Jared clicked the file closed and skimmed through her photo files. There were plenty of images she used for articles or places she had gone but none with people she knew. Some seemed to be images she most likely found on a search engine, namely a few of him, which brought a smile to his lips. It wasn’t until he stumbled across a file named simply “Me”that he found what he was searching for. He set the pictures to play as a slide show and sat back in his chair. Her dark chocolate eyes flecked with gold called to him in every photo.
Jared could have sworn he heard her say, “Please help me.” He frowned. Glancing around the room, the only one he saw was Zephyr leaning on the doorway.
He inclined his head toward Jared. “How are you feeling? Think you might be up for a little sparring?”
Jared rubbed a hand over his face. “I don’t know, maybe. I’m just distracted. Alex hasn’t called. She hasn’t returned to her apartment, and I’m starting to think it isn’t because she doesn’t want to, or she’s on some assignment. She’s in trouble, Z.”
“I understand how you feel, but you have to remember she had a huge shock from the stuff she saw. You said so yourself. You can’t expect every human to understand.” He crossed the room to sit on the corner of the desk, glancing at the slide show.
“Z, she is a part of this world. She was starting to understand, starting to realize what she was. Alex wouldn’t have left without a trace like this.” He made a move to click the file closed, but Zephyr shifted the laptop to face him.
“Is this her?” When Jared nodded, Zephyr frowned at the screen. “Why is it, I feel like I know her? Have I met her somewhere?” He glanced at Jared and back at the screen. “I’m sure I recognize her.”
Jared smirked. “I hope you do. You see her father in the mirror every day.”
Z’s eyes slowly met Jared’s. His brain processed what he said. “She’s my daughter? How is it possible?” Before Jared could answer him with a wise-ass remark, he held a hand up. “Not what I meant. I know how it’s physically possible. I just don’t understand when it happened. She can’t be any more than…”
“She’s twenty-eight, Z. It didn’t take me long to put the pieces together. You apparently had a one-nighter with one of your meals. The woman wound up pregnant. Unfortunately, her mother didn’t survive the birth and Alex was placed in foster care. She fell off the radar of the Dark Order because her birth was never reported; thus she was never properly introduced to her heritage. Not like I was either.” He watched Z, drumming his fingers on the desk.
“We already went over this. I was given a direct order by Semiramis to find you a safe home, which I did. I took it upon myself to make sure you could defend yourself. You are trained better than anyone I have ever commanded, even better than Xavier. You had to be. The only thing you lacked was a pair of fangs, and trust me, you didn’t need them. You have always been more like family to me than any full-blooded vampire could ever be.”
Zephyr paused the slide show with a flick of his wrist and lifted the computer onto his thigh. The picture showed Alex concentrating deeply, writing in a journal. Her glasses had slipped down her nose, and her hand was coming up to push them back, the pen still scribbling away. What he wouldn’t give to know her thoughts. Zephyr couldn’t tear his eyes from the picture, and although he had never heard her voice before, he was sure she was trying to tell him something.
“Do you have any clues where to start? I plan to be there when we find her. It’s time I met my daughter.” He returned the laptop to the table. “Besides, I have a few things to tell her about you before you get your hooks in her.” Zephyr flashed him an evil grin.
“Yeah, okay. And on that note, I figured the one to ask is Tony. He has this problem with me since I came home. Maybe…” His voice trailed off. Zephyr’s cell phone buzzed. Jared watched Z’s brows draw together at his newest text message. “What?”
“We don’t have very far to look. I think I know who has her. What the hell is she up to this time?” He tossed the phone to Jared so he could read it. “Seems your sister needs to see me regarding a ‘pet problem’, or so she says. Thing is, Absinthe doesn’t have any pets of the four legged kind. She collects humans to do her dirty work or torture. Which could mean only one thing.”
Jared tossed him the phone and finished his thought. “She has Alex. Great. I know the two of them had a run-in at the gala in November. What could she possibly gain by taking Alex hostage? There’s no way she could know about your connection, is there?”
