Emery looked at her partner. “The longer we stay in here, the bigger the risk. What if they discover Verity’s gone?”
“She’s right.” Deane clenched his jaw. “We’ll have to take the risk.”
Verity realized she was holding her breath and exhaled shakily. “Okay, follow me.”
She gave Riley’s hand a quick squeeze before turning for the door. She peered down the hallway and started moving away from the direction they’d come. Soft light filtered through the end of the corridor, opening up to their left. Verity snuck a peek around the corner at the grand set of stairs which swept down to the first floor. Above the vaulted space a crystal chandelier cast a dim glow on everything below.
Verity exhaled slowly and gestured for the others to follow. She hurried down the first set of stairs to the main flight. Once she’d made it halfway, she saw him.
Lycos emerged from the side hall and stopped at the center of the entry, right where they were headed. He blinked up at them with his hands clasped together, his expression frighteningly still. “Where do you think you are going, dear one? Do you think I would let you leave on your own terms ever again?”
From the front entry of the home and the side hallways emerged a number of her family members, including Lawson and Dolan, whose arm was bandaged. Dolan showed more emotion than their father; anger consumed his every pore. Forgiveness wouldn’t come easy from a man who’d so recently lost another one of his own.
Verity halted in place and felt Deane’s hand touch the low of her back. He moved past her to the next step, putting himself between her and her father. She went backward, searching for the next stair, and bumped into Riley. She turned in time to see movement from the upper landings. Nissa, along with Opal, Marika and three more of her nephews emerged, trapping them in the middle of the stairs.
Emery positioned herself a step above Verity and Riley, keeping her eyes on the newest threats. Verity moved closer to her nephew and tried to swallow her fears. Though she knew they had little hope. No matter how strong and powerful the shifters were, they were outnumbered. She thought of her brother in Florida and was thankful she’d left him behind. Hopefully Cruz would keep him safe as promised.
“You are awfully quiet, my dear.” Lycos tilted his head ever so slightly. “What was it you said about coming alone?”
She couldn’t speak. She knew his question was rhetorical and he didn’t require an answer.
Just as she’d expected he raised his brows at Deane, who was casting a threatening glare at the vampire patriarch. Lycos moved closer to the base of the stairwell. “You changelings are sticking your nose into business that doesn’t concern you.”
“It was yer son who started it. Ramsay fed on my friend and abducted one of our own.” Deane’s eyes narrowed. “It’s my concern when yer hurting the people I’m trying to protect.”
“He got what he deserved. Ramsay never did understand the importance of secrecy.” Lycos’s eyes flashed. He pointed at Verity and Riley. “But they’re my family and none of your concern. It is I who chooses what is to become of them, not you.”
“Again, I have to disagree with ye.” Deane unbuttoned the top of his shirt with a flick of his wrist and looked over his shoulder at Verity and Riley. “Neither of them wishes to stay with ye. And there’s the wee issue of me being that boy’s proper guardian. In the eyes of the state, he’s my foster son, and I wouldn’t be doing my duty to that young man if I let a psycho like ye lay a finger on him.”
Verity’s pulse raced. She appreciated Deane’s bravado in the situation, but it alone wouldn’t save them from the might of at least a dozen well-trained vampires. Riley blinked at her, and she gave him a reassuring nod. There was no reason to frighten him any more than he likely already was.
Lycos turned to look at the others standing behind him. “You’re outnumbered, my friend. If I want to lay hands on any of you, trust me, I will.”
Verity glanced over her shoulder to check on her sister at the top of the stairs. A shadow fell away from Nissa’s belly, and Verity realized for the first time that her sister was once again expecting. Nissa’s shoulder-length blond hair couldn’t hide her grief. The loss of two children over the last few months had taken its toll. Opal, Marika and the others moved past her on the top landing and descended toward Emery, who faced them in wait. The enforcer glanced at Verity and whispered, “Keep Riley safe.”
Deane tossed aside his shirt and took a few steps closer to Lycos. Verity held her breath and winced as all hell broke loose.
