Bound by Blood (The Garner Witch Series)

by P. A. Lupton

  “No, do not move. Wait a few minutes until you heal completely. I think I broke your ribs,” he said, wearily.

  “Yeah, well, since I stabbed you in the heart, I think we’re more than even.” I chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. “You think we need couples therapy.”

  “I should have never used my full strength and speed on you.”

  “Did you use your full strength and speed?”

  “Yes, I did. If I were withholding anything, you would have stopped me cold with your mental attack. If you were fighting a human, you might have killed them with the force of what you pushed into me,” he admitted, proudly. “The knife was nothing compared to that.”

  “So, you were using your full strength, and I managed to get the knife in your heart. That makes me feel a little better.”

  “I feel better, too. Knowing you can hold your own against this killer. I am still terrified, but at least I have hope now that if he does manage to get you alone, you are quite capable of defending yourself against him.”

  He helped me up, and we decided to relax for the afternoon before heading back to the city.

  Chapter 15

  “I can’t believe you’re making me do this.”

  “You promised Reece.” Morrison reminded, wearing a purely predatory smile. It was Monday afternoon, and he was calling in the favor I owed him for covering for me the other day.

  “Okay, but you’d better not whine at me like a baby after I kick your ass.” I mocked.

  “No way are you getting the upper hand this time. You caught me by surprise last time.”

  Luckily for Morrison, he’d grown on me lately, so I took it easy on him while we sparred. Holding back significantly, I even took a few punches and kicks for the sake of his ego. Besides, it wasn’t too hard. After sparring with a vampire for the past few weeks, Morrison moved like a snail in comparison—and his punches—let’s just say, comparing Nathan’s hits to Morrison’s would be like comparing a Tank to a Beetle. But it wasn’t the pain that caused me to bristle. It was the slew of mocking insults and taunts that accompanied each blow. Still, despite everything, I had the last laugh when I took him down in minutes. The only difference between this and the last time I knocked him on his ass, this time there were no witnesses.

  Extending my hand, I helped him to his feet, “Good fight Morrison.”

  “You too, I have to admit, I’m glad we’re fighting on the same team. How is it that someone so petite, and so... beautiful, fights the way you do?” His tone had changed, and if I was more perceptive when it came to men, I would have recognized why.

  Shrugging off the statement, I turned away, avoiding eye contact while I grabbed my water. “I told you, I’ve been train—”

  Before I finished the statement, he caught me completely off guard when he captured my mouth with his. I was absolutely stunned. At first, my brain didn’t register what was happening. It wasn’t until I felt his tongue stroke against mine that I pulled back. Shit. If I’d have known his intention I’d have avoided the situation. God, this was awkward. “Um...Morrison...I’m seeing someone.” I said uncomfortably.

  He shook his head as if he just now realized what he’d done, then stepped back. “Reece? Oh god, I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me. Fuck. I think have a concussion or something.” He joked, clearly trying to lighten the uncomfortable atmosphere. “Do you think you can forget that this happened?”

  Relieved he’d taken the rejection so well, I elbowed him playfully in the ribs. “No problem, we’ll just chalk it up to endorphins from the fight.”

  He smiled at me gratefully. “Let’s get changed and get back to work.”

  Morrison was much more graceful about losing the fight than I expected, although that’s probably because we hadn’t had any spectators this time. He was also being very understanding about my rebuff earlier. When we were back on the road, headed to the medical examiner’s office, he asked, “So who’s this mystery guy you’re seeing and why haven’t you mentioned him until today.”

  Shrugging my shoulders, I tried to seem indifferent. “It’s no one you’d know, and you haven’t heard about him because I’m a private person.”

  “Now that I think about it you have been all glowy and moony lately, it must be pretty serious.” Raising one brow playfully, he cast me a sideways glance.

  “I guess so. I really don’t want to talk about it yet, I don’t want to jinx it. Can we drop the subject?” I hadn’t meant to snap at him so impatiently, but I just wanted him to stop prying. The last thing I wanted was him finding out the nature of my relationship with Nathan.

