by Ginna Moran
A guttural noise escapes my lips, and I jam my own dagger into the asshole’s eye, making him screech so loud that my ears ring. The vampire stumbles away and disappears into the trees. Everett doesn’t stop to chase him. Instead, he sprints forward in the opposite direction and keeps going.
Screams sound through the air the deeper Everett takes me into the orchards. Not just men yell. Women. Children. All of them human. Vampires don’t scream in terror. They scream in rage and in pain.
“Everett, head toward the community,” I say, my stomach twisting and turning.
“We can’t. It’s not safe.” He doesn’t slow down to even consider my command.
“They’ll be slaughtered.” I pinch his shoulders, trying to push myself upright, but he clutches me tightly against him.
He glowers but not at me. “They put a death sentence on your head.”
“I know,” I say, burying my face into the crook of his neck. “But this wasn’t how we were going to handle it.” We might’ve planned on giving Corona information about the Blood Rebels, but it wasn’t about this community. It was one filled with soldiers, fighters for the elders, and not people like this who risk the wild to survive in a world outside of vampire law.
“If we go, we risk someone recognizing you. We’ll have no choice but to go to war. Everything in our region will fall apart. We could lose it altogether.”
Everett’s words battle against my humanity. Against my need to prove to the Blood Rebels that I’m not against them despite choosing this life. Despite loving vampires. But because of the love that grows stronger each day, my humanity fades more and more.
A soft whistle sounds through the air, and Everett relaxes a bit. Mikkalo materializes in front of me and greets me with a soft kiss to slow my out-of-control heart. Twisting, Everett hands me to Mikkalo, who squishes me into his rock-hard body like he just needs to feel my closeness to know that I’m okay.
“Everett, are you good to fight?” Mikkalo asks, slowing down until we take cover on the side of a rundown shack that looks as if even the lightest gust of wind could knock it over. Knowing Blood Rebels, it’s probably been here since before The Divide, maybe even the uprising.
Everett risks leaning on the side of the shed, catching his breath. “I’m weak. Not exactly in the best shape.”
Mikkalo sets me on my feet but doesn’t take his hand off me, just scouring my body to make sure I’m uninjured. Everett combs his hand through his messy blond hair and peers around, never taking his gaze away from our surroundings.
“Okay, then you’ll back Jameson up.” Mikkalo turns to me. “You’re going to back me up. Think you can handle it?”
I blink a few times. “You want me to fight?”
“No, but someone’s gotta rescue Bronx’s dumb ass.” Mikkalo jerks his neck, cracking it with the motion.
My eyes bulge, fear rushing over me. “What happened?”
“Nothing serious. The rebels got him. They’re far more strategic than we realized.” He remains expressionless. “They have some serious weaponry too. Enough that the Anderson Coven is regrouping. They think you’re hiding in the main structure.”
“Where’s Jameson?” Everett asks.
“Here.” Jameson throws his arms around me, kissing me on the lips.
“And the Anderson Coven?” Mikkalo asks.
“Surrounding the place.” Jameson pulls out his com device, displaying a sloppy hand-drawn map of the area. “There are two here. One here. And five coming up on the far side.” Jameson draws lopsided circles onto the screen.
Mikkalo studies it for a minute. “There are rebels guarding here and here.” He swipes two Xs on the screen. “If we come up here, we’ll avoid the Anderson Coven and might miss some of the guards. It’s the straightest shot. But we’ll have to move fast. The second Corona realizes we’re here, he’ll change his focus.”
“What about the asshole who attacked us?” I ask.
“Dead,” Mikkalo and Jameson say in unison.
I puff out a breath. “What about my brother and the Baron Coven? I don’t understand why they’re here.”
The three of them look at each other. “We don’t have the answer to that. We haven’t seen any other vampire outside of the Anderson Coven.”
I frown. “What if—”
“Our priority is getting Bronx so he doesn’t have to kill a bunch of people and then get you out of here,” Mikkalo says. “Everything else? We can’t risk it. There are too many unknown factors.”
