by J. L. McCoy
“He saved me,” she whispered with teary eyes as she looked up at me. “One of those vampires tried to kill me and he came out of nowhere and saved me.”
I looked over at Dean a breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you,” I said, leaning over to kiss the side of his muzzle. “Thank you so much, Dean. I can never thank you and your werewolves enough for what you did today. You saved my best friend.”
“Dean?” Nikki asked, surprised, as she looked over at the wolf she was stroking. “As in Dean, Dean? Your friend Dean? He’s a…a werewolf?”
I shrugged one shoulder as I raised my eyebrows at her. “Yep.”
Nikki took him in with wide eyes as she whispered, “Holy shit.”
Dean licked her cheek and then trotted around the back of the car to change. As soon as he was gone, I threw my arms around her and burst out in tears.
“I’m so sorry, Nikki. I’m so sorry you were pulled into this. I had no idea-”
Nikki’s body stiffened and she jerked away from me. Tears fell from her eyes as we both stared at each other. “You’re one of them,” she whispered to me as her bottom lip trembled.
“No,” I said vehemently, shaking my head, “I’m nothing like the vampires that took you.”
“You’re a vampire and that makes you just like them,” she shook her head as she backed up from me. “I can’t stand to be near you right now. They did this to me because of you! It’s your fault!”
“Nikki, please,” I cried as I held my hand out to her. “Don’t do this. You’re my best friend and I’m still the same person. I swear to you I had no idea they were going to kidnap you. If I had known-”
Archer’s arms wrapped around me as he pulled me to my feet. “She’s still too raw, cion,” he said, pulling me away from her. I wanted to fight his hold but knew it would only upset Nikki more. “Now is not the best time to talk to her, I’m afraid.”
Dean appeared in his human form naked and covered in blood as well, and dropped down to his knees as he pulled Nikki’s tearful face to his bare chest. He whispered reassuring words to her before he glanced over at me with apologetic brown eyes. “I’ll take her home with me,” he said gently. “She just needs a few days, toots.”
I nodded my head reluctantly as four black vans turned the corner and drove onto the airfield. Dean lifted Nikki in his arms and walked her over to one of them, gently setting her inside before closing the door behind her. Archer held me tighter as a tortured sob escaped me. My own best friend couldn’t stand to be near me and it crushed my soul. Nikki meant the world to me and if I lost her because of this, I’d lose a part of myself as well.
Dean walked over to me and held his hands out. I let go of Archer and wrapped my arms around Dean, hugging him for all I was worth. Nikki’s scent still clung to his bare skin and I took a deep breath in, savoring it just in case she never wanted to see me again.
“I’ll talk to her,” he whispered reassuringly as he lifted my tearstained face to his. “I promise, babe.”
“Our house burned down,” I sniffled as he wiped my tearstained cheeks with his thumbs. “She has no home to go to. I had planned on her coming to Archer’s with me, but she wants nothing to do with me.”
“Archer told me about the fire earlier,” Dean said, shushing me. “Nikki can stay with me for as long as she wants. I’ll do everything in my power to take care of her, Skye. I promise.”
“I’ll send Trey over to Tricky Dic’s with some money tomorrow. She’s going to need clothes and-”
“Don’t worry about any of that. I’ll take care of it.”
“No,” I insisted with a slight growl. “She’s my responsibility and if she won’t let me take care of her, the least I can do is pay for needs. Don’t argue with me about this, Dean. I need to do this, dammit.”
“Okay, babe, okay,” he said gently as he pulled me to his chest again and hugged me tight. “You take care of my girl, bloodsucker,” he addressed Archer as he let me go. “I’m going to take Nikki back to my house. I’m leaving you guys one of the vans and I’ll have someone pick it up from The Mausoleum tomorrow.” He turned his eyes to me and they softened considerably. “She’ll come around, toots. She just needs some time. I’ll explain everything to her and call you soon. You take care of yourself, okay?”
