Tereza pushed David inside. “I’ll make sure the house is secured.”
“I’ll stand with Mariah,” Anya said as she rejoined her, a gun in her hand.
Reaching out to Rathe, Mariah told him, “Rathe, get your ass back here! Those you chased are decoys.”
“Son-of-a-bitch, we’re surrounded. Mariah, run!”
The advancing vampires snarled, their eyes glowed red and were fixed on her and Anya.
“Anya, you wouldn’t happen to have your sword handy, do you?”
“Nope. It’s in the trunk. Right where I put it before we went to ground.”
“Crap.”
“Yep. Have you a full clip?”
“Nope.”
“Shit. We are so screwed.”
Before she could respond, a tall silhouette loomed behind the vampires. One of them turned. “Why are you—”
Broadsword in his hand rose, the newcomer chopped off the vampire’s head. The others stared as the head rolled past them. Before they could react, he was a blur, slashing and chopping the vampires’ heads off. The screams were deafening! Stunned, she watched the last vamp’s head fly. As the tall man surveyed his handy work, he turned and stepped out of the shadows. His incredibly handsome face pulled into a fearsome scowl as he cleaned his sword on the coat of the dead vamp at his feet.
“I know you!”
Emerald eyes ablaze, he said to her, his accent British, not German, “Mariah, do you see the cabin? See how to get there?”
Confused by the different accent, she didn’t have time to dwell on it because in her mind she saw a log cabin, high in the mountains. “Yes. I see it.
“Go there and do not return until I tell you it is safe to do so.”
“Where is Jarrod? Is he here?”
“I’ve delayed him in Portland. Run!” He was gone.
Anya demanded, “Who the hell was he?”
She laughed a little nervously. “Uh, he would be my guardian angel.”
Anya’s eyes glittered, and she seemed to be concentrating. For a moment, Mariah felt a nudge, as if someone was trying to get into her mind. Anya was trying to read her! She figured she had two choices; either confront her or ignore her. Fortunately, Rathe and his brothers had returned.
Staring at the corpses littering her driveway and front yard, he asked, “Did you and Anya kill them?”
Scowling, Anya answered him, “No, we were saved by a vampire I’ve never seen before. He slaughtered them and left. Mariah says he’s her guardian angel.”
Rathe approached Mariah. “Was he the one you saw in your dreams?”
“Yes. He said to run because Jarrod is almost here. Showed me a safe place for us to hide.”
Frowning, he said to his brothers, “Faeroes, Simon, dust the bodies. Anya, make sure everyone in the house is okay.”
Giving her a hard look, Anya went inside.
“Rathe, why didn’t he stay? What is his game?”
“I don’t know. Was he one of the Damned?”
Frowning, she shook her head. “I couldn’t tell. The vamps attacking us knew him. They were definitely surprised when he started killing them.”
“He’s not the only surprise tonight. I thought Jeremy was in love with you. To set us up like he did, he’s proven he’s as vicious as his wife.”
“I know.” Her gut twisted, burned as the imaginary knife of Jeremy’s betrayal — again.
Jamming his hands in his coat pockets, Rathe drew in a ragged breath and let it out slowly. “I don’t trust the vampire who did this.” He indicated the bodies as Faeroes and Simon sprinkled Holy water on them, the corpses burst into flames. “Why did he leave you?” Shaking his head, his face hardened. “He hides, but why? What has he to fear meeting me and my brothers? Who is he?”
“Do you think he’s like Jarrod and believes he can use me to gain power?”
“I don’t know. Until we can speak to him about it, I consider him an enemy. If he proves otherwise, great; if not, he dies with the rest of the Damned.”
“Should I take our families to the cabin?”
“No. It could be a trap.” They watched everyone file out of the house. He said to David, “David, I want you to take your wife, Kai, and Lydia and get out of here.” Simon made to protest, Rathe stopped him. “Lydia is telepathic. She can keep them safe. You, Faeroes, and I are heading to The Inferno.”
Tereza asked, holding Mina’s hand, “Shall we leave, too?”
“Yes. You, Mariah, Mina, and Anya, fly out of here. Head north. Once Jarrod is dead, and we’ve taken care of his minions, we’ll find you.”
