Jolie stepped into the middle of the vampyres, unafraid of any of them. She trusted Vanth and her mates.
“Didn’t I warn you? And now, I find out that you’re neck deep in this mess.”
“You have no proof.”
Jolie threw her head back and laughed. To everyone in the room, it may have sounded like normal laughter, but to her mates, who were in her mind, they knew the truth.
That was the darkness--not Jolie. There was something darker and wicked running this dog and pony show.
“I don’t need proof. I’m about to verify my story.”
“Stay away from me!” Lucricia hissed, stepping back to avoid the older vampyre.
Jolie stalked her prey. It amused her as Lucricia attempted to scramble away. When she found herself trapped in a corner of the room, Jolie knew the game was just about over.
“Leave my home!”
“We’re like the spider and the fly, Lucricia. You’re the pesky insect that goes about causing mayhem, and I’m the patient spider who sits in her web, waiting for the fly to become trapped.” Jolie lifted her hand, freezing the woman against the wall.
“Please no!”
Her pleas were ignored.
Jolie touched her forehead and ripped into her mind, finding the truth.
It wasn’t a shock.
“Oh, Lucricia…you were helping Zola. In fact, it was you who ordered the guardians to kill the abducted detective. You lied to me, and are a very naughty vampyre.”
“What are you going to do to me? He was merely a human, and they don’t matter.”
“They do to me.”
Lucricia tried to plead to the woman’s sensibilities. “The humans killed so many of us hundreds of years ago. We were hunted and nearly destroyed. You can’t choose them over your own kind, Jolie.”
“Flynn?” Jolie called, over her shoulder.
He appeared at her side. “Yes, baby?”
She took him by the hand before staring into Lucricia’s eyes. “My mate is human. I’ve watched him repeatedly stand in front of me, and honorably. Never once has he killed our kind without a reason other than to protect me. I’m sickened by the ideas you have bouncing around in your head.”
Lucricia fought to get free.
Jolie moved closer to the woman’s face. “I’m going to kill all who helped you, willing or not.” She turned and placed a kiss on her mate’s lips.
Death screamed to taste him too. It was a sure sign that Jolie wasn’t completely in control. She was sharing her body with something far more lethal.
Flynn didn't flinch from the icy cold caresses of their mistress as it measured him up as a potential victim. When it backed away, he let Jolie own their mating of mouths.
Jolie broke away, giving him a warning. “Move away, my love. I have a very bad vampyre to punish. You’re wearing white, and I don’t want you to get dirty.”
He did as she asked.
“Vanth, please find the ones who aided Zola and Lucricia. I want them brought to me. I allowed Zola to live out of mercy. I won’t make that mistake ever again. We’re destroying this den of vampyres.”
The demoness stepped toward the family, calling to all who aided the vampyres to her. Some in the room stepped forward, and there were even others who arrived from other parts of the house.
Vanth was calling them to her like moths to a candle flame.
“Here they are, Mistress.”
Immediately, they began begging for their lives. The jig was up, and they were about to pay for what they’d done.
“Please, Mistress! I had no choice!” one pleaded.
“Then you understand the position I’m in. You could have come to me, and I would’ve offered you sanctuary. I am sorry, but you made the wrong choice.”
Death rose as Jolie lifted the woman’s chin. There was a hush before she struck. Jolie opted to use her fangs.
With them, she tore through the woman’s throat as her hand found her heart in her chest.
Death came fast.
Jolie allowed the black tendrils to wrap around the dead vampyre. They fed, enjoying everything that the undead had to offer.
At the next victim, Jolie brutally cut into him using a silver dagger. Death took that moment to scream through the room, feasting on one more offered victim.
‘Let us help,’ offered Jacques.
‘I want to spare you from this,’ Flynn stated.
‘Thank you,’ she whispered back.
Jacques approached the next vampyre. Grabbing his head, he twisted until the sickening sound of popping bones filled the room.
When the dead vampyre’s head fell to the floor, Jacques kicked it with his booted toe.
