Reborn (Princess of the Blood Book 1)

by Jane Ederlyn

  “I need to feed.” It wasn’t exactly a lie, she told herself.

  “But we have lots of blood here.”

  “I need it fresh, ma chérie. Will you please do me a favor?”

  “Of course.”

  “Please go into the safe room and do not come out until either Egon or Odin return.” She paused. “Or until I come back. Please, ma chérie, there is peril close to home.”

  “I understand. But you have to promise me something in return.”

  “I will try.”

  “Don’t be gone too long. I worry about you, too.”

  Marie disconnected the line and floored the accelerator.

  This had to end today. As painful as it was going to be to lose her wolf, she couldn’t have Abby in danger, and especially not because of her. She was leaving and Stormda would have what he wanted all along. She understood him. He wanted exactly what she wanted, to continue his bloodline. And she was in the way.

  Still, something wasn’t sitting right, as if someone was trying to push a square peg into a round hole. It probably had to do with Deena.

  She played out all the possible scenarios in her head. What could go right? What could go wrong? What could go very wrong? But Stormda was all bark and little bite. Even if Deena fanned his superiority, there was no way that Stormda would do more than threaten Marie, lest he risk the wrath of Anton and the Miami coven. If he hurt her, she may or may not die, but the entire Ulfsson compound would be extinguished at the hands of vampires. Stormda’s ego was too big to risk that.

  Chapter XXXVIII

  Solid steel walls lined the fully furnished room that was both a safe and panic room, built to withstand a category five hurricane or, alternately, a coven of attacking vampires. It was self-contained with its own oxygen supply, satellite, and communication systems.

  A large built-in bookcase encompassed almost an entire wall. The top two shelves were loaded with books, antique and new, and fashion magazines. The bottom three shelves were lined with guns, a Desert Eagle, two Steyr TMPs, and several Glock 18Cs. An antique jeweled-hilt dagger, encrusted with pave diamonds, and a sharp, shiny machete sat next to ammunition, stacked and organized. The adjacent wall held a stacked pantry and fridge with blood to last a week.

  Electronics occupied the remaining space. John watched the news on a flat screen television and Abby glanced between the other eight televisions, airing live feeds from their security cameras.

  “I’m bored. I can’t get ESPN here,” John complained after the sports broadcaster finished his clip.

  “Try a book,” Abby said.

  He picked up a paperback, read the back cover, and immediately put it down, lip curled. “You need to read something other than vampire romances.”

  She gave him a dirty look. “Why don’t you try something other than football?”

  “Don’t get testy. Why the hell are we in here anyway? It feels like we’ve been locked up forever. How much longer are we supposed to wait for Her Majesty?”

  Abby sighed. “Actually, it’s Her Grace.”

  “What?”

  “Never mind. I already told you, John. We’re in danger.”

  “From what? Dracula? Freddy Krueger? Or maybe the Wolfman?”

  “Please cooperate.”

  “Okay. Okay. Whatever you want, but can I step out for a quick second to refill my coffee and get the newspaper?”

  Abby bit her lip. She could make the instant coffee she had in the safe room or she could run out to the kitchen and come right back. The coffee machine was still on. Did she dare? She studied the camera feeds. Outside, nothing moved and everything was in its place, so she gave in to the temptation of fresh coffee and entered the exit code. The room’s heavy door opened with a mechanical whir.

  “I think I might be claustrophobic.” John flipped on the kitchen light, put his mug on the counter for her to refill, and walked over to the window. “The moon is full and it’s not raining for a change. Let’s forgo the safe room and drink our coffee outside. Marie is just paranoid.”

  “No.” Abby topped off their mugs, mixed cream into his, and turned to open the refrigerator. “Do you want leftover banana bread?”

  “Sure. Uh, Abby?”

  She pulled the cake plate out, kicked the fridge door shut, and turned. “What is it?”

  John leaned into the glass. “Something’s moving out there?”

