Southern Secrets (The Southern Series Book 2)

by Shelley Stringer

  “Come with me.”

  Uncle Lon and Aunt Sue rose and made their way behind Banton as Everett and I followed. Banton stepped out the front door, and then to the drive way. He looked first one way and then the other, checking the neighborhood to see if anyone was watching. Finding the street deserted except for the Aldon protectors watching the house, he walked over to the bumper of Aunt Sue’s SUV, placing his hand underneath. Everett nodded to him as if to say, “Go ahead.”

  Banton lifted the Suburban effortlessly, raising it to his waist and then gently placing it back on the ground.

  Uncle Lon stood frozen, his jaw dropped at a comical angle. “How did you do that?” he asked disbelievingly.

  Banton walked back over to the porch slowly and nodded to the Aldon as he ushered us back into the house. Uncle Lon and Aunt Sue walked silently back into the living room and sank down into the cushions of the sofa.

  “I didn’t know how else to convince you, than to show you a test of my strength.” He smiled apologetically at Uncle Lon.

  “Are you the only one of the SEALs who can…who has been bitten?” Aunt Sue asked.

  He shook his head. “John, Sam and Ty have all been bitten. They’ve all transformed as I have. And Chandler,” he added. Uncle Lon looked up at me swiftly.

  “Chandler! What! What do you mean?” Uncle Lon leaned forward as Aunt Sue placed her hand on his leg.

  “She was attacked and kidnapped right before the wedding. They had her several days, down in the tunnels before we were able to get to her and get her away from there. I had no idea she carried the gene, and when I discovered she’d been bitten, I thought she would die. Thankfully, she was all right and so were the babies.” Banton sat back down beside me and pulled me into his side.

  “That’s when you were in the hospital?” Aunt Sue asked as I nodded.

  “How does …how will it affect the babies?” Uncle Lon whispered, his eyes beginning to water.

  “We think the babies will be all right, they carry the gene Chandler and I do. Dr. Lane and Dr. Renault have done an amnio, and we go for the results in the morning,” Banton replied softly, leaning in to kiss my forehead.

  Aunt Sue turned to Constance. “Sweetheart, have you…” she began.

  “No, Momma, I haven’t been bitten. I’m fine,” she replied. Ty placed his arms around her. “But I have been kidnapped, with Chandler, right before Mardi Gras. The SEALs got to us in time. The Orcos drugged us, and were about to board us on a ship bound for Somalia when Banton and Ty showed up.”

  “Why do they want you so badly? Why would they…” Uncle Lon began, glancing back over at Banton. Aunt Sue sat in horrified silence.

  “Because they believe we can be turned to their purposes. We pose a threat, because we know how to fight them. They can sense the gene, and are drawn to us naturally. They are drawn to the girls, especially. Your family carries a gene they consider desirable, and they want the girls. Their leader is obsessed with Sange-Mele; he dabbles in voodoo, of an evil kind. He is interested in twins, we aren’t sure why…” Banton explained.

  “Do they know Chandler is carrying twins?” Aunt Sue asked, alarmed.

  “We think they do. And Dr. Renault believes, because of a variant of the gene your family carries, Constance and Chandler would breed the kind of offspring they are desperate for. We aren’t sure if they want them for research, or…well, our worst fear, actually,” Banton said quietly, but with a deadly tone to his voice.

  “Are you insane? Do you know what you’re saying?” Uncle Lon exploded. “I thought vampires couldn’t breed. What, have all these horror movies gotten it wrong all these years?” he asked sarcastically.

  Everett had been silent the entire time, but he spoke up. “Yes, basically they have, at least part of it. There is another aspect to this, which you need to be aware of. These creatures are humans who have been bitten, and turned into what you think of as vampires. They are mostly soul-less, mindless murderers, easily manipulated to do the bidding of these terrorists. A lot of them were murderers, rapists to begin with. They make easy prey on the streets at night, and the ones who aren’t killed, transform. Most of them are desperate to feel any human emotion that still remains, and the emotion they most often connect with is fear, anger…the adrenaline rush from torturing another. They cannot control their thirst.” Everett paused, watched their reactions.

