The Serenity Series: Box Set: Books 1-3

by Marissa Farrar

  Where was the blonde?

  His eyes scoured the terminal, searching for her. He knew she would be here, after all, where else did she have to go.

  Jackson spotted her, heading towards the ladies room. Moving quickly, he closed in on her, breathing in her scent. The skin of her throat and her bare shoulders was pale and smooth. A fat toddler cried in the stroller and she stopped still and bent over, distracted by the child.

  How would the baby taste? He wondered. Fat, juicy and innocent.

  Jackson smiled—a horrific sight. The toddler was an unexpected bonus to his meal.

  “Hey!” The shout made Jackson look up.

  Security guards, two of them, ran at a jog toward him. Both of them had a hand on the pistol at their sides.

  Were they suspicious of his behavior and the way he looked? Or was it something more? Perhaps they had been notified because of the other murders. Despite his change in appearance, Jackson still resembled his old self enough to be recognized from a photograph, if one had been issued for his arrest. Serenity might have told the police about him, though he had to question exactly what she would have said. After all, she was the one who had killed him. What exactly could she report to the cops?

  Damn it.

  Jackson hesitated on the balls of his feet, torn between making his escape and killing the woman. He roared. The sound echoed through the terminal in an inhuman howl. The blonde screamed in response and threw herself across the stroller, protecting her child with her body as though Jackson were a bomb or a fast moving vehicle.

  Jackson spun from one side to the next, indecisive.

  Suddenly he decided what he wanted most and, as though she weighed no more than a child, he reached down and picked up the woman and flung her to the ground. The back of her head smacked against the hard floor, but terror and misery reflected in her eyes as she reached up toward him in a silent plea for the life of her child before she lost consciousness.

  “Freeze!” The security guards yelled, drawing their weapons. They both pointed the black barrels toward Jackson’s head.

  The baby’s wails were now screams of fury, its plump face red and screwed up in anger.

  Quickly, his movements a blur, Jackson reached down to the chubby child, his vile hands touching the baby’s soft white skin.

  Bang! Bang!

  The shots rang out. All around, people screamed and dived to the ground. Jackson jolted backward twice, both slugs hitting him in the upper torso; one in the shoulder, the other above his ribcage, piercing his lung.

  The shots threw him away from the baby, but he experienced no pain from their impact. He stood, hunched over; amazed someone had actually had the nerve to shoot him.

  “Hold it right there,” the officer said again, his weapon still held.

  Another two security officers ran down the concourse toward them, their hands on their own weapons.

  Jackson roared again and leapt, like a huge wild animal, into the air. Another shot rang out, but this one missed, and he landed on the ground, several hundred feet away from the officers. Their mouths hung open, unable to believe what they’d seen. Jackson did not spare them another thought.

  He turned on his heels and ran.

  Chapter Sixteen

  By the time the cab turned down Serenity’s street, night had fallen.

  As the vehicle approached her building, she frowned and leaned forward in her seat. A figure stood outside her front door. Her heart leapt in alarm, but then she reasoned with herself. Jackson wouldn’t just be standing there.

  So was it James waiting for her? They grew closer and she realized the tall, broad build was all-wrong. Her visitor leaned against her small porch with an uneasy grace, arms folded across their chest, one ankle hooked over the other.

  Serenity’s heart clambered into her throat and she swallowed hard.

  Her hopes of the vampire showing up after dark had been correct.

  Sebastian.

  Serenity pulled Elizabeth closer. Though hugely relieved to see him, she also felt sick with nerves. There was no hiding Elizabeth from him now; father and daughter were about to meet each other for the first time. Of course she could lie about Elizabeth’s identity, but what would be the point? Some part of her wondered if, on a sub-conscious level, they would recognize each other anyway. Perhaps part of their shared blood would connect them.

  She’d put off telling Elizabeth about her father for such a long time, telling herself she was waiting for the perfect time.

  Finally, after all these years, that time had arrived.

  The cab pulled up outside the apartment and Elizabeth peered out of the window.

