“Oh! Will you just shut up!” Talia shouted, rolling her eyes. She grabbed the bandanna laying on the table next to her, pulling it over Josslyn’s mouth and tying it in a knot. “Goodness! Your voice is annoying! Just stop already. You’ve already lost the battle, and no one will be saving you any time soon.” She pointed. “Look. The full moon is here,” she said, staring up at the dark sky, showing through the hole above them. “A beautiful sight, isn’t it? But don’t worry, it’ll all be over soon.” She gestured to the vampires. “Go get the wolf. We’re just about ready. Alana, are you about set?”
“Yes,” Alana said, from where she was standing next to the cauldron. “Jax’s blood is the perfect consistency for what we need to break the curse. We just need Josslyn’s blood, the sacrifices, and…” She frowned, cocking her head.
“What? What is it?”
“Someone’s here,” Alana said, glancing at Talia. “And they’re coming for the sacrifices.”
“What!”
Talia’s eyes bulged in her head. She jabbed a finger toward the vampire standing next to her. “You! Go check on them, and if you have to, kill them! Kill them all!”
The vampire raced out of the room, and she smiled, as she glanced over her shoulder. The vampire and the werewolf walking into the room. “Hello, there,” she said, spreading her arms wide. “One of the first werewolves to ever step foot in this land. And one of my oldest vampires. Are you ready?”
They both nodded. “We’re ready.”
“Soon, our families will be united,” Talia said, stepping forward. Sher raised the knife in her hand, etching an X into each of their foreheads. “And you have been chosen to bring forth my vision. A vision, the Rogues had centuries ago. Once the witch is gone, and you drink the potion, your brothers, your sisters will also have the blood inside of them. It will break the curse, that has kept us apart, and allow us to each choose a young to wed. Then we will be stronger. More powerful then ever and then we will bring forth a new breed. A breed, that will bring forth a whole new world. With us as its rulers.” She stepped back, nodding to Josslyn. “Now go. Drink. She’s yours for the taking.”
“Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve tasted a witch?” the vampire said, as he moved passed Talia, stopping next to Josslyn.
No.
Josslyn’s eyes widened. She struggled against the restraints, trying to move her hands, but nothing worked.
“Centuries,” the vampire continued, ducking his head. He licked his tongue up her throat, moaning, then sunk his fangs into her neck.
Josslyn screamed, the bandana in her mouth blocking the noise, as he suckled. She winced, pain rushing through her, her head getting dizzy, lightheaded, faintly hearing the footsteps of the werewolf.
“I have been waiting too,” the werewolf said, as he walked up on the other side of her. He traced a long nail up her side, up her neck, licking his chops. “And it is time to feast.” He sunk his teeth into her neck.
“No!”
Josslyn screamed, the sound once again muffled by the bandana, staring at Jax as she watched on, begging her to do something, anything, but all she did was stand there.
I’m going to die, she thought, a tear rolling down her cheek. Where are my sisters?
Chapter 32
“Dammitt, will you sit still!” Ashwin cried, dabbing at the blood on Elijah’s head. “Jami healed you, but you still have blood on the side of your head. Let me clean you up. Do you want your wife seeing you like this?”
“Well… no,” Elijah said, sighing, as he rubbed the back of his neck. “I feel like I’ve been in a brawl or something.”
“Well, you did get attacked by a werewolf,” Matthew said, pacing back and forth in the living room. He dragged a hand across his face, grumbling under his breath. “God! This is a mess!”
Ashwin and Elijah glanced at one another.
“Ah. Matthew, are you okay?” Ashwin asked. “You look kind of… well, crazy.”
“I think I am,” Matthew said, sighing. He dropped into the chair, dragging his hand over his face again. “God, this is a freaking nightmare!”
“What is?”
“This!” Matthew shouted, gesturing around him. “Everything that has happened. My wife… my ex-wife is an evil doer! I bet she planned this, you know. That this is part of some diabolical plan of hers and Talia’s, and I can’t stop thinking about the woman I fell in love with!”
