Crimson Bayou (Things that go Bump in the Bayou Book 1)

by Alizabeth Lynn

  “Right away, sir. Anything else?”

  “Not until after the ceremony. We’ll know, even without our eyes on the action, when it happens. Garrett won’t be able to keep it to himself.”

  Aden felt the last rays of the sun disappear from the sky. Eleanor was inside her house, directly above his resting place. He pulled himself up through the trapdoor in the middle of her tiny living space. Saying nothing, she handed him a glass of blood, already heated. He tossed it back as if it was nothing, and handed the dish back to her with a sheepish smile.

  “I appreciate you letting me stay here, Eleanor—especially now.”

  “I guess I don’t need to say I told you so, do I?”

  He laughed. “No, ma’am, you don’t. In my defense, though, until I met you and Carissa, Daniel was my only friend. Under those circumstances, how was I supposed to know he was working for the enemy?”

  “I know. Which is precisely the reason I’m not boxing your ears for being stupid.”

  Aden flinched, but shook it off and chuckled under his breath. “Then I’ll thank you for that as well.”

  He rolled his wrist, noticing the red glint of blood staining the otherwise stark-white bandage over his bite. Walking to the sink, he pulled Eleanor’s first aid kit from the cabinet to his right. He opened the case and pulled out cleansing pads, gauze, and tape. Fresh blood seeped from the teeth marks when the old bandage was removed, and he watched the liquid well up in fascination. Carefully, he removed his watch, hoping the serum washed off at some point during his dunk in the bayou.

  Eleanor took his hand in hers, turning his arm so she could examine his wrist. “I have something that will stop the bleeding.” She rummaged in the same cabinet where he found the kit, and pulled out a small vial of pink liquid. Taking a gauze pad, she cleaned the wound, placing a few drops of the liquid on his skin near the punctures, but not on them. Aden sucked in a startled breath as the spots immediately scabbed over.

  He looked up at Eleanor. “You’re scary when you get going.”

  She laughed. “Oh, I know. Now put that stuff into the kit and place it back in the cabinet.”

  Aden did as she told him and turned to face her. “What’s gonna happen to me? I don’t really want to be a werewolf any more than I wanted to become a vampire.”

  She considered a moment. “Well, I can’t say for sure, other than you should be able to shift at will, like I told you before. Everything else will probably stay the same, although you might experience a change in the strength of your senses.”

  Aden snorted. “Trust me; I already had the senses figured out. You know, I can actually hear the TVs in houses in Springhill right now. It’s a little disconcerting.”

  Eleanor patted his hand. “I’m sure it is, but at least now you can fulfill the pack’s rules on mating with my granddaughter.”

  Aden sat down hard in the nearest chair. “Mating rules? Are you telling me I can have children?”

  The old woman walked over and smacked him upside his head. “Didn’t I already tell you? You didn’t die, Aden! You’ve always had that ability!”

  He lowered his head to his hands. “I love Carissa, but I wasn’t prepared for this.” He raised an eyebrow at the old woman. “You’ve been pushing for this from the beginning, haven’t you?”

  Eleanor shrugged and grinned. “Of course. You’re the perfect partner for my granddaughter. Why do you think I pushed for her to come home?”

  “Me?” Aden asked, looking down in confusion. “Why me? I know you don’t really know everything, but I’m nothing special.”

  Gently, Eleanor placed her hands on Aden’s cheeks, and raised his head so he could look at her. “No, Aden, I don’t. However, I see things others don’t, and everything I’ve told you is true. You have no choice but to deal with it.” She tapped him on the top of his head. “And you are special. Carissa loves you, and that’s good enough for me.”

  She turned around and grabbed something from the counter. She handed him the vial of potion that he’d left outside the hotel. His mouth dropped open, and Eleanor shrugged. “It returns here when it’s not in the hands of someone I trust. That keeps the enemy from being able to use it against us.”

  “Really? I was right. You’re scary.”

  She laughed again. “By the way, you should know it won’t hurt you.”

  The bottle clattered to the table. “How?”

