“If you’re curious, there’s no coincidence that he became primus after your parents were killed. The woman your mother saved, the one who fell into the well…she was the human my father was using.”
Dread and anger filled Jolie as more pieces of the puzzle fell into place.
“How do you think the hunters knew so quickly of your mother?” she smiled sadistically, as she enjoyed crushing the ones before her.
“Your father, Goethe, betrayed my family?” Alexzandre felt nothing but horror. He found himself clinging to his sister’s hand tightly. So many holes had been filled in with this information, and yet, somehow, it created bigger voids in his heart.
“Yes, Alex. My father wanted your family dead. It was a way to begin to control the Harcourte assets. First, he eliminated your parents, and then your sister stood in the way. You were a guardian in the making and wouldn’t run the family, but she would. Goethe always knew Jolie would be the family powerhouse, so the threat had to be… neutralized. That’s why he spent so much time trying to break her. Daddy wanted to make sure she’d never be strong enough to be primus.”
Jolie was furious. Not for herself, but for her family. It was such a waste of life.
“Do you think it was all a coincidence--that your parents died, you and your sister were separated, and then you were told she was dead?” She laughed sickly. “Please, Alex. Are you really this naïve? This is why he knew you wouldn’t ever be primus. You’re a barely a killer and hardly a leader.”
“I guess I am a fool. I only saw what you wanted me to see, but you’re wrong, Arian. I’m a well-trained guardian. I’ve just been kept on a short leash. That’s over now,” he answered, his eyes meeting Jacques’s, a silent message passing between them.
It was guardian to guardian.
And killer to killer.
Jolie glared at her. “Goethe betrayed his kind to the hunters, and you did the same. How fitting. Are you sure you aren’t the biological spawn of that monster?” Hate began to bubble to the surface, and Death begged to be set free.
Arian simply smiled.
“You knew Jolie was with your father all those years, and still you allowed me to believe that she was dead?”
“Oh, yes, I did. My mother told me the horror stories, and I was grateful that I was able to escape. It was her or me, so no, I have no remorse.”
Alex was mortified. “I would have gone back for her and killed him.”
“Probably, since you’re a bleeding heart.” She focused on Jolie. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Do I have a choice?”
Arian laughed. “Not really.”
Jolie knew it was going to suck.
“Was it as bad as she said--the continual beatings, the broken bones, and all the abuse by his guardians?”
Jolie looked dead into her face showing nothing, and she gave herself a great deal of credit. “It was worse, and made me who I am today.”
Arian laughed. “After your mate came to our home, I knew that Alexzandre would find out about your past, and I knew his guilt would drive a wedge between you. Honestly, I wasn’t worried. I figured you’d cry and leave the city, so my life could go on as usual.”
Like her father, Arian underestimated her.
“Let’s face it--the Harcourte family tends to be… pushovers.” She mocked her mate and Jolie.
“Why the human, really?” Jolie asked.
“You’re too smart. It was sex at first, but then Montclair came to me singing the praises of your criminal genius. He was astounded that just by just looking at the pictures, you knew there were two different murderers. It was cute how you added how it could be vampyres, if they actually existed. I knew that the walls would begin crumbling right after that. While I could lose Alexzandre, if he found that I knew my father raped and tortured you, I couldn’t be accused of killing a lesser vampyre, let alone a society. I’d be immediately killed.”
“You knew my sister was being abused and raped by that monster, and you never said a word?”
There was just no way to get past it. The woman he once offered his allegiance to was nothing more than pure evil. In that moment, he decided to take his heart back and fight for his sister.
“Of course I did because while he had her, he left my mother and me alone. She was his substitute body to abuse. You should be impressed. Jolie did what he wanted until my mother released you. Then he had no leverage. Your sister was scrappy. She fought hard to defy him.”
He was glad she fought.
“I think my mother said she only cried once. I believe it was when Goethe had all of his guardians take turns using her. It seems, dear mate, that your sister has bigger balls that you.”
Alex was out of the chair so fast that Arian didn’t see him come at her. He struck her so hard, she flew from the chair.
“I wish you didn’t do that, Alex. I was only going to kill them, but now I’ll have to kill you too.”
They waited as she stood. In the doorway, appeared three guardians. They were holding silver daggers and had blood in their eyes.
Jolie grinned wickedly. With a hiss, her fangs slid into place as she saw Death’s messenger beside the three vampyres. Little did Arian know--this chapter had already been written, and she wasn’t going to like the ending--at all.
Glancing over at her mate, Jolie saw his eyes bleed black. “Shall we, my love?”
He laughed, his fangs showing. “Let’s keep our word. We promised a gory kill.”
“And bloody she shall get.”
Alexzandre backed up, placing himself beside Jacques and Jolie. He was signaling his stand with Arian’s enemy. This was war, and ultimately, he knew the outcome.
He was dead.
Until they took his life, he could make atonement for what he’d done.
“Kill them!” ordered Arian, smiling gleefully. “In fact, the men first, and then you can have the woman to play with all you want. I bet she likes it.”
For that, Jacques knew he’d make her pay.
