Bloodshed (The BlackGuard Society Book 2)

by SF Benson

  Still on top of me, Clint rested his forehead on the pillow. I couldn’t resist.

  “What…” He moaned as my fangs pricked the skin.

  I only wanted a taste. The first drops were so delectable. It was tempting to take more, but I didn’t want to turn him. That would be cruel. Slowly, I dragged my sharp canines from his neck, licked the wound, and then lapped up the trail of blood.

  “You taste amazing.” I stared at the ceiling, surprised I had enough control to stop.

  Clint rolled off me and rested against the headboard. “Why didn’t you finish the job?”

  “Because I don’t want to be like St. John,” I admitted. “You have a choice. I didn’t. I won’t drain your life.”

  The dhampir intertwined his fingers with mine. “But I told you I wanted it.”

  “Be certain what you want.” I glanced up at him. “If you truly want this curse, I’ll give it to you, but not before we get rid of Alexander.” Clint opened his mouth. I shook my head and sat up. Facing him, I said, “I don’t give a damn what’s been ordered. Alexander St. John is a murderer. He stole my life. He deserves to lose whatever existence he’s enjoying.”

  “If Kragen or Julien finds out—”

  “There’ll be hell to pay.” I had a plan in mind to prevent any retribution. “Let me deal with the details. You won’t even have to be involved.”

  Clint rubbed a thumb over my cheek. “Please be careful. I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to you.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll be fine.”

  * * *

  Thanks to the daytimer ring, I could go and come as I pleased. After Clint and I shared a bottle of crimson, I went home, thinking I’d shower and change clothes. On some level I should have known trouble would find me. It arrived on my doorstep in the form of a dark-haired young man dressed in khakis and a brown leather jacket.

  “What are you doing here?” I hoped he wasn’t about to play jealous lover with me.

  He scoffed. “Trust me, I’m not jealous. What happened between Clint and me was a mistake. I’m here to discuss your little problem.”

  Not wanting the neighbors to overhear anything, I unlocked the door and Colby followed me inside.

  “If you want to shower first, I’ll wait,” he said and took a seat on the sofa.

  “Actually, I’m good.” I sat on the opposite end. “What do you want?”

  “The same thing you do. I might have a way to end Alexander St. John. That is, if you’re still interested.”

  “Whatever it is, I’ll do it.”

  Colby chuckled. “You’re an eager one, but try to be patient. I’m still formulating my plan. In the meantime, I require a proper introduction to a certain voodoo priestess. I understand you’re related to Delta Ava Lavegne.”

  Squinting at him, I angled my body away. “What do you want with her?”

  “Like I said, I’m still building my plan. The priestess could impart valuable information.”

  “I’m sorry. What exactly are you? All I know about you is that you’re Morgan’s son—which I honestly don’t understand—and you had a huge crush on Clint.”

  Colby tilted his head and smirked. “You’re lucky I’m feeling indulgent today.” He pushed to his feet and walked over to the bay of windows. “Technically, I’m not as old as I appear to be. Thanks to my paternal grandmother, she spelled me and accelerated my age. My eighth birthday would have been in a few weeks.”

  “Eight? As in eight years old?”

  He looked at me with a smile on his handsome face. “It’s a miraculous incantation, but I’m afraid it’s too painful to reverse. At least, that’s what Mom told me. She knows the danger of a lie, so I’m certain she told me the truth.”

  “Why would anyone do that to a child?”

  “Not important. Despite how I met my mother, I’m fiercely loyal to her. Do anything to harm her, and you’ll deal with me.”

  I shivered although the apartment was quite warm.

  “Yes, I had an insignificant crush on Clint. You’re welcome to him, by the way.” Colby’s tone turned frosty. “Like I said, we were a mistake. He was the first person outside of my family to show me any compassion. I mistook it for something more.”

  There was a hint of malice in his words. I didn’t know whether to be frightened or simply concerned. I’d mention it to Morgan when I saw her again. Surely, she had some sort of influence in her son’s life.

  “Will you introduce me to the priestess?”

