In a split second he had turned and thrown a massive bolt of energy to the ceiling, causing large chunks to fall down onto the old woman. She fell to the ground, covered in debris. Then he turned back to Peri – his intent very clear.
“Please don’t do this.” She tried to reason with him as she fought to control this new magic inside her. “Please, I don’t want to hurt you.”
She watched as he laughed. “You can’t hurt me! You are feeble compared to me. I find it amusing you even think you are a match for me!”
Peri whimpered as she realized she would have to destroy him...her only living relative...if she and those she loved were to survive.
She saw the moment he decided to act, only she did so first. She moved her hands outwards and unleashed this new, dark magic towards the man standing before them. Towards her brother.
She saw the shock on his face an instant before her power engulfed him, and she sobbed...she was killing her own brother.
The blood-curdling screams that tore from his throat would terrify the bravest of beings as her magic swallowed his body whole. She tried not to watch as his body spasmed in pain before blood seeped from his eyes, his ears, his mouth.
Finally, he collapsed to the ground, making no further sounds.
The sight made her happy and sad at the same time. Her brother. She had never known he existed, never had a chance to know him. Maybe if she had, he wouldn’t have turned out this way...she would never know. He had left her no choice, if she hadn’t destroyed him, he would have wiped out everything and everyone she loved.
They saw Ronan’s men lifting the debris from the old woman and help her to her feet. She didn’t appear hurt in any way, but she looked angry as she shook the dust from her clothing. They all heard her mutter, “I’m fine, I’m fine, leave me be,” in a peevish tone.
“Come on, baby, let’s get you to a hospital.” Gabe smiled down at her, and she let her eyes close. She was safe...her son was safe...she could rest now.
“How is he?” Gabe asked and Josef was smiling down into the tiny wrinkled face in his arms.
“Seems fine, but we should get him checked out anyway. Peri will need medical attention, too – the placenta is still inside her and that needs to be dealt with before she gets an infection or some other complication.”
Josef stared at the small bundle in his arms, and he actually felt the last piece of ice that had encased his heart for centuries melt and slip away.
“I know, the ambulance should be right outside now,” Gabe continued striding towards the gaping holes where doors had once stood. Neither the Vampire nor the Wolf paid any heed to the chaotic aftermath surrounding them. Jacobson and his men were either combing the warehouse, or inspecting the scattered bodies for signs of life. The old lady sat on an abandoned packing case and watched with ancient eyes.
Josef and Gabe traveled in the ambulance with Peri. The paramedics checked over the baby, advising he was healthy and seemed absolutely fine, despite his enforced entry to the world. Josef called Doctor Allen and gave him a brief rundown on what happened, telling the doctor to meet them at the hospital to attend to Peri.
Gabe hurriedly pulled his clothes back on, silently – and belatedly – thanking the SEB agent who'd thrown them into the ambulance while it was still stationary. He didn’t think Peri would be happy if he was strolling around naked in public.
Josef was pleased to see when they arrived Doctor Allen was already waiting for them. He took over from the paramedics, giving orders and ushering them through into the clinic. He gave the baby a thorough examination before whisking Peri away to deal with the undelivered placenta and check her out, leaving Josef and Gabe in a private room with the baby.
A nurse brought water and cloths, washing their son clean before placing a tiny diaper on him and dressing him in a white vest and onesie. She picked him up, then hesitated, obviously confused and wondering in whose arms she should place the child. Josef motioned towards Gabe, who held his arms out, waiting to hold his child for the first time.
Staring down into the baby's now clean face, Gabe saw his mate’s eyes stare back at him. Tears filled his eyes as a tiny hand gripped hold of one of his fingers. “He’s perfect,” was all he could manage as he sat down on the edge of the bed.
“He is,” Josef said quietly, not wanting to startle the child.
“We’re a family, Jo, a real family.”
“I know, my friend, I know.” Josef placed a hand on Gabe’s shoulder as they both watched the baby.
Josef’s phone vibrated, pulling it out, he quickly answered. It was Ronan calling to check everyone was okay.
