William Ferris stepped forward, hand out. “Ma’am, I’m Will Ferris. Pleased to meet you.”
He was exactly as Charlie had described him. A hot, muscular Santa in biker’s gear of jeans, a T-shirt, and a leather jacket covered in patches. Some kind of wicked-looking hooked knife was clipped to his waistband. Next to that, a chain hung down a few inches, but then disappeared into the pocket of his jeans. A black bandanna tied in the back covered his head. A few braids decorated the silver beard that hung past his collarbones. To her, the beard leaned a little more toward ZZ Top than Santa. Pre-turning, if she’d seen him on the street, she might have found a different route that didn’t cross his path.
Donna shook his hand. “The pleasure is mine. The coat you made me is not only beautiful but remarkable. Thank you for that.”
He smiled, softening his intimidation factor by several notches. “I’m so glad you like it.” He gestured to the statuesque, ice-white platinum blonde on his right. She might have been Donna’s age. Or older. “This is my eldest, Daisy.”
Donna nodded. “Hi, Daisy.” The woman could have easily been a Viking warrior. If she’d had a sword strapped to her and been wearing a horned helmet, Donna wouldn’t have blinked.
“Next to her,” Will said, referring to the slightly shorter woman at Daisy’s side, “is my middle daughter, Regina.”
Regina wiggled her fingers in greeting. Her black hair was streaked with cobalt blue. Her nails were painted the same color. “Call me Reggie.”
“Reggie it is,” Donna said.
Will put his hand on the shoulder of the woman to his left. “And this is my youngest daughter, Harper.”
Donna had never seen such gorgeous rose-gold hair in her life. The waves almost looked metallic. If the woman was a day over forty, Donna would have been shocked. “Hello, Harper.”
“Ma’am,” the woman answered with smile.
Donna shook her head. They were all strikingly attractive and dressed in leather. A walking advertisement, she supposed. They could have been a supernatural version of Charlie’s Angels. If the Angels had been super-fierce witches. “It’s so generous of all of you to want to help.”
Reggie stepped forward, her expression hard and serious. “With all due respect, Governor, generosity has nothing to do with it. The fae killed my fiancé. Anything I can do to work against them, and I’m in. I understand you need some solid sun protection.”
“I do,” Donna lied. Then she decided to share some truth as well. “But I may not make the raid at all. The fae have managed to drug me. Without an antidote soon, my presence at the raid might be more of a hindrance than a help.”
Reggie glanced at Jerabeth, then back at Donna. “Let me guess. Your emotions are completely out of whack, and your internal temperature is uncontrollable.”
“Yes. How did you—”
“You haven’t fed, have you? That will only make it worse.”
“I did feed, but from a source that was deemed safe.”
Reggie shook her head. “I hope that’s true. You’ve got ageratina altissima in your system. I’m sure there are other things in there, too, but that’s the worst of it. The way the fae use it, the concoction is a deadly poison, but only to vampires. Won’t keep the fae from drinking your blood. In fact, it might even make you taste better to those winged psychopaths.”
“Tremetol,” Jerabeth whispered. “Of course. I should have guessed.”
Donna stared at Reggie. “How do you know all this?”
A dark, angry gleam filled her eyes. “It’s what the fae used on my fiancé just before they drained him dry.”
Chapter Fifteen
Donna put her hand to her heart. The pain in the woman’s eyes was evident. “I am so sorry.”
“Thank you.” After a quick, tight-lipped smile, Reggie continued. “Based on my findings, the fae started using tremetol only in the last couple of years, which makes me think it’s a recent discovery for them.”
Jerabeth caught Donna’s gaze. “Tremetol comes from ageratina altissima, or white snakeroot. It’s a pretty, flowering plant that looks innocent enough. But Reggie’s right in that it’s deadly to vampires the way the fae use it, and in its simplest form, it’s also deadly to humans. I actually have some growing in my poison garden.”
