FALL OF A BLOOD MOON

by Jodi Vaughn

  They stopped in front of it. Edward Boudier stepped out from behind a tree.

  “Well, well, well. The Witch of Yazoo City.” Boudier smiled and clasped his hands together. “We meet at last.”

  “I have a name. It’s Ella. And if you expect me to testify for you, then you’re going to have to provide a blood donor.” Her vision began to blur and she squeezed her eyes shut and tried to stay conscious. “I don’t have much longer before I’m sucked back to the cemetery. Once I’m there, you don’t have a witness. There will be no getting me out of there again. Jack Welbourn will make sure to have someone guard me to make sure I don’t get out again. He seems to think I’m on a killing spree.”

  “Ah yes. That.” Boudier’s creepy grin grew wider. “It seems I’m the reason he thinks that.”

  Her eyes popped open. “What? Why would he think that? I didn’t drain them, nor did I kill them. They were very much alive when I left them.”

  “Because, my dear, I’ve been following you. Every time took blood from a victim, I ordered my Guardians to kill them.” Boudier sighed and looked around.

  “Why would you do that?” Her mouth dropped open, and she took a step back.

  “Because it was the only way I could ensure that all the other Pack Masters knew you were dangerous. I know you’ve wanted your freedom for a long time, and I wanted to make sure the other Pack Masters would never broker a deal with you.”

  “You killed people so people would blame me for it.” She felt like she’d stepped into a trap.

  “Yes. You see, I have this reputation for willing to work with, how do you say it? The unsavory. And once I made you into a psycho killing witch, I knew it was only a matter of time before you would come to me wanting my help. And see, it worked. The cameras at John’s house put you outside the house at the scene of the crime. You are going to be my star witness to the crimes against Jaxon Taylor.”

  “I’m not psychotic. I’m borderline personality, you dumb shit,” she spat out.

  His grin faded. “Be careful, Witch. I don’t allow anyone to talk to me like that. You want your freedom and you need a blood donor. I can offer you both in exchange for your testimony and something else of mine that I know you have.”

  Her eyes widened ever so slightly, and then she fixed an innocent look on her face. “I don’t know what you are talking about.”

  “Yes, you do. The packet that Ginny dropped off at the bar. The packet you stole.” He glared.

  She shut her eyes. She’d been holding onto it to use as her leverage against Boudier. Now the tables were turned.

  He laughed. “You don’t have much longer. I can see how weak you’ve become. Agree to my terms of being my witness and saying that you saw Jaxon murder those two people, and I will give you the blood you need and the freedom you seek.”

  She swallowed. “How will you give me my freedom? I saw a bunch of fucking Arkansas and Mississippi Guardians on our way up here. I’m practically surrounded by them.”

  “Under the Pack Law, a witness in a Tribunal will not be harmed and is under the protection of the Pack Master involved. Once you give your statement, I will give you immunity from all past crimes.” He grinned and nodded to the Assassins. “Ask them if you don’t believe me.”

  She looked at Lorcan. He simply nodded.

  “Fine. I’ll testify. But I need blood.” She clenched her hands together and took a deep breath. “The envelope you want is hidden underneath the seat of the car I arrived in.”

  “Perfect. I’ll send a Guardian to retrieve it. Now to uphold my end of the bargain.” He waved his hand in the direction of the trailer. “Your salvation, my dear, is inside that trailer.” Boudier snapped his fingers, and half a dozen Louisiana Guardians stepped out from the shadows.

  A Guardian stepped forward and tugged the door open. She squinted, but it was too dark to see inside. She took a step forward.

  “Now,” Boudier said behind her.

  She was shoved inside. She fell inside the cramped trailer. A large figure fell on top of her, and the door slammed shut. She was trapped in darkness.

  “Get the fuck off me.” She wheezed, shoving at the massive body of muscle on top of her.

  He grunted and rolled off.

  “A Guardian. What the fuck? So your own Pack Master offers me your blood.” She felt around in the dark. “How do you feel about that?”

  “Not too fucking thrilled,” Lorcan replied, his tone even.

