Chapter Twelve

Xana was made to sit at one end of a rectangular table. Her chain was locked to a loop on the floor under the table. To her left sat the dark haired Were, the ginger Were, and Roger. On the right were Magenta, Arianna, and the Human man.

            The Human guy was white. He had brown hair, and was muscular--too muscular, like he spent too much time at the gym, and maybe took steroids. He had a pointy nose and a cleft chin.

            Xana added him to her s**t list.

            In the middle of the table was the dinner spread. There was a ham and sweet potatoes. Xana’s hunger really struck at the sight of the food. Were they going to let her eat before they killed her? There were also two bottles of red wine, and two wine decanters with blood in them. One had less blood in it than the other, and it looked a little odd. It was closest to Xana, so she leaned forward and sniffed. Vampire blood.

            James sauntered into the room. He was wearing tight black skinny jeans, and a white dress shirt unbuttoned to show off his abs. His black hair was styled to look messy. He took a seat at the opposite end of the table from Xana.

            “Good evening, Xana,” James said, his piercing grey eyes on her. “Have you gotten acquainted with my other guests?”

            “Only Magenta, Arianna, and Roger,” Xana only answered because she wanted the other names.

            James gestured to the Human man. “This is Adam. Roy is the gentleman with the dark hair, and Kyle is the red head.”

            Xana looked at each of them with contempt. Her eyes went back to James. “Can we just cut to the chase? Why put on this show just to kill me?”

            “You’re not going to be killed,” James told her. “Well, not yet. It all depends on you.”

            The Vampires all poured the Human blood into wine glasses. Then the food was passed around the table, but not to Xana.

            “You see,” James continued, “killing you would get my revenge, but it’s less fun. Years ago, I tried to seduce Maggie. Taking Xavier’s love and Turning her would’ve worked well enough. But your mother is loyal to her man. And I guess you being a baby didn’t help. Maternal instincts or whatever.” He took a bite of ham and moaned a little. “I know my kind doesn’t need Human food, but it tastes so good.”

            Xana crossed her arms. “Just get to the point.”

            James smiled. “Killing you would hurt Xavier, but making you loyal to me would be worse. So, you have a choice, Xana. You can drink some of my blood, Turn, and join my Clan or die. Die after Roger’s had his way with you.”

            Xana did not let herself look at Roger. “And what’s to stop me from leaving your Clan and joining my dad’s?”

            “Everyone you care about will be killed,” James simply stated. “And none of the deaths will be quick.”

            Xana doubted that. Her loved ones had the protection of her dad’s Clan, Roxy’s Pack, and some Night Investigators. They’d be fine.

            “I have to decide right now?” Xana asked James.

            James considered for a moment. “You have until the evening after tomorrow. I think we’ll enjoy watching you stress over the decision.”

            More dramatics, Xana thought, fun. She reached for food, but Magenta grabbed her wrist.

            James chuckled. “I forgot to mention: you can’t eat or drink anything unless you choose to Turn.”

            “But I won’t want food or water if I Turn,” Xana pointed out.

            James shrugged casually. “Turning will end the agony of starving and being thirsty.”

            Xana leaned back in the chair. She would let them see her annoyed, but not desperate. So while they ate, she asked, “What’s the points of the Humans and Weres?”

            James looked amused. “I needed a daylight team, of course. If an opportunity arose to take you during the day, someone had to act. Adam and Arianna are proving their worth before they officially join my Clan. But you’re stronger than them when you have blood in your system, so we hired Roy and Kyle. They’ll be able to keep you under control during the day while you’re here.”

            “Someone will always be posted outside your door,” Magenta added. “So even if you break free, someone will be able to apprehend you.”

            “Not really surprised there,” Xana mumbled.

            James smirked. “You’re a smart girl. You’ll make the right choice.”

 

 

            Jeremy had wanted to keep working, but Milo sent him home to get some sleep. He said Jeremy would be more helpful after resting.

            Jeremy felt like he was being babied. Milo and the cops wouldn’t be getting much rest.

            When Jeremy walked into his house, his mom was still awake. She was sitting on the living room couch and said, “I see that Halfie got kidnapped. It’s been all over the news. You think her father would keep a low profile. This risks outing Vampires.”

            Jeremy took off his duster and hung it up. “He’s a dad who just wants his daughter back.”

            Mrs. Commings shook her head. “You actually like these things?”

            “They’re nice people, Mom. You used to do what I do.”

            “But then one of those creatures killed your father.”

