by Lila Rose
Shaking my head, I uttered a small, “No.”
“Do you not want children?” His eyes were worried; obviously he’d already thought about them. One would after living so long.
“I do, but I never thought. I mean… Can I even fall pregnant from a vampire? And if so, how”—I gulped, hating the thought—“do you not have mini vamps running around all over the world?”
He quickly wiped the smirk off his face—luckily for him, as I may have throat punched him if he’d laughed—as he ran a hand over his mouth. “Simple, my semen only becomes fertile after I claim my mate.”
“No shit.” I gaped.
His eyes crinkled. I knew he wanted to laugh at me, but he held off. “No shit.”
“Oh, wow, wow.” Looking down, I placed my hand over my stomach. Tears filled my eyes. I blinked repeatedly and glanced up at Isaac. “What happens if—”
“Nothing will happen to you. Your life will be safe. Not only will I protect you, but our people will, too.” His hand covered mine. “Children are as rare as mates. We are fiercely protective. Do you believe me, Leila? You will be safe.”
A tear slid down my cheek and he kissed it away. I smiled. He was happy with the thought I was pregnant. No, his eyes shone with a new excitement. He loved the idea. My belly rolled with nerves. I wasn’t sure I was ready to have a baby. If I’d be a good mother.
However, I knew the love Isaac and I had for each other could possibly be enough for most of my worries to subside. Though, the thought of popping our baby out was another worry altogether.
Taking a gulp of air, I said, “As long as you stay safe with me. I wouldn’t be able to do the child thing on my own.”
His grin was big. “I will do everything in my power to keep it that way, so we have a future and family together.”
“Do we know for sure?” I asked.
“No, not as yet. We will find out together when we visit a human doctor.”
Nodding, a thought came to me. “If I am, you can tell my uncle and Dad.”
He cringed.
“Don’t look so scared. You did throw Jack just the other day.” I laughed.
His eyes searched my face. I wasn’t sure what he was looking for until he asked, “Would you be happy if you were with child?”
He wanted a serious answer out of me, so I took the time to contemplate it. Thoughts swirled in my mind. Then pictures of Isaac holding a baby. A baby we made together with love. Of Isaac, walking along holding the small hand of our child. Of all of us together, snuggled up on the couch, watching a movie.
It was a future I wanted.
I could only hope it would happen.
“Yes.” I nodded with certainty, hoping he read as much in my eyes. “A child with you would make me very happy.”
He tucked my hair behind my ear, a smug smile playing on his lips. “I’m glad. It was always something I had wished for, a large family we could live forever with.”
“What happens if they’re like me, a werecat?”
He looked puzzled and then something dawned on him, his eyes widening a fraction. “You do know that you are immortal like me? We will live forever, and so will our children.”
Again, I nearly fell off his lap. “Are you serious?”
He smiled kindly. “Quite.”
“I-I… my mind has been blown once again.” I threw my arms around my mate and hugged him close. “I look forward to our future, Isaac Grey.”
“So do I, my love,” he whispered against my neck before he kissed me there as well.
Footsteps fast approaching had Isaac out of his seat, placing me on my feet next to him. We both tensed when the kitchen door crashed open.
“Gerald is here and taken Boozers.” Jeremiah growled the words.
My bubble of bliss washed away in an instant.
Turning to Isaac, I saw his eyes were hard, his jaw clenched, and a hiss slipped past his lips. It was time to fight for our future.
Glancing back to Jeremiah, I said in a tight voice, “Then we take it back from under him and destroy him.”
Chapter Thirty
We stood just on the outskirts of Boozers, waiting for the rest of our party to arrive. I’d opted to change out of my hooded jumper and leggings. Instead, I wore a tight-fitting black tee with a jacket over it, combat boots and jeans. Nearly every part of my body hid the weapon of my choice. Knives.
Isaac stood next to me, gripping my hand in a firm hold. He’d also changed and God, did I love what he had on now. Black leather pants with kick-arse boots and a long-sleeved black shirt. His skin looked paler against all the black. He had no weapons on him. He was a weapon enough himself.