“I’m up,” stated Flynn, approaching the next victim. As she pleaded with him, offering up all she had for his mercy. It sickened him, and he ignored her.
Pulling a silver blade from his back pocket, he went to work.
With a quick flick of his wrist, he sliced so deeply that blood spurted from her throat in all directions. Then, to add insult to injury, Flynn drove the blade clear through the woman’s body until it peeked out her back.
Vanth opted to help. Approaching a vampyre, she didn't even have to get her hands dirty. “You look hot,” she said, and the vampyre burst into flames.
Everyone gasped.
Jolie turned to Lucricia and smiled wickedly. “See what happens when you lie, Lucricia? Tell me where Zola is, and I may spare you.”
“You won’t kill me?”
“If you tell me where she is now, then I won’t kill you,” promised Jolie, feeling the confusion from her mates.
“She’s headed to your home in New Orleans. The detective was just a diversion. It was meant to keep you here long enough,” she whispered, tears rolling down her face.
“Oh, Lucricia, that just pisses me off. Here, you’ve wasted my time. Now, I have to kill you.”
“Wait! You said you wouldn’t.”
Jolie laughed. “I did, didn’t I? I guess this is your lucky day, Lucricia. I always keep my word.”
The vampyre looked relieved.
“Gentlemen, would you care to handle this vampyre for me?”
Lucricia gasped in horror as they moved toward her.
“You see, I promised that I wouldn’t kill you, but neither of my mates offered any such vow.”
She struggled to get free.
“What a tangled web we weave when we practice to deceive, Lucricia,” Jolie said, stepping back.
That was all it took.
Both men struck at the same time.
Lucricia’s death wasn’t easy or pleasant.
By the time they’d finished the job, she was on the floor and practically unrecognizable.
Death ripped from Jolie’s body for the last time that night, screaming in delight at the hideous demise of the vampyre. It was bloody, gory, and fulfilled her promise.
In fact, she’d given Death all six kills in a matter of minutes.
‘Your debt is paid, harbinger!’
Jolie bowed her head, allowing her eyes to bleed back to their serene lavender color. Once the darkness was again buried deep, she stared around the carnage and was sick.
Jolie was ashamed.
Here, she’d made the men in her life participate in killing more of her kind.
When she turned, she was forced to look at her blood coated mates.
It was too much to take.
Jolie opened her mouth to apologize, but that’s not what came out.
Instead, she screamed.
And then fell into the darkness to hide from the truth.
She was no better than the creatures she’d slaughtered.
∞ Chapter Sixteen ∞
Saturday Early Morning
Jolie could feel herself pulling away from the darkness, and as she opened her eyes, she was no longer at Lucricia’s. Instead, she was in her own bed and both mates were silently holding her hand. Somehow, she had ended up at home, safe and prot
ected. The gore was gone, and in its place were lit candles and the scent of fresh flowers.
As usual, the men in her life took care of the ugliness that overwhelmed her as they attempted to soften the previous events.
Jolie didn’t know what to say, and when she opened her mouth to thank them, all that came out were sobs.
It was all too much, so she broke down.
Jolie wept because of what she had to do, and what her mates had done for her.
What kind of mother would she be?
She was nothing more than a heartless killer.
“You’ll be a damn good one,” stated Flynn out loud, as he caressed her face.
“I agree. You’ll be the best mother our children could ever have in their lives. Don’t second guess that,” added Jacques, bringing his body to rest beside hers. Before long, Flynn mimicked his actions.
“I hated every second of that. With each kill, I feel like the black stain on my soul gets worse and worse,” she admitted. Jolie knew fulfilling Death’s request would be hard, but she didn't think it would wound her this much.
Their numbers were limited, and here she’d killed more of their kind.
“Jolie, baby, just the fact that it bothered you should tell you the kind of woman you are inside. If it didn’t make you question it, well, then that would scare me.”
“Yes, our Flynn is right. You did it despite what it was doing to you inside, and that’s a testament to your character, my love.”
