Blood Bond (PULSE, Book 5) Page 5

  And Kalina knew, as her heart seemed to break within her chest, the reason why. There was no reason to hold back any longer – not if this was the last time...

  Octavius, too, felt it might be the last time.

  “I love you,” she whispered in his ear.

  I wish I could show you how much I loved you. Octavius’ voice rang in her ears, although his lips made no sound. She could see the passion and pain in his eyes. But, squeezing her hand a final time, he turned and ran into the forest, hot on Molotov's trail.

  Kalina's eyes were wet with tears, and she could not bear to look at Jaegar or Justin. Jaegar, she saw out of the corner of her eye, looked stricken – he had not realized until this moment, Kalina knew, the depth of her attachment to Octavius. He had perhaps thought of it as an infatuation, a crush on an older man, masking her real love for him. But now he saw that Kalina's love for Octavius was as strong, if not stronger, than her love for him.

  He said nothing. There was no time for remonstrances, no time for regret.

  The old woman led Kalina, Jaegar, and Justin into the forest, in the opposite direction from that in which Max and the others had gone. They passed through a rich jungle area, fecund vines growing and blossoming on the side of rocks. The air smelled like jasmine and honeysuckle; the humidity seemed to soak into Kalina's skin. But on they went.

  At last they arrived at a cave cut into the side of the mountain.

  “Wait!” The woman held up a warning finger and stopped them. “Kalina go. Bring them back.”

  “Bring what back?” But Kalina entered the cave. She could see nothing – only a few faint glimmers – but in the darkness she tripped over what seemed like a pile of sharp stones. She cursed as she rubbed her skinned knee, taking a handful of the stones. Was this what the woman wanted.

  She exited the cave, confused. But as the first ray of light hit her, she was almost blinded by the glimmer coming off the stones in her hands. Red, rich stones, glinting with all the colors of the dawn. Not stones at all. Rubies.

  “Rubies?” Justin leaped forth to see. “What are we supposed to do with rubies – bribe the vampires not to...”

  “Not just rubies!” the woman pronounced. “These rubies special! If you use them with power, you can take away the power of Life's Blood.”

  “Take away the power of Life's Blood?” Jaegar cocked his head. “Why would we want to get rid of a power?”

  “From the vampire!” Kalina understood. “Are you saying that these rubies get rid of a vampire's invincibility, is that it?”

  The woman nodded eagerly. “Yes! Take away!”

  Kalina looked closer at the rubies. They looked familiar, somehow. She and Justin caught each other's eyes, and then she knew. These rubies were the ones she had worn as a child, the only item that her mother had left with her before she abandoned her with the Calloways. The necklace her mother had ripped off when they first fought in that alleyway in New Haven.

  “This is what my necklace was made from,” Kalina said, “the one I had as a baby.”

  “So that's why Max stole it from you at Yale,” Jaegar said. “She must have needed it to fight Mal.”

  “So that's how she beat Leonardo,” Kalina said softly. “And Mal. I thought we were going to die – I couldn't understand...”

  “No wonder Mal fled,” said Jaegar.

  The woman thrust a pile of the rubies into Kalina and Justin's hands. “You need these,” she said. “To fight Molotov. To save your lover. You must go.”

  The four of them took the rubies and followed the woman back towards the village, their hearts beating faster with anticipation For so long, they had believed that there was no cure for invincibility – all they could do is contain the infected vampires and stay on the run. But as Kalina rushed back towards the village, the gleaming rubies in her hands, she suddenly felt something she had not felt before, something she could not remember feeling since she had first learned about Life's Blood.

  Hope.

  Chapter 7

  Jaegar led the way as they headed back to the village and into the other side of the woods. He sniffed the air, using his vampire senses to follow the trail that the others had left, sniffing for his maker, Octavius, as well for Molotov and Max. Kalina and Justin scrambled to keep up, but their human speed was no match for the vampires.

  “We're just dragging you down,” Justin sighed, stopping to catch his breath as he coughed out phlegm. “Go on ahead. I'll keep Kalina safe.”

