Gerry Bartlett - Rafe and the Redhead (Real Vampires)

by Unknown

  When the engine suddenly cut out and then died, Rafe started praying. He could hear Lacy retching down below. Of course she was seasick. He was queasy himself. Even worse, he had no idea where they were or how far from landfall. Shouted questions to Ed didn’t get answered. It was impossible to read the instruments in the dark and rain.

  When a wall of water came toward them, he and Ed held onto the ship’s wheel and each other. Had he killed Shiloh and found the antidote for nothing? Would they all end up at the bottom of the sea? The last thing Rafe heard before he lost consciousness was Lacy screaming his name.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Rafe woke up lying in water and staring up at the night sky. The rain had stopped and by some miracle it seemed that the boat had stayed in one piece.

  “Rafe?” Lacy crawled out of the cabin. She was drenched and looked scared and shaken.

  He untied himself from the wheel, surprised when Ed gave him a hand up. “You okay?” He looked the big man over.

  Ed ran his hands down his body and shook his head. “Maybe. Not sure yet. What the hell was that?”

  “Have no idea. See if you can get our coordinates. I need to know if we’re close enough for me to shift and take the antidote to Grandfather.” Rafe helped Lacy to her feet and gathered her into his arms. “Baby, are you hurt?”

  “Just banged up a little. God, Rafe, I thought we were facing the end of the world.” She clung to him, shivering.

  “It was the worst storm I’ve ever seen out here.” He stroked her back. “Let me look at you. You sure you didn’t break a bone or hit your head? The way the boat was thrown about in the waves, you must have been--”

  “Cats know how to land on their feet. What about you?” She frowned up at him.

  “I’m okay, just a little banged up.”

  She ran her hands over his hair. “You’ve got a lump the size of a walnut on the back of your head. More than a little banged up I’d say.” She kissed his cheek and looked around. “I can’t believe it’s so calm now. But there’s still no land in sight.” She pulled him down next to her on the bench seat. “At least I’m over the seasickness. For a while there I was wishing for death.”

  She wrung out her wet hair and tossed it back over her shoulder. “Have you figured out where we are, Ed? Is it close enough for Rafe to go now?” She looked at Rafe again. “If he’s up to shifting.”

  “I’m up to it. What do you think, Ed?” Rafe kept his arm around Lacy, refusing to give in to the headache that made him want to close his eyes and lean against her.

  The giant shifter was hunched over instruments that were obviously waterproof and built to withstand a lot of abuse. He grinned and put his thumb up. “We were lucky. The storm pushed us south, almost on course.”

  “No kidding.” Rafe stood and peered over Ed’s shoulder, listening while the shifter gave him specific directions.

  “Take off, boss. With the clearing skies, you should be there pretty fast. We’ll be right behind you if I can get the engine started.” Ed opened a hatch and peered down at a motor swimming in water. “I’ll get the pump going even if I have to hand crank it.”

  “I’ll send someone out here after you, no matter what. Give me your exact coordinates.” Rafe listened carefully then pulled Lacy up into his arms again. He gave her a hungry kiss, surprised when she clung to him obviously reluctant to let him leave and putting a brave face on it. “Hey now.” He brushed her wet hair back and looked up at the clear sky. “Maybe I shouldn’t go. Are you going to be all right if I leave you?”

  She pasted on a smile which didn’t fool him for a minute. “Of course. You’ve got to go now. Save your grandfather. Otherwise what you did to get that antidote was a waste.” She touched the wound on his cheek, her smile fading. “Hurry. I don’t know how much time we’ve lost but it seemed like the storm lasted for hours.”

  Rafe glanced at his waterproof watch and nodded. Yes, it had cost them half the night. If he didn’t know better, he’d think Miguel had been right. It was as if there were powers at work, cursing their efforts to save Matias and delaying them at every turn.

  “Give me your cell, Lace. Mine’s history. What about yours?”

  She pulled hers out of a pocket. “This one is definitely ruined. I think I landed on it when I fell off a bunk down there, plus it got wet.”

  “Okay then. I’ll see about replacing both of ours while I’m in Santa Cruz.” Rafe stuck it with his in one of his pockets.