Reggie nodded. “But the fae would never use it on humans. That would catch the attention of the Venari, and the Venari would wipe them out.”
Donna made a mental note to clue Cammie in on what the fae had done to her. But all of this new information was promising. She looked at Jerabeth. “Do you have an antidote for tremetol?”
“Not for the fae’s version, but I can figure one out, I’m sure,” Jerabeth said.
Reggie peeled off her blue leather jacket. “No need. I know how to make it. I’ve done it before.” She grimaced. “I was just too late.”
“Come on,” Jerabeth said.
“Jerabeth, will you let Dr. Fox know too?”
She nodded, and the two women disappeared.
Donna glanced at Will Ferris. “Now I’m doubly glad you came. I may owe you my life.”
“We’re happy to help.”
Charlie stepped forward. “Can I get you folks something to drink or eat while you wait?”
“Please,” Donna said. “Anything you want. We’re well stocked.”
Will took off his jacket, revealing a barrel chest and biceps like cannon balls. His build reminded her of Kace, although Will wasn’t quite as tall or broad. “Just black coffee, if you’ve got it.”
“Of course. And for you ladies?”
The women looked at each other like they weren’t sure how to answer.
Will snorted. “Do you have any sweets? They love sweets.”
Charlie grinned. “Why don’t you come into the kitchen with me, and I’ll show you the sweets we have. This way.”
Harper and Daisy followed after her.
Donna sat in the club chair adjacent to the big wraparound sofa. Finding out what was in her system was a relief, but knowing the same poison had played a part in the death of Reggie’s fiancé cut deep.
Will took a seat on the far side of the sofa, putting the coffee table between them. “You all right, Governor? You look a little pale. Paler than usual for a vampire.”
She shook her head. “Hearing about Reggie’s fiancé is so upsetting. The drug makes it impossible for me to hide what I’m feeling.”
He nodded. “Ah. I understand. Reggie’s still not over it. Poor kid.”
Hearing him call his grown daughter a kid made Donna want to smile. “I can’t imagine the pain of losing the person you planned to spend the rest of your life with.”
Will narrowed his eyes. “Your friend that was kidnapped… Is he someone special to you?”
“Rico Medina. He’s a good friend. We’re not romantically involved, if that’s what you were asking. But he’s been a great help in my life. I owe him.”
“We’re going to get him back, I promise.”
“Thank you. And thank you again for your help. I know you don’t really have an iron in this fire.”
“Ma’am, when the fae killed Abraham, they took the light out of my little girl’s eyes. I have all kinds of irons in this fire.”
“That, I can understand. I have a daughter and a son. I believe I’d feel the very same way if something like that happened to them.”
He smiled. “I didn’t peg you for a mother.”
“I’ve only been a vampire for a few short weeks.”
His mouth parted slightly. “I just realized who you are. Were.”
“Oh?”
“You were married to Joseph Barrone. The mobster. Or am I wrong?”
“No, you’re right. I still am married to him, technically.” She waved her hand like she could brush all that aside. “Long story short. He faked his death, so now I have to actually divorce him, but the paperwork’s done. Just waiting on it to be official. And thankfully, he’s in prison, where he belongs.”
/>
“That’s good.”
“It is.” She exhaled. “With my help, Rico built the case that was instrumental in putting him there. Rico is the FBI agent who was going to help me get away from Joe when we were married. He pretty much kept me from losing my mind during the process.”
“That’s why the fae took him. To hurt you.”
“Yes. I’m sure they figured he was the best, most available leverage they could get their hands on.”
“Because of a dhamfir?”
“Also correct. The fae want her in exchange for Rico, but I can’t do that. She’s little more than a child, and they want to exploit her talents to hunt down my kind.”
His expression grew steely. “If Fitzhugh was any kind of governor, he’d have rooted the fae out of his city long ago.”
“You know the fae headquarters is in Manhattan?”
