Chapter 9

 

The next day was Liberty's day off. After much soul searching and internal arguing, she logged onto the computer in Victor's office. She hadn't been on Facebook since she'd come to the island. Other than the twice a week phone calls with her mother, she had no connection to her old life.

When her Facebook page came up, her heart squeezed. She had a message from Alyssa. They'd been best friends since third grade, until graduation night when Liberty had found her in bed with Cam. Liberty had lost a best friend and a boyfriend that night. Shortly after, she'd come to the island.

Funny how things had changed since then. Her heartbreak seemed so insignificant now, although she did miss Alyssa. They were like sisters. Liberty would never find another friendship like she had with Alyssa. She liked Bianca, and she'd made a few acquaintances since coming here that might lead to a close bond, but there was nothing like a lifelong best friend.

Liberty took a deep breath and began to read.

Liberty, I don't know what to say. I can't believe I'm even messaging you. I know you probably won't respond, but I had to reach out. I am so, so sorry for what I did. It was horrible and wrong, and I don't blame you for hating me. But I still love you. I miss you and I can't imagine never speaking to you again. Remember when we used to hang out at the arcade? I went there the other day and just sat and cried. Nothing is the same here without you. It sucks big time. I haven't even spoken to Cam since you left. We threw away something precious for one foolish mistake. You're the best friend a girl could have and I destroyed that. I hope your new life in paradise is as perfect as you deserve. One of these days, if you can find it in your heart to forgive me, I would love to speak to you... I would love to see you. Find out what you've been up to. Have you met a guy? Someone who treats you better than the a-hole Cameron? Haha, listen to me. I have a lot of room to talk. I hope you've found a better friend than I was to you.

Always your BFF,

Alyssa.

PS. I never take off my half of the friendship necklace. I would imagine you threw yours away. I don't blame you.

Tears were rolling down Liberty's cheeks by the time she finished the message. She wiped them away, but more took their place. In all the homesickness she'd suffered, none had been as severe as what she felt now. She wanted to see Alyssa, to share everything that had happened since she'd come to the island.

Alyssa was mistaken about the friendship necklace. Liberty had kept it, and in spite of what Alyssa had done, she cherished the keepsake—cherished their friendship. Her hurt and anger seemed foolish now. Yes, Alyssa had betrayed her, but everyone deserved a second chance. No one was perfect, and Liberty had learned that in a big way since coming to the island, especially about herself. And God, she missed Alyssa. Missed talking to her.

After a brief hesitation, she began to type. There was no way she could tell Alyssa about the vampires, or about learning she was a Van Helsing, but she could fill her in on the surface details.

She wrote in the note that she forgave her, that she missed her. She wrote about her job, about Ryan and the other people she'd met—although she didn't mention Eli. She wasn't even sure how to put that into words. Not without mentioning the vampire thing.

Liberty told her about the beauty of the island and how she would love for Alyssa to visit. She hit reply, then immediately regretted it. Although she would like nothing more than to see Alyssa, did she really want her to come here? To try to keep the secrets of the island hidden? Or worse, get her best friend hurt—maybe killed? Alyssa wouldn't come, though. That was crazy. It was so expensive, so far away... There was nothing to worry about.

She hoped.

* * *

That night, Liberty met Bianca for drinks at Steamy Nights. Ryan had to work, and Bianca insisted on a girls' night out.

Liberty had fun, and even danced with a couple of guys, but none of them piqued her interest. Maybe she wasn't such a slut after all.

"You've got it bad, don't you?" Bianca said above the noise of the crowd.

"I've got what bad?"

Bianca grinned and took a sip of her drink. "The love bug, silly. You've barely given any of these blokes a second look. Even the head-turners."

Liberty's face heated, and she tried to hide it by taking a drink of wine. "I'm just not a big flirt."

"No, you're smitten, no doubt. The question is, who's the lucky guy? My brother... or Eli?"

"Ha," Liberty barked a laugh, but it sounded forced. "I can't stand Eli."

"Right. Sure. That's why you look at him like he's a chocolate truffle wrapped in fourteen-karat gold. I can't blame you. He is a tasty morsel. But so dangerous." She shuddered. "I wonder if having a go at that would be worth the risk."

Liberty's face warmed further. "Can we please not talk about this?"

Bianca's beautiful features lit up, and she laughed with glee. "Getting hot and bothered are we?"

Liberty downed the remainder of her wine. "I'm actually getting kind of tired. Can we go?"

"The night's still young. I didn't mean to spoil it. I was teasing."

"No, it's not that. I have to open in the morning. I'd really just like to go. If you want to stay, I'll go on without you." They'd driven separately for just that reason.

"I'll come along. It wouldn't be any fun by myself. Then I'll just look desperate and pathetic. Not to mention easy." Bianca winked. "And truth is, out of all of those, I'm only easy."

Liberty smiled. She wished she could be as relaxed, as nonchalant about sex as Bianca. But then, she didn't have the experience Bianca had.

They walked out into the balmy night. A half-moon hung low in the sky. Only a few weeks until the next hunt. She'd thought she would get a break between full moons, but that hadn't quite worked out. Rupert's words about her supposed strength, quickness, and natural skill came to mind. Maybe the gene had skipped her, because she certainly hadn't seen it. Although, she had broken the post at the festival. Not all girls could do that. Maybe she was developing those traits after all.

