by SF Benson
“What?” Tabitha’s gaze widened as clarity came home to roost. “When?”
“Centuries ago.”
A fine sheen of bloody sweat appeared on the vampiress’s brow. “Just how old are you?”
“Older than ya need to know.” Edwina passed me the bottle. “Alexander St. John dates back to one of the original vampires.”
My hand froze before I could take a sip. “He’s related to my father?”
“Close. Someone Julien sired returned the favor with St. John. His ancestry goes back to Romania, but he’s not a direct descendent of Dracula.”
“How? Father never mentioned any of this.”
“Because he didn’t know. He’d only met St. John in passing. Before ya called me, I was with ya Father. We were going over his family tree with Rodrigo and Etienne.”
“Does my father believe we’re related to St. John?”
Edwina shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. Either way, St. John needs to be stopped. When he’s not looking for his next victim, he gladly kills for profit.”
“Is he working with the Merciers?” If he was, I’d kill him myself.
“I don’t know that either, but there’s a priestess who has spoken with him.”
Tabitha said, “Delta Ava?”
We both stared at the vampiress.
“She’s family on my father’s side, but we’re not close. When I was kid, it was Delta Ava who was always telling stories about vampires and shit. I thought she made it all up to scare kids.”
Edwina’s face darkened momentarily. “I guess ya believe her now?”
“Yeah. Do you think Delta Ava can help us get rid of St. John?”
I intervened. “Whatever we do we can’t let the rest of the BlackGuard know. It’s one reason why Ace isn’t in the room. The fewer people who know, the better. Kragen has already warned us not to pursue Alexander.”
Tabitha interjected, “Then maybe you should have kept your mouth closed about our plan.”
“What?”
“You told Kragen we were planning to trap him.”
I shook my head. “It wasn’t me. Most likely, Clint told Kragen.”
Tabitha fumed.
Edwina added, “For Kragen, it’s all about protecting his own. He’s never been too fond of doing anything to harm another vampire. I suspect if Clint had been attacked, his father would move Heaven and Hell to get revenge.” She took one more sip of crimson. “It’s getting late. I need to head home.”
Tabitha asked, “What about me? Clint said I can’t stay in the apartment.”
“Ya have all that ya need.” Edwina pointed to the female’s hand. “That ring is a daytimer charm. It will protect ya from the sun. As long as ya keep it on, ya can stay right here.”
“What about St. John?” Tabitha asked.
“Let us worry ‘bout him for now. I want to do some more research into his lineage. Stay put until ya hear from one of us.” Edwina rose to her feet. “If Kragen or someone else from the BlackGuard contacts ya, let us know. Under no circumstances are ya to go after St. John alone.”
“I agree with Edwina. He’s a tricky bastard who can’t be trusted, Tabitha. If you need anything, reach out to us. Understood?”
The female nodded.
I sure hoped she did. Catching Alexander St. John would be a team effort. No solo acts allowed.
16
Paying the Piper
Morgan
* * *
Alienating Kragen meant finding another powerful someone who’d be on our side. The only force we could count on would have been my mother, but she wasn’t speaking to me. Either I could do this alone and risk becoming a rogue myself or pull on my big-girl panties and deal with Mother. I chose the latter. The following afternoon I sucked up my animosity and went to see her.
Ace grasped my hand as we stood on the sidewalk in front of my family home. “Are you certain about this?”
“No. If I didn’t have to do this, I wouldn’t.”
My feet hurt in the black stiletto heels, and the black suit was too confining. Emulating the appearance my family preferred was restricting and totally out of character for me, but I had to make amends and dressing properly was part of it.
I glanced at my husband. He was just as uncomfortable in a suit and tie. “Let’s get this over and done with.”
Trudging up to the front door was like walking a death row gauntlet. In all honesty, visiting a pissed-off Deianira Vladislav was akin to a trip to the executioner. Before my hand touched the doorknob, the barrier yawned open. My mother, the slayer, was on the other side.
