Inevitable Darkness

by Cassandra Lawson

  “Twenty-seven.”

  Jase’s eyebrows rose at Cam’s response. “How long has this been going on? We haven’t come across any vampires.”

  “They’ve all been found within the last two weeks,” Cam replied. “I told Connor that I was sure you’d have contacted him if any of our people had seen anything, but he wants to meet with you, Cord, and Abram. You haven’t answered the phone Connor gave you, so he asked me to come out here.”

  Jase hated using the phone and often forgot to charge it. Max had his own phone, but he only used it to call Eleanor. The only other phone in the settlement belonged to Zane and Lexi, and it often remained off for weeks.

  “That’s a lot of kills in two weeks,” Jase remarked. “I’ll bet it’s Abram. That vampire doesn’t give a damn about anyone. Despite his bullshit truce, he wouldn’t warn any of us about problems in the area.”

  “Fucking Abram,” Cam muttered.

  “Yeah, I’d love to see that sadistic prick dead,” Jase grumbled. He still wasn’t over his jealousy from earlier that day.

  Cam’s eyes narrowed. “Has there been a recent problem with Abram? I know you aren’t fond of him, but you’ve never sounded like you want to kill the bastard before.”

  Jase let out a frustrated sigh, figuring there was no harm in sharing with Cam as long as he didn’t share their conversation with Zane. Jase didn’t want any advice from Zane on how to handle his situation with Vexx.

  “What I’m about to tell you has to stay between us,” Jase told him. “Don’t tell anyone.”

  “I can’t promise to keep anything from Claire,” Cam replied.

  Jase nodded. “I don’t want Zane hearing.”

  Cam nodded. “I won’t tell Zane.”

  “I ran into Vexx while I was out for a run, and Abram was with her.”

  Cam’s eyes narrowed. “Why is she spending time with Abram? Cord will be pissed when he finds out.”

  “She says he finds her when she’s out running,” Jase explained. “I’m not sure I trust the shit he’s been telling her, but Vexx isn’t worried. We also aren’t going to tell Cord.”

  “She’s his daughter,” Cam argued. “Don’t you think he has a right to know if Vexx might be in danger?”

  “Vexx needs to run,” Jase explained. “I’m guessing Cord’s been overprotective after what happened. He wasn’t happy about her going out on her own before.”

  “I can’t believe you’re okay with her going out on her own,” Cam added. “You’re a stickler for the rules, so I’d expect you to be on your way to tell Cord. Instead, you’re keeping it from him and even defending her. Then again, you’ve also developed a sudden desire to go out for runs alone. Could it be that you’ve been meeting up with Vexx and not telling anyone?”

  “It’s nothing like that. We both need time alone,” Jase muttered. “Our lives got turned upside down, but it’s worse for Vexx. She died, and everything changed.” Jase scowled when he saw Cam’s grin. “Why do you look so pleased?”

  Cam shrugged, still grinning. “It’s nice hearing you defend your mate.”

  “She’s no longer my mate,” Jase muttered.

  “You’re a dumbass,” Cam accused.

  “Watch it, little brother,” Jase warned.

  “No,” Cam shot back. “I’ve watched you mope around for months, like Vexx is dead. She’s not dead. Yeah, she’s no longer your one true mate, and I’m sure that sucks, but she’s not dead. I wasn’t around when your mom was alive, but everyone knows Max loved her. Almost everyone in our clan believed she was his mate. Finding your one true mate is amazing. I’m grateful for finding Claire, but it’s not the only road to happiness.”

  “She didn’t want to be with me when we had that bond,” Jase reminded him. “I thought we were getting somewhere before I lost her.”

  “You didn’t lose her,” Cam snapped. “I’m only saying this because I love you. I hate seeing you suffer because of your stupid pride or some idea that you need your true mate to be happy. Vexx is the one for you. She’s nothing like what you expected when you thought about finding a mate, and that’s a good thing, in my opinion. The last thing you need is a female who’s too much like you. You need fun and adventure—not to the extent Zane has, but more than you’ve been having.”