As he went with Faeroes and Simon to the car, preparing to hunt the Damned, she felt Anya return to stand beside her. “Anya, I cannot tell you whether or not the vampire who helped us is an enemy or friend. All I know is he saved my life when the vampire hunters killed my real mother. He has saved me numerous times since. I don’t feel he is evil. There is nothing in his mind like Jarrod’s.”
Softening her defensive stance, Anya holstered her gun. “I did not sense anything evil either about him. Strange thing is, I recognized him. I just can’t place where I’ve seen him before.”
“Damn, he was sure handsome, wasn’t he?”
“Indeed he was. The Romulas men are gorgeous, but that man went beyond. Those green eyes … wow!”
Faeroes neared them and wore a puzzled frown. “Who are you speaking of?”
“No one, my love.” Anya wore a secretive smile, making Mariah cough, hiding her laugh at Faeroes’s confusion.
Rathe handed her several clips loaded with silver bullets. He wore a short leather jacket, his sword strapped to his back, same as Faeroes and Simon. “When we’re finished, I’ll contact you.”
“Be careful. Do not underestimate Jarrod. Yes, he wants me and Kai, but he also wants you dead.”
“I’ll be careful.” He pressed his forehead briefly to hers before kissing her. Releasing her, he turned and leapt in the air, followed by his brothers.
Anya kicked at the ground. “Like hell I'm going to run again!” She glared in the direction the men went.
Mariah made to comment when Kai took her hand, her youthful face pinched with worry. “Kai, what’s the matter?”
“Mom, I don’t like it. We should stay together.”
“It’s safer for you to leave here.” Pushing her gently toward the house, she said, “Go get your bags.”
Watching the sky, Tereza said, “Mariah, David and Rona need to leave — without Kai.”
“What?”
“Lydia knows the enemy and can protect Kai better. Your friends don’t. They’ll die for her.”
“You’ve another plan?”
“Keep your thoughts protected, elsewise the boys will know we’re not in agreement.”
David and Rona hurried toward her with their luggage. Kai was slower, obviously not happy. She led the dogs with her.
“We’re ready.” Rona waved at Kai to hurry.
“Change of plans. You’re not taking Kai. You’re taking my dogs. Rona, please don’t argue. Just drive until I contact you.”
“What about Kai? You both can’t stay here. It’s not safe.”
“Best you don’t know what we’re doing. Be careful and do not trust anyone. Keep driving until I call you and tell you it’s safe to return.”
“Okay. I trust you.” Rona hugged her and had to be pried off her by David. Mariah put the dogs in the back of their truck, but Salish and Bear weren’t happy about it. Bereft of her dogs, she watched as the truck sped down the driveway.
Taking her daughter's hands, she told Kai, “If something should go wrong tonight, I want you to call Rona. She’ll come and get you.”
Frantic, Kai threw her arms around her. “Mom, please be careful! I don’t want to live without you!”
She drew her daughter back, holding Kai's sweet face in her hands. “Honey, I will survive this night!” She ordered, “Lydia, you take the sports car. Keep going until we call you back.�
� Giving Lydia a light shove toward the car, she urged, “Go on. Everything will work out.”
Tereza led Mina to the car, surprising everyone. “Lydia, I am placing Aramina into your care.” Mina protested, halting when Tereza smiled and kissed her cheeks. “My daughter, you are a Borne. You are strong.” She withdrew the knife out of her boot and handed it to her. “Kai and Lydia are our family. Protect each other.”
Hugging Kai tight, Mariah forced herself to release her daughter and helped her into the backseat of the car. Mina climbed in and shut the car door. Lydia looked at her from the other side of the car.
“I promise I will keep them safe. I swear it.”
“I know you will. Now get the hell out of here!” She watched as her only child tried to be brave, buckling her seatbelt. The red car sped away.
“Ladies, let’s ready ourselves for battle.” Anya indicated they follow her to the elegant town car she and Faeroes owned, opening the trunk. She stared at her before she reached in and grabbed a sheathed sword, handing it to her. “Here, you’ll need it tonight.”