  “Mommy? Who is that man?”

  A small smile tugged at Serenity’s lips. “He’s a friend, sweetheart. An old friend.”

  She took money from her purse, leaned forward and paid the driver. Sebastian stepped off the threshold and took a couple of steps toward the car.

  Serenity opened the cab door and started to climb out. Sebastian approached her, his face shadowed in the streetlight. Again, how much his appearance had changed in the past few years struck her. His eyes were deeper, darker, his cheeks hollowed beneath his cheekbones. He seemed so much more dangerous than before. Serenity hadn’t thought it possible for a vampire to change, at least physically, but what did she know?

  Elizabeth’s small hand appeared on the car’s doorframe and Sebastian stopped. Confusion flickered across his face. His head tilted to one side like a curious animal as he took in the sight of the child and what her presence meant.

  Serenity turned and took Elizabeth’s hand, and the little girl jumped down on the sidewalk.

  Jackson might attack them at any moment, and, despite her overwhelming emotions, Serenity remained hyper-alert, taking in every detail of the street. As always when Sebastian was around, the normal world made themselves scarce. Lights illuminated her neighbor’s homes, but the street itself remained quiet. Did people know to stay away? Sub-consciously were people aware of something unnatural in their vicinity?

  The deserted street felt haunted and did nothing to improve Serenity’s nerves. Every dark corner contained the possibility of a threat, but Sebastian’s presence reassured her. She doubted Jackson lurked nearby without Sebastian knowing.

  Sebastian’s green eyes moved between her and Elizabeth, drinking them both in.

  Serenity clutched Elizabeth’s hand.

  “I’m glad you’re here,” she said.

  “I couldn’t stay away. Not anymore.”

  Hearing his words, her heart filled with hope. Maybe things would all turn out all right?

  She glanced down at her daughter. Elizabeth stared up at Sebastian with open curiosity. They couldn’t have this conversation standing out in the street.

  “You should come inside,” she said.

  Sebastian’s eyes never left Elizabeth. “Yes, you’re right. Let’s go in.”

  Still holding Elizabeth’s hand, Serenity walked up the small pathway to her front door. Sebastian followed close behind. He was on edge. Serenity sensed tension vibrating from him like static electricity. She didn’t know if his disposition was because of her, because of Elizabeth, or because Jackson might be near.

  Sebastian quickly made the reason for his tension clear.

  “He’s been here,” he said. “I can smell him.”

  Elizabeth spoke so quietly at first Serenity didn’t hear her, but then her brain pieced together her daughter’s words:

  “Me too.”

  Serenity glanced down at Elizabeth. She didn’t seem to be scared. Instead, she looked determined, as much as a four-year-old could.

  Serenity fished her keys from her purse and slotted the front door key in the lock. “He left his wedding ring on the window ledge for me to find.” Her head was bent, concentrating on getting the door open. The door swung open and she glanced back up to find Sebastian’s eyes glowing yellow in the darkness.

  The vampire looked furious; his jaw set, h
is lips a thin line.

  The sight shocked her. So many years had passed; she’d almost forgotten what he was. She realized in her memories she had almost made him human. It only took the momentary sight of those eyes for her to remember he was not.

  Serenity didn’t want Elizabeth to see him like that. Elizabeth’s first memory of her father shouldn’t be one of fear.

  Serenity reached out and took Sebastian’s hand. His large palm felt cool and smooth beneath her fingertips. The intense color of his eyes melted at her touch, fading back to green.

  “Come inside,” she said.

  The invitation had nothing to do with any old myths about vampires not being able to cross a doorstep without being invited. As far as Serenity knew, vampires could enter any home they wished. The thought didn’t bring her any comfort.

  The three of them walked into the apartment and Serenity led him through to the kitchen-diner.

  Sebastian seemed uncomfortable in the cramped surroundings and Serenity’s cheeks colored as he took in her cheap possessions. Her small couch was sunken and shabby, the kitchen table worn and scarred. Sebastian had money and she was ashamed at her lack of it.