Zephyr thought for a minute and clipped his phone on his belt. He knew exactly how Absinthe figured it out. He just wished he didn’t have to say it aloud. “The only way she could have known would be to taste her. Her blood would carry a marker any vampire could pick up. It’s useful in identifying family members when needed.”
Jared smirked. “So my suspicions were true. You and Abs are an item?” He watched Zephyr become more uncomfortable. “Hey, it isn’t like the two of you are subtle. I’m sure dear old Dad has his own ideas on the matter.”
Zephyr grimaced. “Don’t go there. If his Majesty knew what we were doing, he’d have me staked out at dawn until I was nothing more than ash in the wind. Do you have any idea how a third degree burn feels all over your body? If I’m lucky, maybe I’ll die from the pain before the burns eat into my brain.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone.” He shut the computer down. “What is our battle plan to get Alex home safely? Please tell me that you have an idea.”
Zephyr cracked his knuckles, eyes giving off a golden glow. “Of course I do, Copil. First, tell me how well the ninja studies have been going.”
Twenty-Three
JARED, LANCE AND ZEPHYR PARTED WAYS SOON after they did a scout of Absinthe’s property. There were so many places Alex could be held; it made Jared’s head spin. He and Lance decided to start with a canvas of the perimeter. It was the least likely to conceal a prisoner, but then again, he had a hard time thinking like a lunatic.
Jared parked his silver Screaming Eagle Harley in the dense woods at the far corner of the estate. He picked his way through the underbrush with Lance in wolf form at his side. They paused at the edge of her lawn. There were no out buildings this far from the house, but Zephyr mentioned the entrance to an underground tunnel nearby. She had it installed on the off-chance she needed to get out in a hurry. Now it was going to be their way into her compound.
They were about to skirt the lawn to locate the concealed entrance when Lance’s ears pricked up. He let out a huff, nudging Jared with his nose. Following the direction of Lance’s attention, Jared saw a couple of ATVs approaching fast over the crest of a hill. Jared ducked behind a large maple tree and Lance slinked off, taking cover in the underbrush. The only way Jared knew his location was the amber glow of Lance’s eyes.
The four-wheelers pulled to a stop. He leaned forward to peek around the trunk and gave Lance a hand signal to advance. He saw his friend circle closer and slip out of sight. When Absinthe’s men began combing the area where Lance had been hiding, he let out a silent curse.
There were two of them, most definitely vampires. He read their aura.
The Hobbit was short and stocky. He rolled up his ski mask. Jared grimaced. Vampires were typically beautiful creatures, this one appeared to have gone a few rounds with Tyson. His nose was disjointed and swollen. Black eyes sunk in eye sockets making him appear more zombie than vamp. Not the image one expected when envisioning their species.
Goliath, on the other hand, was roughly seven foot tall. Like the Hobbit, his features were distorted and broken. Either they beat the shit out of each other on a regular basis or his lovely sister was to blame. The more likely scenario was the latter. Jared already knew Absinthe had a mean streak. It wouldn’t be beneath her to torture the very people who worked for her.
He withdrew the miniature crossbow from under his duster and aimed it at the chest belonging to the closer of the two. Holding his breath, he waited. Seconds dragge
d on. They poked a pile of leaves. The taller of the two inhaled a large whiff of air and pivoted slowly to stare in Jared’s direction. Jared’s finger tightened on the trigger. They came closer and just when he thought they found him, the Hobbit tapped Goliath on the arm, waving him back to the ATV’s. Jared let out the breath he was holding and released the pressure on the trigger. He stopped lowering the bow when he overheard them speaking in hushed voices.
“There’s definitely someone out here. I picked up his scent.” Hobbit glanced over his shoulder in Jared’s direction
“I did too. But it’s not human or vampire. Maybe a were?” Goliath shrugged.
“No, not a were. I’m positive. The Mistress needs to know.” They nodded in agreement.