  “No,” said Jaegar quickly. “We're not splitting up. I can't leave you without vampire protection in these parts; it's far too dangerous.”

  “But we have the rubies,” insisted Kalina. “They'll help us defeat the vampires – if it comes to that.”

  “Too risky,” said Jaegar. “First of all, we're not even sure if these rubies work – or if that old lady was just crazy. I've heard lots of vampires and humans alike in my day trying to make a quick buck off so-called 'cures' for Life's Blood, or fake blood, for that matter. Secondly, even if those rubies did work – what are we supposed to do with them? Throw them at vampires? Stab them with it? Grind them down and feed it to them?”

  “You have a point,” Justin admitted. “But there's no way we can keep up!”

  Jaegar sighed. “It's been at least three hours since Max or Octavius was in this area – they've gone further. Much further. Even if we get to where they are now by nightfall, which seems doubtful, it's awfully unlikely that they'll still be there.”

  Or still be alive, Kalina thought bitterly. Justin seemed to see the fear in her eyes. “Cheer up,” he said. “I'm sure Max and Octavius can survive on their own.”

  “I'd feel it, you know,” Jaegar said, nudging Kalina. “If something happened to Octavius. He's my maker, after all. And I haven't felt anything yet.”

  They sat on a few scattered rocks, trying to figure out their next move. They had hiked ten miles into the jungle, and even Jaegar – despite his vampire strength – looked tired.

  “There's no way we could do this by foot,” said Kalina. “We're going to have to find another way.”

  “I can't carry both of you,” said Jaegar, “and I don't feel right leaving either of you alone out here.”

  Kalina shook her head. “You said Max was here long ago?”

  Jaegar nodded. “I could smell it,” he said.

  “So she must be traveling fast – as quickly as the vamps, no?” She searched Jaegar's face. “She must have been able to keep up with them – even without being one of them. The Life's Blood...”

  “What are you saying?”

  It was time to make a decision. “Jaegar, you fly – carry Justin. I'll try to keep up.”

  “Keep up?” Jaegar looked surprised. “Kalina, that's impossible.”

  “Just tell me where we're going.”

  “Erm...” Jaegar looked at his feet. “You're not going to like this, Kalina.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “China,” Jaegar said.

  “China?”

  “Yes, China.”

  “The country?”

  “They crossed the Chinese border – I can feel it. At least, Octavius did. I can feel our link – I don't know about the others, but I could only assume.”

  “My mother made it to China in three hours?”

  “You still want to try to keep up?” Jaegar sighed. “Look, Kalina, we'll rent a car, we'll drive...”

  “Start flying,” Kalina said, her voice and face determined. “If my mother can do it, so can I. She was the last of the original Life's Blood – but my blood's supposed to be stronger, right? Genetically modified? So it stands to reason that I can do it too.”

  “Run to China?” Justin couldn't resist a laugh.

  “Jaegar, will you carry him?” Kalina turned to Jaegar.

  They stopped laughing, realizing that she was serious. “I can try,” Jaegar said. “Let's hope this one hasn't been stuffing himself with too much pilaf!”

  “Me
?” Justin looked affronted. “Let's hope you've been working out! I don't want to get dumped halfway through the Mongolian desert because you got tired!”

  “Come on, heavyweight.” Jaegar lifted Justin onto his back, and the two men laughed. Kalina couldn't help but smile. It was refreshing to see the two of them together. Although her fear for Octavius still prickled in her heart, this was a welcome distraction. Her brother and her best friend – two of the men she loved most in the world – getting along. Teasing each other. Almost as if everything was normal. Kalina sighed. If only she could pretend it was.

  “Come on, big boy!” Justin's legs were now wrapped tightly around Jaegar's shoulders. “I won't bite – promise!”

  “I have a stake here, buddy,” Justin replied. “Believe me, I could stab you in the back whenever I wanted to.”

  “And then who would be your free ride?”

  “I'm pretty charming. I'm sure I'd get picked up by some other vamp.”

  “Who'd want you for your blood, no doubt!”

  “Or my boyishly handsome good looks.”