            “While he was doing his job,” Jeremy reminded her. “And what’s wrong with me wanting to find a missing teenager? Someone I’ve become friendly with?”

            “You shouldn’t get too close to your work.”

            Jeremy sighed. “How can I not get close to people? I’ve spent a lot of time with her recently. She’s likeable. So are her family and friends. They don’t deserve what’s happening.”

            His mom turned off the TV and got up. “I get that your life didn’t allow you many friends, but trust me, they don’t see you as a friend.”

            “You don’t know them.”

 

 

            Charlie didn’t sleep much Saturday night. She was up texting with Roxy, who got a few updates from her dad. Mr. Jacobs was waiting for a family of Shape Shifters to come into town the next day to Shift into bloodhounds, and hopefully catch Xana’s scent. She informed Charlie that their senses would be stronger than a bloodhound’s while they were in that form. Mr. Jacobs would join them too, using his heightened Were senses. Roxy was pissed that her dad wouldn’t let her go too.

            Charlie understood Roxy’s urge to help. At least she could be useful as a Werewolf. Charlie was just a Human. What could she possibly do to help?

            Her dad knocked and came in her room before the sun was up. “How are you doing?”

            “Horribly,” Charlie told him. “There’s nothing I can do. Just wait to hear if she’s been rescued, or if they found her body.” Tears spilled out of her eyes.

            Her dad sat on the bed, and put his arms around her. “I know this must be hard for you.”

            Charlie sniffed. “I have real friends now, and one has been kidnapped by some crazy Vampire. And I can’t do a thing!”

            “You could pray.”

            “I don’t think I believe in God. Why would God let this stuff happen?”

            “I don’t know, honey.” Her dad was silent for a moment. “You can be there for Xana’s family. Do you want me to drive you over there?”

            “Won’t Mom have a problem with that?”

            “Who cares? Xana’s family needs support. That’s how you can help.”

            Charlie pulled away from her dad and wiped at her tears. “I’ll text Roxy.”

 

 

            When Roxy got to the Chambers’ house with her dad, Charlie came up to her with a cinnamon bun. “Eat.”

            Roxy took it and nibbled. “You came here to make food?”

            Charlie nodded and headed back to the kitchen. Roxy followed.

            “I’ve also made coffee,” Charlie said. “And heated up some blood for Mr. Chambers and Max. I don’t think those two or Mrs. Chambers slept at all.”

            “Well, I sure didn’t.” Roxy put the cinnamon bun down to get coffee. “Did you?”

            Charlie ran a hand through her hair. “Not really.”

            Roxy sat down at the kitchen table. “I keep thinking about what could’ve been done differently. Like, I should’ve picked her up and drove her home. Or someone should’ve insisted Jeremy or her mom drive her.”

            “Can’t change anything now,” Charlie said sadly.

            Roxy perked up. “I hear Milo and Jeremy.”

            The girls went into the living room and sat with Maggie on the couch.

            “Is there news?” Roxy asked.

            Milo nodded. “I spoke with Detective Anderson. She got in contact with Adam King’s parents. They said since last year he started going out every night, and would sleep most of the day away. They don’t really know who any of his friends are.”

            “I took his picture to Midnight last night,” Max stepped in. “People recognized him. They went to the police station to confirm and be questioned. I also passed on the security footage from when James spoke to Xana.”

            “I looked through that last night,” Milo said. “Definitely saw Adam King a few times with their group. But it appears James has a lot of followers. Detective Martin seized Adam King’s computer to search it, and they’re looking over his phone records. If he contacted James, James may have used another name.”

            “I know a few people he’s used to change identities in the past,” Xavier said.

            “Will they share information?” Maggie wanted to know.

            “If I throw enough money at them, they will. I’ll start making calls soon.” Xavier looked at Milo to see if he had more information.

            Milo continued, “They found one car"the black SUV from the video"abandoned at the Riverfront. The other car the Kings own was left in the parking lot by UD’s ice rink. A window was broken, and there was some blood. The cops are looking into that. The Kings also have a house in the Poconos, and one in Rehoboth. Both places have been checked out and are empty.”

            “I’ll see if I can find any places members of James’ Clan owns or rents,” Max said and took out his phone.

            “Jeremy will help you with that,” Milo said.

            Roxy’s dad spoke, “The Betta family will be here soon.”

            “Can I go too?” Roxy asked.

            “No. You’re too emotionally involved, and could make rash decisions.”

            “And you’re not emotionally involved?” Roxy spat.

            “I can control myself.”

            “And I can’t? Because I’m a teenage girl?”