With a final squeeze, he let me go and turned, motioning for his wolves to get in the three vans. Archer took my hand and led us over to the Audi where my vampire family was gathered. Lochlan put a hand on my shoulder and patted it a few times, trying in his own way to comfort me, as Trigger walked up.
“Thanks for healing me earlier,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck with one hand. “One of those Dark fuckers messed me up pretty bad.”
“It was nothing,” I said, shaking my head. “It’s the least I could do. There’s no way we could have handled over two hundred Dark Ones without you guys, so thanks for all your help Trigger. And please thank the rest of the pack for me when you get a chance. I need them to know how grateful we are.”
“You got it,” he winked at me, then turned and spoke over his shoulder. “Just so you know, I’d fight with you any day, vamper.”
“Ditto, Trig,” I replied, managing a small, genuine smile.
I watched as Trigger got in the van and the three of them pulled out. We were all silent until the last taillight finally faded around the corner.
Turning to the guys, I motioned to the carnage left behind as I spoke. “So, what do we do with all the bodies?”
“We burn them,” Pádraig answered, jumping into action.
I watched as he began stacking body parts in one big pile and I sighed as I joined in. Soon, with everyone’s help, we had one massive pile ready to burn. Lochlan turned to me and nodded with his head. “Burn the fuckers,” he said silently.
Taking a deep breath, I put my hands out and pushed hard at the energy I’d gathered. Hot light burst from my palms and the bodies it touched immediately caught fire. Soon, the whole pyramid was one massive blaze.
“Youngblood,” Archer called out to Jameson, “call the clean-up crew. Have them scrap the Dark One’s SUV then tow the Audi to the house after they’re finished.”
“Aye, athair,” Jameson said and whipped his phone out.
I turned back to Archer and filled him in on what I’d discovered. “Stanus Octavius’ body was not among the dead. That means he was the one that got away on the plane.”
“Fuck,” Archer swore as he crossed his arms over his chest. “I was hoping one of us had killed him.”
“I tried, but that’s when Weston got me,” I shook my head then shrugged a shoulder.
“Yes, about Weston,” Archer said, turning to Lochlan, “good call on the Divine Power sharing, son. It came in handy. I watched my mate set fire to him, too.”
Lochlan bowed his head respectfully then met my eyes with a smile. “I didn’t teach her to be a little flame trower, though. She did dat all on her own.”
“So did anyone find out why they wanted Skye in the first place?” Quinn asked as he crossed his arms over his chest and leaned up against the hood of the Audi. “I was too busy ripping heads off to stop and ask.”
I swallowed hard and looked up into Archer’s eyes as I answered. “It wasn’t Atticus Frost. I think my dad put them up to it.” I told them the whole story Stanus fed me and by the end of it, everyone was as pissed as I was.
“He had them burn down your house?” Jameson asked, clenching his fists in anger.
“That’s what Stanus said,” I replied, looking down at my bloodstained hands.
“Do you believe him?” Hagan asked gruffly.
I nodded my head and met his eyes. “Yeah…I do. My dad called me not ten minutes before I had the meeting with Weston at The Mausoleum and he wanted to know why I wouldn’t join the Dark Ones. During the conversation, I mentioned that my house was one of the many reasons why I wouldn’t.”
“That scheming bastard,” Hunter growled as his eyes began to fade with his
anger. He turned to me and the anger melted off his face, replacing it with a look of sorrow. “I’m sorry your father did that to you. You don’t deserve the hate that man brought upon you. I could kill him for the shit storm he caused.”
“I could too,” Archer growled, pulling me to him and wrapping his arms tightly around me. “I’m so sorry he hurt you, cion.”
“How do we know Stanus and Weston were telling the truth about everything?” Pádraig asked, playing devil’s advocate.
“There’s only one way to find out,” Hagan answered with an eager cock of his brow.
“You’re not suggesting she contact him, are you?” Jameson asked incredulously.
“How else would we learn the truth?” he replied.