I consider opening my mouth to argue, but he’s right. “Okay, but if we see my brother—”
“We’ll get him,” Jameson says.
I crinkle my nose, torn between wanting my brother safe and also wanting to kick him in the dick for being such a fucking ass. It’s tempting to give him back to the Hunters. Maybe sterilize him first. Damn, I can’t believe I even think those words, but he really hurt me. Whatever relationship we had has been trashed. And for what? It’s almost painful even to want to go through this over and over again with my other brothers. I’m not sure my heart can handle it. It makes me miss my dad more than ever. He’d clobber them upside the head for even thinking something bad about me.
Mikkalo squats in front of me. “I want you on my back. Everett and Jameson will be behind us.”
I climb up and squeeze his waist with my thighs, wishing with everything in me that Bronx would show up and tell us that he handled everything and we could go home. But no such luck. Mikkalo breaks out into a speed run, and I keep my face tucked between his shoulder blades to help with the whipping wind. My hair blows all over the place in a tangled mess, and I try to think about what a pain it’ll be to brush later instead of the whispering of voices growing louder as we draw near.
“Jameson, you and I will disarm them. Everett put them to sleep,” Mikkalo says. “Gwen, I’m going to need you to distract.”
“You’re going to get our girl hurt,” Everett snaps, his eyes flashing silver.
Mikkalo slows down and comes to a stop to face his brother. “Our girl is a badass, and she’s the least likely they’ll attack.”
I hop off his back and stroll to Everett. “He’s right. Maybe we can use them to our advantage. They could lead me to Bronx.”
All three of them fall silent as they stare at each other in contemplation. If I know Blood Rebels like I think I do, they’ll want to protect me...unless they know who I am. But this isn’t a community with elders or soldiers, and it’s one I’ve been to before. If I can get in, I might be able to find Bronx and lead the guys to him. They’ll keep a vampire alive as long as they don’t show signs of aggression. It’s probably something Bronx knew. Rebels like to keep blood sources around for a reason.
“If they even try to touch you, I will murder them,” Jameson says, unleashing a growl unlike anything I’ve ever heard from him.
“Jamie.”
He shakes his head. “No. This isn’t something you can persuade me out of. So don’t even try using that sexy pout of yours to get your way.” His narrowed eyes prove how serious he is, and for the first time in a while, I might be a teensy bit scared.
I remain expressionless. “Okay.”
“Okay?” His eyebrow peaks on his forehead in surprise.
“I want Bronx back, and I don’t want to get hurt, so yeah.” But I also know that he might not actually go through with it. I mean, as long as I prove that I can handle myself. Jameson hasn’t done much training with me, so he doesn’t know my skillsets like Mikkalo and Bronx.
Wrapping me in a hug, he lifts me off my feet and kisses me. “I swear you better take care of yourself. If I have to save your ass, I’m going to spank the hell out of it later.”
“You’re full of shit,” I say, smiling.
He groans. “Fine, but don’t think I won’t kiss the hell out of it.”
I blush crazy hard, my face burning. “This is not the time to put that kind of stuff in my head.”
He sets me down and spins me
around, leaning into my back to whisper in my ear. “Just something to look forward to.”
I shiver under Jameson’s breath and quickly hug and kiss Everett next. Mikkalo takes my hand and leads me forward until the voices whisper loud enough that I know I’ll stroll right in the middle of the Blood Rebels post.
Mikkalo bends down to my ear. “Be safe.”
I comb my hair off my shoulder. “I need you to bite me.”
He blinks in surprise. “What?”
“Trust me. Just be gentle.”
I lick my lips and tighten my fingers around his, feeling the softness of his breath against my skin. The click of his fangs extending sends a good shiver over me, and I brace my free hand on his shoulder.
Mikkalo bites me and sucks on my neck for just a few seconds. I sink into him and moan under the sensation that already has me reaching for his pants like a damn sex fiend. He doesn’t help any, reaching down to grab my butt.
“Who’s there?” a masculine voice calls.
