“I’m hundreds of years older than he is,” he growled. “I’ll be faster.”
“You’d better be,” she warned.
“My love for you is stronger than his hatred—that’s enough to make me faster.”
“His hatred brought him back from the dead.”
They locked eyes, frozen in the moment, of the dangers of their situation.
“I don’t know any other way, Serenity,” Sebastian said eventually. “He slaughtered three armed police officers out there. He’s going to come for you eventually.”
As though the mention of the men outside conjured their colleagues, the wail of sirens filtered through the thick walls of the house, Sebastian’s sensitive ears picking up on them first.
“The police are on their way,” he told her. “We need to get out of here fast. They know those officers were supposed to be protecting you. If they find you here unharmed, they’re going to have plenty of questions.”
At the mention of the police, Serenity’s mind went to James Bently, of the danger she’d put him and his family in. She’d not heard from him since leaving her apartment and she hoped both he and his family remained safe. Amy and Noah were at least far away with Amy’s mother but James had insisted on staying in the city.
As the siren’s grew loud—and close—enough for her to hear, she wondered if James would be among the officers sent to investigate.
A longing to say goodbye to her old friend clutched her heart. If something should happen, she hated that James would never know what became of her. Of course Sebastian would take care of Elizabeth now, but should something happen to all of them she didn’t want James to think he could have done more.
“I know we need to go,” she said. “But can we just hide a couple of streets down for the moment and see if my friend, James is among the officers?”
“Why?”
“James might be able to help.”
His jaw tightened. “It’s my job to make sure you’re safe.”
“This isn’t about you. James has been there for me over the past four years and I won’t just give up on his friendship because you’re back in my life. I love you but I’ve loved James as well, as a friend. If something should happen to us, I want him to have some idea about where to look for a body.”
Sebastian’s whole body went rigid at the word, “Don’t talk like that!”
“Be practical, Sebastian. Anything could happen. A roof might cave in and trap us. I might break my leg and be unable to get out.”
“I’d carry you out,” he growled.
“And if something happened to you? What then? There’s nothing wrong with having backup, Sebastian. It’s not a failure to ask for help. I don’t want James anywhere near Jackson but the future is unpredictable for us right now.”
“Okay,” he said, relenting. “But we need to move now or it’s going to be too late.”
Miraculously, Elizabeth had slept through the whole conversation. Now they needed to rouse her so she wouldn’t wake later, not know what was happening or where she was, and be terrified.
Together, they crouched at her bedside and Serenity gently shook her shoulder. Elizabeth raised her head and blinked a couple of times.
“We need to go now, honey,” Serenity said. “We’re going on an adventure.”
Elizabeth pulled herself to sitting and rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand. “What kind of adventure?”
“One out in the forest. Sebastian is going to take us.”
“Yeah?”
Sebastian nodded. “That’s right. I’m going to carry you there and it will be like you’re flying.”
The little girl’s eyes widened, all sleepiness falling away. “Real flying? Like fairies?”
“Pretty much,” said Serenity.
“We’re going to move really fast now,” he told her. “So hold on tight, okay?”
He swept them both up in his arms; Serenity in one arm, Elizabeth in the other, her arms loosely wrapped around his broad neck.
“We’re not going straight there, though,” Serenity said to Sebastian. “We need to see if James is with the other officers first.”
“Fine, but only for a minute. We don’t have time to waste.”
With Serenity and Elizabeth clutched to his body, cradled around each other, Sebastian ran. Serenity gasped in surprise and Elizabeth let out a little squeal of excitement.
She’d forgotten how it felt to move this way, with such speed, her hair whipping from her face, her skin pulled back as though experiencing g-force. Within moments, they’d burst from the house and Sebastian leaped over the tall walls. The motion snatched the breath from her lungs as they passed the car containing the murdered men. Serenity only caught a glimpse of swirling blue lights, the shapes of figures stood in the street and more vehicles creating a roadblock.