The three guardians moved toward them, sadistically grinning. It was clear they were going to try and make this a bloodbath.
Perfect.
Jolie raised a hand, and they froze mid-step. “Stop!”
They had no choice but to do her bidding.
“Jolie, while that’s a fun trick, I’m as old as you are. You can’t hold them for long. I’ll win this, and then walk away, knowing your family is gone. You should have stayed in Goethe’s cage.” Arian swept out her hand and energy slammed into Jolie.
It sizzled and crackled along her body.
Jolie heard the displeased hiss of her mate. Yes, she’d acted as his shield.
Sue her.
“You underestimated me,” Jolie said, as her hair whipped around her in an invisible breeze. “Come to me, Death,” she whispered.
The blackness whipped through the room, seeking out victims to claim. The second they felt it, Jolie knew the truth.
They were terrified.
Death howled in glee as the path to Arian was fueled by a torrent of destruction and Jolie’s own hate.
“What’s this?” Arian asked, looking around as the mist coated her body.
“I’m Death’s harbinger, Arian. If you paid attention at council, instead of banging a hunter, you might know what you’ve just brought to your doorstep. I’m the real killer here, and I’m going to reap you for her.”
With that, the room exploded in screams.
The three guardians bowed in pain as the darkness feasted. It scorched their skin as the claws buried themselves into flesh. The harder they struggled, the more it indulged.
Jacques knew they vowed carnage, so he moved toward the held vampyres. With the first one, he plunged his clawed hand into his chest, stealing his heart.
Blood spurted and the tendrils drank the essence in like a starving animal.
Jolie’s laughter filled the room.
It was dark.
Sick.
Co
ated in wicked glee.
“Next!” she called, watching her brother move toward the second guardian. With incredibly fast fingers, Alexzandre twisted, taking the vampyre’s head clear off his shoulders. The gore and blood splattered across his clothing, but he wasn’t done. Before the vampyre could hit the floor, his fist was through his chest, tearing a hole through the heart and back of his body.
Death celebrated.
“We’re not done,” stated Jolie. “More!”
Jacques faced down the trained killer. “You planned on touching what’s mine. Now, you die.” He grabbed a silver dagger and sliced his throat--nice and slow.
There were screams from Death and gurgling from the victim.
Jolie watched patiently. “Arian, you’re next. I sentence you to death for betrayal to our kind. May you burn for your sins.”
Just like that, she erupted in flames.
Alexzandre gasped at what he was seeing.
Jolie released them all while she reached inside herself for Death. ‘My debt is paid.’
‘Yessssssss,’ Death hissed. ‘You’ve satisfied our bargain once again, Harbinger.’
Opening her eyes, Jolie noticed Alexzandre had dropped to his knees before her.
“I know that I’m next.” He waited for death to come. “I won’t fight.”
Jolie glanced up at her mate with so much emotion in her eyes. ‘Please, Jacques. Help me save him. I can’t take his life. These aren’t his sins.’
‘Then we save him together.’
Jolie knelt in front of Alexzandre in the growing puddle of blood. She still loved him for the man she once knew him to be. Here was her brother.
This was her last link to family.
“I can’t kill you, Alexzandre. You may not wish to be part of my life, but I won’t take yours from you. You’re still my blood, and the only link to our parents and our past.”
He opened his tear filled violet eyes. “I walked away from you twice.”
Over her long life, Jolie learned something important--forgiveness mattered.
“I understand, Alex.”
“If the council finds out you let me live…”
She was well aware, but then again, she had something darker and more powerful on her side. That was more than her brother had.
“We’ll tell the council that the job has been handled.”
“But you’ll be punished for setting me free.”
“If they ask, I’ll lie. It won’t be the first or last time that I defied a council, Alex. Worry about you, not me.”
Alexzandre touched his sister’s cheek. “I love you, Jolie. I always have, and I always will.”
Jolie hugged her brother, taking in the scent of him one last time. Then she reluctantly released him.
“Here,” stated Jacques, handing him the credit card from his wallet. “Take this and leave France. You can never return or use your name again, This credit card will allow you a new life, Alex.”
Jolie spoke up, “My mates and I have more money than we can ever use, and you can’t touch Arian’s assets. The society will be watching,” she said softly, vowing to not look for him herself. If he wanted to see her again, he’d have to search for her.
They stood. “I’ll find you again, Jolie. I swear I will. I lost you once, but this won’t be for long.”
She hoped not. “I’m in New Orleans, Alex. If you head there, you’ll find me. Please come one day when you can.”
He would.
Alexzandre made a vow. When he forgave himself, he’d reunite with his sister.
He touched her cheek before turning away. At the stairs to his second floor, he stopped. “She was right, Jolie. You were always meant to carry on our father’s name. I’m glad you’re doing it. I’m proud to be a Harcourte because of you.”
Then, he was gone.
“We should go,” Jacques stated.
“I know.”
“Flynn needs us.”
She went without hesitation.
Outside, Jacques helped her into the SUV. Once behind the wheel, he knew they were being watched. Glancing over, he saw by whom.
Jolie followed his gaze.
