Varick
Darrell led me to the perimeter of The Sanctuary. We moved beyond the gate, past a thicket of brambles and into dense tree cover. A human couldn't have seen anything, but my eyes adjusted to the absence of light so the forest appeared in dark blue tones. The moon had been swallowed by thick clouds, threatening snow. I could almost smell it in the frozen air.
“Who do you protect this place from?” I asked as Darrell led me deeper into the woods.
“Anyone who might seek to harm us.”
“Helsings?” I inquired.
“Amongst other Hunters. But they're not our biggest concern.”
“So that organisation you mentioned...they're dangerous?” I frowned.
“IDAHO,” he confirmed with a dark look. “If they ever found this place, the Immortals here would be in grave danger.”
“But the company is surely run by humans?”
He nodded slowly. “Yes, but they have an employment of Immortals doing their bidding. And humans are not as weak as some Immortals may be fooled into believing.”
I nodded, thinking of Selena. Of all the people I'd ever known, Immortal or not, she was by far the strongest. Perhaps not physically, but in her courage, her infallible determination, her hope.
“So what are we to do tonight?” I asked as Darrell led me down onto the sandy beach. The waves lapped quietly against the shore; the lull and clap of the catamaran rocked against the pier and a gurgling pool ran close by. When the wind blew, the leaves made a rushing, hissing noise that rippled across the whole island.
Darrell pointed to an X marked on a tree at the edge of the beach. “Each V stands at one of these marks. They ring the entire island. If there's any cause for concern, a boat in the bay, for example, just ring this.”
He pointed to a bell hanging from one of the branches. The Vs will be able to hear it, but the entire island will not be alerted until the threat is confirmed. We don't want to start a panic.”
I nodded and he gestured toward the tree again. “You can take this post. We stand here until dawn; most Vs do three nights a week.”
“Glad to help.” I gave him a small nod and he headed away up the beach.
I gazed out at the dark sea, relaxing. Passing time was something that came easy to me. Without sleep, the Helsings' castle had been a waking nightmare. I'd let my thoughts carry me away, hours merging into one another until time took on a whole different meaning.
Tonight was easier, standing on the sand, gazing at the quiet scene before me. The sea, I loved. I could gaze at her for all eternity. The frothing surf, the reaching tide and the roaring crash of waves breaking along the beach. The sea had once given me a home. I knew how to navigate the world by the stars, how to sail through storms and thick sea fog. But the longer I stood there, the more I thought of another possibility. The chance of a home elsewhere. On land. Alongside a girl who had captivated me so entirely that I no longer belonged to the sea. But to her. She was more tempestuous than the wind had ever been, and more calming than the crystal clear waters of Greece. I didn't need the sea while she stayed at my side. She was the sea.
After a time - I couldn't have said how long – a droning sound caught my ear. I didn't recognise it at first, but as it approached, I lifted my eyes to the sky, searching.
A plane. Christ. Was that cause for concern?
I lingered by the bell, unsure. There was a whole ring of Vs surrounding this island, and certainly they were aware of the plane by now?
I stepped further on to the beach as it came into view, the white underbelly of a small aircraft careering over the waves.
A light flashed from the cabin. A signal perhaps.
My shoulders relaxed as Darrell appeared from the trees, waving a light back at the aircraft. It circled lower and I realised it was about to land on the beach.
Backing up, I watched as the plane jerkily touched down, throwing up sand around it.
My heart lifted as Jameson dropped out of the cabin, but immediately plummeted again at the sight of his expression. One of his wolf pack followed him; a girl I only knew by sight.
“What's going on?” I demanded, stepping into the light of the aircraft.
Jameson crashed into me, his hand cupping the back of my neck as he hugged me. “It's so good to see you.”
I pushed him back to get a better look at him. “What's going on?” I repeated, lowering my tone. He didn't look like he'd slept since I'd last seen him, his eyes bloodshot and lacking all light.
“Nothing.” He turned, slamming his hand against the door of the plane as Ulvic tried to get out. A low groan sounded from inside the cabin. “Ulvic was just dropping us off.”
The girl sniffed, looking to Jameson for direction, her eyes watery. What on earth was going on?
Darrell approached the plane, calling to Ulvic, “Are you alright?”
Ulvic raised a hand in response.
“We've come to stay,” Jameson announced, turning and pressing his back to the plane door to keep it shut.
Darrell turned to me. “Perhaps you'll show them inside? I'll speak with Ulvic before he leaves.”
Jameson pushed off of the plane with a shrug.
I led him and his companion up into the trees, taking the path Darrell had shown me back to the main gate.
As we approached, I glanced up at the security camera and a moment later the gate jangled aside. As we stepped through, Jameson caught my arm, looking at Nadine. “Go on ahead of us.”
Nadine opened her mouth to protest, but Jameson barked, “GO.”
She scurried away, heading across the wide lawn toward the manor.
When she was out of sight, Jameson turned to me, his expression fierce. I wasn't sure I'd ever seen him like this before.
I lowered my voice. “What's happened, brother?”
He released my arm, scraping a hand through his hair which was now hanging loose from his usual braid. After he took in a breath, he explained what had occurred, his tone flat.
“I'm so sorry.” I kept my hand on his shoulder as he finished regaling the grim tale, shaking my head in horror.
He gave me a firm stare. “You're not to tell the others.”
Panic rose inside me like acid. “I can't keep this from Selena. And if the Helsings are coming here, we'll need to warn her father so we can prepare-”
Jameson caught my neck, bringing his forehead to mine. “You cannot tell them what I did.” His voice was laced with pain, but most of all fear.
Releasing me, he took a calm breath before a mask drew over his features, his anxiety vanishing. “Selena,” he conceded. “You can tell her. But the others can only know half the truth. That the Helsings came and murdered most of my pack.”
I nodded, my heart twitching as I reached for him, resting a palm on his shoulder again. “Brother, that is what happened.”
He nodded, but I knew my words meant nothing. Though he was trying not to, Jameson blamed himself. I could see it in his eyes. And I knew exactly what that felt like.
As we started walking toward the house, I decided to air my thoughts. Though I had no idea what good they'd do him. “Back in the last game I had no control over myself. When I found Selena I...” The words stuck in my throat like they had sharp edges. I forced them out all the same. “I nearly killed her.”
Jameson's eyes found mine and in a low tone that shredded me to pieces, he said, “Yes Varick...but you didn't.”