Devil's Cut: Immortal Keeper Vampire Paranormal Romance Series

by L. A. McGinnis

  “Let’s say he drops dead.” Did vampires ever die? “I’ll bet you’d go back in a heartbeat.”

  “Once, I would have. Now, I’m not sure. The distillery runs fine without me, and I’ve grown used to the modern comforts of my life here. What about you?”

  “What about me?”

  “Have you ever thought about leaving home?”

  It felt odd to entertain the question. We were once again veering off into personal, forbidden territory. Territory that I had to immediately navigate away from. “I haven’t thought much about it. Philly is my home, and I’m not ready to leave, not until I do everything I want to do.”

  “Do you know why Ambrose and I came to America together?”

  “No.”

  “Because we were friends, and friends stick together.” He leaned against the headrest as he closed his eyes. “Sometimes I forget what it was like to have someone you could trust. It’s been a long time since I felt like that about anyone.”

  I kept my hands at two and ten and tried to explain away all the emotions racing through me right now. My heart was not hurting right now. And I definitely didn’t want to pull over and pull him into my arms.

  Unguarded Forge was dangerous. But I longed to hear more.

  “But today, the second I set foot in the building, it all came back to me. There’s only been two humans I trusted. One was Ambrose, and the other is you.”

  Not knowing how to respond, I kept quiet, wondering why Forge was opening up all of a sudden. Before I knew it, we were cresting the hill at the top of the drive. I parked in front of the door, pocketing the keys on the way out. Forge followed me to the door, and for just a second, I had the strangest déjà vu that we were just your average, everyday couple coming home from work. Why I was thinking of us a couple, I didn’t know, but there it was.

  The warm, fuzzy feeling engulfed my stomach, then sank lower, smoldering in my core, while Forge pushed open the door for me. The place smelled clean—wax and cinnamon and lemons—and I toed off my shoes at the door.

  Forge was practically crowding me as I dropped my briefcase into the nearest chair, wondering why this place was starting to feel like home.

  23

  The second Selena and I breached the door, I knew something was wrong. Beneath the heavy smell of cleaners lurked a stranger’s scent. Dobson.

  Rage crackled in me at the thought of someone in my den, along with a prickle of doubt. How had the bastard gotten in? How did he know when we’d arrive?

  I didn’t leave Selena’s side as she took off her shoes and set her bag down. I didn’t hear him moving, but Dobson’s scent was fresh, which meant he was nearby, waiting for his chance to take Selena.

  With Selena’s ability now exposed, she was a valuable commodity, one I knew the Elder would exploit fully. It was my job to protect her and keep the bastard from getting anywhere close to her.

  There’s someone in the house.

  Beside me, she went completely rigid. Who? Can you tell?

  I hesitated, but since we’d settled on the truth in most situations, I thought back to her, Dobson.

  Even though I’d known a kidnapping attempt was possible, I was disappointed they’d jumped right into it. A little bit of loyalty among my own kind shouldn’t be too much to ask for. Apparently, Dobson was willing to do anything, so long as the money was right. Which was predictable, as far as Dobson went. He’d always been a sketchy git.

  Stay beside me. And keep your eyes closed.

  While she obeyed, I sent my shadows out to find the intruder. They flew up the winding stairs, then down the hallway toward where our bedrooms were, and a moment later, I heard the scuffle of feet against the wood floor. The methodical thuds told me they were dragging him down to me, and as soon as the sound stopped, Dobson materialized in front of me, his arms bound tightly to his sides by my shadows.

  My years in America had not only been spent avoiding my kind. I’d spent the time teaching myself—as the humans said—new tricks. This was one of them. Handy, when I couldn’t leave Selena’s side.

  “I didn’t invite you, Dobson,” I told him civilly. “But I’m glad you’re here. Maybe you can clear a few things up for me.”

  In response, the pale vampire hissed, as my shadows squeezed tighter. Selena was keeping close, as intrigued as she was scared. Her eyes were also open, blinking as she took in the sight before us. I would have—should have—explained this strange talent of mine, but I hadn’t thought the situation would arise where she’d see it.

