by Mary Abshire
Freedom From the Evil Dead
Soul Catcher Series
Mary Abshire
Freedom From the Evil Dead ©Copyright 2018 Mary Abshire
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Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
The Evil Next Door
Other Books by Mary Abshire:
About the Author
Freedom From the Evil Dead
Drake and Jessie have spent a few years hiding from the group of vampires who believe she is a threat to their existence. When Drake learns the organization may be willing to negotiate, he decides to take a chance and meet with them. For over three years, Jessie waits for her vampire lover to return. Fearing the worst, she propositions the only one man can help her find Drake.
Jeremy, the demon she turned away so long ago, refuses to assist her unless she agrees to his terms. With no one else to turn to, she concedes to his bargain. But after Jeremy nearly pays with his life trying to help her, Jessie takes matters into her own hands. Willing to surrender her own existence, she leaves to free Drake.
Through great heartache and suffering, Jessie struggles to survive. Fury gives her strength and she vows revenge. Given freedom and a chance to live a normal life she's always dreamed, Jessie must decide her future.
Chapter One
Leaves scurried across the road while I drove home. Gusts scattered the foliage in the wind and on the ground. The trees had changed to various shades of yellow, gold, orange, and red. Fall had arrived in Canada, and it reminded me of the time I'd lived in Indianapolis. It was difficult to believe I'd been gone over two years. My life had been simple back then. I missed those days and longed to be free from all the complications I had to deal with for as long as I walked the earth.
Sighing, I steered from the main road and into a suburban community. The cookie-cutter neighborhood contained a mixture of ranch and two-story houses. Most of the trees were young and already naked, thanks to the strong breeze. I curved around a retention pond and felt a sense of serenity. Drake and I had spent almost a year living peacefully in the quiet area. I hoped we could spend another nine more. Moving around was exhausting.
I slowed the SUV as I approached the driveway. A black sports car was parked in front of our modest ranch home. I'd never seen the vehicle before and quickly wondered who owned it. Passing it, I steered toward the garage as the door lifted. I stopped the car next to the gray Mercedes on the right.
Keys and purse in hand, I exited my SUV. The minute my feet touched the ground, the soreness within them returned. I'd spent the last eight hours on my feet, working in a retail shop. Technically, I didn't have to hold a job. Drake had enough funds to last multiple lifetimes. But I couldn't sit around and do nothing. I needed to contribute and earn my own wages. On top of that, my employment gave the appearance that Drake and I were a regular everyday couple. Nobody questioned us. But as the ache in my feet grew, I wondered if the price of labor was worth it.
I entered the house and breathed in a heavenly aroma. Fresh baked bread carried over the scent of some type of meat. One of the best things about working was coming home to my vampire lover and the home cooked meals he prepared.
"Drake?" I called out before I set my purse and keys on the small stand near the door. Standing on a rug, I slipped my feet out of my shoes. Cool energy swirled around me and made the hairs on my arms twitch slightly. My favorite vamp in the world was somewhere nearby.
Drake strolled into the entryway wearing a long-sleeved green sweater and black pants. "Dinner will be ready shortly." He placed his hands on the sides of my face and pulled me to his lips. "First, there's someone I want you to meet."
"You have a visitor?"
He took my hand and guided me toward our living room. "Yes. I reached out to him a few weeks ago."
I stopped abruptly. "You contacted another vampire?"
"It's okay. Jon is a good friend. I've known him a long time. We can trust him." He caressed my cheek with the back of his fingers. "Come meet him."
Anxiety coursed through me. We'd been on the run from the VETOV, Vampires for the Ethical Treatment of Other Vampires, for a little over two years, and hadn't talked to a bloodsucker since the meeting at the Fort in Alderney, France. The group had voted to spare my life if I worked with one of their investigators, but I couldn't partner with Drake. To make matters worse, one of the members wanted to use me for sex and blood. Drake loved me so much that he ended the bloodsucker's existence and left his employment with the VETOV. We had moved to Alaska and lived in two small towns over nine months before we arrived in Canada. We would've stayed longer in Alaska, but knowledge of my existence had surfaced. After leaving, I kept a low profile. I hadn't spoken to any other demons or werewolves and I hadn't sent a single soul to Hell. While I missed the latter, it helped us stay in one location for a longer period of time.
