The Witch, The Wolf and The Vampire Series Boxed Set

by A. K. Michaels

  “I’ll just try and fill my mind with thoughts on our pup and the missing baby, that should do it.” Gabe was smiling as he mentioned the child their mate was carrying, obviously still excited and happy.

  “Good, now go and pack and I’ll do the same, the jet will be ready for us soon.” He rose from his chair, turned his laptop off.

  “How do you think she’ll be? Going back to the city where Daiki was killed?”

  Josef looked at his friend, the very same thoughts had been in his mind, also. “I’m not sure, whatever happens, we’ll be there for her. If she is focused on the missing child, it may help ease her pain.”

  “I hope so,” Gabe replied before turning to leave the office, Josef following him.

  They were on their way to find a kidnapped baby. Not the way he thought the day would turn out at all.

  Chapter 8

  They were packed and on their way to the airport within the hour, Peri’s excitement palpable in the SUV. Donovan was driving while they sat in the back, as usual, Peri in the middle of her two men.

  “So, I can do a locator spell and, Josef, you can use your mind-reading thingy. I’ve read in cases like these, it’s usually someone close to the family. Someone they would never suspect, but who’s betrayed them for money. Can you imagine? Your child taken by people you trusted? Must be awful. Jeez, just watching that mother almost had me crying, too, it was painful to see.”

  “It was and that’s a good idea, ‘bout using the old guy’s mind-reading trick. He’ll find out soon enough if it’s someone close...won’t you?” Gabe spoke over Peri’s head and Josef looked at the two of them with a slight frown.

  “It’s not some kind of circus trick, but yes, I should be able to tell who is involved.”

  “Good!” Peri exclaimed and patted his leg. He grabbed her hand, needing to feel skin on skin.

  His phone vibrated in his pocket, pulling it out he saw an email from Ronan. He opened the mail and read it carefully before replacing his phone in his pocket.

  “It’s getting late. I’ve arranged a hotel suite for us when we land. We’ll go to their home in the morning...” Josef was cut off by an indignant Peri.

  “What? No, we need to go when we arrive, we can’t put this off, Josef!” Her face turned to look up into his, her cheeks flushed, her eyes widened as she spoke.

  “We have to wait until the morning. That was an email from Ronan. He’s been in touch with the FBI agent in charge of the case. Mrs. Jones has had to be sedated and won’t be fit to meet us until the morning. Mr. Jones is also in no fit state to meet with us this evening. So the agent, Kevin O’Roarke, advises that we call around early in the morning, so that’s what we’ll do.”

  He watched as Peri comprehended the merit in his words, but also saw disappointment at not being able to get started as soon as they arrived. Her enthusiasm was endearing, showing the type of person she was...wanting to help others. However, these things were not always in their control, and she would just have to accept the situation for now. Even he couldn’t interview a woman who was out for the count on sedatives.

  “Oh, well, I guess we’ll have to wait ‘til morning. Bright and early, though, we can go early, can’t we?” she asked with a hopeful tone.

  “Yes, we can go early, tonight we’ll have a nice meal at the hotel, and then you have to rest. If you’re going to be practicing magic tomorrow, I want you fully rested.” He smiled down into her beautiful face and wondered again at how fortunate he and Gabe were to have found her. She was truly a gift to both of them and he marveled at how she made him feel...almost human, but not quite.

  He had no compunction about ordering the Witch’s death earlier, so he thought he may have some way to go to becoming anywhere near being as good as her. He knew that Peri would have let the man go.

  Donovan drove through the gates that led to the hangers and Peri became excited again. She definitely liked to fly in his jet and was almost childlike in her joy. Something he loved to see, feel, sense in her. He felt as if he was experiencing things anew through her, which was another new occurrence for him. He tightened his grip on her hand, rubbing his thumb along the soft skin, feeling as if he never wanted to let go.

  They drove into the hanger and parked beside Josef's jet. Donovan was coming with them on their trip. Having another powerful Vampire along was always a good thing, especially now they knew the sect still had Peri in their sights.