  “I don’t know,” Jase replied. “It may be too late even if I decide I want to make things work.”

  Who was he kidding? He’d already told Vexx he planned to visit her, and he’d been thinking about that visit the entire way home.

  “But will you at least agree to think about it?” Cam asked. “I think you need each other, even if you’re both too stubborn to admit to it.”

  “You’re right,” Jase admitted. “Before I left Vexx, I told her I’m planning to visit her. Now, I need to get some work done.”

  Cam was grinning as Jase passed him on the way out. Thankfully, Cam would be away for the next week, so Jase wouldn’t need to listen to any of his advice on how to win Vexx over. Brothers could be really annoying.

  Chapter 6

  Vexx wasn’t surprised to find Winter waiting for her when she returned. They’d spoken earlier that day, and she’d warned Vexx about taking off for a run. Vexx’s father had a meeting with the vampire leader, Connor, so Winter knew Vexx would consider it a good time to slip away. Still, with rumors of feral vampires in the area, she’d cautioned Vexx against going out alone.

  “Do you have a death wish?” Winter demanded. “Is that why you refuse to take one of us with you when you go out?”

  Normally, Winter didn’t get on her case, but she’d been moody the last few weeks. Vexx tried to avoid triggering her temper, and she’d planned to stay home that day. It seemed Vexx couldn’t even take her own advice.

  “I saw Jase today.” She knew that would distract Winter. Vexx didn’t have a death wish, but she’d always been overly confident in her ability to take care of herself. One would have expected dying to change that, but it hadn’t, much to her father’s dismay.

  “Did you fight?” Winter asked. “Is that why you seem upset?”

  “Yes, but we didn’t argue the whole time,” she replied. “It’s crazy that I was ever destined to be Jase’s mate. I still can’t imagine a worse match.”

  Winter shrugged. “It seems like the perfect match to me.”

  Vexx laughed and shook her head. “Jase is rigid, and he likes everything orderly. He was furious when he found out I was running today. I wouldn’t be surprised if he tells my father what I was doing.”

  “I’m not convinced he’ll tell Cord,” Winter stated. “As for you being wrong for Jase because he’s rigid, I think you’re completely off. We’ve argued about this before. Jase has always been forced to live by the rules and be the responsible one. From what I’ve heard, he’s never really rebelled. He’s the one who gave Max the fewest problems. Jase always knew he’d take over the clan one day. He’s also had to take responsibility for his brothers many times.”

  “I’m sure that’s especially true with Zane,” Vexx replied with a smile. Zane had settled down some since finding his mate, but not much. “I’m not trying to judge Jase for being rigid. I’m merely pointing out that my behavior would drive him up a wall. We’re too different.”

  “It’s more likely you’ll teach him to have more fun,” Winter insisted. “And, while I know you are going to be angry with me for suggesting it, I also think he’ll help you focus and settle down some. Before you start complaining about my suggestion, hear me out. I’m not saying I want you to become a different person. You’re amazing, but I often think you need someone to help you focus. I’ve been talking to your father about witches recently. He said that your mom used to go back to her coven for support. She once told him the coven offered structure.”

  Vexx cocked her head to the side and considered her answer. “Structure? I suppose, from my mom’s perspective, they are structured. I don’t think that’s why she really went back. My mom found comfort and with her coven.
The coven lands are also very secure. She always felt safe there.”

  “Your father was afraid you’d move there after your attack,” Winter explained.

  “I’d never leave the clan for long,” she assured Winter. “With the coven, I never feel like I belong. The Sisterhood of the Shade will always have my back, but I’m still an outsider. They can’t understand my need to run in cougar form. They’re also even more irresponsible than I am. After spending time there, I usually return with a new appreciation for what my dad must go through while dealing with me.”

  Winter laughed at her confession. “I think he likes strong-willed females. I never do what he expects, and neither do you or your sisters. Your father may not be as rigid as Jase, but that could be because he’s had wilder influences in his life.”

  “Wilder than Zane?” Vexx asked.

  “You’re wilder than Zane,” Winter insisted.

  “I’m a different kind of wild,” Vexx argued. “Jase loves both his brothers.”