Jolie sniffled. “I’m sorry you both had to do that,” she sobbed, tears continuing to fall. “I wish you both would have stayed here.”
The men wrapped themselves around her cold body and gently soothed her. “Let’s forget about it for now. We have other things to worry about,” said Jacques, nibbling on Jolie’s ear.
“Oh God! The family!” exclaimed Jolie, as she struggled to get free from their embrace.
“Don’t worry, baby. Jacques called them, and everything is fine. We’re leaving for home later this evening.”
Jolie was grateful. Of course they’d handle this. She’d be lost without them. “Thank you for being my mates. I probably don’t deserve either of you,” she admitted, first kissing Flynn and then moving to Jacques.
“Mmmm… this is nice,” whispered Jolie, rubbing across their bodies before pulling low growls from both men. A smile crossed her lips at what she was suddenly in the mood to do with them.
As soon as she began sending them sexy visuals into their heads, she heard the approaching steps.
It was the only warning they’d get.
The door flew open, slamming into the wall.
Flynn nearly jumped out of his skin as he tried to pull the sheet up over his lower body.
“Cari, stop right now!” yelled Camille, adverting her eyes from the three on the bed. “I am so sorry, Mistress! She’s a handful at times,” she admitted, finally catching Cari by the hand.
“No, momma! I want to see Jolie. She looked sick before, and I needed to make sure she’s okay,” said the little girl, pulling away to climb onto Jolie’s bed between her and Jacques.
“Hello, little imp. Are you well today?” inquired Jolie, allowing the little girl to climb across her mates to get to her.
Instead of answering, Cari began fiercely hugging her.
Jolie heard the hiss of horror from Cari’s mother. “It is fine, Camille. You don’t have to look so afraid. I promise that she’s not in trouble for coming in here. We have an open door policy.”
Flynn’s mouth dropped open.
The horrified look on his face made Jolie laugh. While Vamps were okay with nudity, try as he might, Flynn wasn’t. When it came to members of their family, he liked to keep his man goods covered.
“Are you sure, Mistress? Cari is stubborn and hard to manage at times.”
“I’m sure.”
Camille had a look on her face.
“Speak your mind,” Jolie stated, as Cari crawled against Jacques to get more attention and hugs.
“Most mistresses wouldn’t want to be bothered with a child.”
Jolie smiled at the child, who was currently wrapping a centuries old vampyre around her little pinky. “As you can see, we happen to love kids,” she replied.
“If she bothers you, Mistress, I can make sure she leaves you alone.”
Cari stared up at Jolie with big eyes.
How could they say no to her?
“I wouldn’t worry, Camille. As you can see, Jolie is a natural with little kids. I think her mothering instinct is in overdrive,” Flynn added.
“Yes, so much compassion and love to share,” said Jacques.
She got where they were taking this. This was their proof that Jolie could be a good mother, and not just some killer for Death’s whims.
Jolie grinned at the child. “I was just like Cari as a child. Believe it or not, I was a holy terror,” she said elbowing Flynn when he snorted.
“Ouch! Was?” he asked, rubbing his stomach. He looked toward the door as Mathew led Tommy into the room. The man was almost healed, and all that remained were some scars and a limp.
“Hey! Is there a party, and I wasn’t invited?” asked Tommy, dropping into a chair not far from the bed. While everyone in the room noticed that he was directing his comments toward Flynn and Jolie, his eyes never left Camille’s face. “I’m offended that I missed the invite.”
Flynn laughed, taking Cari from Jolie’s lap. “Feed, Jolie. I’ll hold the imp,” he said, dropping a kiss to the little girl’s head when she cuddled against him.
Part of him loved that vampyres were so touch oriented. Flynn couldn’t wait to do this with his own child.
Jolie glanced over at their guest. “Will it disturb you to watch me?” she politely inquired, not wanting to terrify him any more than he already was of their kind.
