by Jaye Wells
When she thought about all of the time she had wasted running errands for Raven, her blood boiled. She had betrayed Sydney, whom she had always admired, for nothing. Anger was replaced with guilt, which ate at her midsection as she stalked to her car.
She had momentarily considered going back in and telling the other minions about Raven’s duplicity, but decided to let those idiots find out for themselves. Most of them were kids anyway. They would have plenty of time to recover once they figured out Raven’s duplicity.
She got into her ’Vette and started the engine. The rearview mirror caught her gaze. She looked, really looked at herself for the first time in months. Even with the black streaks from her eye makeup, she looked pretty damn good. What had gotten into her?
She thought back to the beginning of this whole fiasco—her fiftieth birthday. Something snapped in her when she woke up that morning and realized how much of her life was wasted. Having been through two husbands—both of whom she married for money—she’d never relied on her own talents to survive. Her looks had been her only currency. But the men who used to faun over her were now chasing younger women, and suddenly the temporary job she took at the museum to hold on until she found another husband had become a necessity. She couldn’t stand the idea that for the next twenty years she might be working for the Marvin Stiggler’s of the world.
On that fateful day, instead of going back to school or trying to enrich herself from the inside, she had become obsessed with restoring her appearance.
Briefly she considered plastic surgery, but one of those horrible shows on television that showed what happened during those surgeries had ended that train of thought. She might be vain, but she wasn’t a masochist.
It originally seemed Raven appeared in her life by chance. Geraldine had been sitting depressed and desperate at the Chanel makeup counter when Raven approached. It seemed one minute she was discussing the proper application of foundation (upward strokes) with the gorgeous young woman, and the next she was at the warehouse listening to a spiel about gaining eternal life. Later, she realized Raven had used mind control on her, but by then she was sold on the idea of becoming a vampire.
“Stupid fool,” Geraldine said to her reflection as she swiped angrily at the black streaks on her cheeks. Her vanity had been her downfall. What was worse, because of her, poor Sydney was a pawn in Raven’s scheme and could be in danger.
Taking a deep breath, Geraldine decided she had to do something to make everything right. She had to find Logan.
She put the Corvette in gear and sped toward his house. She would help him save Sydney. Then she would get to work on fixing her life.
Logan struggled to remain calm as he listened to his brother talk on the phone. Callum had reached the end of his list, and no one knew where Raven’s hideout was located.
He reminded himself Raven wasn’t known for harming innocent mortals and ignored the voice in his head that said her recent behavior hinted at desperation. He itched to get in his car and beat down every door he came across until he found her. But he needed to keep a clear head.
“Logan, I’m sorry. No one knows where she is,” Callum said after he hung up and walked over to sit next to Logan.
“Anyone have any other ideas?” Logan asked.
Four sympathetic faces looked back at him.
“This is ridiculous! How can Raven elude us like this?”
“Darling, she doesn’t want to be found. You know as well as I do our kind can be very skillful at going to ground when we need to,” Kira said.
“Um, what do you mean ‘our kind’?” Jorge asked hesitantly from his chair by the fireplace.
“Jorge, darling, you didn’t hear that. Why don’t you take a nap?” Kira suggested with a wave of her hand. Immediately Jorge’s head fell back and his snores filled the room.
Kira sent an amused glance to Logan. “There.”
Logan ran his hands through is hair and stood to resume his pacing. “I can’t just sit around waiting anymore.”
“Son, I know you are worried. We all are. But you can’t get yourself too worked up. We’ll find her.”
The doorbell rang, causing Logan’s retort to die on his lips. He stopped pacing and looked around at his companions.
“Are you expecting anyone?” Callum asked as he stood.
“No,” Logan said. He began walking to the foyer, followed by his family. He tried to remain calm even as his mind hoped Sydney waited on the other side of the door.
He opened the door to find a woman he had never met standing there. One look at the four people staring at her and the woman took a step back.
“Uh, hi, you don’t know me. But I know where Sydney is.”
