"Unfair tactics." I pulled my wrist away playfully. “Actually, I was on my way to take a shower after my run when you accosted me.”
He grinned in that boyish way and stood, pulling me up with him. ”Great idea.”
I looked at his damp hair. “Didn’t you just take a shower?”
“I might have missed a spot. You can’t be too clean." He leaned in and whispered against my ear. "If you're lucky, I might wash your back. I'm very good at it.”
“I’ll just bet you are.”Without another word, Garrett scooped me up and carried me to his huge shower where we washed and played and loved and where I let him wash my back and share the fae blood.
Later, after a yummy dinner of lasagna that Liam had left for me, we sat in front of the fire wrapped in each other's arms. I watched the reflection of the flames dancing in his eyes which glowed with energy and excitement as he described a funny adventure he’d shared with his cousin Aaron when they were kids. Apparently, Aaron had been a wild child.
As he spoke about the good times in his life, I came to realize that in so many ways Garrett was my peer. He was a healthy young guy who liked to listen to music, drive his car fast and surf the net. When he had the time, he’d watch sports on TV, talk about the environment and tell me about the latest book he was reading. I’d forget for an hour or so just what he was. But then, something would happen and he’d grow angry or worried or very, very still. Then I’d notice that he wasn’t breathing, or that his fangs were out or that his eyes were filling up with silver or that his skin was like ice. Those moments still shocked me a little. It didn’t change the way I felt about him, it just kept me on my toes.
It was midnight when we both became aware of another presence nearby. Garrett was instantly in battle mode: His fangs out, his eyes swirling in cerulean silver. I pulled on the lines, arming myself as well as I could, and stood behind him so he’d have room to maneuver.
“Eleanor” he sent to me just as someone knocked. “Who is it?” He asked out loud sounding perfectly calm.
“It’s Eleanor, dear. You know it’s me. You must let me in.” The last was an order, spoken with the Influence of a four hundred year old vampire.
Garrett sent to me, “Don’t allow her over the threshold. If we can keep her out, we're safe. If not, change and run like the wind. Do NOT argue. I’ve put in a mental call to Liam. He’ll be waiting in the woods to help you escape, if necessary.”
“I understand.” I was trembling, but still level headed enough to reinforce my shield.
Garrett opened the door, prepared to attack if she got past him. Her steely gaze looked me over with a hint of amusement.
"The house is mine." I was surprised by how steady my voice sounded.
"Invite me in, dear." The pull was magnetic, urging me to give in and act the perfect host, at least until she eviscerated me. My shields were wavering. I took a tiny step closer.
Garrett sent, “It’s a trick, Jackie, she’ll act sweet and then she’ll eat you for dinner.” I pulled in more power and snapped out of her spell.
“Sweet little cheetah, you want me to come into your home, don’t you?” She spoke with that .same tone of Influence,
“Not really, Eleanor.”
She glared at me then, realizing her glamour had stopped working. “Hmm, you’re strong and very pretty. Of course Garrett wouldn’t mate with just anyone, not after he’d been with me.”
“He’s mine now.” I smiled meaningfully, one woman to another, to let her know that Garrett was mine in every way. Garrett backed up slowly and stood next to me, putting an arm around my waist. I leaned against him and smiled, trying not to look as terrified as I felt.
“What do you want, Eleanor?” he asked.
Eleanor’s eyes darkened dangerously. “Come home tonight and bring the cheetah so we can all play together. I won’t make a coat out of her, at least not right away."
He fought against her control with all of his strength, his hands clenching in anger and his face grim as they battled mentally. Pulling in power, I touched his arm and sent him a strong wave of my healing energy. Eleanor’s eyes widened in surprise as his muscles slowly relaxed and he regained his control. He put his hand over mine. “I’m not coming back to you.”
Her expression turned dangerous. “I'm your maker, your Mistress."
"Never will I call you Mistress, Eleanor. You killed my family and tortured me. You've never deserved my respect.
