Even Mathew went on alert, guarding Jolie from behind. Effectively, all three men were blocking her body in case of danger.
As they entered the room, Jolie saw the ornately decorated vampyre seated royally in an antique chair.
Brogan reached for his mate’s minds. ‘Oh brother! She’s taking the primus thing a bit too serious. Is she actually sitting on a throne?’
‘Yes, she most certainly is,’ stated Jolie.
‘I’m going to bet she has an ego to match that ample body of hers.’
Jolie’s laughter floated through her mates’ minds.
“Welcome to my home, Mistress Jolie. I see you brought your entourage with you for our meeting.”
If Lucricia wanted to play this game, so be it. Jolie nodded regally. Taking a simple chair across from the woman, Jolie relaxed as her mates took their normal positions. Now, she was once again protectively caged between the three men.
I’m old school as of late, Mistress. I like to do things the formal way. When I call on a family, I like to bring my guardian and mates.”
It was Lucricia’s turn to nod. “I must say that you’re not what I expected. When I came to Philadelphia, I had heard stories of you and expected something more… substantial,” she said, gesturing toward Jolie’s body.
Jolie laughed and it obviously surprised the vampyre. “If you mean to insult me by saying I’m thin, you are far from your goal, Mistress. While smaller in stature, I make up for it in power,” Jolie said, giving the woman a smile.
Now she knew why they had no gossip about the woman. Lucricia was an import from outside the country. She could detect the well-hidden accent.
Lucricia returned the light banter. “It wasn’t meant as an insult, but as a comment. Women of the renaissance era tended to be more… and forgive me for being blunt, but I must use the word again substantial.”
Jolie nodded. “Yes, I recall the Renaissance. It was a lovely time. My mate and I had a great deal of fun.”
“Yes, it was,” added Lucricia. “I was born during that time, and thrived.” As if by example, the woman ran her hand down her plump frame.
Brogan snickered into their minds. ‘She might be able to take you, Jolie. I think she just licked her lips. You may be dinner.’
Jolie discretely pinched his leg.
‘I personally prefer my women less-- meaty,’ added Jacques, trying to not grin outwardly.
Jolie knew what this was all about. This jackassery was a vampyre pissing match.
Lucricia didn't want to come out and ask Jolie’s age, so she was fishing. In the process, she was warning Jolie that she was ancient.
Well, newsflash.
Jolie had her beat.
“I believe you’ve been misled, Mistress. I wasn’t born during the Renaissance, and maybe that’s why I’m not quite as well-endowed as you.” Her eyes wandered the woman’s plump body. It didn’t appeal to her at all. Being lithe was more effective as a killer and a warrior. It made her a harder target to hit.
It was all about survival, and Lucricia’s lack of preservation proved she didn't have to fight for her life.
“Oh, the Victorian era then?” she asked, slight snideness tainting her words.
“Also a lovely era, but I was born in twelve hundred and one, Mistress Lucricia.” Jolie watched the snotty expression disappear from her face.
Yeah, Lucricia got it, all right.
She was dealing with a true ancient.
“You were born in the thirteenth century?” Lucricia asked, incredulously.
“Yes, I was. Don’t take it personally. You’re not the first vampyre to mistake my age. I’ve found that being this ancient, I can hide my real age rather easily. Well, at least I can from younger vamps.”
The insult hit its mark.
“Oh, I see,” she said, fidgeting uncomfortably on her throne-like chair.
“Jacques is almost as old as I am, so let me spare you the effort of trying to figure it out.”
Lucricia looked nervous.
Jolie crossed her legs. Oh, yes, they were going to hold court, but the tables were turned. The queen was now re-crowned.
Both men placed their hands on her thighs, joining them together.
“Don’t worry, Lucricia. A vampyre your age is also quite powerful in her own right. I do remember five hundred and nineteen. It was a good age. We had fun, didn’t we, Jacques?”
“Yes, my Mistress, we did. You’ve always been entertaining,” said Jacques, watching the woman in front of him as they enjoyed her discomfort.
“Shall we discuss the situation?” Jolie asked, changing the subject.