  “Wildness and all,” Winter added. “Do you miss him?”

  “Yes,” she replied honestly. “Sometimes, I dream about him. When he was my one true mate, I always felt the pull of that connection, even when I tried to deny it.”

  “Now, you’re afraid he’ll leave,” Winter deduced. “You’re afraid you’ll love him, and then he’ll decide he can’t be with you.”

  Vexx took a deep breath and admitted her real fear. “I’m afraid he’ll fall in love with me, but I won’t be able to commit the way he needs. My dad didn’t love my mom the way he loves you, but he cared a great deal for her. I saw how much it hurt him when she’d take off for months, either because she needed her coven or because she wanted to go on an adventure. It hurt him to be rejected over and over again by her. It hurt him when she’d whisk me away without warning. For months, I’d live with the coven, learning to be a better witch, while my father worried that I wouldn’t return. I am my mother’s daughter with the potential for immature and selfish behavior.”

  Winter shook her head. “You’re wrong. Yes, you are impulsive and immature at times, and I can see that you might hurt Jase, but he’ll also hurt you sometimes. I hurt your father, and he hurts me, but we apologize and move forward. The thing that sets you apart from your mother is that you realize that behavior is wrong. For your mom, she never even considered that she was hurting your father. She was never able to see that she might be hurting you by leaving without a word. You’re right about being like your mom, but you’re also like your dad. That side of you worries about hurting others, and those concerns keep you from being exactly like her. Why do you think you haven’t run off without telling anyone?”

  Vexx considered what she said and nodded. “Thank you, Winn. I’m so glad you’re here. You’re not just good for my dad—you’re good for me.”

  “Does this mean you’ll at least consider my advice about giving Jase a chance?”

  Vexx nodded. She could agree to consider Winter’s advice. With a sigh, she wondered if Jase had already changed his mind about visiting her.

  Chapter 7

  It was too damn hot to be out on patrol, but Abram figured it could be worse. Unlike the vampires from Connor’s settlement, he didn’t wear a Kevlar vest. They didn’t have any Kevlar vests on Treasure Island, so it wasn’t even an option. They didn’t have access to many items available in Connor’s settlement.

  While Abram and his followers were technically under the protection of the vampire council in Fangri La, it was a joke. Members of the council only used them to fuck with Connor and his people. Abram wasn’t about to bitch about their connection since it occasionally benefited him. It was why they were still alive. Abram hadn’t always been on good terms with Connor, who had more weapons and fighters, so he’d needed the security of the council’s backing.

  “Why are you so quiet?” Paul asked before spitting on the ground. Vampires normally only produced an excess of saliva for a short time after the change. Paul was one of the unlucky ones who still had that problem. Several inches shorter than Abram, he had short brown hair and was extremely thin. He only consumed enough blood to survive, something Abram had never understood. At first, they’d all been near-starved by the asshole ruling over them, but Abram didn’t starve his people. He wasn’t some benevolent leader, but he was smart enough to know that hungry people were more likely to rebel.

  He’d been friends with Paul for years, and he considered Paul his second in command, even if he’d never officially given him a title. “It’s too hot to be looking for dead vampires out here. It was a lot easier when we weren’t playing nice with Connor.”

  Paul spat again and nodded his agreement. “Yeah, but it’s nice not having to worry about him trying to take back Treasure Island.”

  “Take it back?” Abram asked with a snort. “It wasn’t Connor’s fucking island when we took it.”

  Paul shrugged. “The humans there were under his protection, so he considered it his island. You considered blowing up the bridge on his side of the island to keep Connor from taking it.”

  Abram chuckled. “Yeah, well, that would be a problem now, so I’m glad we didn’t have to blow it up.”

  Since Abram had ordered the destruction of the bridge on the other side of the island, they needed the one on Connor’s side.

  “We haven’t seen a damn thing all day,” Paul complained. “I was hoping we’d run into some feral vampires.”

  “You looking for a fight?” Abram asked with a raised eyebrow. “I can help you out with that when we get back.”

