by J. A. Saare
I recalled how long I'd waited for this, how much I needed it.
I took a solid step back, bracing myself, letting anger, frustration, and understanding guide me.
Revenald had started the war.
It was only fair that we finished it.
Chapter Seven
Bane drove through the front gate, punched the gas, and maneuvered his vehicle up the driveway without a care in the world. We hadn't said much on the trip, but Disco had warned me there wouldn't be conversation. I'd searched his mind a bit on the way, if only to understand his plans. We'd greet the family first. He wanted them to know we weren't paying a visit and had come back to stay. If Marius tried to prevent that, there wouldn't be much of an issue. Since we weren't hiding anymore, the amulet was being returned to me as soon as we arrived at our destination. My job was to take care of Marius and keep him quiet until the family had been dealt with.
Bane parked and shut off the motor. "Let's get the ball rolling."
Disco turned to me with the amulet in hand. "I give this to you willingly," he said, placing the cord that kept the stone in place over my head. "It's yours."
The moment the necklace was secure, I felt the power that came with the talisman. The amulet was like a cherished and missed friend, as happy to be with me as I was to be with it. Strength and power rushed through my bloodstream, my necromancy enhanced and dangerous. I didn't have time to take in the powerful pulse within me as doors were opened. I had to move if I wanted to keep up. My feet hit the ground and, in an instant, we were all in motion.
We abandoned the SUV, heading for the house.
We walked toward the front door side-by-side.
There'd be no mistake that the three of us were present.
We were at the base of the stairs when the front door opened. A figure appeared, haloed by the light in the foyer. I recognized the person immediately. The other necromancer of the home, Ethan McDaniel, had come to greet us. He'd dressed in his usual attire, clothed in a button-down shirt, khakis, and spiffy shoes. He kept the door open, leaving our path unbarred, and came down the stairs to meet us at a casual pace. Uneasiness made my stomach knot. Our messages had been cordial and polite, but I didn't know how he felt.
Not about me.
He loved Paine, and my decisions had been a major reason the vampire had been killed. I'd accept his reaction no matter how painful his rejection might be. He had every right to his feelings, and they'd be warranted. Shock tore through me when he headed in my direction, opening his arms, indicating he expected a hug. I rushed to give him one, realizing I needed the physical contact too, thinking about how much I'd missed him.
Disco and Bane stopped their progression when we embraced.
He smelled amazing, like love and home.
"I've missed you," Goose told me softly and rubbed my back.
I felt the same way and clung to him. "Me too."
"Where is he?" Disco asked, studying us.
"He's out back waiting for you. Jonny went with him." Goose gave me a squeeze and let me go. He turned right away, heading back the way he came, acting like he knew what was going to happen. "He'll talk to you when you're ready."
Disco didn't say anything in response.
I shouldn't have been surprised.
The two had a connection sealed in blood.
Ethan might have done things for Marius, but he didn't belong to him. He'd given fealty to one vampire a long time ago, and they'd apparently discussed what was about to take place. I hadn't dug around in Disco's head because I'd been worried how I might be received.
I'd accept being shunned, but I wanted things to take place naturally.
"Everyone else?" Disco grasped my hand, ensuring I remained close as we came to the door. "Where are they?"
"Where you wanted them," Goose answered.
I knew the location without being told.
Meetings transpired in one place—the family room.
I would have hesitated at the door but Disco pulled me through, his grip firm and unbreakable. He guided me as we walked into his home. The interior was as beautiful and immaculate as I remembered, with high ceilings, expensive furnishings, and tasteful decor. We strode to the family room's double doors, and Bane moved to a wall. He reclined against it, getting comfortable, making it apparent he wouldn't be part of the reunion.
"Remember what I told you." Disco's voice echoed in my head with a sliver of demand and power. "We start tonight the way we continue in the future."
He wanted me to put my insecurities aside.
He thought there was nothing I should feel guilty for.
Forcing aside my guilt wouldn't be easy, but I'd try.
When Disco nodded, Ethan opened the doors and stepped back, giving us unhindered access to the area. The vampire holding my hand didn't pause, going right in. Since he'd made it clear I was to do the same thing, I remained beside him. I did keep my gaze down, only glancing around to survey the room.
Nala and Adrian were on the loveseat. Corey and Landon mirrored them, sitting on the couch. In front of the fireplace stood Peter, the only vampire I'd never really gotten to know. He had to be powerful. Paine had given him control of the family in the future for a reason.
Disco strode for the fireplace, indicating the vampire in front of it needed to move. Peter got out of the way without argument, bowing his dark head and standing aside. When Disco assumed his usual place, he turned, meaning I had to do the same. The hard drumming in my ears came courtesy of my heart, which responded to urgency, adrenaline, and fear. I might be able to do what the master of the house wanted, but I couldn't keep my insecurities tucked away.
Seconds lapsed, and my tension built.
Reaching for my mark, I found things weren't the same for Disco.
He experienced only love and relief.
"We're home," he informed them matter-of-factly. "Any objections?"
All the vampires moved, coming to him, and he had to let me go.
