by J. N. Colon
“I did with your previous one.”
Several gasps echoed through the crowd while Liz’s blue eyes flashed with anger. “You set her free?” Her grip tightened on the crossbow. “I should shoot you through the jugular and feed you to a pack of our discarded experiments.”
Who was this previous captive Paisley helped escape?
“Relax Liz.” A man stepped forward, brandishing only a small knife. He had graying brown hair, a thick neck, and a wicked scar running the length of his jaw. His shoulders were massive and hands three times the size of mine. He wore a gray t-shirt with threadbare jeans and black boots. His dark eyes were like Declan’s in how they sucked the light in, but this guys’ held no room for humor or anything besides hatred, anger, and callousness. I could see why he carried a little baby knife compared to the other hunters. He was scary as hell. “Our previous prisoner doesn’t matter anymore. Her blood wasn’t working the way we wanted.” He motioned toward me. “Rubi’s our little gem now.” His voice was rough and just as terrifying as his appearance.
He must be the boss.
I trembled against Paisley, fear chilling my body even more.
“Come on Clyde,” Liz pleaded, her kitten face tipping in a pout. “Let me shoot Paisley.”
“Stand down soldier.” He never took his frightening eyes off me.
“But she deserves…”
“I said stand down!” he barked, causing her to flinch.
“Better listen Liz,” Paisley taunted. “Or you’ll get demoted. Again.”
Electricity exploded across my spine moments before Liz let her arrow fly. Paisley shoved me to the ground with lightening reflexes, dodging the arrow just in time.
Vampires and shifters spilled out of the darkness, sending the small grove of trees into chaos.
Mac materialized by my side, pulling into his strong arms, his woodsy scent washing over me. “Rubi!” Silver flecked his worry-filled eyes.
A streak of sleek black sped by and I watched fascinated as a panther knocked Liz off Paisley.
Demy.
He must prefer turning into a panther when fighting, I absentmindedly thought.
“Rubi!” Mac shook me. “Are you okay?”
I returned my attention to him. “Never been better.” I giggled. Apparently I was still high as a kite or maybe it was the blood loss.
A flash of gold with black spots took down another hunter. Was that Adalynn—as a leopard? I spotted a giant rot wilier and a black wolf circling two more hunters. That must be Jared and Vera. Several vampires were zooming around. I briefly spied Rufus, Daedalus, and Alana. Whitmore and Tristan were also fighting the hunters with a speed and grace I haven’t witness before.
Mac clutched me to his chest as the sounds of battle heightened. “Let’s get out of here.” The moment he tried to haul me up we were both slammed back to the ground.
Pain exploded through my side from the jarring impact. Still stunned, I rolled over to find a pair of red eyes, bloody fangs, and ashen flesh surrounded by a rotten stench. A claw lashed out at Mac’s throat, but he kicked the creature away with a deep, ground shaking growl.
Fear shot through my chest as I saw a whole pack of undead vampires joining the fray. The hunters and my friends were now fighting on the same side.
Two came at Mac and ripped him from my arms, dragging him away.
“MAC!” I yelled, my voice harsh and terror stricken.
Demy broke through the crowd and rushed to Mac’s aid. In panther form he clamped down on the undead vampire’s leg, ripping it off and forcing him to the ground.
My head spun sickeningly and my body was headed for the ground. Before my face hit dirt someone painfully gripped my shoulders and heaved me up against a hard chest. Sharp coldness pressed along the hollow of my throat.
“Don’t make a move little girl or even think about calling for help.” Clyde held his small knife to my neck, his hot breath smelling of whisky and cigars seeping across my skin. “I will slit your throat.”
I whimpered and dug my heels into the ground as he started dragging me away. I had been so close to escaping. I had been in Mac’s arms again until those horrible creatures showed up. Clyde took the opportunity to snag me while bedlam unfolded through the forest.
Will I ever see those jade eyes and devilish smile again? Or feel that explosion of electricity down my spine he always brought?
My gaze fell upon the ruby and silver ring as tears formed. Will I ever move it to my left hand?