Mikkalo mumbles for me to be safe and pulls away to disappear behind a nearby tree. I touch my bleeding neck, savoring the tingling sensation blossoming across my chest. I release a weird-ass cross between a moan and a whimper at his sudden absence. Footsteps thud in my direction, the noise drawing whoever is nearby closer.
I drop to my knees and hunch forward, making myself appear smaller, less threatening.
“Hey, Leo. Over here. Quick.” The thudding footsteps pick up pace, and I force another whimper from my mouth. “It’s another female. She’s been bitten.”
“Watch it, Dirk. It could be a trap. Blood suckers don’t just leave, especially if they catch a woman.”
I grimace at his words and pull out the dagger Mikkalo gave me. Luckily, it’s covered in vampire blood. “Stay back,” I say, whining a little. “I’ll stab you like I did the other asshole.”
The men stop in their tracks. “It’s okay, sweetheart. We’re not damn blood suckers. Where did you come from anyway?”
A dozen thoughts swirl through my mind as I think of a response.
“You come with the humans looking for Silas?” the man asks.
I blink a few times and nod. “Where are my sisters? We got separated.”
The older of the two guys steps forward and holds out his hand to me. Jameson’s words flash through my mind, and I shake my head and push to my feet on my own. The guy drops his arms at his sides and peers around behind me like he expects a vampire to come flying out from hiding. He’s lucky I didn’t risk allowing him to help me up. Jameson’s clinging onto the edge of control that I don’t know if I trust that he won’t react.
“What’s your name, sweetheart?” the man asks.
“Gigi,” I say, speaking the first name that pops into my head.
He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a dirty rag and waves it to me. “I’m Leo. This is Dirk. We have somewhere safe you can stay the rest of the night.”
I take the gross rag from him and cringe as I press it to my neck. Mikkalo growls too lowly for anyone to hear, and I try not to glance in the direction he left in. I bet it drives him crazy that I comply and cover the bite. He probably won’t mention it, but I know how possessive my guys get, and they’re only good with each other.
The two men motion for me to stroll between them. They stand on guard, weapons drawn, peering through the dark orchard. I notice they keep to a particular path that sometimes forces the three of us to merge into a single-file line.
A strange noise sounds through the air, causing the rebels to stop.
“Gwen, run!” Mikkalo shouts, his voice yelling through the air.
The ground quakes, exploding somewhere nearby. Dirt and debris rain down on top of us, and Dirk pushes me forward.
Leo releases a loud whistle through the air, a call of sorts to whoever stands guard nearby. Fear courses through me, and I pick up pace. Running as fast as I can, I push past the two men. A figure materializes in front of me, and I skid, trying to slow down. I eat shit on the rough terrain and scrape my hands across the ground. Leo and Dirk fire their weapons, the loud pops leaving me seemingly deaf with only ringing in my ears.
I don’t get up, bowing my head, trying to pull my shit together.
“Oh, little dolly.” A feminine voice trickles to me through the cacophonous noises echoing through the air. “I’m so happy to have found you.” Francisca materializes next to me, paying no attention to the guys shooting at another vampire.
I push up, scrambling to my feet. I search the ground for my discarded weapon, catching sight of it only a few feet away. I don’t respond to Francisca and lunge at the dagger, landing on top of it so that it takes more effort for her to disarm me.
She hums under her breath and nudges me over with her stiletto. “Come along, dolly. Corona said whoever found you will get ten minutes to play. I don’t want to waste any time.”
I swing my arm out and jam the dagger into her leg. She screeches and kicks me so hard that I roll a few feet. Pain explodes through me as she steps on my chest, digging the sharp heel of her glittering shoe into my sternum. All it would take is a bit more pressure and she’d impale me.
I scream, locking my fingers to her ankle. “Stop!”
She ignores me, smiling as she continues to force her heel down.
I thrash, unable to stop my mouth from screaming my lungs off. The pain is far more excruciating than anything I’ve ever felt. What’s worse is that I’m certain she’ll kill me at any second, and my guys haven’t even shown themselves.
