I avoid The Bronx for one reason only.
Horrible memories.
Even taking my Uber to the west side, I was careful to direct my driver down roads that avoided my old building. The terror that overwhelms me when I remember being locked in that trunk for so long and witnessing the murder of my mother and brother is overwhelming.
I can’t be weak.
Not when I’m following up on the only lead that’s amounted to anything I’ve had since that fateful day.
The driver pulls up to Claremont Park and stops. I’ve already paid on my app, so I grunt out my thanks, escaping the safe haven of his vehicle. It’s not raining tonight, so my poncho isn’t needed. My stakes are carefully hidden in my leather vest, and outwardly, I probably look like I’m ready for a biker bar or something.
No one suspects I’m here to kill vampires.
For a split second, I wish for some backup, but then I remember how distracting James had been. No, this is something I need to do alone. Jude knows this too, or he would’ve forced someone to come with me. The fact that Jude trusts me to handle this invigorates me.
The park is quiet this evening, which has me on full alert. I’ve learned over the years when the bloodsuckers are lurking, the birds and crickets quiet. As though they’re afraid of being seen and eaten.
Like those small creatures, I remain absolutely quiet. I’m not looking to get eaten. Especially by a horde of infected, crazed vampires.
Because it’s so quiet, my ears overhear everything. A rustle of leaves. A whistle of wind. A car honking from far away.
“Music is in everything. You just have to listen, Castilla.”
A shiver ripples down my spine at the memory. To this day, Laurent’s voice is so loud and clear in my mind. I can barely remember what my mother looked like, much less her voice, but I remember every detail about Laurent.
Because of my driving need to kill him, I’ve forever immortalized him in my brain. On the lonely nights in foster care, I remembered our times together. When I was afraid of Griffin and everything he did to me, I imagined Laurent showing up to save me. He’s stayed such a focus in my mind, that when I finally do drive a stake through his heart, I worry about losing all those good memories and thoughts of him.
Crack.
I suck in a sharp breath, pausing on the path I’m walking on.
Focus, Casti.
“Leave,” someone whispers nearby. The voice is young. “Now.”
Whipping my head toward a copse of trees, I squint into the darkness. Rather than shy away, I pull my ruby stakes out and prowl in the direction of the voice.
“You must leave,” the voice says again.
A menacing growl echoes through the trees.
“Foolish woman, leave.” This time, the voice sounds like it’s behind me.
I’m not focused on the man who warns me but instead stalk the thing in the trees. The growling grows louder. I realize all too late why.
There are many.
I’ve stumbled upon the horde.
Though I’m no doubt outnumbered, I can handle this. I’ve handled so much more since I joined E.V.I.E. It’s what I’m trained to do.
Something hisses and then with superhuman speed, a vampire flies from the shadows, fangs bared. I get a glimpse of its milky eyes before it reaches me. Crouching just before it hits me, I manage to evade it, sending it hurtling over me. It stumbles, snarling in rage. I run over to it, shoving my stake through its back, though not with enough force to reach its heart. With a swift kick downward, I drive the stake the rest of the way through it.
Red lightning alights the dark forested area.
Quickly, I yank my stake from the burning corpse and fling around to fight off my next attacker. Somewhere nearby, I can hear snarling as a struggle ensues. Whoever tried to warn me off is apparently helping.
Two flashes of white hair fly past me, not bothering to stop. Self-preservation is clearly on their agenda. I know, without even seeing their faces or hearing their voices, they’re the ones who killed my family. I want to chase after them with everything in me, but I have one person on my mind.
Laurent.
He’s the only thing that matters right now.
Above vengeance, I must conduct my compassion kill.
Mercy be thy way.
A vampire charges straight for me. Long, dark hair hangs in its face. Murky white eyes meet mine, causing me to freeze.
I didn’t expect him to look so lost.
My moment of sudden sadness has him gaining the upper hand. He tackles me painfully to the ground. I cry out, struggling against his hold. His strong hands have my wrists pinned to the earth as he bares his fangs at me.
So sharp.
So long.
I don’t want to die.
I can’t die.
Mercy needs me.