Inside the door, they came to a halt.
There was nothing but carnage.
Jolie saw her donor and pushed past them to get to Mina’s side. She was on the floor, bleeding.
“Call Percy!” she ordered.
Jacques didn't hesitate. As he did what she asked, he took off his shirt to cover one of the women who didn't survive. They’d lost another donor to a vengeful Demetre.
When Percy arrived, he looked concerned. “Yes, Mistress?”
“Take Mina to your room. Heal her.”
He stared at her. “You mean...?”
Jolie didn't take bonding lightly, but from the amount of blood she’d lost, they were on the cusp of losing her. “Yes. Do it.”
He swept her up in his arms and carried her away.
Flynn knew she was pissed.
The energy around them crackled.
“I’m sorry, baby.”
Jolie couldn’t speak.
Jacques glanced over. “We have two babies who won’t make it if they wake.”
That was the last thing she wanted to hear.
With Flynn by her side, she picked up one of the bloodied infants. She didn't have to say a word.
The men in her life knew what she was about to do.
“Death!” she called.
Vanth appeared. “You need to speak to the mistress?”
Jolie held out the mortally wounded babies. They were with death, but once they tried to wake, they would die. “Tell her I’ll give her two kills for their lives.”
The men each stared at her. They knew what this would cost Jolie, but they couldn’t stop her.
Flynn stared down at the dead baby in his arms.
He hoped this worked.
“She said three, and it’s a deal--but they must be to her standard.”
“Deal.”
Vanth opened her arms, and the two babies were placed in them. Immediately, they began screaming for their mothers. The wounds were gone.
Thankfully, they saved their lives.
Percy raced back in. “Mistress!” he blurted, holding a rag on his wrist.
It was apparent that Mina was bonded.
“Yes?”
“I searched Mina’s mind. It was Demetre. He came in and pulled out a knife. He started hacking at them. He wasn’t himself.”
They knew why he was there, but she doubted that he worked alone.
“He took his child.”
“Great,” Flynn said. “If Zola helped him, she’s going to drink that child dry. She is no one’s ally.”
Jolie was well aware.
“I’m so sorry,” Tommy stated, still horrified by what he’d seen. This was like any of their crime scenes, and the three of them seemed so…calm.
She stared at him. “You saved Mina. Had you not come and got us, she would have bled to death. Thank you, Tommy.”
“I have to ask,” he began.
“Yes?”
“This doesn’t bother you?”
They all stared at him.
“Oh, it bothers me,” Jolie admitted. “I’m just used to the death and destruction.”
He shook his head.
That’s what scared him.
Would he become desensitized one day too?
Then he stared at his old partner.
Tommy had his answer.
* * * H a r c o u r t e * * *
They checked on Mina. When they woke her, so she could get another blood donation from Percy, Jolie felt the need to apologize. Here, they’d tied another human to them for all eternity.
Granted, it wasn’t to her, but still…Mina’s life had changed.
When they left, Jolie was brooding.
It didn't bode well for the men.
She was lost deep in thought, and they were curious as to what was bouncing around in her brain.
“Baby? Talk to us.”
“I can’t,” she stated. “I feel sick.”
They didn't think she meant about what they’d just seen. Jolie looked pale and was moving achingly slow.
“She needs to feed,” Jacques said, scooping her into his arms. “We’ll discuss everything else after. You and the children have to come first.”
She couldn’t wait. Instead, Jolie buried her fangs in his neck, right there in the hall.
He nearly stumbled.
Flynn caught him by the arm as he pulled them into their room.
Jacques braced his back against the wall as she fed voraciously from him. His whole body ached at her touch.
When Jolie was done, she slid to the floor. “Mmmmm, thank you, Jacques,” she said, sealing his gift with a kiss. “As always, you were incredibly tasty.”
“Yes, my love,” he stated, trying to focus past her mouth all over his.
Flynn saw her turn, and she was on him before he could even speak. They tumbled back, and thankfully, there was a bed there to catch them.
Her mouth worked over his pulse, taking deep sucks to fill her need. Flynn couldn’t fight the need building. He, too, ached for her, and always would. With each deep pull from his throat, lights and pleasure burst through his body.
“Baby,” he muttered, trying to get her to ease up. If she didn’t, he was going to embarrass himself.
When she released him, she followed it up with a kiss.
“I’m better now,” she said, smiling sweetly. “We should discuss what we’re going to do.”
Both men started laughing.
“Well, it’s nice to see you recover so easily,” Flynn stated.
“I need a cold shower,” Jacques admitted.
“Sorry,” she said, staring down at Flynn. “I can’t control the hunger anymore. I’m twice as ravenous.”
Good to know.
If they weren’t buried in a mess, they’d be rolling around in bed.
“What are we going to do now?” Jacques asked.
“I intend to contact Nathaniel and find out where Patrick likes to hide out.”
Flynn rolled, forcing her to her back so he could cuddle against her. “Why Patrick?”
Jolie looked up into his icy blue eyes. “I have a feeling that he has something to do with this, and I think that he might just lead us to Demetre and to Zola. His scent is in our home, which means that he was near Demetre.”