  “Lorcan?” Her knees buckled and she slumped to the floor.

  “Yeah. Do you need a knife or something?” Lorcan asked.

  She was so stunned she couldn’t speak for a few seconds.

  “A knife?”

  “For the blood. The blood you need to keep you here.” He spoke slowly, like he was explaining something to a child.

  “A knife would be good,” she said carefully. “Did you volunteer for this?” She couldn’t imagine the Assassin volunteering to give his blood.

  “No. Take this.” He grabbed her hand and pressed the blade into her palm.

  She took the knife and felt her way around his body. The dude was built like a freaking wall of muscle. She grinned and dipped her hand past the waistband on his pants.

  He grabbed her hand. “Easy. I don’t want anything down there cut.”

  “Wasn’t going to cut there. Just checking out the situation.” She smirked.

  “Well, don’t.”

  “Fine.” She sighed. “Where can I cut you?”

  “You’re asking?” His tone was one of disbelief.

  “Yeah, well, I’ve never actually had anyone volunteer.” That wasn’t totally true, but he didn’t need to know.

  “Do my neck. Then it will be easier to cut my throat after you’re done.”

  “I’m not cutting your throat. Jesus.” She was fading fast. She sliced the blade against the side of his neck. Immediately the coppery scent of blood filled the tiny trailer. She leaned in and pressed her cheek to his bleeding neck.

  He stiffened. “I thought you didn’t drink blood.”

  “I don’t, you idiot. I do, however, need to feel it on my body.” She laid her forehead on his shoulder. He could almost hear his pulse beating in his chest. “Relax. I know you’re a werewolf. You’ll heal quick enough.”

  “Not this time,” he said solemnly.

  “What do you mean?” She frowned but didn’t lift her head.

  “After you are done with me, Boudier’s Guardians will come in and put a silver bullet in my head. To finish me off.”

  Her eyes popped open, and her power was back. She lifted her head. With his blood, she could even see him in the dark. “Why would they do that? Guardians don’t kill their own kind. Not within their state.”

  “In Louisiana they do. When given an order by Boudier the Guardians they will do what they’re told.” He winced and pressed his hand to his still-bleeding neck.

  “Why would Boudier order that?” Her stomach twisted. She knew she was making a deal with the devil, but she would do anything to keep from going back to that cemetery.

  “Because he knows I helped my brother escape. He suspects I helped the Arkansas Guardians get out of Louisiana.” He shrugged. “He may even suspect that I helped get Jaxon across the border before we caught up to them.”

  “Did you?” She froze.

  “I’m not telling you.” He glanced at the closed door that would lead to her freedom. “You need to go. Boudier is waiting for you. If he suspects we talked, then he won’t hesitate to end you.”

  “Well, I’m a little hard to kill.” She bit her lip.

  “No doubt.” A small grin crept across his lips.

  “I’m not safe with him, am I?” She waited for his answer.

  He stared at her hard and then slowly shook his head. “No one is.”

  She heard movement outside and some yelling.

  “When they open that door, run. Don’t look back,” he said.

  “Why are you doing this? Why
are you helping me?” She didn’t trust anyone. Least of all a shifter.

  “It’s my way of trying to make up for my past,” he said.

  She leaned down, pressed her lips to his, and kissed him long and hard. He didn’t fight her or shove her away. She pulled out an envelope out of her jacket and tucked it inside his leather jacket. When she pulled back, she winked. “Thanks for the blood, sugar.”

  “Well I really didn’t have a choice.” Lorcan said.

  “This is yours.” She handed him the knife back. “Take care of yourself, Lorcan.”

  The trailer door creaked open, and she bolted out into the darkness.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  “The Council has heard the testimony from the witness for Edward Boudier. The Witch of Yazoo was shown at the scene of the crime. She gave testimony that she saw Jaxon Taylor break into the house and murder Caroline Boudier and John McGregor. We would now like to hear from Barrett Middleton’s witnesses regarding the charge against Guardian Jaxon Taylor.” One of the ten Council members spoke, his voice echoing in the cave.

