“Alex, Lisle’s out there, wanting to find a victim. Do we go after her?”
Alex searched the woods, frowning. “Let’s check on Herrick and his family first, make sure nothing happened while we slept. Come on.” He headed back to the manor.
Following him, she grumbled, “I wish I had my laptop. I hate not being able to do my own research.”
“Zoe’s the best in the intel-gathering field. If she couldn’t find anything on Lisle, then there isn’t anything out there.”
“I know, I just prefer doing my own homework on an unsub. Mina and I built our reputation by being the best in our field, and this just feels like I’m doing s half-assed job here.”
Alex stopped and faced, her gazing intently at her. “Kai, what we’re facing is not a job. Lisle Breber manipulated my father and brother, brought my world down in flames because of her selfish desires. The bitch loves to cause misery. Right now, she is out there plotting how to make me suffer more. If she figures out how much you truly mean to me, Lisle will come after you.”
“Do you care for me, Alex?” she asked softly, staring into his eyes, usually flat and determined. Not tonight. Tonight, he was afraid.
Drawing his fingers up her throat to her chin, Alex caressed her cheek with the rough pads of his fingertips. “Aye, I do care. Far more than is prudent, especially since you are Mariah’s daughter and the Boss’s stepchild.”
A small snort escaped her. “Rathe knows I can take care of myself.”
Running the back of his knuckles along her jawline, causing her to shiver at his light touch, he said quietly, “Out here, you are my responsibility. I could never forgive myself if Lisle harmed you as she has those I’ve loved.”
Bold, Kai stepped closer to him, breathing in his warm, masculine scent. “Then I guess you’ll just have to stay right beside me and be my bodyguard then.”
Flames briefly lit in his dark green eyes. Alex smiled, the corners of his sensual mouth upturned wickedly, reminding her of the man she’d seen in her dreams. “I’ll take the job. Someone needs to watch that cute ass of yours.”
“You think I have a cute ass?”
“Yes, yes, I do.” His voice deepened as he shifted closer to her, their bodies touching. “Lovely ass. As a whole, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever met.”
Her eyes went wide. “You think I’m beautiful?”
Alex lowered his head toward hers. “Beyond beautiful, and I’d very much like to kiss you again.”
Aching to feel his lips touch hers again, she whispered, “I’d very much would love for you to kiss me again.”
Before his mouth touched hers, Mary called out their names, breaking them apart. “Kai, Alex, my family is waiting for you!” Mary came bounding across the courtyard toward them.
“Has something happened?” she asked, instantly on alert.
“No, we need to plan what to do if the Damned return or if the vampire hunters will seek retribution for their dead companions.”
“We’d best not keep them waiting,” Alex said, surprising Kai as he took her hand in his and led the way to the kitchen door. Opening the door for her and Mary to enter, he suddenly pushed the young girl behind her as the men scrambled to grab their guns.
Herrick held out his hands and ordered, “Hold your weapons, boys!” He apologized to them, “Forgive us, we are nervous. Come in, come in.”
Wary, Alex ushered her and Mary inside, closing the door behind them. “I understand, Herrick. You need not be sorry for being prepared.”
The tantalizing scent of fresh-brewed coffee drew Kai to the counter and she poured two cups. Handing one to Alex, she added sugar and cream to hers. In between sips, she observed the tension in the people gathered in the kitchen. Their fear was palpable and it was making her nervous.
“Herrick,” Alex said solemnly, “I think it wise we evacuate Wulf Manor immediately.”
“It’s been in our thoughts as well. We have clan in Berlin we can send the women to. We, men, must stay here, to protect our livestock.”
“What do you think, Kai?” Alex asked.
Cradling her coffee cup in her hands, she forced herself to view the situation through the eyes of a profiler. “I hate to say this, in order to draw Lisle out we need people to stay here, at the Manor. Of course, she’ll want you, Alex, but she’ll know something is up if everyone disappears here.”
