Chapter 17
Samuel brought his pick-up truck to a stop on the side of the road. He took the keys out and said, “We’re here.”
“Where?” Camille asked, looking out the window at nothing but bayou and highway.
“Alfrigg’s is that way.” He pointed to the east.
Camille climbed out of the back seat and turned back to Hunter. “Come on,” she urged him.
“Need to feed,” Hunter graveled out, eyeing Samuel then Henry.
“Get out of the truck and I’ll give you more blood.” Camille opened the flap on the messenger bag, holding the blood.
“I can’t believe we had time to stop for blood, but not for me to change,” Samuel complained, tugging the tight pants down from constricting his crotch.
Camille flashed him a dirty look and Henry quirked his brow. “The way he was looking at us, I think the blood was more important.”
Hunter got out of the truck and drank two bags before they started their trek into the bayou.
Camille looked down at her shoes. “It’s muddy in there, isn’t it?”
Samuel rolled his eyes. “Yeah, let's not talk wardrobe issues right now, at least you had a choice.”
“I wouldn’t have chosen Jimmy Choo’s if I knew we’d be mudding,” she snapped.
Hunter stood straight up, alert and ready to go. He started with purpose into the marshy woods.
“Hey, wait up,” Henry said, also lamenting what was going to happen to his dress shoes.
Hunter didn’t regard them, he moved toward the pull. He could feel her, still smell her scent in the air. Camille was the only one able to catch up with him.
Henry and Samuel lagged behind, when Samuel called out, “You can’t get in without me.”
Hunter stopped and waited for them to catch up. “What do you mean?”
“It’s enchanted, I have to go in bring her out,” Samuel explained.
“I need to get to her faster than that. I can feel her slipping away,” Hunter said, nearly frantic.
“We’ll get there on time,” Samuel promised.
They all ran through the marsh, Henry used his magic to keep up.
Samuel stopped short. “Hold up.”
“What is it?” Henry asked.
Hunter’s lip curled up and his fists balled at his sides. “Vampires.”
“Yeah.” Samuel nodded as the wheels turned in his head. “We have to be careful how we proceed.”
“Fuck that,” Hunter said, moving forward boldly through the trees.
He stopped when he saw two vampires standing together. He looked around to make sure they were the only ones in the area.
“Well, well, Bjorn Turgard.”
“Augustus,” Hunter growled.
“Oh, sorry, you gave up that name, didn’t you?”
“Long ago.” Hunter’s mouth twitched to a half smile at the thought of killing him.
“What brings you to the bayou?” Augustus adjusted his black suit jacket, striding smoothly in Hunter’s direction.
“I don’t have time for pleasantries.” Hunter’s fierce eyes never released Augustus. “Not that anything involving you has ever been pleasant.”
“Camille, a pleasure as always.” Augustus walked toward her, holding his hand out.
Camille shrank back with a sick look on her face.
“Stay away from her,” Hunter warned.
“Bjorn, you should know better than to interrupt a family reunion.” Sarcasm dripped from Augustus’s tongue.
Camille took a step back behind Samuel.
“Augustus leave, now,” Samuel demanded.
“Is that an order from The Directive?” A sardonic smile stretched across his sharp features.
“Yes,” Samuel said raising his brow.
“Warren may have something say about that,” Augustus said smugly.
Henry stepped forward. “My authority trumps Warren’s.”
“Who are you?” August spoke to him as though Henry was a small annoyance.
“I’m Henry Grimes. I’m from the home office,” he said in challenge.
“So, a wolf, a witch and two vampires go to the bayou, sounds like an interesting story. Perhaps we’re all working toward the same goal.” Augustus backed down slightly.
Warren appeared from the tree line and leaned into Augustus. “There’s no other way.”
Samuel shook his head in disgust at how blatantly crooked Warren was.
“I assume we’re all here for the rook?” Augustus laid his proverbial cards on the table. “We aren’t able to get in, the troll has it protected.” Augustus turned, motioning to a pile of dust by the entry tree. “Very unfortunate end for vampires.”
