“Sure.”
“Kyle, dig up info on the sheriff. Also look through your arsenal of toys for anything that might be useful. Defense and Offense. Speak to Aaron about the safe house set up.”
“I’m on it.” Kyle was an amazing inventor, specializing in equipment used in our undercover work.
Garrett turned to Sash and Rick. “You two are with me. We’re going to NAVA headquarters to get more information on this nest. I’d like to know more about their history. Where did they move from? What’s their lineage? It should only take a couple of hours.”
“Okay, boss,” Rick said.
“Farrell…”
“I’ll stick like glue.” Farrell slid me a wary glance.
“What?” I glanced from Garrett to Farrell and back. “Another bodyguard?”
“Team member. No one in the field works alone. That’s the deal.”
“Fine. At least you aren’t sending me with Sash.”
“Hey!”
I held up my hands “Kidding.”
“Riiiiight.”
“We’ll be back from NAVA tomorrow evening. By then we’ll know more on all fronts and can meet up with Ethan and Kaera.”
“And me?” Liam spoke softly.
“I’m going to ask you for something difficult.”
He sighed. “I know already. I will go to Cascade. Kellie should see her family and perhaps I can get some information for you. Test the mood.”
“Thank you.” Garrett grasped the forearm of his closest friend, then turned to the rest of the team. “Thank you all.”
We sat around and shared stories for another half hour. Everyone wanted to know where Charlie was, but we gave them the same line we gave everyone else. Sash reported on how the school was doing. He beamed with pride, impressed with the student’s determination to work hard and learn quickly.
Somehow we got on the topic of Fin’s ability to control the citizens of Faerie who disagree with him.
“He’s three times more powerful than any other fae,” I said. “His aura is blinding when he uses magic.”
“Two points: Finvarra is not a vengeful person and isn’t likely to execute anyone or even imprison them for long. Everyone knows this. Some take advantage. Also, I know of one fae just as powerful, and she is most probably furious with him,” Liam said, scowling.
“Are you speaking of Fionna?” Sasha asked. “Isn’t she dead?”
Liam shook his head. “I don’t believe he executed either Kennet or Fionna. I’m speaking of Fionna’s mother, Queen Aine.”
“Fin told me Queen Aine is in Tir Na NOg,” The hair on my arms prickled.
“Fin came back. Why can’t she?” Rick asked.
“But who’d go against Finvarra?” I asked. “He’s the king.”
Liam sighed. “The fae who crave the false sense of security that would come if Charles is turned over to the monster who rules in the Demon Realm. Some residents of Cascade would be happy if Fin stepped down and gave power back to Aine. She’s ruthless and has led many battles against Naberia. My king abhors violence and dreads the coming war. He is grateful for Charlie’s leadership, where Aine will never allow it.”
* * *
After saying goodbye to our friends and co-workers, Garrett and I snuggled together in the swinging chair on the front porch. “I love our meetings. I’ve missed everyone so much.”
“We should get back to basics again soon. After the war.”
“Are our people ready? All of them?” Garrett knew I was speaking of the shifter, werewolf, vampire, witch, and sorcerer population who shared the human realm.
“We’ve done all we could to prepare them. It’s up to their leadership now.”
“Where do you think the battle will take place?”
“I’d like to have Fin take a look at Solo Island. If he and Charlie and maybe Khent can enlarge it or clone it, perhaps Naberia would accept the location. It would save so many innocent lives.”
“I have the smartest lifemate to ever walk the planet.” I crawled into his lap, straddling his thighs and facing him. Garrett’s eyes sparkled with the beginnings of passion.
“You’re just realizing this now?” he asked, leaning closer
I cupped his face and moved it around so I could examine each surface from every angle.
“What are you doing?”
“Picturing you on a dollar bill, master.” Garrett laughed loud enough to startle two of Sinlae’s grandkids flying back to the garden.
“Sorry. My mate thinks she’s funny.” They giggled and sped away.
“You’d be a hero after the war. Lots of heroes end up on currency.”
“But I won’t be famous enough for a ten-dollar bill?”
“You can’t kick Hamilton off our money. He started the US banks.”
“So you’d kick off George?”
“You’re much more handsome. I can get you a powdered wig.”
“Those things itch.”
“You’ve worn one?”
“My father did a few times. He hated it.” Garrett immediately tensed, holding me by the waist and sliding us to the wooden deck of the porch. “Someone’s in the woods. Stay down.”
I wasn’t worried. Our warded property protected us against intruders and weapons. Whoever it was would have to be someone as powerful as Fin to get past our newly magicked borders and that wasn’t likely.
True to form my mate stood, blocking me. I appreciated his protective instinct, I did, but we were safe on the porch. I sent out a mental call to Sasha and Rick before standing, something Garrett had probably already done. They contacted us a few seconds later, saying they were in the woods behind the three vampires.
“Jackie.”
“You’re standing so I’m standing. We’re safe.”
Garrett huffed out a breath, then spoke. “Step away from the woods and show yourselves.” Garrett used what I called his take-no-shit voice.
“Our friend is hurt. Can you help us?” The speaker sounded young.
“Come out in the open.”
