Shunned: The Amish Bloodsuckers Trilogy, #2

By Barbara Ellen Brink

Jael leaves Nevada and her close friends, Brianna and Shadow, behind. She travels to the Loon Lake Amish community in Minnesota where she moves in with grandparents she's never met and learns to live the plain and simple life... at least as plain and simple as she can handle. She may learn to milk a goat, but she is definitely NOT giving up her cell phone or crossbow!
While finishing out the school year at Loon Lake Public High School, she meets the guy of her dreams…someone to keep her company when she's out staking vampires at night. 
Her true purpose is to destroy the Bishop, the oldest and most powerful vampire of all. But first she must find out just what his diabolical plans are for the teenagers of the community, and put a stop to him and his undead followers before it's too late.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Barbara Ellen Brink
• Release date: Oct 1, 2012
• ISBN: 9781386468141

Barbara Ellen Brink

Barbara Ellen Brink is a multi-published author, supported financially by a loving husband who just happens to have a better paying job. She is the author of the Fredrickson Winery mysteries, Entangled, Crushed, and Savor. She is also the author of an award winning thriller, Split Sense; inspirational suspense novels; and a young adult series, The Amish Bloodsuckers.She grew up on a small farm in Washington State, but now lives in the mean “burbs” of Minnesota with her husband and their dogs, Rugby & Willow. With her kids now pushed out of the nest and encouraged to fly, Barbara spends much time writing, motorcycling with her husband in the summer, and hiking through the snow with the dogs in the winter.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Chosen

JAEL LAY WITH HER EYES closed, afraid to open them and face reality.

She remembered her father’s words to her so recently. They’d been down in the dojo sparring and she’d gotten angry when he tricked her, threw her to the mat and put a joint lock on her. He just smiled and put out his hand to help her back up.

When you’re at war, Jael, you shut down your emotions and go into combat mode. Don’t let anger or fear or even love keep you from your purpose. He jerked his chin in the direction of the familiar verse, printed on a large white board that greeted her each day when she stepped into the workout room, and read it aloud. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in your faith.

She snorted. Do you really think my faith is going to help me kill vamps?

Your faith is your strength. Stakes, knives, fighting skills... he shook his head, they’re just tools. Without the strength of faith, wielding these weapons would be impossible.

I don’t understand. She wiped sweat from her face and neck with a towel and threw it into the hamper against the wall.

Do you believe God chose you for this purpose?

Obviously. What other explanation could there be? After all, I was born with six toes.

He grinned. Now you’re being a smart aleck.

No, I mean it, Dad. She took the rubber band loose from her scraggly ponytail and pulled her hair back into a tighter semblance of order. There are too many strange, unexplainable things for me to think otherwise. Sort of like knowing the world is spinning at the exact right speed and distance from the sun so it doesn’t freeze or burn up. Stuff like that doesn’t just happen. It’s ordered.

You know what? You’re pretty smart, he said thoughtfully, rubbing a hand over his whisker-rough cheek. We could be related.

Ya think? she said, playing along with his teasing game.

Nah! You’re definitely your mother’s child.

Her mom had called down the stairs for them to come up for lunch right about then and their sparring session was over. Their last one... ever.

Jael felt tears slip through her lashes again and drip onto the pillow beneath her head. She squinched her eyes tight and pulled her bottom lip in between her teeth trying not to cry.

Jael? Uncle Seth’s voice came from close at her side.

If she opened her eyes it would all come true. Everything. Brianna’s kidnapping. The rescue. The fight. The car chase. Everything. She kept them clinched tight.

I know you’re awake. You’re giving yourself premature wrinkles doing that, he teased in a voice that sounded far from light-hearted. It’s time to face hard facts, kiddo.

You don’t understand... I can’t.

He took her hand in his and pressed it to his cheek. I’m the only one who does, he said, and she felt the dampness of tears on his face.

She opened her eyes and looked up at him.

Her uncle stood hovering over her, his eyes red rimmed and bloodshot. He looked as exhausted as she felt, but he smiled. They stayed that way for a minute, not saying anything, just being the little bit of strength the other needed. Words seemed inadequate.

Finally, Seth released her hand and drew a deep breath, glancing back at the closed door. Officer Wallace and a highway patrolman are waiting to take your statement. Shadow already gave one, but they insisted on speaking with you once you were up to it.

What did he tell them?