Sebastian stopped several blocks away and set them down. Serenity’s feet touched the ground and she swayed slightly, motion sickness caused her head to swim. She glanced down at her daughter but Elizabeth grinned back up.
“That was fun!” the girl laughed.
Serenity smiled and ruffled her dark hair. Turning her attention back to Sebastian she asked, “Did you see him?”
He nodded, “Yeah, I’m pretty sure he was there.”
Serenity raised her eyebrows and he sighed.
“Wait here,” he told them and disappeared before their eyes.
Within seconds, Sebastian reappeared and deposited a man, kicking and yelling back on the street.
“Uncle James!” Elizabeth cried in delight.
The little girl’s voice snatched the man out of the confused fear created by Sebastian’s movement.
“Jesus, Serenity,” said James, his eyes widening at the sight of her. “What the hell’s going on? This jerk grabbed me off the street and moved like… like… I don’t know what. I can’t even describe it. I thought your ex-husband had me.”
“I’m so sorry, James. I didn’t mean to frighten you but I needed to talk to you and this was the only way.”
“I only just heard you were the one being staked out at this house. I was already planning on coming to see you before we got the call about Detective Gingham and the other two officers.”
Serenity gasped. “Detective Gingham was one of the men killed?”
“Yes, I assumed you knew.”
“No, why would I?”
Sebastian turned to Serenity, “So you knew one of the men?”
“Yes, the detective. He’d called me in a couple of times for questioning now. The last time, he picked me and Elizabeth up down the street from your house.”
“So he knows about you,” Sebastian said. “He knows about Elizabeth.”
Alarm jarred through her. “Yes, why are you saying all this?”
“Jackson let the man live for a short period of time, unlike the other two police-officers, who he murdered immediately. I think Jackson was trying to get information out of him. I’ve got a feeling it was to do with Elizabeth.”
“Shit.”
James turned to Sebastian, taking the man in properly for the first time. “So this is the one you’ve been telling me about,” he said, not addressing Sebastian. “Elizabeth’s father.”
“It’s a good thing I’ve already told her,” Serenity snapped.
“Sorry, I wasn’t thinking. I’ve just never met a…”
“Vampire,” Sebastian finished for him, and grinned wickedly, flashing a glimpse of the fangs normally hidden further back in his jaw.
James didn’t rear back, but held both his position and eye contact.
“Listen,” Serenity said, placing a hand on James’ forearm, pulling his attention back. “We don’t have time for small talk. We’re going to go and hide at a mine in Angeles Forest.” She looked at Sebastian for the name.
“Dawn Mine,” said Sebastian. “Two miles up Millard Canyon in Altadena.”
James nodded, “I know it.”
“Sebastian will take
care of Jackson while we hide.”
He shook his head. “The police should be there.”
“Don’t start. You’ve seen what he did to your men. I’m only telling you this so you know what’s happening. If you don’t hear from me within twenty-four hours then you can come looking. Agreed?”
“I don’t like this, Serenity.”
“Please, trust me.” She stepped forward and placed a kiss on his cheek, his stubble grazing her lips. “And thank you for everything, James. You’ve been a better friend to me than I ever deserved.”
He stared at her. “Why do I feel like you’re saying goodbye?”
Chapter Twenty-four
James retreated back to his colleagues and Sebastian refocused on the dangerous task ahead. He planned to head back to where he’d encountered Jackson the previous night. Though he didn’t want Jackson to challenge him with Serenity and Elizabeth in his arms, he needed to get close enough for Jackson to become aware of their presence.
Elizabeth held onto his neck, her small legs wrapped around his waist. Her tiny body weighed nothing to him, but he wrapped one arm around her for support. Serenity’s weight was negligible but her adult size made running more awkward so she clung to his back, her face buried in a combination of his neck and her daughter’s arm.
