Blood Deep (Blackthorn Book 4)

by Lindsay J. Pryor

  ‘She’s just a kid,’ Eden said. ‘The changes start here, Amanda.’

  Amanda hesitated for a moment before looking back at Honey. She nodded at her daughter. ‘Go on – you go and have a look around.’

  Eden reached for Jessie’s hand as they watched Honey wander off with her new friend, Honey not wasting any time handing her new companion her giraffe.

  ‘I didn’t think I’d get to see it,’ Eden said, interlacing his fingers with Jessie. ‘Seeing her play like a normal kid. She’s looking so well, Jess. It’s amazing.’

  Jessie captured his gaze. ‘You know she’s not a normal kid now though, don’t you? You made sure Billy and Amanda understood that?’

  He nodded as he looked over his shoulder to see one of the pack had approached his brother and sister-in-law, offering them food inside. He indicated for them to make their way on ahead of him.

  ‘Have you told them about you yet?’ Jessie asked.

  Eden watched Billy and Amanda cross the green. ‘I might sit them down for that one. They’ve had enough to contend with for one night.’

  ‘This army we think Sirius is planning – there could be hundreds of them.’

  ‘And there’s hundreds of us,’ Eden said.

  ‘Us?’ she said, unable to mask her smile. ‘You alongside the third species?’

  He shrugged. ‘Someone’s got to keep Kane, Caleb and Jask in line. I’ve heard what a handful they can be.’

  ‘And you think you’re up for the job?’ she asked, stepping on front of him, her hands on his hips.

  He tucked her hair back over her shoulders before cupping her neck. ‘I’m up for doing whatever it takes.’ He leaned into her, closing his lips over hers, the ease of her reciprocation, the effortlessness of the kiss, the sense of belonging forging his conviction only further.

  ‘You might want to get yourselves something to eat,’ Jask said, striding past them. ‘If I’m not interrupting anything, that is. I’m rounding up the search party for Tuly. We’ll be good to go in the next fifteen minutes.’

  ‘This is good of you, Jask,’ Eden said. ‘To take them in.’

  Jask nodded in acknowledge. ‘Actions define, not genes. Oh,’ he said, turning to face them as he kept walking backwards. ‘If you bump into someone called Phia along the way, I apologise in advance.’

  ‘Who’s Phia?’

  ‘She’s the one I have to keep in line,’ he declared with a wink, before turning his back on them again.

  Eden draped his arm back over Jessie’s shoulder, drawing her close as they followed behind the lycan leader. ‘Do me a favour – keep reminding me how good their hearing is.’

  Jessie laughed. She interlaced her fingers with his, resting her head on his shoulder as she resumed sobriety. ‘Are you ready for this, Eden?’

  ‘They’re coming whether we’re ready or not.’ He looked back into her eyes, now a shade of navy blue. ‘Don’t worry, Jess. I think we’ve got one hell of a team in the making.’

  She squeezed his fingers. ‘More than ever now, I’ve no doubt we have.’

  Epilogue

  Tuly slammed the man’s back with both fists, kicking and wriggling for all it was worth as he carried her through the doors and into the corridor, the low beat of bass music echoing in the background.

  She stared at the floor, at the corridor stretching left and right as he knocked on the door. He crossed the threshold, closing the door behind them. The next thing she knew she was plonked onto the floor.

  She spun around to face the room, let alone whatever fate awaited her.

  ‘Warwick found her wandering the back streets, Caleb,’ the human said. ‘He thought you might want to take a look.’

  From the top, left-hand corner of the room, the green-eyed vampire pushed back his chair and stood from his desk. Because Tuly knew that’s exactly what he was – a vampire. And not just any vampire. Everyone had heard of Caleb Dehain. And what she’d heard wasn’t good.

  She took a wary step back as he scrutinised her from a few feet away, his arms folded, his frown deep. But she held his gaze, puffed up her chest a little, her arms stiff by her sides.

  He raised his eyebrows a fraction and, for a moment, she thought he was about to break a smile. But he just frowned again.