“I’ll take you someplace no one will find you.” His hard, calloused hand dug into my waist while the knife stung my neck. “Not even your royal mate.”
I guess that answers my questions.
“Tsk, tsk Clyde.”
He froze at the feminine sound, his body growing so tense it felt like stone. He shifted to look behind him.
“You should have known better than to go after her,” the woman said. Her voice was pleasant to my ears, but there was no mistaking the dangerous edge snaking through it.
The next few moments were a blur. The knife was suddenly gone from my throat. Free from Clyde, I hit the ground on my hands and knees, pain shooting through my weak extremities. I glanced back in time to see Clyde’s head snap unnaturally to the side as a sickening crack echoed. His dark eyes sought mine as his body fell to the ground, lifeless.
My world tilted.
Slender arms caught me seconds before my head smacked into a root. I found myself looking up into familiar jade eyes and a strikingly beautiful face curtained by auburn hair.
“Miranda Davenport?” I slurred.
She smiled gently down at me. “Hello again Rubi.”
Chapter 33
I woke up in a soft, warm bed with a familiar body pressed against mine. “Mac,” I mumbled through the darkness.
His fingers stroked my hair. “Hey Rubi.” He kissed my forehead and then my dimple.
I was always glad be to cuddled up with him, but something felt odd—like a prickle at the back of my head, trying to tug my memories along. “Where are we?”
“My house near Highland.”
His house? Why would we be at his house?
Memories washed over me like a flood, suffocating and heavy, forcing a strangled gasp out my mouth. I tried to sit up, but his arms prevented me from moving. “What happened? Where is everyone? Is everyone okay?”
“Shush,” he whispered. “Calm down. Everyone’s fine.”
“How did you find me?”
He rubbed his thumb across his ring. “I’ll always find you.”
My heart still wouldn’t stop raging against my ribcage. “What about the hunters?” I screeched. “They were trying to use my blood.”
He covered my mouth with his to shut me up. “Paisley filled us in on it.” He paused as if having trouble finding the words. “A-And my mom.”
Oh crap. That was real? His mother was alive? “The dead don’t always stay dead,” I whispered, realizing the meaning behind Madison’s final message.
Mac’s brow furrowed. “What?”
“Nothing.” Now was not the time to spill the beans on my prophetic Madison dreams. I doubt my brain could handle it anyways. “How is she alive?” I asked, diverting his attention. “I thought she died in a fire.”
“She’s been alive this whole time.” He swallowed hard, his body tensing with so many emotions, anger taking the forefront. “The hunters faked her death to abduct her. They’ve been holding her captive ever since.” Fury so deep stained his words, leaking silver into his eyes.
Ice chilled my blood as pieces began to form the puzzle. Miranda was the captive Paisley helped set free. She was also who Paisley was working for. “Why?”
Mac clenched his jaw, struggling to rein his fury. He was having a difficult time remaining in control, but who wouldn’t be in this situation? “They’ve been experimenting with her blood to develop a weapon for years.”
“Why her blood?”
“They needed strong b
lood. They would never have been able to capture and hold my father so they settled for my mother. She was made by him. His blood runs through her veins.” His finger brushed against my cheek, so soft and opposing to the hardness in his expression. “And when hers wasn’t getting the results they wanted they realized yours might.” A deep growl started through his chest and more silver flecked his eyes. “Because my father’s blood is in you as well as mine. And human blood.”
I buried my face against Mac, clutching his t-shirt. Tremors overtook my body not only from fear, but from the electricity I thought I would never feel again. It was rippling up and down my spine, radiating across my skin. The ring on my right hand seemed to heat and sparkle from it.
Mac squeezed me tighter, letting the electricity I knew he felt across his body chase away his anger. “We’re together now,” he whispered against my ear. “No one will tear us apart or separate us for even a second.” His face pressed in my hair. “Not again.”
After a few more moment of bliss I pulled back. “They almost did it, didn’t they? They almost made that weapon.”