Lance was on the move the second Goliath reached for the radio. He never had a chance to press the call button. The wolf pounced, its jaws locked around his throat. Blood splattered over the light dusting of snow on the lawn. Lance clawed at Goliath’s chest, never releasing his hold on the vampire’s neck. It wasn’t long before Goliath grew still, a ravaged bloody stain on the pristine late winter snow. Lance let go, blood dripping from his mouth. He lifted his head to get a bearing on Jared.
The Hobbit pulled a dagger from the sheath on his belt and advanced in Jared’s direction. Jared took aim and fired off the crossbow. The arrow caught the vampire in the shoulder. He hissed, baring his fangs and dove at Jared. The sentry landed a blow to his jaw. His head jerked to the side. Hobbit snapped his teeth at Jared’s neck.
“Not today, asshole,” he growled, tossing the vampire off him, easily flipping to his feet.
Jared kept his eyes trained on the sentry. They circled one another slowly.
Hobbit curled his lip and palmed a dagger, tossing it at Jared’s chest. Catching it in midair, Jared twirled it in his fingers. “You fight like a child, do you know that? It’s a shame to waste my energy on you, but if it means cutting you down to get to Alex, c’est la vie.”
The sentry backed up a step. “What the hell are you?”
Jared laughed, calmly following Hobbit’s retreat. “Why? Are you scared?”
Jared struck with lightning speed, landing a kick to the sentry’s skull and knocking him into a tree. As he tried to regain his balance, Jared’s hand grabbed his throat. He held him pinned to the trunk, his feet dangling. Jared didn’t give the man a chance to scream. He buried the dagger in his black heart and watched him fall to the ground. In a flash of light, he was gone. “Yeah, exactly what I thought.”
Snow began to fall. He stepped over the remains of the vampire he killed. He retrieved the crossbow and reloaded, slipping it back inside his coat. Glancing at the sky, he was thankful for the snow for the first time in his life. The thick cloud cover would be a blessing come morning if they didn’t make it out in time. Jared didn’t want to think about it now. He had too many other things to worry about. His main priority was getting Alex out of this hell-hole alive.
He slid the dagger up his sleeve as he walked over to the ATV. Lance joined him transforming into human form. There was a voice coming over the radio asking for the sentry’s report. Jared picked it up and cleared his throat, holding a hand up to keep Lance quiet.
“ Patrol, what is your location?”
“North-east quadrant,” Jared replied.
“Radar picked up intruders over there. What did you find?”
“It was nothing. A stray dog wandered into the brush on the perimeter. We ran it off.” Lance punched him in the arm mouthing I’m not a dog. Jared ignored him.
“Are you sure there was nothing else out there? The radar picked up more than one hot-spot.”
“Affirmative. Just the dog. We’ll give it another once over.”
“Negative. Head over to Sector Three.”
“We’re on our way.”
Jared clipped the radio inside his coat. They hid the ATVs deeper in the woods, shutting them down and tossing one set of keys into the underbrush. Lance pocketed the other set. Once the snow covered the area no one would ever know they’d been out here, at least not until morning. By then it would be too late for anyone to do anything about it.
They didn’t meet anymore resistance and worked quickly, surveying the grounds for the underground entrance. Standing at the mouth of the gaping hole in the ground, Jared and Lance braced themselves for what they might find.
“I’m going in alone.”
“The hell you are.” Lance grabbed his arm, forcing Jared to face him. “It would be suicide. I didn’t come this far to watch you get yourself killed.”
“Not going to happen.” Jared yanked his arm away. “This is my fight, bro. I won’t have you be a casualty of it.”
“God damn it, Jared. You are making it extremely difficult for me to protect your ass.”
“My ass is just fine. At least Alex says so.” Jared smirked.
“That’s not what I mean, Jared. Don’t push me. You won’t like me when I’m pissed.” Lance growled.
“Listen hairball, either you guard the entrance on your own or I can beat the ever living shit out of you and make you stay. Your choice.”
Lance curled his lip. “You’d lose.”
“Try me.”