Herrick shot a terrified look at Gaeta. “Mother, is it true? Is Lisle Breber back from the dead?”
Hands shaking as she clasped her coffee cup, Gaeta replied, “Ja, my son, it is true. Lisle Breber has escaped her tomb and will seek retribution on our family as she will upon you, Master.”
“Tomb?” Alex straightened, his eyes narrowing. “What tomb do you speak of, Gaeta?”
✝✝✝
“Forgive us, Master,” she implored. “By the time my father realized Lisle still lived, you had disappeared. He could not tell you they had found her wandering the woods, burned and weak, outside the woods of Wulf Manor.”
“She came back here?”
“Ja. Herrick and his cousins chased her back into the Harz Mountains. She found a cave and hid within it. Unable to chop off her head and end her wretched existence, they brought down the rocks at the cave’s opening down and sealed Lisle inside.”
“Gaeta,” Kai asked, horrified, “are you saying they left her to starve to death?”
Tears glittered in her dark eyes. “Ja,” she whispered brokenly. “They had no choice. To protect the people of Magdeburg, they could not risk allowing her to escape. They sealed the cave so that none could ever enter it … or leave it. Master, Herrick told Magistrate Breber you and your family had been murdered by Lisle, and that they had seen justice done by killing her. He accepted it because he knew she was vampyre.”
Sick to his stomach Alex rubbed his face with both hands. What Lisle had endured all alone, the starvation and fear, the madness. Free, she would seek her vengeance on those responsible for her suffering.
Kai asked him, “Alex, how did she survive? We barely managed without blood for a couple of days.”
“She must have shut her body down like Sin did, when he went to his crypt.”
“And Angel let her out,” Kai stated grimly.
“Set her free to what end? If she wanted me dead, she could have taken a direct course.” His mind reeled at what was coming for them and the people around him. The fear on their faces assured him they were well aware of the danger they were in.
“Maybe Angel wants you back on the Damned’s side again? Lisa … Lisle was spouting off about how Angel promised her…. Oh, shit! Angel promised you to Lisle! To keep her in line, except Angel didn’t bargain on a psychotic vampiress who kills her own kind. Now, Lisle is out of control.”
Rubbing his forehead, he pondered their options. “We need to draw her out and kill her.”
Herrick cautioned, “She will make others to help her kill us. It is in the Damned’s nature.”
“I don’t think so. Lisle keeps killing others like her. She never did play well with others,” Alex said with a derisive snort.
“Alex,” Kai interjected, “we cannot rule it out. We need to be vigilant and cautious where Lisle Breber is concerned.”
“You’re right. She has proven resourceful in the past. Herrick, if you and your family are willing to fight, we make our stand here, at Wulf Manor and end her existence — permanently this time,” he added with dark note.
The gypsies nodded their agreement. Gaeta offered, “I know of a potion that repels vampires. We could spread it around the house and barns; use it as a barrier to keep the Damned out.”
“Have you used it before?” Alex asked, unsure whether or not to seriously consider a potion able to keep the Damned off neutral ground.
“Yes, it works quite effectively. It will take several hours to prepare. Especially with how much is required to protect us and our livestock.”
Herrick rose from the table. “Mother, you
and the women will begin making it. The boys and I will bring in the livestock and patrol while you work.”
“Herrick, Kai and I must feed.” Herrick made to offer his arm to him, Alex shook his head. “You have much to attend to. We need to do a perimeter search anyways. Then we’ll search for a donor.”
“Will we be safe while you are gone?” Herrick was reluctant for them to leave again and with good reason.
Kai answered with a far off look in her eyes, “Lisle is in Magdeburg, at a club.”
Grabbing Kai by the shoulders, Alex demanded, “You can see her?”
Blinking, she nodded with a happy grin. “I got a fix on the twisted bitch!”
“Your gifts are back online?” Trying hard not to get his hopes up, Alex prayed it to be true.
“And stronger. I am … better than before.” She wore an expression of amazement and worry. Kai looked to Gaeta, who nodded her head approvingly.
