Change of Fate (The Briar Creek Vampires Series #4) Read online

  As Lexi helped Belinda clean up the spilled tea and the pieces of broken teacup, the witch explained that she’d had a vision in which she’d seen Albert being turned into a vampire. “I made him a pendant . . . I put a charm on it so that it would keep him protected from those wretched creatures of the night.”

  Lexi looked over at Dan, whose body had stiffened. He was probably upset to hear her talk about vampires so negatively. Even Lexi knew that not all vampires were bad. She wondered if Belinda had any idea that Dan could be a vampire. Luckily, his appearance couldn’t give him away. Unlike all of the other vampires who Lexi had met, Dan wasn’t overly pale; his skin was on the tanner side with a golden tone.

  “Since we know what’s going to happen, can’t we prevent it?” Dan asked.

  Belinda shook her head. Sitting back down at the table, she put her head in her hands. “No, magic doesn’t work like that. Whatever curse sent you back here, back in time . . . it can’t undo the past.”

  “There has to be something we can do to stop it from happening,” Lexi insisted. “What if we can stop the vampire who’s going to turn him? Maybe we can kill him first.”

  “I doubt it will work,” Belinda replied. “You can’t change destiny. What’s meant to happen is what will be. Do you know anything about the vampire who is going to change him?”

  “Zachary Wilkins?” Lexi asked, glancing over at Dan.

  He shook his head. “No, Zachary Wilkinson. Wilkins’ Syndrome was only a root of his surname. It’s kind of complicated.”

  “Wilkins’ Syndrome?” Belinda asked, a confused expression crossing her scarred face.

  “It’s the name of the disease that the vampires will get,” Lexi explained. “The curse that you put on them makes it so that they’ll become sick if they drink each other’s blood. You had all the vampires from this town, wherever we are, exiled to Briar Creek.”

  “A deserted town so that they would have no other choice but to drink each other’s blood,” Belinda whispered, fitting the pieces together on her own. “It sounds like something I would contrive.”

  Dan raised his eyebrows. “Contrive?”

  “It means to plan,” Lexi told him. She turned to the witch. “Since you know now, maybe you can do something to change it. Maybe you don’t have to go through with this curse.”

  “As I have already explained, it doesn’t work that way,” Belinda replied exasperatedly. “And why is it that you care so much if this curse is made? Vampires are wretched heathens. They deserve to die slow painful deaths.”

  Dan’s body stiffened again, but he maintained his stony expression.

  “Because my life is in danger,” Lexi replied. “The only cure for those who develop Wilkins’ Syndrome is Hunter blood, which is extremely rare now. The whole town is planning to sacrifice me . . . all because of your curse.”

  Lexi was sure that she saw a glistening in Belinda’s eyes, but the woman quickly blinked away the tears. “I’m so terribly sorry,” Belinda said. “I don’t know how to fix this. Even witches don’t have the power to change the past, so I can’t do anything to help you. I can do my best to change your future, though. Just tell me what you want to change.”

  “I – I don’t know offhand,” Lexi said slowly, feeling defeated. If the witch couldn’t change her past – if she couldn’t bring her mom back – did the future really even matter?

  “Well, why don’t you think about that? Once you know what it is that you want, you come back here and I’m sure I can conjure some type of spell to change your fate.” Belinda stood up and led them to the doorway. “You must go now. Albert will be home from work very soon, and I don’t want him to ever know that we had this discussion.”

  As the door was practically slammed in their faces, Lexi led out a loud sigh. She didn’t know what she had been expecting out of her visit with the witch, but it definitely hadn’t been that. If only she could figure out what the question was that she and Dan were supposed to ask.

  Chapter 13

  ****

  As the sun went down that night, Lexi laid the dress that she had stolen from the clothes line on a pile of hay that she’d grabbed from Belinda’s backyard before she and Dan had returned to their place on the river bank. Her body didn’t feel so weak anymore, but she did feel tired so she’d decided that it would be best to turn in early tonight. Lexi was running out of ideas about what they could do right now, anyway. With any luck, she’d have some sort of prophetic dream. If only Gabe were here.