  “Sure, whatever you want.” He dropped the subject, but I could sense his suspicion brewing. Cursing myself for my reaction, because I’d just stoked his curiosity.

  ***

  It was close to quitting time and I was just getting ready to leave when my cell rang, “Hello”

  “Hello, Brianna.” Amazingly, even the sound of his voice on the phone caused my stomach to flip-flop.

  “Hi Nathan, is everything okay?”

  “Yes, I just called to let you know I have a meeting with an important client this evening and I will be late. My driver will be at the usual spot to pick you up. Will you be all right?”

  “Nathan, its sweet of you to be concerned but I’ll be fine, please go. And don’t worry so much you’ll get wrinkles.”

  He chuckled. The sound travelled through the phone stroking and teasing my skin. Suddenly, I was flashing to another time, when his lips were against my ear and the vibration of his laugh sent chills up and down my spine. Oh boy, I needed to focus. I shook my head and said, “I’ll see you later.”

  “Goodbye.”

  The office building was right in the heart of Denver, but I always had Nathan’s driver pick me up a few blocks from work so I wouldn’t be seen with him. On top of being his driver, he was also one of the top security guards at Donovan Security, and a vampire. In fact, Nathan’s guards consisted mostly of vampires, which was ideal since they were much more powerful than humans. It was one of the reasons Donovan Security was the best, and it was also the reason he felt more secure having a vampire protect me. Close to the car, I almost broke into a run but managed to keep my pace at a brisk walk. I refrained from looking over my shoulder as I slipped into the back seat, but it was difficult because I had the distinct feeling I was being followed. I hadn’t seen anyone, but I couldn’t shake the feeling—and I’d learned to trust my feelings.

  Just to be safe, I had his driver take a detour and drive us around aimlessly for a while until I felt fairly certain that I wasn’t being followed. Finally, after at least an hour, we arrived at Nathan’s building and parked in the underground garage. His poor driver probably thought I was crazy, but I didn’t want to alert him for no reason. I said goodnight and headed upstairs, feeling certain someone was close by.

  Suddenly, my eyesight tinged with a hazy red film as anger washed over me. Whoever was nearby, he was seething mad. But it was strange, despite the anger I sensed, I had a strong suspicion it wasn’t the killer. Whoever lurked nearby was angry, but there was no accompanying evil, and certainly none of the power I felt earlier. Hurrying to the elevators, I let out a relieved sigh as the doors closed and the car began to rise. The further I got from the basement, my panic and fear began to abate.

  Inside the apartment, I showered and changed into my yoga pants and decided to pass the time reading. With a glass of wine and my book, I plopped into the oversized chair next to the fireplace and had just begun to relax when the doorbell sounded. That was strange in itself, no one could come up to the penthouse without a key or if someone in the apartment released the lock on the elevator. I tried to glean whatever emotions I could from whoever was behind the door, but again I felt only anger. Maybe I was mistaken and it was the killer. Although, would a serial-killer ring the doorbell?

  What was I going to do?

  All of a sudden, I remembered the silver knife I carry in my purse
and ran quickly to get it and then returned. Crouching behind the door, I decided that my only shot would be a surprise attack. I unlocked the bolts as quietly as possible. Turning the doorknob, I yanked open the door and pounced, aiming my knife for the heart. It was just a split second, but luckily, I caught a glimpse of the person on the other side and managed to stop myself in time. Just. Dazed, I realized tip of my blade hovered precariously above Morrison’s heart. Holy shit, I’d almost killed my partner. With a look of pure shock he stood there, but soon, realizing he was out of danger, the surprise ebbed and was replaced by anger.

  “Reece” he said sharply, while brushing past me into the apartment.

  “Morrison...what are you...how did you find me?”

  “I think the better question would be what the fuck are you doing here?” Pure crimson, his face flushed and nostrils flared.

  “Morrison it’s not what you think.”