“Since Abraham, we know a lot about the fae. Reggie’s built a dossier on them that you wouldn’t believe. Being part of this raid is the first thing that’s got her truly excited in the two years since Abraham’s passing. My girl wants blood. As I’m sure you can understand.”
“I do. Anything she can do to help us will be greatly appreciated. And rewarded.”
“Your business is all the reward we need.”
“Let’s agree to disagree on that, Mr. Ferris.”
“Call me Will, ma’am.”
“Only if you call me Donna and lose the ma’am.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He laughed. “Starting now.”
“When we’re done here, I’ll introduce you to the head of my security, Temo Danielson. He’s putting the raid team together. We’re also getting help from the New Jersey pack. Rico is the alpha’s grandson. Do you know LV Medina?”
“I know of her, but we’ve never met. Her grandson, huh?”
“And the alpha-elect is his mother. I guess the fae didn’t realize who they were kidnapping.”
“I’m guessing not.” He cracked his knuckles. The sound was like gravel crunching under a tire. “This is going to be one hell of a fight.”
Donna sensed he wasn’t human, but once again her inexperience left her without a better idea. “May I ask what kind of supernatural you are?”
He smiled. “Well, I’m a bit of a mutt, but the strongest blood in me belongs to only one kind. See, on my daddy’s side, there’s a lot of this and that, but mostly it’s human. My mama’s blood, however, was a hundred percent reaper.”
Donna squinted. “Like the reaper on your jacket?”
“Well, that’s my motorcycle club. But also, yes, like that. I’m a reaper. Which is why I ride with the Reapers.”
“You mean like a grim reaper? The being that collects souls?”
He nodded, and for a second, his eyes went completely black. “I mean exactly like that.”
Donna sat back. “Whoa.”
His eyes returned to normal. “I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
She shook her head quickly. “I just wasn’t expecting that. I’ve never met a reaper. I’m not sure I knew they were real.”
“I promise you, they are.”
“Do you collect souls regularly?”
“It’s not my day job, no. But I can if called into service.” He patted the hooked knife on his hip. “I never leave home without my scythe. Daisy’s got one too. She takes after me. Her sisters take after their mama, may she rest in peace.”
“So Daisy’s a reaper too? I thought all three of your daughters were witches.”
“No. She’s a necromancer with a little witch in her. Harper and Reggie are full-on witches.”
Donna made a note to find out more about necromancers. She knew they had something to do with the dead, but that was enough questions for now. “Wow. Today has been a real education for me.”
Charlie, Harper, and Daisy came back in. Will’s daughters had plates of cookies, candy, and other assorted sweets, plus drinks. Charlie had Will’s black coffee. She put it on the table in front of him, then came back to Donna. “Anything you need from me, Governor?”
“We should let Temo know the Ferrises are joining us and make introductions.”
“I’ll text him to come up.”
Jerabeth walked into the room. “Governor, we’re ready for you.”
“That was fast.”
“Reggie knows her stuff. And we were able to use a lot of what I already had on hand.”
Donna stood. “Excellent.” She looked at Will and his daughters. “If you’ll excuse me.”
“Take your time, Governor,” Will said. “And thank you for your hospitality.”
“You’re welcome.” Donna left them to walk with Jerabeth back to the salon. Heat spilled through her. She started fanning herself. “Whew. Perfect timing. Another hot flash just started.”
“That might be good. We’ll certainly know if the antidote works.”
They entered the salon, where Dr. Fox had the massage table moved to the middle of the room. The beauty cart had been transformed with a clean white towel and an array of medical instruments. An IV stand, complete with a bag of what appeared to be saline, stood at the ready, as did Jerabeth and Reggie.
“You look like you’re setting up for surgery.”
Dr. Fox smiled. “Not quite that serious, but I wanted to be prepared.” He patted the table. “Please have a seat and lie down.”
Donna hopped up and got into position. She glanced at the bag of fluid hanging over her head. “I need an IV?”
“Yes. Best way to counteract the drugs in your system is to go directly into that system. I’m going to monitor your vitals too.” He started swabbing her arm with alcohol as he finished speaking.
