FALL OF A BLOOD MOON (RISE OF THE ARKANSAS WEREWOLVES Book 7)

by Jodi Vaughn

  Barrett gritted his teeth. He waited for Jaxon to deny it but he knew damn well Jaxon would go to his death and not deny it in order to save Ginny.

  He looked at Jaxon. Jaxon lifted his head and said not a word.

  Barrett cut his eyes at Ginny.

  Her eyes grew wide, and she started to open her mouth. She met Barrett’s gaze and he gave her a look. She got the gist of not saying anything to contradict what her father had said. She buried her face in Jaxon’s back and tightened her arms around him.

  “Isn’t that right, Jaxon?” Boudier asked.

  “Jaxon, don’t answer that question,” Barrett commanded.

  “I demand a Tribunal to assess and judge the charges set against Jaxon. Until then, I will take them into my custody.” Barrett stated.

  “I demand justice now,” Boudier shouted, his voice echoing into the night. He took a step toward Barrett. “Assassins, I want Jaxon shot right now. Make sure you fucking do the job right this time.”

  Brutus stepped forward and drew his gun.

  Barrett stepped in front of Jaxon and Ginny. Lucien followed and stood beside Barrett, his gun aimed right back at the Assassin.

  “I can give him an order to shoot you both and then kill Jaxon. Step out of the way, Barrett,” Boudier ordered.

  “You give that order. My men are watching us right now, and I’m pretty fucking sure they have you in their crosshairs. Shoot at me and they will take you out first.” Barrett fisted his hands at his side.

  Boudier growled and glanced back up the road, trying to make out whether Barrett was bluffing or not.

  “Let them go.” Lorcan stepped up, put his arm on Brutus’s, and lowered the gun.

  “What? Are you disobeying me?” Boudier screamed.

  Lorcan turned and looked at the Pack Master. “No. I’m merely suggesting that now is not the time to get your revenge.” He looked back at Barrett. “Let Barrett have his Tribunal. The truth will come out. And when it does there will be a demand for blood. Such an atrocious act will always pay in blood. No one can outrun justice. Isn’t that right, Barrett?”

  Barrett wanted to plow his fist right into Lorcan’s face. And then rip his heart out and eat it.

  “And what better way to get your revenge and justice than in front of all the Pack Masters?” Lorcan added.

  “What do you mean?” Boudier cocked his head.

  “Let Barrett call a Tribunal. But invite all the Pack Masters: Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, even Kentucky. Let them see for themselves that justice still reigns and that no one is above the law. I daresay that once Jaxon is tried and found guilty, Barrett would face no better humiliation and torture than watching his own Guardian die in front of everyone.” Lorcan shrugged. “And we can make it as quick or slow as you like.”

  Boudier studied Lorcan as quiet fell across the group of werewolves.

  A slow smile broke out across Boudier’s face, and then he slapped Lorcan across the back and laughed.

  “Have I told you lately that you’re my favorite Assassin?”

  “Not lately,” Lorcan deadpanned.

  Boudier turned his gaze back on Barrett. “I’m going to do something I rarely do. And that’s take advice from one of my men. Lorcan had a good point. I think I’d rather destroy you while the world watches. I mean, it’s really no fun if I kill Jaxon right now without an audience.” Boudier shrugged. “Besides, I have my evidence. And all you have is a couple of liars.” His gaze slid to his daughter. “Ginny, don’t forget that when this is all over, you’ll be coming home with me. Where you belong.”

  Ginny cringed and buried her face against Jaxon. She trembled as she wept silent tears.

  Barrett turned his glare back on the Pack Master. “Hear me now, Boudier. You won’t get your hands on that girl. Not ever again.” He cut his eyes at the Assassins. “And you assholes are no better for following a sadistic leader who couldn’t give three fucks whether you live or die. We are all collateral damage as far as he is concerned.”

  “We follow a code. A code of responsibility and honor,” Brutus growled.

  “Yeah. I’m not so sure your Pack Master is all about honor. At least, according to what I’ve seen,” Braxton shot back, all the while keeping his gun aimed at the Pack Master’s head.

