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CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

He listened as they drove south, the night growing lighter as the waxing hts of Tijuana were in the rearview mirror, and Ben sat next to him, eyes focused on the cracked asphalt they followed into the desert

"The un and a Taser is proxi in the backseat as they drove, a duffel bag of weapons open on the seat between her and Natalie "To use a Taser, the ideal distance is around ten to fifteen feet But you’re dealing with va human So if you see one, point and shoot even if they’re farther away These all have laser sights built in By the time it fires, they’ll probably be within a few feet of you"

"Lovely And the stun gun?"

"Very effective, but you’ll have to be in direct contact--"

Baojia growled in the front seat, and Brigid narrowed her eyes at hiid muttered, "direct contact is not the ideal So try to use the Taser I packed a few of theid"

"You can never have too un for about half a minute after it’s fired But you shouldn’t need any of this It’s purely a precautionarythe vampires at the perimeter, and you and Ben will create a defensive position in the center of the crater"

Natalie nodded nal naorously "I remember there were some rocks and trees and stuff we can use to hide"

"They shouldn’t even get near you"

Brigid was obviously young, Baojiapotholes before he turned onto the dirt track that had been used as aroad Battle plans--even his own--rarely went as planned The only constant was the unplanned factor There was always so unpredictable, and it usually happened at the ain when they woke that evening to dissuade Natalie, but she was determined He had used all his powers of persuasion, thrown every logical argument in her face, before he finally conceded hural part of the plan, and if they didn’t use her, they’d have to use souments were moot She wouldn’t stand to have anyone else put at risk He briefly considered knocking her out anyway, but at that moment, Tenzin had pounded on the door and told theet in the car Which was doubly annoying because they weren’t actually having sex

He had to fall in love with the stubborn one, didn’t he? The stubborn, beautiful, defenseless human with no sense of self-preservation and a hero complex

"And make sure you don’t ever use a Taser on a fire valanced in the rear view mirror at Natalie’s wide blue eyes

"Hoill I know if it’s a fire vaid said, "You’ll know But chances are, it won’t be There’s not thattwo like you have is fairly extraordinary The most co things out Fire is very uncoene," Ben said fro that they’ll burst into flaid nod "Our a more than an enhanced electrical current That’s why vampires short out electronic equipment so easily It also seems to be what connects us to our ele an incredible ae earthquake Baojia would draw all the water around to him"

"Except we’re in the desert, where there’s no water," he hly annoyed at the handicap

"Well, yes Try to id said "Tenzin is air, but I’m not sure what it would do I’ve never shocked an air vampire before"

Ben said, "Can I try? Please?"

Baojia said, "The fact that you’re still alive is truly aed "She has a soft spot for me"

That much was obvious, but it had been to the boy’s benefit He was one of the most well-trained hteenth birthday Ben was proficient in judo and jujitsu, could fire various weapons with accuracy, had a good command of hand-to-hand combat with knives, and could even handle a blade passably well Added to that were the instincts he could only have been born with The boy was incredibly sharp If Baojia had enough time with him, he’d have him a lanced in the rearview ain If she turned

What if she didn’t want it? What if she never wanted it?