Leaves rustled behind us and out stepped my uncle, Ty and their team. I walked over to them and hugged Penny, Ty and Jack.
“Thanks for coming.”
“It’s what we do, kid.” He ruffled my hair as if I were ten. “So, you’re Isaac’s trouble now. Finally outta my hair.”
Rolling my eyes, I smiled. “Yeah, I guess I am. Well, that is until we ask you to babysit.” Oh, Shit. It just came out and I couldn’t take it back. Though, deep down, I knew why I shared it before enjoying the show when Isaac would have told them. I wanted my uncle to have that fierce urge to live. If a great-niece or nephew didn’t do it, then wanting to murder Isaac could.
Isaac wheezed out a breath behind me.
“What the fuck, kid? The bastard knocked you up already? I’m gonna skin the hell outta him.”
He went to stalk toward Isaac, but I placed a hand on his shoulder. He looked down to me and I said, “This is why you need to fight with everything you have. I need my uncle to meet our child. I need you to live through this night.”
His eyes softened. He knew I’d just given him something extra to fight for. Jack nodded and again ruffled my hair. “It’ll be good, kid, and your dad wants the same from you.” I nodded. I’d asked my dad not to attend. He’d been out of practice being a hunter for a long time and I knew I would be too worried for him. Everyone who stood with me, I knew was ready and prepared to fight. Had been training for it.
Before I moved away, I reached out and caught Ty’s hand and gave it a squeeze. He looked up and smiled before he nodded. I offered a quick hug back. My hands drifted over the guns strapped to his holster. I knew, like he did, we would do our best for victory.
I walked back to Isaac, his hand already stretched my way. I took it. He got in close and said in an amused tone, “Well played.”
Looking up, I sent him a wink and glanced at the people already waiting with us. As well as our family and friends, there were a few others I hadn’t even met; however, they were willing to fight at our side.
Please, Lord, let us all survive the night.
More footsteps approached. We all turned to see Sofia and Raven step into our circle. My eyes widened at their presence.
“No,” Darik snarled and stepped to Raven’s side. His hand wrapped around her wrist.
“I agree,” Jeremiah bit out. His jaw clenched as he eyed Sofia.
“We’re not going.” Sofia glared.
“Both of you are,” Darik grumbled low.
“We don’t have time for this,” Raven stated. “The more time that man has in there, the more damage he will do. Do you want that?”
She was right. We had discovered Gerald had many of our people in there and God only knew what he was doing to them.
“They stay,” Isaac ordered.
“Sire,” Darik snapped.
“No. They are willing to fight, then they will.”
“Goddamn it.” Darik threw Raven’s wrist out of his grip and turned his back to her. A hand ran through his hair. Raven stepped up behind him and placed her hands on his shoulders. She leaned in and whispered, “Everything will be fine.”
Darik’s stiff form sagged. He nodded. “Stay close to me,” he ordered.
She kissed his neck quickly. “I’ll try.”
He groaned and shook his head.
�
��This is bullshit. They’re just girls,” Jeremiah blurted, which was really the wrong move.
“A girl who could knock your dumb-arse to the ground,” Sofia snapped, her hands going to her hips.
He snorted. “I wasn’t myself then.”
She cocked her head to the side and asked, “Do you want to try it again?”
Seraphine clicked her fingers together. “Can we stop with the foreplay and get this show on the road?”
My gaze spun to Isaac, his face a mask of fury. “What is it?” I asked.
“He has started the torture.”
“Okay, everyone, we’re going in.”
With no chance of a surprise attack because Gerald would have felt us arrive, we walked calmly to the front door. Isaac and I were the first to enter. We made our way down the hallway and out into the large room.
What I saw made my stomach curl. Bile threatened to rise, but I swallowed it back down. Isaac’s hand in mine was applying more pressure. He was feeling exactly what I was: disgust and a rush of vengeance.
