Four

Jesse’s parents had given him the land we were riding
on, and hundreds of acres surrounding it, which contained dozens of old riding trails, overgrown pastures, empty barns and grain silos and even some abandoned old houses, like the cabin we found by one of the four lakes on the property.

Prince and Sali preferred racing to exploring, but once we took them on the narrow trail they fell into our usual riding positions, Jesse and Prince in the front and Sali and me following behind. Nothing ever bothered us, but sometimes my presence attracted some feral cats, lynxes and other felines to trail after us, so I kept my thoughts clear and calm. Once I had even drawn a Florida panther and her two cubs that lived on Jesse’s land to me, and while the horses didn’t spook easily, I didn’t want to disturb the big cat.

Not that any other, non-feline critter would bother us. Predators instinctively avoided vampires, Jesse had told me, and since I’d never had a run-in with anything I guessed they were the same with half-vampires. Then there was the connection we shared. Sometimes when Jesse and I were together I could almost feel it in the air, as if the two of us being close to each other generated a kind of unseen energy. He had many of the same powers that full vampires possessed, and I had my Van Helsing abilities, which Jesse’s father had once told me were still developing.

Into what, I didn’t know. Thinking about it only made me dread finding out.

The trees parted away from the trail, and over Jesse’s shoulder I saw the sagging roof of the old lakeside cabin, and reined in Sali.

The little lake was hardly more than a pond, but it had an interesting spiral shape. Strips of earth sprouting water grasses curved around the edge and formed some clusters in the center. It reminded me of a creek that had gotten tired of running and curled up for a long nap.

Jesse dismounted and tethered Prince to one of the remaining fence posts, and reached up to help me down. I could swing off by myself, of course, but I liked holding his hand. Once we tied up Sali we walked down by the water. The moonlight lit the surface of the murky water, turning it into silver-white crystal.

“In the spring it won’t be this quiet,” he predicted as he put his arm around my shoulders. “There will be birds and crickets and frogs, and after dark they become quite loud.”

“I don’t care.” I leaned my head against his shoulder. “I like the sounds they make.”

He glanced down at me. “I will remind you of this when the frogs begin their mating season.”

We walked over to the cabin, which Jesse had told me had been here since before his family had come to America in the late nineteenth century. Whoever had built it had used enormous oak trees, notching each end before stacking the trunks like Lincoln Logs. More split trunks had been stacked against a V-shaped frame to form the roof. While the walls of the cabin were still sturdy, the split trunks had slowly rotted over the years; many looked to be on the verge of collapsing.

Only a few narrow slots served as makeshift windows, and someone had blocked them with chunks of the same board that had been nailed over the warped latch-string door.

“I want to look inside,” I told Jesse, who went to the door and tugged off one of the boards, as easily as if it were made of Styrofoam. “Why aren’t I as strong as you?”

He thought about it as he removed the other boards. “You are a girl.”

A laugh burst out of me. “That has nothing to do with it and you know it, you chauvinist.”

“It was the only answer I could think of. You ask hard questions.” He set the boards out of our way and tried the door, which made a splintering sound and fell inside. A small cloud of dust billowed out around our feet, but nothing came running out.

“I should have brought a flashlight,” I said as I peered inside. Because we both had excellent night vision, we never needed them. “Who do you think built this place?”

He breathed in and frowned. “Someone who killed animals. Perhaps a trapper or a hunter.”

Jesse’s sense of smell, which was as keen as a vampire’s, could detect a drop of blood from across a room. Too much blood, especially human, made him shift into his predatory state. I saw his eyes darken, but they didn’t turn solid black as they would have if the blood were fresh.

“You don’t have to go inside,” I told him. “I just want to see if it might work.”

“As what?”

“A safe place.” I stepped over the threshold and gingerly moved inside.

Except for what the wind had blown in through the narrow gap at the bottom of the door, the interior of the cabin was surprisingly clean. Split logs of wood with their flat sides up formed the floor; time had left a lot of cracks in them, but the wood still felt sturdy under my boots.

