The Witch, The Wolf and The Vampire Series Boxed Set

by A. K. Michaels

  No, that couldn’t be right. It was his worst nightmare.

  Gabe appeared at the door to the office, coming as soon as he heard the tone of his friend. Josef held his hand up as he listened to Tania relay what she had seen. His blood turned to ice as he listened, Gabe starting to pace and growl loudly, his Wolf hearing picking up every word.

  “I fucking knew I shoulda went with her today!” Gabe snarled.

  Josef ignored him. “Tania, I’ll have men there shortly, just stay there!”

  Josef hung up and hit speed dial. “Ronan, I need help, now, every man you have in the area. Donovan and another of my men have been killed, in broad daylight, and Peri has been taken. I need your men here – now.”

  “Done,” was all Ronan said before hanging up.

  Josef dialed Peri’s number, listened as it rang and rang before going to voicemail. He hung up. Gabe grabbed his phone and tried, same result, but he continued, as did Josef for at least two minutes before they stopped.

  “The acolyte must have her and he must be using dark magic to have taken Donovan out so easily. I’ve got some calls to make. You call Liam. I need that Witch he uses – the one that deals in black magic. Maybe he knows something that will help. I know how to find her, her phone has GPS enabled, I made sure of it, but we can’t just go blazing in. It won’t do her any good if that animal uses magic and destroys us before we can get to her. Gabe, my friend, I know you just want to go Wolf and rip him apart – but we need to do this right, for everyone’s sake, especially Peri and the baby.”

  “Fuck!” Gabe was fighting to control his beast as it battled to be free, its only thought to save its mate.

  “I know, trust me, I’m finding it hard to stay still, too, but we need help on this, Gabe. At the ranch I was almost incapacitated with the magic. It would destroy you in an instant. Peri needs both of us. Alive.”

  Josef started to make the calls, firstly sending men to retrieve the bodies of his two guards and Tania. He then made sure that every available man would be waiting downstairs in the parking garage. He wasn’t averse to sacrificing some of them if it ensured Peri's safe rescue.

  Gabe finished his call to Liam. The look on his face had Josef’s stomach clenching. His friend was obviously angry, but he also had a lost expression that hurt Josef deeply. They needed to get Peri and the baby back safe and sound.

  “Liam’s not here, Josef! He’s on holiday – say’s you know about it? He’s in fucking France and that other Witch is with him! They won’t be able to help!” Gabe’s voice rose as he spoke and Josef knew he was fighting his inner beast.

  “Of course! I forgot he was out of the country! Okay, I know this is hard, but we need to be smart here, that’s the most im...”

  Josef stopped as he heard the front door almost being hammered down, both he and Gabe moving fast and were in front of it in seconds. Josef didn’t hesitate before opening it and saw at least half a dozen large men standing there, all dressed in suits like hulking FBI agents.

  Ronan’s men, that’s who these were, he knew he would come through for them. “Come in, I assume you’ve been briefed?”

  The man in front stepped forward. “I’m Paul Jacobson, I’m the SEB Agent in Charge of Vegas and yes, sir, I’ve been advised of the situation. I understand that dark magic has been used? Is that correct?”

  Josef noted the confident air that exuded from this large man. He was a very old Vampire, Josef could feel the power held inside him. Good, they would need every powerful being they could muster.

  “Yes, this acolyte destroyed two of my guards as if they were nothing, then kidnapped our mate, who is pregnant. We’ve reason to believe she has gone into labor, so time is of the essence. My Head Witch is out of the country, so I have nobody in the vicinity that can help against this dark magic...”

  Paul interrupted. “We have. Esther, come here.”

  Josef and Gabe watched as the men standing behind Paul moved apart, revealing a tiny old woman with grey hair secured in a tight bun at the nape of her neck. Her face was ancient and her eyes were almost completely black in color. Her feet moved slowly until she stood next to Paul and looked at Josef and Gabe inscrutably.