  Then she realized Sebastian’s awkwardness had nothing to do with her poverty. He didn’t know what to say in front of the child.

  Serenity took control of the situation and smiled down at her daughter. “Her name is Elizabeth.”

  One of Elizabeth’s arms curled loosely around Serenity’s leg. Big dark eyes studied Sebastian with seriousness beyond her years. Dark, spiral curls sprung down to her shoulders.

  “She’s yours, Sebastian.” Serenity’s eyes filled with tears.

  He gaped at her, his square jaw dropping open, his green eyes wide. “What? How did that happen?”

  “I don’t know,” she said, incredulous. “I guess it happened in exactly the same way it normally happens. You were there…”

  He shook his head. “No, I mean… because of who I am.” He chose his words carefully, aware of the little girl still standing beside them. “How is it possible?”

  She stared at him, searching his face for his emotions. Reading a vampire was almost impossible; they simply didn’t portray their emotions the same way humans did. They had too many years to learn to control them.

  “I don’t have the answer to that,” she said.

  “No, of course not.” He glanced back down at Elizabeth. “And you’re sure,” he said. “There is no possibility that Jackson…”

  “Don’t even say it,” she shot back. “Do you think I would put something like this upon my daughter if I wasn’t one-hundred percent certain?”

  Sebastian crouched to Elizabeth’s level. The breadth of his shoulders beneath his overcoat made him seem more real, more solid than ever, despite the apparent weight loss. His presence felt too big for the relatively small room.

  Serenity took hold of her daughter’s hand and gently pulled her in front. “This is your daddy, Elizabeth. Do you want to say hello?”

  The little girl slowly walked up to the big man and held out her hand. He took her hand, her small fingers appearing so fragile in his grip.

  “Mommy cries about you at night,” Elizabeth said.

  Serenity couldn’t look at him, her heart thumped and her cheeks flushed even deeper.

  “I’ve cried over her too,” he said, still not making eye contact with Serenity, both of them now communicating through their child.

  “Why did you leave us?” Elizabeth’s small, high-pitched voice spoke the words Serenity asked herself every night since he left.

  He shook his head. “I thought I was doing the right thing.”

  Elizabeth smiled. “That’s okay then.”

  Serenity reached down and ruffled her soft hair. She wished her own heart were so forgiving.

  “Can I watch television?” Elizabeth asked, her small face turned up to her mother.

  “Sure, honey,” Serenity smiled back. “Just keep the sound down, okay?”

  Serenity gave a slight shake of her head. Elizabeth’s acceptance of the situation amazed her. After all she had been through; Elizabeth seemed the most relaxed she’d been all day.

  Though the hour was late, almost ten o’clock, Serenity had no intention of sending Elizabeth off to bed. Even with Sebastian with them, Jackson knew where they lived. She wasn’t going to allow Elizabeth out of her sight, not even to sleep in the next room.

  As Elizabeth took up her position back on the couch, Serenity wrapped her fingers around Sebastian’s wrist and pulled him into the small section of the kitchen. The distance wasn’t much, but Elizabeth quickly became reabsorbed in the Disney movie, paying no attention to her parents.

  “I’m so sorry I left you with this,” Sebastian said, gesturing around. “I assumed you would be fine. You had the house, and of course I had no idea about Elizabeth.”

  “No,” she pressed her lips together. The words, filled with the bitterness trapped in her heart since the day he left her on the pier, sprung from her mouth. “You didn’t stick around long enough to find out.”

  His eyes opened wide but she didn’t give him the chance to speak.

  “As for the house,” she continued. “I couldn’t live there after what happened.”

  “You know why I left,” Sebastian said. “I had no choice. But I wish I’d known. I never imagined your life would end up like this.”

  An old familiar pain and anger speared within her. He’d had a choice and he’d chosen to leave. She’d begged him to take her with him, to make her like him, but he refused. Her life might not be flash, but she had supported herself and raised their daughter on her own. She was proud of what she had achieved. She didn’t need him coming back and making her feel her life wasn’t good enough.