  “Enough,” Barrett growled. “The Tribunal will take place at Petit Jean at midnight.” He knew he needed enough time to secure the place and make sure no one else would be there.

  “Fine. Gives me plenty of time to gather my evidence and witnesses to prove my case.” Boudier smirked.

  “Witnesses? Don’t you mean liars?” Braxton said.

  “I love it when my enemies doubt my sincerity. It makes the victory that much sweeter.” He clapped his hands together and smiled. He turned and walked back to the truck. Once he slammed the door, the driver backed up and headed back down the road the way they’d come.

  “You do realize that your brother is up there with a gun, don’t you?” Barrett looked at Lorcan.

  “You forget. I no longer have a brother. I have my Assassins.” Lorcan walked back to his Harley and straddled it. He started up the engine and waited until Killian and Brutus did the same.

  All three Assassins turned their bikes around and followed after the truck.

  Braxton put his gun away.

  “Barrett…” Jaxon started to speak, but Barrett knew time was of the essence.

  “Jaxon, I need Braxton to take Ginny up to where the other Guardians are. I need to talk to you alone.”

  “No. I can’t leave her.” Jaxon shook his head and rested his hand on her thigh.

  “It’s okay, Jaxon.” Ginny raised her head. “You two need time to talk.”

  “Are you sure?” Jaxon frowned.

  “I’m sure.” She gave him a smile and got off the back of the Harley.

  “Hi, Ginny. I’m Braxton.” Braxton walked up, held out his hand, and smiled.

  Ginny looked at his blue hair and tattooed arms and then his hand. She took his hand and shook it. “Nice to meet you.”

  “Let’s get you back to the rest of the Guardians.” Braxton straddled his Harley and waited for her to climb on before starting the engine.

  She stared at him for a second. “You’re the one my father sent the Assassins after.”

  He gave a grim smile and nodded. “Yes, that would be me.”

  “And Barrett helped you,” she said softly.

  Braxton looked up at Barrett and then back at her. “Yes. He did. I think he can help you too, if you let him.”

  She nodded and climbed on behind him.

  Barrett’s stomach knotted. He wasn’t sure how the hell he was going to help Ginny in these circumstances. But he knew his Guardians were counting on him to fix the situation.

  He watched as they rode back up the hill where the other Guardians were waiting.

  Jaxon got off his bike.

  “Is she going to be okay?” Barrett asked.

  “With everything she’s gone through, I hope so.” Jaxon’s voice was heavy.

  “Are you going to be okay?” Barrett looked at his Guardian.

  “I guess that remains to be seen with tomorrow’s Tribunal.”

  Barrett turned and gave Jaxon his full attention. “I need you to tell me everything. The whole truth, and don’t leave anything out.”

  Jaxon cringed and looked away.

  “I know you think you’re helping her by taking the blame.” Barrett glared.

  Jaxon’s head jerked up.

  Barrett shook his head and gave Jaxon a hard stare. “Listen to me. I need to know everything. And I mean every fucking thing. Boudier is going to come out full force with whatever evidence he claims to have. I can’t be blindsided by anything. Do you understand?”

  “I understand.” Jaxon lowered his head and studied the ground.

  “So spill it.”

  “I took Ginny home after the witch stole her car. She wouldn’t let me drive her directly to her house. She said she
didn’t want her husband to know she’d been out with me. So while I was gassing up my Harley, she took off on foot. I followed her, careful to keep my distance. I just wanted to make sure she got home okay.” He scrubbed his fingers through his hair.

  “And then what?”

  “I saw her go into the house. They have a large gate around their property but I managed to drive in before it closed. I know I should have left, but I couldn’t. Not after I saw her bruises. Anyway, I searched the property to see if I could see anything before I headed inside the house. Once inside, I found Ginny. That’s when I knew for certain that her husband had been beating her. She was scared to leave him all these years because her father told her if she did, he would kill me.”

  Jaxon shook his head. “Jesus, Barrett. She stayed all those years suffering at the hands of her husband to keep me safe. I told her to come with me that she didn’t have to live like that anymore. I finally convinced her. I’m not going to let her down by letting her take the blame.”