I quickly stepped aside.
Their reaction was clear—they wanted this. I felt like an outsider as they greeted the one they trusted and wanted to lead them, cast out from the family circle. I bowed my head to stare at the floor. Feet appeared in front of me, and I lifted my head.
Nala had come to me.
She'd been kind for the most part, hoping we'd become friends until things took a turn for the worse. In truth, I worried about facing her more than the others. If she slapped me, I wouldn't react. She was a giving soul and wouldn't deal out harm unless she thought an attack was warranted. I met her bluish-green gaze and a sharp burn hit my eyes. She hadn't done anything to deserve what she'd been given. She could slap me all she wanted. I'd tell her to do it again.
Hell, she could punch me in the face, and I'd welcome the pain.
I'd fucked-up hard.
"Hello, Rhiannon," she addressed me without animosity or false courtesy. I embraced the physical contact, accepting a hug. "It's good to see you," she whispered in my ear. "Thank you for taking care of him. We're glad you're back."
I tried to think of a way to respond when Disco said, "Take your places, everyone. This meeting will be short." Nala let me go and did as instructed, returning to her prior position along with everyone else. Disco let them settle before he continued, "This is my domain. If you have an issue with that, say so now. You can take your things and go. No harm will come to you."
"None of us are going anywhere," Peter informed him.
"Things are about to change," Disco warned, peering around the room at each of them. "Nothing will be the same."
"Thank God," Landon sighed in relief.
I frowned at the change in his voice, my eyes darting in his direction, because he wasn't himself. Landon and Corey had been changed when they were young, in their very early twenties, and the transition from human to vampire had been recent because they spoke as the young men they were. His reaction didn't contain the youthful exuberance he displayed before. Glancing ov
er at Corey, I noticed he seemed subdued as well. They appeared to have aged decades in the months we'd been gone.
What the fuck did Marius do to them?
A thought hit me and made my insides churn.
What the fuck did Revenald do to them?
"I've made decisions, and I can't tell you what they are, but all of them take you and this family into absolute consideration." By the change in tone, Disco had faded into the background again. Gabriel had taken charge. "You might not like them, but this is the way things will be moving forward. If you stay, you'll have to agree to what you don't know, because I am the ruler of this home. My word is law."
No one said anything.
Disco reached for my hand, and I shifted closer to give it to him.
He waited until I was by his side before he said, "Peter, you were next in line to take my place. It's not personal, but we have to speak before that resumes. You have to know the eccentricities involved with the position."
"Understood."
I glanced at Peter, noting he didn't seem angry or happy. He'd simply accepted what he'd been told. His response wasn't cold but very neutral. I considered diving into Disco's mental filing cabinet to learn why Peter had been chosen, but we didn't have time for things like that. Considering what was about to transpire, questioning Peter seemed petty.
It's coming along so smoothly.
A sure sign of doom.
Things weren't this easy.
A hard tingle zapped my head—a reprimand from Gabriel—and I paid attention. Through our connection, I remembered he could read their minds. He'd already vetted them to make certain they were telling the truth. Every single person in the room meant what they said. He'd know otherwise and, more importantly, they knew they couldn't be dishonest with him. The meetings were held out of courtesy since he respected them, not because he had to do anything they said.
"I want you to come with me." When my lover spoke, I was reminded of how disciplined he was, keeping numerous things going in his mind without a problem. "What you're about to see won't be easy but has to happen."
I thought they might question him but none did.
They awaited his instruction.
Holy shit.
That kind of loyalty had been earned.
"Follow me but remain behind." I knew an order when I heard it. "No powers or abilities. I want you to watch and witness. Nothing more."
He started forward, and I had no choice but to follow.
We were leaving the room, meaning he was moving to the next item on the docket. My nerves returned with each step, even when I tried to subdue them.
I had no idea what was about to happen, and I didn't know how things would go.
If Gabriel noticed my discomfort and anxiety, he didn't let on. He followed the path that would take him to the neatly manicured garden at the back of the residence. We made it to our location, and I noted the door we had to exit through was already open.
I followed him outside and gazed down.
Standing in front of something that hadn't been there before—a partial marble recreation of the Fontana di Trevi, complete with The Lovers' Fountain with two sprays of water arching into a basin—was Marius. Jonny's decapitated body rested at his feet, but he didn't seem bothered. I guessed it was because he'd made it happen. He'd given that family member an easy way out. He wasn't looking at us, staring at the decoration he'd had placed in the garden.
"Do what has to be done," Gabriel's instruction was clear in my head. "My maker has this coming, and he knows it. You'll find out why."
He didn't wait for a reply, making it clear I should do as I was told. He let me go, and I stopped with the rest of the family at the top of the stairs. We had to do what he expected, so we did.
Gabriel hit the base of the stairs and kept going.
Marius turned his body, facing his creation, and did something I didn't expect—he kneeled. "I love you, Gabriel," he said quietly, voice quivering. "I always have."
