by Ginna Moran
“We all did,” Bronx says, his husky voice grabbing at my attention until our gazes meet in the rearview mirror.
A gentle hand touches my knee. “As soon as you’re done, I’m going to switch places with Mikkalo and examine you. Your subconscious wouldn’t let any of us get close to the bite he gave you.”
I frown.
Everett holds up his blue and black hand.
“Oh, shit.” I drop Mikkalo’s arm to scoot forward for a better look.
“Yeah, apparently you’re tough even in your sleep,” Bronx says. “You broke three of his fingers.”
“Fuck,” I breathe.
“And one of mine,” Jameson says, showing me his bruised index finger.
“You bit the crap out of Bronx,” Mikkalo adds, leaning forward to smack his brother on the shoulder.
It must be bad because Bronx tenses.
“Only Mikkalo came out unscathed,” Jameson says, bumping his knee to mine.
I blow out a ragged breath. “What the fuck?” I intend to say the words only to myself, but I can’t control the pitch of my voice.
Mikkalo chuckles. “You came close.”
“I don’t remember any of this,” I say, trying not to freak the fuck out. How on earth did I manage to cause so much damage in my state of unconsciousness? What if I had hurt them worse? The thought alone sends a chill through me, and I cover my face with my hands.
Mikkalo rubs his hand in circles on my back. “Hey, none of that.”
“I could’ve killed you without even realizing it,” I murmur.
Jameson squeezes my knee. “Highly doubt it. You were just a little wild. Nothing we can’t handle. I’m pretty sure Bronxy enjoyed every second of your teeth sinking into him.”
Bronx shifts in the seat to look at me. “He’s right about that.”
I blush crazy hard, their reactions toward my savagery helping extinguish the fear and guilt tightening my chest. I don’t know if they’re being calm for my sake, but it helps.
“Apparently vampire venom heightened your dhampir mutation,” Everett says.
I scrunch my nose. “That’s why it hurts so badly?”
He nods. “We thought you were in a state of transition.”
“But you wouldn’t drink the human blood,” Jameson says. “Spit it right in Bronx’s face.”
“Which is how I got bit.”
I close my eyes, trying to remember what the hell happened after I blacked out, but nothing comes forward in my mind. Sinking back in the seat, I turn my gaze to my hands. Jameson and Mikkalo crowd me in the best way possible, just giving me the comfort I so desperately need.
“Gwen,” Everett says softly. “May I examine the bite now?”
I turn my gaze up to his and consider telling him no, but he looks like he might just die if I deny him the chance to make sure I’m okay. Bobbing my head, I give in and slide forward instead of making him and Mikkalo switch seats. He helps me into the front, and Bronx pulls my legs onto his lap so that Everett can get a better look.
“Make it quick, Ev,” Mikkalo says from the backseat. “I got something on one of the feeds.”
I frown and look at him. “Is that what we’re doing in the car? We’re tracking someone? Did you find another one of my brothers?”
Bronx taps a few buttons on the navigation screen, turning on the autopilot. He swivels in his seat to face me. “Not exactly.”
Everett shifts my hair off my shoulder, ripping my attention away from Bronx. I snatch his hand and stop him from tugging my strap down to get a better look. A small growl sounds through the car, and Mikkalo bursts into laughter in the backseat.
I realize the noise comes from me.
Covering my mouth with my hand, I meet Everett’s amused expression. He motions for me to pull my own damn strap down, which I can’t blame him for. I’m fucking out of control. He wasn’t joking about the venom enhancing my instincts. I’m pretty sure I’m even stronger now.
Bronx squeezes my knee. “Anyway,” he continues, pretending like I didn’t almost snap at his brother. “I discovered that Lady Tori had put a tracker on Silas. Brentwood called not long ago, because a few of his staff members went missing.”
I raise my eyebrows. “Ah, hell. There are tons of guys out there. Why are they trying to get my brother?”
“Who knows, really,” Everett says, answering for Bronx. “Could be something in the mutation since he’s a carrier. Could be alluring to females like you’re alluring to us.”
