Crimson Storm

by V L Moon

  Copi snatched away and started to pace. “He never talked about himself. He would have died of starvation rather than tell me he was vampire. I had to force him to drink and still he fought me. I didn’t care what he was, still don’t. He saved me from the wolf, twice, and then he saved my life. But, he refused to tell me anything about himself. He’s so fucking stubborn.”

  “You love him.”

  Copi stopped pacing and looked directly at Roman. The intensity of the male’s eyes shook Roman to the core. “I loved him before he changed me. I love him more with each second that passes. You have to help me find him. Sage said that Tobias knows the vampire king. She was going to ask for his help.”

  “Tobias isn’t the only one that knows Malachi. I’m an Elder on the vampire council. I’ve already tried to talk to Denali about Bourne and was shut down. As soon as my mate is satisfied that Sage is safe, you and I are going to Rome. I can have the king’s jet brought to us. It’s time for someone to spill some answers.”

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  Chapter Forty-Five

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  Nerves strung tighter than a nun’s knicker’s, Tobias clutched Roman’s hand and squeezed it tight. In the short time they’d been together, Roman had proved himself a valuable and loving mate. Tobias cherished him, loved the selfless way Roman put him first, even with his feelings riding high over the ominous Vischeral Bourne’s identity and their relationship. Roman stood by Tobias’s side.

  “I’m so glad you’re here. Have I told you today how much I love you?” Tobias smiled and pulled Roman in against his chest.

  Roman purred into his mouth. The resonating sound rolled up from his chest as Tobias savored the taste of Roman’s mouth.

  “Good grief, get a room you two.” Alexa laughed from the other side of the bar.

  Roman smiled against Tobias’s lips. “I can assure you, my dearest, I will be acquiring one as soon as possible. Hmm, I am going to own your ass tonight, my gorgeous pup.” Roman’s words brushed against his neck making Tobias growl.

  “Sage needs as much rest as possible. Bastian’s orders, so any kinky shit needs to be done with a gag.” Alexa winked as she circled the bar with a tray of glasses and two bottles of Jack. “I don’t know about you guys, but I sure as shit need a drink. Bastian will be back once Sage makes her first change to make sure nothing’s ripped.”

  She sat with a low groan and kicked her feet up to rest them across Shaver’s thighs. “She’d never have made it this far without you. Thank you, Copi. She told me how you saved her from drowning and kept her warm and fed. I hope you’ll accept my offer to stay for as long as you want. I know Sage would appreciate you being here. She worries about you.” Alexa squeezed Copi’s arm in thanks before filling each of their glasses.

  Tobias held up his glass to toast with the others. “To Copi. Thank you. I know we got off to a shitty start, but what you did for my blood, what you’ve all done for my family, I salute you.” Tobias knocked back his drink and held out his hand to Copi.

  Copi gripped his hand. Tobias felt a slight tremor in his grip. It wasn’t fear, but strong emotion swamped the hybrid’s amber eyes.

  “It’s ok. Believe me, there’s no shame in being overwhelmed. You’ve been through quite a time yourself. Most newly turned vampires have their sire on hand to guide them. You’ve had to go with your instincts. Most would not have survived being left alone. And then, there’s your wolf. I don’t know why, but it’s not the same as the wolves sitting here. There is a presence?” Roman frowned. There was something altogether unstable with regards to the wolf within Copi.

  “The wolf that bit me was psychotic. He’d been murdering humans and feeding on them for years. When Vischeral and I found his lair, there were so many bodies. Men, women, children. He attacked me and I nearly died. Would have died.

  Vischeral had no time to waste. He did what he could, but his bite was the only way for me to survive. I had only just woken up, took my first taste of Vischeral’s blood when he was taken. Snatched away by a half crazed lunatic. There one second, gone the next.

  I had no clue what I could or couldn’t do. I was alone, and the only thing I could think of was finding him. And then, the angel appeared along with some pissed off red glaring eyes talking about Rome, and…seriously I thought I was screwed up in the head for a while after that,” Copi explained to a hushed table.

