Bound in Blood 1 Clandestine Read online

  Tyler sucked in his bottom lip for a second. “Or, we could go to my place. Before you say anything, I’m only suggesting it because we’d be able to talk more freely. It’s not a line or anything, no funny business I swear.” Tyler held up his hands in surrender like he had before.

  Emily gave his suggestion honest consideration before answering. It would be nice to not have to talk in whispers and worry about Sam. She couldwrite him a note and say she’s sleeping over at a friend's. They were just having leftovers for dinner anyway so that was taken care of. It would be for educational purposes only. She wasn’t a tramp, she reminded herself firmly. There really wasn’t any need to feel like she was, that was just stupid. This wasn’t about romance. It was about figuring out what was going on, and how to stop it.

  She spoke slowly as if regretting her words. “Yeah. That’s a good idea.” Emily realized what an idiot she must sound like and forced herself to get a grip. “Just let me write my dad a note.” She turned away from him to unlock the door. She used the key, she had fished out of her backpack, while they were talking.

  “Not to sound like a jerk or anything, but you might want to get clothes too.”

  Emily whirled around and gave him a quizzical look. She couldn’t believe he had implied that she would stay the night with him. So much for the “not a line” thing.

  The shock on his face was obvious. “Wow. Simmer down, nothing like thatI swore remember? It’s just probably not a good idea to come back out once it gets late. That’s all, I promise.” He gave her an adorable crooked grin. His hands shot back up in their surrender position again.

  Emily softened and smiled trying to assure Tyler that she believed him. “Sorry. It just seemed odd that’s all.” Realistically, it was kind of stupid to react like that. Hadn’t she just thought she would write a note to Sam saying she was sleeping over at a friend’s? Granted she figured she would still be coming home later. The note was just precautionary.

  “Hey, don’t say sorry. If I were a girl going through the same drama,I’d be skeptical too. Nothing surprises me anymore and I’m sure it’s getting the same for you.” Tyler dropped his hands. His eyes though seemed to be pleading with her.

  It was almost, as if he were trying to subliminally communicate to her, that he was one of the good guys. Emily knew that already. She could tell that she could trust him completely. What other choice did she have anyway?

  Everything was settled in the house in record time and they were out the door again. She hoped that Sam didn’t go looking for her shot guns blazing or something. He would more than likely be late, she was sure of that. Hopefullyhe’d just come in and pass out.

  Emily wished she had a car so she could do the driving for him. She did have a license, just no car. Sam was weird about his truck and wouldn’t let her drive it. The truck was decent looking, surprisingly so considering the driver’s condition most of the time these days. It wasn’t brand new or anything by far, it just wasn’t too battered.

  She tried turning her father in once anonymously, but Sam was friends with all the cops in town and they let him off with just a warning. He was her father, of course she didn’t want him to go to jail. He deserved it, by putting everyone life in danger, each time he got behind the wheel. It sickened Emily that her father might someday be responsible for inflicting harm on an innocent person.

  “Tyler? Why don’t you drive?”

  “I’ve got a license. I had to sell my car to pay for the move here. I’ll get one though it’ll be hot too.” His voice grew immature by the second.

  What is it with guys and cars? Emily envisioned Tyler’s bachelor pad with hot rod magazines with half naked women scattered on his coffee table for decoration. With the thought, she gave a mental eye roll and laughed to herself. Maybe he would even have hubcaps hung on the walls as art.

  The majority of the rest of their walk was done in silence. They made idle chit chat once and awhile, but both of them stayed alert ready for anything. After Emily’s encounter with Andre in the computer lab, she was jumpy and more than a little paranoid.

  All of the shadows looked like strangers were crawling through them. Stupidly she even squealed at the sound of bushes rustling beside them in the wind. The bush was only knee high, so the prospect of a dangerous predator waiting to spring was slightly insane. Sure enough, after she froze like a coward, Tyler bent down and discovered that it was just a cat trying to get comfy for the night.