  “Please. I need to check on the babies as soon as we get a signal.” She didn’t bother to pretend to be happy to see him going now.

  “I’ll hurry. I love you. See you soon.” One more kiss and Rafe shifted into his strongest bird form, a hawk that had a tremendous wing span. He circled over the boat, which looked damned tiny below him in the vast ocean, then took off. The slight breeze was a tail wind that actually lifted him and made it an easy flight, physically at least. But he was torn between his need to get to his grandfather and worry about leaving Lacy on that boat. She’d sucked it up, but he knew she’d hated being stranded like that.

  Before long he saw the many lights of Santa Cruz, a city that never slept, with casinos and a thriving night life. He flew over it, heading for the village that his clan called home. Dark banana plantations rolled beneath him for most of that journey until he came to the scattered lights around the square. The house where his grandfather lay was ablaze. Was that a good sign or bad? He landed and shifted again, running to the door while he dug the padded pouch out of his pocket.

  It was a miracle the vials of antidote and poison had survived the storm unbroken. He’d checked before he’d even left the boat. His grandmother met him at the door, her face telling him instantly that he was too late.

  “Grandfather?” He wouldn’t accept it. He pressed the antidote into her hands.

  “Lost his battle an hour ago, Rafael. I’m sorry.” She pulled him into her arms and laid her head on his shoulder. “He tried to hold on, sure you were coming to save him. But he was just too weak.”

  Rafe rested his cheek on her soft hair. Too late. It had all been for nothing. Turning demon, killing that creature. He couldn’t regret that but in the end Shiloh had won, damn it. He took a breath that came out too much like a sob. No, strong men didn’t cry. He patted his grandmother’s back. She soaked his already wet shirt with her tears. Each drop made him feel more like a failure.

  “I’m sorry, Abuela. I tried…”

  “I know you did, mijo. You are a good boy.” She leaned back and stroked his cheek. “You’re wet. Was the crossing rough tonight?”

  “More than just rough. We almost lost the boat. I never saw such a storm.” Rafe led her to a chair and helped her settle in. “It was as if the witch had put a spell on the weather to torment us.”

  “You let her live?” His grandmother gripped his hand hard. “I hoped you found that bitch and ended her. Shiloh is the one who did this, isn’t she?” For a frail lady, she had strength and could still intimidate him with a stern look. She set the vial on the table in front of her and pointed to it with her other hand. “Answer me, boy. How did you get this? Was it Shiloh who poisoned your grandfather?”

  “Yes, she admitted it. She wanted to take over our clan. As Matias’s wife. When he refused to set you aside, she made him pay.” Rafe looked away from his grandmother’s sharp gaze.

  “And did you make her pay?” She finally let him go.

  “Of course I did.” He paced the carpet. He couldn’t be still, not while he knew Lacy was out there on the water, vulnerable. That freak storm had been no accident of nature. Another storm wasn’t out of the question. Shiloh was dead but that didn’t mean there weren’t others who would like to take over the clan and had the skills to use weather as a weapon.

  “How did you make her pay? Answer me, Rafael. Did you kill her?” Grandmother got up to stand beside him. “Please tell me you did.”

  “Yes, yes I killed her. I ripped off her damned head. Satisfie
d?” Rafe stopped when she grabbed his arm.

  “You did the right thing. Surely you aren’t sorry.” She shook his arm. “The woman murdered Matias!”

  Rafe wouldn’t look at her. “I know. But killing isn’t easy for me. I did what I had to do but I don’t have to like it.”

  “I’m glad she’s burning in hell. Don’t let me hear regrets from you again. The bitch needed to be put down.” She stepped away from him and swayed on her feet.

  “I know that, Abuela. But I had to become demon to do it. That takes a toll on me.” Rafe ran a hand over his eyes. He hated this, hated the look his grandmother might give him, imagining how he’d done that. Picturing the ugliness of it. To his shock she turned him to face her and put her arms around him.

  “My boy. You are what you are. It’s no fault of your own. I love you with all my heart. You did something wonderful. It is a blessing you had the power to do the job well.” She sighed then kissed his cheek, wiping the moisture from her own cheeks. “Get that look out of your eyes. I am proud of you. I am. But I am also tired. There are many things to do now too. Your grandfather must be laid to rest properly. And a new leader for the clan selected. I, I called your father.”