That he was taking you home from a late date when a big white car came out of nowhere, swerved around as though the driver were drunk and nearly hit his bike. A couple miles later you came upon the wreck and called 911. The succinct way he said the words seemed wrong. Even if it were partially true, it felt too common for what happened to her parents. They deserved more than to be a car brushed off the road with a sweep of words, an explanation that sanitized all the pain and emptiness their deaths left behind in her heart.

She twisted the edge of the sheet in her hands. Can’t you talk to them, Uncle Seth?

I wasn’t there, remember?

She ducked her chin. Right. She knew they had to stick to the story. No one could know the truth. No one would believe the truth.

Where am I? she asked, looking around the small room. There was a television screen hanging from the ceiling in the corner, a whiteboard with Nurse: Mary scrawled on it in blue marker, and an uncomfortable looking chair in the corner.

Sunburn Medical Center.

She pushed the blankets back and threw her feet over the side. I’m not staying here. There’s nothing wrong with me.

Good thing, Seth said, stepping back, cause there’s not even a doctor available. He’s in Reno for the week. Apparently, there aren’t any babies due for at least another month around here, so he didn’t think he’d be missed.

I definitely don’t miss him, Jael said, glancing uneasily at the metal stirrups on the end of the tall bed. She still wore her jeans and bra but her t-shirt had been replaced with a cotton gown. She felt beneath it. Bandages. She pulled it up and probed the long sterile strip with her fingers. Did I have to have stitches? she asked, remembering being cut by the glass shard.

He shook his head. Nope. The nurse cleaned and bandaged it. She said it wasn’t deep and put some surgical glue on it to hold the edges together. I don’t think she was very confident about stitching you up without a doctor present.

Her boots were on the floor in the corner. She hopped carefully off the edge of the bed and bent to pull them on, feeling the tug on her skin beneath the bandage. Do you have my shirt? she asked, not too keen about wearing a hospital gown out to the car.

He gestured toward the chair.

A plastic bag hung from the arm. The ripped and bloody t-shirt had been folded neatly and placed inside. She pulled it out. Mind turning around for a sec?

Seth turned and waited while she slipped it over her head.

There was a knock at the door and then it opened part way and Officer Wallace stuck his head in. Excuse me, young lady. I see you’re getting ready to check out of here. I don’t blame ya. He advanced into the room and pulled his hat from his head. First off, I want to offer you my condolences. I’m very sorry for your loss.

Jael straightened up and met his gaze. His eyes were kind and filled with concern, but also with curiosity when he saw her ripped and bloodied shirt. She bit her lip and looked away, then drew a shaky breath before answering. Thank you.

Do you feel up to answering a couple questions about the accident before ya go, he asked, sliding the bill of his hat back and forth between his hands. Your boyfriend already told us what he remembers, but we wanted to see if you might think of something more. It would certainly help us find the driver of the car that did this.

I was kind of out of it after we found my... she bit her lip.

Of course, he said with a nod. The EMT said you were in shock. Perfectly understandable. But do you remember anything before that? The make or model of the vehicle you saw swerving around the road? Numbers from the license plate? Anything?

She shook her head. Sorry. I think it was a big car...maybe tan or white? She felt horrible pretending. It wasn’t right. This man was trying to find her parents killer and bring him to justice. But the truth was...she was the only one who could do that.

Her fingers clenched into fists at her sides. The Bishop would certainly be brought to justice. Justice at the pointy end of a stake. And she would be there to drive it in.

All right, young lady. You take care now. He held the door wide and she and Seth filed through into the hallway. The highway patrolman was waiting by the front desk, a paper coffee cup in his hand. Officer Wallace met his gaze and shook his head, mouth grim. They both put their hats on and turned to go.

The nurse hurried over from the room across the hall. Are you leaving? she asked, pulling the chart off the outside of the door. I need to have your uncle sign the release form before you go, honey. She gestured for them to follow her to the desk.

Seth signed papers and spoke to the nurse in low tones while Jael stared blankly through the front window of the clinic’s lobby/waiting room. The sun was up now and glinted off the windshields of two cars parked out front. One of them was her uncle’s Toyota.

Ready? he was suddenly at her side, guiding her toward the doors with a hand on the small of her back. Let’s go home.

Home. A funny word. Add y to the end and it meant comfy or cozy, add ly and it meant plain and unattractive. Take away the people you love... it was an empty shell.

SHADOW TOOK BRIANNA home. Hopefully they got there before her parents noticed she was missing, Seth explained as they left Sunburn. He said he’d come by later.