  ‘Thanks, Hade,’ he said, glancing back at the one who’d carried her in there. ‘I’ll take it from here. Get her something to eat, will you?’

  ‘I’m not hungry,’ she declared.

  His green eyes met hers again. ‘I asked him to bring you food. I didn’t say you have to eat it.’

  ‘Good,’ she said, clenching her hands a little tighter. It was all she could do to stop herself shaking, to stop herself crying. ‘Because I’m not going to.’

  His eyebrows lifted a fraction again. ‘Feisty little thing, aren’t you?’

  She thrust her chin up. ‘Corbin Saylen is my father,’ she declared, making sure the vampire knew what he was dealing with. ‘Jask Tao is my pack leader. You’d be wise to let me go.’

  To go home.

  Back to the compound.

  She tried not to cry. She always tried not to cry – to be brave like her father. And she’d been brave in front of the others – determined to be strong like him. Like her mother. To be an example to the other pack members. Not that she knew if any of them were still alive.

  For all she knew, she was now totally alone.

  She couldn’t fight it anymore. She felt herself well up. She hurriedly wiped away her tears, not wanting the vampire to see her cry.

  His eyes flared a little before his frown deepened even more. He stepped closer before crouching down so he was at eye level with her.

  She stared into his green eyes – eyes that were more vibrant than she had ever seen outside of the pack. Only this time she wasn’t sure whether to be scared or eased by his silent scrutiny.

  ‘If you’re telling the truth, that explains the attitude. From what I’ve heard, your pack is looking for you, little one.’

  Her eyes widened. ‘They’re not dead?’

  ‘No,’ he said. ‘They’re not dead.’

  She knew she should have been too scared to do it, but she needed to be held. She threw herself into his arms and sobbed.

  At first he didn’t touch her. At first he didn’t do anything. Then he wrapped an arm around her, tentatively cupped the back of her head.

  The door clicked open behind her, the smell of food entering the room.

  ‘Get Alisha down here, will you?’ she heard Caleb say. ‘Now.’

  The door clicked shut again.

  Caleb eased her away from him with a gentleness that surprised her. He reached up to wipe the tears from her cheek before gently holding her chin between his thumb and forefinger. ‘Where are the rest of you?’

  She shrugged. ‘I lost them.’

  She wiped her other cheek dry.

  The more she stared, the milder his eyes seemed. And, for a male, they were pretty eyes too, made even more so by his thick, dark lashes

  ‘Come on,’ he said, taking her hand in his, guiding her over to the sofa.

  She perched on the edge of it, watched him as he wandered over to a cabinet to take out a bottle of water. He sat on the table in front of her as he unscrewed the lid before handing it across to her.

  ‘So you must be Tuly.’

  She nodded as she gratefully took a mouthful of water.

  ‘Where were you, Tuly?’

  ‘The south. With the cons.’

  His eyes darkened. ‘How did you get out?’

  ‘We escaped. One of them helped us. And an angel.’

  His eyes widened slightly again. ‘An angel?’

  Tuly nodded again.

  ‘And where are this con and angel now?’

  She shrugged. ‘I lost them too.’ She took another mouthful of water, but it was harder to swallow as the recollections came at her hard and fast again.

  Her attention shot to the door as it reopened. Another vampire
came in, one that looked a little bit like Caleb. He stared at her before frowning. ‘Is she what I think she is?’

  ‘She was wandering the streets alone,’ Caleb explained, standing up and moving over to join him. ‘She’s wanting to get back to the compound. I thought Alisha could help her get cleaned up and persuade her to eat something first.’

  ‘I told you, I’m not hungry,’ Tuly insisted. ‘I just want to go home.’

  But her stomach did a little somersault as another joined them – this one was female. More than female; from what she could smell, she was human. She snatched back a breath as the woman turned to face her, because it wasn’t only her smell that was familiar.

  ‘Hey, cutie,’ the woman said, stepping over to crouch in front of her. ‘I’m Alisha.’

  ‘You look like my friend,’ Tuly said, unable to stop herself.