His companions only slowed Sebastian’s speed by a fraction. As soon as he’d grown accustomed to his slight change in balance, he flew across the city, not much slower than normal. The lights of the city became a blur at his speed, the roar of traffic, and wail of sirens and car alarms quickly left behind.
Within minutes, he’d left the city and entered the steep, gravel pathways of the hills before these too, gave way to thicker bush and boulders. This time, Sebastian would have no trouble finding Jackson. Firstly, he knew the location of Jackson’s lair. Secondly, the stench of Jackson’s blood hung on the air like smoke in a bush fire. The shot Detective Gingham managed to squeeze off must have caught an artery, as the blood flow was even stronger than at the airport.
Both Serenity and Elizabeth hid against him, protecting their faces from the whipping branches and the wind as he tore along. Their warm bodies snuggled against his body gave him a strength and purpose. He’d spent so many years wandering aimlessly, going from one place to another with nothing to ground him, yet now he held his family in his arms and he didn’t intend on letting them go.
As he entered the depths of the forest, tree trunks rising on every side, he closed the gap between them and their foe. Sebastian slowed to human pace and Serenity unraveled herself from him.
“Are we close?” she asked, keeping her voice low.
“Yes.” The stench of Jackson’s rotten blood filled his nostrils and the back of his throat as though he were drowning in it.
Would Jackson even be strong enough to follow them?
If he was badly injured, perhaps he would be buried beneath ground and pay no attention to Serenity’s presence. If Jackson didn’t know Serenity was there, he’d not know to follow them to the mines.
Elizabeth piped up. “Are we there yet?”
“Shhh,” Serenity said, placing her finger against her own lips.
“Everyone needs to be quiet,” said Sebastian. “I need to listen.”
“What are you—”
“Hush, Elizabeth,” Serenity cut her off and the little girl fell silent.
The three of them stood together, the sounds of the forest moving around them. Wind rustled the leaves of the trees, small animals scurried in the bushes, and larger mammals cracked twigs beneath their feet. But Sebastian listened past all these noises, primed for the movement of the monster Jackson had become.
Then, in the distance, came the increasingly familiar sound of slurping, grunting and chewing.
“Wait here,” he told Serenity. “I’m pretty sure he’s up ahead.”
Serenity nodded and reached down, grasping Elizabeth’s hand. Though the moon was almost full, allowing them enough light to see, being alone in the middle of the forest at night was always going to be scary for a human, never mind with something like Jackson after them.
Sebastian stepped forward and cupped her cheek in his palm. “I’ll be fast,” he told her.
She pressed her face against his hand, her eyes closing for a moment. She jerked away, as if forcing herself from him. “Okay, go.”
He gave her a brief nod and darted through the trees, knowing he’d only appear a blur before their eyes, if they saw him at all.
Sebastian got close and slowed. He peered through the trees into a small clearing. Jackson was hunched over the sleek, brown body of a deer. The animal’s legs kicked feebly as Jackson chewed his way through the deer’s throat. Blood matted its fur, spilling down Jackson’s chest and covering his hands. The deer clung to the last sparks of life but as Jackson fed, so the animal’s motions grew weaker.
Jackson must have needed the blood to recuperate, but had been unable to find a human victim quickly enough. Seeing him feed from an animal didn’t make Sebastian feel any better. From his own experience, when he’d first been turned and tried to live from the blood of animals, he’d soon discovered he needed human blood to keep his mind clear. Feeding on animal blood would only make Jackson more animalistic and Sebastian didn’t think he needed any help in that area.
Jackson’s involvement in his meal left him unaware of his surroundings. He still hadn’t noticed he had company.
Sebastian spoke out loud, raising his voice to be heard. “I’ve got something you want.”
The monster that had once been Serenity’s husband lifted his face from the now dead deer. He gave a smile that looked more like a sneer and the corners of his mouth lifted to reveal his bloodied, pointed teeth.
Like an animal himself, Jackson sprang at Sebastian.
