I was so consumed with fury that I tripped over a body. As I righted myself, Edmund pointed the tip of the blade at my throat.
He gave me a wicked smile. “Now you can’t kill me. I have the weapon that Abbey envisioned you using to kill me. So I’m not dying after all. And I will enjoy watching you die.”
I froze, my mind searching furiously for a way to get the sword from him. Not only that, but one wrong move on my part, and the blade would be slicing through skin and bone. I tried to divert only my eyes to check on Webb, but I couldn’t find him. My pulse beat rapidly, and I was ready to vomit.
“Webb,” I called. “Please tell me you’re alive.”
Abbey started to cry. Oh my God. If she was crying, then something bad had happened to Webb. She must’ve seen a vision of his death.
“Webb,” I called again. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jonah heading in Webb’s direction with Abbey in his arms.
Edmund laughed as he plunged the sword into my throat. Visions of him stabbing Rachel and images of my past scrambled into focus. One incident in particular in which Cliff had stabbed me made me falter where I stood. Death seemed so close.
But I couldn’t die with a sword to the throat. So despite the blood oozing out of my mouth and the fact that I couldn’t swallow, I stomped my foot on the dirt-packed floor, allowing the earth’s energy to consume me once again. Then I fisted my hands at my sides. The ground shook around Edmund and me. Then the floor cracked, and the earth moved, creating a chasm that separated Edmund and me from Jonah, Abbey, and Webb. I kept my fists closed as the earth continued to move, the chasm growing larger. Bodies of the poor humans rolled off into the dark abyss.
“Jonah,” I called. His name came out garbled as though I was gurgling mouthwash. Blood pooled in the back of my throat.
Edmund twisted the sword to the right.
I winced, trying to swallow, but that only served to increase the pain as blood began to dribble out of my mouth.
I narrowed my eyes at my enemy, shaking my head as an idea formed. I slowly walked forward. As I did, Edmund had no choice but to walk backward toward the large chasm.
“Jo, what are you doing?” Webb asked in a deep and fearful voice.
Tears poured out, hot and fast, at the sound of Webb’s voice. The vampire gods were on my side, or maybe my grandfather was. Grandfather, if you can hear me or are with me, please help me find a way to kill Edmund.
Edmund wobbled on the edge of the cliff. If he fell, he could take me with him. Or he could let go of the sword. But neither scenario bothered me as much as the thought that if he fell, he wouldn’t die. I stopped.
“Jo,” Webb pleaded. “Please don’t do this. I can’t lose you.”
Laughter bubbled out of Edmund’s mouth. “Well, it doesn’t seem like that’s your choice, Webb.”
“Webb.” Abbey sniffled. “Jo needs that sword. Or else she will die.”
I rushed to figure out a way I could get the sword from Edmund.
Edmund grinned. “If I fall, I won’t die.”
He may have been right, and I couldn’t take that chance. So I stepped back, inch by inch, and as I did, I grasped the blade. If I could get the sword out of my throat, I might stand a chance of using it on Edmund.
Edmund swayed. Blood steadily oozed out of my mouth, the iron taste not as yummy as it usually was. I started counting in my head. One. Two. And on three, I yanked the sword out of my throat as quickly as I could. Edmund listed to one side, his grip loosening on the handle. The sword fell with a clang.
Edmund and I scrambled for the weapon. He knocked me out of the way, and I rolled to the edge, almost falling over into the chasm. Quickly, I popped to my feet and lunged at Edmund. He went down hard on his back with an oof.
I ripped the sword out of his hand.
He scrambled to his feet, examining his option to jump.
Not happening.
I gripped the sword with both hands and made one sweeping motion that I had practiced over and over in the training room. I spun around, and with all the power and muscle I could muster, I struck. The blade sliced through cartilage and bone.
Edmund’s head flew off in the direction where Webb, Jonah, and Abbey were standing. I was relieved to see that Webb had Abbey’s face tucked into him so she couldn’t see anything.
Edmund’s headless body stumbled and wobbled before falling into the canyon of the earth.
