“Mary’s not suffering as you think. She is only trying to learn how to use her gift to better help people. I remember the challenges I endured when I was her age, except my problem wasn’t visions. I can hear people’s thoughts, read their minds. My mother helped me understand what was happening and how to control it, not to allow it to control me.” She sighed. “Not that I’ve got a problem now, not since the dead blood was injected into me. The voices have been silent since then.”
“Enjoy the quiet while it lasts,” Sarah advised. “All too soon will you hear things you wish you’d never could, especially here.”
“Does your family resent us being here?”
“No, that is not what I meant. We welcome you and the Master. I merely speak of the Damned and the hunters. Their hatred is like poison. To hear their thoughts, it must be awful.”
“Actually, the Damned are predictable. My friend and I hunt serial killers and the humans are much worse than the Damned. Much worse. If they are turned, it’s … unpleasant to read them.”
“I understand now why the Depraved, or the Undead, as the gadjo, non gypsies, call them, are so vicious.”
Kai looked away and mumbled, “That they are.”
Gaeta shambled out of the manor’s opened front doors, a herd of happy children following her. Ranging from ten to two years old and cute as cherubs, they danced around the old woman, begging her to tell them stories. Gazing at the Wulf Manor, rustic and elegant, it was more a home with the gypsies than it had been when Alex’s family resided in it.
“Do you all live here?”
A soft chuckle escaped Sarah as she, too, observed the manor. “Strange for a Gypsy to live in a house, huh? It took me a while to accustom myself to living here, after growing up in wagons. To survive, we had to make changes. My husband, Herrick, made the decision to reside in the manor, to protect us from the Nazis. After seventy years, it is … home.” Tears glistened in her eyes as the proud woman turned away from the manor.
“Sarah, what is it?”
“With the Master’s return, we shall have to move out.”
From behind them, Alex gruffly told her, “No, Sarah, you and your family will never have to leave. It is your home and your children’s children. I will not claim it. Not ever,” Alex shot a loathing glare at the house and stormed away.
She and Sarah exchanged a startled look. Kai hurried after him, stumbling when chaotic scenes blinded her. Righting herself, she didn’t have time to wonder how she could feel Alex was beyond upset, his emotions were out of control, and were suffocating her. Wulf Manor brought him anguish and anger on levels she’d never thought a human or vampire could suffer. Being at Wulf Manor brought him actual physical pain. Flashes of swords, blood everywhere blinded her. Rage and hatred issued from Alex straight into her. So much so it left her reeling in confusion when the sadness, the terrible gut-wrenching grief rushed in to replace it. Forcing it all back, she pushed mind barriers up; needing the protection against the emotions he was casting out.
“Alex, wait!” He reluctantly stopped. His back rigid, he refused to face her. “Please, tell me what’s wrong?”
✝✝✝
The walls were closing in on him.
Nowhere to run! Trapped between his past and Kai Jordan, he couldn’t escape the round of questions she would surely fire at him. The white-haired Gypsy and his son, Michael, exited the stable. Alex nearly sighed out loud in relief.
The elder bowed his head as he placed his hand on his heart as he greeted him. “Master, you and your companion are much better. I am glad. I see we must find a change of clothes for you. Yours are a bit on the unclean side.”
Grimacing, he checked his clothes, disturbed at how filthy he was. “We are indebted to you and your family for saving us. How is it you know me?”
Withdrawing the necklace underneath his shirt, the Gypsy held out the medallion for him to see it. The twin to his that he wore. “You gave this to my grandfather, whom I am named after.”
Recognition hit Alex as he gazed into those merry, dark eyes, the set of the man’s jaw and brow. A rueful smile escaped him. “Herrick was more a brother than servant. After all these years, I miss his wit and friendship.”
“He spoke of you fondly. Your brother, too.” Herrick waved his family to him. “Master, I wish to introduce you to my sons and my beautiful wife, Sarah.”