“Why do you need a safe place?”

“It’s not for me.” I turned around to find Jesse right behind me. “It’s for you.”

His teeth flashed. “All right, why would I need it?”

“I was thinking we could make it into a vault.”

Although Jesse had most of the same powers as a full vampire, he also shared some of their weaknesses. Iron and garlic were poisonous to him, and any exposure to the sun’s rays burned him like fire. If he stayed out too long in the daylight, he would die. As he nearly had once when we’d been together, and Prince had suddenly bolted, leaving me and Jesse on foot in the woods near dawn.

I’d gotten him to safety in time, but I’d had to take my brother’s truck without permission and speed through town to get to Jesse’s boat to take him back to Raven Island, where I wasn’t welcome. Trick, who at that time still hadn’t known about me and Jesse, or why, had grounded me for weeks after that.

Jesse stopped smiling and took my hand in his, threading his fingers through mine. Instead of ridiculing my fairly ridiculous idea, he took a more serious look around. “The roof would have to be replaced and sealed from within, and any gaps in the walls filled. Such renovations would require many materials and supplies. Purchasing them and transporting them here without drawing anyone’s attention would be difficult.”

“I was thinking that we could put something inside the cabin,” I said. “It would just have to be light-proof, and big enough for you to get inside. That way we could leave the outside of the cabin like it is, as camouflage.”

He nodded. “We could use a coffin.”

I felt annoyed. “Don’t make bad jokes.”

“I am quite serious, Catlyn,” he assured me. “Vampires prefer caves and vaults, as they can be barricaded and safeguarded more easily. However, they have been known to use coffins and crypts as places of concealment and protection when they are caught away from their strongholds during the daylight hours. Humans have great respect for the dead, and never think of looking among them for those who prey on the living.”

“You’re not a vampire.” I couldn’t stand the thought of seeing him climb into a coffin. “We’ll think of something else.”

A block table and chair sat empty by a brick-and-mud fireplace, and against the other wall I saw bunches of long branches that had been lashed together to form a short rectangular bed frame. Some pieces of rotted rope hanging from the branches at regular intervals must have once webbed the frame to support the bedding.

Something drew me to the hearth and the long wooden mantle set into the stone above it. On one corner someone had carefully carved a small heart into the edge of the mantle. On top of that an old, battered tin cup, coated brown with rust, sat next to an equally ancient lantern. The kerosene it had once held had long ago evaporated, but I could see something through the dusty glass that had been wedged behind it. I moved the lamp aside, creating another dust cloud, to expose a flat piece of metal.

I took it down and carefully blew away more dust to expose the image on the surface, which showed a man and a woman in very old-fashioned clothing. “Look at this.” I handed it over to Jesse. “It’s almost like a photo.”

“It is a photograph. These were called tin types. They printed the images on the metal to better preserve them.” He studied the couple. “This man is wearing a uniform. He was a soldier. Perhaps he and his lady came here to escape the war between the states.” He turned it over. “There are some letters and numbers engraved on the back.” He swiped his thumb over the metal to wipe away some dirt. “And three words: ‘From Jacob’s heart.’”

I touched the carved heart. “He was a romantic guy.”

Outside the cabin, Sali uttered a short, plaintive whinny, her way of telling me that she was bored. Prince followed it up with his deeper, rumbling whicker.

I checked my watch, which read 3:20 a.m. “We’d better head back. It’ll be dawn in a few hours.” I saw him pocket the tin type. “Why are you taking that?”

“It intrigues me. Perhaps I can use it to find out who they were.” He gave the cabin a final glance. “And why they made their home here, in such a remote place.”

Now he was making me curious. “Maybe they were like us, and this was the only way they could be together.”

“Someday we will have more than a secret cabin in the woods, Catlyn.” He touched my cheek. “I promise.”

“Bugs love old books,” Trick said at breakfast the next morning. “You’d better find out how she deals with them, because I doubt she uses insect spray.”

