Resolute Read online

  She shook her head. “I can’t. I’m just letting you know that even when strong bridges crumble, there’s always another path to take.”

  3

  I stood at the end of the marina, staring out into the vast water. It was like standing at the edge of the ocean. Water stretched across the landscape as far as the eye could see, and waves lapped at the rocky shore. Unlike the beautiful blue skies and clear water I’d seen when I visited the ocean as a kid, Lake Michigan was covered in a gray haze, and the horizon was invisible behind a dense layer of fog. The early morning air was cool, and I couldn’t see the sun behind a thick layer of clouds. I wrapped my exposed arms around myself and clutched the dagger tightly in my hand.

  Jenna was somewhere out there. I was so close to her now… yet so far away.

  “Time to go.”

  I turned to see Richard standing behind me. He gestured to one of the motorboats parked at the edge of the dock and held tightly to the keys he’d rented.

  “You know where you’re going?” he asked with a raised eyebrow.

  I nodded. “If you have a map, I can show you exactly where it is.”

  “Follow me.”

  I climbed onto the boat behind him. It was the nicest boat I’d ever been on, with an enclosed cabin and fancy leather seats for sunbathing. It wasn’t big enough to live on, but I could probably sell it and buy a house in a cheap neighborhood.

  Richard let me inside, and I pointed out our destination on the navigation screen. He started up the boat and began the long journey across the water. I stood outside the cabin, clutching on to the metal railing and letting the wind rush through my hair. I barely registered the cold air since I was concentrating so hard on the water in front of me, searching for any signs of a hidden island.

  After what felt like hours, Richard slowed the boat until we left no wake behind.

  “We’re close,” Richard said, “but we have a large area to search.”

  I closed my eyes, concentrating hard on the energy around me. If there was magic concealing the island, I should be able to feel it. I felt nothing but damp air on my skin.

  “Keep going,” I stated confidently.

  Richard didn’t even question me. He increased our speed slightly, though not as fast as before.

  After several minutes, the faintest feeling of magic tingled across my arms like static electricity. I took another deep breath, letting out all the tension in my shoulders. My senses were on high alert. I heard the water lapping against the side of the boat, smelled and tasted the humidity in the air, and felt the faintest of breezes across my skin.

  “We’re getting closer,” I said.

  The farther we went, the more I felt that magical tingle. It was barely there, not nearly as powerful as the magic that radiated off The Wise Owl. I wouldn’t have even felt it if I hadn’t been paying attention. But it filled my heart with a sense of hope. Jenna didn’t have to wait much longer.

  Richard slowed the boat again as the fog thickened, blanketing the water until we could barely see in front of us.

  “We’re here,” I said, more to myself than to Richard.

  He pulled back on the throttle and killed the engine. The boat gently cut through the water, propelled along by our momentum. Without the sound of the engine to distract me, the magic felt stronger. It tingled up my arms and down my spine like a hundred tiny ants crawling across my skin.

  “The full moon is shining, the stars glitter above, the wind whispers softly, goodnight my love.” I closed my eyes and whispered the tune to my mother’s lullaby. I let it carry me to another place, a happy place, where all magic was possible.

  In my head, her voice called back to me. You can do this, Rachel.

  I was born to do this, I replied.

  My eyes sprang open, and the incantation dropped from my lips. “Veritatem revelare.”

  Straight in front of me, the fog parted, revealing huge boulders jutting out from the water fifty yards off the side of the boat. The boulders led like stepping stones to the edge of a rocky cliff. The cliff spanned hundreds of yards, but it barely covered the full length of the island. The island wasn’t huge by any means, but it had to be at least fifty acres. Atop the cliff sat a lush green forest, full of all different types of trees, from deciduous varieties to evergreens. Just above the trees, I saw the peaks of a large building and several chimneys reaching up into the sky. It looked like it might be a mansion.

  A sense of pride washed over me. I’d found it. I’d found Gregor Island!

  I turned to Richard. “It’s here.”

  His eyes continued to scan the water. He couldn’t see it. The incantation Genevieve had given me only lifted the concealment charm for me.