  The aircraft was ready for them, Andrew doing his last visual checks on the outside of the sleek jet as they arrived. He nodded his head and continued working as they boarded the craft to get settled down. Josef had some things he wanted to check on, so he retrieved a fancy laptop from a drawer set into the table before sitting down and booting it up.

  “Sorry, I have some things I need to attend to,” he said as his mind started to go over what he wanted to do. He was going to fire off some emails to Ronan and Liam. He wanted them to see if they could find out more about this acolyte and where he was located. He may even ask Ronan to deal with him then Peri would not be in the firing line...again.

  He was aware that Liam, his Head Witch (until Peri had mastered her powers anyway), would not be strong enough to take on this man, but he may be able to locate him. It would depend on who found him first that would decide Josef's course of action. If Ronan – he would ask him to deal with him. If Liam – he may just deal with the man himself.

  Josef wasn’t even aware they had taken off, so engrossed in his endeavors to find this sect. He even carried out his own searches, but came up empty. If Kyle had been here, he would have asked for his computing expertise, but he was in Italy and had enough on his plate, what with a psycho Vampire hunting his mate, Sabrina.

  “Are you okay?” Peri’s voice interrupted his thinking. Josef tipped his head to look at her.

  “I’m fine, just got some things that require my attention. Sorry, little Witch, am I neglecting you?”

  Peri was sitting next to Gabe on one of the sofas, cuddled close with his arm around her. “No, I just feel...unease...possibly worry in you. Is it something I can help with?”

  Her words brought a lump to his throat, his little Witch wanting to help him. He wasn’t sure how long it had been since someone actually cared about him...apart from Gabe, of course. He found it affected him in an unexpected manner as he swallowed the blockage down, his eyes staring into hers, seeing the love for him clearly in those green orbs.

  “I’m fine, honestly, just some boring work details that need ironing out.” His voice was low as he answered, still a little affected by the lump that had unexpectedly appeared in his throat.

  “Okay, well, if you’re sure, but you can always run things by me if you need to. I know I don’t know a lot about all your work stuff, but sometimes it’s just nice to get things off your chest.” She smiled again before snuggling closer to Gabe, closing her eyes and preparing to nap.

  “I’ll remember,” was all he said as he continued working, trying to find anything he could on the whereabouts of the sect.

  The next thing he knew Andrew was popping his head out of the cockpit door. “Landing in twenty,” was all his pilot said before closing the door once more.

  Josef shut down the laptop and replaced it in the drawer. He had another one in his luggage that he would use at the hotel. Once they were settled, he would see if Liam or Ronan had come up with anything.

  “We’re here,” Gabe said as he gently shook Peri, still asleep and nestled next to the Wolf.

  “What?” she said sleepily, and as her eyes opened she smiled, the smile that was only for Gabe or him. The smile that told them how she felt deep down inside. The smile that made him want to take her in his arms and lavish pleasure on her perfect body.

  As that thought entered Josef's mind his thinking stilled...perfect? Yes, in his eyes she was, despite the horrendous scars that marred her back. He truly didn’t even see them any
more, even if his hands could feel them when he touched her bare skin. Once again, he wondered about asking if she wanted to do something about them.

  He worried that if he asked her about them, she would think he didn’t like them, found them unappealing in some way. That was the last thing he wanted her to think. He only wanted her to be able to do what any beautiful young woman could do in Vegas, wear a strappy summer dress, a halter-neck top, sunbathe in a bikini without worrying people would stare. She always kept her back covered, only allowing Gabe and him to actually see it and those scars.

  It was a moot point just now, though. She was pregnant, and plastic surgery really wasn’t something to be done lightly, especially as her hormones would be all over the place. No, they would wait until after the child had been born and then try and find a way to bring the subject up. Without hurting her feelings in any way, of course.

  Gabe’s voice interrupted his daydreaming. “Yes, we’ll be landing soon.”