  Alisha smiled. ‘Is that right?’

  Tuly nodded. ‘You smell like her too.’

  ‘Do I? And what’s this friend called?’

  ‘Phia,’ Tuly announced with a broad and proud grin. ‘P-H-I-A. Phia.’

  Alisha’s smile dropped. The colour drained from her face. For a reason Tuly didn’t understand, Alisha’s gaze shot across her shoulder at the two vampires.

  Tuly felt a strange feeling wash over her as she followed Alisha’s gaze to see that the two vampires had stopped talking, that they were now staring at her. But it was the look in Caleb’s eyes that unnerved her the most – that sent a chill through her.

  A chill that told her that, this time, she’d said more than she should.

  Letter from Lindsay

  I really hope you enjoyed Eden and Jessie’s story and their revelations about the world of Blackthorn. Please feel free to get in touch and let me know if you did – I love contact from readers.

  If you did enjoy Blood Deep, I’d also be grateful if you’d consider writing a review. It’s a great way to encourage new readers to try this series.

  If you’d like to be one of the first to hear about my latest books, you can sign up for e-mail updates at:

  Lindsay J. Pryor new releases eMail sign up

  And if you’re intrigued to know more about Blackthorn, please visit my website for all the inside information.

  As for what happens next… the story is far from over. You’ve now met the final couple integral to the future of this world, so I hope you’re looking forward to revisiting some familiar faces – and discovering what’s in store for them.

  Lindsay

  Keep in touch!

  @lindsayjpryor

  lindsayjpryor.author

  www.lindsayjpryor.com

  Blood Dark

  Chapter One

  Agent Caitlin Parish had only ascended two flights of stairs on her way up to the Third Species Control Division’s headquarters, when she heard the scuff of boots against concrete heading down towards her.

  ‘Morgan, I just picked up your email,’ she said, as she came face-to-face with her boss on the stairwell. ‘We need to talk.’

  ‘Not right now.’ He could barely look her in the eye as he skimmed past her. ‘I’ll find you later.’

  Caitlin turned on her heels, pursuing him down the steps regardless. ‘Why are you questioning my decision?’

  ‘I said later.’

  ‘And what am I supposed to do in the interim – stack paperclips?’

  He did an abrupt turn at the door to face her. ‘I’m questioning your decision because we have eight dead humans and I need some answers, Caitlin. And as Caleb Dehain is currently our only link to those murders, I have every right to question why, three days into the case, you still haven’t brought him in for interrogation.’

  ‘And as I keep telling you, it’s not him.’

  He pushed through the heavy door and turned to face her. ‘How can you be so sure?’

  ‘It’s obvious to anyone who knows how Caleb operates. Even one of the Curfew Enforcement Officers questioned his involvement when I presented the case to them a couple of days ago. That was just from examining the photographic evidence.’

  ‘Eden Reece, wasn’t it? Yes, I heard. He’s always been a law unto himself.’

  ‘He’s also one of the best officers the CEU have.’

  ‘He’s nothing to do with this case. Neither is he the one who has to deal with the fallout.’

  ‘I’m telling you there is nothing substantial linking Caleb Dehain to those murders other than the unsubstantiated attempt on his and his brother’s life.’

  Caleb Dehain ruled the west side of Blackthorn with the same zero tolerance as Kane ruled the east. It meant he was going to come up against enemies – those who were reckless or stupid enough to try to knock him off his pedestal. If the rumours were true of an assassination attempt, it was logical he would track them down. But she’d had Kane’s assurance – Kane’s vehement assurance – that Caleb was not involved in those murders.

  Morgan took a step closer towards her and lowered his voice, only too aware of how voices echoed in the vast but dense space of the enclosed car park. ‘Or is someone letting you in on inside information? Covering his buddy’s back, maybe?’

  The spark of accusation in her ex-partner’s eyes created an even greater sense of isolation than she already felt. Having the rest of them despise her for exposing the TSCD’s corruption in their attempt to bring down Kane Malloy was a given. Morgan, on the other hand, was her only ally. ‘Are you questioning my loyalty?’