"Be that as it may, I warned you. I told you what would happen if you hurt the ones I loved. You didn't listen." Gabriel addressed his maker with obvious fury, and I shivered at the animosity coming from him. I'd kept the mark open. When bloodlust returned, I wasn't surprised. He'd shown it to me for a reason. He'd wanted me to be prepared for what he was about to do. "You not only hurt them, you instigated the matters that killed the one I viewed as a brother. Are you ready to face my justice?"
"I'm on my knees in front of you. Isn't that enough?" Marius answered, and I could tell the vampire thought his submission might save him. His chin lifted, and his steel-blue gaze darted up. "I'm your maker. I gave you life."
"No, it's not enough. Not even close." Gabriel's response came out as a growl. "You might have given me life, but you didn't do it for me. You did it for yourself."
Something moved just beside the pair.
Bane had come back into the picture.
He strode up, the asshole of assholes, and stopped a few feet away. He viewed what was taking place with a gleam in his eyes like he'd been waiting and was eager to observe it.
"Come to me, Rhiannon," Gabriel commanded.
I peered around and noted the vampires weren't looking at me. They were staring at the vampire on his knees. Even if their faces lacked expression, I identified the turmoil and fury in their eyes. He'd done horrid things to them when they'd been under his watch. They'd been waiting for this moment for a long time, and they wouldn't be denied.
Gabriel appeared in my head. "By my side. Now."
I went down the stairs, taking my time until I stopped beside him.
He studied Marius with contempt. "Tell her how they found her sister."
The words were like an unexpected slap, and it took several seconds for the realization to completely sink in. I gawked at the man kneeling in front of me.
He was behind it?
I often wondered how they'd found her. I'd done everything to prevent it. I'd assumed half-demons had done the footwork. Since Disco had taken my memories, he'd found out about her. He'd never brought her up since he knew about our complex history. I hadn't spoken of her since I'd taken her newly changed vampire body into the sun to die. I only used her name when I was alone, inside my own head, to grieve her loss.
"I took the information from you and told them."
"Why?"
Marius paused. "Jealousy."
The memory I'd been shown just over an hour ago came to life in my head, feeding me images, reminding me how she'd died. I saw Jenny being led into the room where she'd be changed, with messy hair and a line of dried drool on her chin. She was confused and disoriented. She still had on the flimsy gown she wore from the mental institution. She'd been scratching at herself, seeing things that weren't there as her meds had worn off.
Her voice, loud and clear, shrilled in my mind.
"Why is this happening? Is this Hell?"
Gabriel had shielded something important from me.
He'd told me, "Do what has to be done," for a reason.
He wasn't killing Marius.
I was.
"You son of a bitch," I growled, realizing my place, plugging into my fury and bringing it online. The amulet burned white-hot despite the cotton shirt between it and my skin, the steady pulse of its power radiating through me. Marius had shown them where Jenny had been hidden. He'd brought depravity and chaos to her doorstep. He'd hurt a young woman who'd suffered enough without vampires coming into her life. I went for Sucker as I took a step forward. I'd have done this to Revenald if the half-demon hadn't run from me. "Your time is up."
He lifted his head. Our eyes met, and I saw the acceptance in his face. "I know."
"No, you don't. But you will."
I recalled my conversation with the man inside Norad's office, telling him his friends had been shown a kindness. I'd meant it. A quick death was harsh but nonetheless merciful. Death wasn't the most dangerous thing anyone faced. In fact, for many, it was considered a pr
esent. All mortals faced one challenge, and it remained the same.
Ride the road until death sets you free.
I went to Marius, but he didn't try to stand or put up a fight.
Good. My sister hadn't been able to either.
I approached, lifting the blade as I did, clutching the hilt.
Marius's hair had grown a bit, so I was able to clench it in my hand when I put the sharp edge against his forehead. He gazed up at me in defiance. His silence and the contempt in his gray eyes made blood crash through my veins. My anger rose to a boiling point. Outrage bubbled inside of me like an overflowing kettle, splashing along my insides and leaving behind blisters, even though I'd been handed the ultimate release. I relished it, letting it fuel me, accepting and welcoming the pain. I'd been waiting for something like this for months, determined to find it, taking each day one at a time because it was necessary to discover it.
Bloodlust and vengeance.
That was why Gabriel had given it to me.
He'd been in my head long enough to know what I needed.
He knew what it would take for me to find a path forward.
"Scream all you want," I whispered and reached for the power of the amulet, knowing it would cement my words, "but you will not move."
He tried to deny me when the blade went through a quarter-inch of his head, even though it hurt. When I tugged on his hair and forced it back so I could scalp him, he inhaled deeply. He wasn't ready to give me the sound I'd been waiting for. I kept going, digging the blade in, being rougher than necessary, waiting until the noise I'd been searching for filled my ears.
His scream was the perfect solo.
I stopped when I heard it, knowing it wasn't enough.
I wanted to feel the thick rush of his blood against my fingers.
I put Sucker back and went for a butterfly knife. It sang its metal song as it whispered open, turning from something shiny and pretty to a weapon that could slice and pierce.
"Call to Revenald," I snarled, going back to Marius's head.