Family Blood Ties Set 5 in 1

by Dale Mayer

  Serus felt that old shudder of rejection as the thought went through him. She was his daughter and that made it somehow different than it was with his sons. And he knew both his wife and daughter would jump on him for that. He'd thought it great when the boys had entered into the dating scene. That had seemed natural. Normal. All men wanted their sons to have lots of fun. Only now, he was the father of one of those daughters the boys had fun with. And that couldn't happen. Not with his daughter. And he didn't care how unfair and sexist that made him. He was going to protect his little girl. In fact, he wanted to grab Tessa, race her home, and keep her locked up where the others couldn't see her.

  "She's turned into a very desirable young woman when you weren't looking." Goran stood at his side, looking at the two in the distance.

  Serus didn't know what he was thinking. At the moment, the door between him and Goran was closed. Goran's son and Serus's daughter. Who would have thought?

  "Oh, I was looking," Serus sighed. "I just didn't know what to do about it."

  Goran laughed. "I have to admit that I'm glad I had sons. Raising girls...at this age...no thank you."

  "Harumph." Serus said. "It's your boy standing with his arms around my daughter."

  Goran leaned closer for a better look. "A friendly bit of support, maybe?"

  David laughed. "I don't think so."

  "Well, we're not going to be able to change whatever is happening so maybe you should look on the bright side, Serus," Goran said with a grin.

  "Yeah, what bright side?" How could anyone see a bright side to this mess? His baby was growing up.

  "You can bet that if Cody is standing by her side, none of the other eager young bucks who try to go after her will succeed. Cody doesn't take competition well. He'll knock out anyone who even gets close."

  "Damn. I'd forgotten about the other young punks. Once word gets out about Tessa..."

  "They are going to be calling day and night." David's grin split his face. "And I'm sure Cody won't appreciate that fact either."

  "Staking his claim early," Goran crowed. "That's my boy."

  Serus growled. "And just how much of a claim is he going to stake?" Serus snapped. "She's not a plaything. She's my daughter."

  David rolled his eyes. "Before you two start fighting over who has the better kid or Cody's character, of which you'd be in perfect agreement if the woman in question wasn't Tessa, I suggest you remember your original statement about not being able to change whatever is happening."

  Both of them looked down at him.

  He just shrugged and walked away, calling behind, "I'm going to talk to them. Sit here and gossip like old women if you want to."

  Serus reached out and grabbed his son by the shoulder. "No, you're not. I want to see what's in Cody's eyes for myself. You can join us in a few minutes."

  Ignoring Goran's gasp behind him, he took off in a high strong glide to take him to his daughter and the young man who was holding her a little too close.

  *.*.*

  David watched his father take off, his glide strong and sure and showing no sign of his advanced years. He just hoped Cody was ready for this.

  "He's not taking this development as well as I'd hoped."

  With a quick spin, David looked up at Goran. "You knew?"

  "I saw signs. I don't know how far it's gone but the mindspeak is a huge indicator that something special is happening. Serus knows this. But having his daughter hit this age and stage so fast...well, I guess that would be enough to startle any father."

  "And Cody?" David asked, "Are you okay with him being with Tessa? Up until now, she was barely higher than a full-on freak in most vamp's eyes."

  "Hmpph." Goran frowned as he watched Serus land beside his son and Tessa. "But she isn't. She's also saved my life several times. She's a good kid."

  "And yet, I'm hearing a 'but'..."

  "If this is serious, Cody has chosen a hard road very early. Serus won't allow for anything else. Hell, I'm not sure in this instance that I would either."

  And Goran took to the air.

  David stood and watched him. What had the man with so many relationships behind him meant?

  He was right that Cody would have his work cut out for him. Tessa had taken a lot of crap from her peers, and vamps were nothing if not vindictive. If they wanted to, everyone could make Cody's life hell for choosing to date Tessa. On the other hand, Cody most likely wouldn't care. And that attitude alone would make the difference.

  *.*.*

  Cody stiffened as Serus landed in front of them, a hard look in his eyes. Cody lifted his chin and stared back at him.

  "Glad you made it, sir."

  Serus's gaze narrowed and he studied Cody's face. Damn, had Serus seen him kiss his daughter? Crap. He straightened his shoulders but refused to remove his arm around Tessa's shoulders.

  Start the way he meant to go on. He was connected to Tessa one way or another. With Serus's approval or not.

  He felt Tessa's slight start. And remembered that she could hear his thoughts, too.

  "Hey Dad, about time you got here. Cody escaped and so did I." She beamed a smile up at him. Cody waited, tension running down his back. Would Serus soften or was he on a rampage at seeing a relationship developing between Cody and his daughter?

  And why did Cody, who'd done so well overcoming all kinds of challenges these last few days, feel his knees quivering in the face of Tessa's father's potential displeasure?

  Their families were close. Maybe too close. Maybe this relationship with Tessa was bound to happen eventually.

  Tessa stepped forward, seemingly unaware of the tension crackling in the air. She reached out to Serus and stepped right up in front so that she could look directly in his face. "Dad? Is there a problem?"

  He tore his gaze from Cody to stare down at Tessa, then with a heavy sigh, he eased back a bit. "No. Everything is fine."