  Dan sat with his arms wrapped around his knees on a large boulder, staring at the moon’s reflection in the river. He had been really quiet since they had left the witch’s house. Lexi wanted, more than anything, to ask him questions. She wanted to know if Dan was on her side or if all of this – him saving her and seeming to want to protect her – was all just part of a scheme to take her back to Briar Creek.

  Lexi listened to the plunking sound of pebbles that he threw into the depths of the river and sighed. She just wanted to wake up from a dream and find out that this had all been some horrible nightmare and that they were still in Mary-Kate’s attic.

  The sound of an owl hooting in a tree nearby filled her ears and, finally, Lexi broke the silence between them. “Dan? Why did you grab my feet when the book pulled me in?”

  Dan glanced over at her. She watched as a piece of his sandy blonde hair fell in front of one of his eyes, and she couldn’t help but think that he looked really attractive right now. “I didn’t know what was happening, but . . . I wanted to help you.”

  “When you realized the book was sucking me in, why didn’t you just let me go then, though?” Lexi pressed. She had never really thought to ask him about it until now, but she was genuinely curious. If their roles had been reversed and Dan had been the one who was being pulled in, Lexi wasn’t sure if she would have tried to save him. She probably would have just let him go, and as much as it made her guilty to think about it, she might have even been happy that he was gone.

  “I just couldn’t,” Dan replied, shrugging. He paused for a long moment before adding, “I could never willingly let you go.”

  Before Lexi had the chance to ask what he meant, Dan said, “There’s something I need to tell you . . . something that you’re not going to want to hear.”

  “What?” Lexi asked. She was afraid that he was going to tell her that the only reason he couldn’t willingly let her go and that the reason he’d allowed the book to reel him in with her was because Violet, Tommy, and Greg had told him he had to. He might even tell her that the only reason he’d agreed to go to the Lawrence’s house to retrieve the book in the first place was so that he could bring it back to Violet and Tommy, rather than give it to Austin.

  Before Lexi and Dan had time traveled, she would have been the first to believe that was the truth. Now, the only thing that she was clinging to was the hope that it wasn’t true, that Dan was here because he had chosen to be and not because he had to bring her back to the people who wanted her dead.

  “I know what happened to your mom,” Dan said quietly, looking down at the ground. He grabbed a few sticks that were lying on the grassy hill that sloped down to his rock and, standing up, began building a fire.

  “You do?” Lexi asked. She tried to ignore the fact that her stomach felt like it was at the highest peak of a roller coaster, just waiting to be dropped.

  Dan nodded, staring up at the night sky. “Yes, and you’re right. It was Greg Lawrence who killed her. He strangled her to death.”

  Lexi thought about all of the lies that she had been told about her mom’s death – that her mom had died of food poisoning from beef, when her mom had been a vegetarian. At least she knew that she was smarter than the mayor – food poisoning wouldn’t even kill a person that quickly, even if it had taken her this long to realize it. “I – I don’t understand. You were with me the night of the carnival. Well, most of it, at least. That’s the night she died. How do you know for sure?”

  “I
didn’t witness it, but I’ve heard Greg talk about it to Violet and Tom,” Dan replied softly. “He killed her because your mom wouldn’t let him have your blood to save the whole town. Her reason was because it would probably kill you to save that many people . . . so he killed her.”

  Lexi felt a wave of rage wash over her body. She had known all along that Greg Lawrence had been responsible for her mom’s death. He had been the last one to see her mom, after all. Even though she knew it deep down and even Austin had agreed with her about it, this was the first time she had any sort of proof – even if it was just hearsay – that Greg had played a role in her mom’s death. If she hated Greg before, she wanted him dead now.

  Turning to Dan, who was piling more sticks on the fire that he was building, Lexi asked, “Why didn’t you tell me – or someone – before now?”

  “Greg threatened me,” Dan replied. “He told me that he’d have me killed if I told anyone. He was playing close attention to us after that. Most of the time I talked to you, he tried to be within earshot. Why do you think he was outside the restaurant the night of our ‘date’?” Dan asked, using finger quotes to emphasize the word ‘date’. “The night me and Gabe got into a fight. He was there because he wanted to make sure that I wasn’t going to tell you anything.”