I turned in Archer’s arms and leaned back against his chest as I addressed my brothers. “I don’t know if I can talk to him right now,” I admitted, as I tried to hold back my tears. “Hearing that he started all this just because he wanted to move up the Dark ranks…I’m sad to say it hurts. My father told me he loved me…he told me a lot of things and I actually believed him. I need a few days to work everything out in my head before I try any form of contact.”
“I think talking to Atticus first might be our best move,” Archer said gently.
“No,” I shook my head as I stepped out of his arms and turned to him. “I don’t want you guys involved in this any further. A Dark One almost killed Hunter tonight. I’m not risking your lives again.”
“You’re not doing this alone,” Archer argued, crossing his arms defiantly over his chest. “You are my mate and I will not allow it. We stay by each other’s side and endure hardships together. It is the way things are done.”
“We fight as a family,” Jameson growled, stepping toward me. “We always have and always will.”
“Aye,” Quinn, Hunter, Hagan, Pádraig, and Lochlan agreed.
“This is my fight,” I shook my head, pleading with my eyes.
“It’s our fight, baby,” Archer said, pulling me back into his arms and kissing the top of my head. “You belong to us now and we take care of what’s ours. We’ll make Stanus and Lucian pay for what they did to you and Nikki. I promise.”
I wrapped my arms around Archer’s waist and took a deep breath in, savoring his unique, comforting scent. Now was not the time to argue and I wisely put the subject on the backburner.
“Take me home, baby,” I whispered, peering up into his breathtaking ice blue eyes.
“With pleasure, my love,” he answered as he leaned his head down and softly kissed my lips.
Skye’s story will continue in Retaliation of Sins (Skye Morrison Vampire Series, #6). Look for it in late 2013 after the release of the highly anticipated spin-off novella featuring series favorites Dean and Nikki.
Revelation of Blood Soundtrack
These are the songs that were featured in the book or played a role in scene inspiration. Spotify users can search ‘SMVS Book 5 Soundtrack’ to pull up my complete playlist.
Sanctified – Nine Inch Nails
The Only Time – Nine Inch Nails
Here Without You – 3 Doors Down
My Immortal – Evanescence
Rest In Pieces – Saliva
She Hates Me – Puddle of Mud
Sin – Nine Inch Nails
Get Down, Make Love – Nine Inch Nails
If I Was Your Vampire – Marilyn Manson
Maps – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Don’t Cha – The Pussycat Dolls/Busta Rhymes
Boys Wanna Be Her – Peaches
I Am The Highway – Audioslave
Audioslave (self-titled) Album
Character Index
Amun: Father of all vampires; obsessed with killing off Cináed’s bloodline.
Aodhfin: (Deceased) The first Day Walker; blessed by Saint Fionán of Cluain Eraird; reborn in 541A.D. in Ireland; father to Cináed, grandfather to Archer; great-great grandfather to Skye.
Aoife: (Pronounced ee-fa) Works as the second floor bartender at The Mausoleum; blood child to Archer; married to Archer for 600 years before they split up in 1899; her divine power is detecting spoken lies and truths.
Archer Rhys: Owner of The Mausoleum located in Austin, Texas; born in 672A.D. in Ireland; reborn as vampire in 704A.D.; went by Fearchar before modernizing his name; blood son of Cináed and blood father to Aoife, Hunter, Jameson, Lochlan, Quinn, Seamus, Trey, and Skye; has the divine ability to read human and vampire minds.
Atticus Frost: Current leader of the Dark Ones; came into power by killing his predecessor Calethwy Moors in 1913; resides in New York City.
Aziza: Works as the second floor bartender at The Mausoleum; blood child to Greyson Mead; Divine Power and Age unknown.
Cage: member of Dean’s Kaxaw werewolf pack; age and pack position unknown.
Calethwy Moors: (Pronounced Call-eth-wee) (Deceased) Old leader to the Dark Ones; killed in 1913 by Atticus Frost who usurped his position; blood father to Stanus Octavius.
Callum: (Deceased) Blood son of Treasach; was made vampire a few weeks before Jameson and ultimately grew up with him; divine power unknown.
