Dorian and I arrived at the safe house just after dawn the next morning, Vanessa was stronger than she'd been in months, pumped up on Blossom's blood. The witch had also convinced a group of mages from the colony to hang out at the safe house for a few days to ”practice” their s.h.i.+eld skills. The plan was in full swing.

Bree would stay with Tristan in the farthest wing where no one would accidentally stumble upon him, and Sheree tended to Sonya while also helping Blossom as the witch bounced between taking care of Dorian and Sasha in one wing and tending to the mages in the commons room.

”Will this work?” I asked Dorian as he looked around the master bedroom suite.

”It's kind of like yours and Dad's room at Rina's,” he said after examining the sitting area, the bedroom and the bathroom, ”but better. It has a TV.”

”Yes, it does. You brought your games, right?”

He went over to his suitcase, packed mostly with things to do and only a few clothes. He pulled out a game console and went to work hooking it up to the television.

”Heather really can't come?” he asked as I watched him set up the game.

”Sorry. Not this time. You and Sasha will have to hang out by yourselves for a while.”

He frowned. ”What about Dad? I miss him.”

So do I. I pursed my lips together. ”I know. Hopefully he'll be home by the time I get back.”

As far as Dorian knew, his dad had been out of town for the last few days.

”And Uncle Owen?” Dorian asked.

I bit back a few choice words. Dorian had been ecstatic to finally see and spend time with Owen, and now the warlock had abandoned him again.

”Him, too,” I said, hoping Vanessa was right about finding him. ”I should be home in a few days, and we'll all be together again, just like we used to be.”

His face lit up. ”That would be awesome!”

I forced a smile while the probable lie ate at my gut. For all I knew, we could all be dead in a few days. No. Can't think like that. I had to have the same hope I fed Dorian. Believing that I'd see him and his father very soon was the only way I could get through what lay ahead of me.

Forcing myself to my feet, I held my arms open, and Dorian walked into them.

”You listen to Blossom, okay?” I said. ”She's in charge for now. You do everything-and I mean everything-she says, okay?”

”Even if she says let's go to Universal Studios and won't let me ask you first?”

I chuckled drily. As if that would happen.

”Even if,” I said.

His next words came out a little garbled, as though he spoke around a lump in his throat. ”You'll come back, right? You and Dad and Uncle Owen? You're not leaving me for good, are you?”

I squeezed him tighter against me. ”I'll never leave you, little man. Not like that. I'll always come for you.”

And as the words tumbled from my mouth, I believed them. If nothing else, my love for Dorian would ensure I made it home, or, at least, I'd die trying.

”I'd always come for you, too, Mom.”

As if I wasn't already having a hard time fighting back tears. If he only knew what that promise meant to me.

”I love you, little man. You be good and I'll see you soon.”