To the men, he nodded. “An honor to make your acquaintance.” Executing a short bow to the tall, stately woman, silver threaded her jet-black hair, the only sign she was a mother of middle-aged sons. “Our gratitude for taking us in and restoring us, madam.”
“If you need anything,” Sarah said, “please let us know, Master.”
Alex felt Kai beside him and he looked down at her. She watched him with a guarded expression as she asked, “You are lord of Wulf Manor?”
“I denounced my heritage the night my father declared me Damned and ordered me to face the sun.”
Herrick puffed his chest out proudly. “My grandfather and his family saved the Master and his brother. He—”
Scowling, Alex interrupted him, “A lot of good it did.”
“Forgive me, Master, I did not mean to resurrect painful memories.”
Waving him off, he sighed. “It is I who should apologize for my surly manner. Being here is … difficult for me. Herrick, who else lives here?”
“My wife, our children, and their families. During the war, others had sought shelter at Wulf Manor. Once peace was declared, they returned to the Rom way.”
“Well, at least the damn thing is receiving use.”
A cellphone began ringing. Michael dug it out of his front pocket and answered it. “They are? Hurry home. I will tell him.” He replaced the cellphone into his pocket. “Master, my youngest brother says he has just encountered a group of heavily-armed men six miles from here. It’s the second sighting today. We believe they are searching for you and your companion.”
“Dammit,” he growled. “We must leave, to draw them away from you. Herrick, can you give us a lift to town?”
Obviously disappointed, Herrick said, “If you desire to leave, Master, we can take you to Magdeburg in the truck.”
“Herrick, it might be best if you called me Alex rather than Master. I bear no right to being called such.”
“As you wish. Michael, give them their weapons.” Michael ran to the barn and hurried back with their swords and her rucksack.
Nodding his thanks as Michael handed him his sword and holstered gun, Kai took her gun and put it in her rucksack. She slung it and the scabbard’s belt over her shoulder, the hilt of her sword behind her head. Slinging the belted scabbard over his shoulder, he hooked the holster to his belt.
He nearly groaned when Kai asked Herrick, “Mary told me about the dead bodies found not far from here. She says it was the Damned.” Alex shot her a warning glare to be quiet, which she ignored.
Rubbing his neck, Herrick gave his family a worried once over. “We suspect it was the Damned. Odd it is. They usually hunt in the city, not the countryside.”
Kai looked at him. “Alex, we need to check it out.”
“We are supposed to be in Berlin. The Council and Faeroes, remember?”
The familiar, mutinous tightening at the corners of her soft lips warned him that she was going to argue. “As a Slayer, you know better than anyone what we are sworn to do!” When he hesitated, Kai glared at him, “Go ahead, leave for Berlin, I’m staying here to help Herrick and his people.”
Glaring back at her, every fiber of his being wanted him to run as fast as he could from Wulf Manor. Trapped by his duty as a Slayer and his oath to protect a woman who was determined to make his life miserable, he knew he couldn’t escape either. Checking the expectant faces around him, he knew he had no choice.
“I need my cellphone.” Kai rummaged around inside the rucksack and withdrew it, handing it to him.
“Excuse me, Herrick. I need to call my boss.”
Kai as
ked, “Are you calling Rathe or Faeroes?”
“I’m calling Faeroes!” he snapped. “I’m not going anywhere near Rathe, not until we settle the matter concerning Sin and Mina first.”
“I was just asking,” she grumbled. “I need a drink.” Kai left him, scowling at him over her shoulder as she walked away. The gypsies followed her to the bonfire. The intrigue of a vampire drinking something other than blood had them curious.
Dialing Faeroes’s cell number, several rings passed until he answered. “Alex? Is that you? Where the hell have you been? Where is Kai? Is she with you?”
“Yes, sir. Kai is with me and she’s safe.”
“Thank God. Where have you, two, been? No call, no sign of you,” Faeroes demanded, unusually upset. Normally, he was a calm, solid personality with a sense of humor bent toward enriching peoples’ lives or poking fun at those who were being much too serious around him. He liked Faeroes immensely. Especially compared to his older brother, Rathe, who had a cut and dry attitude, with a bad temper to boot. Of the three Romulus brothers, Simon, the youngest, was most likeable, honest and forthright in dealing with humans and vamps alike.