  Barrett alone stood in front of the Council while Jaxon stood off in the shadows with his hands chained behind his back. The meeting was closed to the other Guardians. Only the Pack Masters were allowed entrance. Once the verdict was announced, they would move near the top of the peak where the Guardians were gathered in a circle to see the outcome.

  “I’m afraid I have no witness.” His stomach clenched.

  The council members looked at one another and frowned.

  “But how will you counter the accusations made against Guardian Jaxon Taylor?” one of the Council said.

  “I am here as a character witness.”

  Boudier snorted. “Are you serious?”

  Barrett ignored Boudier and addressed the Council directly. “May I continue?”

  “Go on.”

  “Jaxon has never harmed an innocent civilian since I’ve known him. He’s one of my finest Guardians and has done his job without reproach. The death of Caroline Boudier was an accident. I believe the crime scene results will show that she fell and impaled herself.”

  “That’s not what my witness saw,” Boudier yelled out.

  “Let Middleton speak,” one of the Council members admonished. He waved his hand for Barrett to continue.

  “Your witness is a liar. I suspect you brokered a deal with her so she wouldn’t have to go back to the cemetery.” Barrett glared at Boudier.

  “As far as John McGregor goes, John attacked Jaxon first, and he bit him with his silver teeth.”

  “Silver teeth?” One of the Council members cringed and looked at Boudier.

  “My son-in-law was a bit… quirky.” Boudier shrugged.

  “The death of John was self-defense. It was either kill or be killed,” Barrett stated. “I would have done the same if I were in his position.”

  The room grew quiet.

  “If you please, I have a witness who is here of her own volition, despite the fact that Arkansas and Mississippi have planned to do her harm.” Boudier waved at Ella.

  Ella cringed and took a step back as if she realized she had picked the wrong fucking horse in this race. But it was too late now.

  “Barrett has no witnesses, and Jaxon himself has admitted to killing two Weres—one who was my wife.” Boudier fisted his hands at his side. “I demand justice. I demand blood for what was taken from me.”

  Barrett tensed, waiting for the Council to speak. He cut his eyes over at Jaxon. He was still standing there with his head held high, like he was determined to die for his female.

  The Council members turned their backs to him and whispered and murmured among themselves.

  Every second that ticked by made his chest hurt even more.

  The Council finally turned around and faced them. Barrett tried to get a read on them, but it was impossible. They were as somber as priests.

  “A verdict has been reached in this Tribunal. Once it is stated, it cannot be taken back or changed. It’s final.”

  Silence.

  “We have found that Edward Boudier had demanded justice for his wife and son-in-law. And it is by law that we demand a blood debt be paid by an Arkansas Guardian. A life for a life.”

  “Yes!” Edward Boudier let out a triumphant shout, and it echoed in the cave they were standing in.

  Nausea swamped over Barrett hard and fast, and he forced himself to stand there.

  “Barrett, you’ve been a great leader of Arkansas and we commend you on that. But Jaxon’s life has to be sacrificed for the crime he has committed.”

  “What you are saying is that you need an Arkansas Guardian to die for Boudier? Despite the fact that Boudier is a danger to his own kind?” Barrett said.

  “The Council’s verdict is final,” one of the Councilmen said with conviction.

  “Don’t look so sad, Barrett. You’ve got lots of other Guardians. You won’t miss one.” Boudier smirked.

  “You are not allowed to speak, Boudier,” one of the Council chided. “You’ve had your say. Now we must see the punishment through.”

  Barrett looked at Jaxon, who didn’t make eye contact. Jaxon stared straight ahead. A single bead of sweat rolled down his temple and onto his shirt.

  Barrett walked over to where Jaxon stood, and suddenly two the Louisiana Assassins appeared out of the shadows to escort Jaxon out.

  Barrett glared at Brutus and Killian. “I will walk out with Jaxon.”

  They stepped out of the cave and onto the top of the mountain, where Guardians from Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Arkansas waited. The Council walked out first, followed by Boudier. Barrett waited a second and fell into step with Jaxon at his side.