  “So how did the mother happen into all this?” Barrett frowned.

  “She wanted to tell her mother that she was leaving and convince her to come to Arkansas as well. I slipped out of the house before she saw me so they could talk. They argued, and Caroline stabbed Ginny in the back with a silver fork.”

  “Shit.” Anger flared in Barrett’s gut. “Her own mother?”

  “Yeah. Caroline said she wasn’t going anywhere. I heard Ginny scream and was on my way into the house. By the time I got inside, Caroline was dead, impaled on some silver antlers that John kept on the wall. Ginny and her mother were fighting and Ginny stumbled into her mother. Her mother impaled herself right through the head. It wasn’t Ginny’s fault. It was clearly an accident.”

  “Good.” Barrett nodded. Maybe there was a way out of this for his Guardians. “So how did John end up dead?”

  “We were fighting and he bit me. He had silver fitted over his teeth so he could bite his enemy and infect him with silver.”

  “Who the fuck does that?” Barrett knew Boudier was crazy, but what John had done was insane.

  “He was about to kill me when Ginny grabbed the other silver antler sconce and hit him with it. It went through his head.”

  Fuck.

  “So she killed her husband.”

  “Yes, but it was self-defense. You can explain to a Tribunal that this was an act of self-defense and an accident.” Jaxon pleaded.

  “So Boudier is saying that you killed them because inflicting punishment on you is the same as inflicting punishment on me.” Barrett rested his hands on his hips and took a deep breath.

  “I’ll take the blame. I’m willing to do that. But Barrett, you got to promise me that he won’t ever get his hands on Ginny again. Not ever,” Jaxon stated.

  Barrett jerked his head. “Do you realize what you are saying? Boudier is going to demand his payment in blood. Blood. Your blood.”

  “I know.” Jaxon nodded. Sadness crossed his eyes and filled his voice. “But I can’t live knowing that Ginny is back in Louisiana, suffering at the hands of her father. I won’t live that life again. I’d rather be dead.”

  “You’re a fucking fool, Jaxon,” Barrett growled.

  “I’m not a fool for standing for something I believe in. I believe in Ginny. I believe that we could have a life together. And even if that fucker kills me tomorrow, then I’ll be willing sacrifice myself for her.” Jaxon lifted his chin. “If dying for someone you love is foolish, then I’d gladly do be foolish.”

  Barrett felt his eyes widen. He was never falling in love, and he sure as shit wasn’t ever getting mated.

  Jaxon snorted.

  “What’s so fucking funny?” Barrett thundered.

  “I was just thinking that when you get mated, the world is going to stop turning.” Jaxon grinned.

  “That shit’s not happening. I got enough pussy-whipped werewolves to deal with as it is. I sure as hell need to be clear-headed to keep you assholes in line.” He glared.

  “Whatever,” Jaxon murmured under his breath.

  “So do you know what kind of evidence that asshole could have to prove that you were the one who killed them?”

  “I don’t know. I mean, the only thing I could think of was maybe he had cameras in the house? But even if they do have video, it’s going to show Ginny is the one who killed them. So it doesn’t make sense for him to bring a video.” Jaxon leaned his head back and looked at the blackened sky.

  “We need to get back to the Compound. Everyone needs to rest and get ready for tomorrow night.” Barrett straddled his bike.

  “Barrett, promise me that you won’t let Boudier take Ginny.” Jaxon put his hand on Barrett’s shoulder.

  Barrett tensed.

  “I know I’m asking you to sacrifice one of your Guardians in order to save your enemy’s daughter.” Jaxon lifted his chin. “But if you can’t promise me that Ginny won’t be safe, then I’ll go ahead and cross back over into Louisiana right now. I’ll walk right up to Boudier’s door and lay down on his altar. No Tribunal, no hearing, nothing.”

  Barrett shook Jaxon’s hand off him. Fury and regret tore through his chest.

  His own Guardian was willing to face the gates of hell to save the woman he loved.

  It didn’t seem fair, and it sure didn’t seem right. But Barrett respected Jaxon’s choice.