Three vampires slunk from the woods. Two of them supported the third, a wounded male, his arms slung over their shoulders. Blood stained the chest of his shirt.
“Don’t move past the first stone in the path. Our house is warded.”
“He needs blood.” The female shivered even though the temperature was mild for this time of year. She needed blood too.
“Are you from a local nest?” Garrett asked.
“We left home a few months ago.”
“As humans?”
“Yeah, but things weren’t going so great. A lady and man fed us a few times, then turned us. Left us at an encampment and said something about waiting for a shipment. That they’d be back for the fitting.
“Where is this encampment?”
“A secret spot near Prairie Creek State Park,” the male answered.
“You don’t have a nest?” Garrett asked, looking much more concerned.
“None of us do. We live free.”
“You feed on humans?”
“Yeah…” The young male stared down at his feet.
The female cut in. “Only if they say yes. Shifters too. A lot of them live in the encampment. We barter for blood.” She talked at turbo speed.
“What do you barter with?” I asked.
“We bring them food. Blankets. Tents. Stuff like that.”
Somehow I doubted newly made vampires living on their own without leaders would have the self-control to always ask for permission from blood donors. And where did they get the food and blankets?
“Why are you this far north?” Garrett asked
“Things were getting bad there. Some of the older vampires were hurting the weaker ones. They said our makers may never come back. We ran.”
“What is the name of the vampire who turned you?”
“It was a couple. They hardly talked to us. The male turns the girls and the female turns the boys.”
“Girls and boys
?”
“I’m fifteen,” the girl said. “Dina. I’m… I’m Dina.”
“Sixteen,” the boy answered, tilting his head toward the injured boy. “Jose’s fifteen too.”
“They kept us in cages except, you know…” The girl looked away. Turning a vampire wasn’t something you could do in a cage. According to Garrett, if the human was unwilling, he was often strapped down.
“Where do you rest during the day?” I asked.
“On the…road we dig holes and c…cover each other up.” Her teeth chattered.
Garrett sent Sash and Rick orders to move forward. One of them must have gone back for blankets which they draped over the teens.
“Jose’s lost a lot of blood.”
“What’s your name kid?” Sash asked, throwing a blanket on the ground then taking Jose from the boy’s arms and placing the injured teen on the ground. Rick circled to their other side to examine the boy’s injury.
“I’m Matt. This your nest, Garrett?”
“I told you to call him Mr. Cuvier, dumbass.” Dina pronounced Cuvier as coo-vee-err.
“This is Sasha and Rick. And Garrett is fine.”
“Are there more refugees?” I asked.
“Yeah. Around eight came with us, I think. They’re on the crescent beach,” Dina said.
“Shit.” My eyebrows rose in surprise. “Something else to take up with the masters at NAVA. “How long has this couple been making vampires?” Garrett asked.
“At least a year.” Dina said. “We came to find you,” Matt said. “We heard you were in charge of all the vampires.”
“Thought you could stop them from forcing any more humans to turn.”
“Kid’s in bad shape, boss. Shot with silver. Needs blood.” Rick cradled the young male in his arms.
“Rick, please lay Jose on the porch. Sash, I need bandages, disinfectant and warm water.” I turned to Garrett, sending a private message. “Can you get a few donors for them?”
“You a doctor?” Matt asked.
“That’s Mrs. Cuvier, the healer Mr. Cuvier is mated to,” Dina said.
“I’m Jackie.” I kneeled beside the teen. “He’ll go into shock if we don’t get blood into him fast.”
“Angel, I’ll get the young male a blood donor. You don’t need to…”
“A blood donor won’t be enough if the bullet was silver. And you can stop trying to convince me not to get involved because nothing you say is going to work. These are children!”
Sash was back with water, disinfectant and bandages, Elle by his side. The other two teens hovered over me. “Dina, Matt. Sit on the bench by the window and do not move.” They obeyed instantly.
I rinsed the angry wound, then placed the flat of my palm on his chest. Closing my eyes I sent demon magic mixed with healer to the site. The bullet missed his heart but had clipped a lung and was now only inches from exiting his back. I could actually feel a lump below his shoulder blade.
“Hold him on his side.” I raised my hand and a moment later the hilt of my dagger was clutched in my palm. “Disinfect this area. I’m making a place for the bullet to exit.”
Rick assisted and with a little magical telekinesis the bullet made its way to the hole I’d created, sliding out onto my palm. We disinfected again and bandaged the wound, then turned him onto his back.
The injury to his lungs was already beginning to heal as was the entrance wound. Vampires didn’t need to breathe, but any injury with silver could be life threatening. Elle poured more disinfectant and I did my best to make sure the wounds sealed up without scarring.
“You can bring them inside,” I said, holding the front door open.
“Donors will be here in five minutes.” Garrett tucked his cell phone back in his pocket. I’ve also called several nests in the area. They’re sending vampires to collect them,” Garrett said.
“Great.” We didn’t have any place on the property to keep a group of newbie vamps.
“No! We live free.” Dina’s face scrunched up like she might cry.
“Vampires cannot live free when newly made. It’s too dangerous. Come inside and get warm.” Garrett pointed toward the living room.
