Immortal Revenge (42 page)

“Do you think he’ll do it?” Jules asked softly.

“I hope so.”

“And if he doesn’t, or Charles doesn’t let him…?”

“Then I’ll ask him to follow us and figure it out along the way.”

“That doesn’t sound promising.”

“Our best option is to delay our arrival. If that doesn’t work, then I have to figure out how to avoid fighting them before sundown. I’m not sure how to do this yet, but there’s something else I need Ben for.”

“What?”

“The vial. Andy will have to give it to him, then Ben can slip it to me. If I don’t take it, I won’t last long in any fight.”

“Oh, Katie.” Jules gripped her hand. “Is there some way I can help?”

“If we had the gun with the acid bullets, it would help. Any of my weapons would help. We need to tell Andy. Since my car is in Kyle’s barn, Riker will have to rely on Andy for transportation.”

“When you’re talking to Ben, I’ll inform Andy of the plan.”

Katie gave an agreeing nod. “Sounds good.”

A sharp pain in Katie’s stomach forced her into a bent position. “Fuck me.” She clamped her jaw tight and held her breath as the cramp twisted tightly within her.

“What can I do? What can I do?” Jules asked faster than a Mexican on speed. She rubbed Katie’s back. “Tell me how to help.”

Katie released the breath she’d held and the stiff pain worsened. “Ugh.” It was the only sound she could get out.

Bent over, she waited for the wrenching cramp to pass. The pain didn’t cripple her if she stayed stationary. But one breath, one tiny little movement and the horrendous pain hit her. She wished someone could knock her unconscious.

“Is she all right? Do I need to call for help?” Mary asked.

“No,” Katie squealed.

“She’ll be fine. It’s just a cramp,” Jules said. “Right, honey?”

Katie gave a small nod as the tightness lessened. She took a small amount of air in, then more until she filled her lungs. The knot untwisted, freeing her from the horrible ache. Slowly, she inched her body upright.

“Better now?” Jules asked.

“For now, but they’ll get worse and come more frequently. The stress is taking a toll and eating up my energy. I may need to take Kyle’s blood sooner than I planned.”

“I can’t believe you do this to yourself, or that you have for years.”

Katie scooted over the cot until her back reached the wall. “It took a while to get used to it. I said to myself many times I wouldn’t do it again. Then Kyle teased me and I wanted to fight with him, to prove I could beat him.”

“Do you ever wonder if he did it on purpose? If he provoked you into taking it so he could train you?”

The questions took Katie by surprise. She stared blindly at Jules. Although she’d never considered his tactics as motivational, they essentially were. But he did love. She didn’t question his affection for her because it was real and from the heart. Maybe he just knew the right tricks to get her into action. Didn’t all men?

“I don’t know, Jules. Kyle and I had a special bond and we were good together. He loved me, heart and soul. I know he would’ve never hurt me. The memories I have…no one can ever take them away.”

Her lips curled slightly into a smile while her eyes slowly filled with tears. “Honey, I know exactly what you mean.”

Katie stretched her arm around Jules. As the disco queen moved closer to the wall, Katie pulled her into a hug. Jules cried softly. For a while, neither of them spoke. The silence helped Katie relax. She closed her eyes and leaned her head against Jules. Darkness invaded in her mind and she drifted asleep.

A loud clanking sound jolted her from sleepy land. She took in a quick breath and jerked her head back, only to hit it on the wall. “Ouch.”

Jules stood nearby. “Sorry, I didn’t want to wake you.”

“Having any fun yet?” Andy said as he stepped into the small cell, carrying a bag from McDonald’s in one hand and a cup in the other. He handed both to Jules.

“Bless you,” she said.

“It comes out of your check.”

“That’s not funny.”

He chuckled anyway.

Katie moved to the edge of the cot as she rubbed the back of her head where she’d hit it. Even though she lacked an appetite, the smell of the food enticed her.

Ben walked into the cell dressed in casual clothes. He pushed his way toward Katie. “I brought this for you.”

Glad to see him, she gave him a wide smile. “Thank you.” She took the bag from his hand.

Ben sat down next to her, but his gaze pointed at Andy. He gave Andy a slight nod, then Andy stepped outside of the cell. With his hands wedged into his front pockets, Andy glanced around in the same manner as a patrol guard.

Jules stepped closer to Andy, but stayed on the inside of the cell. She gave Katie a quick smile, then turned her back so she could talk to Andy.

“We don’t have much time,” Ben said softly. “They let me come down here alone, but if they notice how long I’m here, they will suspect something.”

“Thank you for coming.”

“What’s going on, Katie? I asked why they’re holding you and they said for suspicion of murder. Mr. and Mrs. Jennings are missing.”

“Of course I didn’t do it. Did they tell you who is wanting me detained?”

“No, they couldn’t give me a name, nor could they produce any kind of report. It’s odd. There should at least be a report with charges, but I checked before I came down and couldn’t find one. I mentioned it to Charles and he claimed he couldn’t release you. He said he had to escort you to the Jennings orchard at eight.”

Katie shoved a couple of fries into her mouth and chewed.

“Every question I ask, he stares at me as if I’m crazy. I’ve never seen him act so unusual.” He lowered his eyes and shook his head.

“I said I’d explain everything, and I will. But first I need your help.”

