Mercy Thompson 01-05 - THE MERCY THOMPSON COLLECTION

doesn’t seem to affect Blackwood.”
    I nodded toward the oakman. “Apparently he is able to steal some of the abilities of those he drinks from.” No way was I going to talk about blood exchanges with Chad watching. “The oakmen like this gentleman here feed from sunlight—so Blackwood gained an immunity to the sun.”
    â€œAnd blood,” said the oakman. “In the old days we were given blood sacrifices to keep the trees happy.” He sighed. “Feeding me blood is how he keeps me alive when this cold-iron cell would kill me.”
    Ninety-three years he’d been a prisoner of Blackwood’s. The thought chilled any optimism that had survived the ride here from the Tri-Cities. The oakman wasn’t mated to a werewolf, though—or bound to a vampire.
    â€œHave you ever killed one?” the oakman asked.
    I nodded. “One with help and another one who was hampered because it was daytime and he was sleeping.”
    I didn’t think that was the answer he’d been expecting.
    â€œI see. Do you think you can kill this one?”
    I turned around pointedly, looking at the bars. “I don’t seem to be doing so well at that. No stake, no swimming pool of holy water, no fire—” And now that I’d said that, I noticed that there was very little that was even flammable here. Chad’s bedding, our clothes ... and that was it.
    â€œYou can put me down as something else that won’t be of any use,” Corban said, bitterly. “I couldn’t even stop myself from kidnapping you.”
    â€œThat Taser was one of Blackwood’s developments?”
    â€œNot a Taser—Taser’s a brand name. Blackwood sells his stun gun to ... certain government agencies who want to question prisoners without showing any harm. It’s a lot hotter than anything Taser makes. Not legal for the civilian market but—” He sounded proud of it—proud and slick, as if presenting the product at a sales meeting. He stopped himself, and said simply, “I’m sorry.”
    â€œNot your fault,” I told him. I looked at Chad, who still seemed thoroughly spooked. “Hey, why don’t you translate for me a minute.”
    â€œOkay.” Corban looked at his son, too. “Let me tell him what I’m doing.” He wiggled his hands, then said, “Go.”
    â€œBlackwood’s a vampire,” I told Chad. “What that means is that your father can’t do anything but follow Blackwood’s orders—it’s part of what a vampire does. I’m a little protected for the same reason I can see ghosts and talk to them. That’s the only reason he hasn’t done the same thing to me ... yet. You’ll know when your father’s being controlled, though. Blackwood doesn’t like your dad signing to you—he can’t read sign. So if your dad’s not signing to you, that’s one thing to look for. And your dad fights his control, and you can see that in his shoulders—”
    I broke off because Chad began gesturing wildly, his fingers exaggerating all the movements. His equivalent of yelling, I supposed.
    Corban didn’t translate what Chad said, but he signed very slowly so he wouldn’t be misunderstood and spoke his words out loud when he answered. “Of course I’m your father. I held you in my arms the day you were born and sat vigil in the hospital when you almost died the next day. You are mine. I’ve earned the right to be your dad. Blackwood wants you alone and afraid. He’s a bully and feeds on misery as much as blood. Don’t let him win.”
    Chad’s bottom jaw went first, but before I saw tears, his face was hidden against Corban.
    It wasn’t the best time for Amber to come in.
    â€œIt’s hot upstairs,” she announced. “I’m to sleep down here with you.”
    â€œDo you have the key?” I asked. Not that I expected Blackwood to have forgotten. Mostly I just wanted to keep her attention and let Chad, who hadn’t noticed her, have his moment with his dad.
    She laughed. “No, silly. Jim was not very happy with you—I’m not going to help you escape. I’ll just sleep out here. It’ll be quite comfortable. Just like camping out.”
    â€œCome here,” I said. I didn’t know that it would work. I didn’t know anything.
    But she came. I didn’t know if she was compelled, or