I groan, trying not to think about the fact that he might be right. My brothers never had a problem finding women to sleep with according to them. I never met them personally.
“Maybe that’s why there are seven of you,” Jameson says. “I mean, I’m not going to lie. I can’t stop thinking of sleeping with you. You’re lucky we can’t procreate. Pulling out isn’t that effective and—”
I shift and scowl at him. I don’t want to think about any of this. “Seriously? You are not imagining the possibility of impregnating me.”
Jameson leans closer and smirks. “I like kids.”
Mikkalo punches him. “Knock it off, Jameson. You’re freaking her out.”
I meet Jameson’s gaze, keeping my face expressionless to his comment. “I’m not freaked out. I just don’t want to talk about how he thinks the world wants to bone my family because of something in our genes.”
Bronx laughs and covers his mouth with his hand. Jameson doesn’t even try to suppress how funny he thinks it is. Mikkalo shakes his head, rolling his eyes.
Everett pulls my shirt back up, drawing my attention from all the amusement. Jameson’s words were enough to distract me from the exam, but now I have all sorts of crazy thoughts spinning through my mind.
“It would kind of make sense,” Everett says, speaking up. “At least for humans. Dhampirs are a threat to vampires, a natural predator, yet they don’t cause any harm to humans. It’s not like vampires will purposely try to create someone who can destroy them.”
“I think it’s both. I’ve never been so attracted to someone or as horny for someone as I am with Gwen in all of my existence.” Jameson leans forward and kisses my cheek from over the seat. “You can’t tell me you don’t feel it.”
Everett clicks a button on the seat, sending it shooting back at Jameson, squishing him. “Of course I feel it. But if I have to explain why to you, we would have a lot of other things we might need to worry about.”
I laugh this time, making Jameson play-growl at me. “Don’t worry, Jamie. The feeling is mutual.” I wink at him. “And while I don’t have experience with kids, I think I’d like the idea of having them if it were possible with you. One day. When everyone isn’t trying to cage me.”
The others look at us, various expressions crossing their faces. I wonder if I took my teasing too far.
“We can continue to test out the possibility until then.” Jameson purrs, the noise sending tingles between my legs. “So come back here. Don’t let my brothers ruin our fantasy for the future.”
“I kind of like the idea, too,” Everett says. “And since Gwen’s sitting with me...”
I wag my finger at him. “Not in the car.”
Jameson chuckles. “Don’t worry, Ev. You can seduce our girl on your night.”
“He can try,” I tease, joking with Everett, because now I’m pretty certain his brothers assume we haven’t slept together despite the amazing oral he performed on me.
Everett slides his hand between my legs, squeezing my thigh. “Mmmhmm.”
I squirm. “Behave.” My words come out soft enough for only him to hear.
“You should’ve worn a dress.”
I release a breath.
“Damn, what did you say to her, Ev?” Jameson asks from the back.
Shifting, I shake my head at him. “Nu-uh. No asking.”
“She’s right. We’re coming up to our destination anyway,” Mikkalo says, tapping away on his com device. “Pull over up there, Bronx. Where t
he orange trees are.”
“Whoa,” I murmur, drawing my attention away from Jameson to peer at the outside surroundings. “Are you sure this is where Silas is?” A small blip of fear trickles through me. I should’ve been paying more attention.
Mikkalo nods. “Unless they surgically removed the tracker. Apparently Lady Tori wasn’t chancing him taking it off.”
“Shit,” I breathe, swiveling to look out the window more. I almost don’t believe it. Why would the Baron Coven bring my brother here?
“What is it, Gwen,” Bronx asks, touching my knee, pulling me from my thoughts.
Swallowing, I meet his dark gaze. “I know this place.”
He frowns. “You’ve been to the Baron Coven’s estate before?”
I nod. “Yeah, but I don’ think this is it.”
“What do you mean?” Bronx puts the car in park and shuts off the engine.
Jameson and Mikkalo lean forward in their seats, and Everett snuggles close to me. They give me their undivided attention as I piece together a memory from a couple of years ago—one before Dad died.
“This is rebel land,” I say, waving to the orange grove. “There is a community here that’s been a haven since the uprising.”