  “I’m sorry, Barrett. I’ve let you down.” Jaxon murmured. “But I couldn’t let her die. She’s pregnant.”

  “I know.” Barrett cleared his throat as they stepped out into the clearing at the top of the mountain.

  The Council members lined up to address the werewolves. Silence fell over the crowd.

  “The verdict is guilty. Arkansas must pay Louisiana a death in exchange for the two lives Boudier lost.”

  Rumblings and murmurs rose up among the Guardians. Only the Louisiana Guardians were silent.

  Barrett searched the crowd until he found Jack Wellbourn. The Mississippi Pack Master stared back at him with the briefcase clutched in his hands. He let his gaze drift over to his Guardians. As promised, Jack had positioned his Mississippi Guardians in between each Arkansas Guardian.

  He stepped forward to address the crowd, but a female screamed. He looked toward the woods.

  “Wait! Wait!” Ava came barreling out of the woods and dodged Brutus, who tried to prevent her from running up to Barrett.

  “Ava. I told you to go…” Barrett glared down at her. And then froze as her scent hit him. Ava was pregnant. How had he not recognized this before?

  He must have been too caught up in trying to figure out a way to get Jaxon out of this mess.

  “You can’t kill Jaxon. It’s not right.” She looked up at him with tears in her eyes.

  He looked upward into the sky. “Ah, you women. You never trust me.”

  “You found a way out of this?”

  He lifted his head to the crowd and froze when he spotted Damon edging closer to the middle. Damon frowned when he saw Ava.

  Barrett hadn’t known Damon would show. But it was then he knew it was fate. It was then he knew what he had to do.

  Barrett leaned down and looked her in the eye. “Promise me when this is over that you will take care of Damon. He’s a good male. Don’t let him feel guilty for any of this.”

  “Feel guilty? I don’t understand.” His eyes widened. “What are you talking about, Barrett?”

  “I’m sorry for what I’m about to do. I hope you can forgive me one day, Ava.” He grabbed Jaxon and shoved him toward the line of Mississippi Guardians, who caught him before he hit the ground. Jack’s eyes widened, ye
t he didn’t move.

  Barrett grabbed the silver knife out of the waistband of his jeans and seized Ava. He clamped a hand down on her mouth and held the knife to her throat. His gut twisted and turned as she tried to break free.

  He had to do this to save Jaxon.

  He had to do this to save his Pack.

  He had to die to save the future of Arkansas.

  “What the fuck are you doing, Barrett?” Damon broke through the line of Kentucky Guardians. “Get your fucking hands off her.”

  “You do know, Damon, that Ava was always supposed to be mine, right?” Barrett called out over the roar of the crowd.

  Everyone went silent.

  “Get your fucking hands off her now, Barrett.” Damon growled.

  Barrett didn’t move. He knew the only thing Damon would kill him over was Ava. Damon and Ava and their little one on the way would protect the state of Arkansas. They would be the future of the Pack.

  Once this was over, they would find the paperwork that legally gave Damon control as Pack Master in case of the Barrett’s death. They would also find enough evidence on Boudier to send him to his death as well.

  But first someone had to die.

  In order to save Jaxon, he had to die.

  In order to protect his Guardians, Barrett was willing to do it.

  Barrett leaned down to Ava’s neck. To everyone else, it looked like he was kissing her.

  “I’m sorry. This is the only way I can save Jaxon. It calls for a death. They will get a death. Not his. But mine.” He pressed the blade to her neck, enough to draw a drop of blood.

  “Forgive me, Ava. Take care of Damon,” he whispered.

  A demonic growl erupted. Damon lunged and shifted into wolf in midair.

  Barrett timed it just right, and right before Damon landed, Barrett shoved Ava out of the way and turned the blade of the knife to his chest. The weight of Damon shoved the silver blade into his chest, ripping apart the chambers of his heart as it sliced through the muscle. Something flickered in Damon’s eyes, and he backed away from Barrett. Barrett’s heart slowed, and he could feel the blood pouring out of his chest. Unimaginable pain sliced through his chest as the silver began to poison him. He fell to his knees. He only had seconds before he would be dead.