“He’s talking about Jax,” Elijah whispered.
“Yeah, I got that.”
“So, I guess he’s not worried about that guy who kissed Josslyn?”
Matthew glared at them. “No, and she goddamn knew it. She knew I still had feelings for Jax, no matter how hard I tried not to.”
“Josslyn was never known as being dumb,” Elijah said, softly, just as a rush of wind whipped through the house. They all turned, watching as a portal opened up, Caleb tumbling onto the floor in front of them.
“Caleb?”
“Ooh. I made it,” Caleb cried, wincing, as he rose to his knees.
“Dang. What happened to you?” Elijah asked, raising a brow at him, as he stared at the claw marks marked on his skin.
“Oh, you know. I only took on about twelve wolves,” Caleb said, as he tried to stand. He gasped, tumbling back to the ground. “It was time to get out. Especially now that the Alpha is onto me.”
“Caleb!”
Matthew rushed forward, dragging him to the chair. “You don’t look so good, Man.”
“I don’t feel so good,” Caleb said, pointing at his chest. “The Alpha. He found out I was sabotaging their plans. Killing the vampires that crossed into camp. Talking to the young wolves, explaining to them that this is not who we are. That we do not kill for fun. That we belong in a pack. Not bound to the vampires.”
“And the Alpha came after you, right?” Matthew asked. “Caleb, one of these claw marks, it’s above your heart. Did he…”
Caleb nodded. “He nicked my heart.”
“Jami!”
“What?”
Jami hurried into the room, her eyes widening when she saw the man sitting in the chair. “Whoa. Who’s the hottie?”
“Jami!”
“Caleb,” Caleb said, grinning wickedly, as the stared at her. “I’m a shifter. I can transform into a wolf, whenever I see fit.”
“Even on the full moon?”
“Even then.”
Jami stared at him, her gaze going to the claw marks marring his flesh. “You’re hurt.”
“He got in a little too deep with the werewolves,” Matthew said. “He’s losing a lot of blood, Jami. Do you think you can help him?”
“I can definitely try,” Jami said, walking forward.
“Wait. She’s a healer?” Caleb asked, staring at the three men in the room. “Seriously?”
“Yup. A great thing to have in times like these,” Ashwin said, his lip curling. “Welcome to the Morgan household, Caleb.”
Caleb grunted, watching as Jami stopped in front of him, lifting her hand, a gold light illuminating and washing over his body. Moments later, he was staring at freshly healed wounds. “Whoa. You are some miracle worker.”
“Yeah. Yeah, I now. Now you owe me fifty bucks,” Jami said, holding out her hand. “Pay up.”
“Jami!”
“What?” she asked, glancing over at Ashwin and Elijah.
“You can not use your powers, to make money,” Ashwin told her.
“It’s against the rules,” Elijah added.
“And you could end up in very big trouble!” Matthew added. “You’re supposed to be using your powers for the greater good, and Caleb here, saved all of our asses back there in London.”
“Jeesh, guys, I was just kidding,” Jami said, rolling her eyes. “Chill, will you?”
“You are not funny,” Caleb informed her, rising to his feet. He glanced around at the men in the room. “Do any of you by any chance have a shirt I can borrow. This little vixen might have healed my wo
unds, but my shirt, not so much.”
“Upstairs, third door on the left,” Ashwin said, eyeing him. “Something of mine should be able to fit you.”
“Did you just call me a vixen?” Jami asked, propping her hands on her hips. “Hey!”
Caleb shrugged. “If the shoe fits.” He turned, jogging up the stairs, returning a moment later. He descended the stairs, buttoning the shirt, glancing at everyone in the room. “So, does anyone wanna tell me what happened?”
“We got home, and there was a welcoming party waiting for us,” Elijah said, scowling. “Three vampires, three werewolves, and Jax. Jax took Josslyn.”
