“You know now.”
“And I never want to see them again.”
“Good. You won’t.”
Benjamin has a firm grip on my wrist. I think he’s afraid that if he lets go, I’m going to run around wildly and try to save everyone. I’m not really sure why they all think I’m their chosen mate, especially when Benjamin obviously isn’t really into the idea, but I’m willing to stand still and let them do their thing. I’m not about to run away. I certainly won’t put myself into harm’s way.
Eli whistles loudly and suddenly, there are vampires practically pouring out of the castle and out of the woods. They’re wearing black leather corsets, black pants, and long dresses. A few people are wearing jeans and t-shirts, similar to what we wear in Eagleton. Fashion may not be an important element of life in Eagleton, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.
Suddenly, I feel ashamed. How many times did teenagers in the town go off on a trip or an adventure and come back with clothes like this? I think I’m going to be sick as I realize that everything Eli, Benjamin, and Matthew have told me is true.
The people of Eagleton really have done horrible things. They really have murdered and killed. They’ve torn apart the world and they haven’t cared at all who they’ve hurt along the way.
But I hate knowing this.
I hate knowing that they’ve been causing this chaos.
Matthew seems to be the one who notices me recoil.
“You aren’t scared of the vampires,” he says. “What are you afraid of?”
“The clothes,” I whisper. Should I admit this? I want them to trust me so that they’ll turn me, right? I want that so very much. I don’t really want to admit that my city was as horrible as they believe it was, though.
It’s time, though.
It’s time to
admit it.
“What about the clothes?”
“When the teenagers would go off on their travels...”
My voice trails off, but I realize I need to get it together. I can’t let this be my legacy. I can’t be weak and cowardly. I need to be brave. Benjamin thinks I am. I can be brave.
“They often came back with new clothes,” I finish drily.
“You think they killed vamps.”
“I do now.”
“They may have. We’ve had many problems with our people being hunted. Eagleton is the last settlement in this area.”
“Matthew, let me ask you something.”
“Yes.”
“Do you drink blood?”
Is that another myth?
Is that just something people say about vampires?
I want to know.
He hesitates for a minute, but finally nods.
“Then what will you do when the last human dies?”