  “Y-yeah,” I stammered. “We can go after I shower and change.”

  “Good.” His demeanor changed again, and he sounded like a normal happy person. “Mind if I fix something to eat? I’m starving.”

  “Knock yourself out.”

  I rushed to my bedroom and closed myself up in the closet. After pulling out fresh clothing, I called Morgan.

  “Morning, Tabitha.” She sounded half asleep.

  “Hey, something’s come up.”

  “Like?”

  “Your son is here. He wants me to introduce him to Delta Ava.”

  “Really? I hope you told him no.”

  I huffed. “You’re kidding me, right? That man creeps the shit out of me. I told him I’d take him as soon as I showered and changed. Can you meet us there?”

  “Yeah.” Morgan paused for a moment and then said, “How did he seem to you?”

  “Confused. I felt like I was talking to two separate people. One minute he was threatening and snappy. Colby sort of reminded me of your father.”

  “That’s not good. What else?”

  “Then he turned into this happy-go-lucky teenager. He’s making himself breakfast.”

  “How long will it take you to get to Bayou St. John?”

  “Me? I could do it in less than twenty minutes.” The only advantage I’d found in being a vampire was the speed. Traveling to the neighborhood, on foot, would normally take close to an hour.

  “Unless Colby’s learned how to drive, he’s possibly using portals to get everywhere. Take a long shower, Tabitha. I need at least a twenty-minute head start.”

  “Why?”

  “I need to speak with Delta Ava without Colby around. Hopefully, she could shed some light on things for me.”

  “You got it.” I disconnected and carried my things to the bathroom. Thankfully, the smells and sounds of pots and pans clanging meant Colby would be busy for a minute or two.

  21

  Duality

  Morgan

  * * *

  As I stepped out of the bathroom, I collided with Ace. He grabbed my upper arms to steady me.

  “What’s the hurry, dawlin’?” My husband was dressed in sweats with his duffel slung across his body.

  “Are you on the way to the gym?”

  “Yeah.” His eyes raked over me. “Are you going out?”

  “I have to go to Delta Ava’s.” I ran my fingers through my hair and walked toward the kitchen. Thankfully, my favorite breakfast—a pot of coffee and fresh beignets—was on the counter.

  “Is there something wrong?” Ace, entering the room, removed his bag and set it on the floor.

  I shrugged and poured a mug of coffee—no cream or sugar. Leaning against the counter, I said, “Honestly, I don’t know. Something’s going on with Colby. Have you noticed a change in him?”

  Ace’s eyebrows knitted together. “Like a shift in his aura?”

  That was a great explanation.

  “Yeah. I witnessed it after the meeting with Kragen and Father.” I took a sip from the cup. “Colby wants to help take down St. John.”

  “Really?” Ace folded his bare arms over his chest. His muscles flexed and distracted me for a moment.

  I shook my head, trying to focus. “Colby hinted at the murders.”

  “Which ones?”

  “Sorry. The redheads. He suggested he may have done the crimes.”

  “Damn.”

  “But Colby also implicated his father and uncle. Basically, he said
without evidence no one would ever know who did the killing.”

  I took another sip and then reached for a beignet, knowing full well the powdered sugar would end up all over my black tank top. Rather than grabbing a napkin, I leaned over the sink and bit down.

  “Unless ya want trouble from Julien, ya have to discourage Colby.” Ace handed me the napkin I should have grabbed.

  Wiping the sugar from my lips, I said, “I will.”

  “But how does Delta Ava figure into this?”

  “Oh! That’s Tabitha’s doing.” I finished my breakfast and faced Ace. “Colby showed up on her doorstep. He asked her to introduce him to the priestess.”

  “Why Tabitha? You could have made the introduction?”

  “True.” I hadn’t thought about that. Was there a reason he chose the vampiress?

  “Did Tabitha notice anything off about Colby?”

  “She did. She said talking to him was like talking to two people.”

  “Odd. Ya want me to go with?”

  “Not necessary.”

  “I can drop ya.”

