A Wind of Change (A Shade of Vampire #17)(47)

I wasn’t sure if my grandfather had told my mother yet that Lalia and I had gone missing—I assumed by now that he would have since days had passed. It made me ache inside to imagine how much pain she’d be in. She’d be worried sick. I couldn’t wait to see the relief on her face.

But I was getting ahead of myself. We were still in the middle of the desert. One thing was for sure: I wanted to get as far away from this area as possible, in case Jeramiah changed his mind.

I approached Joseph and placed a hand on his arm. He looked down at me, his expression serious.

“What now?” I asked.

“Now…” He looked around the area, and his eyes fixed on a point in the far distance. “Now you need to reach the nearest town with your sister, Morgan and Hassan, and contact the police to take you back to your families. If you make your way to the hunters”—he pointed toward the area he was staring at, and I could make out the outline of tanks in a row—“they should help you get there. You are a half-blood, so they have no reason to harm you. You have no claws, no fangs, and are no threat to them or any humans whatsoever. Also, you have those gold coins, in case you need money.”

My throat had tightened as he spoke. “What about you?” I asked.

“I must leave. It’s not safe for a vampire to hang around here.”

My mouth dried out.

There had been so much build-up to our escape, and then it had happened so quickly, the idea of parting ways and never seeing him again came as a shock. I hadn’t had time to prepare myself for it.

Although we’d known each other for only a short time, it felt like I’d formed a stronger bond with him than I had with friends I’d known my entire life. He had been there during the most traumatic and darkest time of my life. For us to be torn apart so suddenly, so unceremoniously… it was hard to swallow.

“Wh-Where will you go?” I asked, my hand still resting on his arm as I looked up into his face.

“I’m not sure. I have some… things I need to figure out about myself.”

I didn’t want to let go of his arm. I didn’t want our conversation to end. I didn’t want to watch him race off into the darkness of the desert.

But I knew I couldn’t keep him any longer. It was dangerous for him out here. He needed to leave.

So I just said, “Thank you.”

He smiled, showing me his dimples for what would be the last time.

“You’re welcome. And I should thank you too.”

I moved closer to him and slipped my hands around his midriff. Resting my head against his chest, I hugged him tight. His arms wrapped around me and he hugged me back, his strength engulfing me. I felt teary as I looked back up at him. I reached for his neck and pulled his head down to my level so I could plant a kiss on his cheek. And then I stepped away.

“Goodbye, Joseph. It was… nice knowing you. If you ever happen to turn back into a human and like Lebanese food, you’re welcome to visit me in New York any time. I, uh, don’t really have a way to give you my number though…”

He chuckled. “That’s okay. I’d have to track you down somehow… Goodbye, River.”

Chapter 23: Ben

I didn’t miss River’s eyes moistening as I walked away. Truth be told, I was hurting to leave her too. But there was no point in dwelling on it. She had a different life to lead than mine. A very different life.

I still hadn’t told her that she was immortal now, and a part of me felt guilty for it. It would come as a shock to her when it finally hit home. But now hadn’t been the right time to tell her. She’d been too elated at finally escaping for me to drop such a bombshell on her. She would have to realize it on her own.

As I sped up along the sand, my ears picked up on a beeping in the distance, coming from the direction of the tanks. I had to get out of this area fast. The last thing I wanted was to escape The Oasis only to be recaptured by an army of hunters.

I was grateful that at least I didn’t have the burning in my arm to distract me. I was almost too far away to make out the outline of tanks in the distance when a scream pierced the night air.

I skidded to a stop.

I knew that scream by now.

That was River’s scream.

And then there was another sound that chilled me even more: Gunshots.

River. They’re attacking her? But she’s not a vampire. She’s no threat to them.

Doubt upon doubt crowded my mind, but all of them were a waste of time.

I felt a crushing guilt. I’d been the one who had assured her that she would be safe with them.

“Bastards,” I spat, as I began hurtling back toward the area.

As I got closer, I could make out a lone figure darting to and fro among the dunes with supernatural speed. River. Sprays of sand exploded all around her. She was dodging bullets.

“I’m coming, River,” I breathed. “Hold on. I’m coming for you.”

She began moving farther and farther away from the hunters, and I thought that she might be close to escaping their range entirely, when she let out another scream—strangled this time—and collapsed on the sand.

No.

No.

I pushed my legs harder, reaching the area just as tanks began closing in. I was a blur as I whisked past and scooped her off the ground. Another roar of gunshots exploded, spraying the sand all around me. One passed so close to my ear it practically grazed it. I raced away, holding River tight against my chest but not daring to look her over yet. I was scared at what I might see. Right now, I just needed to get her—us—as far away from danger as possible.