Samuel exchanged a glance with Hunter and Henry. “Fight?”
A satisfied smile spread across Hunter’s lips. “I thought you’d never asked.”
Hunter slid his suit jacket off his shoulders, letting it fall to the ground.
Camille shed her shoes and shifted her stance nervously. “Hunter, I can’t . . .” she said apprehensively.
“Not to worry, he’s mine. You worry about the others.” Hunter never took his eyes off Augustus.
Samuel looked to Henry and asked, “You going to be okay?”
Henry smiled with two glowing orbs already conjured in his hands. “I’ll be just fine.”
Warren, Augustus and the other vampire formed a line in front of the tree. Everyone waited for Hunter to make the first move.
Hunter unbuttoned his white shirt and dropped it to the ground. He flexed his huge chest; his ancient tattoos appeared to brighten and pulse at the prospect of battle. He let out a loud roar, lunging at Augustus.
They all moved into action, Camille took the vampire to the right. She tackled him, clawing at his neck and face. He was much younger and hadn’t been trained to fight by a Viking.
She had never been a fighter but found great enjoyment in slashing and disabling any vampire in league with her maker, Augustus.
Henry pummeled Warren with his ultraviolet balls of light. Warren stumbled backward with each hit, his flesh turned to dust where every ball hit. It took a moment, but he recovered from each blast. He lunged toward Henry baring his fangs to drink from the witch. Henry dodged his speed, he was no stranger to battling a vampire.
Samuel waited until the vampires were all occupied and darted past them to the entrance of Alfrigg’s realm.
Hunter and Augustus exchanged blow after blow. Hunter’s ferocious nature reveled in every strike. They wrestled and struggled, Augustus guarded his neck.
Hunter felt the savage awakened in him, his blood pumped and filled with adrenaline. Augustus may have been nearly as old as Hunter, but he was no match in battle.
Hunter picked Augustus up by the neck and tossed him like a rag doll against a tree. Augustus’s claws raked across Hunter’s chest, leaving four trails of blood.
Hunter looked down, running his finger along one of the deep gouges. He examined the blood on his fingers and licked it off with a half grin and a crazed look in his eye.
Augustus tried to get away, but Hunter grabbed him by his long hair. He threw him on the ground and grabbed a branch from the nearest tree breaking off the thin end with the leaves and tossing it aside.
Hunter straddled Augustus, drawing the make-shift stake back, “I could rip you in two if I had time, but I’m going to stop toying with you and kill you now.” Hunter was out for blood and virtually unstoppable.
Augustus laughed heartily under Hunter’s grasp. “You think I’m the real threat?”
“I don’t care, I’m just going to kill you,” Hunter panted, licking his lips.
“I’ll tell you.” August held his hands up in front of him protectively.
“Speak,” Hunter demanded with the stake poised in the air.
Augustus swallowed hard, taking too long to answer. Hunter plunged the stake into his heart. Augustus’s eyes widened. He gazed absently past Hunter and whispered, “Calder.”
>
Hunter froze in place at the mention of the name from his past. Augustus let out one last gasp before his body turned to dust.
Camille appeared at Hunter’s side, looking down at the remains her maker. Confusion ran through her, the hatred for what he’d done to her mingled with the loss of her vampire father. She waited a moment and rested her hand on Hunter’s bare shoulder.
He spun around, at the ready to fight, but stopped when he saw her.
Camille studied his expression. “You look like you’ve just seen a ghost.”
Hunter shook his head absently. “Only the name of one.”
Chapter 18
Samuel ran at full speed until he reached Alfrigg’s cottage. He burst through the door and yelled, “I found him!”
Alfrigg sat stoically, holding on to Rook. He hung his head as though all hope was lost.
“Come on! We have to let him in!” Samuel waved his hand for Alfrigg to follow.
“Who did you find?” Alfrigg queried.
Samuel’s eyes widened. “Her mate.” He couldn’t recall the term.
