Spider Web

by Danielle James

  “I got this,” Phoenix yelled.

  Jules saw another vampire attack Nick from behind and then he was gone. She lost sight of him and tried to find him, but there were still plenty of wolves determined to rip her apart.

  Phoenix had a wolf in his arms when another lunged for his throat. Jules threw herself at it, grabbing it by the jaws. She pulled with all her strength, breaking its jaws apart. The wolf fell lifelessly to the concrete floor. She heard Phoenix laughing at her rage. It wasn’t that he found it funny so much as he was impressed by the skill she exhibited. She may have been new to the vampire life, but she was a mother and she protected her family above all else. And Phoenix was family.

  When the wolves were subdued, Jules’s attention shot around the room. It was eerily quiet and that set her senses on full alert. She heard a low chuckle from the northwest corner of the warehouse and her eyes automatically darted in that direction. She saw her friends, her family, being held captive by other creatures. Michael was held by a vampire with his arms behind his back, crushing his wings. Victor and Rachel were sitting on the floor, held at bay by wolves. A demon had a pistol pressed to the back of Jared’s head.

  Captured.

  But where was Nick? Her heart shot up into her throat.

  “Harwin, Franchesco, how lovely to see you,” Phoenix called out the two creatures not holding anyone captive. The one he called Harwin was a deeply tanned man, or rather, demon. He looked like a man. He had short hair and black eyes. The one he called Franchesco had olive skin, dark hair, and crimson eyes. He was a vampire.

  “Would you please tell me what you are doing here? I never knew you to consort with the likes of werewolves,” Phoenix crinkled his nose. Even as new as Jules was to this life, she knew werewolves were testy, unpredictable creatures. They were selfish, disloyal beings who would turn on an ally in an instant to save their own hide. Or at least, that was what she had heard.

  “Phoenix, we meet again,” Harwin replied. “I have not seen you in many years. How long has it been? A couple of decades? You look well.”

  “Don’t talk to me like we are old friends, Harwin. You know as well as I that I came to kill you. I won’t make it fast, either. I just want some answers first.”

  “I have nothing to say to you then,” Harwin replied.

  “I say we kill them all now,” the one called Franchesco suggested.

  “In due time, I will give you your chance, but first, how about a little fun?” Harwin's mouth curled up into a grin, exposing his teeth. They were spaced apart and pointed. They were dirty and crusty.

  “Some answers, before you kill us,” Jules offered, taking a step forward. She wanted to know exactly what they were planning, and why. From the horse’s mouth, so to speak. Even if it was the last thing she heard, she wanted to know what her family was dying for.

  “A war, Child. Humans have had control here for far too long. They have the ability and the knowledge to destroy us. How sickening, knowing you could be destroyed by mere vermin. Some of us in the Dark Alliance, the Boss especially, feel a nuclear war would diminish their numbers significantly, allowing us to take control. Any surviving humans could be contained; bred for food, or whatever. I am sick of living in hiding. I want what is rightfully mine, and I will do whatever it takes to get it.”

  “Who is the Boss, if not you?” Phoenix demanded.

  “What makes you think I will tell you that?”

  “You are really twisted. I will take pleasure in killing you today,” Phoenix snapped back at Harwin.

  Jules leaned forward in a crouch, ready to pounce, when Franchesco pulled something out from around the corner. It was Nick.

  He was bleeding from his head and shoulders. She could smell his blood in the air, and it sickened her. Franchesco curled his lips back over his teeth and growled at Jules.

  “This one is yours, isn’t it. How pitiful. It’s a shame he is so weak, half glorious immortal, half vermin. It’s almost anticlimactic, to kill him.” Franchesco snarled and bared his teeth. He jerked Nick’s head to the side and bit down.

  Fury roared up inside her. How dare he touch what was hers? Everything took on a red hue and she could feel the saliva pooling in her mouth. She wanted blood, but not just any blood, his blood. She was delirious with madness. Not Nick. She would never allow anyone to hurt him. Phoenix touched her very lightly, in a gesture to remind her to stay calm. Jules exchanged glances with Jared, an unspoken agreement. She pulled in a breath slowly between her bared teeth, and concentrated.