  “I swear after tomorrow night, Ginny won’t ever have to fear her father again.” Barrett started the Harley and took off down the road.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  That night the Guardians drove back to the Compound in Little Rock.

  Jaxon didn’t say anything to Ginny. He’d said just one thing to her as she’d climbed on his bike. He’d told her everything would be okay.

  It was the first time he’d ever lied to her.

  She’d protected him for years. He was prepared to do whatever it took to protect her.

  He wasn’t ever going to let her put her life at risk for him again.

  She slid her hand up to his chest, her palm resting over his heart. He smiled. It was something she’d always done when they were young. She said it was her way of connecting with him. Like she was seeing into his soul.

  She leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss to his neck. It sent shivers down his back in all the right places. He wished they were already in Little Rock.

  He glanced at the time on the dash of his Harley. In another hour they’d be home. They’d probably be there before dawn.

  He planned to take his time making love to her.

  After tonight, he knew without a doubt that tomorrow wasn’t guaranteed…

  * * *

  Lucien rolled his tense shoulders and reached for the door to his old room in the Compound. After he’d mated with Catty, he’d gotten a house off base. But tonight he knew his fellow Guardians needed him here in case something happened.

  He was exhausted and couldn’t wait to crawl into bed. He opened the door and stopped. Catty stood when she saw him.

  “Hey, what are you doing here?” A warm feeling swept through his chest at the sight of her. “You should be at home in bed.”

  “I figured you would spend the night here since you got in so late. So I decided to wait up for you.” Catty cocked her head and walked toward him. “I’ve never been inside the Guardian Compound. It’s different than I thought.”

  He grinned and pulled her into his arms. “What were you expecting?”

  “Dirty, grimy, scary.” She laughed and pulled back to look around. “But this room looks better than my apartment in New Orleans. Silk sheets, minibar, 70-inch TV with curved screen.”

  “We also have an outdoor and an indoor pool.” He grinned and kissed her.

  She moaned against his lips and slid her hands down the front of his chest.

  He pulled back and rested his forehead against hers.

  “Lucien, what’s wrong?” Her voice, soft and gentle, tugged at the recesses of his heart.

  �
�Just work.”

  “No.” She pulled back to look him in the eyes. “No, I feel like this is different. I spoke to Ava earlier, and she’s on edge too. This thing with Boudier is dangerous. I feel like we are getting ready to go to war.”

  “I don’t want you to worry, Catty. Barrett knows what he is doing.” Lucien hoped to god that Barrett could pull off a miracle.

  “I talked to Haley. She heard from Jayden that Jaxon didn’t come back alone. He came back with Boudier’s daughter.” Her eyes widened ever so slightly. “You know, when I lived in New Orleans, people knew he had a daughter but no one ever really saw her. And you certainly didn’t discuss her.”

  “No doubt. He married her off to gain his wealth. Apparently he also promised the son-in-law that he would be next in line for Pack Master.”

  “He’s full of shit.” Catty snorted. “Boudier would never give up his position. Never.”

  “I don’t doubt that.” Lucien took a deep breath. “There’s a Tribunal at midnight tonight.”

  “Ava told me.”

  “I wonder why you bother asking me anything at all since you have your own intel going on.” He laughed.

  “I’m sure we don’t know everything.” She gave him a look. “What’s the Tribunal for?”

  “Catty, I…”

  “Relax. Damon already told Ava about the Tribunal for Jaxon. He’s accused of killing Boudier’s wife and son-in-law.” She blinked as her eyes began to water. “What about Boudier’s daughter? How did she cross over without Boudier going ape shit?”

  “Barrett declared his protection for her since she admitted her husband and her father physically abused her.”

  “That motherfucker,” Catty spat out.

  He grinned at her fierceness. “I couldn’t agree with you more.”

  “I’ve never been at a Tribunal before. Can I go to this one?”

  “No.” He narrowed his gaze. “It can get ugly, and I don’t want you to see that.”

  “Lucien, I’m not a child.” She shrugged. “Besides, I’ve seen worse.”

  “I don’t care. Catty, you’re not going.”

  She let out a long-suffering sigh and gave him a look that implied she was far from pleased.