Jacques agreed. “If Demetre went to council, then we know Zola is having inside help. There’s no way they could be associated any other way, other than when they lived here at the same time.”
“I agree. If I find out Patrick is helping Zola, I’ll make him bleed.”
Jacques tossed her a phone. “You should make the call.”
Jolie dialed Nathaniel’s number. When he answered, he didn't even wait for her to explain what she needed.
“Hello, Jolie, I was just about to call you. Something is going on, and I suspect it has to do with your little problem.”
“What’s wrong?” she asked, glancing over at her mates.
“There’s been a rash of killings in the city. So far, we’ve contained it. The police only have them as missing persons.”
“Oh, I see. Are they being drained of their blood?”
“No, they are having their throats violently torn out, and the bodies are being left to bleed out.”
“Zola?”
“We suspect as much. You need to take care of this mess,” he said, rather sternly.
Jolie tensed. “I’m trying, Nathaniel, but it seems that one of yours is now helping one of mine, and that makes it both of our problem now. When will you be getting that white suit of yours dirty?”
He got quiet.
Yeah, she thought so.
“How do you know that she’s being aided by one of ours?”
“A suspicion. May I ask you something?”
“Yes.”
Jolie started pacing. “Was one of the humans from my family at council last evening?”
“Yes. He was petitioning an intervention against you for his child.”
Jol
ie nodded. “Was Patrick there?”
“Yes, which is odd, since he usually doesn’t attend,” he admitted, putting the pieces together. “Well, hell.”
“I need to know where he hides during the daylight.”
“I’ll call you back. He’s not in my family, but I’ll track the correct one down.”
“Thank you,” she said, ending the call.
“Now what?” Flynn asked.
“Get your gun ready, my love. We’re going to end this once and for all. I let him live too, and I’m beginning to think I’m going too soft.”
Jolie headed toward the shower to get cleaned up.
“She’s pissed.”
“Yes, she is, and thankfully, it’s not at us.”
Flynn shook his head. “Amen, my friend. A-freaking-men.”
∞ Chapter Thirty-Two ∞
Wednesday Afternoon
After her shower, she was quiet.
In fact, Jolie didn't want to talk to anyone but Nathaniel when he called. She was irritated with everything that was going on around them. From Zola taking the detective, and hurting him, to Demetre slaughtering the people she loved in her family.
This needed to end.
Her mistakes were costing lives. Jolie knew that this was all because she’d let Zola live. This was on her.
In the kitchen, Jolie wanted a cup of tea. Instead, she found two of her vampyres there…waiting.
So much for alone time.
She should know better.
Heading to the stove, she began heating the teakettle. When they didn't move, her suspicions were confirmed. There was a conversation coming.
“Mistress,” said Clariel softly.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, staring back and forth between them, sensing their trepidation.
This was new. While Mathew got freaked out easily, Clariel was the exact opposite.
“I made a mistake, Mistress,” she said, her voice quivering in fear.
Jolie lifted a brow. “What did you do?”
Instead of answering, the young vampyre dropped to her knees and buried her face against Jolie’s leg. Her muffled sobs were borderline hysterical.
“Mathew?”
“Please don’t blame her. It’s my fault. I should have remained awake. Punish me--not her.”
Jolie was beyond confused. “I don’t understand,” she said, as her mates joined her in the room.
“I think I do,” offered Flynn.
She pulled free of a weeping Clariel to join her men. “Please do,” she stated.
“Someone had to let Demetre into the house,” said Flynn. “The alarms were on and the house sealed.”
Jolie turned to Clariel, and she was beyond horrified. “You let him in?”
“Not intentionally, Mistress,” she sobbed.
Mathew moved in front of her. He stood there in a protective stance between the mistress and someone he’d watched over for many years.
“Mathew, move.”
When he didn’t, she stared at him. Was he actually disobeying her orders?
“Mistress, don’t hurt her. She didn't mean it.”
Now, Jolie was getting angry.
“I gave you an order, Mathew, and I expect you to obey it!”
He jumped at the tone in her voice, right before stepping out of her way. It was shocking since Jolie had never spoken to him like that before.
Jolie stared at the woman before her. “What happened?”
“Mistress, I’m so sorry,” Clariel said, crawling toward her. “I was helping Chloe. She was buried in work, so I offered to go out and pick up the things she needed for Cari.”
Jolie let her continue.
“I took a car from the garage.”
Flynn dropped his arm around Jolie’s waist. “And when you pulled out, you didn't look back to see if anyone entered as the door was closing.”
She lowered her eyes and nodded. “I told you. It’s my fault. I did this, Mistress.”
Jolie relaxed. She wasn’t betrayed. Instead, an innocent mistake had happened.
“Get up, Clariel.”
As the woman did, her vibrant curls bounced around her scared face. “I didn’t do it on purpose!” she vowed. “I love you, Mistress, and I’d die before doing anything to betray this family. This is my home.”
“I know. You can go back to your room. You’re not in trouble.”
