“I’m not being rash. I understand explicitly what I’ll face if I give into Isabella and marry her, but I intend to have measures in place to take her down before that god awful day arrives.”
Dominic replied, “You have them now, Nathan, or will shortly. Creating a defensive force against Isabella will be far more advantageous than an offensive one. It gives us better odds.”
Dimitri and Julia added their agreements. Nathan realized they were right. Giving into Isabella would not guarantee safety for those he loved and everyone else embroiled in this nightmare. Trying to bargain with a feral was a fruitless endeavor. Even if Isabella gave him her word she wouldn’t hurt those he cared about, she’d never honor it.
Moving to La Mond’s home might afford them time too, because Isabella couldn’t just Google the man’s location, provided she hadn’t extracted the information from Dimitri. It was a private vampire practice and private for good reasons. Nathan had to assume as a vampire doctor he couldn’t afford human entities sniffing into the business of a doctor of their kind.
“If I even had a ghost of a chance of reconciling with Mia, it’s over now if we do this. I know her too well. She’s ashamed of what she’s become and I’m sure trying to keep the truth from her girls.”
Julia laid a hand on his arm and said, “Call me a hopeless romantic, but your love for Mia will prevail. The muck you may have to trudge through to get there may be unbearable for a time, but if we survive Isabella, someday, I promise, you will have her by your side.”
Dominic said, “Surviving Isabella is the only issue on the table. All of you, just get there, then text me an address or GPS coordinates. Dad lined up the ground travel, Nathan, and I’ll be there with re-enforcements as soon as I can.”
Nathan stared at Dominic, then nodded once. “Very well.” He turned his attention to Dimitri and Julia. “Call him. If he isn’t amiable to the idea, we go get Mia and her children whether the bastard likes it or not.”
Julia looked troubled by what he left unsaid, but glanced at Dimitri. “Make the call, cher.”
Dimitri retrieved his phone from his pocket and did so. They waited silently while he explained the crisis facing them. When Dimitri finished, he smiled wanly, then said, “He has agreed.”
Nathan felt very little relief from that news. La Mond’s home would have been the last place he’d have chosen to set up camp against Isabella, but he had no time to come up with a better solution.
Once he ended the call with Dominic, he said to Dimitri, “We need to get ready. I have plenty of my own arms and we’re taking Jazerra too.”
Dimitri raised a brow. “I’m sure she’ll be none to pleased about this.”
Nathan gave him a pointed look. “She’ll be less pleased if Isabella gets ahold of her and drains her dry.”
The four of them arrived within the hour. The doctor opened the front door and walked outside before any of them exited Nathan’s black Navigator.
“Park it inside,” the doctor told him as an overhead on one of the bays lifted.
They entered through a side door into a kitchen. Mia stood at the end of a long, primitive harvest table, wringing her hands, still wearing that cursed wedding ring, he noticed. The silence between them all was palpable, fraught with tension.
Julia broke it. “Christian, Mia, we are all so very sorry about this. We would not be here involving you if this household wasn’t also at risk.”
La Mond nodded. “There’s only one set of shoulders to place any blame and that’s squarely on Isabella’s. Mia and I have talked about this at length and for now we work as a team, all differences aside.” The doctor shot him a sharp look.
Mia stared at Nathan with troubled eyes. “Nathan, do you have any idea how long it could be until she finds us? Can you think of anyway I can get my girls out of here before she does?”
He swallowed hard, aching to touch her, offer her a physical reassurance because he had no decent verbal ones. “Hours. Days. She enchanted Dimitri. How much information she sucked from him, we can’t be sure. Dimitri has been here and she may have learned that. I’ve already arranged for air transportation to fly all of you out of here, but it will take a bit of time. Ground transporting you now would not be wise when none of us know where Isabella is at the moment. If she should encounter you and your children in transit…” He broke off and cleared his throat, imagining the blood bath that would occur on the side of one of the dark, country highways between here and the city.
