Page 87 of Bound by Vengeance
Somehow, in all her counting, she foundherself walking beside Nathan. Abby and Brian were in front ofthem, following Duncan who stooped to keep from hitting his head onthe ceiling. Asher and Logan walked behind her and Nathan andfocused their attention on the tunnel behind them.
“I’m sorry about your people,” Vickywhispered.
“It will be dealt with,” he replied.
His azure eyes were colder than she’d everseen them before. He’d always borne the weight of his leadershipduties, but now he also carried the deaths of so many on hisshoulders, including children. Hatred smoldered in his gaze; shecouldn’t help but worry that hatred would one day become directedat her and vampires like her.
She’d witnessed enough brutality over herlifetime to know people often blamed innocents for the perceivedwrongs they believed dealt to them. Would Nathan take his wrath toa dark place and decide all vampires must go? She didn’t think he’dever harm Kadence, but over time, maybe he’d start to see hissister as the enemy too.
Then his hand brushed hers. Vicky jumped astendrils of electricity crackled across her fingertips before hegrasped her hand and squeezed it. That simple gesture let her knowthat no matter how furious he was, he would be okay.
CHAPTER 38
Vicky released his hand as if it were onfire when Abby turned toward them. Abby’s gaze fell to Nathan’shand before she focused ahead again.
“Do you have a girlfriend, Nathan?” Abbyinquired.
“I don’t think now is the time to discussrelationships, Abigail.” Vicky smiled at the back of her twin’shead while contemplating choking her.
Brian hugged Abby and subtly shook his headat her. It was the wrong move to make as Abby’s shoulders wentback.
“Oh wait, you hunters have an engagementceremony of some sort, don’t you?” Abby inquired.
“They do,” Vicky said.
“That’s right,” Abby said and slapped herforehead. “I’d forgotten Kadence told us the elders picked theirpartners for them.”
Vicky knew she hadn’t forgotten anything;Abby was up to something.
“Will they choose a bride for you, Nathan?”Abby inquired.
“That’s their plan,” he replied crisply.
“You must be excited about that,” Abby said.“Weddings are happy occasions.”
“Thisreallyisn’t the time,” Vickytold her.
“Why not? We’re alone down here, and no onewants to think about what has happened above. Plus, I find itfascinating to learn about other cultures; I did want to join thePeace Corp, remember?” Abby asked.
“I do,” Vicky said, but she kept waiting forwhatever trap Abby was setting to spring.
“And now I have an opportunity to learn moreabout the hunter culture that I find fascinating.”
You’re so full of shit,Vicky thoughtas she met her sister’s sweet smile. She hoped she’d kicked Abby atime or two in the womb. Abby had a large heart, and Vicky knewthese questions were coming from a place of love, but she’d giveanything for this to end.
“Plus, learning new things is a gooddistraction from what might be lurking ahead,” Abby continued.
“It’s easier to hear a possible threat if noone is talking,” Brian grumbled.
“I meant lurking in ourfutures, notahead of us down here. From everything Vicky said, there is nothreat here,” Abby replied.
“There’s been no threat,sofar,” Brian said.
“I don’t want to think about those childrenand hunters and what happened to them,” Abby said.
Vicky couldn’t argue with her, but shewished Abby would ask about something that didn’t involveweddings.
“Will they choose a bride for you soon?”Abby asked Nathan.
