Page 74 of Bishop's Flight
“I know the feeling.” His voice was still small.
“I’m sorry if I scared you.” She pushed up to all fours, then sat on the floor cross-legged, her fingers digging into the black woven mat that covered the floor of what she guessed was a houseboat somewhere on Lake Mead. “Your mothers hired me and my husband to find you.”
“You’re a… vampire detective?”
“Somethin’ like that.”
“And you got caught?” The corner of his mouth turned up. “Not a great recommendation.”
“Not my finest hour, as they say.” The boy appeared in good health. His eyes weren’t traumatized. He was still showing signs of humor. Brigid added, “I let my guard down because I was running out of time. Have you ever let your guard down to the wrong person?”
Lucas blinked. “Yeah.”
“So we’re both stuck here.” She scooted back, giving him as much room as she could in the tiny bedroom. “They keep you in here all the time? Have they ever moved you?” If Lucas was still in the original location, there would be some tie that Carwyn and Lee could find. If they’d traded vessels, they were in trouble.
Lucas shook his head. “I haven’t moved. I mean, I can feel the boat moving, but they haven’t moved me from the room.” He pointed at the corner. “There’s a bathroom there. They bring food in when they come to take my picture.” Lucas pointed to a small refrigerator. “There’s chips and trail mix and sandwiches there. I think the only place they shop is a gas station, but it’s more than I need. You can have whatever you want.”
“Thank you, but I’m good for now.”
“You looked dead when they brought you in, but I knew you were alive because Agnes and Rose look the same when they’re sleeping.”
The thought of being manhandled in her sleep made her toes curl and her stomach churn. “I’m sorry you were scared.”
“I thought…” He shrugged. “You know, I thought Zasha had gotten bored with me or something and was going to feed me to you. I knew Agnes wouldn’t give up the city. She’s logical.”
“Agnes loves you very much.” She could see the resignation in the boy’s eyes. “Zasha made a mistake bringing me here. We’re stronger together, and I won’t let anyone hurt you.”
“Unless it’s during the day.”
“Vampires are sleeping then, and humans are easier to kill. I can teach you how to kill the humans if they try to hurt you,” Brigid said. “Have you ever killed anyone?”
Lucas blinked. “I’m only fifteen.”
Brigid shrugged. “Even so.”
“No, I haven’t.” He swallowed hard, and a small frown formed between his eyebrows. “Miguel taught me some things, but I’ve been thinking about it a lot in the past few days, and I don’t think I could kill anyone. Even to save myself. Maybe if I had to protect Anna or something.” He looked up. “That probably sounds stupid to you.”
“No, it sounds very thoughtful and honest.” Brigid brought her knees to her chest. “Has Zasha come to see you?”
“A couple of times. They’re weird.” Lucas cocked his head. “Are you Zasha’s enemy?”
“Zasha has a lot of enemies.”
“No.” He shook his head. “They said they wanted to spend time with an enemy who intrigues them.” He pointed at Brigid. “I think that’s you.”
“Why?”
“Because they didn’t kill you right away. Wouldn’t they have killed you if they just wanted to get rid of you?”
“Maybe they wanted me to kill you first.”
Lucas shook his head. “No. I think you’re the vampire Zasha was talking about.”
Brigid felt her heart sink. It was one thing to suspect she was the cause of all this. It was another thing to have it confirmed. “Yeah. You’re probably correct.”
“Why do you think you intrigue Zasha?”
Mika’s words came to mind:They see your fear, and yet somehow you have not allowed hate to consume you.Brigid hopped to her feet, needing to move, to pace, to do something. “I don’t know. Maybe because we’re both fire vampires.”