Lance glared and pointed a gloved hand at Jared. “Alright. I’ll hang back. But the second it gets too hot in there, you call me.” He transitioned into the wolf and began pacing, keeping an eye on the hole in the ground.
“I know you’ve got my back. Let’s hope we all get out of this in one piece.”
The wolf paused, inclined its head at Jared, and then resumed pacing.
Jared twisted away from his friend and stared at the hole again. Now or never. Stepping off the ledge, he dropped into it. He landed in a tiger’s crouch and waited for his eyes to adjust to the pitch black surrounding him. Once his vision cleared, he rose and picked his way through the cavernous labyrinth of passageways leading to the mansion.
“WHY AM I HERE, ABS?” Zephyr regarded her with bored indifference, draping his legs over the arm of a chair in her living room. “We both know there’s no mutual acquaintance between us. What do you want from me now?”
Absinthe drifted out of the shadow behind his chair. Her fingers trailed over his hand and up his arm. Pausing when she reached his shoulder, she leaned forward. Her warm breath caressed his ear. “We both know it’s a lie. I hold something you crave. The only question is, what are you willing to trade to have it?” She nipped his ear with her fang and pulled back.
“Okay Abs, I’ll bite. What exactly is it you have that I crave?” He linked his hands behind his head and watched her through hooded eyes. “I don’t need you to live.”
“No, you don’t need me.” She purred from behind him. “But I do need you, love. Which is why I have come into the possession of something you might find interesting.” She slipped around the front of his chair and straddled one of his legs, leaning over him to brace her hands on either side of his head. Zephyr sneered, the tips of his fangs dragged over his bottom lip. He inhaled her intoxicating scent. His groin tightened in response. Damn her.
Absinthe hid her amusement and rubbed against him. He could protest all he wanted, but she knew he’d submit to her will. He always did.
“Why do you fight, Zephyr? You know you can’t resist me.”
Zephyr’s hands encircled her waist, and he lifted her off his lap. He wasn’t in the mood for whatever game she had planned. He was here for one reason, to buy the kid time. Jared was their only chance of getting Alex out. Z needed to play nice, at least for now.
He stood up, towering over her. “I’m not here to be your amusement, Absinthe. In fact, I’m getting tired of you summoning me when you’re bored. Don’t you have another little pet to play with? Or should we find you one?”
She tossed her head back laughing and wagging a finger at him. “You have no idea how right you are. I happen to have a few pets lying around to amuse me. You would be interested in one of them. Shall I show you?”
He took a deep breath before meeting her gaze. “By all means, show me what secrets you hold, Princess.”
She took his hand in hers and led him out of the living room and down the hall to the kitchen. She pulled to a halt. Absinthe spun to face him, a black silk scarf in her hand. “Turn around for me, will you?”
He obliged, but not before scanning the room quickly for any hidden surprises. She draped the cold silk around his neck before covering his eyes with it, tying the scarf tight enough to make Zephyr curse. She spun him in a circle and positioned him to face her secret panel.
“What now, Abs? Pin the tail on the donkey? I don’t have time for this.”
She gave him a warning growl. “Don’t piss me off, Zephyr. I’m not as stupid as you think. Would I be foolish to lead you to her so you could tell them?” She brushed past him. He heard the click and creak of a door opening. “I know you didn’t come here without help waiting in the wings. Where are they? It isn’t the bungling shifter, is it? No, I don’t think you would trust him with this. Who is it, Zephyr?”
Absinthe pushed him off the first step. He fell against the wall and caught himself with his hands. “Why would I need to have anyone with me?”
He baby-stepped down the stairs. The heat from torches on the walls warmed his cheek as they descended. It would be easy to scorch her with one of them. Oh the pleasure it would bring him to see her suffer.
Zephyr kept count of each step. When he finally reached the floor, they were at least fifty feet below the surface. He sent a silent message to Jared. We are in her basement. Not sure where. It’s all up to you now, Copil. “Besides, the wolf annoys me more than he helps. I’d just as soon rip his throat out than let him live, if it wasn’t for…” Shit. He’d said too much
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