  “I couldn’t very well have you wielding a weapon you could inadvertently use to hurt yourself, could I? No. So I cast a charm on you preventing magickal distress. You and Carissa are safe from these kinds of spells and potions.”

  Aden gaped at her for a couple of minutes. Then he shook his head, laughter bubbling up from his chest. “Ok, you’re scary and awesome.”

  Chapter Forty-Three

  Carissa stood at the window and watched the sun twinkling behind the trees, preparing to go down for the night. After the conversation with Garrett, she had doubts that anyone would come into her room, but she was still too uneasy to sleep. Gwen brought her food throughout the day, but never spoke a word. She’d come in, her eyes heavy, and she’d leave with her brow furrowed, a frown turning down the corners of her mouth. With a sigh, Carissa stared out at the night. Accepting or not, she didn’t know what was supposed to be so great about being a werewolf. What was wrong with being human? She sighed again and pressed her hand to the glass. Warmth seeped into her fingers, and her skin tingled. She could feel the moonlight. The animal inside her soul stretched contentedly in welcome.

  The soft light caressed Carissa’s flesh, feathering its airy touch along the contours like a long-lost lover. Her hand jerked back from the glass and she wrapped her arms around herself for comfort. The pull was seductive, but she couldn’t help but try to resist—after what happened the night before, she didn’t want to take any more chances. Her new nature was against everything she’d ever believed possible. Logic had no place when she was the illogical product of a god-created race of demon slayers. Laughing bitterly, she made to turn away, but a movement near the water caught her eye. Carissa inched closer to the window and peered out curiously, disappointed when she realized it was Ryker. He stopped moving and looked toward the house. When he saw her, he waved, smirked, and removed his shirt with a flourish, showing her that he’d healed from any damage the animals caused.

  Arrogant alligator turd, she thought to herself as she reached up and closed the curtains. Even without Aden, she wouldn’t have had any interest in Ryan’s twin. One man like him, especially knowing what she knew now, was more than enough for her. Besides, the vampire she loved was as different from them as night from day. She closed her eyes, bracing one hand on the wall as she fought back a fresh wave of tears. She couldn’t get him out of her mind—she missed him so much. Escaping was the only viable option for her and her unborn child’s survival, but time was short. It also looked like the only chance she would get would be when she and Ryker stood before her father for the ceremony.

  Damn it. If I’d just had a normal, loving, family, none of this would be an issue. Her frustration mounting, Carissa flopped onto her back on the bed, pillowing her head on her arms. Her mom and grandmother were probably worried sick—not to mention what had to be going through Aden’s mind, thinking she left him. Her eyes unfocused for a moment, her body unusually heavy, Carissa grumbled and tried to roll over, but found herself suddenly unable to move. A sweetly metallic taste filled her mouth, and she knew they drugged her again. Carissa cursed silently. Her sister must have slipped something into the tea she served her with dinner.

  The minute she completed that thought, confession walked in on two legs. Gwen looked down at Carissa and frowned. “This wouldn’t be necessary if you’d just accept your destiny, you know?”

  Although the drug didn’t prevent her from speaking, Carissa said nothing. She was past the point of giving in. Whatever happened between now and the time of the ceremony was irrelevant.

  Gwen shook her head. “Hav
e it your way,” she said, and then leaned down to remove Carissa’s shoes. Carissa’s heart skipped a beat as Gwen removed her jeans. The pregnancy test was still in her pocket, since she hadn’t found a way to hide it yet. Cloaking herself in silence, Carissa blew out a sigh of relief when the object wasn’t found, and her sister removed the rest of her clothing without incident.

  “You’ve got more meat on your bones than most werewolves,” Gwen observed, “but I’m sure Ryker will like that just fine.”

  Carissa couldn’t bite her tongue any longer. “What are you talking about?”

  Her sister didn’t immediately respond. First, she walked to the door and picked up a bucket that she’d left sitting just outside. When she returned to the bed, she wet a sponge and pressed it to her sister’s bare flesh.

  “You’re going to mate with Ryker tonight, instead of waiting. I’m just making sure you’re ready.”

  Enraged, Carissa thundered, “The hell I am!” She concentrated with all her might, but couldn’t break the hold the drug had on her body.