Liberty said goodnight to Bianca, then climbed into her Corolla and drove from the parking lot.

The road was shadowed in darkness, the overhang of trees blocking out the moon's glow.

As she was taking a curve in the road, a flash of something pale off to the side caught her attention.

She peered into the trees in time to see a young blond girl disappearing into the shrubs. Hannah?

Liberty whipped the car to the side of the road and bailed out, hurrying to where she'd seen the girl.

"Hannah?" Liberty called. "Is that you?"

No answer for several seconds. Liberty shouted once more.

"Liberty?" the small voice came from ahead and to her left.

Liberty headed that direction, relief flooding her when she spotted Hannah. She wore jeans, a pink baby doll shirt, and tennis shoes. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail. She looked closer to eight than fourteen.

Liberty rushed over and took Hannah's upper arms in her hands.

"Hannah, you can't be out like this. It's not safe." A few weeks ago, Hannah had snuck out of her hotel room and gone partying. She'd shown up at Liberty's door and been attacked by a vampire. Eli had mesmerized her into forgetting. Maybe that was a bad idea. A healthy dose of fear might do the impetuous girl some good.

Hannah sniffed. "My grandpa is getting sicker. I have to find the cave."

"Hannah," Liberty huffed out a breath. "I told you, it's not true. There is no magical cave."

Hannah tugged out of Liberty's grip and wiped tears from her cheeks. "But what if there is? What if I could save my grandpa and I didn't even try? What if he dies?" Her voice rose in hysteria.

"Okay, okay. I'm sorry. Just calm down. If you promise not to go off on your own again, I'll help you find the cave."

"You will?" Hannah's watery eyes lit with hope.

"Yes, but you have to promise me—"

A flapping sound drew Liberty's attention. She whirled to find a huge bat soaring directly toward her. She squealed and grabbed Hannah, dropping to the ground with her body shielding the girl.

When nothing happened, Liberty peeked from between her arms and saw the bat hovering above them.

It was a vampire, it had to be. She assumed all bats on the island were vampires. But who? Friend or foe? A friend likely wouldn't terrify them like that. She suffered a moment of embarrassment. Her actions hadn't exactly been that of a hunter, but in spite of all she'd seen and done, bats still freaked her out.

But she couldn't keep cowering in fear. She rose and rushed at the bat, waving her arms. It flew back a ways, then soared toward her.

Liberty's insides quaked with fear. Crazy that she was more frightened of them in their bat form than vampire form.

The bat hovered in the air. A squeaking, screeching sound filled the night and the bat began to change shape. Liberty shuddered with revulsion as the beast's pointed face morphed in front of her eyes into a man's face. Its body stretched into a man's torso, the wings became arms and legs.

"Oh my God," Hannah screeched. "What's happening? Oh my God... what is that?"

Great. Eli wasn't here to mesmerize Hannah this time. Liberty couldn't worry about that now.

She recognized the vampire immediately. Trey. He'd confronted her the night of the hunt, threatened to capture her for Rupert while claiming he wanted her for his own. He was a freak—and scary as hell.

He whirled and stalked toward Liberty. "Well, well, if it isn't Miss Liberty Van Helsing and a little golden ball of human sunshine. No full moon tonight. Pity. I'm just aching to turn someone."

"Yeah. Pity." Liberty backed away, reaching into the compression holster at her back for the pistol she now carried constantly—a pistol loaded with wooden bullets. She hadn't had to use it, but it would have come in handy the night of the festival. And the likelihood was certainly pointing that direction now. A thought struck icy fear in her chest. Was Trey the killer?

If so, it was bad news and good news. Bad news, he was even more demented than she thought. Good news, she could end this here and now.

He executed an odd, head cocking thing, like a chicken studying a kernel of corn. Slowly, he advanced. From the corner of her eye, Liberty saw Hannah rise to her feet. Her entire body trembled. Her face was pale, her eyes round in shock.

Please run. Don't do anything stupid... just go!

Liberty tried to keep her attention on Trey while at the same time eyeing Hannah. Hoping she would be smart.

"What do you want?" Liberty demanded. "Rupert has called off his orders to capture me until the rogue vampire is caught. We have a truce."

He laughed, a sound like demons cackling. "He has a truce. I made no such deal."

"But he's your leader. You have to obey him. He'll make you pay if you don't."

He shrugged. "Some things are worth the risk."

She aimed the gun at his heart. "This is a risk I don't think you want to take."

His eyes flickered momentarily with... fear... insane delight?

"Oh, my precious. I'll be the judge of that."

He lunged, and she pulled the trigger. The bullet hit his shoulder, spun him around, and he dropped to the dirt. But he was barely injured. He rose to his feet. She took more careful aim but before she could pull the trigger, Hannah jumped him from behind. She'd somehow found a piece of wood and plunged it into him. Blood leaked from his shoulder and his back. He growled like a furious, wounded animal, but didn't go down and smolder into a pile of ashes. They'd both missed his heart.

He staggered toward Hannah. She backed up, shaking her head, "Please, please don't hurt me."

Terror froze Liberty's insides. Hannah's life was in danger because Liberty had refused to help her when the girl asked... and because Hannah had attempted to protect Liberty. If something happened to her...

Just as Trey reached Hannah, yanked her to him, and pulled her head back, exposing her neck, Liberty pulled the trigger and let out another volley of shots. Trey's body spasmed and jerked. Hannah fell to the ground.