  Daydreaming? He had been daydreaming? That was something else he hadn’t done...until Peri.

  “There should be a limo waiting for us, it will be at our disposal for the length of our trip.” Josef stood, stretching his long, lean body as he spoke and moved to sit at Peri’s other side.

  “Jeez, I was tired, what’s that all about?” she frowned, obviously wondering why she had slept almost the entire flight.

  “Your body has gone through a lot the last couple of months and you are also pregnant. I think little naps during the day are good for you, we should try and make sure you have one every day.” Josef watched her still sleepy face, thinking she did indeed look tired. Was that normal? This early in a pregnancy? He had no idea, but he would call Doctor Allen and find out.

  “I suppose,” she yawned and rubbed her eyes as she stretched a little.

  “Did you get done what you needed to?” she asked him and he nodded his head.

  “Yes, almost, just a couple of things I need to check on when we get to our rooms. You’ll have time to shower and refresh yourself before we go down to dinner.”

  “Good, maybe it’ll wake me up,” she joked, stifling another yawn.

  “Hope the food’s good,” Gabe put in and both Peri and he laughed.

  “What? What’re you laughing at?” Gabe asked in all innocence.

  “You and your food, I’ve never known anyone more obsessed with food,” Peri giggled and squealed when Gabe grabbed her onto his lap.

  “I’m a Wolf! Food and sex – the two most important things in life!” He snuggled his face into her neck, placing small gentle nips on her soft skin.

  “Has he always been like this?” Peri asked, her words interspersed with laughter.

  “Yes,” Josef answered truthfully, smiling at the two of them. It was good to see his mate and Gabe having fun, very good indeed.

  Peri stayed on Gabe’s lap as they came into land, only moving as they neared touchdown. The landing was smooth, as usual, and the taxiing didn’t take long. This was a small, private airfield only, just big enough to take the jet. Andrew had them stationary, engines off, and door open in minutes.

  “Come on, Donovan, can you get the luggage please?” Josef spoke to his guard, who had spent the entire flight at the rear of the cabin, using his iPad for goodness knows what, probably playing some game or other.

  He held his hand out to Peri and she took it, getting up from her seat, following him out the aircraft. A man in a chauffeur’s outfit waited for them, standing almost to attention – he even had a hat on his head. Peri stifled a giggle again and had no idea why she had laughed.

  “I’m Adam, I’m at your service for the duration of your trip, sir. I have the details of your hotel, if you follow me.” The man turned and walked off and around the jet, where a large, black limo waited.

  Adam opened a rear door and they got inside the large interior. Donovan placed the luggage in the trunk before joining Adam up front. Adam drove off smoothly, handling the large vehicle as if he did it every day, which he most likely did.

  Peri sat in the back, yawning, and not saying anything. Gabe chattered away about nonsense, making her laugh on a couple of occasions. Josef sat quietly, watching both of them.

  The large city of San Francisco came into view, Peri gazed at it through the front windscreen, her eyes widening as it drew nearer. Josef wasn’t surprised when he saw a tear escape and trickle down the side of her face. He guessed what was wrong.

  “Peri?” Gabe’s worried tone broke the silence as he stared intently at her.

  “Daiki,” was all she said and the men knew instantly why she was upset.

  Her friend, her only friend, from the years she was on the run had lived...and died...here in San Francisco.

  “We’re staying on the outskirts, it’s a very select and private hotel, it’s nowhere near what happened before,” Josef told her.

  She nodded her head slowly, though another few tears escaped her tear-filled eyes. “I’ll be okay, it just hit me there, when I saw the bridge. Can we visit his grave before we go home? I’d like to take some flowers and maybe talk to him for a bit. He doesn’t know I’m pregnant.” Her voice hitched in a couple of places, but she held it together, for the most part.

  “Of course, babe, anything you want, I bet he’ll be excited to know you’re gonna be a mom.” Gabe spoke in the same manner as Peri, as if Daiki could know of things happening on this earthly plane.