  “This is Esther, she is a very powerful Witch who deals in every kind of magic, including dark. She should be able to deflect the magic this person has, even if for a short time, but it should give us enough time to take him out and rescue your mate.”

  Josef stared into those dark orbs and a shiver almost ran through him, the power inside her was not like any he had encountered before. Strange, mystical, dangerous...very dangerous.

  “Hello, Esther. I’m curious, I was under the impression that dark magic usually comes from drinking a particular liquid?”

  Josef was referring to Dragon blood, which he had two vials of in his safe, but didn’t use the words in front of these men. The less folks knew about Dragons then the safer they would be.

  Esther nodded. “That is the normal and easiest manner to gain the power, however, it is not the only way. I have used that in the past...from a willing donor only. I can assure you I would never use force in that regard, that would be abhorrent to me. I can also assure you that my dark magic is strong and I am sure I can deal with this person, so, shall we get on our way?”

  The old lady stared into his eyes and he saw only strength in her. “I hope so, the life of our mate and her unborn child are in your hands.”

  Esther nodded again and turned around, starting to walk back through the still open door.

  “The elevator won’t take all of us, send your men down, and we can discuss what we’re going to do. If you come with me, I can get Peri’s position, her phone has GPS enabled on it, and we’re pretty certain she still has it on her.”

  “You go on down, we’ll be down shortly.” Jacobson's men nodded and left without saying a word. The senior SEB agent turned back to Josef and Gabe. “Okay, let’s get to work.”

  Josef walked back to his office, using his laptop to find Peri’s location quickly. “She’s here, it’s abandoned in that area, or so I believe, and her text did say she was in a warehouse, so that ties in. At least there won’t be any human witnesses.”

  “Good,” both Gabe and Paul said, almost at the same time.

  “I’ll organize an ambulance to wait just outside the area, in case it’s needed.” Paul used his phone. “Jonathon, organize an ambulance, I’ll text you the address.”

  Paul looked at Josef’s laptop, texting as he read before placing his phone back into his pocket.

  Josef walked towards to the bookshelf on the back wall, moving some books aside to reveal a small safe. He tapped in a code and pulled the door open. Reaching in, he pulled out the two vials of Dragon blood and placed them in his pocket. They may just need them before the day was out.

  “Can we go?” Gabe was getting more and more antsy, as he needed to get somewhere he could change to Wolf...his beast just under the surface fighting for freedom.

  “Yes, when we get there, we need to scope the place out first. There’ll be no just storming the place and hoping for the best. The warehouse will be surrounded, we will take things as slow as need be to ensure that the mission is a success. If either of you have a problem with that, then maybe you should stay here.”

  Paul’s words had Gabe taking a step forward into the man’s space, his teeth bared, and growls erupting from his throat.

  Josef stepped forward, too, but his hand moved to his friend, holding him in place. “We understand, however, you need to know that if I think Peri is in any immediate danger, I go in, no asking for your permission and if that happens, do not get in my way...you wouldn’t like the outcome.”

  “Understood.” Paul stepped back in the face of the power now rolling off Josef, knowing he was no match for this ancient being.

  “Let’s go.” Josef moved past Paul and out the office door on his way to save his mate, hi
s friend at his back.

  Chapter 20

  Peri stifled a groan as the pain increased. She didn’t want to give any of the men on the opposite side of the warehouse any inclination of just how far on her labor was. She knew her child was going to be born soon...far too soon, as the pains were now running together, the urge to push becoming unbearable.

  She reached under her dress and felt with one of her hands, her fingers probing gently. Her heart pounded, eyes filling with tears, as she felt the crown of her child’s head. Peri could actually feel hair covering the top of the head and she wondered fleetingly if it would be like hers, or Gabe’s, before the urge to push completely took over.