Drake led me into the living room. An African American man with a goatee sat on the sofa with his legs crossed. He appeared well dressed in tan slacks, black shoes, and a long-sleeved maroon sweater. He rose as we drew near.
"Jon, I'd like you to meet Jessie," Drake said.
I looked up as I shook his hand. "Nice to meet you." His chilling energy trickled up my arm. The vampire's height surpassed Drake's and his lean frame reminded me of so many basketball stars.
"I've heard many things about you," he said in a deep voice.
"Don't believe everything you hear," I said, and he lightly c
huckled.
"I never do," he said, releasing my hand.
"Please, sit." Drake motioned toward the sofa.
Jon returned to his spot at the end. Drake sat in the recliner while I planted my rear on the cushion on the opposite side from Jon. The weight off my feet was a welcomed relief.
"You look a lot different from the photos I've seen," Jon said.
"That's a good thing," I said as I brushed strands of my red locks away from my face. I hated the color and longed for the day I could return to my natural dark tint. I doubted I'd ever get to. "I don't want others of your kind tracking me down."
"Not to worry. I am loyal to Drake. He's helped me many times over the centuries."
I arched a brow, wondering how long the two had known each other. Drake had walked the earth for over eight centuries. Jon appeared to be a man in his early twenties, but I guessed he might be as old as my lover. I'd inquire later.
"Jon has shared some information with me concerning the VETOV," Drake said. "I think you might be interested in hearing what he has to say."
"Are they still looking for me?" I asked.
"Well…yes," Jon answered.
"Then I'm not sure what more there is to say," I said with a light shake of my head. "My situation remains the same."
"But there have been changes," Drake said, his tone reflecting a hint of hope.
I gazed at my lover and wondered what he was thinking. There was a point in time when we had been able to communicate telepathically, but it didn't last. The temporary silent communication was a perk from having received a large blood transfusion from him. Once my half-human, half-demon body fully healed, my cravings for his elixir dwindled and all non-verbal interactions ended.
"If they're still looking for me, then nothing has changed," I said to Drake. "They can't be trusted. You know this."
Considering everything we'd been through because of them, he of all people should know the VETOV were deceitful and unreliable. Why would he think any different of them now?
A beep from the stove collected our attention. Drake rose.
"I should come back another time. I don't want to interrupt your plans," Jon said as he stood.
"Will you be staying in town long?" Drake asked.
"I'll stay another day, but then I must go. I don't want to raise any suspicions." Jon looked at me and smiled. "Jessie, I hope we meet again."
My mind drew a blank as the vampire passed me and headed for the front door. I didn't know what to say or think since I knew very little about him. What I did know is that whatever he'd said to Drake had made the love my life consider it.
Drake followed him. "I'll be in touch, one way or the other."
Curiosity overpowered the hunger within me. I'd only eaten a protein bar for breakfast and a bag of chips for lunch. My stomach was grumbling all afternoon and I'd been eager to devour Drake's home cooked food. But now I needed to know what was going on. Why had he invited an acquaintance into our home? Would we have to move again? What information had Jon shared with him? I left the comfy sofa and started ambling in the living room.
Drake shut the door behind Jon. He twisted the deadbolt and it clicked into place. Crossing my arms, I waited in the middle of the room for him to provide me with full details.
He walked toward me. "I need to get dinner out of the oven." He placed his hands on my shoulders, then planted a kiss on my lips. "I won't be long."
I nodded as he headed for the kitchen. While he handled the food, I took time to visit the bathroom. Fortunately, we had one down the short hall. After I relieved my bladder and cleaned up, I returned to the living room.
Drake wiped his hands on a towel, then set the cloth on the counter before he entered the room. The house had an open style with a half wall separating the dining area from the living room. We had plenty of space and room for guests, but we’d never had any until today.
"What was that all about?" I asked as I took a seat on the sofa.
Drake sat beside me. "I contacted him to find out what had been going on with the VETOV. I knew he wouldn't divulge any information about us to them."
"And what did Jon say?"
He took my hand into his. "Nassar has advocated for us consistently. He has managed to convince the other members that no harm should come to you. In fact, they want to negotiate with us."
I shook my head. "It's a trick. You know it is."
"Jon said the VETOV ordered all investigators to find you and bring you to them peacefully. They want to talk and make amends."
