Revelation of Blood (Skye Morrison Vampire Series, #5)

by J. L. McCoy

  I got out my phone and started texting Dean. “I still want to know what you guys mean by a power play, Archer,” I said in a frustrated growl as I hit send. I was the only one who didn’t understand what was going on and it made me uncomfortable.

  Archer pulled into an upholstery shop parking lot a block away from Dean’s, parked, and killed the engine. “I’ll explain everything when we get inside, baby,” he said as he leaned over and took my head in his hands. “Promise.” He kissed me soundly and got out of the car. I saw a flash and then he was gone.

  Chapter Seventeen

  “He left us?” I asked in shock.

  “He’s just making sure they don’t have sentinels stationed around Dean’s,” Hagan said as he patted my arm and chuckled. “Come on. We’re taking the long way in.”

  By the long way, he meant walking at human speed. It took us about five minutes to cross streets and make our way to the back lot at Dic’s. When we approached the door, Archer swung it open for us and nodded up at Hagan.

  “All clear outside,” he whispered as he stepped back and let us through. “We’ve got seventeen inside plus their human companions.”

  Dean popped his head out of the office door and ushered us quickly inside. His office was small and cluttered and could have definitely used a woman’s touch. There were papers covering his desk, old coffee cups were strewn about, and last year’s Biker Babes calendar was still on the wall.

  “Looking good, toots,” Dean smiled widely as he held his arms out to me. I smiled and shook my head as I sidestepped Archer and went to him.

  “Looking pretty good there yourself, mister,” I chuckled as I hugged him. Dean wore ripped jeans, a black muscle shirt that showed off his full sleeve tattoos, and black biker boots. His brown hair had grown out some and it looked really good on him. “How’ve you been?”

  “These Dark Ones are fucking with my Zen, but apart from, that I’m good babe…even better now that you’re here. You getting tired of pretty boy yet? Ready for a real man?”

  Archer growled lowly behind me and I backed away from Dean. Dean was eyeing Archer over my head, daring him to do something and I held my hands up.

  “Stop it, the both of you. This is not the time for a ‘my dick is bigger’ contest,” I frowned and then turned to Dean. “And, why do you always have to start shit, honey? We were doing just fine until then.”

  “It’s fun, babe,” he shrugged his shoulders and looked down at me with a wicked grin.

  “Not for me,” I sighed, looking up into his eyes. “I love him, Dean. Genuine love, not infatuation. And I’ve got a real man, trust me. I’ve seen every inch of him and there is absolutely no doubting it, love.” Hagan snickered behind me and quickly turned it into a fake cough in a sorry attempt to hide it.

  “I still can’t believe you’re a fucking vampire sometimes,” Dean frowned as he sighed and sat down at his desk.

  “Believe it, wolf,” Archer growled as he sat down in one of the chairs in front of his desk and pulled me onto his lap. He slowly ran his nose along the hollow of my neck and smiled. “And she’s all mine.”

  Dean narrowed his eyes at Archer and turned his computer screen towards us. There were four CCTV images of the bar on the screen and he motioned to a large table of men. “This is why I called you.” He pointed to a man in all black sitting in the middle of the group. I watched as the Dark One picked up the hookah hose from in front of him and took a long drag. “He says his name is Wesley or some shit. Came in here about two hours ago ordering my newest employee around like he owned the joint. Gavin is human, but he’s taking the pack mark next full moon. He knew these guys were looking for trouble so he called me. I’m just lucky Zephyr and Sayer have the night off. If those vamps walked in when they were on duty, there would have been immediate bloodshed.”

  I leaned in to get a better look at the group of vampires and frowned. “I’ve never seen any of them before. Have you?” I asked, looking over my shoulder at Archer.

  Archer glanced over at Hagan and Hagan nodded his head. “That,” Archer said, leaning forward and pointing out the man sitting to the right of Wesley, “is Stanus Octavius, the oldest living blood child of Calethwy Moors. Atticus killed Calethwy in 1913, thus taking his place as leader of the Dark Ones. Stanus wisely left the United States after that. I guess he decided it was time for another visit.”