  “Emiliano? Why? To lead this clan?” Rafe clenched his fists. “Emiliano has no interest in his family. Hasn’t he made that clear by his absence?”

  “Your father is my son.” Grandmother sat on the couch and pressed a handkerchief to her trembling mouth. “He felt free to stay away because he knew Matias had the clan well in hand.” Her shoulders slumped. “Of course Matias could have cared less about the clan after Shiloh got her claws into him, but my son knew nothing of that. Now…” Her voice shook and she gathered herself. “I pray that the shock of losing his father will be what it takes to make Emiliano see where his duty lies. He will come home and take his rightful place here.”

  “He said he was coming? He is on his way?”

  “For the funeral at least.” She twisted her handkerchief. “After that we will see.”

  “How will the others here feel about that? Will they just accept my father as their leader?” Rafe wanted to shake her. But she looked so fragile, so bereft, that he could do nothing but sit beside her and strain for understanding. Was she hoping he would offer to take over the clan himself? Grandmother had always been clever. Was that her end game? For a brief moment Rafe imagined how it would be to put his own stamp on the village. To make sure it became strong again, not as vulnerable to the maneuverings of a demented witch as it was now.

  “This is not a democracy, Rafael. This is Clan Castillo. A Castillo will always rule it. Those who do not agree with that are free to leave.” She straightened her back, her eyes fierce again. Yes, Grandmother’s fire was back and she was going to go her own way, as usual. “Stay and see what happens. If Emiliano won’t accept the challenge, then perhaps you will have to step up. It is your birthright.”

  “Get real, Abuela. You were just reminded of what I am. I saw on the ship how the clan feels about demons.” Rafe realized he was wasting his breath with that argument. Grandmother had just firmed her lips.

  “Listen to me. Be fair. Tomas should lead the clan. He’s been here all these years, proving his loyalty. Giving him the chance to lead would be the right thing to do.” Rafe laid his hand over hers. “Pushing an unworthy Castillo down people’s throats might mean the end of the clan.”

  “Unworthy? What do you know of your father? He may be the making of the clan.” Grandmother was not going to back down.

  “I know he ditched his responsibilities here to follow a demon lover around the globe.” Rafe got up. “Emiliano won’t give her up now either. You are dreaming if you think he’s ready to let Lily go and choose the clan. I sure as shit don’t have any respect for the man and neither will anyone else here.”

  “He’s coming now. Without her.” Grandmother smiled sadly. “He swore it. As for Tomas, he is a fine boy but not a leader. He’s not strong like you are, Rafael.” She shook her head. “No, my mind is made up. If Emiliano wants it, the clan is his. Now I must rest. Your vampire friends are anxious to leave. Will you speak to them? I have money to pay them.” She got slowly to her feet and pulled a pouch out of her pocket. “Euros. I think it is adequate. If not, let me know.”

  Rafe kissed her cheek and watched her walk wearily up the stairs. When she turned at the top he knew she was going to Grandfather’s old room, the master bedroom. How long had it been since she’d slept there? Gossip on the ship said that she’d moved out years ago. Claiming that bedroom might be a sign that she would also consider taking over clan leadership herself if she had to. Rafe sank down on the sofa again, wet clothes and all.

  “We saw you talking to your grandmother and didn’t want to interrupt.” Bart and Caitlin stepped out of the dining room. “I’m sorrier than I can say that I couldn’t save your grandfather.” The doctor’s shoulders sagged.

  “I know.” Rafe got to his feet and shook Bart’s hand. He accepted a hug from Caitlin then gestured to the vial on the table before adding the one still in his pocket. “There’s your antidote and the poison too.” He explained the significance of the colors. “Take them and analyze the hell out of them. Maybe the knowledge will come in handy someday. I’ll know who to call on if something like this happens again.”

  “Good. If one witch has the formula, it’s possible another might as well. You’re wise to be ready.” Bart held a glass vial up to the light. “I’m sure there’s a story behind how you acquired this.”