  “You’re sure?” he asked.

  “Yes. Please tell your wife thank you.”

  “Wait.” Richard stopped me before I could leave. “Should I stay here and wait for you?”

  I shook my head. I didn’t know how long it would take me to find Jenna. “Your only job was to get me here. I’ll find my own way back.”

  With that, I shifted and scooped up the dagger in my talons, then took off. I soared high above Gregor Island, trying to take in as much of the layout as I could. In the center of it all was a huge structure bigger than Maliya’s mansion. It reminded me of a French chateau, with high towers stretching above the peaked roof. There were rows upon rows of windows set into the brick siding. A stone pathway led from the main doors and into the surrounding forest.

  High above the island, I could see that the trees thinned into long, narrow strips that spiderwebbed away from the chateau. It looked like there were paths or roadways beneath me, but I couldn’t see through the forest to the earth. One pathway led far away from the chateau, ending at a wide clearing that housed a cluster of small wood cabins. There must’ve been at least fifty of them. They reminded me of the single-room cabins we slept in at camp when I was a kid. There’d been enough room for two bunk beds and a small table in the corner to keep our stuff.

  A sandy beach stretched out from the cabin community and down to the shoreline. Two figures sat on the beach, but other than that, the community was quiet.

  The cabins intrigued me. Why would the Soulless bother building cabins on their island if they already had a beautiful chateau to live in?

  The answer struck me the moment I questioned it. The cabins were the blood slaves’ quarters.

  I dropped lower in the sky, swooping down to land on a tree branch near the farthest cabin from the beach. I clutched the dagger in one talon and the tree branch in the other, spreading my wings out to keep my body balanced until the limb stopped shaking beneath my weight. Curiously, I peered into one of the windows, but all I saw was darkness. I jumped to the next branch over, closer to the window. Still nothing. It looked as if a pair of dark curtains had been drawn closed, blocking my view of the inside.

  If Jenna was here—and I knew she had to be—she’d no doubt be in one of these cabins. Time to finally see my sister again.

  Flying over to the next tree branch, I came in closer to the second cabin and looked inside. I saw that the curtains were open and the window cracked. The daylight spilled inside just enough that I could see a figure lying on a bed, the sheets pulled up to his or her chin. I couldn’t see the person’s face, though, just the shape of a body sleeping there.

  It could be Jenna, I thought hopefully.

  Then the figure shifted. A mop of blond hair came into view, and I noticed the broad shoulders. Definitely not Jenna.

  Inching my way down the branch and closer to the buildings, I peered into the third cabin’s window. This one was arranged differently than the last. I could easily see two beds from my perch outside the window. Both were occupied, and each person’s chest rose and fell slowly.

  I glanced to the sky. The sun was hidden behind the clouds, but it must’ve been the middle of the day already. If everyone was asleep, it meant the Soulless had them on a schedule, one that kept them awake at nigh
t with the vampires.

  The sound of breaking twigs stole my attention, and my gaze snapped in the direction of the noise. A man with skinny arms and a long nose tore through the forest. He wore a tattered white t-shirt with jeans and black boots, and a pair of keys jingled in his hands. He threw frightened glances behind his shoulder.

  I went completely rigid, hoping he wouldn’t spot me high above him in the tree. A huge black bird holding a dagger was more than a little suspicious.

  To my relief, he didn’t notice me. His feet skidded in the dirt as he nearly missed his turn. He caught himself and raced between the first two cabins. The sound of a door opening met my ears. I inched down my branch until I had a better view inside the second cabin. The blond mop-headed guy I’d seen sleeping sat bolt upright in bed, frightened by the arrival of his roommate.

  “What the bloody hell?” Mop Head snapped before lowering his voice, which carried through the open window. “What are you doing?”

  “I’m done with this shit,” Skinny Guy breathed. “It’s time to go.”

  “What?” Mop Head replied in disbelief.

  “I said it’s time to go,” Skinny Guy emphasized. “We’re getting off this island.” He dangled the keys in front of Mop Head’s face, grinning.