  “It’s probably Egon. He’s due back any minute.”

  A dark outline emerged out of the trees and into an unobstructed beam of moonlight that bathed the pool deck in light.

  Abby gasped.

  “Since when do you have dogs?” He shook his head. “Actually, they look more like wolves.”

  The plate slipped out of her hands and hit the floor with a crash. They were back and no one was here to help. “Get into the safe room. Now!”

  “Are you all right?” He bent to recover plate shards from the floor.

  She yanked the corner drawer open and typed in numbers. “Shit,” she said when the container didn’t open. She tried to still her trembling hands and retyped the code. This time the lid popped up and she removed two loaded Glocks and put an extra magazine in her pocket.

  “Do you know how to use one of these?”

  He stood and gawked at her as if she were an alien.

  She handed him one of the Glocks and he stared at it with the same stunned look.

  “I guess not. It doesn’t matter. The safety is off. All you have to do is point and shoot. Aim for the head or heart and shoot to kill.”

  “You’re kidding, right? You want me to shoot a dog?”

  “Lock your arms and watch the kickback.”

  “No way.” He shook his head.

  “If you want to live, shoot to kill.”

  A werewolf ran straight for the window.

  “Holy shit,” John said.

  “Run,” Abby screamed.

  It crashed through the glass doors. Blood and window shards floated around them, seemingly in slow motion, as the werewolf chased them down the hall.

  “We’re not going to make it.” John turned to shoot and lost his footing. As he went down, the gun went off, spraying bullets at the animal, up the wall and across the ceiling.

  “We need to get into the safe room. He won’t be alone.”

  “He’s injured. What we need is to get the fuck out of here now. My car is in front. Let’s go.”

  “I’m getting into the safe room, with or without you.”

  An eerie howl split the air and she shivered. “You’ll never make it, they’re out there.”

  “Who is?”

  “Werewolves.”

  “Seriously, Abby.”

  She sighed. “What the fuck do you think that was?” She pointed at the werewolf with her gun. “Have you ever seen a seven-foot-tall dog? Open your mind, you’re an intelligent man.”

  “What are you saying?”

  The werewolf heaved, making an inhuman sound, as it drew in a ragged breath.

  Abby jumped. Her instincts reacted and she emptied half her rounds into its mammoth skull. It stilled again.

  The reality of her situation hit her and she choked down a sob.

  John looked at her. “We’re okay now. Whatever it is, it’s dead now.”

  She shook her head. “No. It hasn’t shifted back.”

  They both jumped as the phone rang, the shrill sound filling the unnatural silence.

  Abby grabbed the hall phone. “Marie?”

  Odin stilled. Where was Marie? “It’s me, Bee. I’m on my way back.”

  “They’re here. We killed one, but there are more outside. Hurry.”

  “Who’s there? What are you talking about?” A chill
spread through his body.

  “Werewolves,” she stuttered.

  “Where’s Marie?”

  “I—I don’t know.

  “Shit.” Rage ignited inside him. He should have known. “I’ll be right there, Bee. Get into the panic room.”

  There was a thunderous crash, and Abby dropped the receiver, disconnecting the call.

  “Bee? Bee?” Odin called to no avail. The line was dead. He dialed Marie’s number. Nothing. Not even her voicemail. He hung up and dialed Egon. “Where are you?” he asked, strained.

  “The truck is loaded and I’m on the way back.”

  “Marie’s house is being attacked.”

  “Abby?”

  Odin didn’t fail to notice that Egon didn’t ask from whom. Was he the only one blind? “I’m almost there,” he growled. “Do whatever you have to do to get there now!” He hung up and retried Marie. Again nothing.

  He dialed Lagmann. “Where are you?”

  “I’m over at the office. Stormda asked me for some papers he needed, but I can’t fucking find them,” Lagmann answered, irritation evident across the cell line.

  A chill raced across Odin’s limbs and encapsulated his heart. “I need you. Get back to the compound.”