“Yes, Peri is away getting dealt with at the moment, and we are here with our son. Thank you, Ronan. We owe you a great debt and if you ever need our help, you have it.”
“I’m just glad everything is okay, Josef, but hey, you never know...I may just cash in that debt one day.” Ronan chuckled, knowing that Josef hated to be in debt, to anyone.
“All you need do is ask.” Josef was still watching his friend and the baby, as if he couldn’t tear his eyes away.
“Okay, gotta go.”
Josef said a quick goodbye and hung up.
“How’s Tania?” Gabe asked, worrying for the woman. It was obvious she and Donovan had been in love, and he knew the large Vampire had asked Josef’s permission to bond with her. His loss would affect her greatly.
“I’m not sure. My men are with her at our place, she’ll need help to get over this.” Josef hoped the sight of the baby would break through the woman’s grief.
“I know Peri will want to help her, so guess that means we’ll help, too.” Gabe slowly nodded his head, as if agreeing with his own words, and Josef smiled. His friend was right, Peri would want to help, and so would they.
“Will Peri be okay? Having to kill her brother like that – and jeez, who woulda guessed that sick fuck was her brother?” Gabe had been shocked when he had heard the word ‘sister’ come from the man’s mouth, so much so he had gasped aloud.
“I most certainly wasn’t expecting that, but he left her no choice. I would assume, by his actions, that he was as insane as her – or rather – their father. We’ll make sure she’s okay, Wolf, together we’ll make sure.” Josef’s eyes had still not strayed from the bundle in Gabe’s arms and he realized he would kill an army of people to ensure the little one’s safety.
They sat quietly until Peri was brought back to them, cleaned up and in a hospital gown. She was now awake and desperate to see her son and her mates.
“Can I have him? I want to see if he’ll latch on.” Peri opened the front of her gown as Gabe handed his son over, both men staring as she positioned the baby at her breast.
“Oh, I see he takes after his father,” Peri gasped, as the child latched on immediately and started to suckle.
“He knows a good thing when he sees it,” Gabe joked, as yet another lump filled his throat.
Josef watched intently as the baby started to feed from his mother. This was the most perfect scene he had ever witnessed. Their mate feeding their child, both safe and healthy...he couldn’t ask for anything more.
Peri groaned and their eyes moved from the baby to her face, tears streaming down it. “What’s wrong?”
Josef asked in concern, wondering if she was in pain.
“Donovan. Oh dear God, how’s Tania? Is she okay? We’ll need to help her, be there for her. Oh no, this is awful! He was going to ask her to bond with him. How will she get over this?”
Josef knew that Peri wouldn’t settle until she knew her friend would be taken care of. “We’ll do everything we can. What about having her stay for a little while? She can use my old room.”
“Yes, yes, she can stay at ours for a bit, ‘til she feels a bit better. Shit, that’s a stupid thing to say! How’s she going to ever feel better?!” Peri tried to stay calm as she held her son closely, the sou
nds of his suckling bringing forth feelings of warmth in her.
“She will, in time, we’ll make sure she’s okay, baby.” Gabe stroked the side of his son’s face as he spoke, totally engrossed in watching him suckle his mother’s breast.
He was pretty damn sure it was the best thing he had ever witnessed.
“Okay, and maybe the baby will help to take her mind off things, too.” Peri’s fingers were now on top of Gabe’s and he grasped her hand in his, bending towards her and placing a gentle kiss on her lips.
“How are you? I mean, how do you feel about your brother?” Josef broached the subject, watching her intently.
“I’m not sure, to be honest. I didn’t know he existed and he was gonna hurt all of you. I couldn’t let him do that! By the way, Josef, what the hell was that you gave me? I’ve never felt magic like that before, it was strong, powerful, and felt kinda wrong.”
“That was Dragon blood, little Witch, and it let you wield the most powerful of dark magic. As far as I’m aware, the effects are temporary, so you should be back to normal soon.”
“Dragon blood?” Peri’s mouth dropped open, not sure she had heard her Vampire correctly.