Serenity stood in the middle of the forest, unable to keep the trembles of fear from her body. She willed herself to get a hold for Elizabeth’s sake but her body had a mind of its own and the shivering continued.
“Don’t be scared, Mommy,” came Elizabeth’s thin voice. “Sebastian will take care of us.”
Serenity suddenly realized Elizabeth may know more than she was letting on. It wouldn’t be the first time her daughter predicted the future.
She crouched to her daughter’s level. “Do you know what’s going to happen, honey?” she asked. “Have you seen what’s going to happen to us and the bad man?”
Elizabeth pressed her lips together. “I can only see the dark, Mommy. It’s dark and cold, and we’re hiding.”
“Are you scared?” Serenity asked.
“A little. But I can’t see any other way, Mommy. There’s nowhere else to go.”
Serenity thought she understood what Elizabeth was trying to tell her. The route they were taking was the only one open to them. They were all out of options.
Still, her stomach churned with nerves, every muscle and sense wound tight enough to break.
Suddenly Sebastian’s arm wrapped around her waist and lifted her from her feet. Serenity let out a shriek and Elizabeth whooped in delight. Serenity’s body pressed against his strong, hard torso as he ran, not even pausing to adjust his hold on them.
His speed and urgency terrified her. There was only one reason for him to run like this—because Jackson was chasing them. If Sebastian hadn’t found Jackson, he would have stopped to discuss their next move.
Sebastian ran, covering miles of forest until finally reaching the dark, wooded area of Millard Canyon. A fifty-f00t waterfall rushed nearby, the water churning. Tirelessly, he climbed over numerous rock falls and boulders as he navigated the gorge. His feet splashed in stream after stream, ice-cold water dashing up his legs, soaking into his shoes. If Jackson hadn’t been so hot on their heels, Sebastian would have worried about the number of waterways washing away their trail.
But Jackson was on their heels.
With Sebastian’s superior speed, he’d been able to get a head start on the monster, but now with Eliza
beth and Serenity slowing him slightly, their paces were dangerously matched.
In his arms, both the woman he loved, and his daughter, had fallen silent. Though he was aware how disorientating traveling at this sort of velocity was for a human, he hoped neither of them—but particularly Elizabeth—suffered. Elizabeth’s small, more fragile body left her defenseless to motion sickness and he didn’t know how her internal organs would cope with the g-force of their movement. He hoped her half-vampire genetics would protect her against such things.
Sebastian followed the trail route, a steep, narrow dirt path along the rim of the canyon. Jackson’s stench followed and Sebastian heard the monster’s snuffled breaths as he gave chase.
He crossed over and ducked under fallen tree trunks, careful to hold his two charges close. Blackened tree roots covered in white rocks protruded from the earth. The terrain grew rougher. The dried up streambeds became a boulder field, causing him to leap from one rounded rock to another.
He passed a huge tree whose branches rustled and swayed above. Before him, the open yawn of the mine entrance was partially hidden behind some rusted pieces of machinery.
Sebastian allowed himself to pause outside the entrance and set Serenity and Elizabeth down. Elizabeth gave him an uncertain smile, but otherwise seemed unaffected by the race through the night. Serenity’s skin glowed pale in the moonlight, her dark eyes rolling. She stumbled and he reached out and caught her.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“Just dizzy. We need to go in, don’t we?”
“Yes, and fast. He’s nearly here.”
A tremor wracked through her body, shuddering beneath his touch.
“It’s dark in there, Mommy,” said Elizabeth, tugging on her mother’s shirt. “I can’t see, and it’s cold and wet.”
“I know, sweetheart, but we’ll be safe.”
Elizabeth didn’t answer.
The sounds of Jackson crashing through the brush grew closer, the stink of death he carried with him increased in intensity.
“Are you ready?” he asked Serenity.
The Serenity Series: Box Set: Books 1-3 Page 42