He grinned. “I can’t help you escape. I can’t do that.”

“I know, and I’m not asking you to do that. I want you to convince Charles you will escort me to the orchard.”

He stared silently. “That’s…it?”

“Part of it.”

“Ah, of course.”

Katie peered around Ben at Jules and Andy. Between bites of food, she whispered to him. As they’d discussed earlier, Katie suspected Jules was informing Andy of the plan.

“What else do you need?” Ben asked, bringing her attention back to him.

“When you leave here, I want you to go with Andy. He’s going to get some special weapons that I need.”

“Special weapons?”

“Yes, and there’s something very valuable he’s going to give you. A vial. I need you to give me the vial as soon as possible.”

“You want me to give you weapons and a vial? You’re under police protection and wanted for suspicion of murder.”

“The charges don’t exist. You said it yourself.”

“Yes, but–”

“They don’t exist,” she said strongly.

Following a lengthy silent stare, he rose. He turned to face her and crossed his arms. “What’s in the vial?”

“Something for me. Something I need to live. Without it…I’ll be dead before sunrise.”

Worry masked his face and he squatted in front of her. “Do you need medical care? I can–”

“No, no.” She shook her head. “Human medicine can’t help me.”

“Human?”

“Do this for me and I promise to explain everything to you. I don’t know that you will believe me, but I will tell you the truth.”

Andy cleared his throat and tapped his nose. Ben straightened quickly and gave her the one finger signal. He stepped toward Andy and peered around the wall.

Jules leaned against the wall holding the cup and bag in one hand, a cheeseburger in the other. She shoved the burger into her mouth.

Katie’s stomach roared to let her know it wanted food. She grabbed more fries and chomped on them. The salt tasted good on her tongue.

Ben stepped closer. Tight brows and features revealed deep thought.

“Problem?” She mumbled with food in her mouth.

He rubbed his chin, then scratched his neck. “Answer me this. Are the weapons for you to fight someone at the orchard?”

She swallowed. “Yes.” It was one answer she couldn’t afford not to give. She needed the vial and sharp blades. Guns wouldn’t severe a head.

“Then I’m going in with you to fight…whoever it is you have to face.”

Katie jumped to her feet and the bag fell on the floor. “No. Absolutely not.”

“That’s the deal. You want my help, I’ll give it, but I’m not sending you to your death.”

“Give me the vial and the weapons and let me handle this. If you go with me,
you
won’t come out alive. I guarantee it.” She put enough force behind her words that he had to understand he couldn’t face her enemy.

“Who–”

“Not who, what.”

Shaking his head, he turned away from her. As he headed out of the cell, Katie’s heart began to race. She couldn’t risk letting him walk out, but she didn’t want his life in jeopardy either.

“Wait!”

He stopped, then twisted to face her.

She stepped close to him. “I’m doing this to save lives. You, of all people, should understand that. If I agree to your bargain, I can’t protect you. And if you don’t help me, Jules and I will not survive the night. More people could die too.”

His chest expanded as he inhaled. Eyes fixed on her, he said, “I want answers, Katie.”

“I will answer them, all of them. I promise.”

He glanced at Andy, then Jules, then back to Katie. “All right. I’ll talk to him. If he refuses, I’ll come back and we’ll have to figure out another plan. If he agrees, I’ll be back at seven forty-five. I’ll have your weapons and vial for you.”

Katie threw her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you, Ben. Thank you so much.” She hugged him tight for a brief minute, then slid her arms away and stepped back.

“And tomorrow, you promise to give me answers?” He eyed her suspiciously.

She inhaled deeply. How could she say no? She promised. “Yes, tomorrow.” And if he didn’t like her answers, she had a vampire to fall back on to clear all the confusion. But she hoped and prayed she wouldn’t have to go to such an extreme.

Ben walked from the jail cell without another word. He stopped next to Andy and slid the bars across until they locked into place. “If there’s any problem, I’ll be back.”

“Thank you, Ben.”

He walked away with Andy at his side.

Katie sat on the cot, relief flowing through her as she sighed.

Jules came to her side with a small bit of cheeseburger left in her hand. “It will be fine.” She mumbled.

Katie nodded in agreement with her positive thinking friend. Past Jules, Katie saw Mary in her cell. The young woman faced them as she ate her food. Her wide eyes reflected curiosity. In a few days, Katie would pay a visit to her and work on convincing Andy to hire her.

Jules bent and lifted the McDonald’s bag from the floor. “Eat up.”

Katie took the sack from her fingers. McDonald’s was her least favorite food, but since she had no other options. She took a couple fries and shoved them in her mouth. As she chomped on the food, she wondered if Ben would return with bad news or if she would see him later this evening. Her anxiety increased and she chewed faster. Time was her enemy now.

27

Katie fidgeted with her fingers as she paced within the small confines of the jail cell. Nausea flowed through her like waves of the ocean. Some caused her to sweat as she held back from vomiting. Other waves were merely discomforting. Aside from an ongoing upset stomach, more cramps came and went along with needle like pain shooting up her toes. Moving around took her mind off the nausea, but it also consumed more energy, energy she shouldn’t spend. She was stuck in the most uncomfortable situation imaginable, having to deal with the withdraw symptoms in such a small space without a bathroom. Forward thinking lightened her mood and helped her get through all the unease.