Let It Burn

Chapter 8

Time passes slowly. When everyone gets in the house, Gran gets Dad and Eddie settled into a bed, and Holden and I help her take care of their wounds. There isn't much we can do other than hand her the things she needs because neither of us has ever had first-aid training.

Gran seems to be a pro. I wonder how many times she's taken care of wounds like these.

"Mom, you have a lot of explaining to do," Dad declares as he pulls on a new shirt. I gather the pieces of his old one and scrape them into the garbage. "I told you not to bring my kids anywhere close to this place."

I meet his eyes. "I'm glad Gran brought me here. At least now I know what's going on. Well, most of it."

Waiting for him to start talking, I shift my weight from one leg to the other.

"Tomorrow."

I nod. Dad looks more like the man I know now. He's a paler and more tired version, but he's Dad.

"Okay."

"Are you mad, Iris?"

I contemplate his question for a minute. By all rights, I should be mad. I should be furious. Mom, Ian, and I were ignorant of the danger Dad was facing every weekend. What if the vampires had discovered where we live? What if one of them lured us off to our doom to get back at Dad? If he died, I would have been angry. But now-

"You're alive," I say. "That's the only reason I'm not."

Dad smiles brightly. "What a relief." He pulls me against him and squeezes until I beg him to let go. He's injured. "Sorry. I'm just so happy to see you."

"What happened to you and Eddie?"

His face falls. "There's a new vampire in town. She's cunning and clever and delights in manipulation. Talon says she's a scourge on this town. He warned Sheriff Tate, and she closed down the borders." His brows furrow. "Which begs the question of how you got here?"

"Eddie showed Holden the way."

"He never mentioned bringing Holden here to me."

"Well, does Eddie have to run it by you?" Gran asks, exasperated.

I'm a little surprised by her tone, and so is Dad.

"What has your shorts in a wad?"

"You've been bitten, Isaac." Gran yanks Dad's shirt collar down. "How long ago was it?"

My breath catches in my throat. Gran never did beat around the bush. This is the only time I've ever been glad. I want to know, too.

"Two days. The vampire bit me as soon as one of her cronies realized I'd ripped the cross from my neck."

"Did I hear that right?!" Gran exclaims. "Why would you do something so irresponsible?"

I'm curious about that myself.

"Never mind. Do we know how Eddie is?" Dad inquires.

Gran scowls. "Don't you 'never-mind' me."

"Mom, now is not the time." His eyes rest on me. "It's my fault we're in this mess, and if something happens to him, I'll never forgive myself."

Suddenly, the bedroom door opens, and Holden strolls in; his expression is unreadable. Blood still runs down his face. Things were so hectic that I'd forgotten he was hurt. He plops down on the bed beside dad and buries his face in his hands.

Uh oh.

"Holden?" Concern colors my voice. "Did something happen?"

"I'm worried about Eddie. He still isn't awake."