  Cody released a silent sigh of relief. War averted for the moment. Tessa's back stiffened and Cody whispered in his head, Sorry. But he knows. Just not so sure he's happy about it.

  Her smiled eased and became so loving, so caring, Cody didn't think he'd seen anything like it. From her. From any girl.

  And then she surprised him again. She brought the issue right out into the open. Cody could only listen in surprise.

  "Thank you. Cody and I are struggling to sort out what's happening between us too. At the moment, just know that we care about each other. Where it goes or how deep it goes is something we can only wait and see."

  Serus stared down at her. "You're too young."

  "No." Again that gentle smile. "I am young. But not too young. Besides, Cody is only a few years older. I could have had this happen with someone your age. That would be difficult"

  Cody struggled to hold back his laughter at the shock rippling over Serus's face. Then the laughter disappeared when Serus lifted a hand and cupped her cheek.

  "I've almost lost you several times these last few days," he started.

  Tessa reached up and clasped her hand over her father’s. "But I survived."

  "Thankfully." He smiled so very gently. "And I've come to realize how much you've changed and matured these last few days. Just..." he glanced over at Cody, his gaze hardening as he pinned him in place. "Take it slow. Okay?"

  Her smile lit up the darkness in the cavern. "I promise."

  Cody let his breath out slowly, scared to break the moment, and nodded.

  Serus gathered Tessa in a deeply loving hug.

  Cody felt a band around his own heart loosen. Tessa looked so cherished. He could barely begin to understand what Serus must be going through right now.

  Just then his own father arrived beside him. Goran dropped a warm heavy hand on Cody's shoulder. "Does the old heart good to see this." He nodded at Serus and Tessa. "Serus had to get to this point. He can't be worrying about what might be between Tessa and you while this war is going on. The distraction co
uld get him killed."

  Cody nodded. "Sorry for adding to the troubles we're all dealing with."

  His father shook his head. "Don't be. Sometimes fate knocks us on our ass, but just as often it gives us a hand up." He squeezed Cody's shoulder. "Serus needed this."

  At his words, Cody glanced over to see Tessa engulfed in Serus's arms. "So does Tessa," he admitted.

  "Yes, those two have had their troubles these last few years and although Tessa has changed so much these last few days, she's always going to be his baby girl."

  "Is that a warning, sir?"

  Goran laughed. "Hell no. If you see something worth going after, then by all means go after it. You're awfully young to make a final decision though."

  Cody wondered if everyone planned to warn him and Tessa about that same issue. He didn't know about Tessa, but he wanted to see where this went. But there'd be no trifling with Tessa like Cody might have done with other girlfriends. She wasn't in the same category as previous girlfriends.

  Damn right, I'm not.

  Cody was saved from having to answer by the arrival of David and the rest of the group. They gathered on the ground and looked up at the group.

  "See, I get all this family stuff, I really do. But..." David paused for effect. "Do you think we could have this meeting at home instead of here where we're likely to get attacked at any moment?"

  Tessa pulled back from Serus's hug and smiled. "You're right. It's time to finish this show and go home."

  She walked over to Cody. She stood in front of him, a gamine grin on her face and said, "Right?"

  He tugged her back to his side and wrapped an arm around her shoulder possessively. "Damn right."

  Tessa laughed at her brother. She jumped down to his side. "Glad to see you managed to extricate yourselves this time."

  David gathered her up in a big hug. "Same to you." Keeping an arm anchored around her shoulders, the two waited for the others to jump down and join them.

  After the greetings were over and Cody had been slapped on his shoulders and back several times, the group stood around talking.

  "Game plan?" Tessa asked when the noise calmed down. "We've taken out dozens of bad guys but that doesn't mean there aren't more around here."

  "There are more. And more captives we have to save." Motre stood, his legs in a wide stance and his arms crossed across his chest. "We need to free as many as possible. The assholes need to have their supply of basic vamp models taken away from them. I don't know where they are getting their supply from, but let's not have our friends and coworkers be the next wave we're up against."

  Several of the men behind him nodded. "I'm missing several good buddies. If they are here, I know they'd want to help us kick butt and rescue them if we can."

  A rumble of assent moved through the group.

  Tessa stepped back slightly and watched as the conversation went in one direction then the other. She closed her eyes and groaned silently.

  Here they went again. The conversation got louder and louder. Voices rose as each struggled to be heard over the other. Another five minutes and fights would surely erupt.

  Then she couldn't stay quiet any more. "Hey!" she shouted. And no one listened. She groaned louder. Vamps were always like this when they got together. And she hated it.

  She put two fingers in her mouth and let loose a piercing whistle.

  Silence.

  As if on cue, they all turned to look at her. Of the faces she could see, only Cody and David were grinning. Goran and her father looked their long ancient noses down at her and frowned.

  She rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Could we get back to the real issue on hand, please?"

  Motre snorted. "Exactly what I've been trying to say. Look, I'll take a group and go searching for more of my people. See if we can find a councilman or two. If we can bolster our numbers, that will be a huge help right now."

