She was.
Jolie prepared herself.
Her eyes bled black.
Her fangs slid wickedly into her mouth.
With her hand raised, everything paused around her. The six killers moving toward her stopped in mid-attack as if frozen in ice.
If they wanted a show, she’d give it to them.
Jolie glided toward the guardians and stood in the thick of them, showing the confidence in her power. They wouldn’t kill her, but there was no doubt in her mind that they were ordered to do some damage.
“Is this my challenge?” she asked softly, Death rising to the surface. Someone rang the dinner bell, and the darkness was ready to feed.
Viktor stammered, “I’m sorry, Jolie. You know what it’s like.”
He truly looked distraught.
“How long can you hold them?” he questioned, looking at the large men staring down at her.
“For a while. I want to ask one question, Master Viktor. Who do these guardians belong to?”
Three primuses stood.
“Do you have others?” she asked. “Are they expendable?”
There was an audible gasp. It was obvious that they were about to be sacrificed.
Jolie didn't care if they looked appalled. The stage was set, and she planned on showing them exactly what she could do. While she was Parisian at heart, she was big, bad, and now totally Americanized. Screwing with her family was a big no-no.
Some nodded but one looked worried.
She turned back to Viktor. “Do you wish to see how easily I kill, or how I can fight if attacked?”
“They weren’t going to kill you, just…”
“Rough me up?” she finished for him, still not looking away.
He nodded and was embarrassed. Their six best guardians were still trapped as if she were holding them in her web.
Jolie turned to the vampyres struggling to free themselves. “Were you going to kill me?” she asked them, already sure of what the answer would be. It was plastered on their faces and in their energy. Jolie smelled the lust for death emanating from all of them.
“Oui.”
She heard the members of the societies gasp, and Viktor look horrified.
“Why?”
“We were told to harm you, but it would only show our strength to defeat an ancient,” he answered honestly.
She backed away from him, releasing him. “Fine, go ahead and do your job.” Jolie enjoyed the feral look that crossed his face as he was released.
It would make Death happy to have a sacrifice.
As he stalked her in the circle, moving closer to her, Jolie waited for it. When he was within arm’s length, he reached for her throat, swiping viciously. She dodged, grabbing his arm and twisting it hard enough to hear bone shatter.
It only stunned him.
He hit the ground, rolled, and was back on his feet as the bone healed. It was obvious that he had fed well.
“You’ll have to do better than that, Mistress,” he hissed before going at her again. This time, he made contact as his claws ripped down her shoulder.
Jolie wasn’t going to go down that easily. She dodged his next attempt and was back on her feet, and ready.
Flynn pulled his guns, but before he could take a shot, Jacques stopped him.
“She’s in control.”
They both watched as she stood, arms at her side, looking defenseless. “Oh shit,” Flynn whispered, scared for his mate. This was the worst part of the entire thing--that gut wrenching fear overwhelmed him.
“No, he’s playing into her web. Watch.” Jacques was grinning, knowing that she was about to teach the guardian a lesson. It was going to be his last one.
With their kind, the most important rule was to never underestimate your opponent solely based on gender. Jolie may look harmless, but by the time the guardian figured out the truth, his time on Earth would be ending.
She was a killer.
He stalked toward her, moving slowly. When he stood near her, ready to attack, Jolie stared up into his eyes and spoke, “I’m truly sorry, but I too have no problem killing you to show them my strength.”
It was the last words he would ever hear.
Jolie moved so fast that he was flat on his back on the ground, and she was touching his face. “I have to kill you now, but it’ll be fast,” she vowed.
Stepping back, Jolie watched as his flesh began to burn, and he screamed in pain. It looked as if he was doused with a catalyst, as he exploded into flames in front of the council members.
There were gasps of horror and awe at her power.
Even Mordechai looked impressed, in his own condescending way.
When the guardian was fully in flame and falling to the ground in ashes, Jolie brushed the dust from her dress. With a flick of her wrist, much for dramatic flair, she sent the dust whirling around her and across the area into the wind.
“Who did he belong to?” she asked.
When the woman raised her hand, Jolie sent her the destroyed remains. Without speaking a word, the ash of the dead vampyre funneled and landed at her feet in a pile.
“Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. I hope you brought something to transport him home in.”
Everyone jumped, including Flynn, when her laughter broke the silence. It was thick with darkness and death. One could tell that she wasn’t alone in her body.
It was frightening.
Jolie glanced at her mates. Again, without a word, they crossed to her. Jacques was still helping her hold the other guardians with his energy, and he was draining quickly.
“Mon amour, I believe we’re safe now,” whispered Jacques as he kissed her ear. It was his sign that she needed to stop showboating. He couldn’t keep it up much longer.
Jolie agreed, and he released them.
Not one of them moved toward her.
None were willing to die in a ball of fire to prove how brave they were. The other five stared at the dying embers of the other guardian, floating in the night sky.
It had the desired effect.
“Anymore challenges?” she asked. It was said softly, and yet it held the firmness backed with the promise of what would happen if they dared.
Mordechai stood angrily. “Attack them! Finish your job!” The guardians didn’t look pleased, but what choice did they have?