I shrugged. “She probably shakes them out and swats them with the book.”

“Yeah, but you hate bugs,” Gray reminded me. “And you don’t want to run around the place shrieking. Someone will call your boyfriend.”

Trick looked up from his paper. “What boyfriend?”

“He means Sheriff Yamah.” I glared at Gray. “With whom I am not even friendly.”

“That’s another thing.” Trick set aside his paper. “I don’t want you letting any of your friends from school in the store while you’re working. This is a job, not a hangout for winter break.”

“I promise, I will not let a single friend from school into the store.” I hadn’t met Jesse at school, and he didn’t attend Tanglewood, so it wasn’t a lie. “All my hanging out will be done at other locations, like strip clubs, crack houses and biker bars.”

His jaw tightened. “Does the owner have a security alarm?”

“I don’t know, Patrick.” I folded my arms. “I didn’t exactly inspect the place from top to bottom yesterday. I was too busy, you know, trying to get the job?”

“Ask her about it,” he told me, “and if she does have one, have her show you how to arm it while you’re working.”

“I don’t think old books are at the top of the list of stuff burglars want.” I looked at his face. “All right, all right, I’ll ask.”

Finally my brothers went out to repair the damage Rika had caused to the training pen, which made me very happy. Being asked questions I didn’t want to answer was almost as annoying as listening to advice I didn’t need.

I spent the rest of the morning taking care of my daily chores before I went upstairs to tidy up my room and figure out what I was going to wear for work. That was when I realized I had a brand-new wardrobe problem.

Mrs. Frost had said to dress comfortably, which to me meant jeans and a T-shirt. Most of mine were worn, though, and while they were okay for home and school I felt I needed a different look for my job.

The good outfits in my Justin case would definitely be too dressy, and I couldn’t borrow anything from my brothers. Why hadn’t Trick or Gray been born a girl?

Just as I reached for the newest pair of jeans I owned, I felt a funny twinge inside my head, and glanced at the four old suitcases sitting on the shelf above the hangers. I used them whenever we moved, and they were empty … at least, I was pretty sure they were.

I reached up and took down one, which was light as a feather, but opened it to be sure. The only thing I’d left inside were some balled-up socks that I’d outgrown in middle school. Feeling stupid, I closed the case and put it back. As I did I bumped one corner into the others, which shifted—all except the largest one.

I pulled down the largest suitcase, which was so heavy I nearly dropped it, and lugged it out to my bed, where I opened it. A faint trace of some sweet perfume rose from the inside of the case, which was filled with stacks of neatly folded clothes: blouses, slacks, skirts and a couple of scarves. They all looked brand-new, and were in soft, pretty colors and nice fabrics; most of the blouses had lace cuffs and collars.

None of them, however, belonged to me. In fact, I’d never seen them before now.

“What’s that?”

I yelped and whirled around to see Gray standing right behind me. “God, you scared the wits out of me. Ever hear of knocking?”

“The door was open.” He stared past me at the suitcase. “Where did you find that?”

“In my closet, but they’re not mine.” I eyed him. “You or Trick like to dress up like girls?”

“They were Mom’s clothes.”

That explained the scent; our mother’s name had been Rose, and she had always worn rose-scented perfume.

All the anger inside me faded as I reached for one of the pretty blouses. I’d been too young when our parents had died to remember much about my mother, but thinking of her always made me feel a little blue. “She really wore these?”

“Yeah.” He came to stand beside me. “Trick’s been saving them for you, I guess.”

“Not like you guys could wear them, although you might look good in lace.” I held up the blouse against my front. “Why didn’t he tell me he put them in my closet?”

Now his eyes shifted away. “He probably forgot.”

I had seen a few pictures of our mother, who had been a petite blonde with big blue eyes. I was tall and thin like our father, so I probably couldn’t wear any of her slacks, but some of the blouses might fit.

“Gray, are you—” Trick stopped in his tracks when he saw Mom’s blouse in my hands. “What are you doing with that?”

