Because if I stop, he’ll track me down. I know Kane will. That’s the advantage of being a vampire. They’re faster and stronger than us humans. They can track your scent and hear you breathing from miles away.
But I’ve been prepared for this moment my entire life. Well, not the running in the stupid forest part, but the fact that I know the things that make it hard for vampires to track you. Being raised in a family that’s close with the elite, I’ve learned plenty while eavesdropping during parties my parents threw at our mansion.
I also was a voracious reader as a little girl—wanting to learn and understand everything I possibly could about what my future vampire husband would be like.
I hop across a muddy creek bed and make a point to remove the flannel shirt from my body and toss it on the ground. I’m only in sweatpants and one of Kane’s white T-shirts at this point, but I don’t care. I zigzag run in the opposite direction of the shirt and just keep moving as fast as my legs can take me.
I’m a mess, but I don’t care.
I just need to get somewhere that I can use a phone so I can call my mom.
I don’t know what I’m going to do once I call her, but I just need to talk to her. That’s the only thought that feels solid.If I can just talk to her. If I can just get answers, I’ll feel better.
I think I’ll feel better.
IhopeI’ll feel better.
The ground dips suddenly, and I stumble straight into another creek bed that’s filled with freezing water. A sharp gasp rips out of me as my shoe sinks into the mud, and I catch myself on a slick rock and nearly fall.
Shit!
By the skin of my teeth, I manage to catch myself before I launch my entire body into the muddy water. Though, nearly half of me is already drenched.
Goodness, it’s so cold.My teeth start chattering and my muscles want to shiver, but I just keep running.I scramble up the opposite bank and continue moving.
My hair sticks to my face and my borrowed clothes cling damp against my skin, and I know there’s no way I look anything like myself.
Right now, I probably don’t look like Blair Windsor at all.
My mother would be horrified to see me like this.
The trees thin without warning, and sunlight starts to hit my face until the forest ends abruptly.
My eyes catch sight of pavement—a narrow two-lane road cutting through nothing.
Oh my God! Thank everything!
My lungs scream and my muscles ache, but I don’t stop running until I’m right at the edge of the road. I stand there for a second, swaying slightly, trying to decide if this is real. And I keep glancing over my shoulder, expecting to see Kane’s face appear.
But he doesn’t come.
Did he not even try to track me?
I frown, but I also look out toward the road again. Instantly, I spot a small maroon sedan heading my way. It’s a horrible color for a car, but right now, it’s the best-looking car I’ve ever seen in my life.
And I know it’s completely reckless, but I step forward and start waving both of my hands in the air to get their attention.
The car slows, and before they come to a stop, I see it’s an older couple inside. A man and a woman with kind faces and curious eyes.
Okay, this is probably fine. They don’t look murder-y or anything.
The window rolls down.
“Oh my goodness, dear,” the woman says softly as she takes in my disheveled appearance. “Are you all right?”
“Yes.” The lie comes easily. “I just got a little turned around hiking, and I’m hoping maybe you can give me a ride into town?”
I have no idea what town we’re near, but I’m hoping they know.