  “That makes sense,” Lexi murmured.

  “I’ve had to pretend, this whole time, that I’ve been on their side,” Dan admitted. “Some of it was an act, like me trying so hard to date you.” He looked over at her, his blue eyes twinkling in the moonlight. “Don’t get me wrong. I wanted to . . . but I know that you didn’t want me, you wanted Gabe. Not all of it was an act, though. When I saw those guys trying to kidnap you that night, I didn’t save you just because I wanted to look like I was on their side. I saved you because I knew I couldn’t live with myself if I let you die. Just like I knew I would worry if I let you get sucked into that book alone.”

  Lexi was glad that it was dark out so that Dan wouldn’t see how red her cheeks had probably turned. She watched him as he lit one of the sticks with his lighter then placed it onto the pile. “What made you tell me now, though? I mean, once we get back . . . at least I’m assuming we’ll get back eventually . . . I’ll still know the truth. Greg could have you killed if he wanted to.”

  Dan looked over at her. “None of that matters anymore, Lexi. I couldn’t keep holding this secret inside. It was eating me alive. I wanted you to know . . . especially now that we’re closer, and you’re not being a total bitch to me.”

  Lexi gave him a sympathetic smile. For the first time, she actually felt bad about how she had treated him, especially now that she knew he had sort of been watching out for her in his own way. “I’m sorry about that.”

  “No need to apologize. I probably would have acted the same way towards you . . . especially after the night of the car accident.”

  “Yeah, um, what was up with that?” Lexi asked. She had pushed the thoughts of Dan attacking her to the back of her mind, but she couldn’t stop wondering why he had done it if he hadn’t been out to get her.

  “I was still a young vampire,” Dan explained. “I was only changed about four months earlier. I wasn’t in control of my thirst yet, and being close to you. . . . ” He paused. “You smell so good to me. Combine that with Violet and Tom trying to convince me that I had to kidnap you when you were most vulnerable, and it just turned out that way. I’m sorry.”

  Since holding grudges wasn’t going to do anything at this point, Lexi decided that it was time for her to forgive him for the attack. At least he was starting to be honest with her, even if what he was telling her wasn’t something that she wanted to hear. “It’s okay.”

  Lexi put a hand to her forehead. “God, I’m burning up. I think I must have a fever or something.”

  Dan sat down next to her and wrapped his arms around her. Remembering Gabe, Lexi opened her mouth to object, but Dan said, “There. Better?”

  Allowing his arms to encircle her, she realized what he was doing. His cold vampire skin felt like ice against her feverish skin. “Much better,” Lexi whispered. She tried to ignore the goose bumps that rose on her arms and legs, knowing that they weren’t there because Dan’s skin was a cold contrast next to her own. They were there for the same reason she was feeling butterflies circling through her stomach.

  This wasn’t right. It couldn’t be right, could it? Lexi was in love with Gabe. At least, she thought she was. And then there had been Craig, but . . . she didn’t think that was going to work out now after all. Her professor at Huntington was really cute and there was no doubt that she was attracted to him, but . . . she didn’t love him. And she doubted that she ever would.

  So, what was it that she was feeling with Dan right now? It couldn’t be love. It might be lust. Lexi had always thought that he was really cute, and there was a time when she thought that they might have some chemistry – though not nearly as much as she had with Gabe. Then again, once she’d realized her aunt and uncle’s motives and after Dan had tried to attack her that night, Lexi hadn’t really allowed herself to feel anything for him. Would her feelings have grown with time if that hadn’t happened?

  Lexi quickly shook the idea away. It wasn’t even lust. It was probably just because they had gone through this whole ordeal together. Dan was the only one in the entire world who would be able to relate to her right now. That must be why I’m feeling this way, Lexi thought as she rested her head on Dan’s shoulder.

  It also must have been why, as Dan tightened his embrace, he whispered to her, “When we get back, I’m not going back to Briar Creek. I want to go to Huntington with you.”