  Mop Head’s eyes widened in horror. “Are you insane?”

  Skinny Guy shrugged. “Maybe a little.”

  “Did you just steal the keys to the Soulless’ boat?” Mop Head hissed. “Do you have any idea—?”

  I didn’t hear the rest of what he said as the sound of an engine roared through the forest. Not just one engine, I quickly realized. An entire fleet of them. And they were coming right this way.

  I shrank further back into the trees to conceal myself, but I kept my eyes on the cabin window. Mop Head was out of bed now, his fists clenched tightly as he hissed in low whispers at his roommate. I couldn’t hear what he was saying, but it did not look good. Skinny Guy tried to make a run for it, but Mop Head grabbed him by the collar.

  “I’m not taking the fall for this!” he shouted.

  Just then, an ATV came tearing through the forest at high-speed. It was just a blur on the other side of the cabins. The four-wheeler stopped abruptly in front of Skinny Guy’s cabin. He’d left the door open, so I could see some of what was going on. At least six other ATVs stopped behind it.

  Skinny Guy and Mop Head were engaged in a scuffle now, fighting for the keys that had fallen on the floor. Mop Head was telling him to give the keys back, while Skinny Guy was shouting for them to make a run for it.

  “Do you know what you’ve done?” Mop Head demanded. “You’ve killed us both!”

  I stared through the window and out the open door, my eyes locked on the large figure riding the first ATV. Every inch of his body was covered in black clothing. He even wore a long-sleeved turtleneck shirt, with leather gloves and a tinted black motorcycle helmet.

  He swung his leg over the seat of his four-wheeler and stood, throwing his shoulders back confidently. He must’ve been at least six-foot-five, with broad shoulders and thick biceps. His footsteps were heavy, thudding against the earth as if in warning.

  Skinny Guy and Mop Head both went silent. Their bodies trembled as they turned to look at him.

  It wasn’t until the guy stepped inside the cabin that he pulled his helmet off. He was hauntingly beautiful, with a straight nose, strong jaw, and piercing silver eyes. He had pale skin and dirty blond hair. Most girls would swoon over him. Me? I was already itching to drive my dagger through his heart.

  Rage knitted in his tight eyebrows, and his jaw clenched. The man looked terrifying when he was angry, like he could snap a person in half in one swift, strong motion. Though he was conventionally attractive, there was nothing beautiful about him. It was like he brought a darkness with him when he stepped into the room. And I knew exactly why.

  The man was Valkas.

  I’d seen photos of him before. They always gave me an uneasy feeling, and my guts twisted at the sight of him. Seeing him up close was even worse. After everything he’d done, I prayed he would suffer a fate far worse than my dagger.

  Valkas smirked. He didn’t even glance at the men as he pulled the leather gloves off his hands, finger by finger. “Well, well, well… what do we have here?” There was a hint of a British accent to his tone, but it was muddled, like he’d been to enough areas of the world that no single accent had stuck with him.

  Skinny Guy dropped the keys at Valkas’s feet and backed up slowly. “We… we found these in the woods.”

  Valkas finally looked up, then cocked his head. “Is that so?” The words rolled off his tongue like poison. “Because my men say someone with your description stole them from the boathouse.”

  Mop Head dropped to his knees. “Please, sir. Spare me. I had no idea.”

  Valkas’s arm swung out, and the back of his hand cracked against the side of Mop Head’s face. I flinched, but I couldn’t tear my eyes away.

  “You’ll speak only when spoken to!” Valkas roared. His face twisted in rage, and spittle flew from his mouth. “And I will be addressed as Lord for as long as you live on this godforsaken island.”

  Lord Valkas. Oh God. This guy was worse than I thought. And vain as hell.

  I should’ve gone in there and killed him on the spot, but there were five other faceless guys standing behind him, their arms crossed. They all wore motorcycle helmets, so I couldn’t see their eyes, but I guessed they were all vamps. There was only one man, a sixth one, whose skin was exposed. He was almost as big as Valkas, with tan skin and slicked-back dark hair. I was strong, but not strong enough to fight them all off at once. I had to attack Valkas when he was alone. And until then, I couldn’t risk exposing myself… no matter what.