Chapter Seventeen
“Who are you? Did Raven send you?” Logan fired at the woman who stood defiantly on his doorstep. Despite the dark smudges under her eyes, she was an attractive woman. Wearing a pink twin set with pearls and black slacks, she didn’t look at all like one of Raven’s minions.
“My name is Geraldine. I work with Sydney. And no, Raven, definitely didn’t send me."
Logan scanned her mind and knew she told the truth. He also noted the woman was sending off some major hatred vibes in relation to Raven’s name. He still didn’t trust her though. The woman obviously knew Raven. It could be a trap.
“Logan, let her in. I think we should hear her out,” Kira said, placing a hand on his arm.
“Fine, but I am warning you. If you lie to us, we’ll know immediately. You won’t like the consequences,” he said.
Geraldine looked at the four vampires staring her down. “I know who you are and what you’re capable of. I am here to help Sydney. I owe it to her after what I did.”
“You better come in and tell us what’s going on,” Kira said, reaching around Logan to guide Geraldine into the house.
The three men followed the women into the living room. Logan stood at the mantel while the others sat. He noticed Geraldine ring her hands anxiously as she refused his mother’s offer of a drink.
“Okay, where is she?” he impatiently demanded, ignoring his mother’s scolding look. He didn’t care if he was being rude. The only thing that mattered was getting Syd back unharmed.
“What did you do to Jorge?” Geraldine asked, sending a curious look at Sydney’s drooling assistant.
“He insisted on helping us find Sydney. But he doesn’t know about us, we so couldn’t have him asking questions. He’s resting peacefully,” Kira explained.
“Makes sense,” Geraldine said, seeming to take the information in stride.
“Where’s Sydney?” he repeated.
Geraldine took a deep breath. “Raven has her in a warehouse downtown. She is planning on using Sydney’s blood for a spell to gain control of Logan’s mind.”
“What?” Callum asked. “A spell?”
“Yes. Raven got her hands on some ancient book, Blood Grimoir she called it, and found a spell to control other vampires’ minds. That’s why she’s been harassing you. She needed the blood of an elder vampire, an image of the vampire whose mind she wants to control, and the blood of his soul mate to complete the spell,” Geraldine explained.
“I’ll kill her” Kira asked.
“She thinks if she can control Logan she can prevent Lifeblood from hitting the market. As for the soul mate aspect, I spied on Logan and Sydney,” she admitted, sending Logan an apologetic look. “I heard him say something about wishing he could read her mind the night they fought in the driveway. I’m so sorry. This is all my fault.”
Logan held himself back. Geraldine’s admission made him want to punish her for her hand in all of this, but without her they’d never find Raven.
“What is your role in all this?” Callum asked.
“I am—was—one of Raven’s minions. She said she would turn me so I could stay young if I helped her. I didn’t know she never intended to keep that promise until after I betrayed Sydney. We have to stop her before she completes the spell.�
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“That’s ridiculous!” Logan exclaimed. “Even Raven isn’t idiotic enough to believe a spell can give her control over me. In the old days many believed in its magic and saw it as a kind of bible, but these days how can anyone take it seriously?”
“Logan, you know Raven believes in the old ways. That’s the whole reason she fights the advances we have made over the last hundred years. She honestly believes we’re gods and that our powers have a magical source,” Kira said.
“Her plans really don’t matter. We’re going to stop her. Even if she doesn’t really plan on hurting Sydney, kidnapping her is unforgivable. Sydney must be terrified,” Logan said.
“Actually, kidnapping her was my doing. Raven would have settled for some of her blood, but I panicked and kidnapped her.” Geraldine cringed as if waiting for Logan to attack her.
He just stared at her.
“I’m so sorry. I was an old fool. You have to go get her and punish Raven. I know she has hurt your family, and she is leading all those kids who follow her like the Pied Piper. They have no idea they’re all pawns.”
Kira put an arm around Geraldine. “You did the right thing coming here. We’ll save her,” Kira said.