“Our plane was shot down by vampire hunters near Magdeburg, Germany, and it took several days to hike out of the wilderness.”
“Shot down?” Faeroes repeated, stunned. “There was no report of our plane going down.”
“We encountered three humans searching the wreckage for our weapons and overheard them refer to Harklee as in charge of their group. Harklee is well-connected for a vampire hunter. He might have made our plane ‘disappear’ from the flight records.”
“Harklee,” Faeroes snarled, “that son-of-a-bitch! He was out of the picture so long I thought he was dead. We need to find out if he’s working for Angel or on his own.”
“My thoughts exactly. Harklee can cause a lot of trouble on his own. Working with Angel, he can be a damn right pain in the ass for us.”
“I agree. Where are you now?” Faeroes asked.
“We are at my family’s estate, not far from Magdeburg.”
“Can you get to the airport?”
“Yes and no,” Alex hedged. Hating the idea of staying here, he knew Kai would not leave until the Damned were eradicated and the gypsies were safe from harm. “We have a problem here. There was an attack on a local family and evidence points to the Damned. Faeroes, I owe the family caring for my property a blood debt. I must help them.”
“I understand. Do you need men sent to you?”
The idea of other Borne vampires coming to Magdeburg and learning his secrets left Alex cold with dread. “No,” he hastily replied. “Kai and I can handle it. What about Sin? Will the Council condemn him for not appearing?”
“Sin Dracula is the least of our problems.”
“What’s happening?”
“The report Kai sent in about the Damned recruiting humans and turning them has led us to investigate clubs around the world, mainly focusing on major cities. The Damned have been very busy. Angel is far more bloodthirsty that Jarrod was and is doing a better job making my life hell,” Faeroes growled.
“We’ll investigate how far the Damned have gone in recruiting here.”
“Good. Currently, we have Berlin back under control. Once you have finished in Magdeburg, come straight to Berlin. I want to speak with Kai about this theory Borne blood could cure those who are turning demon. Rathe is convinced it will work, however, I want to hear Kai’s version about what happened to Mina and how Sin Dracula’s blood stopped her from … turning.” Alex heard the hitch in Faeroes’s voice, knew the man was shaken at how close they had come to losing Mina.
“Want her to call you?”
“No. I can wait until you arrive. Good hunting.”
“Thanks. Watch your back, Faeroes. Angel is one mean bitch, and we should not underestimate her. According to Sin, she is determined to win this time and become queen of the Borne and Damned.”
“Right. Same goes for you. The Damned feel you are a traitor and want nothing more than to make an example of you.”
Grinning, Alex had to laugh. “Amazing how they reason, eh? I’ll call you before we leave for Berlin.”
“Good. See ya soon.” The phone call ended.
Alex slipped his phone in his back pocket. Well, that does it. Stuck here.
Walking back to the gypsies and the bonfire, he had to smile at how Kai had already charmed them. A young girl, in her early teens sat beside her, watching Kai with a look of awe and admiration. As he approached, the gypsies watched him with baited breath, hope and fear mingled on their expectant faces.
“Faeroes gave us the go ahead. We hunt the bastards down, dust ‘em, and then we head out to Berlin.”
Grateful, Herrick held out his hand to Alex, who accepted. “Thank you, thank you! We are most grateful to you for staying to help us.”
“Herrick, it is because of me you are in danger. Those I once served consider me a traitor and are hunting me, to make me pay for betraying them.”
“Mas … I mean, Alex, the war was a long time ago. The officers whom you served are either dead or in hiding.”
Giving the man a brittle smile, he explained, “Not the Nazis, my friend. The Damned was my family for a long time. After my father and the Church condemned me, I thought I was Damned. To survive, I stayed with them. One day a miracle happened, and I realized I still possessed my soul. How I kept it after all I had done in servitude to the Damned, I’ll never know.”