It was now out of their control.
“Be ready, my loves,” stated Jolie. “It looks like we fight our way out of here.”
“Okay, this sucks,” said Flynn, drawing his gun before he spun to place his back against Jolie and Jacques. In this position, they had every angle covered.
“Yes, sucks is an understatement. If either of you wanted proof on why I dislike my father,” said Jacques, readying to keep Jolie safe, “here it is.”
Flynn didn't need proof. “Yeah, he’s a dick.”
Jolie watched the guardians moving toward them. She tracked their movements. Before she could warn her men, she saw it.
A knife flew past her, and she heard it hit flesh.
It registered as Jacques took the hit to protect his mates.
The guardians took that minute to attack. It was all that they needed--that little distraction was enough--and they would take it.
Fury erupted inside her, ready to break free. Rage exploded, and the five guardians rushing toward them were hit with a wall of energy. It took them to their knees, but they wouldn’t stay down long.
If there was ever any doubt that their human was becoming more and more like them, it was established in that moment. With his left hand, he braced Jacques’s back. While his right still held his finger on the trigger, he reached for the knife. In a motion of complete fluidity, he managed to yank the blade out of his mate before gently lowering him to the ground. In the very next heartbeat, he was in motion and heading into the fight.
The guardian, getting back on his feet, had little time to react. The two shots hit him dead center of his chest, knocking him back in surprise. His
eyes met the oncoming predator and he knew, in that moment, that it was over.
His death would be at the hands of a human.
The pain erupted fervently in Flynn’s mouth as his fangs slipped into place. Forward he continued, toward the guardian he’d shot, knowing that if he didn’t end it now, the vampyre would be back into the fray.
The next shot he took was straight to the head, causing an explosion out the back of his skull. Silver met bone, and a sick splatter of brain matter was the end result.
While he probably should be sick over it, that wasn’t the case. Killing the undead stopped bothering him a while ago. All that mattered was the overwhelming need to protect what was his in that circle.
Jolie.
Jacques.
His mates.
Jacques wasn’t down long. He growled as one of the guardians jumped up and moved toward him, hoping to keep him off his feet where he would be at a disadvantage. His fangs also descended as he charged the vampyre. He was armed with his preferred weapon, a dagger.
Now, it was time to show them what he was skilled at.
Destroying.
He sent out his energy and was on top of the attacker as he rode him to the ground. The guardian never knew what happened. Jacques’s claws ripped into his chest, removing his heart as the dagger simultaneously severed his head.
When it rolled toward his father’s feet, dead eyes staring up at the man, Jacques saluted him before he moved back into the fight.
Mordechai didn’t know if he should be afraid, or proud of the killer he raised. This wasn’t the boy he once knew.
Jolie upturned her hands and her eyes bled black. She set free the tendrils of Death to take down her enemy. They ripped from her body, tearing toward the last three guardians. Once in contact, they writhed and screamed in pain as she burned the life from their bodies.
Death began feasting on the carnage, sharing a silent praise, for doing a job well done. The lust of the kill was almost overwhelming, causing her heart to thud violently in her chest. Both mates came to her side, gently taking her hands in theirs to anchor Jolie to them.
Once more they fought the odds and had overcome.
They were victorious.
There were gasps and awe from the vampyres who stood outside the circle.
Jolie spoke, leaving her fangs fully extended, just in case they wanted more of a show, “Are there any more challenges?” she whispered into the night. Death was still there, because it caressed each of their bodies, bringing goose bumps to their flesh.
There was laughter in the darkness, and it wasn’t Jolie’s.
“No,” replied Mordechai, still in awe. The head still stared up at him, a reminder that his son was no longer a mere child, but a monster. Maybe he wasn’t just chasing after a female like a puppy. Jacques was a prolific killer in his own right.
“Were we suitable entertainment for this evening?” This time she was angry. Her mates could have been harmed--or worse--killed. Thankfully, it was a regular dagger and not silver, but still, she would destroy everyone there to protect her men.
Viktor moved toward her cautiously. This time, when he touched her, he jerked his hand away and hissed. “Mon Dieu! It does live inside you!”
“Yes, it does,” she admitted, “and while it’s calmer now that it’s fed, I have to admit that I’m still very angry.”
“We were correct to assume that you’re powerful,” he added, moving toward her. Only, this time, he had the fortitude to not touch the female. “Does your mate always carry weapons?” It was old school in Paris, and mostly they used claws and fangs. Guns weren’t their forte.
“Flynn is a cop by nature. While he’s like us, that runs deep,” she offered.
The looks on their faces told the tale.
They were wary.
“He’s not like the police who have betrayed us so many times. I give you my word.”
Jacques took that moment to speak up. “I also give you mine. He’s one of us.”
Yeah, and in more ways than one.
Their Flynn was a hybrid of sorts.
“My mate has sacrificed himself many times for our people, Jacques, and myself.” She stared up at him, her eyes still black. “If he’s not welcome here, then neither are we. Flynn and I are bonded for life. He’s my soul.”
As if on cue he grinned, kissing the top of her head. It felt good to be part of a family, after not having one for many years. Glancing around, something came to him.
