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I’ve felt helpless throughout my life, especially during my time on this ship, but knowing there may be nothing I can do to stop this charade is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.
Back in Kragen’s quarters, I’m glad he’s given me the time alone. I don’t want anything to do with him at the moment. My acting skills are gone. An energy I don’t recognize moves closer to my location, bringing me to my feet. Something about it feels familiar, yet not at the same time.
I move toward the door, ready for whatever is about to enter. A soft knock brings chill bumps to the surface. “Elsie,” a voice says from the other side. I refuse to answer. “Elsie,” the voice repeats. “It’s me. It’s Bertram.”
My heart stops at the mention of my brother’s name. Is this a trick? Bertram can’t be alive unless he’s…he’s a vampire.
“Bertram?” I whisper through the closed door.
“Aye,” the voice answers.
“Prove it.”
A deep laugh echoes to my ears. “Daddy used to call you Bethie. He was the only one you allowed to call you that. It was his special name for you.”
I open the door, not sure what’s going to be on the other side. A man has replaced the boy I remember. “Bert?”
“Aye, it’s me,” he answers. I don’t hesitate. I move in front of him, wrapping my arms around his neck. He’s at least a foot taller than me with a head full of dark hair.
“How is it possible?” I wipe tears as I speak. He flashes his teeth, showing two fangs. The same fangs I have. “I’m a vampire.”
“Kragen?” I ask, knowing the answer.
“Aye.” He looks down. “I was looking for you and got too close. Kragen foundmeinstead and turned me into this.” He runs his hands down his body. “Forced to work for him for all eternity.”
“He can’t keep you here,” I argue. “You’re free.”
He huffs a laugh. “In a way, I am free. The sugar sickness made me weak, made me sickly. Now, I’m strong.”
I wrap my arms around him a second time, relishing the fact that I’m hugging my younger brother. “I’ve missed you.”
“Aye, I’ve missed you, too. I was told you were dead.”
“Kragen would like me dead, I’m sure. I escaped.”
His eyes grow wide with my words. “Then why are you here?”
“It’s a long story.” I move to the table, pulling a chair out for him. “Does he know you’re in here?
“No, he left a while ago.”
I spend the next few minutes filling my baby brother in on everything that’s happenedwith Thorne, the Outer Banks, ending up back here, and the treasure hunt that’s taking place tomorrow. He stares at me like a child during story time, hanging on every detail.
“Captain Hawthorne Rex is a vampire?”
I smile at his excitement. “Aye. He did it to find me. Is that the only part you were listening to?”
“No, I heard everything, but that grabbed my attention. Damn. I can’t believe he did that.” He slides further into his seat. “And he’s gathering an army of werewolves to rescue you?”
“They prefer to be called lycan,” I echo Luna’s words. “Truthfully, I don’t know if anyone is coming, and I refuse to allow these children to die. I don’t know how to do this alone.”
“You’re not alone,” he answers with a smile.
NINETEEN
wedding of a lifetime
Staring at my younger brother,I’m in awe of how much he reminds me of our father. He shares the same dark hair and bright blue eyes. The angles of his jawline form into a sharp point at his chin, bringing flashes of the last time I saw our father alive.