Her piercing turquoise eyes were stormy as they raked over us. She pursed her lips and stepped to one side. We’d passed first inspection. Yay us!
Although she granted us entry, I wasn’t foolish enough to make myself comfortable. Rather than journey farther into the house, I stopped next to the winding staircase.
Mother folded her arms. “I assume you wish to speak with me.”
“We wish to apologize, Mother.”
The ghost of a smile crossed her thin lips before she nodded and walked toward the drawing room. We followed in her wake, my heels clicking across the mahogany floor.
When we entered the room, she sat in her favorite chair beside the fireplace. I sat opposite her while Ace stood behind me. It was the standard spot for servants. Sadly, my parents considered any Broussard to be their personal lackeys. I would have preferred my husband not follow protocol, but we were seeking Mother’s favor.
“How do we rectify this problem?” I asked.
“The easiest and most efficient way would be an annulment or, in your case, a divorce.”
The chair’s frame cracked slightly as Ace gripped it tightly.
I would hear her out before uttering a comment.
“However,” she started, “your father and I realize that won’t happen willingly.” Mother rested her elbow in her hand and tapped her chin. “With that in mind, we have been thinking of a fitting punishment.”
Those words made me appreciate learning how to shield my thoughts. In that moment, I was so ready to tell her what she could do with her idea. Instead, I swallowed hard and listened.
“But how does one punish an adult?” She sighed. “Morgan, my dear, you have been a fortunate female. Not once have you had to earn a living. Your father has provided for you very well.”
Moths fluttered in my gut, and icicles formed in my veins.
“Since you feel able to make your own life-altering decisions, it behooves us to make ours as well. From this point on, you shall no longer receive funding from us.” Her tone became cold and disingenuous. “Perhaps your husband can provide for you.”
Making me pay for my actions. How gauche.
The allowance Father doled out kept me clothed, fed, and put gas in my car. Ace had been taking care of me for a long time. He was a trust-fund baby who turned that capital into a nonstop money train. He knew how to invest it. Plus, the many endeavors of the Pack provided regular income. We’d be fine.
“One more thing, daughter dear. We’d like the keys to the car. Since it was our money that purchased the vehicle, technically, it belongs to the family.”
Okay, she pushed the wrong button.
“How are we supposed to get around?” Ace had a motorcycle. Having the car enabled me to take care of shit without him.
Mother smiled. “Figure it out. Adults take care of their own lives.”
Lizzie Borden must have had parents like mine. Mother and her edict made me consider the unthinkable, but I didn’t want a prison sentence.
Ace cleared his throat. “Deianira, I shall have the car delivered later today. Allow me to have it cleaned and detailed.”
She nodded.
“Anything else, Mother?”
“I know all about your issue with Kragen and his mandate.” She sat taller. “I have also discussed the matter with your father. We have decided to stay out of it. After all, you proved to us that you no lon
ger need our consul.” She glanced at Ace. “You’re able to make your own decisions, which leads me to the last subject.”
What more could she take from me?
“Grandmother would be highly disappointed in you, Morgan.” Mother steepled her fingers and crossed her legs. “Until you come to your senses, I’m afraid you’ll only be an agent with the BlackGuard.”
Energy cascaded down my arm. Tiny sparks flew from my fingers. The power was strong enough to hurt anything or anyone.
“The BlackGuard has always been run by a Vladislav,” I stated.
Leadership of the organization was supposed to be mine when I turned thirty. I had six more years before it happened. Until then, I was in training as an agent, but I was allowed to make major decisions.
She sneered and leaned forward. “You’re no longer a Vladislav. We’ll have to start grooming one of your cousins to lead the BGS.” Her gaze slid over to Ace. “Of course, if your marriage doesn’t survive, you’ll always be able to step back into the role.”
I balled my fingers. If I didn’t get out of that house soon, I’d torch it.
