Page 187 of The Last Vampire
Nate stops moving, and so does Trevor’s arm. “I read the guy right, I’m sure of it. He’s stubborn, self-destructive, and an overthinker, but he also has a sense of justice.Why is he doing this?”
“I know him, too,” I say. “Maybe if you tell me what’s going on, I can help you.”
Nate is in my face before my next breath, so close my nose nearly brushes his chin. I can tell by the sharp inhales behind me that Trevor and Zach have never seen anyone move that fast.
“Your boyfriend wants us all to return to death-sleep.”
First I think Nate’s joking. Then I’m sure he’s just misunderstanding. “You’re wrong. I would know if that was his plan.”
Nate’s cold fingers tip my chin up, and his dark brown eyes scorch mine. “You didn’t know.” He’s not asking but telling me. “That’s interesting.”
William wants to go back into hibernation?He never discussed that with me. Why? And for how long?
“Tell me exactly what he said,” I say.
“Who am I to deny a mortal’s final wish in her last minute of life?” asks Nate, backing away from me. “William testified that he received a message from Grandsire saying it’s time to end the spell and bring back the missing vampires, which requires we all go back to sleep.”
“That makes no sense,” I say, trying to reconcile Nate’s information with my last farewell with William.
“Tell me what you know,” Nate commands. “Or I’ll start killing your friends to mark the seconds.”
“I’m thinking!”
What could’ve prompted Will to make up such a lie? I try remembering if there was anything strange about the last time I saw him. I was keeping the newsletter secret from him, and I could tell he sensed something was up. But he wasn’t acting cagey… except maybe a little when I mentioned Minaro.
He questioned if she asked about him before break. Why would he doubt his compulsion?
Unless he didn’t compel her.
“It’s really too bad you couldn’t make yourself useful in the time that was given to you,” says Nate, moving toward my friends.
“Why don’t you bring me to him?” I ask, desperation beating at my chest. “Or are you using me to lure him back—?”
“Wrong again!” says Nate, and I hear Cisco’s low chuckle. “Before they fought, Lenny handed me his cloak and mouthed two words:Kill her.”
So that’s why they’ve come.
This isn’t a summons or a kidnapping.
It’s an execution.
“Let me talk to him,” I plead. “I’m sure I can convince Will not to do this. If you just take me there now, we can stop the fight and—”
“Oh, the fight’s over.” One of Nate’s icy fingertips skates down my chin and leaves a searing trail. “Your boyfriend’s dead.”
And as I open my mouth, he yanks back on my hair, exposing my neck. I scream as he brings his fangs down—
“Let her go!”
Trevor jumps to his feet, the flamethrower in his hands.
“Stop him!” Nate shouts at Cisco.
The brawny vampire tackles Trevor before he’s even pulled the trigger, and the weapon clatters to the floor. Zach instinctively shields Tiffany and Salma’s bodies with his own.
“Cisco, get the gun!” commands Nate, keeping his hold on me.
But it seems like Cisco’s brief hibernation period left him exceedingly dehydrated because he’s pinned Trevor against the wall and is eyeing his neck.