The car shakes, and a cloud of dirt rains around us outside the car. A strange rumble muffles through the windows, and the car quakes again. Bronx’s eyes widen, and Everett twists me in his arms, handing me to Mikkalo. Silence falls between us as my guys listen and stare at our surroundings.
The windshield shatters.
Mikkalo swears and thrusts his door open. He yanks me with him and into the trees. Gunshots pop through the air, startling me. I try to peer around from Mikkalo’s arms, but he runs too fast, blurring the world.
“What’s going on?” I ask, clinging onto Mikkalo as tightly as I can so that he can keep his arms free. Everything happens so fast. My brain can’t catch up.
“We’re under attack,” he says, flashing his fangs with his heavy breathing. Another explosion booms through the air, the weapons used far more powerful than the guns rebels usually favor, but this is their land. They’d do anything to protect it. They probably saw us coming.
“The rebels won’t follow us. They’re just trying to protect their home,” I say.
Mikkalo spins, and I screech. A figure blurs through the trees. Bronx materializes in front of us, holding a dagger in his hand. He and Mikkalo share a look with each other, but neither says anything to me.
Jameson whistles, waving his arms. “Everett’s down. Quick.”
My heart pounds in my chest, the edges of my vision shadowing. Mikkalo tosses me to Jameson, and I cover my mouth with my hand, spotting Everett on the ground, his throat spilling his blood all over the place. That wound doesn’t look like one from a rebel. They could never get close enough to do that much damage.
“Oh, God. Put me down,” I say to Jameson. “He needs my help.”
Jameson doesn’t argue and sets me on my feet, but he stays close to me. Mikkalo puts pressure on Everett’s neck to staunch the bleeding the best he can. The more he bleeds, the weaker he’ll be and the longer it’ll take for him to heal.
“Easy, Everett,” Mikkalo says, pinning his brother in place. “Our girl’s got you.”
I kneel on the ground and lean in. “Be gentle.”
My arm barely touches Everett’s lips when a loud boom rings through the air.
“Brothers, cover me. We have to move him,” Bronx says.
Bronx hoists me and Everett into his arms like we weigh nothing, and I have to awkwardly arch my back as I lie on Everett while Bronx cradles him. Everett sucks on my arm, holding my stare with his silver flashing eyes. I try my best not to panic at the dread washing through me.
“We need shelter,” Bronx says. “Anything.”
“Keep heading south in the grove. We’ll reach the community in a few miles,” I whisper.
“If we do, we’ll lead them right to the rebels,” Bronx says.
“Lead who?”
“The Anderson Coven.”
Chapter 23
War
“I FOUND AN ABANDONED GAS guzzler,” Jameson says, materializing next to us. “It should do.”
The world blurs as Bronx follows Jameson through the trees until we reach a small open space with a dirt road. A black van hides under a bunch of tree branches, probably waiting for a rebel to return for it. Jameson pries the locked door open, revealing an empty cargo space.
“I want you to stay here with Gwen and Everett,” Bronx says. “Make sure Gwen gets more of your blood. Everett drank a lot from her.”
Jameson nods and climbs into the van, holding his arms out. He helps me in first before taking Everett, who I nestle between my legs to let him rest his back to my chest. He clutches my hand so tightly that my fingers lose their feeling, but I don’t even consider trying to pull away. Seeing him on the ground like that—it got to me. I’m terrified even to let Bronx venture out again.
“Where are you going?” I ask Bronx before he disappears. “Where’s Mikkalo?”
“We’re going to scout the area. See what we’re dealing with. Corona must’ve been informed about the tracker on your brother and thought he’d lead him to you,” he whispers. “He could’ve bought access to the feeds from a traitor to the Hunter Coven.”
My lip trembles. “Fuck.”
“Take a breath, dandelion,” he murmurs, kissing me. “Don’t devour Jameson while I’m gone.”
I clutch his face to stop him from leaving. “Be safe.”
He nods once and slides the door closed, vanishing into the night. Jameson crawls behind me, sandwiching me to Everett. His arm snakes around my neck with an offer of blood, and I automatically latch on and suck, listening to his even breathing pick up.