  "Right." Tessa realized she'd forgotten about so many other people she'd heard had been found and lost again. "This place is a maze. It's more likely that you'll get lost."

  "No." Motre straightened his back, making him look even bigger. "I'm great at navigating. It's what I do. I'll be fine." He looked at his wrist as if to check the time. "I need to find the councilman and the rest of those captives." He glanced around. "There are human and vamp captives everywhere. We'll release the ones we can and save the GPS location of the others so we can come back for them."

  "I'm going with him," piped up one of the vamps standing right beside Motre.

  "So am I."

  "Me too."

  Very quickly, a small group of men moved off to the side. Goran slapped Motre on the shoulder. "We're going back to the cavern meeting rooms to see if we can round up any more bosses. Stay close and stay in touch."

  "Will do."

  And the group took off.

  Tessa watched them leave. It seemed weird after all they'd been through to have them split up again. But this group was big enough to handle it. In fact, both groups were. They'd collected enough good vamps to be able to separate and cover twice as much ground. And that was good news.

  "Speaking of humans, how long before we can get help for Catherine and Jill?"

  David frowned. "Let's get back to Taz and give him the location of all those people. He can get a medical team to take them to the hospital."

  "We don't know how long they've been here, but with the right treatment, your friends will be fine." Jewel smiled up at Tessa. "But we need to get them help as soon as possible, I think."

  Tessa nodded. There was only so much they could do. She really needed to connect with Taz again.

  "We'll get them the help they need." Her father stepped up in front of her. "How about you go home and stay with your mother?"

  She smiled. He'd do just about anything to get her out of danger and into their home, where she'd be safe. "See that would be nice, but I'm here. You're here and every time we part, someone gets into trouble. I know David,, and Jewel would also like to go home. They also need some healing time and blood. Not sure about Cody, but the thing is, while we're here, I think we need to keep pushing their front line back."

  David spoke up. "She's right. Every time something goes wrong on our end, we give them a chance to regroup with new reinforcements. We need to get more of the bad guys out of here, and get more of the good guys in."

  Jewel's gentler voice spoke from behind. "As much as I don't want to stay, I really don't want to be separated from everyone to go home. Bad things happen when we do that."

  Ian snorted at Jewel. "No kidding. We're forever getting into trouble. Just look at the two of us. We can’t even fly out of here with all the drugs they injected into our systems." He tried to stretch his wings and growled when they still wouldn't move. "We stay here and then we go home together. And I'm totally okay with going home now – but that's got to mean everyone."

  "So let's do a sweep of the offices then head back to the blood farm and make sure Taz and that group are still fine. Hopefully they've heard back from Gloria. There should be reinforcements coming sometime soon. For all we know, they might be here already."

  That concept perked everyone up. Tessa marvelled at how much straighter everyone stood. How much more positive they all appeared. "Good. A quick sweep, back to Taz to check in and then home."

  Everyone nodded.

  Tessa wanted to laugh. Since when had anything been easy in this place?

  *.*.*

  Rhia wasn't sure how she'd ended up here at the Human Council offices, but Gloria and Councilman Adamson thought it would be better for them to approach the humans for help on their turf. Sian had agreed.

  The four of them stood outside the darkened building.

  "It doesn't look like anyone is here," Rhia commented.

  "It's night time." Sian shrugged. "They won't be standing around in the dark waiting for us."

  Gloria turned to Sian, a frown on her face.
"But why not? It's almost morning for them, shouldn't they be up and ready?"

  Sian patiently answered the seemingly endless stream of questions about humans, making Rhia realize how involved her friend had become in the human world. It was to be expected given that she lived with a human, but for Rhia, she hadn't realized how deeply that partnership had impacted Sian's life.

  Who'd have known? Sian wasn't quite accepted into either world and neither was Taz. But they'd created their own world and at this point in time, they appeared to be wonderfully happy.

  "We don't just stand around in the dark waiting for vampires to come and visit." A testy voice snapped from behind them. "Most of us are asleep at this hour." He strode past the small group and unlocked the large double doors. He flicked on a light switch that instantly cast a warm welcoming light in the dark interior.

  "Come in, come in." He kept walking forward, as if uncaring as to whether they did or not.

  Rhia hated the uncertainty that coiled inside her as she entered the building. She was more powerful, older, and wiser, but humans had been killing vamps for centuries and that wasn't the easiest of thoughts to put away. She couldn't help but consider that this meeting might be a trap. Adding to that uncertainty was the knowledge that some humans had partnered with the vamps from the blood farm.

  The four of them stood uneasily in the front entranceway, the door still open behind them in case staying wasn't an option. The human returned, a big smile on his face. He reached out and shook Councilman Adamson's hand. "Good to see you again, sir. Come in and sit down. The others will be here soon."

  Councilman Adamson strode forward. Rhia wished she felt even slightly as comfortable he looked. She'd been surprised when the councilman had decided to come with them. His official presence lent more weight to the seriousness of the problem.

  That Gloria had come as well was also good. The more the merrier, as far as Rhia was concerned. She'd had no word from anyone in hours and hours. Even Seth hadn't checked in. That scared her even more. That damn blood farm was a giant sinkhole. It just kept eating up more of her family.