  Chapter 14

  ****

  125 Sandy Shore Lane. That was the address on the house that Gabe had seen in his vision that Ben was staying at. Sitting up in the bed that he had been laying in, Gabe muttered to Craig, “Tell Austin that I have an address, but not a town yet.”

  Craig nodded and darted out of the hotel room. Gabe stared at the ceiling, trying to ignore his headache and the nauseous feeling that had built up in his stomach. He wished that Lexi was here with him right now so that he wouldn’t have to go out and find another human to feed from. He had forgotten how tedious it was to constantly require blood after his visions.

  Moments later, the hotel room door creaked open again, and Gabe heard the sound of several pairs of feet coming towards him.

  When Gabe looked up, Austin was hovering over him, looking him in the eyes. “Gabe? Are you okay?”

  Gabe felt himself declining fast. “No,” he whispered. “I need blood.”

  Anna knelt down on the ground in front of him and held out her wrist. “Drink from me, Gabe.”

  Gabe looked at Austin for approval, and he nodded. Lowering his head to Anna’s wrist, Gabe sunk his teeth into her skin and felt the blood pour onto his tongue. Anna closed her eyes while he drank.

  Anna’s blood tasted good, but not as good as Lexi’s. Still, he could feel his body replenishing with the nutrients that his vision had depleted him of. When Gabe felt revitalized and stopped drinking, he wiped his mouth with his hand. “Thank you,” he whispered.

  “You’re welcome,” Anna said, a solemn look on her face. Gabe wondered what was wrong with her. It seemed like she was upset or angry. Gabe hadn’t been the one who had asked for her blood; she’d offered it to him all on her own.

  “So, what exactly did you see?” Austin asked.

  “All I saw was the address . . . 125 Sandy Shore Lane. I have no idea what town it was in but we know from my last vision that it’s in New Jersey,” Gabe replied. “I’m guessing we can probably find the house based on that alone, though. It should help us figure out the town.”

  Austin turned to Craig. “Would you mind going to the internet café? It’s right next to the hotel lobby. Just see if you can find out what city at the Jersey shore has that address.”

  Craig nodded. “I’m on it.”

  Once the door shut behind him, Gab
e said, “The house . . . it was white. I didn’t actually see Ben inside, but somehow, I just know he’s there.”

  “I don’t doubt your vision,” Austin replied. “It would have been helpful if you had seen the city, but we can figure that out on our own.” Just then, his cell phone began blaring to the sound of a rap song. “I’ll be right back,” Austin said, picking up the phone and leaving the room.

  *

  “What do you mean you’re in Long Island?” Austin asked loudly into the phone. He could feel his cheeks reddening and his panic level escalating.

  “When I got your message yesterday, I just . . . I had to see you,” Mary-Kate said softly. “We just need to talk about this, okay?”

  Austin sighed loudly into the phone. He didn’t want to see Mary-Kate; he didn’t care to explain anything to her. He had already told her all there was to be said, but how could Austin say no when she had come all the way from Long Island? “Fine,” Austin said through gritted teeth. “I’m at the Starlight Inn. Room 220.”

  “Awesome, I’ll be there in two minutes,” Mary-Kate replied. “I’m across the street at my dad’s bed and breakfast.”

  When Austin hung up the phone, the feelings of dread began to build up. He really didn’t want to see Mary-Kate. Even worse, he was going to have to find a way to explain to Anna why Mary-Kate was here. Austin knew that Anna wasn’t the jealous type like Mary-Kate was, so she probably wouldn’t care. Still, he was hoping that Mary-Kate would only be here for a really short time and leave unnoticed so that he wouldn’t even have to explain anything to Anna.

  Mary-Kate’s estimate on how long it would take her to get to the room was about right; within two minutes, there was a loud knock at the door. Austin opened it and, when he saw Mary-Kate standing in the doorway, he let her in.

  Her mascara was streaked down her cheeks; it was obvious that she had been crying on the way here. Her chestnut brown hair was also disheveled. It looked like she hadn’t even brushed it yet. Austin tried to ignore the pang of guilt that he felt at the sight of her sloppy appearance and red puffy eyes. “So, what do you want to talk about?” he asked.