Time seemed to stand still for Deane. He’d taken tiger form so often lately, the normal reticence he felt from the painful memories of a time long past had begun to dissolve away. The death of Deane’s wife and unborn baby had changed him as a young man. His guilt left a deep chip on his shoulder. No longer fueled by his passions and temper, he’d sought a meaning to his life, which he’d found with the Society.
As he stood before Lycos, shielding Verity and Riley from harm, a sense of resolve came over him. His current life didn’t resemble anything from his past. He was over a hundred forty years old. The lad he’d once been had grown up. He was a man, prepared to protect the ones he cared for without hesitation. This was the life he’d chosen, and if it ended here on the stairs in a puddle of blood, so be it. He would stand proud, knowing he was following his principles and heart.
Deane unbuttoned the top of his trousers and glared at Lycos. He beckoned to his powers, feeling the change take over. His pants dropped to the stairs as he tipped forward onto his forepaws. While his body enlarged, a carpet of orange and black stripes hid his flesh from view.
His breathing hitched and reverberated in his lungs. Deep purring poured from his jaws, and he raised his muzzle to return Lycos’s unfazed stare. The vampire patriarch held his hand out to the side. Behind him, one of his grandsons placed a weapon in his hand. Lycos blinked at the long wooden handle and the hardened steel knuckle at its end. “Time to play.”
He might not have been holding a blade, but Deane knew a mace that size could easily break bones. Lycos moved up another two steps, closing the gap between them. The vampire held the weapon in front of him, never taking his eyes from Deane. “Come and get me.”
Deane wasn’t easily provoked. Not anymore. He wouldn’t leave Verity and Riley unless he had no other choice. He also wasn’t going to attack wildly, opening himself up to injury. Just like Lycos had stated, they were outnumbered, and the odds were certainly against them. He had to play this smart.
Deep grumbles and a whipping sound filled the air behind him, but he wasn’t about to take his eyes off Lycos, who was now only a few strides away from him. The vampire swung the mace at Deane’s head, and he ducked to avoid it. He needed to get Verity and Riley out of harm’s way so he could move around freely.
Deane backed up a few steps and felt himself brush against Verity. He chanced taking his eyes off Lycos to stare at her. She had put herself before Riley and was watching everything through narrowed eyes. Without use of his voice, he had little way of communicating with her, but he did his best. He let out a rattling purr that caught her attention, and he turned his focus to the side railing.
Verity didn’t hesitate. She guided Riley laterally along the step to the railing, keeping him behind her the whole time. It wasn’t ideal, but at least they weren’t as exposed.
Something swished near Deane’s head, so he quickly whipped around in time to see Lycos’s weapon arc downward. While the vampire was still in motion, Deane took a swipe. His sharp claws extended toward Lycos, snagging and tearing through the flap of his suit jacket. The man sucked in his stomach and moved back too late, glancing at the ripped, tattered fabric.
Lycos’s cavalier manner shifted, and his eyes narrowed in frustration.
From the base of the stairs, a man held a crossbow pointed in Deane’s direction. Deane leaped aside, trying to keep Lycos between them just as an arrow whizzed by, lodging into the stair he’d just occupied.
&
nbsp; Lycos looked over his shoulder at the bowman. “Aim higher.”
The vampire patriarch gazed at his daughter and nephew huddled against the railing. His pale blue eyes darkened into a scowl.
The bowman nodded and readied another arrow. Deane watched in horror as he realized what was about to happen. He reared back on his haunches and sprang through the air, soaring down the length of the staircase. Deane’s paws outstretched, reaching for the man’s weapon. He crashed into the vampire after the arrow was released. He knocked the bowman off his feet, sending the crossbow clattering to the tiled floor.
Deane spun around as soon as he landed, fearing the worst. Beside Verity and Riley in the wooden banister was the arrow. He breathed a sigh in relief and realized he was now being surrounded by an array of angry vampires. One of the men tried reaching for the crossbow on the ground, and Deane snarled and launched at him. The man darted back with his hands lowered.
From where he now stood, Deane could see Emery moving on the upper half of the stairs. She’d taken bear form and was trying to avoid Opal, the punk-rock-styled vampire, who was swinging a long shiny chain whip with a pointed dart at its end.