  Ask him who sent him.

  Obviously, that will be my first question.

  “Why are you here, Dobson? Didn’t my actions at Assembly deter you from trying to kidnap my Chosen?” The more the asshole fought against the shadows, the tighter they constricted. “You came here to harm Selena.”

  “I came because she is very valuable, Bastian.” He licked his lips. “She’s worth a lot of money. Money I’d be willing to split with you.”

  The sound of my given name on that POS’s tongue irked me, but not as much as his offer.

  “We can share the reward from the Elder—trust me, it’s more than generous. Once we hand her over to him, we’ll divide it…half and half.” The expectant expression on his face faded when he saw mine. “Okay, forty-sixty.”

  “Clearly, I don’t need your money.” I indicated the house around us. “Nor the Elder’s. You’ve trespassed. You coordinated an attack on us in Edinburgh. But worst of all, Dobson, you came after her.” My last word was nothing more than a low, feral growl, and Dobson’s teeth punched out of his mouth.

  I wasn’t worried about Dobson escaping. I was worried about Selena and whether she wanted to see any more of this. Probably not.

  “Selena, go to the library and lock the door,” I told her, praying she’d obey with no argument. “Don’t open it for anyone.”

  Except you.

  Yes. Except for me.

  She eyed the situation again before heading down the hallway. When I heard the distinctive click of the library’s lock, I let my fangs descend as I decided where to strike first.

  “I wouldn’t have hurt her, Bastian, I swear. I was only going to take her to him, that’s all, nothing more, and I was supposed to get her there in one piece. I only got involved because the Elder called in a favor. I didn’t want any part of this. I was minding my own business…”

  I looked on in disgust as Dobson went to his knees, begging for mercy.

  “No one will ever take her away from me,” I assured him. “Not you. Not the Elder, not the whole goddamn Assembly.”

  After locking the door tightly behind me, I doubled-checked the latch, just to make sure it was secure. I wasn’t sure if I felt safer in here or outside with Forge. I’d known I’d see Dobson again; I just didn’t think it would be this soon.

  Then there were the shadowy things that seemed to leak out of Forge’s fingers. I definitely wasn’t going to think about that. I plunked down in the deep leather chair, warm from being so close to the fire, and realized I was shivering. No, I was shaking, as my teeth chattered loud enough to be heard.

  Hi, my name is Forge. I’m a gazillionaire, and I can shoot shadows out of my hands. I like blood, mayhem and long walks on the beach.

  The more I thought about what was happening outside the door, the more I began looking at the library’s dark corners as a threat. Dobson had found me. Which meant the Elder likely knew where I was. Maybe he was on his way right now.

  A muted scream echoed dully behind the door, and I sank down further into the chair.

  I hated all of this violence.

  Or did I?

  Right now, I was more than happy Forge was out there dealing with Dobson, even though I knew what the outcome would be. I was grateful he’d been with me tonight. Glad I’d given in to his seemingly ridiculous demand and wasn’t alone in my house, trying to outsmart Dobson.

  No, when it suited me, I was okay with Forge’s violence.

  As
if they heard me, there was a deep roar, a cut-off scream, a heavy thump and then silence.

  I stayed put. No telling what was going on out there, and I didn’t want to be part of it. Not yet, anyway. I might be okay with Forge’s end result, but his methods were nothing I had to see in person. Knowing he was watching out for me was enough.

  I waited for what seemed like forever, before Forge softly knocked on the door. “Selena?”

  I ran to unlock it, wondering why, exactly, I was running, and then I inhaled Forge’s rich scent as he caught me in his arms. It was one of those magical, movie-star moments, until it wasn’t, as I head-butted him square in the nose.

  “Oof,” he grunted. Since I smashed up against him, I felt his breath go out in a whoosh.

  I slid out of his arms and down his body as both of his hands went to his nose. “Shit, that fucking hurt. I’m bleeding.” So much blood was pouring between his fingers that I left him and ran down the hall to get a towel from the kitchen.