  “So you’re not sleeping with, and by the looks of it, also living with a person of interest in an FBI murder investigation?” He bit back sarcastically.

  “Well, I guess when you put it like that it is kind of how it looks. But I can explain.” I followed desperately. If Morrison went back to my superiors with this information, I could not only lose my job, but possibly be charged with obstruction of justice and go to jail.

  He guffawed loudly, his laugh dripping with disdain. “Need I remind you, that man is still a suspect? He was in contact with at least two of the four victims before they were killed, and even if he has an alibi he knows more than he’s told us. But maybe you don’t care as much as the rest of us about catching this killer. Maybe you only care about protecting your boyfriend.”

  “Finding the killer means more to me than you’ll ever know.” I yelled back, my rage and intensity caused him to pause, but his anger rebounded quickly.

  “Aside from not wanting to see your boyfriend go to jail, why would you care about catching this killer? I was obviously wrong about your loyalty.” He shot back, snidely.

  “You have no idea. This means more to me than anything. My very life depends on catching this killer!” I yelled back before thinking.

  His breath caught and he cocked his head to the side. After a thoughtful pause, he asked in a much more subdued tone. “What do you mean your life depends on it?”

  Resigned, I lowered my head and sighed heavily. I was going to have to tell him something. I decided to tell him about my family, but omit the fact that Nathan is a vampire. It really wasn’t my secret to tell, and I didn’t think he was ready to accept that little tidbit. “Morrison, sit down I need to get something out of the bedroom.”

  Reluctantly, he took a seat on the couch while I went into the bedroom to get the results of my DNA analysis. On my way back I grabbed him a beer.

  “Here, you’ll probably need this.” I handed him the beer and the paper. “Please understand I couldn’t tell you about this, no one would believe me. I’m placing my trust in you with a secret that could ruin me professionally.” Silently, I pleaded with him. Begging him with my eyes to keep my secret, hoping I wasn’t making a huge mistake.

  He looked at me and nodded his head. “You will tell me everything. If it’s not something that will impede this investigation, we’ll see about keeping your secret.” It was all he would promise, but I didn’t have much of a choice.

  As he read the paper, I began to explain. “The paper you’re holding is the result of a DNA test I ordered, comparing my DNA to that of our victims.”

  He read the paper, closely, until his head jerked up in surprise. “It says they match.”

  “That’s right... they’re my cousins. I had an inkling about the connection, but wasn’t sure until you requisitioned the tests and the lab compared the results.”

  “Did you know you were related from the beginning?”

  Massaging my temples, my fingers worked in circles easing some of the tension. “No. I found out some things in Chicago at my father’s funeral. . Nathan Donovan was there. I needed to verify that information, which is why I had my blood tested”

  “Nathan Donovan was at your father’s funeral?”

  “Yes. I was shocked too, but the strange thing was he was just as surprised to find me there. He was looking for James Burke’s daughter. He had absolutely no idea that I was his daughter.”

  “Why was he looking for you…or her?”

  “He told me I was in danger. Apparently, he was trying to find me to protect me, because he knew all of the other victims were relatives. His family and mine were close, they went into hiding years ago and he was trying to track them down to protect them from this killer. And before you ask, I did not just take his word for it, which is why I asked for the DNA test done. But as you can see, the tests confirmed what he told me.”

  “Do you know why the killer is after your family? What’s his motive?”

  “This is the part you are not going to believe.”

  “Try me.”

  “Okay, fine, I’ll tell you...” I took in a deep, fortifying breath before I continued. “He’s after my entire family for our blood. According to Nathan, I come from an ancient line of powerful witches. Over generations our power has increased, evidently making it a commodity. The killer is stealing that power through our blood.”

  “You’re sitting there telling me you’re a witch?” he looked at me with chagrin.

  “Yes that’s what I’m telling you. There’s something else you should know about me. I have the ability to sense people’s emotions, which has helped me tremendously in my career. For instance, I can tell that you don’t believe a word I’m saying.” I smiled over at him.