Alfrigg shook his head. “Rooks don’t have mates. She’s just a fragile human and it’s too late.” Alfrigg’s eyes filled with deep sorrow. “She’s gone.”
“No,” Samuel said, rushing to the couch. He leaned down close to Rook. “She’s still breathing. Let him in!”
Rook stirred, sniffing at the air. She reached up, grabbing Samuel by the collar and took in his scent. “Him,” she gasped before falling back on the couch.
“Her . . .” Samuel searched the air for the answer, “He has blood for her. He can save her.”
Alfrigg’s eyes widened with hope. “Her bloodmate?”
“Yes,” Samuel said insistently.
“That’s it!” Alfrigg waved his hands. “Go get him, I’ll drop the protection.” He stopped him, “Samuel, no others in, though, it’s too dangerous.”
Samuel disregarded his words and rushed back toward the entrance of the realm. He passed through the tree portal in time to see Hunter rush to Warren embattled with Henry.
Hunter grabbed him, lifting him off the ground with ease. “Where’s Calder?” he bellowed.
Warren shook his head, trembling in fear. “I-I-I don’t know.”
Hunter ground his teeth and drew the vampire closer. His tone was low and deadly. “Where’s Calder?”
“I don’t know who that is.” Warren’s voice quivered.
“Hunter!” Samuel went to his side. “Let him go, you need to get to Rook.”
Hunter snapped the vampire’s neck and turned to Camille. “Finish him.”
Samuel and Camille exchanged a glance and Samuel shook his head no. He didn’t more death in his city.
Hunter was at the tree and demanded with a gravelly voice, “Get me in.”
Samuel opened the portal by placing his hand on the tree and they both entered.
“Follow me, I’ll take you–” Before Samuel could finish, Hunter was already gone.
Using his instincts and vampire speed, Hunter arrived at the cottage. He broke through the door and froze in place.
He could see nothing but Rook, a calm he hadn’t felt in thousands of years flowed through him and he could feel his lips transition from a snarl to smile. He took three tentative steps toward her and knelt beside the couch. He studied her before reaching to touch her, hardly believing she was real. He took one of her dark curls around his finger and leaned closer to smell her, filling his whole being with her scent as he whispered in her ear, “Óst min, kyss mik.”
Rook’s eyes opened and she turned her head toward him, threading her fingers behind his neck, pulling him into a deep, loving kiss.
The entire cabin filled with warm light as their spirits visibly danced with one another. Hunter was gentle and kissed her softly, running his tongue along her lips, drinking down her flavor.
Rook’s strength was returning, and she became more aggressive, digging her fingernails into the skin on his neck.
Samuel and Alfrigg stood watching as Rook recovered. Samuel leaned down to Alfrigg and said in a low tone, “What did he say to her?”
Alfrigg released a breath and said in a sentimental tone, “He said, ‘My love, kiss me.’”
Hunter pulled her closer to his body to feel every inch of her skin against his. She pulled back, biting her bottom lip. “Hi,” she said with red cheeks, “I’m . . .”
Hunter pressed her head to his chest, tears welling in his eyes. “I know who you are.”
Alfrigg cleared his throat. “But the question is, do either of you remember me? The owner of this fine dwelling.”
Hunter turned to Alfrigg, never releasing his hold on Rook. “Alfrigg, old friend. Well met.”
Alfrigg tipped his head to Hunter. “Well met.”
Rook eyed Samuel with a furrowed brow. “What the hell are you wearing?”
Samuel rolled his eyes. “Don’t ask, it’s all your boyfriend had.” He turned to Alfrigg. “I don’t suppose the flicks could whip me something up a little more comfortable?”
“I’ll see what I can do.” Alfrigg nodded.
Rook glanced between Hunter and Samuel. Confusion crossed her features. “Wait, what happened?”
Alfrigg startled. “Oh, yes, well . . .” He smiled and cleared his throat. “As it would happen, you were ill due to being away from your bloodmate.”
Rook looked at Hunter with curious eyes, struggling with him being a stranger, but feeling as though he was part of her. “I don’t . . . I’ve never met you, how could I suddenly be going through withdrawals?”