  ‘I’m asking you to look me in the eye and tell me that Kane has said nothing to you about this.’

  Her silence seemed confirmation enough.

  ‘I knew it,’ he said.

  ‘Yes, I asked him about it, but I’ve been asking questions of anyone who’s anyone in Blackthorn. And so far there is nothing to link Caleb to those killings other than rumour and speculation.’

  ‘And right now rumour and speculation are all we have. You need to bring him in. I can get it agreed for him to be shadow read if needs be. Once you get inside his thoughts and memories, you may even uncover enough to make sure he stays inside.’

  ‘Without preliminary evidence? Since when was that permissible?’

  He closed the remaining gap between them and lowered his voice even more. ‘Do you know how it looks that you won’t?’

  ‘Is that what this is about – how it looks?’

  ‘As you very well know, for the next few months everything about how the TSCD operates is going to be about how it looks.’

  ‘Which is why we cannot bring in one of the most respected vampires in Blackthorn without justification.’

  ‘Respected by his own maybe. He might be smart enough to keep under the radar, but I’ve got enough on him that could more than justify questions being asked.’ He sighed, the accusation in his voice easing. His eyes softened. ‘I’m watching your back, Caitlin. Right now, I’m the only one who is. I know how tough they’re already making it for you out there. They’re not going to ease up. You don’t put their own behind bars, sleep with the vampire they were hunting in the process, and just move on.’

  ‘Morgan, you know me. We’ve worked together long enough; were partners long enough. You know I’m not going to let them get to me. I told you when I got back and my mind hasn’t changed: I’m not going to be bullied out of my job. I can handle it.’

  ‘Which is why you look like you haven’t slept? You’ve only been back three days. You don’t have to prove yourself by working yourself into the ground, Caitlin.’

  ‘I’m not trying to prove myself. I’m just trying to find out who’s responsible for those murders – and it’s not Caleb.’

  ‘Because Kane Malloy told you so?’ He glanced over his shoulder as a car screeched towards the exit. ‘I really don’t have time for this right now,’ he said, turning on his heels again. ‘Like I said, we’ll talk later.’

  ‘I know that look,’ she said, picking up pace to shunt in front of him. She plastered her palm firmly to his chest to bring
him to a halt. ‘Please tell me you’re not thinking what I think you are?’ Her heart raced as she waited for him to deny it. He didn’t. ‘You promised me.’

  ‘I’m sorry, Caitlin, I have no choice.’

  ‘Like hell you don’t.’

  ‘The TSCD is still in the wake of the trial. We need results on this one. A public failure could destroy us. That’s why, with so little to go on, we have to keep this investigation as low key as possible.’

  ‘I’m the last one to shout my mouth off. You know that.’

  ‘And before Caleb’s name came into the equation, I wouldn’t have even been considering this.’

  As Morgan’s true concern became apparent, Caitlin instinctively took a step back. ‘You can’t be serious.’

  ‘Caitlin,’ he said, his tone far too placating her liking, ‘I can’t have you involved in a case with another lead vampire in this district – not so soon after Kane. It’s going to cause too much attention. Attention means even less room for failure.’

  ‘So because this might involve Caleb, you want to pull me off the case?’

  ‘You know what his reputation is like.’

  ‘And I’ve got a type, right? Have you any idea how insulting that is?’

  ‘And if you’re furious with me for even thinking it, how are you going to handle people saying it to your face? Fellow VCU agents? Others in the TSCD? People on the street? The press? They’re going to have a field day. I’m not willing to do it to you.’

  ‘And less than three weeks into your temporary promotion, you don’t want to be seen making a mistake.’

  Morgan frowned at her retaliation. ‘Bring Dehain in or I’ll have no choice but to withdraw you and hand this case to someone else.’

  ‘You’re giving me an ultimatum?’

  ‘If you’re so convinced he’s innocent, prove it.’

  ‘And I’m telling you that the third species community loathe us enough for what came out in that trial. If I bring Caleb in, any thin thread of what we have with them will be severed.’