I collapsed to my knees, spitting up blood as all the adrenaline rushed out of me. I couldn’t say for sure if I was freaked out about chopping off Edmund’s head or elated that he was finally dead.
“Jo,” Webb called.
“Jo,” Abbey echoed.
I glanced over at them and sighed as tears spilled out.
Webb gave Abbey to Jonah, then he jumped. I held my breath. There had to be a good hundred feet separating us. I knew as vampires, we were agile, but I’d never tested my ability to jump that far.
He landed without any problem, and before I could say a word, he angled his neck. I didn’t hesitate. My fangs went in deep as I sucked his blood into me. The first sip was like a soothing gel as it coated my throat, and all I could think about was that I was finally free.
20
Webb
A bright light streamed from the flashlight Steven held in his hand as he jumped down from the high doorway, the same one I’d tackled Edmund from.
“Mander,” Abbey squealed.
Jo retracted her fangs and licked her lips.
I gently rubbed the area on her neck where the blade had punctured her. It was almost closed. “You gave me a heart attack.”
“The feeling is mutual.” Her voice was hoarse.
I smoothed her hair back. “The dagger hit a lung. I couldn’t breathe until Jonah gave me blood.”
“And you didn’t wear your protective vest,” she said.
I didn’t want to talk. I knew I shouldn’t do what I was about to do with her father in the cavernous room. But I didn’t care. I captured her lips in mine, pushing my tongue in her mouth. Tasting her blood, I took all I could to get my pulse to slow. Ever since she’d walked into Edmund’s fortress, I’d been afraid I would never get the chance to kiss her again.
She eased back, breathing heavy as tears streamed down her face.
I wiped a tear away with my fingers. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m happy we’re alive. That’s all.”
I was beyond happy. We could get on with our lives, although we had some cleanup to do first. I helped Jo to her feet. “Let’s go.”
She stiffened. “I’ve never jumped that far before.” She pointed to the other side of the chasm, where her father was studying Edmund’s head.
Beyond Steven, Jonah was helping Abbey climb up the ladder to the opening, which was the only way out. I’d learned before I stormed in that Edmund had blown up the warehouse along with the access to get inside.
“All you have to do is concentrate,” I said.
She let out a nervous laugh. Then she took a few steps back before she jumped and screamed at the same time. She landed near her dad, who caught her before she splattered forward.
I followed, smiling the whole time.
Steven threw his arms around Jo. “I’m so glad you’re alive.”
I sighed with Steven as I checked on Abbey. Sam was at the entrance, lifting her off the ladder. Once she was safe, Jonah climbed the rest of the way.
Jo let go of her dad, snagged his flashlight, and panned it around the room. “All these innocent people he killed just to experiment on. I guess I’ll never understand why Ben and Matthew survived with the serum but not these people.”
“We know why Matthew made it through,” Steven said. “And Dr. Vieira will tell you that Ben’s DNA shows some strong properties that align with a vampire’s DNA.”
“Since when?” Jo asked. “I didn’t know that about Ben.”
I didn’t, either.
“Dr. Vieira has had his hands full,” S
teven said. “But we’ll be able to use Ben’s DNA data to explain to his father why Ben’s eyes change to red.”
Jo’s voice rose. “Does that mean you’re going to tell Mr. Jackson about vampires?”
Steven shook his head. “I believe it’s in our best interest not to. Ben doesn’t and won’t have fangs. He won’t have a thirst for blood. His added strength and eye color change can easily be explained with DNA data.”
I grabbed Jo’s hand. “I agree with your dad. We don’t need more humans knowing about us. And Ben is learning to control his emotions.”
She chewed on her lip as she looked around. “You’re right. If Mr. Jackson did know about vampires, then he might want to become one. And I wouldn’t wish that on him, not after seeing all these dead humans.”
Sam came down. “Whoa!” He examined Edmund’s head, focusing on the eyes, which were wide open. “You did this, huh, Sis?”
Jo threw her arms around her brother.
“I’m good, Sis.”