“Yes, we probably should.”
“There’s a vampyre running amuck in the city. I’m hoping you know her, and can tell me where she is.”
Lucricia didn't speak.
“Her name is Zola Saran, and she’s gone rogue.”
“I don’t know a Zola.”
“Yes, I’m not surprised to hear that. I would never expect an ancient to allow her family to be involved in the maiming and torture of a human. It’s frowned upon by the society and can cause the family to be swiftly executed. The council gets testy when we draw attention to ourselves. It generally means the hunters come looking for us.”
Still, the woman didn't say a word.
Jolie glanced over at her mates. “I know we’ve killed quite a few vampyres who crossed that line. Haven’t we, my loves?”
“Yes,” answered Jacques.
Flynn grinned. “We have, Jolie.”
“So, the rumors are true. Are you the executioner, Mistress Jolie?” Lucricia questioned, staring directly into her adversary’s eyes as she defiantly tossed her red hair over her shoulder.
“On occasion, I‘ve been called out to do just that.”
“Yes, I’ve heard tales about you.”
Jolie laughed. “I’m sure they’re just stories,” said Jolie, placing her hand over her mates’. “In fact, I’m sure these tales have been exaggerated. I really don’t enjoy killing, but in the same respect, I don’t blink an eye at what needs to be done either.”
Lucricia laughed. “I was sure they were exaggerated. How could one kill her own so easily? I had a difficult time believing that you killed your own to save humans.” Lucricia stared at Flynn. “No offense, but humans have their purpose.”
“None taken,” he replied. When he grinned at her, Flynn made sure his fangs were there. Poor Lucricia was having a day full of nasty surprises.
She gasped.
“Yeah, I’m not quite human. I think I fall into the ‘killer’ category, to tell you the truth.”
“Yeah, he does,” admitted Jolie. “In fact, he’s a detective.”
“The police? You brought a cop into my home?”
Jolie chuckled. “My bad. In our defense, we really aren’t sure what happened to Flynn. One day he was human, and then the next he had fangs, liked killing things, and drinking their blood. Go figure.”
Lucricia paled. “No one converts humans. It just isn’t done.”
Jolie shrugged. “That’s what we always thought. I guess it was like the stories you heard. Myth.”
“I believe I was naïve to allow you into my home.”
“Fear not, Lucricia. I rarely kill my own. Well except for Genevieve, her daughter, and Sergei, but that was truly misfortunate. Oh and then there was the one who challenged me in New Orleans and my betrayer.”
If possibly, Lucricia paled even more.
“Silly me. I almost forgot the remainder of Delina’s homicidal family. I killed them too.” Jolie glanced up at Jacques. “How many died that day, my love?”
He shrugged. “Three maybe four vampyres. It’s all a blur. There was so much blood and screaming. Honestly, I lose count anymore, but they did deserve it.”
Flynn spoke up, “They always do.”
Jolie smiled at the woman. “Well, hell, I guess I do kill my own kind easily,” she said, laughing. “The stories must be true about
me. How interesting. This visit has been eye opening.”
Lucricia was horrified. “You killed all of those vampyres?”
“Yes, and a few in Paris too, but actually Genevieve wasn’t my kill. I can’t take credit for that one. I never touched her.”
“Oh really?” Lucricia stated, looking nervous.
Jolie smiled demurely. “Yes, I raised a zombie and watched her eat the flesh from Genevieve’s body. So, technically, I’m pretty sure that’s not on me.”
Flynn ran his fingers down her cheek, enjoying how they tormented the woman. “No, I think that one’s in your kill column too, Jolie. You didn’t touch her, but you did initiate the spell. It was one hell of a show.”
“I’m with Flynn,” added Jacques. “I think we have to own that one too.”
“Very well, my loves. I guess I did kill that horrible bitch.” Jolie smiled wickedly, letting her fangs slide into her mouth for added emphasis.
Jacques and Mathew did the same, intimidating the woman perched on the ‘throne’.
Lucricia looked mortified. “I see.”
