Two Halves Series by Marta Szemik Page B

doors, a chimney protruding from the roof, and a lawn chair on the front porch. Ekim’s only wish was to make a stopover.
    “I can’t,” he whispered through clenched teeth. His stomach tightened, and the vampire bent to rest his hands on his knees for a moment. The pain wasn’t physical but was still a torment.
    How long before I can see my daughter for the first time?
    I can’t.
    Ekim’s path around Pinedale to reach the powerful witch Hannah had to confuse the seekers so they wouldn’t know he avoided the town intentionally.
    He sped up, running along the shadow of a railroad bridge, the forest looming on his left. The sweet fragrance of jasmine floated in the air reminding him of home. Inside, he could only hope Hannah would trust him and provide the protection Sarah needed. Was this too much hope for a vampire to have?
     
    * * *
    June 21, the longest day of the year. Ekim huddled in the shadow of a fir, wishing it was broad enough to cover his body. When his thoughts wandered, the sun singed the arms, and he’d have to shuffle another inch to avoid the scorching beams. Waiting since sunrise, he watched the fireball rolling across the blue sky. Moving his body with the tree’s shade throughout the day, the vampire imagined sweat beading and running down his face, though he knew it wouldn’t. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, anxious. The sun almost touched the earth. Another two to three minutes.
    Ekim looked to the west, his feet planted exactly in the spot he’d been told to be: 44.57N by 110.5W. To his left, the sun sank to touch the top of a hill. As the fiery orb collided with the mound of earth, its rays sprayed outward to fall across fields, hills, and valleys, bathing all life with an orange and yellow glow—everywhere except one area in the lee of the hill. He smiled. Its shade would lengthen, and he’d be able to escape the shadow of the fir toward it.
    Now. He ran fast, ducking under branches, jumping over fallen pines. The faith he held onto inside didn’t let him wonder whether Hannah would listen. Castall’s promise that she would sufficed. After all, her husband was an influential warlock.
    A noise in the bushes to the right kept Ekim alert as he sprinted. Something paralleled his route.
    What else could move as fast as a vampire? A seeker? He inhaled, but the scent was unfamiliar. Ekim sensed another creature’s tracking on the left and his fangs sprouted.
    They stayed concealed until Ekim reached Hannah’s hill before leaping from the bushes to block his way. They looked like vampires—their faces were similar in structure, their gestures familiar—but the smell of wet bear fur mixed with that of a wolf intrigued him.
    “What do you want?” the female shouted.
    “I’m looking for Hannah,” Ekim answered, careful not to give too much away. Anything he said could be used to find Sarah.
    She kept her stern eyes on the vampire. “What do you want from her?”
    The male stared, his brows furrowed, but although he looked toward Ekim, his piercing gaze concentrated on the forest at his back.
    Something rustled branches and leaves behind Ekim, but he did not stir. He inhaled deeper, letting his acute senses work. Five grizzly bears, three wolves, six mountain lions, and two coyotes—all focused on the vampire. Four eagles circled overhead, their underbodies golden in the afterglow of the sun. The male murmured at the animals under his breath in a tongue Ekim did not recognize.
    The mammals did not pose a threat to Ekim. He’d get a few scratches but could handle them. His mouth watered at the thought of some carnivore blood. He held back though, unsure of the two beings standing in front. Their bodies were well-defined, muscles taut without flexing, and Ekim wasn’t the only one, he noted, who didn’t break a sweat while running.
    “My business is only for Hannah. Castall sent me.” Ekim stood taller but lowered his shoulders and softened his eyes. He let his fangs