“I know,” she said. “I’m just happy to see you.”
Steven clapped a hand on my back. “Webb, I owe you and Tripp for finding that damn entrance. How did you, by the way?”
“Heat signatures were strong around that area. It also helped that Edmund had an all-terrain vehicle waiting with a vampire in it when Tripp and I approached.”
Steven picked up Edmund’s head. “For so long, this guy was a dear and close friend to me. Everything he’s done since leaving the military is my fault.”
Jo’s mouth opened slightly. “It is not.”
Steven nodded. “If I hadn’t pushed the council of elders to dishonorably discharge him instead of throwing him in prison for killing Ella Case, then we wouldn’t have gone through hell and back. Jo and Sam, I’m so sorry for everything you both have been through.”
“Pops,” Sam said. “Jo and I haven’t had an easy life with foster care then becoming vampires. But if I had to do it all over again, I wouldn’t change the vampire part. What happened with Edmund brought you to us. And while I hated you in the beginning, I don’t blame you for what has happened to us in the last year.”
Steven met Sam, eye to eye. “But you still blame me for foster care?”
Sam gripped his father’s shoulder. “That’s all in the past. I’m your son, and I love and respect you.”
Jo slipped her fingers in mine. “Dad, I agree with Sam. If the course of events from that day when my foster dad stabbed me didn’t happen, then I wouldn’t have met Webb.” She peered up at me with love in her eyes then regarded her father. “And I wouldn’t have met you. We’re a family now. And Webb will be your son-in-law. So can we please go home? I have a wedding to plan.”
After eyeing Edmund’s head one more time, Steven walked over to the edge of the earth and tossed the head into the black abyss.
If that wasn’t the ending to close up the past, then I didn’t know what was.
All of us stood in silence for two heartbeats before Steven sighed heavily. “Let’s go home.”
Man, that sounded fantastic. The realization of the mission, Edmund’s death, my future with Jo, starting a family, getting out of the military, getting married, and most of all, making love to Jo hit me like a F5 tornado. My stomach knotted, my pulse sped up, and all I wanted to do was sweep Jo into my arms and take her right there. But she deserved a plush suite, soft music, champagne, and a bed of rose petals rather than dirt, dead bodies, and a dungeon.
As we made our way out, Jo explained to us how Jonah had killed Patrick.
“So Steven, that phone call you got at the hotel before Tripp and I left, that was Jonah?”
Steven nodded as we exited through the door in the mountain. The crisp air was a welcome relief over the stench in the dungeon.
“I couldn’t tell anyone,” Steven said. “When I heard he and Dyson had fled, I got ahold of Jonah. I didn’t know how successful Jonah would be, but I had asked him to take out my brother first chance he had.”
I trudged through the thicket. “And Dyson’s motivation for siding with Edmund? Did Jonah explain that part?”
“Apparently, Dyson’s reason was merely family,” Steven said from behind me. “He has a sister who lost the chance to make the change from human to vampire because their father passed too soon. So he funded half of Edmund’s operation.”
I’d been way off base. I would’ve sworn Dyson wanted money or power. Regardless, I owed Jonah for giving me blood so I could heal so quickly and also for being there for Jo. I had seriously thought that when I finally got into the fortress, I would find Jo’s dead body. Then again, that thought paled in comparison to the memory of my sword embedded in Jo’s throat.
I shook off that image. Man, I had so many memories of near-death experiences that it would take an eternity to erase them all. But I didn’t care. I had Jo to help me forget all the bad that had happened in my life.
21
Jo
After four weeks of preparation, my big day was finally here. I stood in front of a mirror in an upstairs bedroom in Victor’s mansion, staring at myself and willing the nervous nellies to quiet down inside me.
Since we’d gotten back from Alaska, life had been refreshing, crazy, joyous, and to some extent, a little strange. It had taken a week after our return for Edmund’s death to sink in. Even then, the notion that I wouldn’t be fighting, running, or always looking over my shoulder for Edmund hadn’t come to light until I started planning my wedding. Dad hadn’t protested when I wanted to go shopping. He hadn’t sent bodyguards with me. I could hang out with Darcy without worrying if one of Edmund’s men would turn up and kidnap one of us.