  “See,” Emily said to Tyler after he stood back up. “I knew I was hanging out with you for a reason. My bodyguard.” Her sarcasm was a weak attempt at recovering herself. It was fairly inevitable that she had seriously just lost like ten cool points.

  “That’s me, no feline to big or too small for these cannons.” Tyler flexed his arm dramatically sighing with the effort. “It’s hard to be this bad ass, but someone’s gotta do it.”

  A car passed momentarily shedding light on them. Emily was able to see Tyler’s flexed bicep more clearly. Outwardly he didn’t look all that big. The contracted muscle that bulged under his shirt made him seem massive. The muscles wrapped around his upper arm like bands of steel. Emily found herself, leering like those silly girls, she hated. They rippled as he moved promising strength. She’d be lying if she said,it wasn’t hot.

  What was with her lately? First, she drooled over Sebastian and now Tyler? She really needed to get her hormones in check since apparently, they were raging.

  The next turn brought them onto Main Street. Emily shuddered at the sudden pitch black sight in front of her. Not realizing what she was doing,she reached out for Tyler’s hand. When everything was over she planned to write a letter to the Mayor. Main Street needed real lights for when the lanterns were turned down atnight. Weren’t town officials supposed to care about the safety and well-being of their residents?

  Sensing her discomfort, Tyler laced his fingers through hers and they kept walking. Emily didn’t look in any direction except straight ahead. She refused to look down the alley or anywhere else something might be hiding. There didn’t appear to be anyone on the road, so that was comforting at least.

  Tyler stood rigid and tense. His eyes darted from side to side and even behind them a few times. There seemed to be a bounce in his step as if springs were under his feet. Emily half expected him to break into a dead run and leave her behind. Not wanting to take any chances, she clutched his hand even tighter, just in case. The squeeze he gave hers back made her heart squeeze in return.

  He nudged her across the street. “That’s it, right over there.” He led her across quickly even though no cars were approaching.

  Emily eyed the narrow stairwell questioningly. It had a faint glow from a dim light overhead. It didn't do any good though, seeing anything was next to impossible. Honestly, a nightlight probably gave off more illumination. Emily worried about the steep stairs. It would have been mortifying to do a tumbling act down onto the sidewalk. Sad, but true since Emily was more than a little clumsy.

  Absently, she wondered why there wasn’t a door in the bottom entryway. Most of the other apartment entrances had them and locked for additional security. It figured that Tyler would live in one of the only places without added security measures.

  Emily didn’t ask about it. For one thing it wasn’t the right time. For another, Tyler probably had no clue anyway. Luckily the stairwell was just wide enough for both of them to walk side by side. She didn’t want to have to go first,but she didn’t want to have to go last either. No door behind them would mean her back was exposed. When they got half way up the stairs they both froze at the exact same moment.

  At the top of the stairs was a dark shadow. No, not just a shadow, it was a person. There was someone sitting at the top of the stairs, which of course led to Tyler’s door. Before they even had a chance to react, the stranger stood and revealed his above average height.

  Emily stopped breathing as Tyler pushed her down on the step below him, trying to shield her from the unexpected
and unwanted guest. She thought for sure the sound of her rapidly increasing heart rate was echoing in the small space between them and Tyler’s visitor. You could have heard a pin drop with no difficulty. The tension and fear in the air was palpable. Emily envisioned green eyes with glowing red borders. Whoever it was, she prayed they weren’t hungry.

  CHAPTER 13 “Emily, go back down the stairs.” Tyler spoke slow and quiet as if the person about to kill them couldn’t hear.

  Obediently Emily started backing down the steps carefully. Realizing the possible vampire wasn’t going to lunge at Tyler to eat him, she began to turn so she could move quicker. Tyler apparently had the same idea. She could hear his shoes scuffing on the wooden steps. Emily thought her heart was going to leap out of her throat it was thudding so hard in her chest.

  “WAIT!” a voice from the top of the stairs called. “You don’t have anything to be afraid of. I’m here to help you.” The voice was reassuring and cautious all at the same time.