Cardinal Bishop Flannigan: Day Walker; resides in Massachusetts; priest at Saint Ailbe’s church; presided over Skye’s Sacred Vow Ceremony; age and Divine Power unknown.
Cináed: (Pronounced KIN-awd) (Deceased) Blood son of the original Day Walking vampire; blood father to Archer and Treasach; divine power unknown.
Corvus Frost: Dark One; youngest and favorite son of Atticus Frost; next in line to take the Dark throne; resides in New York City.
Courtney: Works at The Mausoleum as a cage dancer; brief object of Martin and Jameson’s attentions.
Dan Kennedy: Skye’s old boss and forever friend; owns Drop Kick Dan’s bar in downtown Austin, Texas.
Dancers: Cage dancers at The Mausoleum; known dancers are Courtney, Seth, Staci, Peyton, Brian, Eden, Rachel, and Alex.
Dark One: Nickname given by Day Walkers for vampires who cannot go out in sunlight; once a dark, depraved, morally corrupt species who are under new leadership.
Day Walker: Nickname given by Dark Ones for vampires who can walk in sunlight; first Day Walker was born in 541 A.D.
Dylan: Cousin to Dean/Dic Cruz; member of Dean’s Kaxaw werewolf pack; age and pack position unknown.
Dic/Dean Cruz: (AKA: Dean Ian Cruz) Owner of Tricky Dic’s Hookah/Head Shop/Beer Bar; frequent customer of Skye’s at The Mausoleum; Alpha werewolf to Central Texas’ Kaxaw Pack.
Drop Kick Dan’s: Austin, Texas bar owned by Dan Kennedy; Skye worked here for 4 years while going to school at UT.
Ducky: Barback at The Mausoleum; works the first floor bar.
Emrick: A member of the elite army of An Dílis/The Faithful; appointed to Archer as a temporary protector to him and his family; age and divine power unknown.
Fitz: member of Dean’s Kaxaw werewolf pack; age and pack position unknown
Gavin: Recent friend of Skye’s; lives one block from her house.
Grace Evelyn Morrison: Doctor; Neuroscientist; human; mother to Skye Everleigh Morrison; lives in Houston, Tx.
Greyson Mead: (Deceased) Friend and business associate of Archer’s from Houston, Texas; Day Walker whose divine power was reading people’s minds; was murdered by Amun in the PVIP section of The Mausoleum; age unknown
Gunnar: Works at The Mausoleum; human; restocks blood to The Mausoleum and Archer’s house daily; his relationship to Archer is currently unknown.
Hagan: (Pronounced HAY-gan) A member of the elite army of An Dílis/The Faithful for over 700 years; fierce warrior; over 900 years old; appointed to Archer as a temporary protector to him and his family; has the divine ability to bring a person’s true personality out.
Hunter: Works the first floor bar at The Mausoleum; blood child to Archer; born in southern United States; age unknown; divine power is Blood Sight (sight through drinking another’s blood).
Jameson Doyle: Lead singer of The Manky Laner, a hard core Irish punk
band in Austin, Texas; works part time at The Mausoleum in the VIP and PVIP sections; blood child to Archer; born in Northern Ireland in 1717; made vampire in 1744; divine power is Healing (both humans and vampires).
Jesse Prescott: (Deceased) Human ex-boyfriend of Skye’s turn creepy stalker; killed by Martin.
Killian: A member of the elite army of An Dílis/The Faithful; age and divine power unknown.
Lochlan: Works the second floor bar at The Mausoleum; blood child to Archer; from Ireland; age and divine power unknown.
Lola Finch: Half-sister to Jesse Prescott.
Lorcán: A member of the elite army of An Dílis/The Faithful; escorts Skye down Mount Bennell in the final fight scene with Amun.
Lucian: SEE Steven Edward Mitchell
Lyric: Nikki St. James’ current boyfriend; notorious Jain vegan.
Martin: (Deceased) Dark One who tried to feed from dancer Courtney opening night at The Mausoleum, attacked Skye, and was thrown out; worked with Amun to kill off Cináed’s bloodline; killed by Skye.