“Yes, long story, but we can talk about that another time.” Josef smiled at her shocked expression, leaned down and kissed her nose, then moved back a step or two as Gabe moved forward, getting as close to his child as possible.
“He’s perfect, now we need to decide on a name,” Gabe said as he kissed her again, a soft, gentle touching of his lips, as she stroked the side of his face.
“That’s easy,” she said as he moved back, Josef now standing right beside her, his fingers lightly touching the child’s head.
“Josef, I want him to be called Josef.”
Her Vampire’s eyes found hers. The look of love and feeling that was there nearly took her breath away. A slight smile on his face as he kept stroking the tiny head.
“That’s a great idea! Joe Junior!” Gabe whooped, as she shushed him, as little Josef jerked in her arms.
His tiny mouth broke free of her nipple, his face screwing up before a loud cry filled the room. Gabe laughed as she tried to console the crying child in her arms, Josef watching on, a smile on his handsome face.
“Go and ask when we can go home. I want to be in my own bed, and I need to see how Tania is.” Peri was so very tired, wanting to rest, but needing to get home, where she and the baby belonged.
“I’ll go and check now.” Josef strode from the room and Peri guessed she would be on her way home soon.
She was right. The doctor agreed she could leave, albeit only after Josef badgered him. He gave her a list of things to watch out for, then released her, advising he would do a house call the next day to make sure everything was as it should be. She almost laughed when she saw Josef’s shoe flapping as he walked, because of the missing shoelace. Her Vampire organized one of his men to come pick them up with the brand new baby seat installed in the car's rear.
Josef sat up front while she and Gabe sat in the rear with the baby. The journey home was over quickly, and before she knew it she was at the door to the penthouse, Gabe helping her with Josef carrying the baby. She took a deep breath, knowing the next few minutes were going to be hard.
Chapter 21
As the door opened, Peri saw Tania sitting on a sofa, one of Josef’s men standing guard behind her. Her friend’s face was chalk white, the haunted look in her eyes had tears filling her own. Tania was utterly devastated, looking as if she was in shock.
“Get her a brandy,” Peri said as she moved straight towards her friend.
Tania jumped up and fell into Peri’s arms. “He’s gone! He’s dead, my Donovan is dead!”
Tania’s wails almost broke her heart, seeing her friend in such torment tore at Peri. She patted at Tania's back. “I know, honey, I know, I’m so sorry you’ve lost him.”
Tania’s face was streaked with tears, and Peri knew hers was, too. Gabe clasped both women within his strong arms, holding both tightly as they wept.
Peri wasn’t sure how many minutes they stood like that, but finally Tania’s crying seemed to slow, hiccupping a couple of times as she pulled back. “How am I going to go on, Peri? I don’t know how I’m going to go on.”
Tania’s voice was now barely a whisper, her words almost had Peri crying again. “We’ll help you, all of us will help you. You’ll stay here until you feel better.”
Tania looked up at Gabe, who now released them. “Really? I can stay here with you for a little while?” she asked, and he nodded solemnly. “Thank you,” Tania said as she sank down onto the sofa again.
Josef walked over, still carrying the baby in his car seat, placing it on the floor in front of Tania, waiting and watching on her reaction. He didn’t have long to wait. Tania’s eyes widened as if in total surprise, then her eyes flew to Peri, noting that she was no longer pregnant and dressed in only a hospital gown.
“Oh my God, he’s an angel, what happened? When did you have him?”
Tania moved from the sofa, sitting on the floor next to the baby, who was sound asleep. Her hand stroked his face then held one of his tiny ones in hers as Peri explained what had happened. Tania nodded in some places, looking very upset in others, as she realized what Peri had gone through.
“Oh, Peri, I’m so sorry, what an awful way to give birth. Are you okay? Is the baby okay?” Tania’s tone was one of a very worried friend, and Peri smiled, thinking the baby just may help her friend through her bereavement.
“I am now I’m home, and little Josef is doing good.”
“Little Josef? You called him Josef? Oh that’s just fabulous! Josef Junior...the name fits perfectly.” Tania looked up at the ancient Vampire, seeing such a change in him, his eyes no longer hard and cold. Now they held love and warmth...it was a lovely sight to see.