  Then he continued, “There does exist another element of their kind. These other creatures are part of an ancient society who live among you as humans, born creatures who because of years of evolution can control their thirst, and only feed on animals and animal blood. They are stronger and more powerful than the Orcos, and they think of themselves…we think of ourselves as the protectors of humans. We are called Aldon.” Everett stated simply.

  “You’re…you’re one of these creatures?” Aunt Sue whispered, glancing back and forth, first at Banton and then to me and back to Everett.

  Mr. Philippe walked up behind Everett, and placed his hand on his shoulder. “We both are,” he replied.

  “Chandler walked into my little shop by campus the first day of classes, and I knew instantly she was a half-breed. She carried the gene, and I could sense it. I knew she might need protection, and when I came to visit her here at her house, I could smell Orcos had been here. I made it a habit to hang out here remodeling her little house, and we all became friends. But when Banton was wounded and bitten, the Aldon found him. We found it necessary to reveal ourselves to Chandler, to protect her and to help her understand what had happened to Banton.”

  I could tell Uncle Lon was still having a problem digesting all of this information, and he was skeptical. I sensed Everett was ready to prove to Uncle Lon he was what he claimed to be. I nodded to him and Mr. Philippe.

  Everett stood up beside Mr. Philippe, and both of them began to glare at Uncle Lon. As their eyes began to deepen in intensity, Uncle Lon gasped. Aunt Sue grabbed her neck, a look of horror crossing her face. Then when their fangs descended, Uncle Lon put a protective arm across Aunt Sue, much as a parent does to a child when they slam on the breaks of the car. Beau had been lying quietly at Banton’s feet, but at the sight of the Aldon display, he stood, the hair on his back raised as he began to growl. Everett sensed my Aunt and Uncle had been properly alarmed, so his eyes dimmed and both Aldon retracted their fangs. He leaned down and smooched to Beau. “He hates it when I do that, don’t you big boy. Good boy,” Everett crooned to Beau as Beau began to wag his tail and sniff at Everett’s hand.

  “So you…the two of you are helping to guard the girls?” Uncle Lon almost whispered his question.

  “Yes, along with about seven or eight others who come and go. We take shifts, helping the SEALs watch the girls, and escorting them to campus or wherever they need to go. Mr. Philippe, Stephan, or I are always with them, night and day. Since John’s wife was attacked in N’awlins and the girls were kidnapped, we are taking extra precautions.”

  Uncle Lon sat silent for several moments, processing all we’d told him. Aunt Sue continued to cry quietly beside him, overwhelmed with all of the danger we’d been in.

  “Do we…my wife and I…do we carry this gene, too?” he asked Everett.

  “You don’t, Mr. Lon. Mrs. Sue does, however. She and Chandler’s mother both carried the gene, for both of the girls to have it. I sensed both your sons have it as well. It’s a glow you put off an Aldon or Orco can sense. It wasn’t as strong with Constance as it is with Chandler, so we had her tested to be sure.”

  Ty spoke up then. “I didn’t want her to be around any of us, unless I knew she carried the gene. I thought it was only the SEALs drawing the Orcos, I didn’t realize at the time they wanted the girls.”

  Banton rose and spoke to Uncle Lon again directly. “You need to be aware, for your sons’ sake. They would most surely be at risk if they are around any of us, or if they cross paths with any of these Orcos.”

  “Oh, I wouldn’t want to tell them unless we have
to. Cade already wants to be a SEAL, like Banton and Ty. Drew would just want to be bitten for the excitement. I could just imagine it…” Mrs. Sue shook her head as Ty chuckled.

  “Maybe it won’t be necessary. We are working so hard to keep all of this under wraps, and to keep the Aldon involvement a secret. You absolutely have to keep this to yourselves, please. Your discretion is of the utmost importance. The Navy doesn’t even know about us, well…except for this little SEAL team.” Everett walked over and took Aunt Sue’s hand in his. She glanced at his hand worriedly, and then nervously smiled at him.

  “If we did tell anyone, who would believe us? They’d cart us away to the funny farm.” Uncle Lon shook his head and then handed his empty glass back to Banton.

  Banton poured another round of drinks for everyone, and then sat back down beside me.

  Aunt Sue continued to watch everyone in the room closely, obviously having difficulty processing everything we’d revealed to her the past hour.

