Red Blooded

by Amanda Carlson

  “Nothing my cherry-red lipstick,” she quipped. “If that circle was dead it means she’s gone. Or something dreadful has happened. Leave it to those wenches to not contact me. I’m her only living, breathing relative—and, oh my goodness, Maggie! Listen, Jess, I’ll take care of things on your end, expect a plane out in less than twelve hours from whatever landing strip is closest to you. And I’ll call the front desk as soon as I hang up, but I need to get on this. I’ll contact you as soon as I can.”

  “Sounds good,” I said. “And Marcy?”

  “Yeah?”

  “It’s great to hear your voice.”

  “Of course it is, because it’s getting your rump out of Rum Cay.”

  Dad, can you hear me?

  Nothing.

  Tyler, are you back yet?

  Nothing.

  I slammed my fist into the pillow in frustration. It broke on impact and feathers burst into the air like I’d blown the top off a dandelion. “Dammit.” I tossed it on the floor.

  “I take it no luck again?” Rourke asked as he tied the complimentary bathrobe around his waist. It barely closed, but it was a big step up from a tablecloth.

  We were in the fanciest villa they had, but it had taken Marcy an hour to convince them they’d somehow lost our reservation. I had no idea if she’d used magic, but I didn’t care.

  “No, no luck. I wish they’d answer.”

  “We need to be patient,” he said. “Tyler is probably back, but too far away for your communication to work. Your dad may be fighting, and we know that takes up brainpower. Not to mention your habit of blocking him.”

  “I just hate not knowing.” Marcy hadn’t called us back since we’d arrived in the room and it’d been four restless hours. I’d known when the money transfer had gone through, however, because once it showed up, the staff had bent over backward for us. They’d even brought an assortment of clothes to our room from the resort boutique when we’d loosely explained that our luggage had been somehow stolen.

  Rourke had looked delicious in the white linen pants, but he refused to wear them, preferring the robe. I had on new capri pants and a navy blue T-shirt. It was the best combat outfit they had, seeing as I couldn’t fight in a sundress.

  Rourke strode over and opened the double doors to our massive balcony, which jutted right over clear sapphire water. “I want you to try to enjoy the last few hours left of any real downtime we’ve ever had. If I had my way, you’d be sleeping right now. Well”—he paused to glance back at me with a grin—“after some nice, relaxing one-on-one time.” His voice had turned throaty and it sent chills racing up my spine. “And a long soak in that double Jacuzzi.”

  I rubbed my arms. “That does sound like heaven. I guess there’s no harm in considering this a honeymoon of sorts—”

  There was a whooshing noise and half a beat later Naomi landed cleanly on the balcony in front of the open door, her familiar voice chiming in, “Ma Reine, I am glad to see you. I hope I am not interrupting anything.” She stood with her hands crossed demurely in front of her, like she hadn’t just flown over the ocean to find me.

  “Naomi!” I cried as I jumped out of bed and ran to hug her. Rourke scowled as I raced by, but I knew he was as relieved as I was to see her. “Of course you’re not interrupting anything. It’s good to see you again.” I pulled her into my arms.

  She hugged me back tentatively, clearly not used to physical affection. “Marcy sent me here as soon as I returned from the Coven,” she said. “I’ve brought you your things.” She slipped off a small backpack and handed it to me. “Along with some other incidentals Marcy thought you might need. There is no airstrip here, so you are booked out on the five a.m. ferry. It will take you to a bigger island, where a plane will be waiting.”

  I set the backpack on the ground and unzipped it, my eyebrow rising as I immediately spotted a scrap of material no bigger than a hanky sitting on top. I drew it out on my index finger to reveal a pink, lacy thong. Naomi blushed. “She felt… you might need, and these are her words, ‘to put some sexy back in your life after being forced to wear those awful fatigues.’ ” A pink thong was indeed better than witch fatigues, and most definitely better than a demon jumpsuit.