  Emily instantly recognized the voice and stopped. She would have known that voice anywhere. That voice kept her up at night. That fact wasn’t by choice, she just couldn’t help it.

  “What are you doing? Move.” Tyler sounded frantic behind Emily’s back. Even still, she didn’t move forward.

  Instead, she started to turn back around. Tyler grabbed her arm stopping her. “It’s okay. It’s just Sebastian.”

  Tyler didn’t let go of her arm. “What?” He asked incredulous. His body didn’t relax at all with the news.

  “It’s Sebastian.” Emily repeated.

  “She’s right Tyler remember? I met you the other day.” Sebastian’s voice sounded as if he were talking a small child off the top of a teetering ladder.

  Emily thought for sure Tyler would turn all guy and get irate. It was the reaction a lot of guys displayed when they thought someone was talking down to them. Surprisingly, Tyler didn’t. He took the comforting tone for what it was worth and released her arm. The two of them turned simultaneously to face Sebastian. Emily feeling small, rejoined Tyler on his step.

  “What are you doing here,” asked Tyler.

  “I needed to talk to you. I’ve been meaning to, but I didn’t think you were ready for it yet. What is she doing here?” Sebastian’s words were full of distaste when he acknowledged Emily’s presence.

  Instantly crushed by Sebastian’s rejection, she responded before Tyler had a chance to chime in. “Unlike you, I was invited.” There was enough venom in Emily’s voice to kill an elephant. Her eyes narrowed up at him full of reproach. It was possible that he probablydidn’t mean it like it sounded. Regardless, it was still rude. Especially since he talked about her like she wasn’t even there.

  “Emily I’m sorry I didn’t mean it like that. Look, can we go inside and talk?” Sebastian took a few steps down the stairs getting closer to them and paused.

  “Whatever, yeah. I guess.” Tyler replied, sounding unsure. Besides the uneasiness Tyler was curious and that part of him one out over the other. He walked up the steps moving around Sebastian to unlock his door. Once it was open he turned and motioned Emily forward.

  She barely saw the gesture. Thanks to the light that poured into the stairwell from Tyler’s apartment, Emily was momentarily blinded. “You always leave the lights on.” Emily didn’t make it a question, just a fact. It was nice to see she wasn’t the only one who had this habit. It made her feel safer. The two of them seemed to have a growing list of similarities. Emily moved easily around Sebastian and through the door.

  “Well yeah. That way I feel like I’m not here alone,” Tyler replied sheepishly. “Stupid right?” He sat down getting more comfortable on a plush red couch. There was a big ottoman that matched pushed off to the side against the wall. “Well I’d ask what your sign was,but I’d rather get to the point,” Tyler said bluntly looking at Sebastian.

  Sebastian chose to perch on the ottoman, so Emily opted for the other end of the couch. He had such a presence in the cozy living room. Without any effort he commanded it. Even the act of sitting down looked graceful when he did it. Every movement seemed controlled and precise like it had been planned. Emily imagined that even in a crowded room, it would be impossible not to take notice of Sebastian.

  “I’m here about the strange feelings you have been getting. I know why you are here in Lakeview. You’ve pieced it together enough now that I can teach you the rest.” Sebastian’s hands rested casually on his knees.

  Tyler started and looked at Sebastian with astonishment. Emily just sat there staring at him stupidly. She hadn’t told Sebastian anything, she just found out about Tyler herself.

  “How would you know what I have pieced together?” Tyler looked stunned and more than a little irritated.

  “I went through the same process you are going through a time ago,” said Sebastian.

  “Process?” Tyler’s face grew puzzled.

  Emilycouldn’t move during the exchange. Something really weird was going to happen, she could feel it. She just sat with her hands folded in her lap, twisting them into different contorted positions. Her head moved back and forth between the two of them as though they were in the middle of a heated tennis match.

  “Yes process. We all go through it in the beginning. I’ve told my mentor it seems cruel to allow our own to go through such confusion in the beginning. He says it’s a necessary part of it all.” Sebastian laughed to himself as if sharing a joke with them, only they didn’t understand it at all.

