“Don’t play dumb. I know what they are, and I know humans, and you’re neither. What are you?”
I hate that question. Still this woman had been through hell, so I smiled, and said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Right, so you’re either pretending to be dumb, or you are dumb. I know they are vampires, and I know you are not, but you’re also not human. There’s a strange vibe coming from you. It’s like the vamps, but it’s different. So, what the hell are you?”
She knew way more than she should. Why hadn’t they wiped her memory? I needed to find Ian and find out what the hell was happening.
“What’s your name?” I asked.
“Juliana.”
“Juliana, listen. I can assure you vampires do not exist. You were in a terrible accident and that can be traumatic. It’s possible you hit your head.”
“Oh, don’t give me that shit! They tried to put that crap in my head, and I let them think I believed it, but I know what really happened to us. I remember every second. They are vampires.”
I needed to find Ian. “Look Jul—”
“It’s okay, I know you guys aren’t sickos like the ones you rescued us from. Taking away everyone’s horrible memories was the kindest thing anyone could ever do. I just wish it had worked on me. I don’t understand why it didn’t. Being that I can remember everything, I’m scared that you guys will kill me. I know that big one murdered Brandi and Carrie.”
There was no way to bullshit my way out of this. It was not permitted to allow a mortal to live with the knowledge of banshees, even if they thought the banshees were vampires. The mortal’s mind needed to be erased or the Elders would ensure the mortal, innocent or not, never saw another day.
“He didn’t murder them, Juliana. They were dying. There was no saving them, so he eased their pain and took their memories away so they could die in peace. This way he gave them solace as they went. I promise no one here will kill you. We will do our best to make sure no one ever hurts you again.”
I only hoped I was making promises I could keep.
“Do me a favor Juliana, keep this between us, okay? We’ll figure something out. Can you trust me? Or at least try to believe me? You won’t be hurt, I promise.”
I’d made that promise twice. Now I’d have to keep it.
“I can’t trust you just yet, but I’ll keep an open mind about believing you. I won’t be talking to anyone else about this. They changed these people’s memories, so they’ll think I’m nuts. I’m not telling the vamps, or whatever they are, that I know what happened. I am putting my life in your hands.”
Ah, man, why’d she have to go and say that?
“Okay… I’ll be back.”
I left the makeshift hospital wing to see if Ian had returned yet. I found him sunbathing on the deck out back. He appeared to be sleeping.
“Ian?” I whispered.
“Yes?” He didn’t open his eyes.
“We need to talk about one of the mortals.” Still, he didn’t move. “She remembers everything. She thinks you are vampires, and she knows I’m not mortal.”
That did the trick. He bolted out of the lounge chair and spun to face me.
“How is this possible?”
I shrugged. Not only should someone have wiped her memory, but they should have checked their work to make sure it stuck.
“She knows everyone’s memories were altered. She also knows what you did with the two women. She remembers everything.” I let that sink in for a few seconds before adding, “She’s afraid that you will kill her.”
His shoulders slumped. “It seems I have no other choice.”
“What the hell, Ian? Please tell me you’re not serious. I will not let you kill her or any of those people. You’ll have to kill me first!”
He smiled, and I relaxed. Then suddenly his mouth was covering mine.
“Wh-what was that for?”
“I will not harm the woman, but I will need to speak with her. Bring her to the living area… please.”
“What the hell just happened?” I said to myself as I left to get Juliana.
When I returned to the living room Ian was not there. I invited Juliana to sit wherever she wanted. She chose the hearth of the fireplace. This allowed her to see the entire room and all entry points. Smart.
Neither of us spoke while we waited until my uncle entered.
“Oh, hello there,” he said to Juliana
“Hello.”
“May I speak with you a moment, my pip?” Bryce asked as he pulled me into the kitchen.
“What’s up?”
“I was the one to carry her out of the basement and into the car. She differs from the others; I just can’t put my finger on it. Be gentle with her, but also be careful.”
“I get the same feeling about her. But, thanks.”
“Before I forget, I have reinstated the concealment wards, but I have not replaced the boundary wards around the house. You are free to go on the beach, but please try not to do so alone. The concealments will not work as well now that they know we are in the area.”
“I will be careful. Thank you, Bryce.”
“What the hell are you doing? You left the girl alone!” Ian shouted as he came into the room.
“Whoa! Relax, I only left her alone for a minute.” When I stepped back into the living room to find it empty, I about swallowed my tongue. The sliders were still wide open.
“Shit!”
I ran out the door to the end of the deck to look for her. She was mortal, she could not have gotten far. I saw her running down the beach, and I took off after her. The sand should have made it harder for her to run at a fast pace, but she was doing surprisingly well.
“Juliana, stop!” When she didn’t stop, I sped up to catch up with her. I grabbed her arm, swinging her around, so I took the brunt of the fall when my momentum tipped us over.
“Damn girl, you’re fast!” I exclaimed.
“Why the hell are you faster? You caught up to me way too quickly. What are you?”
“You are going to have to stop asking me that.”
I stood with her, keeping a grip on her arm. Knowing that she couldn’t get away, she did not put up much of a fight on the way back.
Ian was waiting on the deck when we got back. He took Juliana’s other arm and led us back into the house. Ian sat her on the couch, a little too roughly, while he took a seat on the coffee table in front of her. I sat next to her with what I hoped was a comforting hand on her thigh. She tensed when Ian leaned in close. I squeezed her leg as to remind her I was there for her. She shoved my hand away and scooted to the far side of the couch.
I tried. I thought with a mental shrug.
“You will not attempt to leave here again,” Ian said. “If what Qadira has told me is true, I cannot have you roaming around blathering on about vampires. If that is not enough to keep you here, maybe this will work: the men who held you captive are still out there. They will look for you.”
“So, you’re gonna, what? Just let me leave once I heal? That mind-erasing-voodoo -crap didn’t work on me. I know how this works. I read books. I watch movies. You’re not just going to let me go free!”