“Would it be inappropriate to suggest you let me distract you?” Jameson whispers, keeping his voice at a pitch only I can hear.
“Totally inappropriate,” I murmur, hugging Everett’s chest. “I’m not getting caught butt-ass naked by our enemies.”
“Another reason for you to wear dresses.” Everett’s voice comes in a breathless whisper.
Jameson chuckles.
I graze my teeth to Jameson’s arm. “You guys. Stop. Someone will hear us.”
“We’ll be fine.” Jameson sneaks a kiss to my throat. “Knowing my brothers, we’re probably the bait anyway.”
I stiffen. “Seriously?”
Everett sits up and twists to look at me. Color returns to his face, and the nasty wound on his neck coagulates as he heals. He squeezes my hand, forcing a smile in an attempt to calm me down.
Someone slams their hands on the window, cracking the old glass under the pressure. Jameson covers my mouth to muffle any sounds threatening to come out. I glare at the unfamiliar jerk flashing his fangs at me.
“Stay calm,” Everett whispers, shifting to glance at Jameson.
Jameson releases a low growl. “Bronx or Mikkalo will take care of him.”
“I hope you’re right.” I can’t stop my voice from sounding out. “I did not agree to this bait bullshit or being separated.”
Hugging me closer, Jameson kisses my neck a few more times, ignoring the vampire smashing through the glass. “Don’t be mad, please. Bronx knows what he’s doing.”
I hiss at the guy, flipping him off. “Of course I’m mad. I wasn’t prepared for this shit.”
The vampire shoves his arm through the glass, and Everett tugs a dagger from beneath his jacket and slashes it at the guy. The vampire pulls back before Everett severs his arm and snarls. A gunshot pops through the air, and Jameson jerks me to the floor. He rolls on top of me, squishing me with his weight to shield my body the best he can. The ringing in my ears spins my head. It takes me a second to realize that a bullet hole fissures the window opposite to where the vampire stood.
“Shhh, Gwen,” Jameson whispers. “I got you.”
My heart thuds against my ribs. Jameson’s weight smothers the tremble
s threatening my body. Fear prickles over my neck, growing more intense by the second. I hate this. I hate waiting to see what happens. Not fighting back.
“Everett, get Gwen to the back. Bronx’s taking too long. Something’s wrong,” Jameson says, shifting off me only enough that he can help me roll over to Everett. The gunfire stopped, but it could mean a lot of things, not that we’re safe.
Everett tightens his jaw, pulling me with him. His eyes flash crazy silver. His nostrils flare at my closeness, and without having to ask, I know he still needs more blood, but he won’t ask. He won’t risk leaving me vulnerable.
My heart races the longer the silence drags on. I can’t shake the feeling of impending doom. Jameson is right. Something is completely and utterly wrong. But I don’t think it has to do with Bronx. My human instincts go off like crazy in warning.
“Guys, we can’t stay here,” I whisper.
Jameson and Everett look at me, studying my face.
Jameson cocks his eyebrow, drawing his gaze toward the broken window. He growls, the noise low but intense, vibrating through me even though he hunches down a foot away. Everett sets a cold, heavy blade in my hand, and I curl my fingers around it.
“Go out the front. We’ll leave out the back,” Everett says.
Jameson nods. “Don’t stop for anything. I’ll be right behind you.”
Everett and Jameson bump knuckles, and Jameson squeezes my hand. He abandons the van first, and I catch sight of a figure blurring at vampire speed to crash into him. Everett covers my mouth and drags me toward the back, forcing the hatch open with his shoulder.
Cool air engulfs us, and I wrap my legs and arms around him, holding on as tightly as I can. We don’t make it far before a strange vampire speeds in our direction. I tense, and Everett pushes to move faster, but he’s not fast enough.
The vampire flies past us to cut Everett off, and Everett spins, slashing his dagger out. The vampire catches his arm and drags him forward. I brace myself to collide into the guy, possibly get bitten, but Everett manages to spin and ram into him backwards. The vampire extends his fangs longer than normal, and bites Everett in the shoulder, making him grunt.