  “That sounds like Marcy,” I said, tossing it back in. The bag also contained all our identification, which Marcy would’ve taken from the Coven when she left. A new outfit for me—my usual spandex—and a set of new toothbrushes. I zipped it back up and led Naomi by the hand to a cute table and chairs with an umbrella on the balcony. “Is the sun hurting you?” I asked.

  “Non,” she said. “In fact, it feels wonderful.” Her skin was a nice rosy pink and didn’t seem to be blistering too much.

  “Okay,” I said, once we were situated at the table. “Fill me in. Let’s start with the Coven. What did you find out?”

  “The manor was empty when I arrived,” she said. “I could not get very close, as the exterior was still spelled and warded, but I detected no sound or movement inside for the time I was there.”

  “Damn,” I said, rubbing the back of my neck absentmindedly. “What did Marcy say when you returned to the office?”

  “She was on the phone most of the time trying to track down her aunt and small cousin. Once she was finished, she had me gather some supplies and sent me here.”

  “What about my father and my Pack?” I asked. “When did they leave for Florida?”

  “They left a little less than three weeks ago. I was not included in any of the planning or events, so I have very few details to share. Marcy has been in touch with her mate throughout, but I do not know their exact location.” She leaned in. “I do not think Marcy knows either. He has kept it secret for fear she would break her promise and follow him there.”

  I nodded. James would’ve had to be crafty, knowing full well Marcy would follow if she could find a way to shimmy out of her end of the deal. James knew the Made wolves would kill her instantly if given a chance, and he wouldn’t take that lightly. “Is the plane she booked ready to take us anywhere we wish?”

  “I believe so, though Marcy said they would have to log a flight plan ahead of time, so she said, ‘Tell her to keep her pink undies on while they figure it out.’ ” I nodded. Marcy knew we’d plan to follow my father, and she’d likely told the pilot we would be going somewhere in south Florida when she booked him.

  “I’m going to need you to do some more investigating for me, Naomi. Marcy said you had a knack for it and I believe it. It’s actually the perfect job for you.” She smiled and that made me happy. “The Made wolves and the fracture pack are someplace in the Everglades. It’s a huge area to cover, but I want you to try and find them. Start with the smallest city and go from there. The towns you’re going to be looking for won’t be on any regular maps, they’ll be more like homesteads. Search for lights and stay well out of the way, and don’t touch ground if you don’t have to. If you don’t have any luck, go to the nearest populace and try to inquire about any rumored voodoo in the area. There is an abundant amount of Haitian voodoo in Florida. The locals will know what you’re talking about, and if they give you blank stares, move to the next town. Once you have any information, or detect any supernatural activity, I want you to turn around and come back. Don’t go in alone. Meet us at the plane tomorrow regardless of what you find and we’ll go the rest of the way together.”

  Her eyes sparked with adventure. “I will see it done. I hadn’t thought I would enjoy what humans call private investigating, but I am finding it quite adequate. Since I am a tracker by nature, this is, how do you say, right up my alley?”

  I tossed my head back and laughed. “I’d say you’re finding it more than adequate, and I’m happy Marcy was smart enough to give you the job.”

  Naomi stood. “I will leave now. The ferry ride tomorrow should take you approximately forty-five minutes. Once you are on the larger island, there will be a taxi waiting to take you to the landing strip. I will see you there, Ma Reine. Stay safe.” />
  I stood and grabbed her wrist before she could take off. “Wait, there’s one more thing I need to share with you before you go.”

  “What is it?” she asked.

  “I had to make a very tough decision while I was in the Underworld. You need to know Selene is alive and she and Ray are on her way back to this plane together.”

  Naomi let out a small gasp. “I don’t understand. Why would you allow her to come back into our world?”

  “There are so many things I have to share with you.” I gripped both her wrists. “And I understand you’ve put trust in me time and time again, and I’m asking you to do it again now. If I thought Selene could harm us, I would not have brought her back. I swear that to you. She’s lost all her magic and is essentially dead. The demons stole almost everything from her. Expect for one piece. For some unknown reason her soul won’t leave her body. She’s a walking shell of what she used to be, and because of that she needed to return with us.”