  “Could you get to the point?” Tyler was impatient now. His movements were like he had rubber bands around his limbs that were pulled tight ready to snap.

  “Alright alright, don’t be hasty we still have time.” Sebastian leaned back casually resting his hands on the ottoman and continued. “I’m glad you have finally figured out the truth about the vampire situation in Lakeview. It didn’t take you nearly as long to put it together as it has in the past with others. Part of the reason I couldn’t come to you right away is because it helps build your instincts even if you don’t realize they’re building. Did you read the book?”

  Tyler looked stunned. “You mean the one I got from the book store?” Tyler asked shooting a startled glance at Emily then back to Sebastian. “You mean Supernatural Hunter?”

  “Yes,that’s the one. I wanted you to read it. It’s not up to date completely, but it still gives some information on hunting vampires.” Sebastian seemed pleased that Tyler read it, and not really all that surprised.

  “Are you trying to tell me I’m a…” Tyler’s voice trailed off. His right hand mimed a weird stabbing motion.

  Sebastian sat back up putting his hands on his knees. “Yes Tyler, you are a vampire slayer. There are of course other names for it, though that is the most common.” Sebastian waited a moment so Tyler could take it all in. “You will have to undergo training of course.Don’t worry, you’ll be surprised how much of it is instinctual, sort of like the feelings you’ve been getting. Like a vampire we live a very discrete life. We don’t tell humans if we don’t have to.”

  This grabbed onto Emily’s attention and held it. She couldn’t keep quiet anymore. “What do you mean humans? Aren’t you a human? I don’t believe“

  Sebastian cut her off with a hand he held up like a stop sign. “I know this is a lot to take in, but no we are not humans, at least not technically.” Sebastian motioned to himself and Tyler. “It starts when we’re babies and once the process truly takes form so does our abilities. Some might say we’re immortal. That’s not true, we can be killed. Granted it takes a lot to do one of us in and we heal very fast.” His face took on a very serious expression.

  Tyler sat for a long time not speaking, consternation clear in his posture. His elbows were on his knees his face buried in his hands. He wasn’t crying but his hands were shaking. Emily was actually starting to worry he was in shock. It would be understandable if he was, she felt numb by this information. Even though Sebastian was only confirming their suspicions i
t didn’t make it any less frightening.

  It was Tyler who finally broke the silence surrounding them like a cage. “I don’t get it,why me. I don’t want to be a… vampire hunter. I don’t even like to hunt.” Tyler looked at nothing as he spoke.

  Poor Tyler, Emily thought with sympathy for her new friend. This must be very confusing for him. It wasn’t happening directly to her and she was baffled. Having a theory was one thing. What they had was a nightmare thrown right in their faces. The only problem was they couldn’t just pinch themselves awake.

  “I know you’re confused. Remember like I said, I’ve been there.” Sebastian put a hand on Tyler’s shoulder briefly. “Look, I’m not going to bombard you with everything tonight. I will tell you that you were not picked at random. A lot goes into it. We don’t choose you. We’re more informed of your upcoming arrival beforehand so we can prepare for it. The selection process comes from somewhere else. A senior hunter was gifted with the power to find you and spark the process. Believe it or not it is something you are born with. There is a good possibility someone in your family was a hunter and you just don’t know it.” Sebastian rose to his feet,his eyes still on Tyler. “I will be back tomorrow to bring you to the compound. You have got to start your training immediately. There’s no time to waste with all the recent activity happening in Lakeview.” He gave Tyler a quick guy nod and started toward the door.

  “Wait,” Tyler called. “What if I said I didn’t want any part in this?”

  Sebastian spun back aroundto face Tyler. “Don’t even talk like that. There isn’t a choice and besides,it’s your duty.” He pointed a finger accusingly at Tyler as he spoke. “No matter what you say I will be back to retrieve you tomorrow. Don’t try and bail even if you’re not home I can find you. It’s all part of the power you’ll see.”