“Tell us where this warehouse is,” Logan said.
“Actually, I was hoping I could show you. I have a few things I want to say to Raven,” Geraldine said as she stood. Her resolute stance convinced Logan to take her. His experience with stubborn women told him arguing would only delay the inevitable. Besides, they needed to get moving.
“You can come. But stay out of our way until we say it’s safe,” Logan said.
“I will,” she promised.
“Let’s go,” Logan said, rallying the troops.
“Uh, Logan, whose car should we take? Raven’s spies might be on the look out for any of our cars. Besides, I don’t think any of us have enough room for five.” Callum said.
He looked at Geraldine for confirmation.
She shook her head. “Corvette.”
“Shit,” Logan said, tired of the constant complications. “I guess we’re going to have to pile into Sydney’s Focus.”
“Shotgun!” Kira announced and headed out the door.
Logan grabbed the keys from Syd’s purse, which Jorge brought with him from the museum. Now that he knew where to find her, he couldn’t wait to take her in his arms and keep her safe. Once he had her back, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to let her go. Ever.
Soul mate or not, Sydney meant everything to him. Whether it was fate or chemistry that created their connection, he needed her in his life. His panic and longing for her over the last few hours convinced him that no matter what he had to convince her to be with him. It felt as if his own heart was missing with her. Once he had her back safe, they were going to have a long talk.
He shook his head, watching his four companions squeeze into Sydney’s small car.
“Mother, quit fighting with Callum over who gets shotgun, and get in the damned car,” he said as he got in.
“Logan, I know you’re worried about rescuing Syd, but there’s no cause to be rude,” Kira said as she shoved Callum and dove into the front seat.
Callum glared at her for a moment before folding his tall frame into the backseat. Alaric had the other window seat, and Geraldine was sardined in the middle. If Logan wasn’t so worried, he would have laughed.
When he imagined swooping in to rescue Sydney, it seemed a bit more romantic than this. A compact sedan filled with his misfit family was a far cry from swooping in wearing shining armor on a trusty steed. But as long as he got Syd back, he didn’t care.
“Miss Worth, it’s time. Come with me, please,” said the Robert Smith look-alike that came to get her. His love of the band The Cure was apparent from his black T-shirt. So pale his skin almost glowed, Syd wondered if he ever went out in the sun.
“Can I ask you a question?” Syd said, stalling for time.
“I guess,” he said with a shrug. Syd guessed he wasn’t a day over sixteen.
“Why do you want to be a vampire?”
His dull eyes lit up. “It would totally rock. First, I’ll, like, never die. Also, no one will be able to beat me up anymore. But the best part is I’ll have all the chicks I want. Not that I don’t get tons of babes now. But once Raven turns me, no woman will be able to resist me. Especially those snotty cheerleaders at my school.”
Syd felt sorry for the guy. Obviously, he saw becoming a vampire as his escape from being a geek.
“And you really believe Raven is going to turn you?”
“Of course. She promised,” he said belligerently.
“I’d get that in writing if I were you, kid,” she replied.
“Whatever. You gotta come with me now. Can’t keep the mistress waiting.” He reached down and untied her from the chair. Shaking out her hands, Syd grimaced as pins and needles shot through her fingers. She knew she’d never be able to overpower the kid, especially when he grabbed her arms roughly behind her and guided her forward.
“Listen, what would it take to convince you to let me go? I’ll do anything,” Syd said in a desperate attempt for freedom.
He paused. “Anything?” he asked with a hopeful note in his voice. Syd immediately caught his train of thought.
“Except sleep with you,” she amended.
“Then no deal,” he said and shoved her forward again.
“How about money?” she pleaded.
“Huh-uh. My dad owns a bank and stuff,” he grumbled.
Deflated, Sydney shuffled her feet to slow their progress. He pushed her out of the storeroom and into the dimly lit, open warehouse area. Crates and palettes littered the walls, and the stale smell of abandon permeated the air. Her eyes scanning the space, Syd stumbled at the scene in the center of the room.