Dropping to his knees, he took her wrist in his hands. Staring up into her eyes, with so much trust, he gently laid a kiss on her wrist. When he’d finished, Flynn adverted his eyes toward the ground and waited for her to acknowledge him.
It had the desired effect.
These vampyres were old school, and he’d just shown them his allegiance to Jolie.
Jacques was impressed. Their mate was learning. He didn't have to even tell him how to work the crowd.
Leaning down, she brushed her lips against his. “I love you, Flynn.”
With that, she beckoned him to stand.
Master Viktor moved forward. “We will trust him. Your word has always been gold, Mistress Jolie.”
Before he could continue, another vampyre stepped forward.
“Do you control the Death?” asked Mistress Belladonna. She was a stunning woman with red, bouncy curls. “Can you call it when you wish?”
“Why do you ask?” inquired Jolie, tensing. She felt her mates reach for her.
‘Jolie?’ asked Flynn. ‘What’s wrong?’
‘Can you see her?’
‘Yes, she’s here,’ answered Jacques.
‘Who?’ asked Brogan, looking around confused until he saw her. ‘Oh bloody hell!’
Brogan focused on the angelic looking little girl watching Jolie. It was the same girl from the other night in town. ‘Shit!’
Jolie forced herself to focus on Belladonna. “No, I don’t control death. I’m merely its harbinger. When I kill, it takes the pleasure. I get nothing from the situation, but the mark.”
“How did you become the harbinger, Mistress Jolie?” asked Belladonna curiously, as she moved slightly closer.
“I died.”
Everyone gasped.
Jolie didn’t want to step back, so she was grateful when Flynn pulled her into the protective frame of his body.
“As I said, I don’t control it. This entity in me has total control of everything around me.” Jolie watched the little girl disappear.
“Oh.” Mistress Belladonna looked disappointed.
That didn't sit well with any of them. Jolie didn't trust anyone here, so she didn't plan on telling them that she could call it with her anger, or if she was in danger. The woman was just a little too curious about her power, and that sent up warning flags.
“That’s too bad. We could use a power like that against the human hunters,” said Mistress Belladonna’s mate, Master Morden.
Jacques and Flynn didn't miss how the man hungrily checked out their mate. They were ready to pluck out his eyes for thinking about Jolie like she was a meal.
“Sorry to disappoint you.” Jolie turned back to Viktor. “Despite this debacle of your test, my mates and I will attempt to aid the societies in finding the killers. I’ll return to our home and begin researching the original hunter families. We all know that new hunters aren’t born--they inherit the job from other generations. I’ll trace them from there and track them. Off the top of your heads, do you happen to know the family names of the hunters still here in Paris?”
“Rovelle, Gaurax, Montclair, and Savon, are the only remaining ones. The rest have been… exterminated,” Viktor said. “We’ve been systematically tracking the others, and we made sure that they wouldn’t be passing on the lore or ability to hurt us.”
“There were no other bloodlines left alive,” stated Mordecai.
Then there was nothing more to say. “Have a good evening. We’ll be in contact.”
“Than
k you for your aid, Mistress,” said Viktor bowing.
All three moved forward, still connected. Jolie was against Flynn’s strong body, and her hand still firmly grasped Jacques’s. As they moved toward the parking area, the vampyres split apart to escape her path.
It was probably the best idea, since she was still very angry.
Jacques nodded regally at his mother and ignored his father. Honestly, he was glad Mordechai had been silenced by their power. The man who raised him now had a chance to see that he wasn’t a scared guardian anymore. Jacques had grown into his true self.
He was a killer and a mate.
In the Mercedes, Jolie impatiently waited for Jacques to slide into his seat.
“What is it, my love?” He could feel her anxiety.
“Let me see your chest.”
Jacques leaned toward her only to have Jolie violently ripped his shirt open. Lovingly, she traced the faint pink line beside his heart. “If that knife was silver, you’d be dead.”
“Oui, possibly.”
“You should have let it hit me, Jacques,” said Flynn, as he watched them interact. “I’m two inches shorter, so it would have missed my heart entirely. You took a big chance that it wouldn’t hit its mark.”
“Oui.”
“Why, Jacques?” he asked.
The man turned toward their human. “Because you’re my family. I’d willingly die to protect you, Flynn. It’s my duty.”
“I would have done the same for you.”
He was well aware. “Then we’re at a stalemate. Either of us would have taken that hit, so we don’t need to discuss it any further.”
“Oh, I think we do,” stated Jolie. “If it hit your heart, you would have been dead, silver or not. That was a huge risk.”
He sighed. This was a centuries old discussion that just went round and round. “Mon amour, that is a chance we take, isn't it? If you want to discuss reckless behavior, we can revisit how you stood between six vampyres, as if nothing could hurt you.”
“He has a point,” interjected Flynn. “It’s also crazy and out of damn control.”
She opened her mouth, only to have Flynn kiss her. Working his magic, he teased her with tongue and teeth. Before long, he was pretty sure she wasn’t thinking about it anymore.
Dangerous Misery (The Harcourte Vampyre Society Book 3) Page 10