Born Of The Blood

by E. J. Powell

  Jessie looked away.

  “Jessie?”

  Jessie stepped into him and wrapped her arms around his waist. She felt him hold her tight to him. She knew he knew. His warmth radiated from his chest, seeping into her cheek. Just to hold him once more made it all worth it.

  “Jessie!” Robb tore her from Daniel and pulled her into a hug. Rickon and Justin also joined in.

  “Did you pass the Trials?” Rickon asked. Jessie looked at her father and the hope in his eyes made her want to cry. How was she going to tell them that she was going to die? But before she had a chance to say anything, a familiar voice spoke.

  “She passed them.” Jessie pulled back from her family and looked to Queen Avera standing in the middle of the warehouse. Six warriors stood behind her, including her mother.

  “I don’t understand,” Jessie said as she looked from the queen to her mother. “I thought if I left, I was forfeiting my life?”

  “Last night, you fought with the strength of the Amazon coven,” the queen said. “You have learned to control your magic and not let it control you.”

  “You mean?”

  “Yes,” Asteria said. “You have passed the Trials. The disease is no longer inside you.”

  “But I am still half wolf,” Jessie said. “I can still feel it inside me.”

  “And that is why you are not an Amazon,” Avera said. “But you are a witch and you are a werewolf. Now, the two can live in harmony.”

  Jessie looked at her mother.

  “You knew this?” Helena asked Avera. “This whole time, you knew Jessie would never be an Amazon?”

  Queen Avera turned to Helena.

  “I did. The Trials were never about making her an Amazon. Her wolf blood will never allow that.”

  “Then why put her through all of this?” Helena demanded.

  “A choice,” Asteria said. “She needed to choose. Her powers would never listen to her if she never spoke up. She made the choice to save Daniel and her family. And because of that, her powers listened.”

  “But I’m not an Amazon?” Jessie said.

  Asteria looked back to Jessie and then reached up and took off the medallion she wore around her neck. Asteria walked up to her and took her hand and then place the medallion in it.

  “You might not be an Amazon, but you will always be my daughter. If you ever need me, just press this to your heart.”

  Asteria squeezed her hand before she let go and then stepped back in front of her warriors. Jessie saw her look to Rickon, and for just a moment, Jessie thought she saw something in their eyes. The love that could have been. The love that Jessie almost gave up.

  The Amazons linked their hands together. The queen looked one more time at Jessie and smiled.

  In a flash, they were gone.

  Jessie looked down at the medallion. A pentagram with a wolf head engraved in the center of it.

  “It looks like your mark now,” Daniel said from beside her. Jessie looked at her left shoulder and saw that the Cambion mark, that had once been just a wolf head, was now encompassed with a pentagram.

  “You will need to continue developing both your wolf and witch side,” Agnes said, walking up to her.

  “Lucky for you,” Ashley said, putting her arm around Jessie’s shoulders. “You have the best of the best to help you.”

  Jessie looked to both of them.

  “Thank you,” she said. And she meant it.

  “Unfortunately, Ty got away,” Robb said.

  “But the Rocco threat is eliminated,” Rickon said.

  “Does this mean we can stay here?” Justin asked. “In New Orleans?”

  Jessie held her breath, waiting for her father’s reply.

  “Yes. It seems New Orleans is our permanent home now,” Rickon said.

  Jessie felt herself smiling. And then she felt herself being lifted in the air, twirling so fast she was dizzy. Daniel slowly slid her back down to the ground. He cupped her face with his hands as he looked at her.

  “You’re safe now,” he said. “And I will make sure you stay that way.”

  “We will all make sure she’s safe,” Robb said. “We are still her family.”

  “Actually,” Daniel said. He turned to Rickon. “With your permission, I wish to marry your daughter.”

  “What?” Jessie, Robb and Justin said at the same time.

  Daniel turned back to Jessie. He knelt down in front of her.

  “Jessie Grayson. I love you. I have loved you since the first time I saw you. I thought I needed everything to be perfect and special and just right, but I don’t. I don’t need everything to be perfect, because you already are. All I need is you. Would you make me the happiest wolf alive, and be my wife?”

  Jessie’s head was spinning. All she ever wanted was Daniel, but he needed to know the truth.

  “Daniel,” Jessie said. “I might not be able to have children.”

  “Then we won’t have kids,” he replied. “Because I don’t want kids if you’re not their mother. And if that means it’s just you and me, then I can live with that. Or we can adopt or we can spend the rest of our lives trying because I want you for eternity.”

  Jessie could feel the tears streaming down her cheeks. She loved him, and she didn’t want anyone but him.

  “Will you marry me, Jessie?”

  “Yes.”

  CHAPTER 23

  ONE MONTH LATER

  Jessie smiled as the blindfold sat snug over her eyes. She took a small step as Daniel’s chest pushed into her back, guiding her to her unknown destination. She could hear the excitement in his voice and feel the happiness in his hands as they held her arms. He had been like this since their wedding yesterday.

