Awake at Dawn (Shadow Falls #2)(87)

She didn't want to think too hard about what his fate would be. That might remove some of the relief of knowing that she would never have to face that rogue vampire again. But how relieved could she be? Was this incident tied to the ghost's warning? Was someone she loved still in danger?

She stared down at her hands to try and digest the information and sort out her questions. When she looked up, she saw Burnett's eyes locked on the computer screen.

"What's that?" he asked in a dark voice.

Not wanting him to suspect Della of such a horrific crime, she grabbed the mouse and hit the red X. "Nothing." Too late she remembered he could tell when she was lying. And even if he hadn't, her clumsy attempt to get the screen cleared would have told him the truth.

His gaze shot back to her eyes. "Kylie, don't do this."

"Do what?" she asked, unsure what he thought she was doing.

"Tell me you aren't investigating car accidents looking for Code-Red incidents."

Code Red. Kylie remembered that was what the FRU called a staged car accident to mask a death at the hands of a supernatural. Kylie looked back at the blank screen. "So ... one of those accidents was a Code-Red case?" Maybe to cover up a vampire kill? Like Della had feared may have happened when she turned?

He turned his head and studied her, reading her. "If you're not investigating it, who is?"

Oh crap, Kylie thought. What to say? What to say? It couldn't be a lie or he'd know.

"Della?" he asked.

"No," Kylie lied again without thinking.

He closed his eyes.

"Please," Kylie said, not even sure for what she was pleading. His dark eyes opened and he looked at her.

"She couldn't have done that," Kylie said. "She's a good person."

Burnett glanced toward Della's bedroom door. He placed a hand on Kylie's shoulder and gave it a squeeze, then he walked out without saying another word.

Two seconds after he left, Della walked out of the bedroom. Kylie had tears of guilt in her eyes.

"It's okay," Della said, but she looked scared. "I was going tell him about it anyway." She started to leave as if to find Burnett.

"You couldn't have done that," Kylie said.

Della looked back over her shoulder. Tears brightened her eyes. "I hope you're right."

Kylie sat there for about thirty minutes, numb with guilt. If she hadn't been reading the screen when Burnett came in, this would not have happened. That's when she realized she couldn't just sit here. She had to do something. She tore out of the cabin, running with everything she had to the office where she expected Burnett would have Della. Because everyone was either in a class or a meeting, the trail was empty. Kylie hadn't gone too far when she felt it-that feeling of being watched-but her heart and mind weighed too heavy on Della to care. Kylie made it to the opening of the trail when she saw Burnett's car, with Della in it, pull out of the front parking lot. "No."

"It's okay," Holiday said from behind her.

Kylie looked back, and because the same worry she felt was etched on Holiday's face, she knew that Holiday had been informed about what happened. "It's my fault." Guilt filled her lungs, making it hard to breathe.

Holiday guided her to the office where she gave Kylie a hug. "It's okay," she repeated, sending a surge of calm into Kylie.

"Where's he taking her?" Kylie swallowed a lump of emotion.

"To the FRU office to do some tests. DNA and bite-mark imprints."

"So one of the accidents was a Code Red?" Kylie asked.

"Both," Holiday confessed.

Kylie's heart felt like it folded over onto itself.

"Is everything okay?" a male voice spoke from the doorway. Lucas leaned on the door frame. Worry filled his eyes.

"It's fine." Holiday waved him out.

He didn't move. "You okay?" he asked Kylie as if he needed to hear it from her.

She had yet to speak to Lucas since he'd been back and for some reason, her voice box refused to work now. All she could manage was a nod. He walked away, leaving a wake of genuine concern.

Holiday pulled Kylie over to the sofa and they sat down. "It's really going to be okay." She pressed a hand on Kylie's back and sent comforting warmth washing through her.

But the image of Della with fear in her eyes filled Kylie's mind. Della and fear didn't mix. Della was strong, and bold, and way too kind to hurt someone. "She didn't do this," Kylie told Holiday. "It's stupid to put her through the tests."

"Della wanted to do this. She needs to know."

"But she didn't do it," Kylie said again, realizing Holiday hadn't agreed with her.

"That's what we're hoping, Kylie. But if she did, there are extenuating circumstances. She was undergoing the change. The FRU will overlook it, I'm sure."

Kylie inwardly flinched at Holiday's words. She didn't know what bothered her more-that Holiday could believe Della could do this, or that new vampires could kill innocent humans and not be held accountable.

Holiday called three hours later and told Kylie that Della would be returning.

She gave permission for Kylie and Miranda to take the rest of the afternoon off and wait for her. And that's just what Kylie and Miranda did. They sat at the kitchen table waiting. Kylie turned a Diet Coke around in her hands. Miranda didn't even move.