“Good. Herrick, since Mary and Kai can communicate with each other, you can let us know if you are attacked again.” The Gypsy made to protest, he held out his hand to stop him. “You will be fine. Kai has a lock on Lisle. If she leaves Magdeburg, she’ll know, and we’ll warn you.”
Seeming to accept Alex’s reassurance, Herrick took his rifle and slung it over his shoulder. “While my mother prepares the potion, we will build bonfires to ward off the night and any who dare cross our boundaries. Keep safe while you patrol.” He bowed his head to her and Alex before saying, “Let’s be about our work, sons.”
His sons followed him out the kitchen door. The women assembled and waited for instructions from Gaeta, who shuffled over to the cupboards and opened one. She pulled out a very old, leather-bound book. Carefully opening it, she searched for the page she needed. Gaeta ordered her family to fetch herbs and plants from the pantry as she and Mary pulled out a large black cauldron out of the bottom cabinet near her.
Her cellphone started beeping; alerting her the batteries were done. Kai set her coffee cup down on the table and dug her cellphone charger out. “I need to plug it in.”
Mary offered, “I can do that for you while you are out.” Alex gave the girl his.
“Thank you, Mary,” Alex said. “We shouldn’t be gone long. Let’s go, Kai.” Alex set down his coffee cup and opened the door for her.
Outside, Kai gazed at the manor with a worried frown. “Kai, what’s wrong?”
“Do you think it’s wise to leave Herrick and his family?”
“Can you find Lisle?”
Her eyes went out of focus. “Yes. She’s dancing. No thoughts of us or the manor.”
“Good. She’ll be busy for a while. I want to scout the area and make sure none of the Damned or vampire hunters are here. I’m changing into an eagle. You?”
“Same. Um, I really hate to sound like a girl, but I need a change of clothes. So do you.”
He glanced at his dirty clothes, forced to agree. “Yes, you’re right. We’ll locate a change of clothes while we search for a donor. Let’s shift.”
At the same time, they changed into a pair of golden eagles. The gypsies watched in fascination as they swept their powerful wings and rose in the air. Alex went in one direction, she the other. Sweeping the woods, he was satisfied there weren’t any hunters, ghouls, or vamps within twenty miles of the Manor.
Meeting back with Kai, they went in search of a human blood donor. Over fields and pastures they flew when he heard music. Kai dipped her right wing, and he returned the gesture for her to take lead. Veering to their right, a small clearing in the sea of trees opened and that’s where they found parked cars, hundreds of humans were dancing and drinking around a huge bonfire. A stage had been erected. Pickups, loaded with sound equipment, were being unloaded and assembled on the stage. Past the stage, tents of orange, green, blue were erected. Some were illuminated, while most were dark. Landing on the outskirts of the camp, he and Kai shifted back into their human form.
“Cool,” Kai grinned, “a rave party. What’s our game plan?” she asked, eyeing people milling around the bonfire hungrily.
“Let us find a smaller group, away from the partiers.”
“This should be fun.” She grinned, heading for the tents.
✝✝✝
Blurring their weapons, they made their way past the parked cars, finding most of the people were teenagers and college kids. Kai had to smile at Alex’s discomfort. The music was louder on the ground. Heavy Metal mixed with Alternative Rock. The young humans were enjoying the warm night, laughing and dancing. Others were making out or cuddling. Groups of girls stared in open appreciation as Alex strode past them. Apparently his dirty clothes did little to deter them from admiring his stark handsomeness. When several made to speak with him, Kai coldly glared at them to back off.
He was hers.
Alex took her hand in his, startling her. An amused, sexy half-smile curved his firm lips, making her blush at being caught. Pressing a kiss on the back of her hand, they continued toward the tents. Quieter around the campground, they spotted four men sitting together, passing a bottle of Gin around. A quick look around confirmed they were alone with the humans.
Motioning with his chin to the unsuspecting men, Alex whispered, “Put them under. I’ll keep watch.”