  It was a beautiful ceremony Ashley had put together for them. She had set up the bayou in white flowers, silk fabrics, and a beautiful gazebo that they were married under. Jessie had never seen the bayou look so amazing. White lights had hung from the moss covered trees stretching above rows of circular tables. Each table was covered in white silk cloths and had a centerpiece of white lilies. The lilies had been Daniel’s idea. Candles were lit throughout the bayou, and water candles decorated the swamp’s murky surface. It really was spectacular. Like something out of a fairy tale.

  “We’re almost there,” Daniel whispered in Jessie’s ear, bringing her back to her current circumstances. His warm breath tickled her skin.

  “You know,” Jessie said. “I could have just teleported us to where you wanted to go.”

  “What fun is that?”

  The suspense was killing her. After the wedding, he had whisked her away to the airport where one of Ethon’s private planes was fueled and waiting. A wedding gift from the vampire king. Then they flew for about nine hours, in which Daniel had wasted no time in tearing off her wedding gown, and keeping her very comfortable during their flight.

  It was nightfall when they had landed. Daniel led her to a limousine and, once seated, blindfolded her in the back. She had no clue where she was. The airport they had landed at looked the same as any other and the weather, although significantly colder than New Orleans, did not clue her in to the destination, either.

  Jessie took another step when Daniel stopped her.

  “Are you ready?” he asked.

  “Yes.”

  “I love hearing you say that.” His finger trailed down her neck and Jessie sucked in her breath as his lips followed.

  His lips left her skin and she felt him untying the blindfold. When it fell from her eyes, Jessie nearly fainted.

  Sitting in front of her was the largest mansion she had ever seen. No. It was a castle.

  Old concrete covered the entire mansion. It was three stories high with a tower in the center. Golden light from each window poured onto the manicured lawn that seemed to stretch as far as Jessie’s eyes could see. There were trees spread out through the estate, and the far south side seemed to rise into a garden wall. A small river ran through the gardens where the moon reflected off it
s smooth surface.

  Jessie breathed in as the smell of fresh grass and earth filled her nose.

  “Welcome to Castle Blairquhan,” Daniel said.

  “We’re in Scotland?” Jessie asked.

  “We are about fifty miles from Glasgow.”

  “This is amazing.”

  “Come on.” Daniel grabbed her hand.

  “We can’t just go into someone’s castle.”

  “We can, if I have the keys.” Daniel pulled out a set of keys from his pocket. He must have seen the confusion written on her face because he stepped closer to her. “I told you that you deserve a palace. It’s ours for the week.”

  “You rented a castle?”

  “Yep.”

  Jessie couldn’t believe her ears. She looked to Daniel as he smiled at her. His brown eyes swept down her body before returning to hold her gaze.

  “We can stay out here if you like,” he said as he stepped even closer. “But some of my plans would feel more comfortable on a bed.”

  Jessie could feel her face heating up as her heart began to race in her chest.

  “Do I need to carry you inside?” he asked. Before she could answer, his arms were around her. Jessie let out a yelp as Daniel scooped her up. The gleam in his eyes made her catch her breath as he carried her up the front steps.

  The front door swung open as they neared it, and a small, elderly man in a black butler’s uniform greeted them.

  “Sir,” the butler said. “Your room awaits on the third floor at the end of the hall. I have taken the liberty of sending champagne and sweets to your chambers.”

  “Thank you, Henry,” Daniel said as he walked past him. “And we would like to not be disturbed for the rest of the night.”

  “Of course, sir.”

  Daniel walked to the grand staircase. He seemed comfortable around the butler.

  “You know that man?” Jessie asked from his arms.

  “I’ve spoken with him several times about the week’s arrangements.”

  “I can walk now,” she said.

  “I’m not chancing it. I have you in my arms and I’m never letting you go again.”

  Jessie’s heart fluttered as Daniel held her tighter.

  The castle was even more breath taking inside. Red, velvet drapes lined the windows. Gold-patterned wallpaper lined the walls along with portraits and tapestries throughout. The floors were also red and looked soft as Daniel’s boots left footprints on the carpet. He walked up the three flights of stairs and to the end of the hall where a large wooden door sat. He opened it and carried her inside before he put her back on her feet.

  The room was immaculate. A wood desk sat to the right of the door. There was a white sofa in front of the large fireplace to the left and two armchairs that matched. The fireplace was lit and cast the room in a soft and warm glow. In the center was a large four poster bed with satin sheets and a large beige comforter. Intertwining vines had been carved into each post and across the foot and head board. And off to the right was an open door. She peeked in and saw that it led to the bathroom. A bathroom with a Jacuzzi for a tub, and a shower the size of a walk-in closet.

  Jessie felt Daniel’s hands on her shoulders, and she leaned into him as he slowly pulled off her leather jacket. She could feel the goosebumps on her arms as his finger trailed down her skin, circling her Cambion mark.

  “We’re alone again,” Daniel said.

  “I like it with just the two of us.”

  He turned her around so she faced him.

  “Do you mean that?” Daniel asked.

  “Of course I do.”

  “Then mate with me.”

  Jessie wanted to. She wanted to combine their life forces, but she still had no idea if she had beaten the disease, or if it was just lying dormant in her body now. If they were mated, and the disease returned to claim her life, it would claim his, too.