Something cracks inside me, and I beg my body to black out as warmth trickles between my breasts. My ear-piercing shouts ring through the air. I’m sure every vampire within the vicinity can hear my screams of agony.
Francisca hisses, stepping off of my chest to peer around the dark orchard. The guys that were helping me lie motionless on the ground, and I heave a breath, trying to get my body to curl in on itself.
“The dhampir is mine,” a deep, guttural voice says, the words nearly incoherent through the growls escaping another guy’s throat.
Francisca and the male vampire square off, strategizing their next moves. Neither pays attention to me, and I take advantage of the situation. Kicking my leg out, I clock Francisca hard enough to throw her off balance. She roars, reaching for me at the same time the guy flies at her.
I jerk my hand up as the man shoves her down, and blood cascades over me. Francisca screams and thrashes, and the man smiles at me from over her shoulder, readying his blade to sink it into her back.
He doesn’t get a chance.
Francisca drops her weight on top of me as I rip out her heart.
Chapter 24
Duty as a Dhampir
THE VAMPIRE STANDS OVER ME, tilting his head to the side. Something comes over me, and I bring Francisca’s heart to my mouth and lick it. I know it’s gross. My mind screams at my body to knock it the hell off. But damn it, she tastes good enough. Not mouthwatering, but acceptable, and my body craves the reprieve consuming extra blood does for my injuries.
And this bitch.
I shove her off me, my strength throwing her at least ten feet away and farther than I should be capable of doing. The dude just gapes at me, darting his gaze from Francisca’s dead body and back to me. Something strange darkens his steel-blue eyes, and he clenches his fingers into his palms.
Holy shit. I know that look. I’ve given that look. He’s scared of me.
“You have five seconds to get your douche ass out of here before I take your heart next,” I say, wiping my hand on my pants.
All the guy does is take a few steps back, keeping his intense gaze locked on me as I push up to my feet. My legs tremble like crazy, and I bow forward for a couple of seconds to try to get my nerves to settle. The fact that he hasn’t tried to attack or kidnap me leaves me on edge. His familiarity digs into me, but I can’t tell if I’ve seen him at Corona’s house or somewhere else.
“You have a remarkable similarity to Gwy
neth,” he murmurs, daring to inch closer.
Just the mention of Gwyneth erupts fear in my heart. Spinning on my feet, I try to dash away, but the vampire materializes in front of me. He stops me in my tracks and leans in, brushing loose strands of my hair from my face.
“So perfect. Strong,” he murmurs. “You’ll create such marvelous power for our future.”
I slam my palms to his bone-hard chest, but he doesn’t budge. “Back the hell up.”
He doesn’t. “Please, Gwen. I’ve waited so long for my chance to meet you. Do not deny me the opportunity to introduce myself.”
I glare into his eyes, trying to pull a memory that refuses to break free from my mind.
“I’m Freeport, first in line of the Baron Coven, and your future mate,” he says, stroking his fingers across my cheek. “I look forward to the chance to get to know you on every level you need.”
Future mate? Is this guy for real?
Anger rushes through me. The asshole has the nerve to lean in for an uninvited kiss. I snap my teeth on his tongue, ripping out a cross between a groan and a growl. He pulls back, unfazed by my attempt to bite his tongue off and only smiles.
“I suppose I should’ve given a taste to you first,” he murmurs, sinking his teeth into his arm. “I’m sure you’ll be very pleased with what I have to offer.”
I gawk at his bleeding arm and dart my eyes back to his. His grin softens his hard features to where I might call him handsome if he didn’t sound like such a creep. “Okay, asshole. There is no way my mouth is going anywhere near your blood. Now back the hell up.”
His eyes flash silver, and he jerks away like I slapped him. “My dhampir, you must be so confused. What did my brother do to you to make you this way?”
“Laredo?” I ask. “Or Rochester? Maybe Galveston? Thaxton? All of them were douches.”
“I cannot speak for Rochester or Laredo, but Galveston and Thaxton were only trying to help me bring you home where you belong,” he responds, tightening his jaw.
I scrunch my features, trying my best not to lose control. “Where I belong? Are you kidding me?”
