When I turn to her this time, her eyes are glittering with tears. The show of emotion is so unlike the woman I’ve known my entire life that I can’t even begin to figure out just how I’m supposed to handle it.
Should we shake hands?
Hug?
“I only ever wanted to be there for you, Rainey.”
“Then why weren’t you? Why didn’t you let me know you were alive? I’m a cop, for fuck’s sake. I could have helped you hide. Kept you safe until we figured out what to do.”
She smiles. “You are far too honorable to allow me to stay in hiding. My reveal would have led to you going to Salem much earlier than now, and the dominos would have fallen faster than we could have anticipated.”
“They’ve fallen pretty fucking fast already.”
“They have,” she agrees. “Though you managed to fend Heather off for weeks, Rainey. It took a great wave of pain to knock you down and bring her forward.”
“So?”
“It took her mere minutes to take over my mind while you managed to beat her back. Why do you think that is, I wonder?”
I consider her question, running through all the known differences between my grandmother and me. “Because I had no active magic?”
“Elijah,” she says softly as she shakes her head. “Your vampire kept you grounded when otherwise you would have been lost. Had you found that box before meeting him, I have no doubt things would have turned out far differently.”
“Elijah,” I whisper, both surprised and not at her revelation. Since the moment I woke up and found him in my apartment, I’ve felt something for him. A connection far stronger than anything I could have anticipated. “You believe in fate?”
Throwing her head back, she barks out a laugh. “I do, my dear. Fate is a fickle bitch, but she is very, very real.”
I consider everything that’s happened to me over the last few weeks. From the very first moment I met Jack and Elijah in that club, to the attack in the alley that left me nearly dead, and finally to Heather taking control.
If all of this is fated—then was there ever a chance for me to stop it? Or has my only option ever been damage control?
“You will see this through, Rainey, and I’m so damned sorry I wasn’t here to show you how to survive. That I deceived you into believing you were the last of the Astors. I will never forgive myself for what I felt I had to do.”
I swallow hard. “I do.” Two words I never thought I would say to the woman I’d once looked up to. “I forgive you for all of it.” If she’d apologized even a few weeks ago, I would have scoffed and turned my back on her as she had on me all those years ago.
But after what I’ve seen? After nearly walking away from Elijah and making the biggest mistake of my life by going after Heather alone? I have no room to judge, and I know it. Besides, if I’ve learned anything, it’s that even immortal life can be a hell of a lot shorter than we’re prepared for.
And if I’m to meet the reaper, I will do it with a clear head and a light heart. Because the dead I carry upon my shoulders already weigh me down enough.
21
Rainey
Dawn breaks, and with it, light streams in through the window, bathing my face in warmth. Stretching, I roll over to where Elijah slept. When I open my eyes, I meet mismatched ones that are nothing like the ice-blue I was expecting.
I surge up in bed as my brain becomes fully awake and I process who I’m seeing. “Shit! Jane!”
She grins at me. “You’re so pretty in the morning.”
Gripping my pillow, I lift my head enough to pull it out from beneath me and smack her in the face with it. “What are you doing in here?”
“Sorry that I’m not a tattooed, muscled, and delicious Irishman. I’m just here to wake you for breakfast.”
“Where’s Elijah?”
“At the blood bar with Tarnley.”
I shoot out of bed, sheet pooling at my waist and baring my breasts for the world to see. Well, maybe not the world, but Jane definitely gets an eyeful. “He’s out?”
“In the world?” She gasps. “Yes! But your fae and Jack went with him.”
“He’s not my fae.”
She shrugs. “He’s following you around as your own, personal bodyguard, so I’d say he’s yours.” Rolling out of bed, she tosses my pillow back at me. “Now, while I’m not opposed to your boobs first thing in the morning, cover them up and come have some breakfast with me. I don’t know how long the penises will be out of the house, and I want to spend time with you.”
She turns to leave but stops right before stepping out into the hall. “I’m really glad you’re back,” she whispers and steps out, shutting the door behind her.
Grinning, I get out of bed and start getting dressed.
As soon as I’m clothed, I make my way out of the room, following my nose to the kitchen where I inhale deeply and nearly weep with joy as I take in the full spread of French toast, eggs, bacon, and fresh coffee before me.
Jane is just setting the syrup on the table when I arrive, and I head straight for the coffee pot. But she stops me with a wave of her hand. “Sit, I will serve you.”
“I’ll get it, Jane.”
“No. It’s been a hot minute since I was able to serve you coffee, and I want to. It will give me some feeling of normalcy.”
“How can I argue with that?” I do as instructed, and take my seat at the table as Jane pours two mugs of steaming coffee and sets one in front of me before taking her own seat.
I start piling food onto my plate, slathering the French toast with peanut butter before drenching it in syrup.
Brow arched, Jane watches me. “I’m always shocked at your eating habits.”
“If I hadn’t eaten those skittles you gave me for dinner, I would be dumping those on too.”
Jane laughs, not at all surprised by my comment, and fills her own plate. We eat in silence for a few minutes, simply enjoying the quiet of the house and the delicious flavor of the food. With each bite, I swear I get even hungrier, so finally I push my plate away to let the five slices, three eggs, and six pieces of bacon settle.