  Her form shimmered into that of one of the demons she had killed at the wedding.

  “Bartholomew?” Franchesco asked, momentarily distracted, as were the others.

  At that instant, Jared phased into the tiger. With one perfectly aimed swipe of his claw, he sliced through the demon’s arm that held the pistol. It clattered on the concrete floor. Jared stood there, graceful and powerful, daring anyone to make a move. It was the distraction they needed.

  Madness and fury took over her body and Jules shot at Franchesco like a bullet from a gun.

  She hit her mark; her aim true. She sank her teeth into his throat and bit hard. His vampire blood filled her mouth and she jerked her head back, ripping his throat from his neck. She spat it out on the floor, not wanting any part of that sadistic thug in her body. He let Nick drop to the ground and she took advantage of the open mark. She wrapped her arm around his bleeding head and jerked with all her strength. His head came off with a sickening crunch and she tossed it aside. Using the opening she provided, the others fought around her, but Jules was not finished. This fool bit her mate and he would pay. She tore into his body with all the fury built up inside her. Her sharp nails dug into his flesh, ripping it, shredding it. It was only when she heard Michael’s voice that she came to her senses.

  “Remind me to never make her angry at me,” he joked.

  Jules stopped and looked at the dead vampire, or what was left of it, in her hands. She was covered in blood and her clothes were torn. And, she was holding bits and pieces of a dead vamp. She dropped it and watched as it turned to ash.

  She remembered Nick on the floor. She looked up to see Phoenix, cradling him in his thick arms. He looked so weak. Jules ran to his side.

  “I’m not sure I can fix this,” Phoenix said. Phoenix healed the wounds that were bleeding, but there was only so much he could do. “He’s lost a lot of blood,” Phoenix continued. “I don’t know if I can save him.”

  Jules didn’t think, she just reacted. She bit into her own wrist and shoved it in Nick’s mouth. He swallowed weakly until he couldn’t anymore. Her blood was running down his chin and he was not responding. “What’s wrong?” she asked to no one and everyone at the same time.

  “He needs human blood,” Victor told her. “Your vampire blood is great for mating purposes and may help his body heal, but you can’t replace the red blood cells he needs so badly.”

  “Where is Harwin?” Jules demanded. She wanted to see his lifeless corpse for herself.

  “He shimmered out before we could get him. I don’t think he will be back, though, not for a while. We decimated his army. We won’t hear from him again for a long time,” Michael stated.

  “We need to get Nick home,” Victor added. “Michael, get Jolice and Andrew. Fly them home. Phoenix, take Nick home. We will run.”

  “I go with Nick,” Jules proclaimed. She dared anyone to argue with her. “Can you fly with us both, or do I need to run?”

  “Yes, I can do it,” Phoenix replied, shifting Nick’s weight into one arm, scooping Jules up into his other.

  CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR

  Nick felt the flames when Phoenix healed his wounds. It was about the only thing he felt. He was weak from blood loss and was having a hard time staying conscious. When he felt himself go airborne, he jerked against Phoenix’s iron grip. He was only partially concerned about falling to his death. Hell, he was pretty sure he was knocking on death’s door anyway. He trusted Phoenix tho
ugh, and he could feel Jules by his side.

  The loss of blood made Nick’s body crave blood in a way that was almost unendurable. He cried out a number of times from the pain. All he knew was that Jules talked to him the whole time, telling him how much she loved him and to just hang on a little longer.

  Nick was surprised when Phoenix landed after only a short distance. He forced his eyes open and looked at his surroundings. They were on a cliff. He saw the faces of his family around him, and he knew they were talking to him, but it was all a jumbled blur. None of it made any sense. Nick could no longer feel anything and was too weak to try to speak.

  Then he saw Andrew’s face over his. His lips were moving and Nick studied them to try and understand what he was saying. It ceased to matter when Andrew offered his wrist to Nick. He could smell Andrew’s fresh, human blood and it called to him. He felt his fangs elongate in his mouth and his mouth watered. As weak as he was, Nick’s body still had the strength to strike like a viper. Andrew’s blood flowed into his mouth and Nick drank greedily. As his blood flowed, Nick felt his body putting itself back together. He would have to remember to thank Andrew for being a willing donor. “Be careful,” he heard Victor say, “Don’t let him drink too much, it can kill you.”