  “Wesley,” Hagan spoke up, “is actually Weston Ley, Stanus’ favorite blood child and sometimes lover, well last I heard. He’s a devious little bastard. Rumor has it, Weston likes torturing human teenage boys, though we have no solid proof. Someone has worked very hard to cover their lover’s tracks. Mr. Ley has been on The Faithful’s radar for the better part of the last decade.”

  “Well, why the hell are they here?” I asked, standing up and crossing my arms over my chest.

  “Better question,” Dean growled, “why the fuck are they in my bar?”

  Archer and Hagan looked at each other again and sighed at the same time. “Well, there goes my theory,” Hagan shook his head as he crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the door.

  “Aye,” Archer agreed and then turned to Dean. “We thought the Dark Ones were making a move on Austin to force Skye into submission, but it looks like we were wrong. Stanus hates Atticus, so his being here would have nothing to do with him.”

  “Wait,” Dean stood angrily, holding his hand up. “Force Skye into submission? What the fuck do you mean force her? What am I missing here?”

  I walked over to Dean and put a calming hand on his shoulder as I explained my recent kidnapping in Boston and subsequent meeting with my father. When I was finished, Dean growled loudly and gave Archer a murderous look.

  “You are supposed to be protecting her! It’s your duty as her mate and sire. Allowing her to be taken by those psychotic fucks is not protecting her, Rhys! If you can’t handle the job, pretty boy, I’d be more than happy to take that sweet ass off your hands.”

  Archer flashed to stand and growled a fierce warning at Dean; his eyes white with rage. Dean took a step toward Archer and Hagan flashed to Archer’s side, growling as well. I looked back at Dean just in time to see his body start to ripple in anger and I threw my hands on his chest and backed him into the corner of the room.

  “Good lord! Will you all please just shut the fuck up?!” I hissed as I glared at each of them in turn. “They will hear you!”

  “Step away from him, Skye,” Archer commanded angrily through clenched teeth as he held one hand out to me, beckoning me to him.

  “Not happening until you all calm the fuck down,” I bit out, my brow furrowed in annoyance, then turned my eyes to Dean. “And you! Say shit like that again to my mate and I’ll start taking serious offence, you get me Dic?” Dean growled and started to argue with me but I cut him off. “It was MY fault I was taken. I left the party we were at, where security was in force, and went for a walk. NONE of this is Archer’s fault. He actually tortured people to find me, Dean. Tortured. People. Cut him some fucking slack and stop talking shit! I love you but I will totally kick your ass if I have to.”

  Dean’s body rippled one last time as he stared at Archer and then slid his eyes down to mine. I watched as he took a deep breath in and got control over his anger. Eventually, his frown turned into a smirk and he smiled down at me as he tucked my hair behind one ear. “That’d be one ass kicking I wouldn’t mind taking, toots.”

  “Ugh!” I growled in frustration, throwing my hands up and stepping back to Archer’s side. “You are incorrigible!”

  “You like it,” he winked sexily as he took a seat in his office chair and put his heels up on his desk.

  Archer and Hagan visibly relaxed and I pushed Archer down into the chair and resumed my seat on his lap. I leaned back against his hard chest and reached my hand up to softly stroke his neck, the action further calming him.

  “So what do we do about these bloodsuckers?” Dean frowned, eyeing my fingers on Archer’s neck. “I
don’t want these filthy bastards in my shop and I definitely don’t want them thinking they can push around me and my employees.” He lowered his legs and sat up straight. “Oh, I haven’t told you the best part yet. When I came in, I did my regular sweep of the floor; saying hello to the customers and such. When I made it clear to Weston that I thought they should call it a night and get the fuck out of my bar, he just smiled at me and said they’d be staying for a while. No other vampires have ever stepped a toe into Tricky’s. The balls on that motherfucker are astounding. He has the nerve to come into my house and drop his dick?! I wanted to rip his head off on the spot. The only reason I didn’t make a scene is because I’ve got humans occupying most of my tables out there. So that’s why I decided to call you and see what the fuck was up.”

  “They’re all over The Mausoleum, too,” I frowned. “Most of VIP and at least a third of the first floor. I don’t know what’s going on. Dark come in all the time, but we’ve never had even half of what’s in there tonight.”