  “Aunt Sue, I’m sorry. I know this is a bit much to consider. I’m still having trouble processing some of it, and I’ve known about this for months. I’m so sorry we’ve had to spring all of this,” I tried to apologize as she took a deep breath.

  “I’ve worried so much about the two of you, and whatever could be going on to put you in such danger, but…I had no idea you were dealing with a real-life horror movie! It’s so much worse than what I’d even imagined!” she whispered, her voice trembling.

  “Why can’t you all just split up and hide the girls out for a while?’ Uncle Lon asked.

  “Navy Intelligence feels, and so do the Aldon, the safest place for them is here where we can join forces and protect them. The Aldon have thwarted several attempts to take the girls by sheer numbers, attempts we weren’t even aware of,” Banton explained. “When I took Chandler to Colorado, the Orcos followed us there, and attacked us simultaneously with Brie and John in Las Vegas, and Ty and Constance here at the house. It was highly coordinated, and it might have been easy for them to track Chandler and I, but John and Brie’s trip was an unplanned, last minute decision. Ty and Constance hadn’t planned to be here at the house, either. Then when we all came to N’awlins, we took special precautions, separate routes, rented cars…” Banton trailed off.

  “And we were still attacked,” I finished.

  “Although we do think they had someone on the inside,” Ty added as he glanced at Everett.

  “Even so, he is no longer among us, so it shouldn’t be an issue anymore.” Everett replied calmly.

  “So you think no matter where you go… these creatures would be able to follow you?” Uncle Lon surmised.

  Banton rose and walked over to the fireplace, pausing to run his hand across the wood, seemingly deep in thought. He turned as Everett began to explain.

  “Mr. Lon, I’ve explained to Banton and Chandler there seems to be a special connection between Orcos and their victims once they are bitten. It’s an emotional telepathy, which helps them stalk their victims. Dr. Renault has been studying Orcos for several years now, and a number of Orco behaviors we don’t fully understand. We don’t believe there is anywhere Banton could take the girls where they would be completely safe,” Everett admitted. Banton turned back toward us. He had such a tortured look on his face, I knew he struggled with these very thoughts everyday…wanting to take me far away from all of this mess and hide me away. I watched him helplessly as he struggled to find control.

  Banton cleared his throat, addressing Uncle Lon. “It’s getting late, why don’t the two of you stay the night here with us. Where are Cade and Drew?”

  “Cade is on campus, in the dorm with friends. Drew left this morning for a baseball tournament in Shreveport. He’ll be gone for a couple of days.” Uncle Lon answered as he took Aunt Sue’s hand in his.

  I rose and motioned to Aunt Sue. “I’ll get John’s old room ready if you would prefer to stay in there.” She nodded and followed me into the foyer. Constance joined us. When we reached the top of the stairs, Aunt Sue turned to her.

  “And where do you sleep while you’re here at Chandler’s?”

  “In Banton’s old room…what is going to be the nursery,” Constance replied.

  “And Ty…where does he sleep?” she asked, although I knew she already knew the answer. Constance gave her an exasperated look and she threw her hands up, palms out.

  “All right, I guess you’re old enough to make that decision. I guess in a way it’s comforting to know he’s always with you,” she reasoned, shaking her head.

  We remade John’s bed with clean sheets from the bureau. After I laid out towels and bathrobes for them, I turned to Aunt Sue.

  “I hope you will feel better about the situation after you have spent some time here with us. Everett and Mr. Philippe have been wonderful…all the Aldon, actually. Colin and Ben rotate in and out too. They sleep on the living room floor. Everyone pitches in to help guard the house.”

  I turned to look down the staircase as I heard someone beating on the front door. Banton reached it before I could even walk to the top of the stairs. As he pulled the door open, a hand reached out to push the door completely open, almost striking Banton in the face.

  “I’ll have a word with you and your wife. I’m tired of my unreturned phone calls and the run around. I will give you one last chance to tell me what you know, and then you will be hearing from my attorney!” Brie’s father pushed past Banton and strode into the foyer, coming face to face with John.

