Free Stone Chameleon (Ironhill Jinn #1) by Jocelyn Adams Page B

vibrations or movement across its surface, but found nothing other than stillness and cold within the room. The vampire had to be on one of the shelves and had learned enough control to be motionless.
    “The owner mentioned he found your blood and that it was black. If you come out, I can help you find your way home.”
    “Why would you help me?” The female’s voice echoed from somewhere ahead and above. “Look at me! I’m sorry, Momma. Oh, heavens, what have I done?” Her agony burst out in a heart-wrenching wail. It died away as abruptly as it began.
    “We all need help now and then. Vampires are no different.” I tried for Rachel’s soothing tone, but didn’t quite manage it. “What’s your name?”
    “Marina…or, at least, it used to be. Before I d-died.”
    Against my better judgment, I asked, “Did you choose to join the hive, Marina?”
    “I had cancer. Momma was so sad.”
    Of course. The vampire nation spread misleading ads via TV and magazines about the wonders of vampirism. Dying? Sign up today to be given eternal life. What they didn’t say was that you gave up the life you knew for an eternity of servitude—unless you were lucky enough to have an internal hive war and ascend the pyramid faster than most. From the tidbits of information I’d gathered over the years, few rose far enough to gain their independence.
    “I can call your lord right now. You can speak to him and ask him to bring you home.”
    “No!” A wizened face appeared from the third shelf above me, the remnants of her stringy blonde hair framing a square jaw. “Do you know what it feels like to have your life energy eaten by someone? Like having your soul set on fire and pulled out through your skin. He’ll be furious with me for leaving the hive.”
    A shudder ran the length of me. I’d never heard it described so vividly. Although I’d have liked to tell her Isaac would be reasonable to take away the obvious terror in her black eyes, I didn’t want to lie to her. The big Scot didn’t like to be defied in any way. Still, I felt the need to do something, even at the risk of inviting more of his fury.
    “He’ll be angry with me for leaving without permission, but I had to. To keep them safe.”
    I squinted at that. Could this vampire be involved in the murders? “Keep who safe, Marina? Is someone threatening you?” Other than her lord.
    The shaking of her head appeared frantic, so I didn’t press. It wasn’t the time or place to be upsetting her more, no matter how much I needed the information.
    “You can come to my reservation, and I’ll talk to Isaac for you if you like, but you can’t stay here. You need to feed. I have a few willing donors and subterranean rooms especially for vampires who need sanctuary for one reason or another.”
    Marina didn’t cause a sound as she crawled down the post to the second shelf in a monkey-like fashion. Not a stitch of clothing covered her emaciated form. Most newly cursed vampires had to earn the right to wear clothing, one of their many customs that curled my lip in disgust.
    “You would do that for a lowly monster like me?” She leaned toward me as far as her precarious perch allowed.
    Truth always went further than deception, so I thought carefully before answering. “You’re not a monster, Marina, you’re just a little lost right now while on your way toward becoming an independent vampire. You’ll be whole and beautiful again in time.”
    “It doesn’t seem that way. I can’t even look at my reflection without getting sick.”
    “It will pass, I promise. And I know what it’s like to be alone and afraid, to have no one to talk to, and be removed from my family as you have been.” I held my hands out to show her I had nothing in them. “I’m a friend, and you can trust me. My car is right outside. I’ll take you to the reservation myself right now and get you settled in with some blood so you can get well, and you can talk to me about anything. You