Nathan knew beyond a shadow of a doubt, Isabella worked on finding this place. The bitch had been right about one thing. Mia was his weakness and he had no doubt Isabella intended to use her to punish him for refusing to cave to her demands.
She pressed her fingers against her temples, turned and looked up at her doctor. “What do we do?”
“We fight.” He glanced between Nathan and Dimitri. “We need to get the women downstairs into the hospital. The way I constructed the lower level, a vampire wouldn’t be able to scent anything there, unlike the upper two levels.
Hopefully, that will protect them initially should she find us. When your men get here, station as many as you can afford with them and at the entrances leading there. Let me give you a tour of the house so you know all points of entry.” To Mia, he said, “Go wake your girls and take them downstairs.”
“Oh God, Christian, what am I going to tell them?”
“The truth, Mia. I’m sorry it had to come to this, but they have to understand the danger we’re all facing. I’ll help you with explanations as soon as I can. Just get them downstairs. Go to the nurses station. They’ll tell you where to take them.” Christian pulled his cell from the back pocket of his jeans, then began to make a call as he headed out of the room.
Nathan gave Mia one last glance, then followed the doctor, Dimitri by his side.
***
Mia couldn’t stop shaking. She glanced between Julia who appeared as terrified as she and Jazerra who just looked pissed.
“That witch,” Jazerra spat and glared at the bandage on Mia’s neck. “I’m sorry for what she did to ya, chil’.”
Mia nodded, then squeezed her eyes shut, trying to reign in her nerves for what she needed to do. The thought of that evil woman coming here, hurting one of her children…
“Mia? Will you pray with me?” Julia asked, softly.
Her eyes flashed open. “Yes,” she answered instantly. All the anger and bitterness she’d harbored toward the woman were long gone in the face of this disaster. She’d had a fast, rude awakening when Christian told her Isabella may be trying to hunt her down and use her to get even with Nathan. Mia quickly realized she needed the Lord’s help like never before. She also realized she no longer had the luxury of harboring hatred if she wanted her prayers answered.
She ran the following scripture through her mind and clung to it. Where two or more are gathered in my name, I am in the midst.
Julia held out her hand, Mia took it and bowed her head as Julia began. “Father God, we come before you to ask for your protection over this household and each and every soul involved in this crisis. We ask that you send your angels to help us battle the forces of evil. You’re Word says that whatsoever we ask in your name, if we believe, we will have it. I believe you, Lord, as does Mia. We stand now on your Word, because it is truth. Walk with all of us through these hours of darkness, strengthen our minds, souls and spirits to face whatever we must. We thank you in advance for answering this prayer and we ask it in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.” She looked up and smiled, then made the sign of the cross.
Mia gaped at her. The prayer was beautiful and spot on. She’d had no concept of the depth of Julia’s faith. Mia felt humbled because she’d judged her so harshly. Mia saw now that Julia had been caught in the middle between her and Nathan. Had Julia tried to tell her the truth about him, Mia would have never believed her anyway.
Jazerra said, “If your God answers prayer, He’ll answer that one. However,
I have my own methods against evil.”
Mia watched her walk over to a large bag she’d placed on the floor near the door where she’d entered. She bent over and extracted two large Mason jars. One held a white granular substance, the other a red powdered one. She took off the lids, then began shaking the contents in a thin line across all entrances in the room.
Next, she created a large circle in the center of the kitchen with the white stuff. “Stand inside this if she shows up and don’t leave it for any reason. It’s a protection circle. I’ll make them in other rooms too.”
Mia looked at Julia and raised her brows.
“Salt and I’m not sure about the other, but supposedly it prevents those who practice dark arts from being able to cross from the outside in or visa versa.” She lifted a shoulder in gaelic fashion as Jazerra headed out of the room with her jars. “It won’t work, cher. Isabella is too vain to worship anything but herself, even the devil.”
Mia laughed. “Yeah, that would be my take on her too. Come on. Let’s gather my girls and get downstairs. Lord only knows how much time we have.”