The space beneath the big billboard on the edge of town was empty now. Officer Wallace had more important criminals on his mind today than locals pushing the 30mph speed limit. He was probably back at the station putting out an APB on a tan or maybe white car, larger than a breadbox but smaller than a semi.

Jael rolled her window down and with eyes mere slits, leaned her head through the opening and let the cool morning air blow through her hair. She wondered what Brianna thought now that she had been thrust into the middle of her personal war. Would she want to stay in touch after this or be too afraid to remain friends with a vampire slayer? She couldn’t blame her if she never spoke to her again. After all, she’d been kidnapped, used as bait, beaten, and threatened with death all before daybreak.

Seth glanced over, a worried frown creasing his forehead. "Are you all right?

Sure.

Thankfully the accident site was on the other side of town and they didn’t have to drive past it on the way home. She didn’t think she could have remained all right in that situation. Whatever all right meant these days.

The rising sun glared through the windshield and she flipped the visor down. Did you go back to the railroad station to check and see if all the vamps were...?

He nodded, a slight smile on his lips. Did one better than that. Brought them home for a bonfire.

She sniffed. I thought I smelled something. In the trunk? she asked.

Yep. I checked their pockets for phones and I.D. as well. Jacob was apparently the one who communicated with the Bishop. None of the others had a cell phone on them except for the one they stole from Brianna. He slipped it out of his pocket. It was covered in pink rhinestones. Here. You can give it back to her.

She took the phone with two fingers and placed it in the cup holder. Probably should disinfect it first.

I already did. Used a wet wipe at the clinic.

Thanks.

No problem.

They turned off the highway, but before they were even halfway down the road to the house, she saw Bruno galloping toward them. His shaggy coat rose in the wind and his ears were pressed back against his head like a greyhound in a race.

Let me out, she said, her hand on the door handle.

Seth didn’t argue, but ground to a stop and waited as she opened the door and stepped out. Bruno charged up and nearly sent her toppling over, licking her face and hands in his exuberance.

I missed you too, Bruno, she said breathlessly, pressing her face into the thick fur around his neck. His tail wagged madly, his whole body vibrating with excitement. She leaned against the car for support when he placed his big paws on her shoulders to give her a thorough welcome. Finally, she made him get down, stepped back and shut the door. She held onto the dog by his collar so he wouldn’t get in the way.

When you’re ready, come up to the house. We need to talk, Seth said through the open window.

She watched him turn into the driveway, get out of the car and go in. Bruno pulled against her arm and she released his collar. He started for the house and then stopped, looking back expectantly, his tail flopping slowly back and forth as though his engine was in idle.

It was much too soon to talk. She wasn’t ready for decisions to be made, plans to be set, and the future to be decided. If only they could put everything on pause. Take a really long breath and... She started walking.

Bruno followed along beside her, staying close, turning now and then to lick the back of her hand. He whined when they passed the driveway, but made the decision to stick with her... until he spotted a Jack Rabbit and was off running across the desert field like a shot. She smiled after him but kept going. A mile more and she realized it was getting stinking hot and a blister was forming on the back of her left heel from her boot. She reluctantly turned around and headed home.

Bruno apparently lost the rabbit after a long chase because he joined her, panting hard, his jowls dripping slobber. She patted his back. No rabbit for breakfast, huh?

At the porch he whined again and looked up at the door. Her dad always fed Bruno and this morning his bowl remained empty. She put her hands on each side of his big head and looked him in the eye. He was smart. He would understand. At least as well as she understood.

Mom and Dad aren’t coming back, Bruno. It’s just you and me now. And Uncle Seth. She sniffed and laid her head against his side. A tear slipped out. I promise to take care of you just like Daddy did. Only the best beef cuts for dinner and apple slices for dessert.

Bruno lifted his head and licked away the salty tears slipping down her cheeks.

THEY COULDN’T BEAR to occupy the kitchen where so many memories of family meetings, meals, and games were still fresh in their minds, but chose to sit in the living room and discuss their new situation.

You’ve been busy. It’s not even eight yet. Jael said after listening to her uncle go through the list of things he’d accomplished before picking her up at the hospital.

Besides going back to the deserted railroad station and throwing the two vamps, who didn’t revert to dust and ash into his trunk, he’d gotten Shadow’s bike running and sent him off to take Brianna home. Then he’d gone through all of the texts sent to the Bishop from Jacob’s phone. The boy had sent numerous messages, but none mentioned her name. The last one he sent said, Eli took her friend. The trap is set.