The bear grumbled at the woman as she smirked and said, “I’m going to kill you just like I killed that wolf.”
This seemed to agitate Emery. She roared so loudly that the air reverberated in Deane’s ears. Opal only grinned at the beast while she whipped her weapon parallel to her body. With blinding speed, she spun it around her, catching the chain around her neck, flinging it back the other direction. The impressive show was successfully keeping Emery a distance away as the contingent of vampires at the top of the stairs descended upon them.
Lycos started moving closer to Verity and Riley, and Deane realized that when he’d tried to protect them from the bowman, he’d left them exposed. Deane looked at the men around him. They were staying a few feet back. One held a dagger, and another held a staff. The bowman was shaking off the impact and was just getting to his feet with help from Lawson.
Deane needed to act quickly. He focused on Dolan’s bandaged arm. Dolan was still recovering from his run-in with Deane’s claws and was standing back from the throng. Deane lunged at the nearest man and swiped. The vampire jumped back, and Deane kept going. He clawed at the next vampire, who also retreated.
Now Deane was near enough to leap at Dolan. He sprang through the air, snarling as he went. Deane’s claws slashed at the bandages, cutting through the white cotton. Dolan’s eyes widened, and he yelled in pain. Red soaked through the gauze, and just as Deane had hoped, this drew Lycos’s attention.
The patriarch’s head turned at the sound of the scream. Lycos descended with his mace held high, leaving Verity and Riley huddled on the stairs. Verity’s eyes were filled with fear as she caught Deane’s eye. But it was Riley who straightened and muttered something to his aunt. Their attention turned to Emery, who was surrounded by vampires.
Verity nodded, and Riley came out from behind her. The lad dug in his heels and launched across the stairs with Verity by his side. Their arms stretched out as they shoved headlong into Marika and another of Riley’s cousins. The vampires yelped in surprise while tipping over the rail and falling out of sight onto the ground below. Emery’s loud rumblings once again filled the chamber, and she lashed out at one of her attackers, who didn’t move fast enough. Another scream dotted the air.
Lycos had moved in on Deane and brought down his mace with blinding speed. Its metal end connected with Deane’s side, and the distinct cracking of ribs traveled through his body. Filled with adrenaline, he didn’t flinch. Deane swiped with his opposite paw, ripping the weapon from the vampire’s hands. It snapped against Lawson’s chest as it fell.
A scream from the staircase drew both Deane’s and Lycos’s focus. A very pregnant blond woman bent over a man who was bleeding from claw marks on his face. Red lines traced his cheek while he squinted up at the upset woman. She helped the vampire to his feet and launched at Verity with a twisted grimace. The pregnant woman was surprisingly powerful as she landed a punch against the side of Verity’s head. Riley hurried to help with his hands balled into fists.
Lycos turned away and ran for the stairs, screaming, “Do not risk the baby, Nissa!”
A vampire holding a narrow club swung at Deane, landing the blow against Deane’s rear legs, knocking him off balance. His pain receptors alerted him to the trauma he’d received. But he lashed out again, trying to hit anyone, anything. He heard another yell and snarled in response. He was a tiger and the king of his own domain. He would not go down easy.
Through the window of legs and bodies, he saw up the stairwell. Lycos had reached the scene and grabbed hold of Riley’s long hair. The boy was yelling and throwing wild punches at his grandfather while Verity smacked her hands against Lycos’s back. Her voice rose above the shouts. “Leave him alone!”
Lycos thrust out his leg, sending Verity flying backward, down the stairs. Deane watched in horror as she tumbled the remaining length of the flight. The vampire patriarch snarled at Opal, “Stop playing, and kill it!”
Opal nodded and whipped her chain through the air, stabbing its pointed end toward Emery. The bear thrust its paws out, getting the links wrapped around its arms, avoiding the dangerous tip. Emery yanked on the chain, pulling the punk-rock vampire three steps closer.