“What!” Caleb’s eyes went wide. “Guys, that is not good! She is the last piece of the antidote to this curse that they need. With her, they have everything they need. She’s going to die!”
“Which is why we are not waiting around here any longer,” Matthew said, rising to his feet. “We’re going down to the underworld, without the women, but you.” He pointed at Jami. “You’re coming with.”
“Why?”
“Because we might be needing you.”
“What about us?” Jessi asked, poking her head out from the kitchen.
“You three have to stay here.”
“But why?” Josi cried.
“We can help!” Jordyn added.
“Be that as it may, someone needs to stay here, and brief the women when they return,” Ashwin said, as he rose to his feet. “But I agree with Matthew. We can’t wait around any longer. We need to try to save Josslyn while we still can.” He struck his hand out. “Come on, guys. Let’s get down to the underworld.” He glanced over at Caleb. “You coming?”
“Damn right I am.”
Chapter 33
“Whaa! Whaa!”
The crying sounds of a baby filled the air, and Jasmine frowned, opening her eyes. She frowned, staring at the darkness surrounding her, and let out a loud sigh. Of course it’s me. Why wouldn’t it be me? It’s always me.
She rose to her feet, taking a step forward, and let out a shriek as a tentacle whipped out, nearly striking her.
Is that… Liam?
She squinted, trying to see through the darkness, staring at the bubble that rose high in the air above her, a picture of Liam’s face coming into view.
Why is Liam here? He’s not dead. He’s not one of the loved ones I have lost. Just how many souls are in this place?
“Remember, you’re goal is Jax,” Sky’s voice echoed inside her head. “Ignore everything around you. The other lost souls. The ones you have lost. The ones you have fought against, and focus. She’s counting on you.”
She drew in a breath, nodding, and continued down the hallway. She lifted her hand, white light zinging from her hand, and she stared around at the familiar faces surrounding her.
There’s Gram and Gramps, she thought, staring at the image of the two, sharing a tender moment in the kitchen. Her heart ached, at the fact that she had never been able to see them together.
She continued on, another smile spreading across her face when she saw her mother, her father.
They’re all here!
Of course they were here. They were her family. Why wouldn’t she see them?
She continued on, turning away from them. If she stared at them, she would be tempted to save them. To learn about them, and she couldn’t do that. She had a mission. A mission everyone was counting on her to complete.
“Whaa! Whaa!”
Once again, the cry sounded, and she hurried along the path, following the noise. She rounded the corner, walking past the stairs, and stepped through the doorway.
“I’m so sorry, Jillian,” the doctor said, shaking his head, his face grim as he stared at her. “But one of the babies, they just didn’t make it.”
“What? But why?” Jillian asked, tears filling her eyes, as she stared at the doctor. “Did I do something wrong?”
“Not at all,” the doctor informed her. “It just started out this way. The child. She just wasn’t strong enough to survive.”
“So, what happens?”
“It’ll pass on its own. You’ll be in some pain for a few days, but be grateful you still have one healthy baby coming.”
Jasmine lifted a hand, stifling the sob that rose in her throat, watching, as her mother let out a loud, heart-wrenching cry. She saw their father, trying to console her, but what could he do? What could anyone do? She had lost her baby!
She swallowed, watching the scene fold out before her, catching sight of a white ball of light as it rose into the air.
Jax.
She turned, hurrying up the steps, following the white ball of light. She lunged forward, shoving the door open, and gasped at the sudden change in elevation.
Whoa! What a rush! she thought, dragging in deep breaths, as she stared at the clouds surrounding her. Wait. I’m in heaven?
“Whaa! Whaa!”
“What in the devil is that noise!” A man dressed in white robes asked, holding a hand over his ears.
“It’s a baby!” A young, brown-haired woman dressed out in identical robes cried. A smile lit her face, and she turned, racing forward. “We have a baby here!”