  “But Stormda ordered—”

  “I don’t care. Something is wrong. Call me when you get there.”

  He disconnected and called Marie. Still nothing. She would never have left Abby alone, not even to feed. Something was very wrong.

  The front door exploded and a werewolf stepped onto the shattered remains of the door.

  Abby lifted her shaking hands and finished shooting her rounds. The werewolf yelped and collapsed backward.

  John stood motionless, taking it all in. He put his hand out for her. “Let’s go, Abby,” he said, his voice pitchy with fear, finally realizing that going outside wasn’t viable. With their eyes on the front door, they turned toward the library.

  “Hello, Abigail.” Leidolf appeared in the doorframe, completely naked and semi-aroused.

  “Who the fuck are you?” John asked.

  “Who-the-fuck-are-you?” Leidolf countered.

  “Get away from the door or I’ll shoot you, man.”

  Leidolf sneered. “Are you threatening me?”

  “I said, get away from the door.”

  “Think you can hold your hand still enough to shoot me?”

  “Fuck you,” John said.

  Leidolf looked at Abby. “Is this a bad time?”

  “Leave, and take your wolves with you,” she spat.

  “Is that how you greet your guests? Tsk. Tsk. I’m disappointed. I thought you were more cultured than that.” He inhaled. “Ahh, lavender. Delicious.”

  “Get the fuck out,” John said.

  Leidolf snapped his fingers. “John, right? You get the fuck out or I’ll huff and I’ll puff and I’ll bite your head off.”

  John flinched.

  “Run, John, run,” Leidolf whispered menacingly and an evil chuckle gurgled out of his throat. His bones began lengthening and cracking as transformation rippled across his body.

  John pulled the trigger, but nothing happened. His cartridge was empty.

  Within seconds, an immense, reddish-blond beast, emerged from the shell of Leidolf the man. It stood before them on two muscular legs.

  John gazed at him mouth agape, flabbergasted. “This can’t be real.”

  Leidolf stepped forward and snarled.

  “Abby, get in the safe room.” John flung his weapon at the werewolf’s head in an attempt to distract him.

  Leidolf swiped at John and he flew across the room, landing on his stomach. The werewolf growled and sank his claws into John’s shirt, lifting him up and propelling him against the wall, like a dishrag. John hit the wall with a grunt and fell to the floor, dazed. He groaned and tried to get up but fell back onto his knees. Leidolf’s beast waited. If John moved, he would pounce.

  Abby slipped into the library, behind the occupied werewolf. As she opened the door to the safe room, her mind raced. She couldn’t do this to John. He was here because of her. Marie was going to be mad, but she couldn’t leave him. Here goes. She took a deep breath, reloaded her gun, and walked back into the foyer.

  John’s limp body was a foot off the ground. He was pale and groaning.

  “Put him down, Leidolf.” She placed both hands on her gun as she aimed at his head. “I know you can understand me. Put him down.”

  The werewolf snarled at her and bit into John, ripping a chunk of flesh from the top of his shoulder near its joint. Blood spurted then streamed from the wound, in a steady flow down his arm and onto the floor.

  “No! Stop! Please stop.” She lowered her gun hand, and gestured with the other. “I’ll do whatever you want,” she said, but inwardly squirmed. Where was Marie? Where was Egon? Where was Odin? He should’ve been here. Fury surged through her.

  Leidolf dropped John and shifted back.

  Without taking her eyes from Leidolf, she squatted to pull John toward her. John was passed out and his body dead weight, but she made progress until Leidolf stopped her with a heavy foot on John’s midsection.

  “You’re strong,” he said, licking his lips.

  She let go of John’s foot and inched backward, bumping into a solid object. She whirled around to attack.

  Chapter XXXIX

  Odin wrapped his arms around her, steadying her.

  “It’s me, Bee.”

  Relief made her knees weak.