Verity had come to a stop on the tiled floor and lay unmoving. Deane’s throat went dry as he watched Lycos yank a flailing Riley down the stairs, headed for the entrance. “Time to leave!”
Lycos hadn’t yet reached the base of the stairs where Deane was surrounded by his horde when something very unexpected happened. A light, far brighter than the dimmed chandelier, glowed from midway up the stairs. And out from the shimmering oval came five silhouettes.
Twenty-One
The burst of light drew everyone’s attention. Lawson pivoted away from Deane, allowing him a clear view of the stairs. Lycos was slow to turn around, but when he did, he did so wearing a frown.
Not appearing to heed the glowing green light at the center of the stairs, Opal freed her chain whip from the bear’s limbs, but not before receiving a bloody swipe across the arm. The girl sucked in a sharp breath and backed away quickly, using her good arm to start whipping her weapon through the air, now angrier than ever and wearing a furious scowl.
A long-haired man raced up the steps from the glowing portal toward the bear and Opal. The vampire noticed his sudden presence and turned her body toward him, still slinging her chain whip through the air. Just as she let it fly, the bear lunged, intercepting the weapon’s path, its pointed tip sinking into Emery’s fur.
The furious vampire raised her eyebrows at the immense creature. “I tipped it with my venom. Nighty night.”
With surprising speed, one of the silhouettes from the glowing portal flipped down the stairs, launching feet first into Lycos’s chest. The patriarch tumbled back, letting go of Riley. Deane studied the white-haired woman who crawled after Lycos, taking his neck in a tight hold and pulling him back up the stairs. Her dark eyes focused on Dolan and his sons and narrowed in warning.
Lycos was grabbing hold of her shoulder-length hair in defense when she twisted his wrist and muttered, “Shh.”
The portal dimmed and disappeared, leaving three people midway up the grand staircase. Deane immediately recognized Piers, one of the men Emery had confronted at the gas station in Florida. Beside them was a middle-aged man with white hair that fell past his shoulders as well as an angelic redhead with high cheekbones.
The redhead descended gracefully toward the other woman who, surprisingly, had the strength to continue to drag Lycos up the stairs. Lycos’s captor produced an etched blade and pressed it to his neck while the man who’d run to Emery’s aid stood helplessly by as the bear groaned and sank to the steps. The man turned, and Deane recognized him.
Tovin focused on the nearby cluster of vampires and warned, “Back away from her.”
Opal’s ey
es went to her chain whip, which she’d since folded neatly in her hand.
The white-haired man looked over his shoulder at the faction behind him, revealing opalescent designs on his neck. His voice came out steady and clear. “Do as he commands. For you do not wish to have anything befall your beloved paterfamilias, I presume.”
The vampires near Emery backed away slowly, moving up to the top landing. Deane took the opportunity to move aside to get a better look at the unexpected visitors.
“That is better,” the white-haired man muttered.
Deane noticed Piers weaving in place, then he saw the blood streaming from his nose. The white-haired man turned and remarked, “What ails you?”
Piers sank to the steps, his eyes fluttering closed as his body went limp.
The white-haired man squatted beside him, then glanced up at Tovin. “You have been traveling with him. Were you not aware he was unwell?”
Tovin touched Emery’s dark coat and glanced back at his questioner. A grim expression settled on the white-haired man’s face, and he rose to his feet with a heavy sigh. “I pray you have not misled me, young one. This does not bode well.”
Dolan approached the stairs. His eyes went from his father to the unnamed man at the center of the staircase. “Who are you, and what do you want with Lycos?”
Deane lifted his nose to the air, catching a very distinctive aroma. Mint. He crept between the vampires, moving from their congregation like an apparition.
The white-haired man didn’t seem to be listening to Dolan. He instead directed his attention to Lycos, who was being held very tightly by the wiry woman with a knife. “We broke our edict coming here in this manner, fearing if we let you escape, we would be unable to locate you again.” The man glanced at Tovin with narrowed eyes, then addressed Lycos once again, “We have been seeking information your young have been unable to supply. So we have come to the source for answers.”
Half-Blood Secrets: A Paranormal Series (Half-Bloods Book 2) Page 26