  By the time I got back, Forge had already stopped bleeding and I was left holding a handful of towels. “Ultra-fast coagulation,” he explained, although the front of his shirt was soaked. He saw my eyes stray to the stain, and chuckled. “Don’t worry; that’s not mine. It’s Dobson’s.”

  Okay, the suspense was killing me. “Is he…” Dead? Half-dead? Alive?

  “He’ll never bother you again.” Hearing the firm assurance in Forge’s voice made that panicky, restless feeling fade. “What I don’t know is how he gained access to the house in the first place. Or how he knew our schedule.”

  The squeamish feeling rushed right back through me.

  “He knew when we’d be home,” Forge pointed out pragmatically while my mind was scrambling around trying to figure out if I was happy that Dobson was dead. Jury was still out, although I was warming up to the idea.

  “Maybe he followed us home?”

  “Doubtful,” Forge said, striding to the computer. “I upgraded the security this past week. Cameras throughout the property, including the road.” He clicked the mouse, then a few keys and a grid of camera views came up on the screen. “I’ll run this back, until… Ah, there you are, you little pissant.”

  I didn’t know what Forge was looking at, because I couldn’t see a thing except trees and darkness.

  “I’ll slow it down for you.” He hit a button, and all of a sudden, Dobson materialized out of thin air, just like he had moments ago. “We move too quickly for a human to see. He beat us home by a few minutes.”

  I watched the Range Rover come up the drive, then stop at the front door. That sick feeling crept through me again as I watched myself get out, acting like I didn’t have a care in the world.

  “How do you know he just didn’t follow us here?” I asked, watching Forge and I disappear through the door. “I mean, if he’s really that fast…”

  He was flipping through camera angles quicker than I could track, his eyes missing nothing, as he stopped on one screen that showed the intersection halfway between the distillery and here.

  “There’s no sight of him there. Not so much as a blip.” He fast-forwarded back to where Dobson appeared in the backyard. “He knew exactly when we’d be pulling up the driveway.”

  “Maybe it’s just a coincidence. He could have guessed…”

  “Selena,” Forge said softly, pulling me closer to the screen, until I was pressed into him. “He was waiting for us, which means…”

  I looked up at him, my stomach sinking. “I know what it means. There’s someone at L&F who sold me out.”

  Sadly, that wasn’t our only problem.

  “There’s something I have to tell you, Forge. In between the Scottish bloodbath and the plane ride home…I guess I forgot.” How I’d forgotten something this momentous, I didn’t know, but I’d been attacked, mentally assaulted and lied to, and somewhere in the middle of all of that, apparently, my brain had stopped working.

  “The Elder wasn’t just after you.” I sighed, knowing exactly where this was going to lead. “He knew about me. He wasn’t surprised to see me at Assembly—he expected me. Factor in the mysterious note that sent me to find you…and I have a feeling we’ve both been set up.”

  Even as his eyes began to glow, I warned him, “But don’t, for one minute, think I’m staying locked up in here, Forge. I’m not a princess, and you don’t have a tower high enough to keep me in.”

  24

  The next few days were a stress-fest.

  Forge didn’t leave my side, while I looked at everyone at the company like they’d grow fangs and jump out of a dark corner, and didn’t get a damn thing accomplished.

  I didn’t ask Forge what he’d done with Dobson’s body, and he didn’t feel the need to tell me.

  He’d just returned from patrolling the perimeter, also known as the aging barns and the parking lot, on the lookout for a pack of rabid vampires heading to kidnap me. I tapped my pencil hard enough on my desk that it broke into pieces, one of them flying behind the filing cabinets.

  Calm down, Selena. I made a circuit of the building and grounds, and there’s no sign of vampires.

  If there was, would you even tell me?

  We were in our respective offices, ever since I’d kicked him out of mine, in order to put some distance between us. While I appreciated his protective fervor, he was driving me absolutely crazy.

  We decided to tell the truth.

  Yes, we did. But sometimes…people keep things from other people, just because it might upset them.