  “Dear brother, have you come to join the fun?” Leidolf watched his brother with wary eyes.

  “Leave the kids alone,” Odin said.

  “Did you know she has vamp blood in her? Ahh, you probably did. You were just planning on keeping them both all to yourself. You and your band of disloyal, housebroken brothers.”

  “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Oh come now. Tell me you didn’t know,” Leidolf snarled. “I can smell it a mile away.”

  “Leidolf, just go.”

  “Just go? You think you can tell me what to do? You’re not the Alpha. You go. Go and continue to clean father’s mess.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  Leidolf threw his head back and laughed. “The rogues, you fool. You are bewitched and too distracted to see what was underneath your nose the whole time. Maybe you should spend a little more time at home.” Leidolf paused for full effect. “It’s Father, dearest brother. Your vampire thought it was me, didn’t she? Wrong. All along it was father trying to make more of us and failing miserably.”

  Leidolf inhaled and his eyes rolled backward in pleasure. “Delicious. Can’t say I blame you for staying away. I might too, now that I see for myself. But the corpse has become a problem to father. And so have you. Maybe we can work something out, you and I?” His eyes found Abby. He undressed her with his eyes and licked his lips in anticipation. “Give her to me.”

  “I can’t do that,” Odin said.

  “Selfish,” Leidolf snapped.

  “She’s Marie’s daughter.”

  Leidolf chuckled. “Yes. Yes. Wait! Does the boyfriend have a say in this?” He grabbed John’s inert body by the crook of the neck, and raised him. “John, do you know that Abby has vamp blood in her?” Leidolf held John like a puppet, moving his skull back and forth. “No? Can’t believe you didn’t find her different when you fucked her,” he spat through gritted teeth and dropped John.

  “Leidolf.” Abby’s voice cracked with fear. “Leave John alone.”

  Leidolf’s glowing eyes met hers, burning through her. His hand went to his penis and he pulled on it. “Abby. My name on your lips is music to my cock.”

  “There’s no need fo
r that. Get dressed,” Odin said.

  Leidolf laughed, the sound bitter and cold. “Etiquette and protocol. You’re a prude, Odin. Instead of releasing and enjoying your true self.”

  “Where’s Marie?”

  “That’s a secret and I’m loyal to my pack,” Leidolf said. His nose distended, giving him an awkward blend of man and animal. He growled and drool dripped from the side of his mouth.

  Odin sensed that his brother’s control was teetering and pushed Abby behind him.

  “No. No. No. No. Odin, why do you always have to spoil it? Come with me, Abby, and I’ll consider sparing big brother.”

  “You are stupid to challenge me,” Odin roared as anger raced through his body, ready to explode into a beast. “You know I’m not going to allow you to take her.”

  “We’ll see about that,” Leidolf snarled.

  Abby stepped between the two brothers.

  Leidolf smiled in victory. “Good little Abigail, come with me. I have plans for us.”

  Odin reached for her, but she shrugged him off and with the same motion, raised her arm and aimed the Glock at Leidolf. Without a flicker of hesitation, she unleashed all twenty rounds into his chest. Blood splattered on Abby and bullet cases flew out of the gun, landing with a terrible clang on the floor.

  Incredulity flashed on his face and he looked down, stunned. Bullet holes peppered his chest and oozed bright blood. He coughed, splattering more blood on the marble floor, then he spasmed and collapsed, immobile.

  Abby kept pressing the trigger, aiming at the spot where Leidolf’s heart had been but was now only empty air. Odin placed his hand over hers and pried the gun away. “No more bullets, Bee. It’s over.”

  She turned and buried her face into the security of his body.

  “I’m proud of you. It had to be done and you did it. You’re safe now.” He patted her back and continued murmuring, “It’s over,” until her sobbing subsided. Learning to protect herself hadn’t prepared her for something like this. The scent of fear lingered like a film covering the carnage and destruction. He should have been here. No, they should have left. Marie was right.