I sighed, thinking about how Webb would react when he saw me in my wedding dress. I’d hardly seen him in the last couple of weeks, and that was probably a good thing since we couldn’t keep our hands off each other and he was still being a gentleman. My pulse sped up at the notion that tonight would be the night we would make love for the first time. Yeah, my heart was full-on galloping at that thought since I’d never had sex before. It wasn’t that I was scared. I knew Webb would be gentle, but my fear was whether I would be good or know what to do. Out of all of our make-out sessions, I had kissing and groping down to a science, but nothing else.
I took in slow and even breaths as the door squeaked open. Darcy glided in with her blond hair twisted up in a fancy style, much like mine. Her red dress hugged her curves as the satin fabric pooled to her feet. I’d wanted red for my maid of honor and my bridesmaids, Olivia, Alia, and Crysta. The color was festive and matched the pretty poinsettias that were scattered around the mansion along with the Christmas decorations.
“The guests are arriving,” Darcy said. “Are you ready?”
I inhaled then shivered. “I am. Maybe a little nervous.”
She giggled. “You should be. It’s your big day. And you look absolutely beautiful.” She went over to the chair near the fireplace and grabbed my veil. “Turn around.”
I faced the mirror once again while she secured the veil to the back of my hair, which was braided into a twist. I’d wanted a dress that was simple, and I’d found one almost immediately when I’d entered a dress shop in the city. The sheath gown had a beaded bodice, empire waist, and capped sleeves. It was made of satin and crepe with a sweep train that fell to the floor elegantly.
“There,” she said. “Now you’re ready.”
I fingered my mother’s ruby and diamond necklace that my dad had given me. I wished my mom was alive and here to see me now.
“She is.” Dad’s voice peppered the air.
I tore my gaze away from my reflection to find him waltzing in, dressed in a tuxedo with a red bow tie. His hair was pulled back and secured at the nape of his neck, his face was smooth, and his green eyes were cloudy as he came up behind me.
“Your mom is watching down on you.” He grasped my shoulders gently and guided me around. “And if she was here, she would say how beautiful her daughter is and how proud she i
s of you. Just like I am. I can never take back that I left you with your aunt when I was deployed overseas or that you ended up in foster care. But I want you to know that I’ve loved you since the day your mom told me she was pregnant with you and Sam.” He leaned in to kiss me on the forehead. “You’ve had a rough life, but now I want you to live like you’ve never lived before.”
Tears welled up. I blinked several times, trying not to let any spill, or else my makeup would be ruined. Then again, it didn’t matter. I was probably going to be crying all day.
“I love you, Dad.”
“One thing before we go. I know things have been crazy, and you’ve been planning your wedding, but I’m not sure if you remember. You and Sam had a birthday last week. I completely forgot about it with all the cleanup we’ve been doing. But you both officially turned eighteen.”
Holy cow! “I did forget, but we did have other things to worry about.”
“I thought your birthday was in February,” Darcy said.
I forgot I hadn’t explained to Darcy why we had a birthday in December and not February like Sam and I had thought and had always celebrated. “The short version is because Sam and I were born with the natural-born vampire gene, and our birth records had to be changed to reflect a normal human blood type. Otherwise, our DNA would be in question, and that would raise a lot of red flags within the human government. In fact, our birthdates are changed as well to further conceal our true identity from humans.”
“Well, birthdays are fun,” she said. “But a wedding beats a birthday. We can celebrate another time.”
Agreed. I might have been eighteen, but I felt so much older after how my body had changed when I turned vampire, not to mention all the fighting and training and stress I’d been through.
“Darcy’s right,” Dad said. “Today is by far a huge celebration. You’ve turned into a wonderful young lady. And I couldn’t be more proud.”
“You’re not helping my tears.” I caught one before it slid down my cheek.
On the Edge of Infinity (A Vampire SEAL Novel Book 5) Page 17