Free Dead Girls Don't Cry by Casey Wyatt Page A

on the fringe of the activity, scanning the crowd for Jonathan. Ian’s comment about humans had me worried for Jay. He was still human enough. How would he survive the journey? He couldn’t stay behind. Thalia would kill him if she caught him, after making him suffer horribly first.
    After the cargo had been loaded, Ian’s rogues showed up. They were a ragtag bunch. Vampire bad asses exuding enough attitude to fill the hangar. Many of them were scarred, scruffy and well-muscled. Several of my fellow dancers openly eyed them with approval. Guess they liked it rough.
    Ian stood off to the side with a chiseled vampire who looked like he ate nails for breakfast. He wore a menacing scowl that would have scared me if we were alone in an alley somewhere. Mr. Scar, as I christened him, dwarfed Ian’s six foot three frame both in height and girth. Even though he was the bigger of the two, his deferential body language transmitted Ian was the boss. Mr. Scar broke away, supervised the loading of the rogues, then joined them in hibernation.
    Next came my family. In groups of ten at a time, they reclined in the capsules and fell asleep. Seeing the process, reassured me. It looked safe enough. If we blew up or crashed, I would be oblivious.
    In the distance, ground personnel completed suiting up the humans into astronaut gear. At the last moment, Jay joined the group. His helmet affixed, Jay and the flight crew entered the lift.
    Nervous anticipation filled my belly as I watched the elevator ascend to the flight module entry. Even though it was almost time to leave, I couldn’t wrap my head around what was happening.
    Jonathan caught up with me while I waited my turn to enter a capsule. “Cherry, we need to talk.”
    “Yeah. About Jay—”
    “Not important right now,” Jonathan pulled me behind a large concrete column. “There’s no time. Listen carefully.” He cupped my face between his larger palms. Cool as marble and rock steady. “I need you to be brave.”
    My stomach fell to my feet. “What’s wrong?”
    Jonathan shook his head. “Listen to me.” He captured my eyes with his glowing red gaze. Power filled his voice, “Don’t interrupt me.”
    I snapped my mouth shut, stifling my questions.
    A sharp boom rattled the cement column. Blast after concussive blast shook the ground. Prior screamed commands at the workers. They frantically sped up their efforts, pulling back equipment, flipping switches and scrambling out of the way. The ships’ engines roared to life.
    Regret filled Jonathan’s face.
    Thalia. She’d found us.
     

 
    CHAPTER SIX
     
    Once, a long time ago, Jonathan and I made a bargain. He would save my human family from imminent ruin and I would belong to him. At the time, it seemed like the only choice. I loved my parents and my siblings and would have done anything for them.
    Decisions made in desperation are often foolish and ill conceived. I didn’t understand until my humanity was gone, what I had agreed to.
    I was at the same crossroads again.
    Jonathan kissed my forehead tenderly. Intention blazed in his eyes as power gathered around him. The press of his will wrapped around me like a blanket, comfy and confined all at the same time.
    Tears welled up in my eyes. “No, Jonathan. Don’t.”
    He drew his nail across his jugular. A thin stream of blood seeped out in its wake. His will prevented the blood from spurting out. “Drink from me, Charity Belmont.” Compulsion laced his voice. His eyes pleaded with me not to fight his command.
    Stepping forward, my lips touched his neck. The scent of his skin, like fresh air from an exotic land, filled my nostrils. My elongated fangs latched onto the cut. Instinct gripped me and I took long greedy swallows of his intoxicating blood. Not since my creation, had I drunk so deeply from his vein.
    Jonathan wrapped his arms around me, imprisoning me in a tight embrace. His muscles pressed against me, strong and familiar. Words spoken in a language I