“Precisely.” Seamus nodded toward a barn down the field from them. “Now, do you remember what Leopold and Benedict’s complaint was?”
“A vamp nest situated almost perfectly between their territory. Leopold was complaining that Benedict should take care of it because its location, Benedict claimed Leopold should handle it because they were stealing the humans from his territory,” Zack said quietly. They were a distance away from the barn. How good was vampire hearing?
How good is mine?Zack stretched his senses. The interstate was pretty far, but he swore he still heard the rumble of a semi going past. From the barn’s direction, he heard … talking. Music. Slurping. Some other noises that made him decide to close off his hearing after all.
“But they didn’t know where it was,” Zack said. “How did you find it so fast?”
“I didn’t. At least, not on my own,” Seamus replied. “You’ve been tracking this nest’s activity for weeks in one of your notebooks. You nearly had them pinpointed.”
The urge to call bullshit died on Zack’s lips because he could feel a weird pressure building in the magnetic pull in his core. During the drive, Seamus had blocked him, but he was letting Zack glimpse at some of his fears and desires. No doubt this wasstill some trick, some modified response to make him look good, but Seamus was oozing the desire for connection. He wanted to guide Zack and seemed scared that Zack would never like him.
Like he honestly gives a shit whether or not I approve of him. Zack clenched his free hand.
What if he does?the strange, echoey Seamus voice responded.
What does it say about me if the monster wants me to like him?
Maybe he’s not the monster you think he is, the echo-Seamus said.
That didn’t sound like one of his thoughts at all. Zack glared at Seamus.Note to self, prioritize research on whether vampires can have telepathy.
“You are, without a doubt, the cleverest sireling I’ve made since Anton,” Seamus said. “However, everyone has always relied on that side of you and ignored the side I know exists.”
“What side is that?” Zack tightened his jaw afterward. He was getting too loud.
Seamus turned toward him. “The ruthless killer.”
“I amnot?—”
“Ifeltyou last night.” Seamus stepped closer so that he and Zack would share breath if either of them had needed air and lowered his voice to a sterner pitch. “I saw how you took after that girl last night and how you drank from the one at the mansion. More than that, I know how the urge to kill me burned through you the night I gave you my blood. I can feel you stamping down upon that desire tonight.
“Your problem is with killing mortals? Fine. You aren’t the first sireling I’ve taught that needed to abandon that peculiarity. I can’t make you accept that you have moved higher up the food chain. But—” He motioned at the barn. “—that nest is doingdamage. They are killing humans and risking the existence of our kind.”
“Our kind is all over social media,” Zack replied.
“Few mortals outside of our community believe it real,” Seamus said. “Nests like this one could ruin that for us. Then we won’t have just hunters to contend with but governments. Chaos would ensue. People would die. Your loved ones might be first. So, you can pout like a little boy, or you can use your new gifts to do what you’ve always longed to do and take care of a batch of blood-thirsty bastards.”
Seamus had a point. The argument about whether or not the rest of humanity needed to recognize the existence of the supernatural was a hot debate in the hunter community as well. Sure, if governments knew, there could be the opportunity to do their work with better funding. On the other hand, there was a conflicting belief that vampires and other supernaturals would sway public opinion and governments to their side and protect them. Zack’s mom was passionately against that.
Zack hadn’t really formed an opinion on the matter, but as a vampire, he didn’t like the idea of police raiding vampire homes and putting them down. He had killed humans, but he couldn’t really stop himself from doing it. Did he deserve to go to jail for that?
I’m going to give myself a migraine if I keep thinking about that. Zack slipped his dagger out of its sheath and placed the sheath on the hood of the car behind him. The runes down the length of his silver dagger glowed with the faintest red light.Great, even my soul doesn’t think he’s that much of a danger to me anymore.
He took three steps toward the barn and realized Seamus was staying behind. He glanced over his shoulder. “You’re not coming?”
“You’re my progeny. They are nest rats weaker than the average new fledgling. I’m certain you’ll be fine.” Seamus relaxed against the hood of his car and motioned for Zack to go on. “I’ll be listening. Say my name if you need me.”
I’d rather fucking die.
Would you really, though? the echo-Seamus asked.
Well … it’s not going to matter. I’ve got this.
Zack set off across the dark field. If the nest was smart, they’d have some sort of lookout. Rather than relying on his speed, he ducked lower and made his way forward with a delicate swiftness instead of rushing ahead like a bull. He searched for any sign of movement and started tracking the different sounds coming from around and inside the barn. The music was loud—which would work for him—and he picked out multiple voices. Someone shrieked, and that was met with laughter from at least five voices.
His dagger glowed a little brighter. Zack hid it behind his back as he approached the barn. As far as he could tell, there was no sentry. While still at a short distance, he circled the building. A few lights illuminated the interior, and that spilled light out into the night, particularly the very open barn doors on the north side. He stayed out of that brightness and went around the other way to complete his evaluation. Scents of old wood, fresh blood, cold dirt, and a reek of sex wafted out.
The vamps had been holed up in this place for a little while. They’d grown comfortable.