  Tobias laughed, laughed so hard he had tears in his eyes. “Wait until you meet him in the flesh. Laz is…well let’s just say, the angel’s unique.” He winked at a confused Copi.

  “Just be careful. Laz and Malachi are a force to be reckoned with. Laziel protect his mate and their daughter with a passion. So, tread carefully when you get to Rome.” Tobias smiled and turned to look at Roman. “When are you leaving?”

  Roman held out a hand and Tobias shifted instantly to let Roman engulf him in his arms. “Not until tomorrow, love. Tonight, I need to show you how much I missed you. It may be a while before I return. I would very much like to see you in Rome when you get time. We can’t be apart, remember last time…” Roman breathed into his ear.

  “As soon as I’m able, I will join you in Rome. I promise. I know you have questions as does Copi, just try not to upset Malachi. You know how he gets if he feels pushed.” Tobias smiled and settled in against Roman’s chest.

  It was hard to imagine the room they were sitting in would later be packed to the rafters. For the moment, Tobias was happy to try and relax in the dim interior and shoot the shit with Roman and his new friends. For all of his shyness and blushing, Shaver really struck a chord with Tobias. His gentle eyes and protective streak hid the younger male’s strength, but it was there just beneath the surface. He hid it, along with his feelings for Khad. You’re going to take him away from me. Shaver’s poignant words.

  Hours passed. With Sage resting and Roman and Copi both lost to the Sole Dormire, Tobias was left to get to know more about the northern pack and its members. Alexa and Shaver held nothing back in their explanation of how Trenton ran his pack. Tobias was mortified to learn of the male’s greed. However, what really interested him was the amount of ancient magic surrounding them.

  He could feel the cool calm wash of Sage’s omega from upstairs. As kin, he read Sage’s magic easily. Alexa’s energy was different, strong to assimilate the alpha within her. It flowed out and around her on occasion to encompass Shaver. A gentle hug of sorts that usually glowed before seeping into the receiver. Yet, with Shaver, no such anomaly occurred. It was as though Alexa’s energy dissipated on contact with the male.

  “Sage called him a null? Right before she passed out, she said she could see the magic and how Shay held it all in.” Alexa sighed and ran her fingers through the length of her hair. “I always wondered why Trenton allowed Shaver to stay when he always made a point to ship off the males in order to keep his status. He made sure there was no one to challenge him.

  “He used Shaver and refused to tell him of his capabilities in order to keep the island secure. Shaver’s magic stops the flow of energy from the pack’s island base. Without him to contain it, it would act as a beacon to rogue wolves looking to overthrow Trenton’s status. I can’t believe I never saw it before. If it wasn’t for Sage, we’d never have known. That bastard needs to pay.” Alexa growled.

  “He will. We’ll make him pay for what he’s done to us, to all of us. But for now, let’s just see to Sage and make sure her and Copi are okay.” Shaver held out his hand to Alexa. Tobias smiled at the ease in which she accepted the younger wolf.

  “You set a great example, Alexa, what you do here and how much you help. You should be proud of yourself,” Tobias stated and turned to face the door when the first stirrings of power tickled his senses.

  “What the hell is that?” Alexa gasped. Shaver moved to take her side, his face pale.

  Tobias smiled as he stood. “You can feel that, huh? Well we have about ten minutes before he gets here, and then I’ll introduce you to my father, your
Summus.”

  A soft moan and the sound of feet padding across the upper floor drew a sigh from his lips. Sage had sensed Jorn’s arrival and was trying to put on a brave face. Too bad for her, Jorn already knew the full extent of what she’d been through.

  “I’ve never felt anything like this before.” Alexa grinned and gripped Shaver’s hand. “Shaver, get on the phone and tell Damian it’s time he got his ass back here. He doesn’t need to worry about covering any more tracks. If Khad’s scared, tell him he’ll have more reason to be if I have to come over there and drag his ass back here.”

  “Do you think that’s what has been keeping them so long? Khad’s scared? Why would he be scared of us? We’re his family.” Tobias asked.