  Not this time.

  Promise?

  What was the point of being in separate offices if all we did was think back and forth? I tossed the broken half-pencil in the wastebasket. Worse yet, being in Forge’s head was starting to feel natural to me, and I didn’t want it to be. I wanted it to continue being strange and foreign so I could maintain some distance between us.

  I could stay out of your head. But you’re thinking too loudly today, and I can’t shut you out.

  I lunged out of my chair and stalked to his office.

  “We need to talk like normal people here,” I told him sternly. “Or else everyone around here will think…”

  “What will we think?” Emerson said from behind me. I jumped, because I’d thought Forge and I were the only ones down here.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked. Because the only time Emerson came to the basement was if something was wrong. I hadn’t seen much of him lately, which hopefully meant the company was running smoothly. Not that I’d know, since I was more concerned with being kidnapped.

  “Nothing. Just coming to give you a report that the barley is ready to go into the kiln for drying. Tomorrow morning, I have a crew ready to start turning it.” He gave Forge a nod. “If you want to stick around late tonight, Selena can walk you through the process.”

  I winced as Forge’s eyes settled on me. I hadn’t exactly filled him in on my plans. Obviously, Emerson was way ahead of me.

  All I’d wanted was a few hours of normalcy in the malting room, which didn’t involve anything except me and the job that I loved. Sending Forge home early had been the first step in my plan, and now that was ruined.

  “I’d love to show you how we do things here,” I told him with false brightness, well aware he had eons more practice than I did at this stuff. “How does it smell?” I asked Emerson, my feet already moving.

  “Perfectly rancid. Waiting for your special touch,” he replied, grinning. He’d always hated the smell of malting, but loved the smell of mash. Go figure.

  When were you going to tell me about this, Selena?

  Not until I had to, Mr. Forge.

  Forge silently fumed the whole way upstairs and over to the malting building, where we ducked in a side door and I took a deep breath. Sweet and sugary, like a rich honey. I didn’t know why Emerson hated this smell so much—it was our lifeblood, and every time I smelled it, I knew another batch would be put into the oak barrels, and after twelve or more years, it could go a
nywhere in the world.

  Look, I’m sorry. I just needed some time alone. Life has been…intense lately.

  Slowly, his anger subsided, replaced by concern. That’s all you had to say, Miss Langston. I would have understood. He reached out and plucked my sleeve. “I’m sorry, Selena. Your life has changed completely, and I know it’s been hard.”

  “It has been,” I said. “I’m tired of my emotions swinging between panic and fear. All of this”—I swung my hand around in the air—“relaxes me. It’s simple, and uncomplicated, and familiar.”

  He nodded, then a mischievous smile curved his lips. I don’t care what Holloway says. This place smells heavenly.

  I fought the chuckle rising in me. Heavenly? You are such a romantic, I joked, skirting the piles of germinated green malt. When I’d reached the center of the floor, I crouched down and scooped up a handful. It was slightly moist and fragrant, and on the cusp of being ready.

  But to be perfect, there was one more step, something that no distillery did anymore, because it was considered unnecessary and expensive and old-fashioned. The malt needed to be turned once more, and everyone else had gone home for the day.

  I’m an old hand at turning malt. How long do we have?

  Maybe six hours. I have a system, believe it or not, of telling when it’s ready to go into the kiln.

  Forge’s laugh echoed through the metal building. “That’s the middle of the night.”

  “Very good, Forge,” I teased. “It’s no wonder you’ve survived forever—you’re wickedly observant.”

  He bumped me with his elbow, and I smiled back. “Can I help you?”

  “And not afraid of manual labor, besides.” I laughed. “There are coveralls on the hooks, and rakes there.” I waved to the far wall. “If we start now, we might be done by midnight.”

  I don’t have anywhere else I’d rather be.

  Regretting my earlier crack about him being a romantic, I headed for the coveralls. I’d dressed in preparation for this, and slipped the coveralls over a t-shirt and formfitting yoga pants, but Forge had on a suit and tie.