Taking the hilt in one hand, scabbard in the other, Mariah drew the sword free. Something inside her clicked, as if wielding the sword was perfectly natural. More than natural, it was her destiny. Sliding it back in the scabbard, she fastened it, like Rathe had, across her back. She braided her long hair and fastened the end with a rubber band Anya handed her. Cold, she felt her face, her skin icy to the touch. Her stomach hurt, the ravaging hunger beat at her violently, making her sick and weak. Hand on the car for support, she struggled not to vomit.
Behind her, Tereza said, “Its normal, Mariah. You just need to feed.”
“I drank Rathe’s blood earlier.”
“Drinking Borne blood will stay back the worst of hunger, but it does not give us the nutrition we need. Only human blood can. We’ll find donors in town.” Tereza strapped her sword across her back and holstered her gun at her hip.
How would Rathe feel about her feeding on another man? Pushing the worry away, she needed to be strong with the fight coming.
“Mariah,” Tereza motioned her to her, “flying is relatively easy. Focus on the thought of flying, direct your body and mind to obey your will.”
“Okay, sounds easy enough to do.” When they flew upward, she did as Tereza said, and to her astonishment, she was able to keep up with them.
Across the lake, they made for the infamous Coeur d'Alene Lake Resort, displayed in a golden array of lights. Anya landed first onto the floating docks and nodded it was safe. They landed beside her. Evening quiet and cold, couples walked hand in hand. Anya signaled that three men were coming, their loud laughter disrupting the peacefulness. When they were close, Mariah could smell the alcohol on their breath.
Great, first time feeding on a human and I get one intoxicated. Wonderful.
Silver eyes shining in the soft lights, Anya beckoned the men to her. “Gentlemen, look into my eyes. You will feel no pain. Relax and accept.” The men stared at her, unmoving. “Mariah, come and drink.”
Feeling awkward at what to do, she felt her fangs drop as she thought about drinking his blood. The bluish-colored vein below his ear held her spellbound. Placing her hand on his shoulder, the other on his head, she angled him so she could better sink her teeth into him. Opening her mouth, she felt her teeth pierce the young man's skin like a knife sliding through butter. The immediate rush of hot, sweet blood thrilled her, and she fastened her mouth over the wound she’d created and suckled in the needed nourishment. Tasting human blood was completely different compared to Rathe’s blood, and she instantly felt stronger, more alert — more aware of her vampire senses.
“Mariah, stop!” Tereza warned, pulling the man away. “Never take so much you stop the human’s heart. If you kill, the death takes your soul with it!”
Wiping her mouth, she watched as Anya whispered to the men as she and Tereza sat them down on the bench. The vampiress planted the idea they had drank way too much alcohol and needed to sleep it off.
Tereza asked, “Mariah, where is the club?”
“Two blocks north of here. Follow me.”
Chimes echoed, and the belfry tower rung eight times. Off the docks, they cautiously entered City Park.
Anya stopped, sniffing the air. “Draw your swords!”
Pulling her sword free, Mariah dodged when a vamp ran at her, gnashing his teeth at her. She swung, chopping off his head. No time to wonder how she knew how to fight with a sword, she kept her back to Anya and Tereza, as they formed a protective circle.
Anya growled, “Why aren’t they trying to kill us?”
Shit!
If they were taken alive, Tereza and Anya would surely suffer a horrid death, played out for Jarrod's sick pleasure.
“Tereza, you and Anya run!”
“No! We won’t—” Anya’s words were lost when Mariah rushed the vamps as Tereza pulled her with her as she leapt upward into the air.
The vamps circled Mariah warily. Just like she thought. She was their intended prey. Candy stepped out behind the tree, a triumphant smile on her sallow features.
“How noble of you to sacrifice yourself for them, too bad it was a wasted effort. They will be captured shortly.” The bite wounds on her neck were raw and festering, the smell putrid.
“Nice hickey,” she said dryly, keeping her sword’s tip lowered, prepared in case the twisted bitch attacked her.
Candy whipped her hand up and covered her wounds self-consciously. “Soon, I will be beautiful and an immortal. He says I am one of his children now.”
“Sorry, honey, but you haven’t improved your situation or your looks since becoming Damned.”
“Be careful, Mariah, I can have you killed with the snap of my fingers.”