Someone had draped a stack of crates with a length of crimson velvet. Large pillar candles stood at the corners of the platform and cast an eerie glow around the makeshift altar.
Raven stood next to the platform. In deference to the ceremony, she had changed into blood-red leather pants that clung to her like a second skin. Her black silk halter top made it obvious the woman held no special affinity for bras. The dominatrix-inspired ensemble was completed with a black satin cape and stiletto boots. Syd thought it a strange choice for ceremonial garb, but who was she to question the fashion choices of a lunatic?
“Tsk, tsk, Sydney. After all, are you really in a position to judge fashion?” Raven said, gesturing to Sydney’s outfit.
She looked down at her jeans and sneakers. “Hey, it’s not like I woke up this morning and thought to myself, ‘I might end up a sacrifice in a crazy vampire’s blood ceremony tonight, so maybe I should dress up.’”
Raven chuckled. “Don’t worry. I have another outfit for you. Here.” She handed Syd a garment bag.
“Go behind the crates over there and put these on,” Raven demanded.
Syd had no idea what Raven was up to, but she figured anything that delayed the ceremony was better than nothing. At least she thought that until she opened the bag and got a peek at the joke of an outfit Raven wanted her to wear.
“Not just no—hell no,” Sydney exclaimed, waving the red leather Princess Leia Return of the Jedi bikini monstrosity in the air.
Raven’s laugh echoed in the cavernous room. “Come on Sydney. Where’s your adventurous spirit?”
“I left it in my other pants,” Syd replied. “There’s no way on God’s green earth you’re getting me in this get up.”
Raven squinted her eyes and growled, “Put it on.”
“No,” Sydney replied, crossing her arms.
Raven sighed. “Pretty please?”
“Huh-uh.”
“Damn. Oh well. I just wanted to see if you’d do it. You’ve got spirit, Sydney. I like that. If you want to wear those frumpy clothes, it’s no skin off my nose,” she said.
“You are a freak,” Sydney said, meaning it.
“Thanks,” Raven
replied. “Now, it’s almost midnight. Time to hop up on the altar.”
“Before I do anything, I want to know what’s going to happen,” Syd said, stalling again.
Raven sighed. “You know, I miss the good old days when mortals jumped to do my bidding. Now you’re all ‘Why?’ and ‘What’s in it for me?’ It’s sad really.
“Okay, here’s the deal. I need to mix a few drops of your blood with the old fart vamps’ blood I stole from Logan. Then I drop that mixture onto the painting while reciting an incantation.”
“Hold it. You can’t put blood on the painting. It’s a valuable piece of art,” Syd commanded, cringing at the mere mention of defacing a painting.
Raven strolled over to the painting, which stood on an easel near the makeshift altar.
“This old thing? Please. We both know its real value is sentimental. Once Logan is under my control, he won’t care if it has a few stains on it,” Raven said.
“Raven, please, why are you doing this? You know as well as I do that if your spell worked, Callum or Alaric could handle the release of Lifeblood.”
“Not if I blackmail them,” Raven replied in a singsong voice.
Now Sydney was getting angry. Not only did Raven want to take Logan’s life’s work away from him, she wanted to use him to blackmail his family. Syd might be conflicted over her feelings for Logan, but she cared about the Murdoch family. She couldn’t let Raven hurt them.
“I take it back. You’re not a freak—you’re a bitch,” Syd said.
Raven laughed. “Sticks and stones, Sydney. I’ve been called far worse. Now, if you’re done playing the loyal girlfriend, we’ll get started.”
“No, I won’t let you do this!” Syd said and started to back away. She frantically searched the room for an escape route. But minions blocked every exit. She wasn’t really intimidated by the gangly crew of misfits, but she knew Raven would catch her before she could make it five feet.
Raven heaved a deep sigh. “Sydney, enough horsing around. Just be a good girl and this will be over quickly. I really don’t want to hurt you. But if I have to, I will. I’ve worked too hard for this for some mortal chick to give me lip.”