  It perplexed Josef somewhat. He didn’t believe in an ‘afterlife’ so found others' beliefs a little strange. How could someone who was dead, buried in the ground, know of anything? They couldn’t, he thought. However, it seemed to be giving Peri some solace, so he kept his opinions to himself. If Peri believed Daiki could hear her, know of her happiness at being pregnant, helped her in some way...that was fine with him.

  The limo made its way towards the hotel, although it wasn’t a hotel in the normal sense of the word. It was a select dwelling nestled on the outskirts of the sprawling metropolis that was San Francisco. A large building set in its own grounds with suites of rooms for those that could afford to pay the exorbitant prices, which Josef could. They met their guests’ every need with a discreet but superb staff. Security was also very good, which was an added bonus, now they knew the sect were still after Peri.

  Josef hadn’t seen the point of going into the city for a couple of reasons. Firstly, he'd guessed that returning to where Daiki had been killed would affect Peri, so wanted to keep her as far away from the place it happened as he could. Secondly, the Jones’ home was not in the city, it was actually quite near where they were going to be staying...killing two birds with one stone, so to speak.

  The limo took a left turn, leaving the main road for a narrow rural track, thankfully cutting off their view of the city, and Peri appeared to calm a little. Josef felt her breathing slow down and saw her tense body relax slightly. Her head twisted and her eyes darted from side to side as she surveyed their surroundings through the limo's windows. They were driving through an extremely affluent area dotted with large homes on select plots of land. The entire area reeked of money and lots of it.

  “We’ll arrive momentarily.” Adam spoke the first words since they left the airfield, his voice friendly but respectful.

  Another few minutes went by and then the vehicle slowed, indicating and turning into a large driveway. The road meandered left, then right, then left again before the immense beauty of the building was revealed to them. Josef had stayed here before, but even he could marvel at the scene in front.

  “Wow,” Gabe said none too quietly as he stared out in front of them.

  “It’s gorgeous,” Peri exclaimed. Her eyes wide as she tried to take it all in.

  “Yes, it is rather nice,” Josef replied, rewarded by the smile on Peri’s face.

  “This must cost a fortune!” Gabe laughed, knowing just how rich Josef was and that he could easily afford to stay in
such a place.

  “It is rather expensive, but well worth it, in my opinion.”

  “It’s not as if you can’t afford it,” Gabe laughed again, still staring at the building.

  Peri looked out the window, admiring the rolling, perfectly manicured lawns that led up to the front of the building. There were ornate flower beds dotted around, which held an immense array of color and plants, some of which she had never seen before. It looked like the flowers were as elite as the hotel.

  Although only two stories, the hotel was imposing, a grand building with steps leading up to its entrance. Large bay windows flanked a pair of glass doors. As their limo approached, one of the doors opened and a tall man came out and hurried down the steps to welcome them.

  He didn't flinch when the limo halted inches from his shiny black shoes, merely inclined his head and opened the limo's door for them while Adam was still parking. Josef got out first, helping Peri and Gabe followed. Donovan was already retrieving their luggage and carrying it effortlessly.

  “Hello and welcome, I am Sommerville and I manage the hotel. I’ll show you to your rooms, if you would like to follow me?”

  With that, the man about-turned and walked back towards the door. Peri scrunched up her nose. “Jeez, uptight or what?” she whispered and Gabe snorted, trying not to laugh.

  Josef tried to explain the man’s austere manner to the now giggling pair. “It’s a very elite establishment. The clientele don’t usually wish to pass the time of day with the staff, no matter the position they hold.”

  Donovan followed and Josef was sure he heard the large guard stifle a laugh of his own. What’s wrong with everyone today? He thought as they carried on behind Sommerville.

  As they entered the lavish entrance, Peri and Gabe quieted, heads swirling around, looking at the sumptuous furnishings and antiques that were dotted around. Oil paintings on the walls, sculptures in the corner, thick plush carpeting beneath their feet. To say this place was high class was an understatement in the extreme.