“Jesus Christ! As if we don’t have enough to worry about!” the man cried, following the woman down the street, stopping, when he saw an infant, wrapped in a black towel.
“Wait. Marge. Don’t get any closer,” he said, holding her back. “That baby doesn’t belong here. She’s evil.”
“What?” Marge turned to stare at him. “Liam! She’s just a child!”
“And she’ll be welcome, down in the underworld, but not here. Never here,” Liam said, pointing a finger, and the infant disappeared from sight.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Jasmine muttered, her eyes narrowing. “Liam? Liam’s the cause of this? I should have known!” She turned, and hurried back down the stairs, bursting through yet another door, this time, appearing deep in the underworld.
“Oh look! It’s a baby!” Talia cried, cradling the infant in her hands. “What on earth are you doing down here?”
“Whaa! Whaa!”
“Oh, I know. You miss your Mommy, don’t you?” Talia asked, shaking her head. “Those Morgans. They really don’t know how to protect their family, do they?” She shrugged. “Oh well. Their loss is my gain, and don’t you worry, little one. You’re mine now. I’ll teach you to be strong. To be brave, and one day, you’ll take over the underworld.”
“She’ll make a great queen,” Elijah said, glancing over her shoulder. “What will you name her?”
“Well, Jax of course,” Talia said, glancing down at the blanket huddled around the infant. “It is her name after all, and won’t it drive Jillian insane, when she realizes what she’s lost. When her own daughter, terrorizes the very planet she swore to keep.”
“I like the way you think, Talia,” Elijah whispered, grinning. “I like the way you think.”
They turned and disappeared through the door.
Jasmine narrowed her eyes, following. Elijah knew about Jax? What other secrets was he keeping?
She’d never trusted him. Even with everything he’d done for them lately, there was something telling her that he was up to no good, but what could she do? She needed to support Julie.
She turned and disappeared through the next door.
“Hey! Give that back!” Jax cried, racing after the young boy, as he raced down the halls of the underworld. “That’s mine!”
“Oh, you want the cape?” the boy asked, his dark eyes narrowing, sticking out his forked tongue at her. “Make me.”
“Oh, you asked for it!” Jax lifted her hand, metal zinging from her hands and springing through the air. It spun around the boy, making him stumble and fall to the ground.
“Jax!”
The loud voice echoed through the air, and Jax grimaced. She turned, her lip trembling, as the woman approached. “Yes, Mom?”
“What did I tell you about using your powers o
n other demons?” Talia asked, striding up and grabbing Jax by the arm.
“Ouch! Mom, you’re hurting me!”
“Good!” Talia shouted as she dragged Jax down the hallway. “Maybe it’ll all make sense! We are your family, Jax. The ones who raised you. What did I tell you about using your powers?”
“That they should be used against the ones who have done me wrong. The witches, who abandoned me.”
“Right. And who else?”
“The souls I need to bring back to you, to break the curse.”
“Very good,” Talia said, patting her on the arm. “But you’ve broken the rules one too many times, Jax. I can’t let it slide any longer.” She reached forward, dragging the door next to her open. “And for this betrayal, you are sentenced to solitude for the next week.”
“What? Mom! No!”
Jasmine swallowed, tears brimming in her eyes. Poor Jax. Is this what she was sentenced to when she was rejected from the heavens? She turned and walked through another door.
“Again!”
Jax turned, racing across the coals, wincing, and jumping up high in the air. She grabbed the pole, twirling around it, and spun around. Knives sprung from her hands, slicing through the pinata on the other side of the room.
“Yes! Good! There you go!” Talia cried, clapping her hands together. “There’s my girl! You’re ready.”
“I’m finally ready to go out into the world?” Jax asked, turning to stare at her mother. “To go to college?”
“Yes, my dear. You’re ready. After you get these for me.” Talia handed her a list. “These are the souls I need to break the curse. Can you bring them to me?”
“Of course, Mother. I won’t let you down.”
Bitten (The Wiccan Way Book 7) Page 14