  “You know why I won’t,” she said. “I can’t be the death of you.”

  “Your death would be the death of me, Jessie. I don’t want to live in this world without you.”

  “Daniel.”

  “I don’t ever want to let you go again, Jessie. Do you want to mate with me?”

  “I do, but I can’t.”

  “You said this was your choice. Make the choice on how you feel, not on what you’re afraid of. I know the consequences. I know what I’m asking. I’m asking for you. All of you.”

  Jessie looked back at him. She did want to be with him. She wanted to mate with him. To be close to him in way no one else could ever be.

  “Okay.”

  “Okay?”

  “I’ll mate with you.”

  The smile that spread on his face was more than she could bear. He lifted her in his arms, spinning her around the room. She landed on the bed, Daniel on top of her.

  He sat back, undoing her jeans, and slowly slid them down her legs. He threw them to the floor, then he pulled his shirt off over his head and it joined her pants. Jessie looked at every tightened muscle that laced his chest all the way down his torso. She could feel her body coming alive as he kissed her left knee, then her thigh, and then she sucked in her breath as he took her into his mouth. His tongue ran up her center as her body screamed for more. Every kiss. Every lick. She could barely take it as his tongue continued to stroke her.

  She reached down and wove her fingers in his hair, pressing him farther into her. She felt her body on the brink and then pleasure broke against her as she gasped for breath.

  Daniel sat up, licking his lips. He could never get enough of her. He crawled back up the length of her body and parted her legs. Her skin was like silk under him and lilies filled his nose.

  “You taste so sweet,” he whispered.

  He lowered himself between her legs. Never in his seven hundred years had he met a girl like her. Never had he felt like this before. His mother had once told him that when he meets the right one, he will know. And on that day, never let her go. He almost gave her up a month ago. It might have been to save her life, but he never wanted to let her go again. He never wanted to feel life without her again.

  When he entered her, her sweet moans fell on his ears. She was tight as she wrapped around him. Her warmth seeping into him. Everything about her was perfect. Every blond hair. Every lash. Every line on her perfect face. He should have known she was a witch. Because she had bewitched him the day he first saw her. He was already hers and now she was his.

  Jessie raised her hand and placed it over his heart.

  “Are you sure you want to do this?” she asked.

  “Without a doubt.”

  She smiled at him as he leaned down and kissed her soft lips. He lifted his hand to her heart and placed it over the warm skin.

  “With one heart and one heart beat,” he said.

  “With one heart and one heart beat,” she echoed.

  He felt her skin heat up under his hand and all of the love in the world filled the room. He saw her heart, and it was beautiful. Big and caring. He could feel the love she had for her brothers, her father, her pack.

  But most of all, he felt the love she had for him.

  It was more than he could have ever guessed. He was truly loved. Deeply and whole-heartedly. He felt their life forces combine as his heart stepped in time with hers. They came together as their hearts beat against one another.

  He looked down at her as she swept his hair to the side.

  This is what he had waited a lifetime for.

  Jessie is what he had waited a lifetime for.

  And he was never letting her go.

  ***

  EPILOGUE

  Bender stood outside the bar, staring up at the stars. The air was cold on his skin, but he didn’t mind it. He wasn’t really paying attention to the weather. His thoughts have been preoccupied since the night in the warehouse where Rocco was defeated. He felt Aria’s hands wrap around his waist, bringing him back to the ground.

  “Are you going to stand out here all
night?” she asked as her head rested against his back.

  He leaned back into her as he held her hands against his chest.

  “You know I’m not.”

  “You seem distracted,” she said. He turned to her and he could see the worry in her beautiful blue eyes. He still loved how she worried about him. He had never had anyone worry about him. He was always the one who people counted on. Who people looked at to make the big decisions. Nobody ever worried about him, though. Nobody seemed to care about his well-being, except Aria. She was his rock in this world of shaking ground.

  “Something has been bothering me, angel,” he said. There was no use lying to her. She could see right through him. She always could.

  “What is it?”

  “It’s about Rocco’s employer.”

  “It does make me wonder how a mortal man could summon a demon army and hand out powers like it's candy on Halloween.”

  “As it does me. I don’t think this man is mortal.”

  “You mean…” Aria’s voice trailed off.

  Bender nodded. He feared Marcus would make an appearance again. How, and what for, he was unsure. Marcus had betrayed them when he unleashed Lilith. Bender had never liked the man, but his betrayal still stung.

  “I think Marcus is up to something,” he said. “He wanted Jessie which means he must have known she was a hybrid.”

  “But what could Marcus want with a hybrid Cambion?”

  “With Jessie, nothing. With her powers, that’s a whole other story.”

  “You think he’s collecting powers?”

  “Yes. And I think he found a way to give out some of them.”

  “That would explain Rocco’s strength.”

  “He’s still a Dark Lord. He might not fight with us anymore, but he still has the strength and immortality. Marcus has always been overly interested in unusual things. He’s up to something, and whatever it is, it’s going to be big.”

  Aria leaned into him and rose on her tiptoes. She was tall, but Bender was six foot seven after all. She pulled his head down and kissed his lips. When she pulled back, Bender was breathless as he always was when she touched him.