Mia rousted Chelsie first, knowing she’d make the least fuss. She told her to get dressed and meet her in the hallway. The girl looked sleepy and confused, but Mia told her she’d explain shortly, so Chelsie wordlessly crawled out of bed.
Dannie’s room was next on her agenda. Her edict didn’t go as well there.
“What’s going on, Mom?” She sat up in the bed, rubbed one eye and frowned at her, then the clock on the bedside table. “It’s four thirty in the morning. Even when we milked cows we didn’t have to get up this early. This is stupid. Come back around seven.”
She flopped down and tried to burrow beneath the covers, but Mia grasped her arm. “Now, Dannie. Get dressed and go to the hallway. When I have all of you together, I’ll explain.” Appearing none too pleased, she huffed and made a beeline for the bathroom.
Mia had saved the worst for last. When she gave Tiffany the same instructions, surprisingly, she didn’t get lip or attitude, rather worry. Tiffany was sharp and knew her well.
“This is bad, isn’t it? Did you break up with Christian?” she asked as she got out of bed.
“No, honey, but it is very bad. You’re sisters are waiting for you in the hall. I’ll explain everything once I have you together.”
Tiffany’s lips thinned and her drowsy eyes hardened. “What the hell have you gotten yourself into, Mom?”
The time for lies was over. “A huge mess. One way or another, we will get out of it. Now hurry.”
Chelsie, Dannie and Julia stood at the edge of the staircase leading to the great room. She heard Julia quizzing them about their lives and appreciated her ability to distract them.
Mia heard the front door open and nearly jumped out of her skin. Her eyes slashed to Julia’s, whose instantly filled with terror.
Chapter 15
Mia glared at Julia and knew from her expression she too feared Isabella had found them.
Julia sniffed once, then let out a shuddered breath. “It’s Dominic and the others.”
“Who’s Dominic?” Dannie asked.
“My wonderful, son. You’ll meet him shortly, cher.” She smiled, but her cheeks quivered and Mia knew it was from the sudden rush of fear they’d just experienced.
Tiffany was zipping up her jeans as she exited her room, her expression a mixture of irritation and worry. “Spit it out, Mom. What’s going on?”
“We must go downstairs,” Julia said, her tone urgent.
“Who are you?” Tiffany demanded.
“She’s my friend, Julia Chauvinski.” Mia started for the stairs, adding as she went, “All of you button your lips and follow me.”
Once they were in the great room, Julia walked over to a young vampire male with short, spiky, black hair and vibrant green eyes, replicas of hers. He was outfitted in camouflage, military-style attire. A dangerous looking automatic rifle hung by a leather strap from his shoulder. She could scent the ten other men as human. Christian had taught her how to tell the difference. They were similarly garbed and armed, standing around and behind the attractive young vampire near the front doors.
Mia knew instantly the man was her son. Except for his eyes, his resemblance to Dimitri was uncanny. Julia hugged him awkwardly around his weapon, pulled back and stared at him. Mia suspected they mind spoke. Christian told her parents of born vampire children automatically had this ability because of the parental blood bond.
Julia nodded, then turned and smiled at her and her girls, which told Mia that for the moment they were safe. Dominic and his men had apparently been outside searching for Isabella. Relief swept her.
“What the heck is going on?” Tiffany asked.
Mia turned and took stock of her three girls. Tiffany glared at the small army, her expression angry, a cover up for fear she suspected, which entrenched her other two daughters’ expressions.
The time for truth was at hand. “Girls. We are all in serious danger. These men are here for our protection.”
Before she could say more, Christian, Nathan and Dimitri entered the room, Jazerra moments behind them, now holding two empty Mason jars.
“What’s he doing here?” Dannie asked, glaring at Nathan.
“Why are all of you still up here, Mia?” Christian snapped.
Julia fielded that question. “Dominic just arrived. There hasn’t been time. But he has assured me the grounds are secure presently.”