t?"What other weapons did you bring?" Ben’s voice broke into his rulanced down at the twin short swords that were strapped to his thighs "I have a few other swords in the trunk A dao and a new katana I bought last year, but I probably won’t bring theh?" He nodded "They’re kind of…" Baojia s "Kind of…?" "Short" "Are you saying that size er snorted "I just mean that your reach with those--" "These are fourteen-inch twin butterfly swords Handraht" He glanced at the boy "One thing you will learn is that every fighter is different, and this is iths What is your aunt’s favorite weapon?" "Shang gou The hook swords You trained her on them; you know" "I picked those for her because her sense of balance and flexibility hter has always been balance and knowing how to use her opponents’ weaknesses against them She needed reach and heft The hook swords were perfect for her" Ben muttered, "And they’re really cool" "No, Ben They’re really fucking cool" For the first tiht, he felt a real sths, first of which is speed I’m much faster than your aunt or your uncle" "Yeah, I noticed" Ben rubbed his ribs where Baojia had given hi "Good And so a long sword like a dao or a katana or the shang gou is not ideal for me Short swords are faster Besides, I don’t try to keep my opponents at bay I draw theht ht" "Ernesto taught you that?" Baojia paused, his breath catching a little at the flood ofwing chun for Then he was the one practicing He could hear the ently corrected the s over them as the smell of food drifted fro "No," he said "My huood" "He was" Natalie and Brigid were silent in the backseat He glanced in thehiers at his neck, and he turned his eyes back to the road "You are young Your body is still developing, and your frahting style for a few years But all the preparation you’re doing is good And if there has to be a huain, only to find her sticking her tongue out at him He smiled "I’ praise; I’ to think you have a crush on hed as he reached into the duff ininkel bag at his feet "I have backup It’sMiss Kiht friends That won’t kill them, you know" "A 45 still packs a hell of a punch, lint came to Ben’s eye "Always" They had to hike the last five yback ride Brigid offered to carry Ben, but he refused with red ears and ran to keep up Carwyn and Tenzin were already at the crater, bickering "Stop calling irl--" "I was older than fifteen when I turned, you idiot" "Then stop acting like a whiny little schoolgirl It’s not like you’re not strong enough You could carry ten of ht?" "Just bagged blood I didn’t have tiht like siblings," Baojia said as he set Natalie down "Always" Ben went over and threw an ar on Tiny, Carwyn" "Picking on--?" Carwyn threw his head back and laughed "Good one Ah, there’s id went over to him and tilted her face up for a kiss, but Carwyn lifted her in hishis wife far hts before "Mirl… There are caves around here I’ve already scouted theid roup Baojia rolled his eyes at the pair and turned to Tenzin, as brushing off Ben’s ar me Tiny" "It just fits" He broke in before they could start arguing "No truck, I take it" She shook her head "Going to sniff around? We just got here We stopped by Tulio’s place--Carwyn knows him, of course--and let him knohat the plan was He says we can use that tunnel you irls out Says it’s safe and he’ll be watching for them The one human he has is still tucked away" "Good That will help" He looked around, really exa Natalie with Tenzin and Ben, he walked the perimeter It was a natural crater, no doubt for round The depression was alrew in it except a copse of trees that had sprung up from the middle and a few tumbleweeds He toed his shoes off and sank his feet into the sand, but could sense no water His eyes darted around, taking in bits and pieces The more he looked, the more subtle evidence of violence he saw Cracked branches and bloodstains A pile of rocks had tumbled down the side of the crater where it looked like soh the wind had carried the scent of fresh hues still remained on the sandstone rocks that lay scattered around And the scent of the predators was everywhere The traces of energy were old--he guessed no one had been back since the hunt they had witnessed days before, but they were nu over and over Though a few signatures seeed to unique individuals "Hunting parties," heit? For a responsible immortal leaders had outlawed to avoid exposure to hu, using girls that no one cared about--it certainly wouldn’t be unheard of Were the other va a poison as well as a fresh meal? Somehow, Baojia didn’t think that was on the brochure He felt Natalie approach "What are you thinking?" she asked "I’… I still wish you weren’t here" "Can we stop now, please? I’m here Talk to me about the plan" He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, letting it out as she slid her hand in his "We’ll all hide in Tulio’s tunnel today Obviously, it’s not happening tonight It irl, Car to e can tell, it takes anywhere froirls and infect therabbed for this hunt? The last? It ht be a week fro provisions for you and Ben, and Father Andrade has Ben’s phone number to call us when the truck shows up at the club" "And when they do get here?" She knew this already They’d gone over it seven ti to let hi for any loose ends "After they drop off the girls, the count starts An hour, according to Tulio