Jolie could sense the terror. That meant one thing. The woman was far from innocent when it came to Zola. Now they were getting somewhere.
“But we digress. I’m here to see if you’re aiding the rogue vampyre.” Jolie leaned into the frames of the men beside her.
Jolie knew she looked sweet and innocent.
Yeah, that was funny as hell.
“I’m not aiding this killer, and I wouldn’t allow it in my family!” demanded Lucricia, denying the accusation.
“That’s all I wanted to know. I would really hate to come back here and kill everyone. I’ve been given permission from council to destroy all, and any, of those who are involved with this killer. I do have to admit, that I’ll particularly enjoy this kill. The human who is being held is a friend of ours, and I’ll use that as a motivating factor.”
“I don’t know this killer, and I believe our meeting is done. You can show yourself out. I refuse to sit here and be insulted in my own home.”
“Mistress, you misunderstand. I wasn’t insulting you at all. I was making a promise. If you hear anything, it’ll be in your best interest to contact me. If you don’t…”
She let it drop.
“Please pass that to everyone you know. Jolie Harcourte is back in town, and she’s looking to spill blood.”
Flynn grinned. “One vamp at a time.”
Lucricia stormed from the room, her heels clicking angrily on the tile floor.
“Well, that was drama.”
“She’s lying like a very cheap rug. I can tell. For now, we have to find proof. Once we do, I’ll enjoy allowing Death to suck the energy from her body.”
They would too.
Outside, Jolie sensed her before she saw her. “There’s someone in the Hummer. Be ready.”
Flynn reached under his jacket and snapped open his holsters. “Act normally,” he stated. He could feel eyes on him from the upper windows. “We’re being watched.”
Jolie didn't know why someone would hide in their vehicle. That was dangerous and screamed of certain death. The female vampyre was trapped.
“Just get in and pretend,” she ordered.
Jacques clicked open the locks, allowing for Flynn to jump in fast. Once inside, the gun was pressed against the intruder’s forehead.
“Please, I need to speak to you and can’t be seen,” said the young vampyre, who had welcomed them into the house.
Jolie hopped up into the passenger seat. “Very well. Who are you?” she asked, staring straight ahead as if no one was in their vehicle.
“Mistress, I’m Camille, and I need your help. In exchange, I’m willing to offer you information.”
Jolie nodded as Jacques pulled away. “Go on.”
“I know who and where the killer is holding the human,” she admitted softly. It had had everyone’s attention. “I’ll tell you all I know.”
“And what do you wish in exchange, Camille?” asked Jolie, who studied the pale woman.
“I would like for you to take me and my child with you when you leave the city.”
“And you want that to happen because…?” inquired Jolie, curious as to why the vampyre would wish to escape her family.
Camille stared at Flynn. “Could you please remove the gun from my face, Master? It’s disturbing,” she asked, her eyes pleading with Jolie. “I can feel the silver bullets inside the chamber.”
She nodded and Flynn lowered the weapon.
“The mistress isn’t pleasant, and I need to get my child and myself away from her.”
“Where is your mate?” asked Jolie.
“I have no mate. The mistress uses the young vampyres as breeding stock to make her family larger and more powerful. She brought me with her when she came to the city. I don’t want my daughter to be used like that. Please. I beg you for mercy.”
Jolie turned around and laid her hand on her stomach, the idea of forced breeding made her ill. Their children were a gift and should be treated as such.
“Why is she doing it?”
“Lucricia is trying to breed a giant family to overthrow the current society and Master Vlad. She wants to head the council and is biding her time. In the next hundred years, she’ll have amassed an army of young expendable vampyres.”
“Great,” muttered Flynn. “Just what we need--crazy, rogue vamps on a domination mission.”
“I’m sorry you’ve had to live that way, Camille. What can you tell me?” Jolie wished that what the woman was sharing with them was surprising, but the older vampyres often used that method to increase their family. In fact, Goethe was notorious for having the women used as breeding stock.
“There’s a vampyre in the city who is holding a human captive. He’s not in good shape. The vampyre moves him daily, so not to be found.”
“Where’s the human now?”