Herrick gave him a shrewd eye. “My grandfather told me you were a man of strong convictions, determined to protect your family. Such strength is why you kept your soul. And,” the Gypsy smiled knowingly at him, “the love of a good woman helps, too.”
Alex sought out Kai. Having seen her naked had left him shaken. He wanted her but knew better than to taint another with his cursed existence. Too many had died because of him, had paid the terrible price for his mistakes.
As if reading his thoughts, Herrick said gently, “Miss Kai strikes me as a woman who is not easily deterred, nor defeated. A man would be considered blessed to have such a woman at his side.”
Casting Herrick a bemused half-smile, Alex replied, “Yes, a man would be. If I was a man. Being a vampire, I have no right to such a blessing.”
Waving a dismissive hand, Herrick cast him an unexpected scowl. “You speak as if you are a monster. I know monsters, and you are not one. You deserve to be loved as any other man who walks the precious earth. That, my friend, is the one gift from God that requires nothing more than to give of yourself without thought or reason. To love and be loved is what makes us human. As a Borne, you have a soul, just as a human has a soul. You are human as we are, just with benefits.”
Changing the touchy subject, Alex told him, “Kai and I will go to the farm where the family was murdered and investigate. Tell your sons to stay armed and vigilant. We won’t be long. Once we investigate this and determine it is a demon killing, we will return and make plans on how to hunt it and the vampire hunters who are close by.”
Placing his hand over his heart, Herrick gave a short bow. “We are in your debt, Slayers.”
“Herrick, it is I who owes you, especially your grandfather. He saw in me something worth saving. I will never forget his friendship and kindness.” Alex motioned to Kai to come over to them. When she reached them, he looked her up and down, shaking his head at her bare feet. “Where are your shoes?”
“By the fire. Are we hunting tonight?”
“Can you hunt in a skirt?”
Glaring at him, she retorted through clenched teeth. “I’ll check to see if my clothes are in the dryer yet.”
Pressing his lips together from laughing, he nodded. “Go and do that. I’ll wait for you.”
Fifteen minutes later, Kai returned, dressed in her own clothes. Her modified Colt was holstered at her right hip, sword strapped to her back. She had her worn rucksack slung over her shoulder. Her long hair was pulled back into a ponytail, the h
eavy mass cascaded over her right shoulder in dark russet waves. Full, rounded breasts captured his hungry gaze. The memory of those succulent globes made him hard. Pert, rosy nipples begging to be suckled made Alex’s mouth water.
God in Heaven, he wanted Kai Jordan.
Wanted to tear off her clothes and make love to her, explore every creamy inch of her, taste those lovely lips, sink his teeth into her flesh and drink her blood and be forever linked with her, took him by surprise. Closing his eyes against the pain, both physical and the loneliness made his resolve slip. When he opened his eyes, he stared eyes of midnight blue. The way Kai watched him, her pupils dilated, delicate nostrils flared in anticipation, as if she were reading his mind. The hunger he saw in her matched his own and it made him nervous. Kai couldn’t read his thoughts, he reminded himself, relaxing a bit.
Or could she?
No, it had to be him allowing his desire for her to show, that was all. Still, the shadow of doubt persisted. Kai had drank his blood, was connected to him. In fact, if he tried, he might be able to speak with her mentally. Did he want to open that door? If he and Kai could ‘link’, she would forever be a part of him and he could never break the bond again. Not even if he wanted to.
“Ready?” Kai asked, amusement curving her mouth at his discomfort.
No! Honestly, he wasn’t ready at all to be alone with her again. Duty called and there was a job for them. If the Damned had attacked the family and left them to turn, then an unsettling task was ahead of them. One, he had never had to deal with before.
“Have you called your mom yet.”
“Yep and gave her the clean version what happened to us. She told me, too, that she and Rathe are heading to Berlin.”
“Wonderful. Rathe should be a in a proper foul mood.”
Wulf's Redemption (Borne Vampires Book 3) Page 11
