The Hunted by Heather McAlendin

us into the darkened storage room. I sighed longingly. “Just once to see a complete sunrise, just once.”
    No one seemed to notice my lament as the heavy door shut behind us. The small circular window was still the only access to light in the room. A heavy fabric covered it and blocked out most of the sun. Enough light came into the room to reveal that Marie still used this place from time to time. The bedding was in a roll on the cement floor and her small portable cooler still hummed with electricity.
    “Please tell me you have blood stored in there?” Drake asked as he sat down, cross legged on the floor.
    “Indeed,” Marie replied. “I always keep a supply...just in case.”
    “In case of what?” I asked as I flicked the bedroll open and collapsed on it in a tired heap.
    I looked up to see Marie brushing away bloody tears. A flicker of sadness washed across her face, and then it was gone. “The first couple of months in the compound with Andrew were very difficult.” She stopped short and took a deep breath. “It was hard enough transitioning from human to vampire and Andrew was wonderful, but with the new power and my psychic abilities I could hear everyone’s thoughts. It was overwhelming to the point of painful some days. Then to hear the whispers about me and what I had done to Hannah and the things said about you and Andrew. I came here often to block it all out.”
    I moved to Marie’s side and placed an arm around her shoulder. “Marie, I am so sorry. This is all my fault. I have taken so much from you.”
    She turned to look into my eyes and smiled graciously. “You have given me so much more. I have...had family. At least now I know where I came from and I fit in here with the vampires so much more than I ever did at the convent.”
    A loud cough from across the room startled both Marie and I, causing us to turn and see Drake staring back at us.
    He slowly rose from the floor and brushed off his clothes. After reaching down and extracting a blood bag from the fridge, he nodded toward the bedding. “You ladies rest for a few hours and I’ll keep a watch for anything or anyone unusual. I expect you to do the same once you finish your nap. Set could be anywhere and strike at any time. He needs you, Silver, to convince the rest of the Clan to follow him now that Andrew is dead and I am sure he is none too pleased Marie has escaped.”
    Fatigue and hunger suddenly overwhelmed me. “I won’t argue with you Drake,” I said. “Let’s all feed and rest for a bit. We can’t face Set in the shape we are in.”
    “Silver.” Marie said my name weakly. “I can feel him. I have since he made his presence known. Somehow, I can block him and although I can’t get directly into his head, I know when he is close. So far I don’t feel him anywhere near us...not yet.”
    Drake moved in close and held her shoulders so tight that I could see Marie wince in pain. His face was a mask of rage and frustration. “Why the hell did you not reveal this to us before now? I could rip your throat out right now you impertinent, young fledgling...”
    With lightening speed, I was at Marie’s side. It was enough to startle Drake away from her and I stepped between them, fangs drawn.
    “Don’t you ever touch her again!” I spat. “How is it with all your great abilities to get into my mind that you didn’t read Set better? You brought him here Drake or at the very least facilitated it through Yaqui. Think twice before you decide to cross the line again or you will deal with me. I will be the only Vampire standing.”
    I felt Marie place a small hand on my arm, pulling me aside. “We are all on edge right now. Please let’s rest and gain some clarity.”
    Drake watched in silence as I followed Marie to the bedding and lay next to her. She curled into the small of my back and we both fell into a restless sleep while Drake watched over us. He reminded me of an avenging angel. Despite all his faults and brutish