  Serenity bit down on her anger. She didn’t want to start a fight.

  “I didn’t want your money, Sebastian. We might not be well off, but we’ve managed.”

  “You should never have needed to manage. I’m sorry.”

  “It’s too late for sorry.”

  She’d loved him once. Did that love still exist? At that moment she only felt anger and bitterness toward him. She didn’t hate him but his abandonment still hurt. Yet she had to ask herself, if she didn’t love him, wouldn’t she be over him by now? Even before he turned up again, Sebastian filled her thoughts and dreams. Maybe her preoccupation was simply because of what he was? After all, not every day did a vampire, a creature supposed to only exist in horror stories, come into your life. Yet when she thought about Sebastian, she hadn’t thought about him being a vampire. Instead, she remembered how he’d made her feel—as though she could be anyone she wanted. Somehow, he’d given her the strength to stand up for herself.

  If she had never met him, she would still be with Jackson and Elizabeth would never have existed. That wouldn’t even be a life worth living.

  Serenity glanced over to find Elizabeth asleep on the couch.

  “You don’t have to stay here,” Sebastian said. “I still own the house in the hills. You can both come with me now.”

  Once again Serenity felt like she was running away. She hated having to rely on Sebastian to help her, as though she was weak and useless. But what choice did she have? She wasn’t going to stay here and put them at risk just because of her pride.

  “Okay,” she agreed. “But we need to come up with some kind of plan to end this. I won’t let Jackson make me a victim again.”

  Her voice was fierce, her mouth set in a thin, determined line.

  Sebastian studied her for a moment. “You’ve changed,” he said, quietly. “You seem… harder.”

  She lifted her face to him. “I have to be.”

  Sebastian looked away.

  Was it guilt she saw? Did he feel guilty about leaving them?

  She couldn’t imagine Sebastian ever admitting he was wrong—that his decision had been the wrong one—but the idea that he felt bad about what had happened made her soften toward him.


  “We should go now,” he said.

  “I’ll grab some things for myself and wake Elizabeth.” The packed case still sat on the floor. “I guess she’s already got everything she needs.”

  “Don’t wake her,” Sebastian said, lightly touching her arm. “I can carry her like that.”

  Elizabeth was fast asleep, her lips slightly parted, her curls crushed against her cheek.

  “Okay. Just give me a minute.”

  Serenity went into her bedroom and grabbed a couple of changes of clothing. In the bathroom, she picked up her toiletries bag and threw in her toothbrush and a comb. She didn’t know how long they would be gone, but she prayed this would all be over within a couple of days. Either Sebastian would find Jackson, or Jackson would find them.

  One way or another, it would be over.

  Sebastian scooped Elizabeth up in his arms and the sight melted Serenity’s heart. The little girl looked tiny cradled against Sebastian’s broad frame and she had to hold herself back from walking right up to him and wrapping her arms around them both.

  Together they headed out. Serenity held open the front door for them, but the phone rang, making her jump.

  “Damn it!” Serenity paused, indecisive. The phone continued to ring—insistent.

  “Just leave it,” said Sebastian.

  “I can’t. It might be important.” She closed the door again and sighed, her head bent. Whoever was calling wasn’t going to give up and Serenity had a horrible feeling the news wouldn’t be good.

  She went back to the kitchen. Sebastian lurked in the kitchen doorway, Elizabeth still cradled in his arms. The girl’s head lolled to one side, her mouth open, clutched in the depths of sleep.

  Serenity answered the phone and James spoke before she even had the chance to say ‘hello’.

  “He was at the airport. He hurt Amy and tried to take Noah.”

  “What?” Tears of fear pricked like hot needles at the back of her eyes.

  “They shot him but he got away. The bullets didn’t seem to affect him. Jesus, Serenity. It’s madness down here. People are talking. They shot him twice, at close range, but then he jumped into the air like a fucking animal and ran away.”