An End of Night (A Shade of Vampire #16)(63)

Fortunately, I could run fast. And I had some blood to keep me going for a while. I just had to hope that there would be some settlement or sign of civilization not too far away.

Although I cursed myself for coming here in the first place, I could hardly blame myself. I’d been at the end of my tether, unable to see how I could stop attacking humans in broad daylight even while trying to keep myself stranded in the middle of the ocean in a submarine.

But now, even that situation seemed preferable to staying here. Everything about the atmosphere felt wrong. I couldn’t stand to stay here even a moment longer.

It was a hive of my parents’ enemies. My enemies.

After I’d taken the first steps away from the trap door, a sudden burst of pain shot through my right arm. It was emanating from my tattoo. I stopped, momentarily stunned. I pressed my left hand hard against my bicep, trying to soothe it. But that only made it more painful. I continued walking. The pain only increased until I was clenching my jaw against the pain and forcing myself forward with all the willpower I possessed.

Despite the agony and the heat of the almost-midday sun beating down beyond the boundary, I continued racing forward as fast as I could.

Just keep going.

I was sure that I had run at least one mile already. I remembered how Jeramiah had said to stay within five miles of the boundary to avoid hunters. I would have to hope to slip by them silently. Because staying wasn’t an option.

After what felt like five miles, I was about to brace myself for the hunters when I slammed into an invisible barrier. I staggered back, staring in horror at the patch of sand I’d been unable to walk past.

My tattoo prickling more than ever, I moved further up and tried to pass through in a different spot. Still unsuccessful, I tried several more areas even further along and in different directions.

Each time, my attempts were in vain.

I was trapped.