  As expected, Paul looked thrilled with the idea. “That sounds good to me. I hate hiking around and finding nothing. A good fight will at least make this day worthwhile.”

  Abram was about to point out that Paul had volunteered to go with him when he caught a familiar scent, and he had to fight the urge to close his eyes and inhale deeply. Everyone thought he sought out Vexx and Mitchell because of their connection to Kishara. That had been the case in the beginning. She’d been one of many brief obsessions. He’d never been ashamed to admit to any of his obsessions—not until this latest one.

  “Meet up with the others and finish the patrol without me,” he told Paul. “They aren’t too far from here.”

  “What the fuck?” Paul demanded. “You’re going to take off? Why?”

  “Mitchell’s out here alone again,” he explained. While he hadn’t told Paul about his latest obsession, Paul had picked up on it.

  “You need to tell Connor that kid’s coming out here alone,” Paul muttered.

  “He’s not a kid,” Abram reminded him, though they’d all thought Mitchell was younger than he was until recently. “Besides, Mitchell’s strong. He doesn’t seem to recognize how strong he is, but he’s far from helpless.”

  Paul looked like he was going to say more on the subject of Mitchell, but he merely shook his head and sighed. “Call me if you need us to head back to pick you up. I’m not walking back, so the jeep goes with us when we’re ready to leave.”

  “I’ll be done before you head back, and I’ll find you,” Abram assured him. Without waiting for a reply, he took off in the direction of Mitchell’s scent. It didn’t take long to find him sitting under a tree. Mitchell was attractive, almost the same height as Abram, and had brown hair and eyes. He had broad shoulders and a narrow waist.

  “What are you doing here?” Mitchell asked as he got to his feet.

  “Patrol,” Abram replied. “What are you doing out here? Are you meeting Vexx and Winter?”

  Mitchell shook his head. “I needed some time to think. If you’re on patrol, where’s the rest of your team? Even you aren’t crazy enough to patrol alone.”

  Abram grinned. “I’m that crazy, but you’re right about me not coming out here alone today. When I caught your scent, I told Paul to meet up with the others. You shouldn’t be out here alone. Connor would be seriously pissed.”

  Mitchell cocked his head to the side and studied Abram as he as
ked, “Since when do you care if something makes Connor angry?”

  “I don’t,” Abram admitted.

  “Ah, but you care about me because of my link to Kish,” Mitchell deduced.

  Abram fought back his temper. Even though he hadn’t said anything to correct the misconception about his motives, it still rankled that Mitchell hadn’t picked up on the truth. It made no sense since Mitchell was far from his type. Abram liked men and women equally. He’d never had a preference, but he didn’t go for people who were that innocent. Asshole that he was, he both hated and loved the idea of tainting Mitchell with his darkness.

  Abram shrugged, pretending he didn’t care. “I use people. That’s what I do.”

  “Sorry,” Mitchell began. “I’m acting like a jerk.”

  Abram laughed off his apology. “Fuck being sorry. You can be pissed that I’m interrupting you, and you can question my motives all you want.”

  Mitchell shook his head. “That’s not how people are supposed to act. Ian can be more than a little unpleasant, but he’s always told me I shouldn’t take my problems out on others.”

  “I was raised differently,” was Abram’s quiet reply. “Maybe that’s how you ended up being a good person, and I ended up being what I am.”

  “What are you?” Mitchell asked. “Let me rephrase that. What do you think you are?”

  “When others ask me that, I tell them I’m a survivor,” Abram replied. “When you ask me, I want to admit the truth. I’m a monster. It’s hard to say if I was born this way or raised to be one, but there’s no denying it.”

  “You’re not a monster,” Mitchell told him. “I’m not saying you’re a great person.”

  Abram snorted. “Even my closest friends wouldn’t say that.”

  “There’s still a big difference between you and a monster,” Mitchell argued. “Then again, maybe I’m not the best person to judge. I got a triple dose of messed up running through my veins. I thought it was bad enough when I was just a turned vampire who could become feral if I don’t get enough blood. Now, I know that I was never human. I’m some messed-up mix of demon and Fae.”