So you’re safe for now, Seth said, raising his glass of soda. He took a long drink.

Jael frowned. But when the Bishop doesn’t hear from them soon, he’s going to be suspicious and send another team. And Shadow’s grandfather is more than willing to point the finger my way for a chance at immortality. He’s already done it twice.

True. That’s why I sent the Bishop another text. I told him the tracker turned. That he sent you a warning and you took off for Phoenix.

Phoenix?

He shrugged. Sounded like a plausible place for a slayer to disappear.

Okay, but what happens when Jacob doesn’t respond to his calls? The Bishop could use simple technology to locate the phone and discover they never left town after all.

Actually they did. He grinned. At least the phone did. I stopped at the gas station on the edge of town and found a trucker heading home to Phoenix for the weekend. Turned the ringer off on the phone and stuck it under the seat in his cab when he went inside. Those truckers really like to chat. Very friendly fellows.

She shook her head. Amazing.

I am, aren’t I? he said, but his usual egotistic bantering didn’t have the same ring to it.

Jael got up and moved to the picture window. The drapes were still pulled closed from the night before. She tugged them open and stared out at the sunlit desert. Her mom had always come in here each morning, opened the drapes, and stood with a cup of coffee in hand to watch the sun rise. She called it her therapy. Jael always wondered why she liked to get up so early, but now knowing the Amish connection it all made sense. No electricity, no alarm clocks, lots of hard work to be done. You got up when the sun did and went to bed when it went down.

Jael? Did you hear what I said? Seth asked.

She glanced back at him. Hmm?

He leaned forward on the edge of the couch, forearms resting on his thighs, hands clasped before him. The lines on his forehead and between his brows were starting to look permanent. I have to go away. It has to appear as though I’ve abandoned you.

What are you talking about? She pushed her hair behind her ears and crossed her arms defensively. You promised you’d take care of me.

I know I did and I will. It only has to look as though I’m not.

I don’t understand. She felt like a little girl suddenly lost in the middle of a shopping mall who just wanted her mommy and daddy. She closed her eyes and searched for them. They were still here, somewhere. In her heart. She just had to look harder.

Jael. He waited for her to open her eyes and look at him. I’ll be watching over you from a distance, but to get you into the Amish community you have to be an orphan. Social Services will make sure you’re placed with the closest available and willing relative.

And whom would that be? she asked, dropping her gaze to the carpet at her feet. It was easier than seeing her grief mirrored in his eyes. She knew he was hurting too and couldn’t believe he was willing to throw her to the wolves before the dust had even settled around them. Couldn’t they just take some time before...

Your grandparents.

She must have let her mouth hang open because he smiled and said, Don’t look so surprised. Your dad and I weren’t hatched you know.

Chapter 2

A Wienie Roast

FIRE SHOT UPWARD, HUNGRY tongues of flame lapping and crackling around the huge bonfire. Seth had spent the afternoon on the tractor digging a hole at least eight feet deep and twenty feet wide. When he was done he drove the white pickup into it, piled old boxes, boards and other debris on top, and then let the sprinkler run for hours on the area surrounding the pit. He didn’t want a stray spark to fall onto dry grass and have the authorities arrest him for burning up acres of adjacent federal land.

The three moldy, stinking vampires had been thrown in the backend of the pickup. Seth had siphoned the remaining gasoline from the tank and poured it over the bodies, dropped a match, and jumped back to watch the show. The smell of charred flesh and diesel permeated the air.

A look of hard-won satisfaction showed in the creases around his eyes and the thin, straight line of his mouth as he watched. Jael thought she saw a glint of moisture in his eyes, but it could have just been a reaction to the smoke in the air.

She heard Shadow’s motorcycle turn into the driveway. Jael was surprised to see that Brianna had come with him. Seth gestured for her to go greet them, but remained where he was. He shoved his hands in the front pockets of his jeans and stared unblinking into the flames as though making sure the vamps didn’t find a way to escape.

Shadow was climbing off the bike when she neared. He helped Brianna with her helmet, and then tenderly brushed a lock of stray hair from her face. Brianna looked up at him as though he were Prince Charming. Jael slowed, watching them. At least something good had come of this day. Although, remembering the tender care Shadow showed to her at the crash scene and in the ambulance she couldn’t help feel a tiny bit jealous. Even if his presence did make her feel nauseous when he was around.

What would it be like to have someone special, someone who would share the burden of being chosen? Would there ever be such a person for her? Or was she dreaming? She pushed those thoughts to the back