Ace touched my shoulder. “Calm down. We’ll be fine.”
“I’m afraid you’re going to need his strength a lot in these coming days, Morgan. Fighting bloodlust might be difficult without a supply of bottled crimson.”
That did it!
Jumping to my feet, I shouted, “You can’t be serious!”
“Oh, I’m very serious. The daughter of a Vladislav would uphold our traditions. She would adhere to our policies. Your father and I only asked that you follow our dictates. When you chose to marry an animal, you broke your ties to the family. Fend for yourself, Mrs. Broussard.”
Forget respect!
Before I did something I might regret, I stormed from the room. Ace’s heavy footsteps followed behind me.
Rather than wait for him at the car, I kept walking until I was at the cemetery. I had to find out whether Great-gran dictated my mother’s decisions.
For a change, I didn’t even have to summon my great-grandmother. Her hazy image waited for me in front of her tomb.
“It took you long enough,” she said.
I sat on the step. “Well, I just had my ass handed to me.”
“That’s a little harsh.” The historically renowned sorceress, who I resembled, came closer. “Your mother is only doing what she thinks is best.”
“By cutting me off? Practically disowning me?” I waved my hand. Sparks flew from my fingertips and singed a nearby tomb.
“I’m not saying she was right, but you weren’t either.”
My eyes narrowed.
“Morgan, I have no problem with who you love. I do take issue with your hiding your affairs. It’s the same thing you did with Tavi’s son, and you see how that turned out.”
“I don’t want to talk about the Merciers.”
“Not your call, my dear. They’re plotting against you, but you have a bit of a reprieve. It seems Melisande is locked into a battle with the Red Witch.”
“I’d heard about that. Should I be concerned?”
“Eventually. I’ve seen the future, and it won’t be good for those involved in their conflict. For now, you must focus on your own problem.”
The rogue vampire.
“What can you tell me about St. John? Is he working with the Merciers?”
“No. His appearance has nothing to do with the family,” said Great-gran.
“Then what?”
“It’s something he’s after. You should be talking to Delta Ava.”
“Why?”
My great-grandmother shook her head. “If I told you everything, there’d be nothing for you to do. All you need to know is the vampire will be stopped.”
“Will be? How?”
Great-gran’s lips curled up. “You know I can’t tell you exactly what will happen. It’s up to you to discover it and act upon the information. You’re smart. You’ll figure it out.”
“Great. You sound like my mother.”
“Come now, Morgan. You have to admit it’s time for you to stand on your own two feet.” I opened my mouth to mention the BGS. Great-gran lifted her palm. “A lot can happen in six years. Take care of the matters at hand, and the leadership problem will find its own solution.”
“What the hell am I supposed to do in the meantime?”
“Stop being angry for starters. Be the best agent I know you to be. The mess you created is because you tend to be reckless. Start thinking before you act, and your life will be less confrontational.” Her image began to fade. Before it disappeared completely, she added, “Go to your husband. He’s worried about you.”
“Thanks, Great-gran.”
Gravel crunched, and heavy footsteps stopped beside me. “Are ya okay?”
I shrugged. “Am I supposed to be?”
Ace dropped beside me and loosened his tie. “Dawlin’, I get cha anger. Hell, I’d be pissed too if my folks pulled that stunt. But here’s the thing… We’ve known since day one how ya folks were gonna feel ‘bout us. Julien has never made it a secret how he’s felt about my family. I can’t erase history. Shit, if my parents still lived here, they’d tell ya the same thing.”
My husband and his parents had severed their relationship shortly after we became a couple. They despised the idea of any type of intimacy with a Vladislav. According to them, you didn’t fuck the one who enslaved you—their words not mine. Still…
“Are you really going to clean and detail the car?”
“Hell, no. I only said it so I didn’t have to carry ya home. Ya ass can get heavy,” he joked.