  “I know,” Andrew replied, “Just a little more. See how he’s improving?”

  Nick was grateful that he could hear clearly again. He mourned the loss when Andrew’s wrist was removed from him and he felt himself being hoisted up into the air again. Nick knew he was on his way home and he let himself sleep.

  CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE

  The rain was falling in a gentle mist around the mansion. It didn’t bother Jules though; she was far more concerned with Nick. He was resting quietly while he healed from his wounds. Phoenix had done a great job healing him, but Andrew was equally responsible for Nick’s life. If she had ever needed a reason to love Andrew, and she didn’t need one, she had the best reason now. She had the life of her husband to thank him for.

  She let her eyes wonder over to Phoenix for a moment. He was truly family to her now. Not because he saved the life of her love, but because of whom he was. He was like a real brother to Jules and she loved him the way she would love a brother. She found that she was concerned about the grey highlight in his otherwise jet black hair, but he assured her that it was nothing. It was just part of who he is and she shouldn’t worry over trivial things like that.

  After Nick woke up and was feeling better, he decided he wanted to go outside and spar with the guys. He and Phoenix were wrestling in the yard, the rest of their family standing witness. If not for their exuberant laughter, one might have thought they were fighting for real. Jules noticed Michael and Jolice were talking quietly to each other, hands intertwined. Victor and Rachel were watching the friendly wrestling match, as were Jared and Andrew. Jules felt complete, having such a big family.

  Thinking of her family, her mind drifted away from the scene in front of her to Kelly. She would have to talk with her eventually. Perhaps a visit would be the right way. She would love to see Paris, and she and Nick hadn’t had a honeymoon. She hoped the man she was dating was on the side of good, but worried little over that. Just because a creature had a negative connotation didn’t mean it was evil. She knew Kelly had a strong personality, and she was an excellent judge of character. Still, a visit wouldn’t hurt.

  The rain cleared away, and the sun came out. It was hard to believe that only yesterday they were in New Mexico, fighting for their lives; for the lives of every human soul on the planet. It seemed far away now, with only lingering worries about the future. Harwin had escaped. He would eventually try again; we were sure of that. But not any time soon. A small part of Jules wished she would just accidentally run into him on the streets. The anger she still felt toward him was as fresh as it was the day before. Jules knew that given the chance, she would take him apart. And of course, Harry and Anita were not at the warehouses. Their involvement was still a mystery. They all knew they would have to find out eventually. Jules still felt the loss for the friend she thought she had. She retained hope that Anita could be reasoned with. As for Harry, she wasn’t so sure.

  Her attention was diverted by a ray of sunshine falling on the earth at her feet, and suddenly, a light mist surrounded the light. The mist began to swirl. It grew brighter and brighter until she could see the silhouette of a man. It was Joe.

  “Joe!” she cried with her hands over her mouth. All eyes turned to him and they waited for him to speak.

  “Hello, Jules. I told you I would be back.” His glorious smile gleamed at her. She had missed him so much, but the pain had dulled into a small ache she would surely always carry with her.

  “You have done well. I have been sent to give you the good news. The alliances have been broken. You all fulfilled your purpose. All is well now. Thank you Jules, for all that you have sacrificed, for all you have given. You are truly a remarkable being. I will always be with you.”

  “Thank you, Joe,” Nick interrupted, “You have given me Julia, at a terrible cost to you. I will cherish her, always.”

  “Never take anything for granted. Love while you can,” he looked at Victor, “never let go of that love. It was love that gave you all the strength to fight an impossible battle, and love that motivated you to win. Love will guide you through your future. Protect each other, be a family.”

  “What about Kelly?” Jules asked her late husband.

  “I will be watching to see how that turns out myself,” he said with a smile.

  “Hey man, thanks. You gave us just what we needed,” Michael said.