Stabbing the tip of her sword in the ground, she put her hands on her hips. “You just don’t get it, do you? I’m not to be harmed, remember? Hell, I could kill you right now and those guys,” she thumbed at the vampires, “won’t lift a finger to save your skanky ass.”
The enraged woman screamed at her, her long, red nails became claws as she ran at her. Snarling, Mariah drew back her fist, drawing her strength in, and slammed it right into Candy’s face. Candy's head snapped back. Quicker, she punched Candy again, sending her flying onto her backside. Dazed, Candy blinked several times, shaking her head. Mariah took up her sword, intending to finish the bitch off.
Candy lifted her hand. “Stop! My master has in his possession something quite precious to you, and if you want to see them again, don’t hit me!”
“Who do you have?” Fear clutched her heart.
“You’ll just have to come with me and see, won’t you?” Candy sneered, rising slowly to her feet as she wiped the green-colored fluid off her mouth and chin.
“Where is Jarrod?”
“Waiting for us at the club.”
Sheathing her sword, Mariah shrugged her shoulders and shape-shifted into an enormous eagle. Grabbing the screaming woman in her talons, she leapt into the air. The cold rush of air from her wings sent dust and leaves swirling about, temporarily blinding the vampires.
Flying across the park, she made for the club. Above The Inferno, she released Candy. Screaming, the woman fell, apparently forgetting she was a vampire and could stop her own fall. Like a sack of potatoes, she hit the roof. Shifting as she landed, Mariah shook her head as Candy struggled to climb to her feet.
Why hadn’t the vampires at the park followed her?
Unsure what their game was, she searched the clear sky and had an idea how to keep them from coming too close to the club. Concentrating, she summoned the storm. The air grew alive with static electricity. Thunder rumbled ominously. In the distance, clouds raced across the lake, merging and rolling angrily as lightening arced, illuminating them.
“How are you doing that?” Afraid, Candy demanded, her ample chest heaving.
Jarrod's suave, softly-accented voice answered her, “Because,” a smug smile curved his mouth when she t
urned to face him, “she is my flesh and blood.”
The rising wind lifted strands of his pale hair about his lean body. Clad in his customary white suit, Jarrod was what the movies thought beautiful in a vampire and was a thousand times deadlier than any sociopath. He tenderly caressed Candy’s mottled face.
“Mariah is the storm. She is Gypsy and Vampire born. Destined to become my bride.”
“Your bride?”
“Together, we will create a new world where vampires rule and the humans will be our slaves.” He grinned at her. “Won’t we, my love?”
“Never! I’ll not betray my family, like you have.”
“Let’s head downstairs, shall we? Hate to have lightning strike me. That’d take out all the fun we’re to have tonight.”
Refusing to budge, she lifted her chin. “No.”
“No?” Jarrod smiled dangerously. “I guess I’ll just have to take the hard approach then.”
Big brawny arms pulled into her in a brutal embrace. By the smell, the man was definitely a ghoul. Struggling to free herself, she cried out when he squeezed his arms, crushing her ribs. Forced to cease her efforts, she wasn’t the only prey Jarrod had trapped tonight.
“No!”
✝✝✝
“Candy’s gonna be pissed at me for sure.” Worried, Jeremy sped down the highway. Mariah hadn’t fallen for their ploy, like she said she would.
Driving back to The Inferno, Jeremy parked outside the club. A rumbling, powerful engine made him turn around to see who was coming. A lifted, black, four-door truck pulled in front of the club. Six brutal-looking men climbed out. The driver, a short, stocky man, shrugged on a heavy biker’s jacket. He approached Jeremy, wearing a fake, cheerful smile on his scarred features.
“Candy's husband, yes?” Russian accent?
“Yes, I am. Where’s Candy? She said to meet her here.”
“Candy’s been sent on an errand. Weren't you supposed to bring us the writer?” The man's sharp eyes watched him, making Jeremy nervous.
“She wouldn’t come. Hates my ass for dumping her for Candy. Want me to go back and force her here?”
“No. We’ve sent others to bring her in.”
“What are you planning to do to Mariah? You’re not going to hurt her, are you?”
Whisper to Me (Borne Vampires Book 1) Page 21