“Yes, but I prefer Joe Junior!” Gabe laughed, punching his friend in the shoulder.
“I think Josef is a much more refined name than ‘Joe Junior’,” the Vampire sneered, trying to hide the smile that seemed to have become a permanent fixture on his face.
The guard coughed discreetly, a glass of brandy in his hand. “It’s okay, I don’t need that now. I’m not saying I won’t need it later, but right now I’m okay. Josef, I’m not sure of Vampire rituals – what will happen to Donovan?”
Tania’s voice stayed firm until the last part, where it hitched, and everyone could see her battle not to cry.
Josef’s voice was soft and calm as he spoke to Tania. “It’s totally up to you, that’s your decision. He had already asked my permission to bond with you, Tania, so in our eyes, you are his mate. Whatever you want, that’s what will happen, just let me know.”
Peri loved him more at that moment than she thought possible. His compassion for her friend almost had her crying again, but she stamped the tears down and tried to stay strong for Tania.
“Well, I would quite like him to be buried, like in a proper ceremony, so I could visit and put flowers down. I need somewhere to go to remember him. I don’t want to just have him disappear as if he never existed...”
Tania stopped talking as tears finally broke free from her eyes again. Peri moved to sit beside her on the floor, grimacing as she knelt – she was still pretty sore from giving birth. Taking her friend in her arms, she let her cry while rubbing her back gently.
“I’ll make the arrangements. I have rather a large area reserved in Woodlawn Cemetery. We’ll bury him there.” Josef walked away to his office. Another funeral to organize. He had done this for Daiki and he would do it for Donovan...his guard deserved no less.
As he finished with the arrangements, including the casket and a meal afterward in a nearby restaurant, he heard the squalls of young Josef. His heart actually sped up as he thought something was wrong, moving as fast as he could to get back to the lounge to find Peri lying on one of the sofas with the baby on
ce more to her breast.
He stopped at the end of the hallway taking in the scene, wondering how Peri could look even more beautiful to him. She had not a speck of makeup on, her hair a wild mess, dressed now in one of her favorite, and very old, nightgowns...but she looked perfection personified.
“He’s a hungry boy,” he heard Gabe chuckle as Tania rushed around collecting diapers, cream, and a host of other paraphernalia. Not something Josef had ever expected to see in his immaculate penthouse.
Josef sat down at Peri’s feet, not taking his eyes from his son. “I’ve arranged everything for the day after tomorrow.”
Tania nodded, grief sweeping over her face before she carried on helping with the baby. It might well be a good thing that she was there. It would possibly help her and she was obviously going to be a help to Peri.
Only a few moments later, Tania gently took a near sleeping Josef into her arms, as Peri had fallen asleep. Her Vampire stood, then picked her up, carrying her to bed. She needed as much rest as she could get after her ordeal. The baby was in good hands, after all, he had two fathers and an impromptu aunt to watch over him.
The next forty-eight hours flew past with little Josef taking up most of everyone’s time. Josef and Gabe wondered how something so tiny could have so many grownups running around after him. They soon found out having a newborn in their home was a heck of a lot of hard work.
Tania was a fabulous help and although she wasn’t anywhere near over the loss of Donovan – everyone could hear her crying herself to sleep at night – she was a great help to Peri. She obviously adored the baby and helping with the child kept her mind off her loss.
As the funeral drew near, it was clear to all of them how much Tania was dreading it. It wasn’t that she didn’t want a funeral for her Vampire...she just didn’t want to say goodbye. She told Peri she tried to imagine Donovan was away on a job and would be back soon, instead of dead and lying in a casket waiting to be buried.
It almost broke Peri’s heart to see her friend suffer so, and she resolved to do whatever it took to get Tania through it. Peri herself felt a lot better on this, the third day since giving birth, but she was still sore and tired. The baby was feeding an awful lot, and Peri realized it was just until her milk came in properly, but wished it would hurry up, as little Josef was a hungry boy.
The Witch, The Wolf and The Vampire Series Boxed Set Page 50