“I can’t promise it won’t, but I’ll keep an open mind.” he offered with honestly. “I owe that much to my friend and the people who saved me.”
Jolie slid into Jacques’s lap before slowly licking along his pulse. Once she found the spot that called to her, she was ready. As her fangs slid into her mouth, the scent of his body and essence called to the mate in her.
Jacques made no movement. He didn’t even flinch when Jolie dove in. The last thing they needed was to upset the detective even more.
Opening her eyes, she watched Detective Gress’s face for any signs of discomfort or fear. When she felt the nausea washing away, Jolie pulled away, careful to keep her fangs hidden.
“Thank you, my love.”
Jacques didn’t mind. “Mathew, we’ll be leaving shortly to return home. I’ll need you to assist Chloe in any way she needs to get us out of here. I have to call Master Vlad and give him an update. Now that Zola’s left their city, he can rest assured. She’s going to be our issue back home. They are off the hook on this one.”
“Yes, Jacques. It’ll be my pleasure.” Mathew motioned toward Tommy. “Will the Detective be joining us in New Orleans?”
Everyone glanced at the man, who was still curiously watching Camille.
“Yeah, I think I will for a while. I feel bad that we’re not telling anyone I’m found, especially my mother and sister, but I feel like I need to take this trip.”
Jolie understood. “When you want to come home, we can arrange for it to look like you just escaped the killer. The police will be none the wiser.”
He was good with that. He wanted to see more of the vampyre before him.
“Thank you for your invite, Jolie.”
“You’re welcome, Detective. I think you’ll enjoy the city and sights,” she said.
“I don’t doubt it.”
Jolie looked down at Cari when she began tugging on Jolie’s long hair. “What is it, imp? I can see that you’re dying to ask a question.”
The little girl was bouncing and dying to speak. “Can I come too?”
“Absolutely! That is if your momma wants to come with us. We have a very b
ig house, and you’ll be welcome and safe there.”
“Are there any other kids I can play with?”
Jolie smiled. “Some, and quite a few of our family think that Flynn is just a big kid at heart.”
“Hey!”
She laughed. “There will be more babies next year,” Jolie admitted, patting her stomach. “I’m having two.”
Camille beamed. “Oh, Mistress, that’s a blessing,” she admitted. “I love children. It’s such a beautiful time…” She paused. “You know, when they can’t run around like a wild banshee.”
Cari hid her face in Flynn’s neck.
“I think she means you, imp.”
Jolie reached for her mates’ minds. ‘I’ll need a nanny for the children. I think we might have found her.’
‘Yes, things have a way of working out.’
‘I think she’ll do a great job, after all, she raised the imp and look at her,’ Flynn offered.
Jolie wanted to know. “So, you don’t mind being around children, Camille?”
“Not at all, Mistress. Despite my situation, I hope I’ll get to have more someday.”
She would go with her gut. “I’m going to need a nanny to help with the babies. Would you be interested in the job?”
Camille burst into tears.
No one moved.
“Are you okay?” Jolie asked, taking her hand in hers.
“I’m sorry, Mistress. It’s just that you’ve been so kind to allow me into your home. Now, you offer me the job as your nanny when most would have left us to fend for ourselves. I don’t have words to show how appreciative I am.”
“We’re the lucky ones, Camille.”
“Yeah, we’re far from ruthless. Look at our experienced killer. He was coloring, and doing a damn good job,” Flynn teased. “That Jacques…he’s a crayon obsessed maniac.”
“Shut up, Flynn,” he said, trying to give his friend a dirty look, but he knew he wasn’t buying it.
Mathew started laughing but stopped when Jolie looked over at him. “I’m sorry, Mistress, but Master Flynn isn’t so innocent. I heard him reading Hansel and Gretel. He was making all these crazy voices for the witch.”
Brogan lifted a brow. “Traitor. Wait until I start training you to use weapons. Someone is going to have an ass full of lead.”
Dangerous Retaliation (The Harcourte Vampyre Society Book 4) Page 22