  Gwen only smiled. “Calm down, Rissa! You act as if this is the end of the world. I went through the same thing with Rafe, and we’re as happy as can be. You just need to give in.” With one last swipe of the sponge, her sister dropped the object into the bucket, and walked out of the room to fetch a towel.

  Carissa couldn’t believe it! Here she was, vulnerable and exposed, about to be forced into mating with the werewolf twin of her dead husband. She needed Aden, and she needed him now. She knew enough from Ryan’s notes to know werewolves had some psychic abilities, although that was usually only in wolf form, and only with others of their kind. However, Carissa hoped a psychic bond formed whenever a vampire bit a human—like in the books she enjoyed. Maybe if she concentrated hard enough Aden could hear her. It was certainly worth a shot.

  Bearing down on the connection with all her willpower, Carissa centered her thoughts on Aden and her captivity. Her skin tingled again, growing warmer with every passing second. Her body shook, even though the drug remained strong. Less than a minute passed, and the shaking stopped. Carissa’s eyes rolled back in her head, and for the second time in two nights, she fainted.

  She came to a few seconds later, with a splitting headache, and she was beginning to be able to move again. The spot on her neck vibrated as if there was a live wire attached to her skin. Now if only Aden could find her before the ceremony took place…

  Just after sundown, Aden carefully made his way through the trees. With the vision he received moments before – and the note Eleanor had left him with the address – he knew time was of the essence. The thoughts accompanying the scene were garbled and unclear, but he thought he understood the gist of it. And damned if he’d let the woman he loved end up chained to some creature without a conscience. He kept one part of his mind merged with the link to Carissa, and didn’t hear the footsteps behind him until the person following pinned him to the ground.

  “Gottcha!” Daniel yelled, pulling Aden’s arms behind his back and tying them tight.

  Aden cursed under his breath, but didn’t struggle. Yet. Daniel hauled him to his feet and turned him around. Jasmine stood a couple of feet back with a smile on her face.

  “We knew you’d go after your pet.” She laughed maliciously. “I guess she’ll have no choice but to accept her fate, now. Poor Aden, unable to save his furry little love.”

  Aden bellowed his rage to the star-filled sky. He didn’t give a damn how she knew, and even though their laws forbade the killing of a Vampire Council member, he dearly wanted his hands around her neck.

  Aden strained against the bonds and Daniel’s grasp, his mentor’s grunts ringing in his ears as the older vampire struggled to subdue the younger. When Aden growled, Jasmine looked up in fear and backed farther away. His body vibrated like the plucked string of a guitar, a red haze covering his eyes. Everything grew sharper and more defined. He could make out the tiniest bugs on the shadowed ground, and could hear the faintest critters’ whisper in the darkness. Though the night was still, wind whipped around him. Only him. The wild air ripped the band from his hair, flinging the strands around his face, but he hardly noticed.

  Aden’s skin burned, growing hotter and hotter until he was sure it would melt. His bones twisted and ground together, shifting with every breath he took. They cracked, popped, and maneuvered into new configurations, ripping a scream from Aden as his body contorted for the first time. Fur sprouted from his skin, while Jasmine and Daniel watched in shock and horror. Aden’s face elongated into a snout, and claws speared from his fingers and toes, shredding his boots and the rope tying his wrists.

  He fell forward onto his newly formed paws as his body completed the transformation, destroying the rest of his clothes in the process. Aden shook free of the tatters and howled into the night sky. The freedom of the wolf was like nothing he’d ever experienced before. Electric blue eyes sparked with menace as he focused his attention on the woman in front of him on the path. Aden let the wolf dictate his movements—its instincts meshed with his so strongly, the desire to tear her apart was overwhelming. He growled low in his throat as Jasmine finally moved.

  She screamed loud and long as she fled away from him, tripping over roots and snagging her long braid on low-hanging branches. However, the wolf spirit, combined with the preternatural power of the vampire, was more than a match for her cowardice. Three bounds and one powerful leap, and Jasmine was face-first on the swampy ground. Swiping his paw across her shoulder, Aden flipped the vampire over and growled into her face. Tears sprang to her eyes as babbling, incoherent words fell from her lips, but the wolf cared nothing for her fear. Lifting his head, Aden howled into the darkness. Then, before she could try to get away, he lowered his snout and snapped his jaws closed on her neck, severing her head from her body.

