Page 38 of Bloodhunter
But not even he could say the word or admit the truth. Notaloud.
Master.
“He hopes she won’t kill innocent vampires,” Miriam said.
“There are no innocent vampires.” Shane’s voice was calm,but full of derision.
Another point I agreed with.
“Why don’t you admit the real reason you don’t want topartner with her?”
That was Rhys Graver’s voice, and I stiffened in surprise. Ihadn’t been aware he was in the room.
Shane said nothing, but he must have looked at Rhys, becauseRhys continued after a slight pause. “You don’t care if she’s a baby hunter.You care that she’s got some nasty vampire blood running through her.”
“You don’t have to like her to work with her,” Miriam said.“Help her. Stay with her as she learns and grows. Humans are dying, Shane. Youcan work with us to wipe out the carriers. You can work withher.”
“Not when she’s one of them,” Shane Copas said. “She belongsto Amias Sato. Let him take care of her.”
I shoved open the double doors and stepped into the room,shaking with anger. I strode to Shane Copas, praying I’d be able to controlmyself enough not to hit him. He’d surely kill me.
“I amnot,”I said, my voice as dark and hard as hishad been, “one of them. I will kill them all.” And then, unable to resist, Islammed the palm of my hand against his chest. He barely moved. “You stay outof my way, asshole.”
I turned to give them all a sneer of contempt. “You, withyour secret meetings, discussing me like I’m a dumb kid to be handled andmanaged and coddled. Fuck all of you.”
Angus walked toward me, his hand out. “Trin…”
I glared at him. “Get away from me.”
“You’re not ready to hunt on your own,” Miriam told me,calmly. “You’re going to need a partner.”
My smile nearly cracked my face. “It won’t be this son of abitch.” I jerked my thumb in the direction of Copas, who never said a word.Most likely he thought speaking directly to me or acknowledging my presence wasbeneath him.
“Calm down, Trinity,” Angus said. “There’s no reason to getupset. We want to do what’s best for you.” He glanced at his watch. “I need toget back to work. It’s our busiest night and they’ll burn the place downwithout me there.” He squinted at me, then added, “You’ll come back to worksoon. That’ll make you feel better.”
Miriam nodded. “I have a job tonight as well. Trinity, wouldyou like to come to the graveyard with Clayton and me? You can watch me work.”
They continued treating me like I was a child or a wildthing to be handled delicately. No wonder Copas looked at me with such blisteringcondescension.
I’d have to prove myself to all of them. Andthatwould start tonight.
I gave one last, disgusted look around the room and then walkedtoward the door. My flare of rage was lessening, and I let it go.
“Where are you going?” Miriam called. “Wait, darling. Whereare yougoing?”
I didn’t answer.
“Hang on, Trin,” Angus ordered, but I ignored him as well.
I left the doors open and jogged down the carpeted hallway,heading for the stairs that led up out of the basement. The basement wasAngus’s domain, and the children and household staff were expressly forbiddenfrom going down there. I didn’t know what lay behind the three other doors onthe basement level, but the entire space was quiet and dim. I didn’t like it.It felt too…cold. Too alien.
There was an exit door in the opposite direction of thestairs, but it was locked, and Angus hadn’t offered me a key.
When I opened the door and stepped out into the main floor,it was like a different world. Angus’s kids and their friends yelled and playedand scampered, adults scolded like angry birds, and bright colors splashed acheerful calmness across the walls.
It was Saturday, and apparently every little kid within afifty mile radius wanted to weekend with the Starks.
I took a deep breath of fresh air when I left the stiflinghouse, jogged to the trunk of my car, and lifted the lid. Amias had said Iwouldn’t need any weapon but Silverlight, but I didn’t want to go out therewithout my silver, my holy water, or my vest. I didn’t know Silverlight enough,really, to trust her with my life. Not yet.