“She’s moving him as we speak, and she checks in every day to keep the mistress updated. Each night at dusk, one of the family goes to where she’s hiding him to babysit her captive. When they arrive, she goes out hunting.”
“I’m her prey, Camille.”
“Yes, Mistress, she was the one who told us to call the council. My mistress made me contact Master Vlad to anonymously tell him you were back in the city. She wished for them to kill you, so she could go after your family in New Orleans.”
“I see,” Jolie said, turning. “You’ll tell me where she’s going next in exchange for your rescue?”
“Yes, Mistress. All I ask is that you protect my child. If you won’t take me, please take her. I don’t care about myself. I can see why you wouldn’t trust me, but my child is only four years old, Mistress. She’s little, and I want her to grow up cherished not used to populate a society. It’s too late for me, so please…just take Cari. I’ll remain behind. Just tell her when she is older that I loved her and didn’t abandon her.”
“You’d walk away from your child?” asked Jolie, as she stared into the female vamps eyes. Truth be told, her heart ached for the woman.
“If it meant saving her from what I’ve been through, absolutely. I’ve heard of your kindness, and all I want is for her to be safe. I believe what I’ve heard. Her growing up in your family would mean Cari would flourish. She’d have an education, and possibly a chance to find her mate. If she stays here, Lucricia will use her up, like she’d done with me.”
Mathew’s eyes filled with tears. “Mistress, please, may we?”
Obviously, the compulsion had worn off.
“If you must, take her and end my life. I’ll sacrifice myself for her, Mistress. She’s still good. Cari looks at the world and sees beauty. She has a chance to love and be wanted. I’ll give up my life for hers. Cari didn't ask to be born. Lucricia plotted her fate. Help me save my child,” she begged. Camille’s hands clenched tightly in her lap, the knuckles going white. “I’ll give you the only thing I own--my life--in exchange for hers.”
&
nbsp; Jolie turned around and closed her eyes. “Jacques pull over,” she said. When he did, Jolie finally spoke, “Camille, I’ll give you my address and phone number. You get the information and come to our home. Even if you can’t find the human for me, I’ll get you out of the situation, regardless of what you tell us.”
“Why, Mistress?” she asked, amazed at Jolie’s words.
“No child deserves to grow up as a slave, let alone raped to bear children. Go back to the house, say nothing, and as soon as you have the information, come to me. I’ll send you to New Orleans, and you’ll have a new home.”
“Thank you, Mistress,” the girl said, climbing over Mathew’s lap and out of the Hummer. She waited as Jolie hopped down to hand her a card with her address and number on it.
“Go, Camille, and know this--I will offer you sanctuary, but don’t betray me, or I’ll kill you and your child without a second thought.”
“Yes, Mistress,” she whispered, kissing Jolie’s wrist in a sign of allegiance. “I’ll find the human for you. I promise.” Camille turned and was off into the night, blending with the shadows.
Jolie climbed back into the vehicle, and knew what was coming. “Before anyone tells me, I’m well aware that this is most likely a trap. I already know that I’m a fool to even think that this girl is going to come through for us.”
Jacques glanced over at his mate. “Actually, I was going to tell you that what you just did was unbelievably kind,” he admitted.
Flynn agreed. “I was going to say that it’s worth the chance, if it means finding Tommy and killing Zola once and for all,” he added.
“Besides,” Jacques began, “it’s likely a trap, and I’m becoming fond of them. It keeps me on my toes.”
Jolie laughed. “I must say I’m surprised. The men in my life seem to have turned over a new, calmer leaf.”
Flynn holstered his gun. It was probably a good thing that he’d kept his mouth shut. When Jacques looked back at him, they shared a look.
They were worried.
“Well, it looks like you’re mistaken, baby. We’ve got your back.”
Yeah, that being said, they were going to be all over her like white on rice. Jolie wasn’t going to get hurt.
They couldn’t allow it.
If she wouldn’t stay safe, they’d have to up their game. What was one more dead vampyre in the name of love?
Dangerous Retaliation (The Harcourte Vampyre Society Book 4) Page 16