Then, I may have seconds.
Possibly even thirds.
“So why did they head to the blood bar?”
“Honestly? I think to give us some space,” she replies, wiping her mouth with a napkin. “Either that or they got tired of me kicking them out of the kitchen. Fearghas transported them so Tarnley didn’t have to use the tunnels.”
“Wasn’t that nice of him.”
“He seems to be genuinely interested in everything going on. He stood over my shoulder while I dipped the toast. It was weird.”
“I can’t imagine he’s spent much time around us lesser beings who take the time to eat,” I joke, and she snorts, coffee spilling from her mouth.
“Shit, Rainey!”
Laughter bubbles in my chest, and before long, both of us are laughing so damn hard we can hardly catch our breath. It feels so light, so free, to laugh like this with my best friend. Shit, I can’t remember the last time we did.
“Have I mentioned how glad I am that you’re back?” she asks, and I nod.
Mood sobering, I take a deep breath. “I’m really sorry for what Heather did to you.”
Jane smiles softly. “It’s not your fault.”
“Everyone keeps saying that, but I opened the box.”
“True. You’re such a bitch.”
I snort.
“Is that not what you wanted to hear?”
“I’m not looking to play the blame game. I’m old enough to know that’s not necessary. I just want to pick up and move forward.”
“Then why do you feel the need to keep reminding everyone that you unleashed the Kraken?”
Grinning at her for the nerd reference, I shake my head. “I don’t know. I guess I just don’t—”
“You think the reminder will change that. That somehow them blaming you will make you more of a villain than the victim, and yo
u’d rather be hated than pitied.”
The way she sums it up so perfectly reminds me why we were friends in the first place. Jane has always known me better than I know myself. “I’m not a victim here.”
“Yes, you are. And that’s okay. It doesn’t make you weak, Rainey. Hell, if anything, you’re stronger because of what’s been done to you.” She considers and grins at me. “You’re like a beautiful phoenix rising from the ashes of the fire that consumed you.”
I can’t help but roll my eyes. “Really, Jane? A phoenix?”
She shrugs and starts clearing the table. “I call it like I see it.”
“And how about you? You’re the one who’s been hunted down and murdered time and time again.”
Jane stiffens, setting the plates down on the counter with a heavier clink than normal. “My past is my burden to bear.”
“The moment we’re done with Heather, I’m going to hunt the bitch down who cursed you and kill her.” My words are heavy with the weight of the promise, and when she faces me, it’s with tears in her eyes.
“While I appreciate that, I think I’d rather live my life out and die as a mortal.”
“You don’t mean that.”
“I really do.”
“But don’t you want to get married? Have kids? Not have to worry about always looking over your shoulder?”
“Sure, I wanted those things at one time. But I’m exhausted, Rainey. I’m tired of living, of breathing, of fighting. I just want peace.”
The thought of living without my best friend—
“You aren’t alone anymore,” she says, interrupting my thoughts and walking around the counter. “Besides, it will be decades before you’re rid of me. Just be prepared to wait on me hand and foot as I age.”
I smile softly at her. “I will.”
“Then, that’s all I need. You are my best friend, Rainey, my sister in everything but blood, and it’s never mattered to me how I was brought into your life, just that I was.”
“I promise I’ll be here with you. And while I support your wishes, that doesn’t change what I said. I will hunt her down, and I will kill her.”
Jane smiles softly. “I hope you don’t. Because after this is over, you and Elijah deserve some peace. You deserve some peace, Rainey.”
“Maybe.”
Someone stumbles behind me seconds before glass breaks, and I spin to see Elijah and Fearghas holding Jack up, the shattered remnants of a vase on the floor behind them. “What the hell happened?” I rush forward, taking in Jack’s blood-stained side and the hole that should not be there.
“Hunters,” Fearghas growls.
“They came after Jack over Willa,” Elijah explains. “We barely fucking got out of there.”
“You have to check on her,” Jack chokes out, wincing with each breath.
“Put him on the table.” Jane sets a first-aid kit on the counter as I move aside so Elijah and Fearghas can lay him back. She opens his shirt and I clench my teeth together to keep from losing my shit over the sight of the broken ribs jutting out of his skin and the massive hole in his side.
“I will go check on your mate,” Fearghas offers and disappears.
Anger surges through me along with a heavy dose of adrenaline, and I clench both fists at my sides.
With everything that we’re fucking facing, the last thing I want to have to deal with is a bloodthirsty group of hunters. But just because I don’t want to deal with them doesn’t mean I won’t. As far as I’m concerned, those assholes just asked for war.
I meet Elijah’s gaze. “Feel like going for a hunt?”
His answering grin is savage. “I thought you’d never ask.”
22
Rainey
“How did they get the drop on you guys?” I ask as we step into the blood bar in search of the bastards who put a massive hole in my friend’s side.
“Shotguns. Nearly took Fearghas and me both out right along with Jack. We barely had time to react.”
“Did they say anything?”
“Sure. As they were pulling the trigger, they had some choice words. But as I said, they were all aimed at Jack over his relationship with Willa.”