“Thanks to my mom and Paisley they didn’t.”
“Paisley,” I groaned. “We’re never going to be able to live that down. I can’t believe she rescued me.”
He chuckled. “I know.”
My fingers traced the plains of his face. “How’s your mom?”
“She’s…” He sighed. “She’s doing as best as she can under the circumstances.”
“And your dad?”
“Happy she’s alive, sad for all the years they missed, angry and wants to rip the head off every hunter that had anything to do with this.”
“How are you?” My throat tightened. I could only imagine what Mac’s been going through. He woke up and I was gone. Then his mother returns from the grave.
He flashed me a half-hearted steely glare. “I’d be a lot better if my girlfriend quit almost dying on me.”
I groaned and hid my face in his chest again. “I’m sorry.” Guilt twisted my insides and I felt tears burn my eyes. I sniffled. “I’m so sorry Mac, I didn’t mean to…”
“Hey, hey…” He massaged the back of my head. “Don’t cry Rubi. It’s okay. I was only joking—sort of.” His lips pressed in my hair. “I got you back now. That’s what’s important.”
I pulled away. “You’re not mad at me for sneaking away?”
“Not anymore. You’re back with me where you belong. Just don’t go off like that again without telling me and not in a damn note.” He brushed the tears from my cheeks with his thumbs.
“Okay. I won’t.” I’ve learned my lesson. Never doing that again.
Hopefully.
***
We gathered in one of the living rooms in the Davenport house. I was cuddled up against Mac on a dark brown leather couch with my feet propped up on an ottoman. I was still weak from the massive blood loss. No one would let me do anything! I was surprised Mac didn’t take a shower with me. He stood outside the door listening.
I bit my lip in thought. Maybe I should have asked him to join me. I doubt he’d say no.
The room was massive and decorated in dark brown, navy, crimson, and gold with cream accents. The walls were a rich brown while the hardwood floors were almost black. Soft rugs ran along the floor, softening the resonating noises. A fireplace with a delicately carved wood mantle took up a huge space on one wall while another was covered in floor to ceiling windows with cream gossamer curtains filtering in late afternoon light. Thick velvet drapes were fastened at the sides by decorative gold ropes. Leather furniture and dark wood tables spotted the room. A small minibar was in the corner, bottles of clear and amber liquid glinting in the soft light. A hint of leather and spice permanently lingered through the atmosphere.
My eyes danced around the room, surveying my friends. Demy and Paisley were standing by a table piled with food, fighting over the last cinnamon bun.
“I saw it first,” Paisley hissed with her hands clenched into fists by her sides. She was wearing a pair of ragged jeans, combat boots, and a tight V-neck blue shirt—so very new Paisley. Her glossy black hair was in a ponytail, but her bangs were free of their clip, framing her cobalt eyes.
Demy held the pastry gingerly between his index finger and thumb. “Obviously not because I’m the one holding it.” His Russian accent was thicker than usual.
Her eyes narrowed. “That’s only because you saw me reach for it.”
“I guess my reflexes are just better than yours Collins.” He shrugged. “You’re too slow. Better luck next time.” His face was deadpan, but humor bounced in his violet eyes.
“Oh I’ll show you slow Dragoniv.” She tried to snatch it out of his hand, but he whirled around, blocking her.
Demy grinned. “Too slow again Collins.”
Paisley growled and slipped under his arm. Demy crammed the entire cinnamon bun into his mouth.
“Oops. Too late,” he mumbled through a mouth full of food.
Paisley decked him in the shoulder. “Don’t worry Dragoniv. I’ll get you back for that.” She spun around and started perusing the table for another food choice with Demy was close on her heels.
Interesting. That was definitely flirting.
My eyes found my new favorite vampire couple on the couch across from us. Aspen made it through her transition perfectly. I didn’t expect anything less from her. She was wearing a light green sweater dress that made her sleek auburn hair stand out. Her amber eyes were bright with silver flecks as she sipped a cup of blood.
“Mmmm,” she said to Brant, licking her lips with a smile. “This is so good. And I can really have as much as I want and not get fat?”
