Chapter 9

Jared's story:

Jared held a meeting in his lair in order to convince his minions how important it was not to kill Kyra without revealing his secret:  that he was in love with her, just like he was in love with her mother.  Jared never wanted Kyra's mother dead, but his vampire minions led a revolt and killed Tasha when Jared failed to do so. 

Tasha wasn't killed in a car accident as everyone was led to believe.    

As hard as it was to fight his growing feelings for Kyra, he could no longer deny them.  But he knew he could never have her, for if he did, the truth might come out about what really happened to her mother.  And Jared couldn't risk Kyra hating him forever.

Jared did manage to convince his minions not to kill Kyra. . .or so Jared thought. . .

Jared's minions held a meeting without him.  They all felt it was time to make Jared step down from lead vampire.  He was getting sloppy  in his work since Kyra Levine came into the picture.  It was happening all over again.  The vampires knew they had to kill Kyra in order for their kind to survive and Jared was once again, in the way.  The vampire minions had to do away with Krya.

Back at Gerald's house, Kyra was enjoying some bonding time with her father before he had to go back home, when Gerald interrupted them.

“Kyra, I'm sorry to interrupt your last few moments with your father before he leaves. . .” Gerald apologized.  “. . .but I'm afraid we need to be going.”

“What is it, Gerald?” Kyra asked.

“There's trouble at the mall in Washington, D.C.” Gerald told her.  “Vampires have began wreaking havoc on shoppers.”

“Jared is behind this.” Kyra said.  “I'll bet my life on it!  I'm sorry, Daddy, but it looks as if I have to go.”

“Don't apologize, darling.” Mr. Levine told his daughter.

As Mr. Levine kissed his daughter good-bye, Kyra grabbed her slayer tools and left with Gerald in his car, heading to the shopping mall to stop Jared and the vampires from killing innocent shoppers.

When Gerald and Kyra arrived at the shopping mall, Kyra was surprised to see that Jared was on where in sight.  She wondered what he was up to when she couldn't find Jared.  She knew Jared was behind this mess but Kyra was about to get the shock of her life.