  It was critical they weren’t aware how close she was, a brief thought in her head as she tried to bring her child into the world silently. Gasping, Peri sucked air into her lungs before pushing downwards with all her might, still trying to do so without making a sound.

  This was so different to the way she had imagined giving birth. She tried to see that in her head now, lying in a hospital bed with her men at her sides, urging her on. She could almost feel the love pouring out of her mates as she fought to bring their child into the world.

  She wished with all her heart that her men were with her now. Tears flowed freely down her face as she wondered if she would see them again...or get the chance to show them their son.

  A grunt escaped her as she pushed downwards, keeping both her hands now underneath her dress. It seemed an eternity before the head popped free, and she almost screamed in relief. She caught herself just in time, moving her dress slightly to catch the first glimpse of her child.

  A screwed-up face, covered in blood and goodness knows what else lay on the filthy mattress, eyes still closed. Another pain, another push, and the shoulders popped out and with a gush of liquid the rest of her son’s body slipped free.

  A soft moan escaped her as she turned, as far from the eyes of the men as she could, before scooping up the baby into her arms. Holding it tightly to her chest...as all hell broke loose.

  *****

  “I can feel her, she is in great pain and the birth is near, we cannot waste any more time!”

  Josef was barely controlling himself. As soon as they arrived, taking up position in the deserted street just yards from the warehouse, he felt her. His Peri was in such pain, and the fear he felt coming from her almost tore his heart in two. He was frantic and trying hard to not run full speed to her aid.

  He cursed himself for becoming complacent about the threat that the acolyte posed to his mate, hoping his lapse in judgment didn’t cause them to lose her...or their child.

  Gabe had stripped and gone Wolf as soon as they arrived, and his huge Wolf was now pacing back and forth, snarls and growls becoming more frequent as his worry intensified. Josef would not be able to hold the Wolf back for much longer. He couldn’t hold himself in check, far less Gabe.

  Paul’s voice had lost its commanding tone. Now his pleas were heartfelt. “Just a few more moments, Esther is preparing herself, it’s not easy wielding dark magic and she needs time. I know you just want to go and find your mate, but if you do it before Esther is ready, all you’ll be doing is sacrificing yourselves for nothing. If she is giving birth, then she is going to need you, so please wait a few moments more.”

  Josef tried to stay where he was, his hand stroking the massive head of his friend.

  In the next few seconds several things happened at once.

  First, the noise of a newborn’s cry was heard by everyone standing outside and all around the warehouse.

  Second, Esther said, “I’m not ready.”

  Third, Peri screamed at the top of her lungs, a scream born of pure terror.

  Everyone outside moved as one towards the warehouse.

  *****

  Peri held her son in her arms, cord still attached, praying that he would make no sound. It didn’t look like the men on the other side of the warehouse were even aware that she had given birth...she was going to try and keep it like that. The longer she could hold out, then the more chance there was of her men finding her.

  She also felt her magic again, for the first time in months, but doubted she would have the strength to use it. She was spent, done, exhausted.

  All she wanted to do was sleep as her son’s fathers watched over him.

  Her eyes were closing when her son decided to let the world know he had arrived. His newborn cry echoed around the empty space. As soon as it did, she heard chairs being roughly scraped back and the footsteps of her brother and his men pounded towards her.

  She crawled backwards, clutching her child to her chest, her eyes wide as she saw the look on her brother’s face...he truly was as insane as her father.

  A scream tore from her lips, as she realized she was no match for him in her weakened state. The thought of him even touching her son almost had her vomiting. She couldn’t let him take her child, she just couldn’t.

  She shook from the sheer terror of him closing in on her and her baby...and that’s when there was an explosion, as the warehouse's doors were blown apart.

  Wood flew everywhere, raining down on Peri, as she bent almost double to shield her child. Cursing, shouts, and growls filled her ears, and as soon as she thought it was safe, she looked up.

