DEAD SEED (AKA "Vampires Don't Exist")

TWENTY-THREE: The Plan

A few months later, Claire took Aralyn out for the night She told Aimeric she wanted some sister time with her before the baby came. He allowed it, but told her not to leave the island. He didn't want to risk Aralyn being found by any other clans without him there to protect her.

They went to the beach. The moon was almost full. It was chilly but not cold that late spring night. Aralyn wore a red jacket that hugged her growing belly (she would soon need bigger clothes). The ocean breeze whipped her black hair around her shoulders as she and Claire walked along the shore.

Claire took in a deep breath. "I just love the smell of a cool night by the ocean."

Aralyn smiled at her. "Is there a reason you brought me out here?"

"Yes, the roar of the waves make it hard for spying ears."

Aralyn stopped and looked at her sister. "What do you mean?"

Claire grinned, the light of the moon reflecting off her fangs. She held out her arms and Aralyn hesitantly stepped into them, unsure what her sister had meant by "spying ears." Claire squeezed Aralyn tightly and whispered against her cheek:

"We're going to take you away from him, you and the child will be out of his grasp forever."

Aralyn stepped back, shaking her head. "Claire, no."

"Shh, speak quietly," she hissed. "Sit with me in the sand." Claire sat down, gesturing for Aralyn to do the same.

Aralyn looked over her shoulder and all around before easing onto the sand beside her sister. Claire put an arm around her shoulder. The waves crashed against the shore. The stars sparkled against a blue-black sky.

"You can't do something so reckless," Aralyn whispered. "He'll kill you."

"I won't be working alone. The master is strong, but I have another clan on my side. With their help, we can protect you from him, myself and Orrin. I will be renouncing my loyalties to him. Terek's clan has already approved my joining them."

"Claire ... why? I thought you loved him, or at least respected him." Not in the same way Aralyn loved Aimeric, of course. But she had been under the impression that Claire loved him as their leader.

Claire laughed softly. "Love Aimeric? No, I've always hated him. But I learned to pretend. I played my part well, I think. He wouldn't suspect me now. He thinks I'm still that little girl he turned so long ago, an obedient pest trapped forever in a seventeen-year old's body. But I've learned a lot. I've gained Terek's trust. He already said he's willing to help."

"Who is Terek?"

"The master of Orrin's clan. You remember Orrin?"

Aralyn nodded. She thought the strange half-vampire had given up. He hadn't tried to contact her again since that day outside. "Claire, I can't let you do this."

"I'm not asking. You and I will be leaving Aimeric's clan for good."

Aralyn stood then, clenching her hands at her sides. "Who are you to tell me what I'll be doing?"

Claire sneered, holding Aralyn's eyes as she stood too. "Don't tell me you want to stay with him now?"

Aralyn averted her eyes to the sand. She wasn't sure why she was hesitant. Was she just worried about what Aimeric would do to Claire if he caught her scheming against him? Or was it as Claire had accused her: did she not want to get away from him anymore?

"I'm not sure," she mumbled.

Claire shook her head. "What has he done to you?"

"Maybe he hasn't done anything, maybe I ... I love him."