“Am I going to feel it?”
Reggie came over. “You might feel something. Maybe a little queasy. Maybe a rush of emotions as the drugs fight back.”
Maybe didn’t instill a lot of confidence. Donna turned to see her better. “Have you ever tried this antidote on a vampire before?”
“No. You’re the first one.”
Doubt and panic nibbled at Donna’s resolve. “How do you know it’ll work?”
Reggie frowned. “I don’t. But there’s every reason it should.”
With the arm that Dr. Fox wasn’t putting an IV into, Donna reached for her crucifix. She needed the reassurance of its presence. “Is there any reason it could go wrong?”
Dr. Fox taped the IV into place. “That’s why I’m here.”
Donna blew out a breath as she began to feel queasy. “I don’t feel so hot.”
Jerabeth nodded. “Like you might be sick?”
“Yes.”
“Nausea is another side effect of the tremetol. And a pretty strong indicator that it’s winning complete control over you. This can’t happen soon enough.” Jerabeth looked at Dr. Fox. “It’s up to you now.”
He readied a syringe, then took hold of the IV port. “All right, Governor. I’m injecting the antidote now.”
Donna nodded and said a prayer as he pushed the plunger.
A second later, pain jolted through her, followed by intense heat. She sucked in a breath as the pain increased. If the heat boiling inside her didn’t do her in, the sharp jabs all over her body might. Were her bones breaking? She ground her teeth together as her fingers dug into the padding of the massage table.
Dying might not be such a bad option.
Chapter Sixteen
Donna thrashed involuntarily as her muscles seized and spasmed. Hands held her down. She heard what she assumed were soft, reassuring words, but the haze of heat and pain swamping her drowned them out.
A low, keening sound broke through, and she was vaguely aware that it had come from her own mouth. Her skin felt covered in flames. Her bones ached, and her blood had turned to lava.
She wasn’t going to survive this. Death had to be easier.
A new sensation welled up. The unbearable heat morphed into darkness, and a few seconds later, everything went black and still and cold.
&n
bsp; Was this death? No, she was too aware to be dead. But the nothingness was a mercy. She wanted to stay there, floating and numb, for as long as possible.
She awoke to the soft beeping of a monitor and three very concerned faces peering down at her. She squinted at them, unable to open her eyes any more.
“She’s awake,” Dr. Fox whispered.
The room was freezing. For the briefest of moments, she wondered if she was in the morgue. “Did I die or pass out?”
“Just pass out. For about fifteen minutes.” He cleared his throat. “How are you feeling?”
She took a quick inventory. “Good, actually.” She blinked a few times, finally getting her eyes all the way open. “Why is the room so cold?”
“You spiked a fever of nearly 105,” Jerabeth answered, wiggling her fingers. “So I dropped the air temp.” She tipped her head. “How do you feel emotionally?”
“Say something that might make me mad.”
Dr. Fox chuckled. “Would you like for me to tell you the amount of my bill?”
Donna managed a little smile. “That won’t make me mad.”
Jerabeth narrowed her eyes. “Pierce is leaving you to go to work for Claudette.”
“He’d never do that. But good try. I think I’m fine. The antidote must have worked.” She went to sit up, got a hard dizzy spell, and lay back down. “Whoa. Super lightheaded.”
“You need to do a little healing, which means you should feed again. Any blood will do now.” Dr. Fox glanced at the monitor they must have hooked her up to while she was out of it. “Your blood pressure is a little low, but a feeding should fix that up. Should I have Mr. Harrison come in?”
“No, I’ll go find him. I’d rather get unhooked from all this stuff before I take care of anything else.”
Dr. Fox nodded. “Right away.” He went to work on removing her IV first.
Donna shivered at the cold. Jerabeth had really put the supernatural AC on. “Thank you, Reggie. I owe you.”
Reggie’s smile was brief. “Let me kill my share of fae, and we’re even.”
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