  Dean’s eyes slid to the monitor and he arched one brow. “Showtime,” he whispered under his breath. “Gavin is closing up shop. Let’s see if these bloodsuckers are smarter than they look.”

  I glanced up at the clock on his wall as I nervously chewed the inside of my bottom lip. It was five past two in the morning and that meant The Mausoleum was closing too.

  “I don’t think the Dark Ones will give anyone trouble,” Archer tried reassuring me, responding to my unease, “but if it will make you more comfortable, I'll send Hagan back to the club.”

  “I think they know better than to cause shit in your club,” I whispered aloud, “but you could maybe text Jameson and Quinn just to make sure?”

  “What’s that?” Dean frowned as he glared at Archer and me in confusion.

  “Skye was worried about the Dark Ones causing trouble tonight at The Mausoleum as they leave,” Archer rumbled as he nuzzled his nose against the back of my ear for show. “I was trying to put her at ease.”

  “But she didn’t say anything,” he frowned, his eyes narrowed as they glanced back and forth between Archer and me.

  “She drank my blood last night,” Archer replied all too happily, “as she was fucking me. She absorbed my powers.”

  Dean’s face morphed into a disgusted grimace and he shook his head. “Fucking vampires can’t keep your fangs out of each other for a day, can you?”

  “Don’t hate,” I chuckled and smiled as I sat up on the edge of Archer’s lap. “You have no idea how good a bite feels.” I let my eyes slowly slide down his face as they found his neck and the rapid pulse there. I licked my lips hungrily and cocked one brow as I stared. “I bet you taste fucking amazing, Dean; wild and sweet…definitely a little spicy. I’ve never had a werewolf before. What I wouldn’t give for just one…tiny…little…lick.”

  Dean’s pupils dilated as his jaw went a bit slack. I got a strong whiff of his desire and I closed my eyes as I took a deep breath in, savoring its rich, tantalizing bouquet.

  “Fuck me,” he whispered and swallowed thickly. I watched as his hand disappeared under the desk and I knew he was adjusting his new friend.

  “Never going to happen,” Archer growled in my ear and drew my back against his chest, his arm banded tightly under my breasts.

  “No it’s not, baby,” I giggled as I let the want slide from my eyes and winked at Dean. “But maybe our friend here will be a little less judgmental toward our feeding habits…now that he knows he’d like it.”

  The heat didn’t immediately leave Dean’s eyes and his thoughts promised I could have a taste of him anytime I wanted. I leaned my head back and kissed Archer before he had a chance to growl at Dean’s nerve again.

  “Only yours, baby,” I whispered against his cool lips as I nuzzled my nose against his, reminding him of who I belonged to.

  “They’re leaving,” Hagan said from his spot by the door and I glanced over at the monitor again.

  He was right. Everyone was gathering their things and I watched as the table of Dark Ones left without incident. Dean’s employee locked the door and Dean stood up from his chair with a sigh.

  “Fuckin’ A.” He ran his fingers through his hair and then shook his head. “That’s surprising. They way Weston was acting, I figured we’d have had a bigger problem. Still, I don’t like what this means, Rhys. Vampires are not welcome in Tricky Dic’s. Ever.” His eyes slid to mine and he smiled at me. “Well, everyone except you of course, babe. Mi casa es tu casa, mi bella dama. Siempre.”

  “Voy a cortar la mano si alguna vez tocar su nuevo, perro,” Archer growled as he stood, taking me with him.

  “Promises, promises,” Dean smirked as Hagan opened the office door.

  “Está hecho medir su pene ahora?” I cocked an eyebrow at Dean and smiled. “I appreciate our friendship, honey, so let’s not rock the boat too hard, eh?”

  Dean threw his head back and laughed. “When did you learn Spanish, toots?”

  “I had a lot of down time while I was recovering from the battle with Amun,” I shrugged one shoulder. “The soap operas and game shows on the Spanish channels are a trip. Couldn’t help but watch and pick up a few things.”

  “My baby’s smart,” Archer chuckled.

  “So, what do you want to do about these vamps taking over our city?” Dean asked as we started to file out of his office and into the hallway.

  “Wait and watch,” Hagan replied, crossing his arms over his broad chest. “What else can we do?”