  “No shit Sherlock, of course I don’t believe you. You don’t have to read my mind to know that.” He retorted.

  “No. I can’t read minds just feel emotions that other people are feeling.”

  He snorted and rolled his eyes.

  “This is exactly why I didn’t tell you, but I can prove it to you if you want.”

  “You’re gonna have to if you want me to buy any of this.”

  Projecting a glamour was the easiest thing I could think to do to prove it to him. Closing my eyes, I concentrated, focusing all of my power the way Nathan taught me. A tingling sensation spread over the area I was focusing until I heard a gasp from Morrison. Opening my eyes, I saw him staring at me with a look of wonder on his face. I knew what he was seeing. I’d changed my long, brunette hair to a short, blonde pixie cut. “Holy fuck. How’d you do that?”

  “I told you... I’m a witch

  “Okay, I’ll admit that’s a cool trick. But that doesn’t prove anything you’re saying is the truth. Someone wants to steal your cool hair dressing parlor tricks, and they’re killing for it? I don’t buy it.” He stood to leave. “I’m afraid I’m going to have to tell SAIC Hunter about you and Nathan Donovan.”

  “No wait!” Frantic to get through to him, I quickly blasted him with a mild jolt of pain.

  His knees gave out and he fell to the floor with a strangled yelp.

  I ran to his side to help him up. “Morrison, I’m sorry. Are you okay?”

  Panting, he asked, “What the hell was that?”

  “I’m so sorry. I swear I didn’t mean to hurt you. I just needed to demonstrate my power for you so you’d believe me?”

  “You did that?” he asked in awe. I could feel the acceptance settling in… and then the fear.

  “Please don’t be afraid, I wouldn’t ever hurt you. That was just a mild dose. I—”

  “Mild? Are you kidding?”

  “No, I was trying not to hurt you. You needed to understand this isn’t a parlor trick. I have real power that can be used as a weapon, and someone out there is willing to kill for it.”

  “I’m not afraid,” he scoffed.

  “Morrison, I told you I can sense emotions, and that includes fear.” His emotions shifted, “and now I can sense your annoyance.” I glanced at him knowingly. “It comes in handy when I question
witnesses and I can tell if they are lying or telling the truth.” I helped him back onto his feet and followed him as he went back to the couch to sit down. I was pretty sure I had his attention now.

  “You’re a witch...really?”

  I nodded.

  “Holy Shit Reece.” The silence in the room stretched for a long time, he just looked at me for a few minutes. I respected the stillness and refused to say anything, allowing him the time necessary to process his thoughts. Sometimes after a shock, you just needed some space to think. After a span of time passed he spoke.

  “All right, I understand why you needed to keep the fact that you’re a witch a secret. I need to know how you know Nathan Donovan is innocent. Can you sense it?” His curiosity piqued.

  “Nathan was a friend of my mother’s family, and he also comes from a long line of witches. His family was wiped out the same way mine is being killed now, and he wants to help us. He’s the one who told me I was a witch. He did an unbinding spell to return my powers, and he’s been teaching me how to use those powers. He also let me know about the victims being related to me. But yes, I can sense that he’s not evil, and he’s telling the truth. He didn’t kill anyone.” I said it with conviction.

  He asked me a string of questions about witches, and my powers. I explained the unbinding spell, getting my powers back, how Nathan was training me to remain undetected by the killer, and what it was like growing up Empathic. I also threw him a bone and admitted that my psychic abilities have always helped me in a fight.

  “I knew it,” he said excitedly. “There is just something unnatural about a woman kicking ass like that.”

  Narrowing my eyes, I gave a soft laugh. “Don’t get too excited.”

  Overall, he was taking things better than I thought he would, but we hadn’t gotten around to the fact that the killer was a vampire yet.

  He drank down his second beer while we were talking and then opened the third and took a gulp before asking, “So how exactly does the killer steal power through your blood, is he a witch too?”

  “Are you absolutely sure you want to know more?” Proceeding cautiously, I gave him a chance to think about how much information he wanted me to divulge.