She glowered. "If you don’t come to me, I’ll kill your little healer; maybe not tonight or tomorrow, but very soon. And I’ll make her death last a long time. She’ll scream and bleed and beg and I’ll enjoy every second. And then when I’m bored, I’ll give her to Lily. Lily has such a wonderful imagination, doesn’t she?”
Her gaze grew feral, making it crystal clear that the pain and suffering of others fed her dark spirit just as the blood taken from innocents fed her body. She was completely turned on by her violent vision of my painful death. I found her repulsive and pathetic and I lost my fear and grew angrier, thinking about all the innocents she’d murdered. “I’m not afraid of you.”
“Then you’re very foolish, child.”
Garrett took a step forward and spoke to her clearly. “Eleanor Howard, my—Maker.” His voice couldn’t conceal the disgust he felt when he used the title. “I challenge you to a duel to the death on Solo Island one week from tonight at midnight.”
A slow, evil smile spread across her face as she realized his mistake. “I eagerly accept your challenge, foolish Garrett, but who is your second?” Her voice dripped with menace.
Garrett hesitated, then said, “Robert……”
“Robert is not here and according to our laws, your second must be here when the challenge is made. Antoine will be my second.” The bald vamp I’d seen with Lily appeared next to her. He smiled at me with that same disturbing hunger and I couldn’t stop myself from shivering.
“Shit!” Garret was furious with himself. He’d made a serious tactical error and was thinking that he’d blown the whole deal.
“I’m his second.” I was livid and in no mood to put up with anymore of her crap. She lifted her chin slightly and then smiled in triumph.
I felt Garrett tense and turn to face me, holding my arms tightly enough to bruise.“You are NOT my fucking second. Antoine will challenge you and he’s as powerful as I am. You are not putting your life on the line because I made a stupid mistake.”
He was frightened for me and honestly, so was I, but I narrowed my eyes and made him listen. “I can take him. He can’t use the lines like a cheetah, he can’t shift form. He’s a powerful vampire, I’m sure. But I’m much more than a vampire. I’m a cheetah shifter, a magical warrior. Most importantly I’m your mate, which makes me stronger still. I have a week to get ready. Maya will train me and I’ll have twelve hours with Liam under my belt. I trusted you when you decided to challenge her. So trust me, Garrett, I can do this.” I hid every ounce of terror tightly behind my wall so that all he would see was my confidence.
Eleanor asked, “Is the precious little cheetah your second? If not then the challenge is null and you’ll not get another opportunity.” She was leaning against Antoine, tracing one of his tattoos with her sharp nail, leaving behind a trail of blood. He seemed to be enjoying it.
Garrett was backed into a corner with nowhere to run.“Please tell her.”
I watched his fists clench and his jaw tighten as he warred within himself. Finally he made a decision. “Yes, Jacqueline Crawford is my second.”
“Antoine, now.” Eleanor turned to watch my reaction as Antoine said in a husky voice, “I challenge Jacqueline, to a duel to the death which will take place before the duel of Eleanor and Garrett one week from today.” His voice was deep and gravelly, his sharp fangs still glistening with blood.
I couldn’t let them see my fear. “I accept your challenge, Antoine. Bring it on.” He glared and hissed, looking quite ferocious with his arm muscles bunching up. I h
eard Garrett blow out a frustrated sigh at my bravado. He obviously thought I should be taking this much more seriously. Oh yeah, I was scared shitless, but I also felt a tiny tinge of joy, glad that I’d be more than just a bystander on the day my mate destroyed his enemy.
“Next Saturday at midnight, Garrett, I will rip your throat out. But first Antoine will drain and torture your juicy little cheetah while you watch. Until then, Garrett my dear, au revoir.” They disappeared, leaving behind the scent of rotten blood, their laughter dying in the distance.
I closed the front door and turned back toward the room. Garrett sat down on the couch and stared into the fire, his eyes flat, and his skin looking even paler than normal. His hands were trembling slightly from pent up tension, so I crouched down next to him and held them in mine. They were so cold.