  The first thing – or rather person – she saw had her breath catching in her throat. Her Vampire appeared, and then Gabe’s Wolf. Both were off to the side of the obliterated opening, their eyes seeking and finding hers. She almost collapsed in relief at the sight of them before fear set in for their safety.

  Her brother had turned at the noise and was now making his way towards those coming in their direction. His hands moved upwards and she screamed a warning. “Get out! He’ll kill you!”

  Her men stayed where they were, almost as if they were fighting against an invisible force, trying to get to her. Gabe’s Wolf began howling, a deafening noise in such an enclosed space.

  Her son bawled his head off, as she clasped him closer to her face, whispering consoling words down to him. She couldn’t drag her eyes from the sight in front of her...terrified for her men.

  Then she saw a small figure enter the building. An ancient-looking tiny woman walked with purpose inside. She had grey hair tied back in a bun with a face that was wrinkled and looked as tough as old leather. She watched as the woman found her brother and made towards him.

  What the hell is she doing? Peri thought. Her brother would surely kill her, but the woman continued...Peri’s eyes flying between the woman and her men.

  The old lady walked forward on tiny feet and faced off with her brother.

  Right in front of her, Peri watched as the woman’s hands flew so fast Peri's vision couldn’t keep up. As the old woman's small hands were thrown outwards so were her brother’s – the two forces meeting in the middle.

  A deafening roar now filled the warehouse, as the power struggle continued, but it gave others the chance to move.

  Her men used their supernatural abilities and were at her side in seconds, as a horde of others stampeded in and obliterated the two men with her brother.

  “Are you okay? Peri! Are you okay?” Josef’s voice made it through the maelstrom of noise, and she tried to answer, but couldn’t.

  Relief flooded her system as she stared up into his ice-blue eyes, full of worry and fear. She heard the unmistakable sound of bones breaking and repositioning as her Wolf changed, then Gabe knelt down beside her. She didn’t even notice his nakedness.

  His brown eyes stared in wonder between her face and the child in her arms, as his hand reached out to touch his son for the first time. It was a sight she knew she would never forget.

  “Give the baby to Josef,” Gabe spoke quickly as his head swirled around in the direction of the ongoing battle between the two Witches.

  “I can’t, the cord’s not cut.”

  Josef quickly pull
ed a shoelace from one of his shoes, then fished a small penknife from his jacket pocket. His movements were quick and steady as he severed the child’s link to his mother. Her Vampire reached for her son and she gratefully handed her child over. There was no one she trusted more to protect her child, except Gabe, of course.

  Her Vampire pulled a small vial containing something red from his pocket. “Peri, please trust me – drink this now. It will make your magic strong. Please don’t ask questions, trust me, little Witch.”

  Peri stared up into his eyes before nodding and grabbing the vial, pulling the stopper from the top and pouring the thick, viscous liquid down her throat. As she did this, Josef quickly took off his jacket and wrapped the newborn in it before cradling him close to his body while Gabe picked her up with his strong arms. Her Wolf cradled her exactly as her Vampire cradled their child.

  “We need to get you out of here.” Josef was moving towards the opening when her brother’s head spun in their direction.

  “Oh dear God, no,” she whimpered as his intent became clear.

  Peri felt it then, the magic inside her growing, so vast, so powerful...but a magic that she had never encountered before. What was it? She had no idea, only that she suddenly felt stronger than she ever had. More so even than when she destroyed her father.

  Her eyes locked with her brother’s and she saw the madness there, knew his intentions were to kill her, her child, and her mates. She couldn’t allow that to happen.

  “Get out of my way, Josef,” she whispered as she harnessed the power inside her.

  Josef took a small step to the side, giving her a completely clear view of her brother.

  “Where do you think you’re going, sister? I didn’t say you could leave!”

  Her brother screamed the last word and she knew without a doubt she was going to have to kill him...she had no choice. She heard the gasps from her men as they heard the word ‘sister,’ now knowing exactly who the acolyte was.