He let out a snarled hiss. Glancing up to him, I followed his gaze.
“No,” I gasped, my heart in my throat.
The scene on the floor in front of us was enough to turn my stomach. Our people were on their knees. Their wrists and arms were pinned down by silver chains and nailed into the floor. He wanted them bowing before him.
Sick fuck.
Worse was what was on the stage, where karaoke had been only months ago. Gerald sat in a throne. Where he got it, I had no clue. Beside him stood a smug MaryJane. And just behind her were Daphne and Trixie, naked and bound to the wall by their ankles with silver. Both were bloody, swollen and bruised.
Tears welled in my eyes.
Rage. Pure rage boiled inside of me. A shiver ran over my body. My heart beat so fast I could hear it in my ears.
Isaac’s arm wrapped around my waist. I hadn’t even realised I’d taken a step forward.
“You sick bastard,” I hurled venomously towards him as our team came to stand at our backs.
Leila, no. You need to stay calm.
How can I, Isaac? Daphne, Trixie…
I know, my love, and we will kill all who did this to them. However, they will need our help to get through this. They will need their king and their queen. Stay strong and calm.
I’ll try.
There was a soft caress deep in my mind. That is all I ask.
Gerald, a man who looked in his twenties with long blond hair, and eyes that held nothing but coldness and death, smirked down at me.
He glanced up at MaryJane, gaining her attention, and then looked back to me. “This is what the fuss has been about?” He sneered at me as if I were nothing. His eyes slid to Isaac.
“It has been a long time, Isaac.”
“I am sorry to say, Gerald, but it is not long enough.”
He chuckled and then shrugged, before leaning back into his throne. “I thought it time I rid myself of a problem.”
“I do not understand why we cannot live alongside one another without all this hostility.”
He stood swiftly and boomed, “Because I rule alone! No one will take my place. I am master. I am Lord. I am—”
“Long-winded,” I offered.
Crap, I just had to open my big mouth. His eyes flashed to me. Hatred shone hot in them.
“You speak so freely when I have your people captured.” His hand waved in the air toward Daphne and Trixie. “Do you want to watch while they suffer more? Or will you all be willing to bow to me? If you do, I may just let you live.”
“No!” MaryJane screamed. “They must pay for killing my mate. You promised me.”
Gerald looked to her and whatever she saw in his expression had her cringing and backing up a step. Panic flashed in her eyes. She was smart enough to know her life could also be on the line as well, because Gerald was one fucked-up vampire with an ego issue.
Isaac released my hand and stepped forward. “You do all of this for what, Gerald? What does it prove to your people? It shows nothing but proof that you are scared with what the seer foretold.” Gerald snarled, flashing his fangs. “You are scared because you are weak. You have let a prophecy take hold of your life. You have ruined many lives, and I can no longer stand by to watch it happen.”
“You don’t get to change—”
“I do,” roared Isaac. “I do have the chance to change the future because… I. Am. King.” His hand reached back to me. I took it and stepped forward to his side. “With my queen at my side, we will rule with an iron fist, but we will be fair. We will listen to our people and reach for the freedom we all long for. Instead of living behind a man who lives his own life in fear.”
Gerald threw his head back and laughed. Throwing both arms wide, he said, “You think things will go your way when I have insurances that tonight you die and not I?” He shook his head and smirked. “You are naïve, Isaac. You do not stand a chance here. It is best you bow to me now or die.”
Isaac’s eyes met mine. I smiled in reassurance. Gerald could not live past the night.
We both looked to the people behind us. Jeremiah and Darik wore an expression of fierce determination. Actually, now that I studied them all, they all had the same look.
Gerald could no longer go on doing what he had. Already our people were suffering. It was enough.
We fight.
Stay safe, my love.
You also, Isaac, or I’ll hurt you myself.
He kissed me gently. I will look forward to it.
Gerald must have guessed our play—we were ready to battle—because he lifted his hands and clapped them together.