His mental standoff with Eleanor must have wiped out any benefit he’d gained from our activities earlier in the evening. “Feed, you’ll be able to think more clearly.” I said trying to be practical. He just kept staring straight ahead not really hearing me. I tried to reach his mind but his walls were up and he wouldn’t let me in. I was getting worried.
“Garrett, you need to feed now.” I shook him but he still wasn’t really responding.
Crap! I crawled into his lap, took a breath and then forced healing energy into him. “I’m going to be really pissed off, if you don't start taking my magic. I don't like cuddling with an iceberg.” His expression changed as he started to pull in energy. I leaned against him and closed my eyes and let the floating sensation take over my body, hoping that this would be enough to bring him back to himself
A few moments later I felt him stroking my hair. “I’m so sorry, my love. I’ve made an enormous mistake and now you’re in terrible danger. I tried to protect you by challenging her and now you’re…”
“Now I can help you. I want to do this."
"Jacqueline..."
"Stop beating yourself up. Liam and Maya will teach me everything I need to know to beat this asshole.” He looked skeptical. "Have a little faith. I'm gonna channel Buffy."
When he started to laugh, I let go of my tension too. "Does that make me Angel?"
"Depends on the season." I couldn't manage to suppress the yawn, so he picked me up effortlessly and took me to my bed where we cuddled and allowed our fear for each other to drift away with each sweet kiss. I fell asleep in his strong loving arms, my favorite place in the whole world.
Chapter Thirty-nine
The next six days flew by in a flurry of activity. Garrett would rise around 3:00 PM and take off for the island with Rob and Ethan. They were setting up traps and defenses in case things got out of hand and the vampires decided to forget the rules of the duel and attack us all. They also spent time training the twelve or so shifters who’d volunteered to fight. Garrett usually didn’t get back until around midnight, so any alone time we could squeeze in was precious.
Sinc and Kyle spent days in the lab hunched over computers and experimental weapons. I had training sessions with Liam every morning at 9:00.
“Jacqueline, I will train you to use the magic to move like a vampire, faster than a human can see. This will be your best defensive weapon against Antoine. He will never expect it. But you must use it sparingly, two or three times at the most, because it will drain your energy and make you weak. When you’ve mastered this, we will move on to your offense.”
Because of my upcoming duel with Antoine, Liam had agreed to work with me every day this week, so we worked together for two hours sessions. At the end of each one, I collapsed into bed and slept for another hour, always waking up completely famished. Liam would have food prepared and waiting for me and would usually keep me company while I ate.
“You are doing well,” he would say, “but there is much more to learn.” I’d nod and eat and wish that Garrett would hold me for awhile. The closer to the duel we got, the more I felt I was in over my head.
Maya would show up later in the afternoon, never friendly but always professional. The first two days were spent on defensive maneuvers to divert weapons that were thrown at me. (One weapon each was allowed in the ring.)Then we worked on my psychic cutting, pushing and throwing. She’d always bring a couple of shifter volunteers who were a little frightened at first, but who started to trust me when they saw that I felt worse than they did about hurting them. Plus I was getting much better at the healing part, which helped me relax a little more.
Two days before the duel, Maya arrived with four shifters instead of the usual two. “Today we’re going to work on draining Antoine’s energy mentally. Liam’s going to supervise since this it isn’t one of my areas of expertise. It's probably a good thing, since there’d be a few very weak ex-boyfriends walking around town.” I laughed, but she didn’t bat an eye, making me think that she might actually be serious.
Liam and Maya showed me how to darken my aura and create a void, then described how to pull in an enemy’s energy to fill it up, turning it emerald green again. Since my brave volunteers had no psychic connection to the magic, I needed to touch them in order for the drain to work. I realized that this must be similar to what Garrett did when he fed from his shifters, and I hoped as I practiced, that the volunteers were feeling that pleasant floating sensation and not anything painful.
When the volunteers left, Maya spoke to me in her usual serious way. “I’ll be at the duel. I don’t mean to add to your stress, but you must know that for Garrett to have the strength to win against Eleanor, you need to first beat Antoine. We need you both. The council has decided to accept you. After this you’re not required to take another lesson from me.”