“I found it in my closet, so I’m going to wear it to work.” I held it up and faced him. “What do you think? Does it say ‘responsible employee’?”

“I was saving those for when you grew up.” He sounded angry.

“I don’t think I’m going to get any taller.” I measured one sleeve against my arm. “They should fit me okay now. Any other objections?”

I could tell from his expression that he didn’t want me to wear my mother’s clothes. From his silence I knew he didn’t want to tell me why. I didn’t feel sorry for him, though. If my big brother had been honest with me about everything, he wouldn’t be in this position.

Gray looked from me to Trick. “Those old books might be dirty, Cat. You don’t want to ruin Mom’s clothes.”

“Dust washes out, Grim. Besides, I’ll be wearing gloves and an apron.” I was almost enjoying myself now. “Now if you two don’t mind, I’d like to get a shower so I can try these on and see how they fit.”

They didn’t leave, and for a second I thought Trick was thinking of using his ability to make me forget I’d found the clothes. I didn’t know how I’d stop him if he tried—or even if I could—but I stood my ground. I knew I’d never been able to prevent him from doing it before, but maybe this time I could punch him before he brainwashed me again.

“You’d better braid your hair,” Trick said finally. “You don’t want it getting in the way while you’re working.”

My brothers went back downstairs, but I didn’t hear them leave the house. I grabbed my newest pair of jeans and a towel and went into the bathroom, turning on the shower before I walked out into the hall.

I could hear Gray and Trick talking in the kitchen, and because they thought I was in the shower, the talk was probably about me.

If they catch me I’ll pretend I ran out of soap, I thought as I carefully made my way down the stairs. I’d already tested each step thoroughly so I could avoid the squeaky spots.

I went to the laundry room, the best spot for eavesdropping, and positioned myself behind the door.

“—not coming back,” Gray was saying, “but she’s getting suspicious. If you don’t quit jumping on her she’s going to start asking questions you don’t want to answer.”

“I’m glad you’ve decided that this is my fault.” Trick sounded disgusted. “Why didn’t you put that case up in the attic, like I told you to?”

“I thought I did,” Gray insisted. “It must have gotten mixed up with hers when we unloaded the truck.”

“The damage is done. At least this time she didn’t have a flashback.” My oldest brother made a tired sound. “We can’t make any more mistakes, Gray.”

I didn’t wait to listen to anymore; I hurried back upstairs and locked myself in the steamy bathroom. My hands shook as I undressed and stepped into the shower, where I leaned against the tiles and closed my eyes.

Trick had a trunk that I was pretty sure had once belonged to Abraham Van Helsing; I’d found it filled with old books and papers about vampires, and some of the iron weapons our ancestor had used. He’d made me forget about it at least twice, and probably more times than that; now I knew he was keeping other things from me.

Why didn’t you put that case up in the attic, like I told you to?

I’d never been up in the attic. I didn’t even know we had one. Was that something else he made me forget? If I didn’t remember anything, why did he sound so worried?

I quickly finished my shower, dried off and brushed out my hair before I dressed. Mom’s blouse proved to be only a little loose, and while pastel lavender wasn’t a color I ever wore, it looked good on me.

Why would seeing Mom’s clothes make me have a flashback? I’d only been about five when my parents had died. I could barely remember them.

I straightened the delicate lace collar, and then reached out to wipe a circle in the steam-clouded mirror. My face looked whiter than usual, while my eyes had gone dark; a sure sign I was going to get a massive headache. I took my bottle of aspirin from the cabinet and dry-swallowed two pills. The bitter taste on my tongue matched my mood as I braided my damp hair.

Frustration made me want to yank my hair out of my scalp. No, what I really wanted was to go down there and tell my brothers that I knew what they’d been doing to me. But if I did that, Trick would erase my memories and move us to another town, someplace where he could keep me completely clueless and cut off from the world.

I’d lose Jesse again, this time for good, and no matter how angry I felt, I wasn’t going to let that happen.