Page 16 of Bloodhunter

I was sick, after all.

Then they turned back to me, and even the golem lookedsuitably impressed. I’d done something no lone human woman should have beencapable of doing—I’d killed a crazed, murderous vampire, and I’d killed himwith a stake and a prayer.

Rhys finally decided to join the conversation. “You gave avampire the true death.” He didn’t sound like he was convinced.

I leaned back against the headboard, tired, sore, andsuddenly, I was ravenous. “True death? Obviously anyone can stake a vampire.Anyone can kill a vampire. I just proved that. Angus.”

He stepped closer. “Yes?”

“Can you ask one of the kids to bring a pizza? I’mstarving.”

He looked at the others and spread his hands, then pointedat me. “She’s…” But he shook his head, his search for the right word unsuccessful.

“How did you get back to the park?” Rhys asked.

I took a deep breath, then flinched as the horror of allvampires, Amias Sato, flashed through my mind. “Shit,” I said. “I’d forgotten.”

“You forgot how you got to the park?” Angus asked. “Youcouldn’t have driven. When I found you, you were in the backseat, nearly dead.”

I looked down at my hands. I shuddered as the reality ofthat night began to sink in. Delayed shock catching up with me, maybe. Whateverit was, I was suddenly in a bad place and they all knew it.

Angus sniffed the air, then clenched his fists. His words,when he spoke, came through gritted teeth. “You’re afraid. Suddenly, you’reafraid. What is it, Trinity?”

“It’s cold in here.” My voice quavered and I wrapped my armsaround myself. “Turn up the heat, Angus.”

They simply waited.

“Amias was there,” I murmured, finally.

Everyone in the room stiffened.

“He sat watching as the other vampire…” My shivering becamemore violent, and my teeth clacked together when I tried again. “He watched asthe other vampire tried to kill me. He watched me stake the guy.”

“Sweetie.” Miriam squeezed my clasped hands.

“He said he was proud of me,” I said and tried for ascornful laugh. It sounded like more of a watery sob. “Bastard.”

“Then he brought you to us,” Angus said.

“He said hemademe,” I told them, hoping one of themwould scoff at the very idea. Hoping they’d tell me that was bullshit, thatpart of Amias Sato didn’t live inside me.

They nodded.

“He made you a killer,” Rhys said.

I didn’t disagree. I remembered that darkness inside me. Thedesire. “But I’m not his. I’m not a turned human.”

“He changed you,” Miriam said. “But he doesn’t own you.” Sheglanced at Clayton, and even as his face hardened, she smiled.

It was not a nice smile.

“He watches you,” Rhys said. “He stalks you. Doesn’t he?”

I nodded.

“How do you know that?” he asked.

I shrugged. “Because I see him.”