I stared into his loving eyes. He held a glimmer of hope, but I couldn't understand why. We'd been happy together. Yes, we'd moved a few times to stay hidden, but we were content.
"You're interested in talking to them," I said. "Why?"
"I don't want us to have to hide forever. You deserve the chance to live freely." He dropped his gaze, then lifted my hand with the ring on my finger. "One day, I'd like to make it official. I love you with all my heart. I want you to be happy. I want you to feel safe."
"But I am happy. I'm safe with you. And we practically are married. The paper is just that. It's what we feel and do that bonds us, not some document."
"I understand your hesitance, but I think we should try."
Fear swelled in my heart and mind. "This is beyond dangerous. I don't like it."
He nodded. "I've thought about this in depth and I have a plan. You'll stay here and I'll go to Europe to visit Nassar. I won't tell anyone. He won't expect me. I'll find out from him what kind of deal we can make."
The beat of my heart continued to accelerate. "It's still dangerous, Drake. You destroyed Dimitry. What if they want retribution?"
The evil bloodsucker had threatened to get rid of Drake and kill everyone I cared about if I didn't agree to have sex with him and offer my blood. I had no physical proof of his threat, so it was my word against the ancient member of the VETOV. Naturally, they would have believed him instead of a half-demon. Before Drake left France, he made sure Dimitry couldn't harm me or hold true to his word.
"I'm sure there will be a price that I will have to pay, but I will explain the situation to Nassar. If I step forward and show we are interested in negotiating, it gives a chance."
I shook my head. "It's not worth it. I think you should stay here. Or we can move again if you want." Moving was a hassle, but if it kept us together and happy, I'd go anywhere at anytime with him.
"I want to try, Jessie. I know I can make this work," he said confidently.
"What if you can't?" I swallowed hard. I sensed he'd already made a decision.
"I'm not a fool. I have back up plans."
I lowered my head. My suspicion was confirmed. He knew the risk and had assurances in place in case he failed. No matter how much we talked, he would still leave. Because he loved me, he thought he could free me from his own kind.
He tightened his grip on my hands. "I'm going to set up separate international accounts for you. I don't want you to have to worry about money. Secondly, we're going to set specific meeting dates. I'll give you a list of dates, locations, and times. The first will be in ninety days, the next one at six months. If I don't show up, the next meeting will occur annually. Each will be at a different place. I'll also provide you with names and contact information of the people I trust."
Tears began to build in my eyes. He'd thought of everything. I lifted my eyes to meet his. "Drake—"
"I love you, Jessie." He placed his hand on my cheek. "I know the risk, but you are worth it. I want us to spend eternity together, free from any threats."
The word eternity generated a sharp pain in my heart. I blinked and a tear fell from one of my eyes. I'd agreed to let him try to turn me sometime after I was twenty-eight, which was a little over a year away. Now, I regretted putting it off. I feared I might never get the chance again.
I swallowed the lump in my throat. "Please stay."
"I want to at least try."
"You promised you'd nev
er leave me. You promised." Yes, I was begging. I was desperate. My heart ached to hold onto him.
He kissed my lips gently. "I will make this work. I will set you free. And I will return to your loving arms. You'll see."
As much as I wanted to believe him, I couldn't. My instinct warned me that no matter how hard he'd fight to save me, the ancient powers that be would stop him. Because he'd worked for them for so long, he believed they still had a piece of righteousness within them. He also held onto hope. I’d lost all mine when they said I had to agree to their terms or they'd force me to live on an island alone with a vampire I despised. They planned to keep Drake and me apart and use me to claim the souls of bad vampires under their supervision. They considered me a threat to them. What did an enemy do to those who were dangerous? They killed or used the person.
Bastards. They could all rot in Hell. I didn't believe for a second that they'd changed their minds.
I took his face into my hands. "Because you've known them for centuries, you don't see them the way I do. You overlook their flaws. Stop doing that. They are not to be trusted. And if you go…" I paused to swallow. "I fear I will never see you again. I can't say this strong enough, Drake. I feel this is wrong."
He wrapped his arms around me and squeezed. I buried my nose in his locks, near his neck. His rosemary cedar wood scent filled every breath I took and I couldn't get enough of it.
"Don't go," I said.