  As much as I loved spending every available moment with him, he didn’t need to go out of his way. “No. Go on to the gym. I’ll call you when I’m done.”

  “All right.” He closed the distance between us, wrapped his arms around me, and claimed my lips.

  If it were up to me, I would have gone to the bedroom and spent the entire day in his arms.

  Ace broke the kiss. “One day soon, dawlin’. I promise ya we’re going to have our time together.” He kissed my forehead. “Talk to ya later.”

  * * *

  Delta Ava was just opening her shop when I arrived. It was too early for customers, but not too early for spirits. There was a pervading darkness within the space. A palpable, familiar evil that disturbed my soul. I just couldn’t figure out where I’d encountered the presence.

  The priestess, dressed in her usual white attire, didn’t look up from the incense sticks she was restocking. In her island-accented voice, she said, “I thought I’d be seeing ya dis mornin’.”

  I started to ask how she would have known, but I remembered the woman had an uncanny knack of discerning all things. Questioning her abilities would have been insulting.

  “I’d like to talk to you about my son, Colby.”

  “Say no more.” The priestess held up her palm and then quirked her index finger as she walked toward her side room. A pot of tea and two porcelain cups were in the center of the table.

  “Is this for me or someone else?”

  She smiled and extended her hand toward a chair. “The spirits told me ya were comin’.” Delta Ava poured the tea and added honey and sugar to both cups. “Tell me what’s troublin’ ya, gal.”

  The air turned cold. I glanced over at the woman, but she seemed comfortable. Perhaps it was just me. I might be coming down with something. Pulling my jacket closer, I said, “There’s something off about my son. One minute he reminds me of his father and his Mercier grandmother. And in the next, he’s more like an innocent teen.”

  “First, d’ere is nothin’ innocent ‘bout de boy. What ya witnessing is a duality. He’s merely showin’ ya who he will become.”

  “What? Colby’s turning into his father?”

  Hell no! I hoped that wasn’t true. My son was finally accepting me. When his father was still alive, the male taught Colby to hate me. Bishop filled our son’s mind with all sorts of terrible lies about how he was conceived and how I got rid of him. No one should be like Tavi Mercier’s son. Bishop was a twisted hybrid who couldn’t be trusted.

  “In a matter of speakin’.” Delta Ava’s eyes narrowed. “Ya must remember de boy is a Mercier. Those people are de embodiment of evil.”

  I rested my elbows on the table and lowered my head into my hands. “What am I supposed to do? Colby practically scared the—” I caught myself. “He scared the crap out of me the other night. The look on his face… His words… He reminded me so much of his father.”

  “D’ere’s only so much ya can do. Besides, ya can’t erase his heritage. Colby is who he is meant ta be.” Delta Ava rapped the table, and I looked up. “Don’t encourage his bad behavior.”

  “How do you mean?”

  “Don’t be askin’ him to help ya wit’ de BlackGuard. He has no business with dat organization.”

  So Colby couldn’t help with the St. John problem. We had to find some other way.

  “Also, don’t let him be some go-between wit’ de Merciers. De boy must learn respect. He can’t do dat if he’s sneaking ‘round like a spy on his own kin.”

  She had a point. It wasn’t as if I wanted Colby to go around his father’s family. In my opinion, he was better off without any type of relationship with the Merciers.

  The priestess cocked her head to one side and pursed her lips. Closing her eyes, she said, “I can tell ya more ‘bout de boy when he gets ‘ere. He’ll be ‘ere shortly.”

  “Did Tabitha...” Dumb question. If the priestess knew I’d come by, she knew Colby would pay her a visit too. No one had to call her. “I shouldn’t be here when he arrives. Is there a closet or another room I can wait in?”

  “Nonsense, gal. Ya say ya boy is part Mercier. Dat being the case, he’ll sniff ya out better than a coonhound. It’s best ya go. He’ll be ‘ere any minute.”

  I hesitated. My gut twisted and told me something was wrong. The pervasive dark presence had grown stronger while I was talking to Delta Ava. Was the off-putting manifestation coming from her? Maybe it was just the lingering spirits in the place. Whatever it was troubled me, but I’d never had any reason to doubt the priestess.