  “Hey, I thought I was the pretty one.”

  “Shut up, you two,” Kalina said. “Let's get moving!”

  And so Jaegar took off in mid-flight, his powerful legs running faster and faster until he was gliding above the earth. Kalina took a deep breath and tried to remember what she could from JV Track. She started running after them, her taut calf muscles tightening with each step she took, breathing harder and harder. She coughed and spluttered with exhaustion as she ran, trying desperately to keep up with Jaegar's superhuman strength. But Jaegar was already on the horizon and already she was growing weary, the acid in her muscles aching.

  No, she told herself. No, you have to do this.

  Jaegar was getting smaller and smaller in the distance; Kalina felt as if her chest was going to burst with the sheer force of agony within her. She couldn't breathe; her throat felt hot and raw.

  Concentrate, Kalina, she told herself. You need to work harder.

  But it was to no avail. Jaegar had almost vanished in the distance and, although she was running quickly by human standards, it was nothing compared to vampire powers.

  Damn it, Kalina – you have Life's Blood within you. Listen to it. And a dark voice within Kalina's brain, a powerful voice that was not hers and yet dwelt within her mind, was saying the same thing – louder, clearer, faster. Let it take over you. Let go. Let the blood do its work.

  Kalina closed her eyes.

  Let go.

  And then she was not Kalina at all, not conscious of herself as a human or as anything at all. Everything had gone black. Something else had taken over her body; something else was running. It wasn't her legs spiriting forth so quickly beneath her torso – no, those legs were somebody else's. Those feet, running faster and faster until Jaegar was visible again – growing larger, at her side, behind her...those weren't her feet, were they?

  And then Kalina's consciousness returned to her, bolstered by the power of the Life's Blood within her veins. The blood was making her run; the blood was running. She was only watching, an observer in her own body, as she outstripped Jaegar – who naturally ran faster to keep up. There they were, side by side, neck and neck, the wind whipping at their hair.

  “Kalina...” Jaegar whispered, his eyes growing wide with amazement. “Kalina, you're flying!”

  And indeed, her feet were barely touching the earth any longer; she was gliding alongside him. She gave a whoop of joy, feeling that glorious strength, that power, coursing through her. She felt Jaegar brush against her softly as they ran, and her skin tingled at his touch, the electricity of their desire made only ever stronger by the adrenaline coursing through both of them.

  She could feel their telepathic connection click into place – his thoughts began pouring into her all at once. His pain when he thought he had lost his brother Stuart, his depression over losing Kalina, his love, his desire for Kalina, his desire to become human. The times he had locked himself in the old vineyard, growing drunk on vampire wine or human blood, in agony at the sight of Kalina wrapped so tightly in Octavius’ arms.

  She knew Jaegar could feel his memories, his feelings seeping into her – as if against his will. He looked embarrassed as she stared up at him, and she could see the pain in his eyes. At that moment she wanted nothing more than to reach out and comfort him, to take the pain away.

  Kalina, she heard Jaegar's voice in her mind. I don't know how much longer I can do this. I can't hold onto Justin and still keep up. You need to slow down.

  Kalina laughed. And you thought I couldn't do it.

  I need to feed. And I think Justin does too. I heard his stomach growling.

  And I thought you wanted to ensure he didn't get any heavier! But she slowed down, and she and Jaegar came to a complete stop.

  They were on the outskirts of a small village. This area was far more populous than the land they had left behind; the village was bustling and even seemed to have some outsider presence, if Kalina could judge from the number of souvenir shops in the vicinity.

  “Look!” Justin cried. “It's beautiful.”

  And then Kalina noticed it. The village was on the outskirts of a small lake, from which mist seemed to rise in spiral, soft clouds. The water was cool-looking and fresh, and a rainbow shone over the mountains in the distance, its arch coming to rest at the center of the water, turning the ripples red and orange, yellow and blue and purple and green. By the lake stood a rickety pagoda – evidently an inn – with tables laid out on the lakeside. Beyond that Kalina could see rows and rows of emerald trees, shimmering in the light of the mist.