Brant chuckled and threw his arm over her shoulder. “That’s right babe.”
“Cool.” She downed another sip then flicked a fang with her tongue. “I’ll just have to get used to the fangs. I really want to sink them into something.”
“You can sink them into me.” Brant wiggled his eyebrows.
Aspen giggled and smacked him playfully. “Oh I will. I can’t wait to get you back for all those times you did it to me.”
Brant’s cheeks pinked. “Well, what can I say…?”
She shook her head shushing him and leaned against him. “Don’t worry about it. I’m just glad you saved me.
His arm tightened around her shoulders and he kissed her temple. “I’ll always save you.”
I knew it. They were madly in love.
Jared, Vera, and Adalynn were playing cards on the floor next to the couch. A lump rose in my throat as I thought of Travis. His death was on the hunters’ hands. They didn’t shoot Travis with one of their arrows or sliced his throat with a knife, but they created those monsters that ripped his life away.
I blinked back the red haze and snuggled deeper into Mac, breathing his heady, woodsy scent to calm me.
Roman, Tristan, and Emmaline were huddled together in the corner, talking animatedly. The hunters vacated the lab by the time the vampires located it. I wondered if they were able to discover any information about this weapon they were so determined to create. I also wondered if they left any information about the undead vampires behind—say like a way to easily eradicate them that didn’t involve chopping their disgusting head off. Or maybe they’ll eventually drop dead. Again. And stay that way.
Oh but that would be far too easy.
A hush fell over the crowd as Whitmore and Miranda glided in. Even after years of imprisonment and experiments she looked unearthly beautiful with dark auburn hair falling around her delicate face like a curtain, haunted jade eyes, and perfect rosebud lips. Her body was tall and curving like an hourglass and her skin was flawless porcelain. Everything about her was breathtaking even in her plain dark jeans and lavender sweater.
Miranda was all soft and beautiful while Whitmore was hard and commanding. They complimented each other and made a striking couple. Whitmore’s midnight hair, ice gray eyes, and thick build contrasted with his wife’s war
m looks and the kindness that radiating off her.
Mac was the perfect combination of the two.
Everyone who was standing took a seat. Demy and Paisley both decided to sit next to me. Neither one of them noticed the other as they simultaneously sat and Paisley ended up in Demy’s lap.
“Oh.” Paisley shot him a surprised look.
Demy’s studded brow lifted suggestively at her and a smile threatened his lips. “Hello blue eyes,” he drawled in a thick Russian accent.
Her cheeks reddened, but she scoffed and rolled her eyes as if the sexy shifter had no effect on her.
Liar!
She slid off to sit next to him.
Mac’s parents paused in front of the fireplace. Whitmore pulled a chair out for his wife, his hands fluttering over her.
Miranda cleared her throat and looked at me. “How are you Rubi?”
My cheeks flushed. “Fine.” Shouldn’t we be asking her that question? I wasn’t the long-term prisoner.
“That’s good.” She offered a gentle smile. “Your parents should be here shortly, but I figured we’d go ahead and get started.”
I tried to hide my grimace. My parents were not going to be happy I had almost gotten killed by hunters again.
“I was held captive since the fire the hunters staged at our house in the Hamptons. They kept me heavily sedated and used me for experiments and such over the years. I was mostly out of it for this last year.”
Gees. Way to just jump in.
“When my body began to develop a tolerance to the drugs they gave me more.” Her jade eyes landed directly on me again. “And then I heard whispers about the prince’s future mate.” Her hand nervously fluttered to her throat. “I knew before I even heard the name it was you. I always knew you’d be the one.”
A lump rose in my throat and I bit my lip to keep my tears at bay.
“I thought if I remained in captivity the rest of my family would be safe. Once I heard about you I realized my mistake. I tried my hardest to fight off the drugs while still pretending to be sedated. But it wasn’t enough.” She flashed a weak smile at Paisley. “Then Paisley was chosen to feed me my daily dosage and recognized me.”