  “Mr. Adams, I asked you not to come here again and upset Chandler. Anything you have to say, you say to me,” John stood toe to toe with him, neither one of them willing to give an inch. As I came silently down the stairs, Banton glanced up at me, alarmed I’d appeared.

  “There you are. I want a word with you, young lady.” Mr. Adams muttered in a low tone. Even from a distance, I could smell the alcohol on his breath, he’d obviously been drinking.

  “What business do you have here, mister?” Uncle Lon came into the foyer, followed closely by Ty and Everett. I could sense Aunt Sue and Constance behind me on the staircase as I reached the bottom.

  “I’m Gabriella’s father. I’ve come here one last time to get the answers I need before this gets ugly. Chandler was the last person with my daughter the night she disappeared, and I’m certain she knows more than she is telling me,” he sneered he pushed around John, grabbing me painfully by the arm.

  Banton moved immediately to grasp him by the shoulders as Uncle Lon forced his way between us, shoving Brie’s father into Banton’s chest.

  “Take your hands off my wife, and if you ever come here again, I’ll have a restraining order placed on you, Mr. Adams. I understand your grief and your frustration. But I won’t allow you to harass Chandler. She has already told you everything she knows, and the SEALs have told you everything we are allowed to.”

  “Mr. Adams,” Uncle Lon spoke slowly (in what Constance called his lawyer voice), “I’m not sure what your last conversation was with my niece and her husband, but I can assure you, you will no longer contact them or your son-in-law unless it is through me. I am Chandler’s uncle and I am their lawyer. I warn you, if you try to contact them any other way than through my office, I will involve the police. Now will you kindly leave before I have to make the call,” he demanded. Brie’s dad shot daggers at me. Aunt Sue moved to put her hands on my shoulders as he whirled and pushed past Banton and slammed the front door.

  “And that’s why we call him “Bad-Ass Dad,” Constance whispered. Everyone turned to look at us on the staircase.

  “Chandler, are you all right? Did he hurt you?” Uncle Lon examined my arms where I’d been rubbing them.

  “No, I’m fine,” I tried to assure him.

  The tears gathered in my eyes. I felt guilty we’d had to send Brie’s father away so forcefully again.

  “I told you not to feel guilty. You can’t help all this secrecy surrounding this whole mess. Let the Navy handle it. It isn’t
your responsibility to give Brie’s father closure,” John tried to reassure me as I shook my head and turned to go back upstairs.

  “Um, Banton, son…I’d have a word with you, John and Ty…Everett, this involves you too. I need to get some facts straight.

  “Sure, just let me go check on Chandler, and I’ll be right back,” Banton answered. I heard him taking the stairs two at a time. I was already in my room seated on the window seat, Constance beside me. Aunt Sue sank down in the chair across from me.

  “Are you upset?” Banton asked, crossing the room. I rose and he pulled me into his arms.

  “I’m all right. It’s just so hard not to talk to him,” I whispered. “I know Brie would be upset to know we are so at odds with her father.” I shook my head as I pulled back to look at him.

  “Don’t let this upset you, he’d obviously been drinking. I think Mr. Lon being here might deter him from visiting us again. Your Uncle wants to talk with us, so I’m going to go back downstairs for a bit.”

  I nodded at him as he leaned down to kiss my forehead. “Do you need anything?”

  “No, I’m good. Go on and talk with them. I’ll finish getting Aunt Sue and Uncle Lon settled in up here.”

  After Banton pulled the door shut, Aunt Sue reached out and held my hand. “Chandler, there’s a lot more to the night Brie was abducted than what you told us, isn’t there?”

  I looked up into her eyes. “Yes,” I replied simply. “When I found Brie, she’d been bitten, her throat ripped open, and lying in an alley. Banton got there about the same time I did. Before he could get help, more of the Orcos showed up, evidently coming back for her body, or me…” my voice trailed off as Aunt Sue listened intently, a sick shadowy look crossing her face.

  “The SEALs showed up, and the Aldon… ” I shut my eyes, remembering the bloody, horrific scene. “It was unimaginable, the carnage…The Aldon are nothing you can envision in battle. It’s an image I can’t ever get out of my head. They cleaned up what was left of the Orcos, but some of them escaped, Brie’s killer with them. He took her body before John and Ty could stop him.”