  “Well, thanks for the information. Perhaps this too shall pass.”

  “It always does, gal. Always does.” She nodded and reached for her cup of tea.

  I pushed to my feet and headed to the front door. As I walked, I removed my phone and sent Tabitha a text.

  MORGAN VLADISLAV: SOMETHING’S COME UP. CALL ME WHEN YOU’RE FINISHED, AND I’LL DROP BY.

  TABITHA EDWARDS: YOU’RE KIDDING ME? I HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS ALONE?

  MORGAN VLADISLAV: ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT COLBY? DON’T BE. IF HIS FATHER WAS STILL AROUND, THEN YOU SHOULD WORRY.

  I pocketed my phone, opened the door, and a bell chimed over my head. As I stepped outside, a chill snaked down my spine followed by a strange, ominous sensation. It surrounded me like a blanket full of spikes. Pain coursed through me, and it took a great deal of effort to stay upright. Seconds later, the agony ceased and was immediately replaced with an overwhelming sense of dread. It shook me to my core and came with a voice.

  We shall have our revenge…

  Fear reached into my chest, grabbed my heart, and squeezed. It yanked the concrete from beneath my feet, and I fell. My hands shot out just in time. Otherwise, I would have landed on my face.

  The area darkened around me. Something was coming. Pushing up to my knees, I glanced over my shoulder but saw nothing unusual. Was my imagination getting the best of me?

  Rather than wait to see what might approach, I lifted my hand and opened a portal. Rising up from the cold ground, I stepped through the gateway. As it closed behind me, I sensed Bishop.

  What the fuck?

  Impossible, I thought.

  He was supposed to be in Hell with the rest of his family.

  22

  Welcome Back

  Colby

  * * *

  Let me preface everything by saying it wasn’t my idea. It was my father’s plan B in case things went south. As a dutiful son, I was obligated to see it through. After all, he raised me to be obedient. Not to think for myself.

  Let me point out my actions weren’t about misbehaving either. Although I had plenty of reason to do so, I wasn’t angry at anyone. Okay. That was a lie. I was upset with the man. My father set everything into motion when I dragged him through the portal…

  Father and Grandmother were locked into battle. I’d gone with Mom and some other members
of the BlackGuard Society to Jackson Square, where a portal to Hell stood open. It was up to us to shut it down.

  I’d done a decent job slicing and dicing demons, but then Father played dirty. He grabbed my other grandmother and headed for the portal. Mom bolted. I was faster. My body collided with his, and we flew through the opening.

  The heat from the other side was oppressive, but not nearly as severe as my father’s maniacal smile. I’d learned the gesture was full of evil intent.

  “Good job, Colby. You know what to do next?”

  It was Father’s contingency scheme should anything happen to him or Grandmother. I had to continue the fight. He said it was imperative the current leadership of the BlackGuard had to step down. If Grandmother Tavi couldn’t run Council, another Mercier had to do it. Father would position himself to be the supreme leader.

  “Yes, but do I really have to go back without you?”

  “For now. Don’t worry. I’ll be close by. Other portals will open, and I’ll return. When the time is right, the Vladislavs will pay for killing your grandmother. I’ll become head of Council and abolish the BlackGuard once and for all.”

  It was up to me to finish things. But how? I’d grown to love my mother. Despite all the things Father said, she was actually sweet and truly cared about me. She’d been there for me when I needed her the most. How could I betray her?

  My birthright meant I had to do it. I was a Mercier. Protecting the family mattered. Obeying Father’s orders was a necessity. No matter how despicable the task, I had to fulfill my obligation. It was how I was raised.

  * * *

  Since I hadn’t learned to drive and Tabitha didn’t own a car, we traveled by portal to Bayou St. John. Father hadn’t liked the neighborhood, claiming it wasn’t a safe place. My impression didn’t align with his. I liked the quiet picturesque area, especially the waterway. Bayou St. John had that lagniappe—that little something extra—people appreciated about New Orleans.