“Ha, ha! I guess we should be going then.”
“Not so fast. We need to wait on our ride. Ya can mail ya folks the key to the car.”
“Who’s coming?”
“Just one of my wolves. He was in the area.”
As if we summoned him, a horn blew in the distance.
Ace helped me to my feet. We walked toward the exit arm in arm. “I want ya to stop worrying. Loving me ain’t ever been easy, but ya always dealt with the obstacles.”
True.
Whenever a supe crossed species lines, the relationship was fraught with difficulty. Blowback came from the community as a whole and from the particular species involved too. Mixed marriages made supernaturals nervous—with good reason. Sometimes the unions created offspring who were twice as powerful or dangerous as their parents. According to Delta Ava, the spell I cast years ago might have eradicated my having any future offspring. Whether or not Ace and I had children, I didn’t care. We had Colby. My husband accepting another male’s son meant the world to me.
Ace leaned over and kissed my temple. “How could I not accept Colby? He’s part of ya, dawlin’. I love everything about ya.”
“Back at you, baby. Let’s go home.”
* * *
Returning home, however, shined a bright light on my predicament. Rodrigo and Etienne had secured me a crate of the finest crimson, but it wouldn’t last forever. They couldn’t pick up another one from my father’s establishment. He’d scrutinize every purchase to make sure it wouldn’t be delivered to me. I pulled out my phone and looked up Edwina’s number.
“Hello?”
“Edwina, it’s Morgan.” I sat on the sofa and kicked off my heels. “I need a favor.”
“Another one? If ya keep asking me for favors, someone’s gonna mistake us as friends.” She chuckled. “What is it, Morgan?”
“My parents cut me off. I don’t have a source for bottled blood.”
“Oh, hell. I swear Deianira can be a pain in the ass.” Edwina exhaled. “Is this ‘bout ya marrying Ace?”
“You know it.”
“Okay. I have a supplier independent of Julien. Ya have to order a few cases at a time though.”
“What? Two?”
“Try two dozen. He has product shipped from overseas. It has to be worth the effort for him to do it.”
Ace entered the room a
nd reached for the remote. “What’s the problem, dawlin’?”
I put the call on speaker.
“Edwina has a supplier for crimson, but we have to order more than one case at a time.” The apartment wasn’t big enough to house that many bottles.
“Not a problem. Hey, Edwina, have ya supplier deliver to the Broussard mansion. Ya know the address?”
“I do. It’s been a long time since I’ve visited it, though.”
Ace gave me a look that said we’d discuss it later.
“How much does ya supplier need for a standing order?”
“Mmm… Place an order every two months, and he’ll deliver whatever ya need.”
“Then get us started with the minimum. Tell him we need to stock a wine cellar.”
“Got it. Anything else?”
“That’s it for now, Edwina. Thanks.” Ace sat beside me. “Before ya ask, Edwina knows my folks. She was friends with my mother.”
“Was?”
“Silly disagreement. Dad said something a little too suggestive to Edwina. She didn’t act on it, but Mom heard it. She reamed his ass for it and stopped speaking to the vamp.”
It seemed a lot of females had reasons not to like the hybrid, myself included. The biggest problem in our community was individuals jumping to conclusions and embracing stereotypes. One day, it might prove our greatest downfall.
“Dawlin’, are ya okay with crimson until the order comes in?”
“I will be. I don’t drink it that often.” It was a minuscule lie. With each passing day, I wanted more, but I refused to give into lust. Doing so might force my transformation, and I’d no longer be a dhampir.
Someone who needed it more than me was Alexander St. John. Where was he getting his supply? The conversation with Great-gran came to mind.
“We need to pay Delta Ava a visit tomorrow.”
“Oh?”
“According to Great-gran, St. John isn’t here for the Merciers. They’re too busy fighting a war with the Red Witch. His mission is personal. Something he’s after. There’s a possibility Delta Ava knows what it is.”