I saw a glimmer of respect in her eyes, probably all I’d get in the way of encouragement. She nodded and left, still looking twenty after two hundred years as a shifter. I turned and saw Garrett standing in the doorway, up a little earlier than usual. I went to him and held him tightly, trembling from tension and exhaustion.
“Liam and Maya have been working you hard, but they wouldn’t if they didn’t feel that you were capable. You’ve earned their respect.” He lifted my chin and kissed both of my tired eyes. “Jacqueline, you need to rest. You’re working too many hours. I’m worried about you.”
“You’re working non-stop on the island and you’ve been getting up earlier every afternoon. How can I do any less?”
He took my hands, an excited gleam in his eye.“Let's take off tonight, just the two of us. We’ll take my boat out and watch the sunset. I know a private cove where we can anchor away from the world and just be together. Then we’ll sail back before dawn.” I gave him an encouraging hug and ran off to pack a few things for the sail. Garrett made several short phone calls and we were ready to go.
We sailed out of the harbor at 5:00 PM on his thirty-five foot sloop named Spotted Lady. Garrett showed me how to tie off the lines and crank up the sails and he even let me steer once we were in open water. The rocking motion of the boat was so peaceful that I fell asleep outside on a deck cushion for about an hour, only to feel Garrett kissing me awake and laughing a little when I clung to his mouth like velcro as he tried to pull away. We let the wind guide us south as we stood together and watched the sun go down over the Pacific amid glorious streaks of pink and orange and gold. Garrett turned us back toward the coast and we pulled into a quiet cove and anchored the sloop in a secluded spot where we could be alone. Stars began to pop to life above us in the darkening night sky.
I’d watched him as he'd worked around the boat, bringing down the sails, steering into the inlet, stowing equipment, releasing the anchor. He seemed truly happy, sporting a huge grin throughout the trip. The strain of the last five days, so evident in our faces a few hours ago, had drifted slowly away along with the ocean currents. When he’d finished his captain’s duties, he sat next to me, one long arm over my shoulder and his fingers playing with my hair.
Now was as good a time as ever.“What’s the third part of the ritual for vampires?”
&
nbsp; “You won’t have to worry about that part.”
“Why? You’ve decided you don’t want me? “I teased. “Am I too much trouble?”
He laughed, then whispered next to my ear. “Ma petit provocateur. My little troublemaker. You’re the kind of trouble I will always want to sink my teeth into.” He nibbled on my ear and as usual, my heartbeat raced.
“So answer my question, Monsieur.”
He sighed. “Eleanor approves my ‘selection’ and we’re marked by her. It’s a small wound, cut in a pattern of our choice and it leaves a permanent matching scar. Kind of like a tattoo. Then she tastes your blood.
“What? Did you say Eleanor cuts us? And then drinks my blood?” I shook my head in confusion.
“She’ll be dead soon, so it doesn’t matter.”
“Then how do we complete the ritual if she's dead?”
“Eleanor has a maker, Francois. He’s much older and much more reasonable. He’s in town to support me at the duel. I’ll speak to him about it.”
“You’ve never mentioned him before. Do you speak to him a lot?”
“I contact him at least once a month. He lives in Paris.”
“And you’ve told him about me?”
“Yes, and he’s quite happy for us. He punished Eleanor severely for changing me, He felt it was an immoral act, although it wasn't theoretically against our laws.”
“Too bad he didn’t kill her.” I grumbled. Feeling unsure, I reached over to touch his hand. He smiled and wove his fingers between mine. "Why can't we just do the shifter's version of the ritual? You used to be a shifter."
"Unfortunately, the shifters wouldn't agree. To them I'm a vampire, and as antiquated as the idea seems, the ritual that's performed is according to the male's race, not the female's."
"And Francois's really ok with us.?"
He stood and pulled me to my feet. “I didn’t bring you out here to talk about Eleanor or Francois.” He nuzzled my ear and then kissed my neck.
“Why did you bring me here?” I teased as I leaned against him and ran my hands over his shoulders and down his arms.
Rebirth (Rogues Shifter Series) Page 24