The donors arrived, did their jobs and refused the payment we offered. The three teens lost the gray cast to their skin almost immediately and were chatting happily now.
When the dogs barked Garrett took down the ward long enough for the vampires to enter our front yard without injury. Rick opened the door and Sash stood behind Garrett on his right side, the standard position for a master’s second-in-command. I took up position on his left.
Elegant and dangerous in their own right, four vampires bowed to Garrett as they entered. “We are here, master,” the last one spoke.
“These four are their masters’ second-in-command. It would be a sign of disrespect to send anyone lower in status.” Garrett reached to his left, grabbed my hand and pulled me beside him. “As my mate, you are my equal, beloved.”
Rick took a place to my left and slightly behind me. “Wow. It’s like we’re lining up our chess pieces,” I sent. And I was so gonna tease him about the master thing later.
After questioning them to find out who belonged to what nest, Garrett asked if one master would be willing to allow the three teens to go together to the same nest. One of the vampires stepped forward. “We have sufficient room and would welcome these three younglings.” He had a pleasant face and a soft voice. Not at all threatening, although I’m certain in battle he’d be as frightening as any experienced vampire.
“You are to treat them with extra care. They were kidnapped and turned too early. I expect regular reports on their health and I will be stopping in to check on them.” Garrett wasn’t leaving any room for doubt. What had been done to these children was an executable offense.
“Yes, master.” The vampire glanced down, showing respect with his body as well as his words.
“I will also send a generous gift for your nest to enjoy. Have your master, Claudius, contact me tonight.”
The vampire raised his head and grinned. “Yes, master.”
Garrett’s gifts were usually the latest in tech or a major repair on their house. He’d even been known to pay off mortgages or fund an extension on their home to make room for more vampires. These days, most vampires worked from home to support their nest, at least in Garrett’s territory. Stealing what they needed was no longer allowed.
Garrett turned to Dina, Jose and Matt. “You three are to respect and show courtesy to your hosts, including their mates. They will treat you well if you do. You’ll learn rules you must follow, not only to survive in this world as an undead citizen but to survive within the nest itself. None of the older vampires will put up with whiney, angsty teens for long. Fair punishments are allowed. Do you understand?”
“Yes, master.”
“You don’t have to call him that, Jose.”
“Oh. Sorry. What about the others?”
“You said eight?” I turned to Dina.
“Eight or nine.”
“These three vampires represent three other nests. Their masters have agreed to take two or three of your group to their homes. Like with you, they’re willing to train your friends. To give them the help they need to gain the protection of a reputable nest. But like with you, if they continually show they cannot be trusted, they’ll be executed.”
“Executed?”
“Yes. The master vampire will contact me and I’ll make the decision.”
“You wouldn’t…”
“I would. We do not harm humans, shifters or any other supernatural beings unless we are attacked and have no other choice. That is the First Law of my territory. Anyone who refuses to obey it will be executed humanely.”
The trio of teens turned pale, only this time it wasn’t for lack of blood. Garrett leaned closer. “I know the masters of these nests. They’ll be kind as long as you understand you’re at the bottom of the hierarchy and must earn your place if you are to advan
ce.” Garrett smiled. “I believe in you. You’re survivors. Believe in yourselves.”
“Can we call you?” Dina asked.
Garrett hesitated. “You can email me and I’ll respond, but don’t take advantage of this gift. My time is valuable.” Garrett turned to Claudius’s second. “I’ll discuss this with Claudius when he calls.” The vampire nodded.
Garrett turned to the others. “Please gather the other teenagers and divide them between your nests. No one should go to a nest alone. I will expect to receive a call from each of your masters tonight.”
They nodded.
“What I told him applies to your nests, including my visits and the gift.”
All three smiled, but only the tallest one stepped forward. “We will do as you say, master.”
They left with the kids and I sank onto our comfy couch. “Vampire meetings are so freakin’ stressful. It’s the overboard formality.”
“Aaron talks about how his wolves need discipline, but it’s even more true for vampires. The formality keeps them in line.”
My gaze slid to Sash and Rick, sprawled on our matching armchairs.
Garrett laughed. “If one of these dunderheads had broken one of the rules I laid out at the beginning, I’d have pulled the master card.”
They jumped up in unison and bowed.
“Yes, master.”
“Yes, master.”
“Sit down,” Garrett grumbled.
“Yes, master.”
“Yes, master.”
“You guys look like bobble heads.” I laughed.
“Fun’s over. Get out.”
“Yes, ma—”
“Now!”
They ran off at vamp speed, the sound of their laughter quickly fading away.
“It wasn’t all that long ago we were bowing to Eleanor.” Garrett sighed. “It’s good to see them happy.”
“Isn’t it against the code to turn teenagers?” I asked.
“Punishable by death.”
I shuddered and Garrett drew me closer, kissing the corner of my mouth so I couldn’t help but turn it up in a smile.
“Change in plans,” he whispered. “Will you come with me, Sash, and Rick tonight to NAVA? I’ll include Farrell in our group and we’ll leave around four a.m.”
“What time is it now?”
“Around eleven.”
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