The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod: Twelfth Grade Kills by Heather Brewer Read Free Book Online Page B

to be found. For a moment I thought I found a trace, but the trail has gone dead, it seems.”
    Vlad’s eyes shot to meet Vikas’s, hurt and anger warring inside them.
    Dead.
    How could he use that word?
    Vikas clucked his tongue and flashed him an apologetic glance. “Forgive me, Vladimir. I have forgotten my candor. I am a fool.”
    Vlad sank back in his seat. “You may not be the only one, Vikas. If I don’t find my dad soon ... then maybe Otis is right. Maybe I am crazy.”
    They all looked at Vlad then, wordlessly, as if gauging his sanity level. After a moment, Vlad stood and headed for the front door, Henry in tow behind him.
    Otis stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. Quietly, he said, “Whatever you decide to do, we will support you. If you decide to run, we’re prepared for whatever comes. But please, tell us before you go so that I can make arrangements to hide Nelly from Elysia.”
    Vlad cringed at the very idea of bringing down Elysia’s brand of justice on his family, his friends, but he met Otis’s eyes and nodded. Then he was out the door. He had a lot to think about, and there was only one place to do it. With a brief goodbye to Henry once they were outside, Vlad was on his way to the only place he could truly be alone to think.
    The belfry. His sanctuary. The only place in the world he felt safe.
    Vlad moved through Bathory effortlessly, his mind clouded with troubled thoughts. A slight breeze danced through the air, bringing a bit of cool to the lingering summer heat. He was grateful for it. Too much of his summer had been spent outdoors, in the sticky heat. So he slowed his steps and allowed himself a moment to enjoy his walk—something he hadn’t done in months.
    Once he reached the school, he floated effortlessly to the arched windows of the belfry and stepped inside.
    Only...
    The room wasn’t dark.
    The room wasn’t empty.
    Vlad wasn’t alone.
    A candle was lit on the small table beside his father’s chair, illuminating the space with a flickering warmth. The photograph of his father was no longer in its space on the wall.
    It was being cradled by hands.
    Familiar hands.
    Hands that had caught Vlad when he fell off the roof. Hands that had bandaged his elbow when he tumbled from his bike. Hands that he knew well.
    Tomas Tod was sitting in his chair, holding his framed photograph, looking up at Vlad with an expectant, albeit worried, smile. “Vladimir.” He breathed, standing. “Son. It’s been too long, and this meeting is overdue.”

6
    UNEXPECTED COMPANY
    H IS DAD.
    Alive and in the flesh and standing less than ten feet in front of him.
    Which meant Vlad really was crazy. After all, he only seemed to see his dad when no one else was around, and all other evidence pointed to no additional vampires being in Bathory. Even now, he couldn’t sense Tomas’s presence when he reached out with his blood. It was as if his father wasn’t really there.
    Vlad was insane. He was off his rocker, for sure.
    “No, you’re not, Vlad. You’re perfectly sane, I assure you.” Tomas—the man who looked like Tomas, anyway—shook his head. He set the photograph down on the table next to the candle and met Vlad’s eyes, his gaze pleading. “Trust me. The reason you can’t detect me by reaching out with your blood is because I burned my Mark away. I’m not surprised Otis or Vikas didn’t realize that would be an effect of having removed my Mark, as so few vampires have survived the task. Doing so hasn’t seemed to harm my abilities, though. Telepathy, speed, mind control—all intact, it seems. I suppose I should count my blessings.”
    Vlad jolted at the sound of that voice. He swallowed the growing lump in his throat. Either it was his father, or his imagination was brilliantly creative.
    They watched one another for a moment but as Vlad started to speak, Tomas held up a hand, his eyes kind, sympathetic, full of an immense, overwhelming guilt. “As for my disappearance ... son, I owe