  Rafe told them the whole thing, only leaving out the part where Shiloh had been naked when he’d killed her.

  “God, she was evil. I’m glad you ended her.” Caitlin sat beside him on the sofa and covered his hand. “Is Lacy going to be here soon?”

  “I left her stranded in a stalled boat in the Atlantic. I need to grab a boat and go after her. In case they couldn’t get the one they’re on started. We were in a tremendous storm and our cells are ruined so I can’t check on her even if she could get a signal.” Rafe rubbed his eyes, struggling to make a mental to do list and failing. “I feel like I haven’t slept in weeks.”

  “Which is why you aren’t thinking straight.” Bart sat on his other side. “Make a call to Santa Cruz. Send someone else. You don’t have to go.”

  Rafe just looked at him. “Seriously? If Caitlyn were in a similar situation, would you just send someone else?”

  “Yes, I’d like to hear your answer to that.” Cait stared at Bart, hands on her hips.

  “Okay, I get it. Now eat something, Rafe, and I’ll arrange for someone to drive you into town if they won’t let me do it.” Bart jumped up, grabbed Cait and kissed her until she had both hands in his hair. Then he set her away from him and touched her cheek. “No, my love, I would not send someone else if you were stuck afloat in an ocean in a wee boat. I’d move heaven and earth to get to you.”

  “That’s what I wanted to hear. I’ll go get Rafe a sandwich.” Cait patted Rafe’s shoulder. “Sorry about your grandfather.”

  “Thanks.” Rafe watched Cait rush off toward the kitchen. “You got out of that one well.”

  “I’m going to marry that woman someday. But she’s a stubborn Scot. Hard to pin down.” Bart headed for the front door. “Go change into dry clothes while I get you a ride. And make a call, get a boat lined up.”

  “Right.” Rafe rubbed his forehead, willing away a headache from that knock on the head he’d gotten during the storm. Little wonder he wasn’t thinking clearly. Grandfather dead. He wanted to wail like a lost child. He hadn’t seen Matias in too many years, but always knowing he was out there, a solid rock of reliability, had been a comfort Rafe had subconsciously counted on.

  He used the land line to arrange for a boat, then stopped by the room where he was sure his grandfather still lay. He opened the door and stepped inside.

  The room was dark but the window had been left open to let fresh air take away the smell of sickness and death. He strode to t
he bed, stopping next to the slight figure. His grandfather lay as if asleep, his hands on his chest. Someone had dressed him in a dark blue robe. Rafe stretched out his hand to touch silky gray hair. It didn’t seem possible that the man who’d always been so alive, so vital was actually gone.

  “Thank you, Abuelo, for giving me a home.” Rafe dashed a hand across his eyes. He didn’t have time for this. But his grandfather deserved more than just a moment of mourning. Bending down he touched his forehead to the old man’s, whispering the ancient prayer Matias had taught him as a child.

  With a sigh, Rafe headed for his room and dry clothes. Lacy was waiting. And his future had to take precedence over his past. There was nothing he could do for his grandfather now except see that the clan was secure before he left the island. He grabbed a quick shower and was feeling almost clear-headed when he got into a speedboat and headed for the position Ed had told him before he’d flown over the Atlantic. Ed had made the radio work and let him know they had drifted off course, south of the old coordinates. It still would be only a matter of half an hour before he should see the boat. A clan member was with Rafe, eager to help tow the boat in since Ed had radioed that the engine was a lost cause.

  When the tiny boat finally came in sight, Rafe was happy to see Lacy’s red hair blowing in the breeze. She waved, her smile of relief and look of love all he needed to lift his spirits. He had a litany of things going through his head, bringing him down--his clan falling apart, his grandfather dead, even the chance that he’d have to see his father for the first time in centuries. Hell, none of that was as important as keeping the woman he loved safe and by his side. Rafe knew that with Lacy’s support, he could get through anything.

  Chapter Fourteen

  “Rafe, I’m sorry. Tell me what I can do.” Lacy was so glad to be on dry land, she could have danced home. Unfortunately, they weren’t going back to Austin just yet. There would be a big funeral for Rafe’s grandfather. So far Rafe wasn’t saying much about it.