We’ll have to gather theht just knock them out with amnis and hide them in Tulio’s caverns" He frowned "Yes, I think that would be better Safer" "Okay" She nodded "Then Ben and I take position" He tensed instinctually "Yes Carwyn, Tenzin, Brigid, and I will have to remain in the tunnel until they come back, but you and Ben will be in the center of the crater In that stand of trees there No use giving theet There’s no shower here, so your scent will already be heightened, which will draw theh" He shook his head "I don’t think it will matter Froh on the drug They’d already fed--this was just an added experience To " She shivered at his words and Baojia drew her closer "I wonder… he doses the huet sick, is this their last stop? If Constantina hadn’t run, would she have ended up out here?" "But Rosa didn’t see "Maybe they’re running out of waitresses Running out of tiet sick Healthy prey would be et sick? In fact, find girls who can run and fight back a little It would ht back" He rubbed his cheek against her hair, taking comfort in her touch, her scent, her warmth She had wrapped her arulp "It uess" "Yes, it does" He took a deep breath "Natalie?" "What?" "This is a very sick s a orld," he whispered "And so" "No," she said "Just long enough Long enough for h for me to love you" The histled past as he felt Tenzin fly overhead Carwyn and Ben had started a small fire near the mouth of the tunnel where he had killed the air vampire and rescued Rosa He pulled Natalie down to sit next to hie piece of sandstone "When this is finished, I want to move north I think we can live in the Northwest and be safe I have lots of money You can find whatever work you want I don’t want to live like this anymore" "Then on’t" She laid her head on his shoulder "Kristy called yesterday She tried to hold the boss I didn’t want her to get in trouble, so I called the Tribune and quit Officially" He looked at her, startled "You didn’t tell ht?" "Didn’t seeave hi back wasn’t really an option I’ll uess Maybe I’ll publish online Lots of writers do" "Then you can work from anywhere" She nodded "M, he smiled "I like this plan" "And if I work fro hit by a bus crossing the street or being struck down by a " She elbowed him "So much safer Well, maybe not from donuts, but definitely buses" "Approximately four thousand pedestrians are killed every year, you know" "Why doesn’t it surprise me that you know that?" Because she was his world now And everything he could do to make her safe, he would As much as she would let him, anyway "I want to marry you, Natalie I want you to have children like you want Our children" The vision of his father in the courtyard came back to hiht" "You could teach thes," she said, her voice hoarse He looked down to see tears in her eyes "How to fight How to play How to break s I believe I would be a good father" "I think you’d be a great father It wouldn’t bother you? That you can’t--" "There are hued "We will do whatever they do It won’t make them any less mine" He looked down "If that is what you want" "Maybe not right away, but…" She smiled "That’s definitely what I want" "Then that’s e’ll do" "Okay" Natalie heaved a sigh and settled close to hiuys" "After I kill all the bad guys, and you keep your head down" "That’s what I ht They didn’t coetting restless Carwyn had dug inal tunnel just so they could avoid each other Brigid and Baojia were both thirsty; Baojia only took a little blood froi It had caused yet another arguain When he woke on the fourth night, it ith a distinct sense of foreboding He left Natalie in her sleeping bag and went outside Tenzin was crouched at the ht," she said "Are you sure? The priest hasn’t called" She cocked her head to the side, like a bird exa an insect "Fairly sure" He lowered his voice "Tenzin… If Natalie is injured in this fight, I do not want to lose her" She raised an eyebrow "You ask this of rinned, her curving fangs glinting in the ain with you, and your blood is powerful" "So is the priest’s" Baojia stopped as Ben crawled out of the cave, gru about clean water He walked away fro for so him with an amused smile "Perhaps," he said, "I think you would understand my wish to not lose a human so valuable to"Perhaps," Baojia said, leaning closer, "you would do the saht" She stood, brushing off the dust "I’" "Is that a yes?" "I would say… perhaps" Tenzin took to the air, disappearing into the black night Baojia sighed and stretched, enjoying the feel of hisit neatly and laying it on a rock before he centered hi western sky Perhaps He closed his eyes and swept a leg out, crossing his arht them back to center and flexed his shoulders Perhaps Baojia practiced his forift of their silence They all knehat the plan was; they simply needed the ene a welcoift on the breeze His amnis jumped when he felt it It couldn’t be… His eyes flew open, searching the sky just as Tenzin landed "There is good news and bad news, as they say," she said, walking toward hi the delivery truck that will be here within a few minutes" Four With three or four immortals in each SUV, that would mean anywhere between twelve and sixteen opponents And four of them Normally, he could handle that many on his own, but with the Elixir involved, the odds were unknown "And the good news?" She grinned wide "There’s a stor"