“Okay, this is bullshit,” Tiffany exploded, slicing her hands in the air in front of her. “If somebody doesn’t tell me what the hell is up with this pitiful remake of a bad Van Damm movie, I’m going to be kicking someone’s ass real soon.” Her gaze narrowed on Nathan. “Something tells me you’re waist deep in this pot of shit. If so, you’re first on my list.”
“I am,” Nathan replied, soberly. “I have an enemy who has made it her mission to destroy me and the lives of everyone I hold dear or have association with. We are all in danger, which is the reason for the security.”
“Her?” Tiffany echoed. “All of this for some chick? Who is she? I’ll clean her clock.”
Mia answered softly, “A vampire. A very nasty, evil one.” She reached up and pulled the bandage off her neck. She knew the wound was still hideous, but she needed a physical factor to prove this unbelievable story.
Chelsie gasped and covered her mouth with her hands. Both Dannie and Tiffany took on nauseous expressions.
Mia used their silence to further her explanation. “Never in a million years would I have imagined there to be such things as vampires. Not in a literal sense anyway, but it’s true.”
“Okay, I don’t know what you’re smoking, mom, but you need a serious intervention,” Tiffany said, shaking her head, hands on hips.
“Enough, Tiffany Jane. And that goes for all of you. I have a story to tell and I need to get it done quickly. I mean it. Button your lips.” She shared a scowl between the three of them, which she’d used many times when her patience had expired.
Dannie said, “Go ahead.”
“One night several weeks ago, Nathan came into my restaurant. Long story short, he uhm…” She paused there and cleared her throat, words escaping her.
“I drank from her. I’m one too,” Nathan said, his tone frank. However, when he looked at her, his expression was sorrowful.
A mixture of disgust, disbelief and horror filtered into all of her girls’ faces.
Mia hurried to continue before they assaulted her with another barrage of questions. “I didn’t know he had done so at the time. I didn’t remember it and I had no idea he was a vampire until recently. It’s very complicated. I’ll explain later. Anyway, we started seeing each other shortly after I began working for him. Then one night we were out on a date. Afterwards we went back to his place and this woman vampire, Isabella, showed up. She did this.” Mia pointed to her neck. “I was dying. Nathan saved my life by giving me his blood. Christian has been taking care of m
e ever since. He’s not my husband. He’s my doctor. Both he and Nathan saved my life that night. Unfortunately, I’m no longer human. I am what most everyone here is. Vampire.” She gestured around the room.
“This is insane,” Tiffany muttered, her eyes as round with shock as her sisters’.
Christian stepped between Mia and her girls, adding, “It’s true, Tiffany, but being vampire isn’t what you might imagine. We are physical beings, not human, but a spin off species. Our DNA is so similar to that of humans, when our blood is introduced into the human body, they become one of us. We call it turning. That’s what happened to your mother. Nathan turned her. Had he not, she would be dead now.”
Julia said, “But your mother is still the same person she always was. She hasn’t changed inside. Her heart is still the same and I can clearly see she loves each of you immensely.”
Christian looked over them, his attention settling on Chelsie. “I don’t have time to explain the details of the science behind this, but consider what she suffers and what we all suffer as a blood disease. Our red blood cells don’t regenerate at the same rate human ones do. Therefore, we need human blood to aide us in the process. In this day and age, most of us take blood transfusions. I’ve been providing them for your mother since her attack. I take them too. So does Julia. However, some of us feed directly from humans because prior to modern medicine it was our only means of survival and it’s instinctual. Rest assured, doing this causes the blood donor no pain or harm. We’ve developed evolutionary methods to take what we need without a donor ever recalling the episode. Sadly, like humans, we have evil ones of our kind. You’re mother encountered one. I’m very sorry for that.”
For once, all three of her children appeared at a loss for words.
Dannie gained her tongue first. “Mom, you’ve always been the most settled, drama free person I’ve ever known. How in the world could you have gotten yourself into such a mess? I’m not buying any of this just yet, but even if what everyone’s said is true, how could you not see this guy was seriously bad news?” She hitched a thumb toward Nathan.
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