“Fucking hunters,” I growl.
“They aren’t here,” Tarnley offers as he steps around the bar. “Took off when you three did.”
“How many were there?” I ask and scan the place. The wood of Tarnley’s bar is peppered with holes from their firearms, and there’s a massive amount of blood pooled beneath the stool I imagine Jack had been sitting on.
“Seven,” Tarnley replies.
“Seven on one? Fucking cowards.”
“Hunters are not known to run in packs. Is this typical?” Elijah asks me, and I shake my head. “They probably figured they had a better chance against him together, or maybe they all wanted to punish him for his relationship with Willa. They will converge together if their goal is the same and it’s beneficial for them all.”
“How do they even know about the two of them? Do you assholes have a newsletter?” Tarnley comes around the bar and drops a bag of what looks like sand on the blood.
“Obviously not. But word spreads quickly. All it would have taken was one person to notice.”
“But you and Elijah practically paraded around town together.”
“There were so many supernaturals trying to kill me there’s a massive chance a few of them were here of their own volition. It’s not like I interviewed each one.”
“True.” He finishes pouring the sand and straightens, surveying the damage. “I think it’s time to shut down for a while.”
“Really? It’s been eighty years, and you’ve not once shut your doors.” Crossing his arms in front of his chest, Elijah studies his friend.
“The world has never been this chaotic before. How many people have to nearly die in this bar before I shut down? Look at Eira’s club. What if Heather comes here next?”
Elijah nods tightly, understanding completely the predicament Tarnley is in.
“Wasn’t Willa being held by the Drake’s?” I ask because Tarnley is right. There should have been more time before everyone in the supernatural world found out. Unless someone spotted them at that Monster Ball they attended the night before Elijah called him in.
“Jack killed all but the patriarch.”
“Don’t you think it’s possible that bastard let the word out? After all, he’d have the most to gain from Jack’s death.”
“Let’s go pay the fucker a visit. You going to be okay?” Elijah asks Tarnley.
“I am.”
“Did I miss anything?” Fearghas appears beside me, and I jump.
“Fuck! I thought I told you to stop dropping in right beside me.”
He shrugs. “Your hunter friend is alive. His mate is with him now.”
“Thanks for getting her.”
“No problem.” Clapping both hands together, he rubs them and grins. “This is the most action I’ve seen in centuries. I’m rather enjoying it.”
“So happy we can be amusing.”
At my dry reply, he cringes. “I apologize. That came out rather rude, didn’t it?”
Immediately feeling guilty, I shake my head. “It’s okay, I know what you meant.” With a sigh, I reach down and grab Elijah’s hand before turning back to Fearhgas. “Feel like taking us to the Drake estate?”
“The shifters?” he asks curiously.
“You know of them?”
“I’ve been to their parties a time or two over the years. I get bored, need some social interaction, and they throw the best ones.”
“We aren’t going for a friendly visit,” Elijah warns.
“I never said I like them. Just that I went.” He places a hand on my shoulder and another on Elijah’s. “Shall we?”
“Let’s do it.”
As soon as we reappear, we’re standing in the center of a large foyer. Black marble floors span the length of the room and what I can see of the adjoining ones while bl
ack tapestries cover most of the mahogany walls. A huge staircase flows up on either side of us, the dark mahogany that matches the walls covered in a stark white rug without a speck of dirt—the place is fucking creepy.
And that’s coming from me.
The hunter who bedded a vampire and practically grew up on nightmares.
“They will sense us soon,” Feaghas warns as he releases us.
“Then let’s not keep them waiting.” Blade in hand, I close my eyes and focus on the space around me. “That can’t be right.” I look back at Elijah to see if he noticed it too.
He nods. “One heartbeat.”
“Wouldn’t this guy have dozens of bodyguards or staff in-house?” I ask Fearghas since, of the three of us, he’s the only one who’s been welcomed here before.
“Typically,” he agrees, mouth set in a tight line. “Something is not right.”
“Perfect.” Sticking together, we head down the nearest hallway. I’ve barely made it three steps before the scent slams into me. Blood, and a hell of a lot of it. Moving quicker now, we remain cautious as we move through the house. Step after step, the overwhelming stench of death grows stronger.
The hall ends at a large wooden door, so after checking with my entourage and receiving mimicking nods from both men, I push open the door and step inside.
“Oh, fuck.” Covering my nose and mouth with the inside of my elbow, I can’t help but gape at the carnage before me.
I’ve seen a lot of shit, but this—this is something else. Akin to what we saw at Eira’s, but somehow this seems worse.
Dead shifters line the entire room, which if I had to guess, I would say is larger than most average-sized houses. Bodies are broken, ripped apart, some barely even recognizable as anything but puddles of blood and clumps of skin.
And based on the smell? They’ve only been dead a day.
“What the fuck happened here?” Elijah moves farther into the room. No longer controlled by bloodlust, he looks just as disturbed as I am.
“They’re all dead,” Fearghas whispers.
Blood Cure: A Paranormal Vampire Romance (Vampire Huntress Chronicles Book 3) Page 14