There stood her brother. Jacques taped his fingers to his forehead in salute, guardian to guardian, before he drove away.
“We’ll see him again,” Jacques promised. He could tell by the way Alexzandre stared at Jolie.
“I know we will. I just hope it’s soon.”
Yeah, and not another six centuries…
Jolie and Jacques rode in silence, neither saying a word about the evening’s events. Finally, Jacques couldn’t take it any longer. He needed to get the words off his chest before they arrived home.
“I need to say something to you, but I don’t want you to get angry with me for bringing it up,” said Jacques softly.
“I’m too drained to fight, Jacques, so feel free.”
“What Arian said about Goethe trying to break you, and you not letting him,” he began, pausing uncomfortably.
“Yes?”
“I just need to tell you that I think you’re the strongest woman I know, and I’m so proud that you’ve chosen me for your mate.”
It wasn’t what she expected at all from him. “Jacques, thank you, but you’re giving me too much credit. It was all about survival. You don’t realize what you’ll do to live until you’re forced to fight for your freedom.”
“She said that he tried to break you. Did he really have all of his guardians rape you?” It was hard to even say the words.
“Yes,” she whispered, horrified that they were having this conversation at all. “Everything she said was true.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Sometimes, neither do I. For so long, I didn't want to let you see what was done to me because I couldn’t bear the idea that you’d see me as defiled.”
It was more than he could take.
Jacques pulled the SUV off the road and slammed it into park. When they came to a stop, he turned in his seat to face her. “How can you think that I would ever see you as defiled?”
“It is how I see myself.”
“Well, Jolie, you’re very wrong. Each time he tried to break you, it didn't strip a part of you away, it reinforced your tenacity. You’re a warrior. I may have trained to be a killer, Jolie, but you were created in the heat of battle. You’re not defiled or weak. You’re so strong that you’re unbreakable. I’m blessed to have you. You’re the warrior of my heart, and I know Flynn feels the same.”
“Oh, Jacques!” And then the flood gates opened.
Jacques did the only thing he could. He pulled her into his lap and held Jolie. After everything, even in that moment, he wasn’t healing her.
She was healing him.
It was her gift.
She just didn't see it…yet.
* * * H a r c o u r t e * * *
The bitch had to pay.
She ruined everything.
There was nothing left but ashes of the well-constructed plans that had taken weeks to organize and create.
Now, it was all wasted and ruined, and she would have to start over.
No…she would act out the final scene to this melodrama and slay the ones responsible for destroying all that she had worked so hard for that evening.
Tomorrow was the day.
Jolie Harcourte had a weakness, and at dawn, she’d attack her where it hurt the most.
Her family.
It was time to slay the undead.
All of them.
CHAPTER twenty-seven
Monday Early Morning
Surprisingly, when Jolie and Jacques entered the house, they found that it was alive with activity and voices. Jolie was so exhausted, but she knew that she needed to face everyone. She walked in with Jacques, heading toward the family room. As they entered, everyone turned, and there was a collective gasp. Jacques was covered in gore, and Jolie wasn’t looking much better.
“Mon Dieu! You two look worse
than earlier,” said Jasmine, crossing to them.
“We’ve both been better. It’s been a very long day.”
“Yes, it has been,” agreed Jacques, kissing the top of her head.
Jolie barely saw anyone around her, the only person who mattered was their other mate. Flynn was resting on the couch in jeans and no shirt. At his side, it was apparent that he’d inherited a new bodyguard. Mathew had taken sentry beside him, and it made Jolie smile.
“Honey, we’re home,” she said, smiling at her healing mate. He took the pain away with his boyish grin.
“It’s about damn time, woman. Where’s my dinner?” he quipped back.
“Jolie insisted on driving and wouldn’t stop for directions,” added Jacques, joining in with them.
“Are we interrupting?” asked Jasmine, clearing her throat. Their interplay was sweet.
Oh, yeah, they were perfect together as a unit.
Jolie laughed. “Don’t mind us, when we get the hell beat out of us, we get stupid.”
Jacques stared over at his parents. “Why are they here?” he asked.
Jolie noticed most of the anger was gone from his voice. Maybe it was his father donating blood, or the fact that they were just too damn tired.
“We invited them in, Mistress. We assumed you wouldn’t mind, since it’s Jacques’s father and mother,” Clariel offered.
Jacques took this one.
“No, they’re welcome here.”
Jolie took his hand. “We’re going to go change, and then we can talk. I don’t want to ruin the furniture with all this gore.”
Looking over at her mate, she saw his wounds were healing even more. “Did you feed?”
“No. I was waiting for you.”
“Give us a minute.” With that, they left.
No one said anything until they were gone.
Finally, one of the younger vampyres spoke, “It must have been bad,” said Clariel. “I’ve never seen the mistress look so defeated.”
“Yes, even Jacques looks shaken, and he’s always cool and infallible,” said Trina.
Now Flynn was worried. They were right.
Jolie and Jacques looked like they’d been run through the wringer.
Dangerous Misery (The Harcourte Vampyre Society Book 3) Page 43