  “This looks like as good a place to stop for grub as any,” Jaegar said. “Although somehow I doubt there's a vampire wine dealer anywhere in the area. I'll have to go free range.”

  “Jaegar!”

  “Not you, Justin. You're not tasty enough.”

  Even walking felt different to Kalina now. Something had happened – some change had taken place within her. She was not walking like a human. She felt as if she were gliding on the surface of the earth. Like something supernatural. Like a vampire.

  She saw Jaegar looking her up and down. He noticed it too, she knew, and blushed with quiet pride. She had been able to keep up – she was special, just as he was.

  “Right,” she said, trying to conceal the desire on her face. “Food. Sounds good to me.”

  Chapter 8

  As they entered the pagoda, which was rich with silk embroidery and smelled strongly of incense, Kalina felt her blood prickle once more. Something was strange about this place. Something amiss. She looked at Jaegar, whose brow was furrowed with concern. So he sensed it too?

  “I smell vampires,” Jaegar pronounced, looking around. But the place was empty; with the exception of a pretty waitress in the corner, who had showed them to their seats in fluent, barely-accented English, there was nobody about but them, human or vampire.

  “I smell them too,” said Kalina, and Jaegar looked up, confused. “You? But how can you...”

  “I don't smell anything,” Justin butted in. He did a double-take as he turned to Kalina. “Kalina, are you OK?”

  “I feel fine, why?”

  “It's just – you look kind of...pale. Like, really-pale. Sick-pale. Vampire-pale.”

  “Hey!” Jaegar cut in. “Some of us like the way we look.”

  “You're English, originally,” said Justin. “It's natural on you. But me and Kalina – we're dark. And I can tell when something's wrong...”

  Kalina looked down. Her normally-olive skin had a deathly pallor she had not seen before. Justin was right – she did look like a vampire.

  “It's probably just the running,” Jaegar said nonchalantly. “I'd wager that you just accidentally kick-started something in the Life's Blood when you ran like that. I'm sure it's no big deal.”

  Kalina looked down uncertainly at her skin. She quite liked her deep, olive tan, and wasn't sure how she fel
t about looking as if she'd just been striken with cholera. But she said nothing.

  Jaegar sniffed the air. “No, the vampires are long gone now,” he said. “What I smelled was just a trace. Octavius and the lot passed through here a few hours ago. We're in the right place, that's for sure.”

  “Just at the wrong time,” said Kalina.

  And then they saw it. Piles of dust upon the ground that looked, to an untrained eye, like exceptionally large cigarette-ash deposits. But Kalina knew better. Those piles were vampire dust. She felt a sudden pain and fear in her chest. Was one of those – could one of those be Octavius? She felt at once that she could not breathe, and leaned against the walls.

  “There was a battle here,” said Jaegar.

  “Was it...him?”

  “Don't worry,” said Jaegar. “I'd have felt it if something happened to Octavius.” He scooped up some of the ash with his fingers and sniffed the dust. “Not him. Not one of ours.”

  “Thank God,” Kalina sat down shakily. What would she have done if it had been him, she wondered? She could not bear to even think of such an eventuality.

  They heard the shuffling of feet. The waitress – a pert, attractive young woman of about twenty-five, with long raven-dark hair that shone like silk in the dimmed light – had returned from the kitchen, bearing a single, well-worn English-language menu for the three of them to share.

  “Can I get you anything?” She smiled broadly. “Tea? Coffee?” She turned to Jaegar and the smile vanished from her face. From the looks of it, she had learned long ago how to recognize vampires. Her lip trembled in fear.

  “My good friend,” Kalina patted Jaegar's hand nonchalantly. “Isn't such an adventurous eater. Just give him an extra portion of whatever I'm having.”

  The waitress seemed calmed by the lie.

  Jaegar turned to the waitress, his eyes boring deeply into hers. He was giving her his most seductive gaze, Kalina saw, a mixture of vampire glamour and his natural charm. “It's just that I have awfully...particular tastes,” he said. “It's awfully hard to gratify them just anywhere.”