            “Roxanne, you know that’s not it. Xana is your best friend, and you would rush in to save her. If we find where she is, we’ll need a minute to plan.”

            “She could be dead by then!” Roxy didn’t like the idea of waiting. “If she’s not dead already.”

            The statement made Maggie burst into tears. Charlie put an arm around her.

            “Roxy,” Charlie said, “they all know what they’re doing.”

            Roxy shook her head, stood, and went upstairs. She was going to spend time alone in Xana’s room.

            Everyone else went on to their jobs.

 

 

            Xana didn’t let herself fall asleep until the sun came up. From what she saw of the house, it didn’t have those shades all over that blocked out the sun like at her home. The room she was in definitely didn’t. So Roger couldn’t wander in there during the day.

            She knew there were three other non-Vampire men around who could harm her, but she figured they didn’t want to piss James off. The Weres probably wouldn’t get paid if they did something to Xana, and Adam probably wouldn’t be allowed to join James’ Clan. So she hoped she was safe from them.

            She only slept in intervals. Sometimes hunger woke her, or thirst, or pain, or nightmares. Every time she woke up, she desperately hoped she was home in her own bed. When reality hit, she had a small crying fit.

            Sometimes while trying to fall asleep, Xana wondered why this happened to her. Was it punishment for not appreciating her lot in life? She knew she was lucky and a little spoiled. But what had she used her advantages for? Shopping? She never did anything to help the needy. She didn’t do anything to benefit the world. Could this be karma at work?

            If Xana got out of this, she was going to try to be a better person.

 

 

            Roxy had fallen asleep on Xana’s bed. It still held her scent, and let Roxy pretend her friend was still there.

            A knock on the door forced her awake. As she sat up, Jeremy walked in.

            Jeremy sat next to her on the bed, and gave her a sandwich and a can of Pepsi. “Charlie’s making sure everyone eats.”

            Roxy stared at the food. “Someone goes missing, and she turns into a mom.”

            “She’s just doing what she can to help.”

            “I could be useful, but my dad won’t let me.”

            “He’s afraid you’ll get hurt,” Jeremy told her. “We don’t entirely know what we’re up against. He doesn’t want you to fight and die.”

            Roxy hated that Jeremy made sense. She looked at him, and saw him glancing around Xana’s room with sad eyes. “Why do you care about finding Xana so much? Is it just so you can prove yourself as a Night Investigator?”

            Jeremy looked offended. “I want to find a girl that was taken against her will. I want the people who did this punished. And I like Xana.”

“Like her how?”

A light blush creeped onto Jeremy’s cheeks. “Like you and Xana, I didn’t really make friends growing up. I was being trained to be a Hunter. And being part of the Supernatural, you can’t let people know who aren’t a part of it. It’s dangerous. So I kept to myself. Xana actually tried to make me her friend. No one has done that before, and I realize it’s because she"and you too"went through the same thing. And Xana’s just…full of life. She makes the best out of things, finds the light in her weird life. She doesn’t have a big family, so she made one, and keeps working to make it bigger. She wants the people she cares about to be truly happy and safe. She wants to bring joy to people who seem to lack it. The world’s a better place with Xana Chambers in it. It’s important that she stays alive. I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if we find her too late.”

Roxy didn’t expect Jeremy to feel so strongly when he’d only known Xana for several months. Of course Roxy had similar feelings, but that was because Xana was like a sister, and they’d known each other almost their entire lives. She had years to develop that closeness to Xana. How did Jeremy get hose feelings in such a short time? Could it be more than friendly? Did Xana feel the same? Would Roxy even get a chance to ask her?

Roxy nibbled at the sandwich and asked, “What if it’s already too late?”

Jeremy shook his head. “I can’t believe that. Why do you keep suggesting it?”

“To prepare myself. If I keep telling myself she’s gone and she is, maybe it’ll hurt less. If she isn’t gone, it’ll just be more joyful. Plus, you know the statistics. I’ve watched a lot of true crime shows with Xana. She’s been gone about twenty-four hours. It’s more likely that she’s dead than alive.”

“James isn’t your average criminal,” Jeremy pointed out. “He wants Xavier to hurt. If Xana were dead, her body would be easily found. Probably in a dramatic fashion as Vampires tend to do.” He stood up, and ran a hand lightly over Xana’s duvet. “The Betta family is here. The Shifters. We’re all gonna meet in the living room to go over the plan and the things we’ve found.”

Roxy abandoned the rest of her sandwich. She’d only eaten a quarter of it. “Okay. Let’s go.”