  “You,” Valkas snarled, turning on Skinny Guy.

  “I-I’m sorry, sir—Lord,” Skinny Guy stuttered, lowering his head. “It won’t happen again, Lord Valkas.”

  Valkas smirked. “No, I don’t imagine it will.”

  In the blink of an eye, Valkas’s hand shot forward, slamming Skinny Guy into the wall as his hand sank into his chest. Skinny Guy’s eyes went as wide as golf balls, and his mouth hung open, as if he was trying to inhale a breath that didn’t come. My whole body gave a start. I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me, until Valkas pulled away, producing a deep red meaty organ the size of his fist. A heart.

  It was like watching a scene from a horror movie, except it was playing out right in front of my eyes. I was beyond nauseous. Normally, I could handle this kind of thing, but my head spun, and I had to grip on tighter to the tree branch to keep from falling to the ground. The sick sensation that slammed into my gut only lasted a split second before rage bubbled up to replace it. Valkas was pure evil, and he was going straight to hell if I had anything to say about it.

  Skinny Guy’s limp body slumped down the wall and to the floor. Mop Head kept his head low and didn’t make a sound, no doubt afraid that he’d be next.

  Valkas didn’t even spare him a glance as he strolled out the door, the warm, fresh heart still clutched in his hands. He didn’t even bother placing the helmet back on his head to protect his skin from the sun. There was a thick enough cloud cover that I was sure he’d only walk away with mere first-degree burns.

  “I know you’re all awake!” Valkas boomed. “All slaves are to be out of their cabins by the time I count to five. One… Two… Three…”

  All throughout the community, cabin doors began to swing open. People flooded out onto the dirt paths. I couldn’t see most of them, but I could hear the scuffle of footsteps. Valkas paced along the dirt path and out of my view.

  I hesitated. I didn’t come all this way just to be caught. But the temptation was just too great. I had to see if Jenna was somewhere in that mass of people.

  I spread my wings and lifted off my perch, landing on the roof of the cabin. I clutched the dagger tightly in one talon and hopped forward until I could see Valkas below me.

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nbsp; He held the heart high above his head for everyone to see. “Four… Five.”

  Men and women stood outside their cabins in their pajamas. I expected them to be clutching each other and crying in fear, but all emotion was hidden away. It was like they’d come to expect this level of violence from Valkas, like they knew they’d be punished for cowering in fear of him. One woman slid her hand into another lady's fingers, and a male had paled to the point where he looked like he might vomit. Other than that, the blood slaves swallowed down their disgust.

  My eyes scanned the crowd, and my heart pitter-pattered in anticipation. I didn’t see Jenna anywhere.

  “This is what happens to people who steal from me,” Valkas boomed. “See to it that it doesn’t happen again.”

  Valkas flung the heart across the ground, snarling in disgust. He turned away before it finished rolling. It stopped at a woman’s feet, coated in dirt. She took a step back, unable to hide the horror in her expression.

  Valkas didn’t even notice. He licked the blood from his fingers and turned to the guy with the slicked-back hair. He gestured to the cabin. “Clean this mess up, Rogers.”

  Stoically, he placed his gloves back on his hands, like the remaining blood didn’t bother him one bit. One of his men hurried over with Valkas’s helmet. Valkas snatched it from his hands and situated it on his head as he swung his leg over the seat of the ATV. The engine roared to life, and he sped off into the forest. Three of his men took off behind him, while the other three stayed to follow orders.

  Everyone remained frozen like statues as Rogers stepped forward. He waved his hand, and the next thing I knew, Skinny Guy’s body was floating out of the cabin like it was suspended by invisible ropes.

  A witch, I realized in disgust. What kind of person would pledge himself to the Soulless? Valkas must've promised a very generous deal.

  The witch dropped the body, slumping it over the back of one of the ATVs. My stomach twisted at the sight of Skinny Guy’s eyes staring lifelessly toward the sky.