Shrugging off her backpack, she set it on the ground beside him. Pulling out the hair tie, freeing her ponytail, she shook out her long hair. Kai smiled at the young men pleasantly as she approached them. They grinned, waving at her to come closer.
“Gentlemen, why aren’t you with the others?” she asked, lowering her voice to a seductive purr.
The one closest to her offered the bottle in his hand. “We’re having a bit of a private party. Want to join us?” he asked with a knowing smirk cast at his friends.
“Yeah, a girl out alone isn’t safe. We’ll take care of you,” another offered.
“Sorry, boys, I must regretfully decline.” Mentally connecting with them, she saw what they planned to do to her. Kai grinned, exposing her fangs. “I’m starving, you see and you will give me what I need.” Before they could run, she held them in her power and gruffly ordered, “Sit there quietly while I and my friend feed on you.” Their bodies relaxed, eyes unfocused. Kai roughly grabbed the one who was their leader, the one who planned to slip Rohypnol in her drink.
Alex made to stop her.
“This little prick was about to slip me drugs and rape me. His pals were in on it.”
Alex’s eyes went flat with fury. Grabbing the kid by the tee-shirt front, he lifted him up and off his feet. “Praying on the weak, huh? I’m going to enjoy this.” He sank his teeth deep in the bastard’s throat.
Kai grabbed one and bite into him, not caring if she hurt him. Blood gushed into her mouth and her hunger took control, draining the human almost to the point of death. Throwing the unconscious human aside, she reached for the other one and fed on him while Alex took the last one. After they were done, she felt full for the first time in days. Wanting nothing more than to end their despicable existence, she chose another plan. Blurring their wounds, she whispered in their minds what she wanted them to do.
Eyeing her suspiciously, Alex inquired, “What did you plant in their mind?”
She shrugged her shoulders innocently, “Nothing special.”
“What did you put in their heads?” Alex insisted.
She shrugged, trying to look innocent. “Merely that they were slipped a date rape drug and were molested by four men.”
Laughing, Alex shook his head. “You are a mean woman, Kai Jordan.”
Glaring at the humans, she replied, “They’re lucky I don’t snap their necks! Little pricks. And they say we are the monsters.”
“We should get back to Herrick and his family.”
She pointed at the tents. “We can get clean clothes there. What’s your size?” He told her. “Keep watch, I’ll be right back.”
Searching the unoccupied tents, she gathered undergarments, tee-shirts, and jeans for her
and Alex. Satisfied with what she found, she jogged back to Alex and opened up her backpack. Stuffing the items in it, she zipped it up and slipped it over her shoulders.
“Ready to head back?” she asked him.
Alex stared into the crowds, not answering her. Thinking Lisle had arrived, she did a quick scan and found a bare-chested demon vamp surrounded by scantily dressed college girls. He was teasing them, flashing a breathtaking smile and they giggled in response to his comments.
“Kai, do you see him?”
“Yep.”
“Are there any others?”
Scanning the rest of the partiers, she shook her head. “Just the one. He’s pretending to be the DJ he killed couple of days ago.” Looking up at him, she asked, “You want to put him down?”
“We need to get him away before he feeds on any of those girls.” Alex instructed, keeping an eye on the vamp, who was clearly unaware two Slayers were nearby, “Entice him to me.”
Shrugging off her backpack and set it on the ground, she unbuckled her sword, and unclipped her holstered gun, setting them down beside it. Giving Alex a wink, she sauntered up behind the girls surrounding the handsome vampire, waiting for him to notice her. His brown eyes centered on her, briefly the illusion dropped, exposing the milky white of dead eyes. He excused himself to the disappointment of the groupies and closed the distance between him and her with an arrogant swagger. Resisting the urge to gag at the awful smell of rotting flesh, she smiled at him coyly.
“I’ve not seen you around before. Where do you hail from?” he asked with a thick British accent.
Wulf's Redemption (Borne Vampires Book 3) Page 17