  Jasmine’s essence filled the air with blood and dust, coating the path and Aden’s fur. Eyes glinting, he raised his head and howled again, this time the sound of triumph. The wolf spun around, advancing on the other vampire. Daniel trembled in fear, but didn’t run. Aden growled as he padded forward, his heavy paws stirring up clouds of vampire dust.

  Daniel held up his hands. “Let me explain, Aden!” When the wolf growled again, his friend stepped back. “Please!”

  Head cocked to the side, Aden nodded once, allowing Jasmine’s blood to drip from his maw.

  Daniel gulped in a breath, making a strangled squeaking sound before he managed to speak again. “Damn it, Aden, you know me better than this! I don’t betray my friends.”

  Aden stepped closer, effectively backing his mentor up against a tree. “Then tell me why,” he said, his wolf’s voice sounding slick and coarse.

  Daniel shook, but he stared the beast in the eyes. “Jasmine changed me, and killed most of my family. I’ve wanted revenge for years, but I wasn’t strong enough—until recently—until I changed you.”

  “You changed me?”

  Daniel nodded. “I did. I didn’t want you linked to her like I was – unable to kill her because she was your sire.”

  “But I could kill you if I wanted, so try another lie, old friend.” Aden snarled as he took a step closer.

  “No, you can’t,” Daniel said softy. “Try to, if you don’t believe me.”

  Fury burning, Aden opened his maw, but he found himself unable to move forward. Growling, he grumbled, “So, you decided to spare your life and use me?”

  Daniel shook his head. “That wasn’t my original intention. When I found out why the Council wanted you dead, I planned to come to you about helping me—I thought you’d want revenge on her, too—but they sent the slayers – their werewolves – before I had the chance to ask. They were watching me, so I had no choice. I didn’t want either one of us to have to go against her and the Council alone.”

  “Well, old man, I just did, so spare me your excuses.”

  When Aden lifted his paw to swipe, Daniel pressed his back into the bark. “Aden, don’t hurt
me! There’s more!”

  The wolf moved away slightly. “Spit it out, then.”

  “Jasmine killed Amelia, not cancer. She also forged the letter you found from your father the night of your accident. I didn’t know until we left you in the swamp last night that you weren’t aware. I should have told you sooner, and I’m sorry I didn’t.” He took a deep breath. “That’s not all. I told you Jasmine killed my family, and she did, but not everyone. The night I turned you was also the night I discovered that my youngest daughter survived. When she grew up and married, she became Madeline McTarver. I’m your great-grandfather, a few hundred years back.”

  Aden sat back on his haunches, stunned. The silence engulfed him as the minutes ticked by. Daniel’s story made a lot of sense, and his gut instinct told him the older vampire was telling the truth. He wished his mentor had fessed up sooner, but it was obvious that would have been difficult. With a raspy sigh, he looked up at the one relative he was still able to know.

  “Well, since I can’t kill you, I guess that means I’m going to have to trust you.”

  Chapter Forty-Four

  The sorcerer paced back and forth around his study. The news T had brought him earlier was far from good. Jasmine was dead, and Daniel was a traitor to their cause. He couldn’t afford to let Pembelton and Christopher know his plans weren’t coming together the way he’d hoped. He needed to come up with a new plan.

  T had spoken to Talvin, and they were no closer to discovering the missing sprite princess’s whereabouts, either, which meant he was no closer to unleashing his curse on the puny, unsuspecting, humans. Slamming a white-gloved fist against the nearest wall, he swore aloud. He was ready to secure his place as ruler of all, but that couldn’t happen until the rest of the puzzle fell into place.

  He ground his teeth. Once his empire was built, he’d still have his children to deal with. Two were on his side, but one, one had the power to bring about his destruction if he was ever discovered. And even his crystal ball was now failing to offer any help. The present was as foggy as a cold window on a warm house, the future refused to give up anything of import, and the past simply taunted him with her face.