  Naomi’s face was inscrutable. We hadn’t known each other for that long and it was hard to know what she was thinking.

  She remained quiet as Rourke moved forward and added, “Listen, I know how you feel. Hearing that has to be a blow. I wanted her dead just like you. No more chances. I actually voted not to bring her back here, but Jessica is right, the demons tried and they couldn’t kill her. Something else is going on here and we’re going to have to wait and see how it all plays out whether we like it or not.”

  “Naomi,” I said. “I’m putting you in charge of her incarceration. It will be up to you how long she needs to serve her time and what her punishment will be. We can talk about it later, but just because she’s coming back to this plane doesn’t mean she’s absolved of her crimes. She will pay for them, however and for however long you deem fit.”

  “I understand what you’re both saying,” Naomi finally answered, her voice quiet. “I appreciate it, but it will take some time for me to adjust to this news. I’m certain I will come to see your viewpoints, but I’m finding it hard for my mind to grasp giving her a chance”—she shuddered—“for she has made my life so miserable for so many centuries.”

  I reached out and embraced Naomi again, and she let me. “I know,” I whispered. “And I’m so sorry. The only answer I have is that I felt compelled to bring her back with us. She has a role to play yet. This road we’re on is going to be full of twists and turns, and some of them are going to be extremely hard—but I promise you, if she misbehaves, she will die. You have my oath.” I held Naomi at arm’s length and looked in her eyes. “Ray is likely the only supernatural in the universe who can truly end her life, which I find ironic since his life could’ve ended in her cave. And if it hadn’t been for you, we wouldn’t be here right now, because Ray would’ve died. There is something bigger than us at work here, and I believe bringing her back to this plane is the right choice for now. We will have to do our best and be patient as we see how this unfolds.”

  As we separated, Naomi nodded. “Okay, I understand,” she said. “I can handle this. Thank you for preparing me. I will see you tomorrow morning and I will hopefully have news to share.”

  “Travel safe,” I said. “And remember, I don’t want you to take any unnecessary risks.”

  “I won’t. I will see you soon, Ma Reine.” She paced to the edge of the balcony and shot up into the sky. She went so fast, there was no worry that a human would see. If anything, they’d think it was a passing bird. And once they did a double take, she would be long gone.

  Rourke came over and slid his arm around my waist. I leaned my head against his shoulder. “Do you think she’s going to be okay with all this?” I asked him.

  “Jess, she’s a supernatural,” he said, kissing the top of my head. “She’s not a human. The things she’s seen in her lifetime would shatter most. She’s a fighter and that’s one of the main reasons why I like her.”

  “I’m glad you like her, because I do too,” I replied. “She has the ability to turn on the badass when she needs it. And I actually can’t wait to see how Selene deals with that. Naomi will have her justice yet, and my guess is she just might enjoy it.”

  30

  Jess! Are you on this plane yet?

  I shot straight up in bed, panting. Tyler? Is that you? I brought both my hands to my head and pressed, glancing at the clock next to my bedside. It was 3:47 a.m.

  Yes, it’s me, he said impatiently. Where are you?

  In the Bahamas, if you can believe it.

  The Bahamas? We just landed about five minutes ago. How can you already be settled?

  Rourke had risen beside me immediately. “Who is it? Is it your dad?” he asked.

  I shook my head. “No, my brother. Apparently they just landed.”

  I addressed Tyler. I have no idea why we arrived before you. The Underworld is freaky like that. Do you have your location yet?

  Danny thinks we’re somewhere on the Shenandoah Mountain. But he only thinks that because one time he met a Virginia girl and she had the same flower smell in her hair. But we’re definitely in a forest of some kind. Very remote. We’re going to shift and run. I don’t smell people yet, but as soon as we do, we will figure it out.

  If Tyler couldn’t scent any people they were very remote. Just keep running and head south. We’re on our way to the Everglades in the morning. You were right. Things have blown up with the Made wolves in our absence. The entire Pack is circling the Everglades trying to take them down. I haven’t been able to get ahold of Dad, but that’s not unusual for me. Have you tried?

