Reborn Yesterday (Phenomenal Fate 1)

Jonas hadn’t returned to Haven since opening it a decade earlier, as he’d been traveling, finding and helping as many of the Freshly Silenced as he could, but since returning to Coney Island, he’d made many stops there.

Too many.

He stopped inside the small, low-lit dining room and nodded at the manager, who immediately went behind the bar to retrieve blood for Jonas. As if he would be able to enjoy it. Everything tasted like refuse now.

Jonas took a seat along the wall and quelled the urge to return to the alley, have one last look at Ginny. Remind Tucker and Elias that he’d burn them alive if a hair on her head was out of place when he returned.

His hand flexed on the table, craving the silkiness of her skin.

Stay where you are.

Jonas reached deep and centered himself, surveying the bar. Haven consisted of eight tables and they were all full now. Silence had descended like cloth as soon as he walked inside and now, one by one, the vampires in attendance placed hands over their dead hearts. Pledging fealty to Jonas that he didn’t ask for, nor did he expect. He was only glad they knew he was there to help, not intimidate or make this life even harder.

The High Order did more than enough of that for everyone.

A chair scraped back and a young man stood, twisting a ball cap in his hands. Several of the vampires patted him on the back as he crossed the tavern toward Jonas. Just before he took a seat on the opposite side of the table, Jonas noticed one of his legs was a prosthesis, though his limp was minimal.

“Hello.” He nodded. “I’m Jonas.”

“Dobby,” said the vampire, hanging his hat on the back of the chair. “They said you could help, but I have to be honest, man, ain’t sure nothing is going to help. I’ve passed this place my whole life and it’s always looked like it’s under construction. Now I’m in here drinking blood.” He choked on a breath. “I guess it beats pigeons.”

“I’m sorry this happened to you,” Jonas said, briskly. “I’ll suggest some next steps and then I’ll answer any questions you might have.”

There was always the urge to commiserate with the freshly Silenced, to share his own confusing experience, but Jonas never allowed himself to do it. They were in a darker, harsher world now and giving them a shoulder to cry on only gave them false expectations of the life. It was hard, lonely and eternal.

His mind drifted back to Ginny in the car and he could feel the imprint of her body pressed to his side, so trusting. God but she made life far less lonely.

Can’t have her.

Jonas shoved an unsteady hand into his coat and took out a leather pouch, placing it on the table and sliding it toward Dobby.

“There are three rules you must obey, if you want to go on living.”

Dobby looked down at his dead chest. “This is living?”

The manager set a rocks glass of blood in front of Jonas and while he thanked the vampire, he made no move to pick it up, even though a sip might have helped him swallow the urge to apologize to Dobby for what he was going through. To tell him while it didn’t get easier, it could become purposeful.

“Rule one: No relationships with humans. Two: No drinking from humans. Three: No killing humans. Break one of them, you risk breaking all three. Break them and the High Order will be alerted to come dole out your punishment.”

Dobby buried his head in his hands.

Jonas closed his eyes briefly, brutally aware of his own hypocrisy, seeing as he had a human waiting for him in the alleyway, not a hundred yards from where he sat. All the more reason to see her safe and remove himself from her perfect orbit. “You need to leave town as soon as possible, I’m afraid. At first, being around your loved ones might seem manageable, but you’ll either grow tired of only having your thirst half-quenched and drink from them. Or you’ll convince yourself you’re doing them a favor by Silencing them, too, the way someone did to you. It’s not a favor. Eternal life might sound appealing, but it’s—”

“Daunting.”

“That’s putting it mildly.” Especially when he couldn’t be with the one he needed beyond measure. “There is a constant sense of backpedaling when you wake up, over and over again, but never age. Never hit milestones or…” Realizing he’d gone off track, Jonas reached across the table and tapped the leather pouch. “There is enough cash here to get you started. I’ve included contact information for several cities in the US and Mexico.”

“Does it have to be a city?” Dobby asked woodenly.

“It’s easier to blend in.” Jonas gestured to the interior of Haven. “In each of those cities, I’ve established a place just like this. You can consult the managers in regards to the local blood sources and ask about job openings. Do not take chances with the sun and do not accelerate if there’s a chance you’ll be seen. And we’re seen everywhere now at all times, so again, don’t take risks.”