Harsh Light of Day

  **

  The room was freezing and dark. Will had a hard time seeing anything at all, and he thought to himself, torches are a stupid way to light a room.

  But he knew he was alone. Will knew this was it. He was finally away from the creepy vampires and their bizarre way of talk-snarling. But there was little relief in it.

  His lungs could fill with air again. His hands were shaking now only because his muscles were so sore. But the debilitating fear was still there, twisting deep in his stomach.

  At least the ringing in his ears died away enough for him to hear Lena in the hallway.

  Though he didn’t care to listen to the words, he knew it was her. And it made Will feel calmer because she was with him.

  He’d heard some of the conversation while Lena supported him in the other room, when what felt like a thousand vampires filed in.

  Mostly though, he focused on Lena. Like he was doing now.

  Will got the impression the other vampires saw him as her property now. But Lena told them no, that he was free to leave her if he wanted.

  Suddenly, Will knew how much he cared for her. Maybe even loved her. Sure, it was dumb. He met her, what, yesterday? But these were extreme circumstances. Emotions had to work a little quicker than normal.

  Everything was about to change. She did tell him that. He wouldn’t be the same once he was like her.

  He had a hard time even thinking the word that described what he would be soon. Dead. He’d be dead. But Will wouldn’t allow the idea into his thoughts. He couldn’t.

  He had to make the most of what time he had left.

  The very little amount of time.

  He had to be strong, like Lena. He couldn’t let her see how freaked out and scared he was.

  Will Shepherd was good at hiding how he felt. It was going to be hard for Lena too, he knew. She clearly didn’t like what she was, and even seemed to have pride in the fact that she was different. She was proud that she never killed anyone.

  That would change for her today.

  Yeah, he had to put on a mask so she didn’t hate herself for it, any more than she already was bound to.

  Will could do that. He felt like he could do anything. For her.