  No, I dialed you up first. Once I’m in my wolf form I should be able to contact him.

  Sounds good, I said. Keep me informed.

  Will do. Any word about the Hags or the witches?

  “Where are they?” Rourke asked as he slid from the bed.

  “Possibly in Virginia. I told them to meet us in Florida.” I slipped out of bed and slipped on a robe. No, I answered Tyler. The witches are indeed gone, but we don’t know where to yet. The entire Coven is empty. But Marcy—

  The phone rang by my bedside, jarring me out of my conversation.

  What is it? Tyler asked, sensing the shift in my thoughts. Is something wrong?

  It’s just the phone, but I have to go. I’ll let you know where the plane lands tomorrow and we’ll rendezvous before we head in. I want us to have strength in numbers.

  I’ll be in touch. He clicked off.

  The phone rang twice more and I eased away from it. Something strange was coming off it.

  “I’m not sure you should answer that,” Rourke said, meeting my gaze from across the room.

  “I’m not planning on it,” I responded.

  It stopped.

  I walked around the bed and by the time I rounded the end it rang again.

  We both turned to stare at it. “That phone is giving off a serious magic signature,” Rourke said as he approached it slowly, moving me out of the way. “It doesn’t feel like anything I’ve ever encountered before, and I’ve come in contact with almost every species of supernatural on the planet.” The moment he got close enough to answer the phone, it abruptly shut off. He glanced up at me, his eyes alight. “We are leaving here now.”

  I wasn’t going to argue.

  Scrambling to the other end of the room, I snatched up the backpack Naomi had brought and raced toward the bathroom. I yanked on the outfit Marcy had packed, sans the underwear in favor of the cotton pair I’d just bought. Rourke was on the phone with the front desk in the other room.

  “I don’t care how much it’s going to cost me,” he yelled. “Yes, a fishing boat is just fine. We want to leave immediately. Yes, we’ll be there in four minutes.” He hung up right as I exited the bathroom. I finished tying my hair up in a ponytail and stood facing him. Thankfully I’d had a chance to shower and shave.

  “They’re going to charter us a fishing boat,” he said. “The marina is on the other side of the island a little farther than the ferry dock.”<
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  “I’m all set,” I said.

  He made a frustrated noise as he slid into the white linen pants and the button-up shirt. “These clothes are a joke. I won’t be able to move in them.”

  I walked up to him and adjusted his collar. “I think you look hot. You can pull off white linen extremely well. It makes you look island sexy.” I bit my lip, trying not to smile. The man looked unbelievable, but he had a point. The idea of trying to fight rabid wolves in white linen was enough to make me crack up. “Don’t worry.” I patted his chest, curbing my laughter. “Once we’re on the mainland, we’ll find you some appropriate fighting gear.”

  Before I could move away he pulled me close, his delicious stubble rubbing the side of my cheek as he murmured, “This was the best mini-vacation I’ve ever had in my entire life. I hope this can last us until the next time we get another moment to breathe.”

  “I hope so too,” I said, threading my arms around his neck. “Sleep… and fulfilling recreation has made me feel like a brand-new woman.”

  “Jessica,” he said, meeting my gaze. “We haven’t really had a chance to talk about anything that happened in the Underworld, but before we race out of here I need to know you’re really okay. You seem the same, except you have a hell of a lot more magic. I saw the transfer happen with my own eyes, and I can feel it inside you now, but I keep thinking your signature is going to change, or morph, or ignite. Instead you’ve essentially stayed the same. I’m not going to pretend to understand it, and I’m fine with it as long as you’re okay.”

  The power of five had settled in and become a part of me with little fuss, like the demon essence before it. It was dormant at the moment, but I knew I could call on it when I needed it. Either all at once, or independently. But I had no real explanation of what was going on inside me, or why my body worked the way it did. “Honestly, I think my special gift just happens to be adapting magic. It’s as simple and as complicated as that. Tyler can run faster than any other supe, James can heal faster, Nick can use persuasion, and my body just happens to take in the magic of other supernaturals.”