  “Ah, for you, the Father has kept his word. You are now welcome back home.” A light grew around Michael as Joe spoke the words.

  Michael smiled into the light, and then his expression changed. He looked at Jolice with fear and hurt in his eyes. This was his reward. What he spent years as a human for, why he was given a second chance. He was being welcomed back into God’s house. It was the most wonderful gift! But, he would have to leave his family. He would have to leave Jolice. “Father,” he spoke into the light, “You have given me so many gifts. You made me to guard the innocent. When I messed up, even though I didn’t feel it was a blessing at the time, you gave me a chance to be human. And now, you give me the gift of returning home, to be an angel once more and to serve you. I cannot express the right amount of gratitude I feel for being welcomed back into the fold.” He hesitated before continuing. Was he listening to something now? “Yes Father. It feels selfish of me to ask, but there is something I think I want more.”

  Michael stood in the light, silent and statuesque, only nodding once. He heard something everyone else did not. A smile spread across Joe’s face. He heard this silent communication as well.

  The mist surrounded Michael’s body again, lifting him from the ground. He was completely obscured from sight by the mist. When it cleared, there was nothing but stunned silence.

  Michael was standing in front of them, his wings gone. The inner light about him faded, leaving behind nothing more than a human man. “Thank you, Father,” he murmured, tears glistening in his eyes.

  Jolice ran to him, yelling, “What did you do?!”

  “I did it for you,” he replied. “I couldn’t leave you.”

  “You gave up heaven....for me?” Her face twisted into a frown. “You stupid, stupid man! Why? Why would you do that?” she demanded while smacking him on the chest.

  “I love you, what else could I do? The Father has given me the best gift of all; a chance to be with you.” He was holding her tight against his now human chest. They embraced in such a way that was not polite for company. Jules turned away, tears in her eyes as well. Happy tears. Tears of joy. It did her heart good to see them find each other. To be able to be together without fear of breaking any rules.

  Jules turned her attention back to Joe, who was beaming. “Joe,” she began. “Will I ever see you again?” She didn’t really want to know the answe
r, but at the same time, she had to.

  “That is not my decision to make. I would like to think so, as long as it is not too painful for you.”

  “I always want to know that you are with me. You never left my heart,” she stammered out.

  Joe smiled his beautiful smile at her. “Be well, my friends, and be happy, my love.” And he was gone. A single tear streaked its way down her cheek. Her new family was all together. Everyone paired up. Except for Phoenix. Her heart felt a small tug for her dear friend, her big brother. Maybe one day he will find someone of his own as well. She had Nick for all eternity, and for that, she felt completely euphoric. Everything that had happened in their lives conspired to bring them to this place, to this situation. It was the culmination of all their separate lives into one. Jules imagined all of their lives as a giant spider web, each delicate strand strong and beautiful by itself, each joint in the web a turning point in each of their lives. The place where they meet in the middle forming one beautiful, impregnable design.

  They would live together as a close-knit family. Nothing and no one would ever come between them. One life, lived by many, together. They would be together forever and ever. After all she had seen in the last few months, how could she believe anything else?

  CHAPTER THIRTY SIX

  “Damn,” Harwin was pacing and cursing. Cursing and pacing. His long black coat flew out behind him, almost like a cape, his movements faster than human speed. “Damn, why didn’t I see it?” he questioned, to no one specific. “How did they do it? It took months to gather that many minions. Now I have to start all over! I do hate to be inconvenienced this way,” he continued.

  Harry was sitting beside Anita, watching. They both were. The house they were in was a kind of satellite office in Seattle. Harwin had many offices across the western hemisphere. The two didn’t dare speak, for fear of Harwin’s wrath. He was the oldest of the demons that regularly walked around in public, amongst humans, and the most powerful. He had more of a following than any other creature. This was why the Boss had made him second in command. His return from New Mexico had been early, and he returned alone. They all knew that the coalition (that’s what Harwin called the motley crew of creatures that foiled his plans,) would attack. Who knew that they would overpower more than a hundred demons, twenty vampires, and more than a dozen werewolves? Harwin barely escaped with his life.