Damned if I Don't (The Harker Trilogy Book 2) by Erin Hayes Read Free Book Online Page B

steps forward. Reiko is too weak to fight or thrash as he takes both of her hands and holds her immobile. It may be overkill, but then again, she did just slice through half of her body in order to have a go at me. There’s merit to my caution.
    She’s obedient the entire time, watching my wrist as I bring it to her lips. She sucks hungrily, slurping sounds and all, as she drinks up all that I allow.
    After five big gulps, I step back as I lick my own wounds closed.
    “Now, are you going to tell me why you attacked the Harker? Or do I need to put another hole in you?”
    Her voice is weak when she speaks, but at least she’s coherent now. “Let’s just say I want to be on Anthony’s good side when he becomes the Progenitor. For after…”
    “What do you know about the Progenitor?” I ask.
    “You’re just going to kill me anyways,” she manages. “I know when there’s writing on the wall. Especially when it’s written in my own blood.”
    I smile pedantically. “That last part is your fault.”
    “I’m not speaking, traitor.”
    “Do you think she’ll talk?” Dean asks me under his breath, even though we both know that Reiko can hear us.
    “She has to,” I decide. “I’m not going to take no for an answer.”
    Dean’s eyes shift back to her. “But I think she won’t give more at the moment.”
    My hands are clumpy with gore and blood, but I still comb them through my hair due to my nerves. “Yeah, but we’ll have to figure out something.”
     
    ***
     
    “What the fuck are you doing?” Dean hisses to me as I shut the trunk to the Honda Accord.
    As the lid descends, I hear the muffled cry of Reiko in the trunk. I duct taped her mouth shut and wrapped her up in silver chains and a tarp I always keep in the trunk. It’s precautionary, okay? Even now, as I lock the trunk, my own hands are red and blistered from tying her up with the vile metal.
    Vampires and silver never go together. My own silver facial piercings itch at the reminder.
    I’ve changed clothes and cleaned up the best I could, although it’s going to take more than paper towels and hand sanitizer for me to get that feeling of Reiko’s blood off my skin.
    “We are taking her to your ‘friend’,” I say, handing him both katanas that are now wrapped in a blanket. “And I mean it this time.”
    Dean blinks, taken aback. “How will you know where to go?”
    I walk around to the driver’s seat, throwing the door open. “You’re coming with me.”
    “But…”
    “Dean, get in the car.”
    I see his indecision, but then his eyes flick to the trunk and widen with fear. With a huff, he wipes the rest of the glass from the broken window and gingerly sits in the passenger’s seat, gripping the bundled katanas with both hands. Maybe having some weapons will make him feel like he’s more in control. He could use the help.
    I check the back seat to make sure that Edie and Carl are situated all right. The cat, seeing that I’ve turned around, cries for attention.
    That’s really getting old.
    “Where are we headed, Dean?”
    “Uh, take I-49?” he offers uncertainly.
    The cat meows again, this time louder.
    “Shush, Puss,” I tell her as I throw the car into reverse.
    To my surprise, she does.

Chapter 8
    Edie
     
    “Edie…” The voice is millions of miles away. “Edie,” he repeats, louder this time.
    I grimace and open my eyes. Jude’s face swims above mine, his eyebrows pinched together in concern. The haze of sleep is still heavy on me as I give him a lazy smile, stretching slightly. “Good morning, sunshine.”
    He visibly relaxes with a sigh. “Time to get going.”
    After the past couple of days, it’s almost nice to be able to sleep without a ghost trying to talk to me or trying to warn me. But then, reality sinks in, and the absence of my left arms hits me again, and the pain comes back to me.
    That’s not the worst part. I remember everything that happened.
    With stark clarity.
    “Holy shit!” I cry,