Vampires appeared from all different directions. There were so many of them, worry pounded through my veins. Our people already captured were sitting ducks.
I’m going after Daphne and Trixie. And I was going to kill the bastard standing by them with a superior smile upon his face.
I have asked Darik to help you. Raven will be with him. Penny is unable to reach Gerald’s mind. Like all master vampires, our shields are guarded. I will be seeing to him with Adan. The rest are spreading out to help our people and battle Gerald’s.
Running my hand down his arm and folding my hand in his for one last touch, I sent into his mind, I love you.
And I you, always, my love.
For the life of me, I was going to try to stay in my human form in case there were others like Freckles, with toxic blood. If there was, I would be useless to everyone.
My legs kicked into gear. I bolted for the stage while battle cries broke out behind me. Two vampires tried to jump me; their teeth extended, ready to rip into my fresh. I dove and they crashed into each other. I quickly got my feet under me ready to stand, only to be dragged down again. A body climbed up me. Pushing back, I twisted and pulled a knife from my pocket. Just as he was over me, I plunged it into his heart and twisted. His remains rained down over me.
A scream hit me. Glancing through my hair, I saw Daphne tugging at her restraints while the vampire I wanted to kill bit into her.
With the knife I’d just used, I placed the sharp end in my palm, aimed and threw it. It landed straight into his back, only just below his heart.
His pain-filled cry was music to my ears, but it wasn’t enough. I searched for Darik and Raven. They had their own battle going on with four vampires surrounding them. Raven had transformed into her shifter canine form.
Back on my feet, I swiftly ran towards them. Two vampires stepped in front of me and I halted. They made their move. There was no way I could let anything happen. I had too much to protect now.
I gripped their hair and smashed their skulls together. Strength I never knew I possessed caused their skulls to cave in. They screamed and I stumbled back, shocked. Darik appeared and sliced their heads off.
“Go!” he yelled.
I should not be that strong.
Leila, I didn’t realise after our claiming we would share each other’s powers.
&n
bsp; Searching, my eyes landed on my mate. With his fangs extended, his eyes were black. He snarled as he danced around Gerald. He looked amazing. His hands flicked out to his sides and I watched as his nails grew as if they were mine.
We were sharing our gifts.
“You stupid bitch,” was cried. My eyes found the source. MaryJane climbed to her feet while Jezanna stared at her smiling. Only Jezanna lost her smile when MaryJane moved swiftly into her space and backhanded her, sending Jezanna flying through the air and landing with a thud. Caelen roared his fury and flew through the people, knocking who got in his way, friend or foe, out of his space to get to Jezanna who was slowly sitting up.
My upper lip raised. The bitch was gonna pay.
Changing directions, I sped my way to MaryJane. Someone stepped in my way, ready to take me to the ground, until Darik was there, cutting him down.
A knife in each hand, I threw the first. Landing it in MaryJane’s lower back. Her gasp of agony made me smile. I’d just severed her spine. Before she had the chance to reach for it and remove it in order to heal, I was in front of her.
Her eyes rounded and just as she slid the knife out of her back, I plunged one into her abdomen.
My free hand went to her shoulder where I brought her in close and whispered in her ear, “The amount of pain you put me through, taking my mate for those precious few days, will never be forgiven, and the pain I’m about to inflict will never be enough. Still, I’m more than happy to deliver it.” Shifting back, I smiled brightly. “Goodbye, MaryJane.” Then I sliced the dagger up her stomach. She struggled and cried, but I was stronger and held her at bay.
My knife glided through her intestines with ease, right up to her heart and before I eliminated it, I winked and relished in the panic and pain I saw in her features as I tore into her heart, shredding it to nothing. Her ashes floated down around me and I found myself wishing I could kill her all over again.
There was no time to enjoy her death because Darik urged me into a running speed once again with a hand on my lower back. I had to get to Daphne and Trixie. I looked down to see Raven panting beside me.
With a leap, I was on the stage and stalking towards my prey. He’d managed to get the knife out of his back and dropped it to the floor.