Camille came through the doorway putting Alfrigg on edge. “Camille?”
“Hello, Alfrigg.” She smiled, watching Hunter hold Rook.
“Good to see you,” Alfrigg said then turned to Samuel. “I said only one, through.”
“I’m sorry, I don’t know how to . . . lock it?” he said, wrinkling his features with confusion.
“Hunter,” Alfrigg said with warning, “We are not protected.”
“Augustus is dead.” Camille let him in on the secret.
“Dead?” Alfrigg questioned.
“Yes, Hunter–”
“Took care of it,” Hunter said, standing up and offering his hand to Rook. “It’s okay, we’re leaving.”
“Where are we going?” Rook asked.
“Wherever you want, my love.” He smiled down at her.
Henry reached the cottage out of breath. “What did I miss?”
“The reunion.” Alfrigg eyed him. “Witch?”
Henry nodded. “Yes.” He stepped further in and introduced himself to Rook, “I’m Henry Grimes.”
Hunter put himself between them.
Rook peeked around Hunter, offering her hand. “I’m Rook.”
Hunter looked down at Henry. “We’re together now. Everything is going to be okay.”
“I wouldn't say that,” Henry said with warning.
“Have you performed the blood exchange ritual?”
“What’s that?” Rook asked, wrinkling her nose.
“That’s when you both exchange blood,” Henry explained.
Rook stepped away from Hunter and felt cold immediately. “We can’t.”
Hunter turned to her, “Why?”
“My blood will kill you,” she said, wrapping her arms around herself.
“No, I’ve already had your blood. It does make me very weak, but I’ll be fine.” Hunter tried to put her at ease.
“That’s what initiated the bond to begin with,” Camille said. “He drank your blood.”
“How?” Rook said, searching her memory.
“Weren’t you selling blood through some medical testing facility?” Samuel asked.
“Seriously?” She eyed Hunter. “That was supposed to be for research.”
“It is, I was desperate,” Hunter defended.
“And that started all of this, and why I was sick?” Rook asked, trying wrap her brain around the whole situation.
“But the bond isn’t complete, is it?” Hunter asked, moving closer to her, unable to tolerate any distance.
“No, it isn’t complete,” Henry answered. “What happened when you had her blood at first?”
“I became ill but recovered quickly.” Hunter nodded. “I can withstand a lot.”
“I don’t know if I’m willing to take the chance.” She pulled away from him again in a near panic, “You don’t know what happens when a vampire drinks my blood.”
Hunter turned to her and put his hands on her arms. “Look into my eyes.”
She fell into his gaze, in a trance of peace and ecstasy.
“Do you trust me?” he asked.
She struggled with what her reality was and what she was feeling. “I do.”
“It’s going to be okay,” he said. “I would like to take you home.” He leaned down close to her ear and said as softly as he could, “I want you, the scent of your arousal is driving me insane and it’s all I can do to maintain control.”
Heat was already careening through her and she bit her bottom lip. “I want you, too.” She threw her arms around his neck, pulling him down into a deep kiss.
His cock rubbed against the inside of his pants. “But not here.” He flicked his glance over his shoulder. “Not with an audience.”
Rook smiled, rising to her tiptoes to look over his shoulder, “Agreed.” She hesitated, “But . . .”
His lips cut a deep smile into his cheek. “I know, I can feel you.” He pulled her close to him for her to feel his arousal. “And I’m with you. We have to hold on. I have a private jet, it will be fueled and ready by the time we arrive at the airport.” He glanced over his shoulder. “We’ll be flying alone.”
Henry cleared his throat. “I really think that the blood ritual should be monitored.”
Hunter took Rook into his arms and moved toward the door. “And I think you can get fucked.”
Alfrigg stepped out of the way. “As always, a pleasure.”
Hunter stopped. “I’m forever in your debt. I’ll be sending the jet back for Camille, I’d love for you to join me in Toronto for a visit.”
A Vampire's Thirst Page 11