From the Ashes (Witches of The Demon Isle Book 8) by Rachel Humphrey-D'aigle

Author:Rachel Humphrey-D'aigle
Language: eng
Format: azw3, mobi, epub
Published: 2015-08-24T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 11

Courtney stepped purposely, forcing herself to take a normal human stride. She followed the direction Charlie told her to go. They brought her down to William’s cell and locked her inside.

“Melinda,” called out Charlie. “Do we still have some of William’s animal blood handy?”

“Um, yeah. He left most of it.” She hurried to grab one.

Courtney was a sharp woman who didn’t miss a beat.

“I didn’t see your vampire hanging around, and you were not sure you had blood on hand. He’s not even here, is he?”

“Sorry. No.” Charlie shrugged, unsure what else to say.

She slunk down into a chair in a defeated slump. “I really hoped he could help me. I mean, there’s no cure for this. But he seemed to manage it well. The one that did this to me was… crazed. Wild. I’ve never seen anything like it. He’s got to be the one you’re searching for. The one killing people.”

Sympathy melted Charlie’s distrust, just a little. Something in his gut told him this woman was telling the truth. She’d been turned into a vampire against her will, and this is why she’d been in hiding. And she didn’t want to be a monster.

She was a witch, who knew enough about vampires to avoid drinking human blood. Once you did, it was so much harder to stop. And took many years of practice and determination to control the bloodlust. At least, this is what William had told them.

Charlie imagined the cravings were intense and wondered how she was coping with this sudden change. Christ, the change in diet and having to avoid sunlight alone must be nearly impossible.

He unlocked the door as Melinda came down with the blood and stepped inside. He went in and told Michael to lock the door behind him. Everyone else waited outside, listening.

She accepted the blood eagerly.

“God this dredge is awful.” But she sucked it down anyway.

“I bet fresh deer tastes better.” He lifted an eyebrow in question.

“God, the poor thing. I hated to kill it but I was so friggin’ hungry. It was either that or… you know.”

“I’m starting to get the picture.”

“I was still there, when you guys showed up and found my most recent meal.”

“That’s why the trail ended,” Lizzy pieced together outside the cell door.

“I thought about popping out right then, but I was afraid I’d scare you and end up with a stake through my heart before explaining myself.”

“A definite possibility,” concurred Charlie. “How did you stick around without getting caught by us or our gargoyle?”

“It’s a vampire thing. I think. I’m still figuring all of this out,” she drew her hands from head to toe. “But mainly, I hid behind a tree not too far away. It’s kind of fascinating actually, to be capable of such stillness. Not a breath. Not a movement of muscle. And I’m guessing the smell of that deer carcass probably worked in my favor. Kept the gargoyle confused.”

Charlie too. His werewolf senses hadn’t picked her up either.

“I think it’s time we get to the main point,” hollered in Mack.

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