  “They’re here for a reason,” Archer rumbled, casually throwing his arm around my neck. “I’m going to find out what that reason is.”

  “The Dark Ones at the club tonight were calling me ‘sister’,” I explained to Dean as I wrapped my arms around Archer’s trim, tight waist. “Maybe they just wanted to check out the person their leader was showing an interest in. But these vamps in your bar? I haven’t the slightest idea what they’re thinking by coming in.”

  “Doesn’t sit well with me,” Dean growled as he ran his fingers through his dark hair.

  “Aye, wolf,” Archer nodded seriously. “Doesn’t sit well with me either. I’ll talk to my sources tonight and see what I can find out for you.”

  “Let us know if they come in again tomorrow night,” Hagan said, opening the back door for us. “If they do, I’ll stop by and have a beer…let my presence be known. With your permission, of course.”

  “I think I’ll take you up on that, warrior,” Dean nodded his head respectfully to Hagan.

  “See that?” I said, smacking the back of my hand to Archer’s chest. “Now why can’t you and Dean play nice like he and Hagan can?”

  “Because he doesn’t want to fuck Hagan’s woman,” Archer growled as he pulled me up against him possessively.

  “Oh, I want to do much more than fuck your woman, Rhys,” Dean grinned and I grabbed on to Archer’s wrist and pulled him out the door as his chest started to rumble with anger.

  “Stop poking the bear, Dic!” I growled over my shoulder, shoving Archer further into the parking lot. His laughter rang out before the closing of the back door silenced it.

  “Fucking Dean,” I shook my head as I took Archer’s hand and moved to stand in front of him, running one hand up his chest to encircle his neck. “He can want all he wants, but the only man I want is you, baby.”

  “Fuck, I love you,” Archer whispered as he leaned down to capture my mouth with his, the kiss hot, needy, and possessing.

  “Right back at you, handsome,” I smiled and wrapped my arms around his waist as we began walking back to the car.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Don’t Cha blared loud, rescuing me from yet another nightmare, and I took a deep breath as I groggily answered the phone.

  “Good morning, doll,” Dan’s rich, mellow voice sounded.

  “Hey, honey,” I smiled tiredly, rubbing the sleep from my eyes as I rolled over onto my back again.

  “Did I wake you?”

  “Y
eah,” I sighed, “but it’s okay. What’s up?”

  Dan sighed and I could tell right away something was bothering him. “I really hate to ask this doll, but I need a favor.”

  “Anything, Dan,” I said gently as I sat up. “What’s going on?”

  “I was calling to see if you could come in and maybe help me out at Drop Kick’s today. Nikki hasn’t been to work in the last two days and I can’t get ahold of her. She was supposed to open. I don’t have anyone to cover her section and Angel’s out on vacation.”

  “What?” I whispered as I flashed out of bed. “You’re kidding me. That’s not like her.”

  “I know, doll,” he sighed and sounded as worried as I was. “I know. She’s been spending a lot of time with Lyric lately so maybe she’s just shacked up with him and shirking job duty for a few days.”

  “I don’t know, Dan,” I said skeptically as I looked at the clock by the bed. It was eleven in the morning and Nikki should have been at work forty-five minutes ago. “Nikki never misses work. Let me get dressed and I’ll head right over. I’m going to see if I can get my friend Trey to go by her house and check if she’s there. She’s been watching Styvi Nix for me the last couple of weeks and I want to make sure they’re both okay.” The thought of Styvi left by herself for two days sent cold chills down my spine. My dog was my world and I had to make sure she was okay. Better still, it was time she came home to me.

  We said our goodbyes and I raced into Archer’s bathroom to start getting ready. I quickly brushed my teeth and hair, slapped on some neutral makeup, and flashed across the hall to my old bedroom closet. Finding a black miniskirt long enough for Dan’s, I threw it on and paired it with a simple tight white t-shirt and my black cage heels. Grabbing my bag, I took one final glance in the mirror then headed out in search of Archer and Trey.

  Thankfully, I didn’t have to go far because I found them in the living room. Archer was seated on the sofa next to Jameson, where they were each reading a section of the morning paper, and Trey was canoodling with Pádraig in front of the flat screen.