“No! Mistress, you have to punish me. I caused two women’s deaths, and those poor babies were hurt.”
Yeah, and now Jolie was in debt to the mother of all powerhouses.
Good times.
“Clariel, I won’t punish an accident,” Jolie replied.
“Mistress, Please! I can’t rest knowing that you let me go on something so big. I screwed up, and I deserve to be punished. Please. I put the family in danger.”
She looked over at her mates, and they simply shrugged. The ball was in her court. Now, Jolie had to find something that wasn’t so horrible. While the mistake was costly, it was nothing more than an accident.
“Okay. No shopping for the rest of the week.”
Clariel gasped as if she was slapped.
Jolie tried not to laugh. “I’m sorry, but you’re the one who insisted on being punished. Being grounded is what I’ve come up with for you.”
The vampyre looked distraught. “Can’t you just beat me?”
The mates laughed.
“No, we can’t and won’t,” stated Jacques. “You heard the mistress. No shopping.”
Clariel mumbled, almost like a defiant child.
“What was that, little one?” asked Jolie, lifting an eyebrow.
“I think I would have preferred the beating,” she said, backing out of the room with her head bowed. She missed the smile on all three of their faces.
Mathew went to follow.
“Stop!” she said, all the joviality gone from her voice.
He froze in place. “Yes, Mistress?”
Jolie approached him. “Before, I gave you a direct order, and you disobeyed it. Why?”
“I didn’t want to see her hurt.”
“You think I’m capable of cruelty, Mathew?”
He didn't speak.
“I do believe your mistress has asked you a question,” she stated, moving closer. “When you’re spoken to, you respond. As guardian, I have to trust that you’ll do what I ask, not mull it over while something bad happens.”
He looked surprised. His eyes flickered toward Jolie’s mates.
“They won’t save you, Mathew. Both of them would do anything I asked, without questioning it.” As if to prove a point, she turned.
“Did you think I was going to hurt Clariel?”
They both laughed.
“Never,” Jacques stated.
“You wouldn’t hurt a fly,” Flynn teased, winking at her. He was a little surprised that Jolie was being tough on Mathew. She generally babied him.
It was good to see.
“You’re going to be punished too, Mathew,” she stated. “You’re a guardian in training. Did Jacques cover the part where I’m the boss?”
He nodded. “He did, Mistress.”
“Your punishment will be severe. A guardian is the weapon of the primus. The men behind me have both served, and if you want to get to their caliber, you’ll learn from this.”
He waited. “I can handle it.”
“You can’t go with us tonight.”
He looked up, but wisely said nothing.
“We’re going after Patrick, and you’re staying here. You’ll guard the house and play watchdog. Next time I give you an order, follow it. Are we clear?”
He nodded. “Yes, Mistress. I’m sorry.”
“You’re dismissed.”
Mathew left the room, and they knew he was distraught. When he was gone, both men grinned. Jolie knew they were happy. She was done playing favorites. The family was getting sloppy. First Balzac was taking control, Clariel was letting a killer in, and Mathew was dis
obeying.
Apparently, she was getting soft.
That ended here and now.
“What?” she asked, heading for the garage with both mates following.
“That was sexy,” Flynn stated, slapping her on the ass.
“You know, I can leave you behind too,” she stated.
Flynn stared down at her ass. “Behind, huh?”
Jacques snickered.
“Don’t feed into his boldness,” she warned. “In fact, call Nathaniel and get me that damn address. I’m sick and tired of playing games. We’re moving on Patrick now. The council can kiss my…”
She stopped. Jolie knew what Flynn was waiting for, and she wasn’t going there.
“Spoilsport,” he whispered in her ear as Jacques dialed. “Well, I’ll just keep it to myself. You can’t tell me not to have the sexy fantasies in my head.”
She snorted. “I love you, Flynn.”
“As you should. I’m a catch.”
Jacques rolled his eyes as he made the call. When he got the details, he hung up. “We’re set.”
“Great. Let’s go take care of this mess. Someone’s dying today.”
The men just hoped it wasn’t Jolie.
With their luck, one never knew.
* * * H a r c o u r t e * * *
When they finally reached the small house on the outskirts of New Orleans, they turned off their bikes. It was still somewhat sunny out, and they needed to move fast.
If they wanted in the house, where Patrick was hiding out, they couldn’t hesitate.
“It’ll be dusk soon,” Jacques warned.
As they approached the cheery red door, they paused. Flynn knew they couldn’t get in. He could feel the energy pushing against him.
“We have a problem,” he said, unable to enter the house.
Jolie scanned the structure and found a human downstairs. “I’ll get us in.” she said, tapping on the window until a man stumbled to the door.
“Yeah?” he muttered.
Jolie grinned seductively. “Invite me in.”
“Pardon?” he asked, rubbing his eyes.
“I want to come in,” she purred, putting the compulsion into his mind. When he didn't fight, she was pleased. Jolie wasn’t at her strongest.
He shrugged. “Come on in. Are you one of Patrick’s girls?” The man stepped out of her way.
Dangerous Retaliation (The Harcourte Vampyre Society Book 4) Page 45