  “Khad’s been through a lot, both before coming here and after. He probably thought his nightmare was over after Trenton found him. Little did he know, it had only just begun. What that kid’s been through has left him….”Alexa cut off unable to finish.

  “Khad’s the strongest of all of us,” Shaver whispered as he pocketed his cell. “They’re halfway across the lake.”

  “That’s only because of you Shaver. You took care of him, you and your parents. You got him back on track.” Alexa hugged Shaver against her side and held him there. The door to the club swung back propelled by surge of power that swept through the room nearly knocking them out of their chairs.

  “Dad.” Tobias grinned when his father’s arms engulfed him and drew him into a tight embrace.

  “Son.” The Summus sighed and buried his face against Tobias’s neck.

  “Uncle Jorn,” Sage’s whisper drifted through the room.

  “My sweet child.” Jorn closed the gap between them and tentatively lifted her into the air to hold her against his huge frame. With Sage in his arms, Jorn crossed to the table and eased into one of the chairs. Sage seemed so childlike cradled against Jorn’s chest. Dr. DeRhys had done an exceptional job. She was pale and the bitter smell of her injuries tickled Tobias’ nose, but she was healing.

  Raw energy spilled through the room. Its heat knocked Tobias sideways. Shaver curled in on himself while Alexa clutched the table for support. Pulsing waves radiated out around the room before calming down to form a soft glowing ball of energy. It was a fraction of what the Summus was capable of, but more than enough to aid Sage’s recovery tenfold as it lowered toward her and seeped into her chest.

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  Chapter Forty-Six

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  Sage slept. The influx of power swamped her system and acted as a drug to induce rest and repair. Taking her from Jorn’s arms, Tobias eased her back upstairs and into her bed. Leaving the lamp on, he slipped from the room and returned to his father’s side only to find his seat had been taken by a sleep ruffled Roman. Copi stood to the side, confusion on his face.

  “It seems he doesn’t need as much sleep as most vampires. He woke up when your pops made his presence known,” Roman declared with a dry chuckle while pointing his thumb at Copi. God, he looked so fucking delectable when he’d just woken up. Tobias wanted to…

  “Son, please don’t finish that sentence. You’ll scar me for life.” Jorn chuckled. “Now, how about some introductions before the young one there bursts out of his skin.” Jorn barked a laugh and held out his hand to a bewildered looking Shaver. Tobias stepped in when Alexa inched toward Shaver. Her protective instincts kicked in and made her growl.

  “Little lady, you insult me. If I wanted to harm you or your pack, I would have done so from five miles away without ever having to enter your den. You’ve protected my family, offered them sanctuary. For that alone, I am beholden to you, so please, take a seat.” Jorn’s voice brokered no threat, but Tobias was no fool. He knew from experience that his father would have every base covered with regards to his and his family’s safety.

  “Dad, this is Alexa Stamos. Alexa, meet Jorn, my father, Sage’s uncle and the Summus,” Tobias ground out, warning Alexa with his tone to curb her fiery temperament before she got herself killed. “And, this little sweetheart is Shaver, who according to Sage is a…”

  “He’s a null. How surprising. You’re a rarity, my boy. Nulls are as treasured as omegas, or should be.” His face turned somber. “I’m deeply ashamed by my failure to see Khurn for what he is. Rest assured, he will be made to suffer for what he did to my niece.” Jorn shook Shaver’s hand.

  “And your son? What about his part in Khad’s abduction? If it weren’t for this Khurn, Sage wouldn’t be upstairs trying to heal from having her insides ripped apart, and Khad…that sweet little kid wouldn’t be running around filled with fear. Whoever this Khurn is, I want to be there when he meets his maker. I want to rip his fucking heart out for what he did to one of my boys,” Alexa fumed.

  Jorn stood, his tremendous frame rippled between forms. Tobias could feel his father’s struggle to maintain his human form. The news about Sage, of what she had been through had been bad enough, but to find out that Khurn was also responsible for taking his son, it had left the usually stoic Summus extremely strung out.

  Alexa needed to curb her mouth. She meant well, but there was no telling how close to the edge Jorn was in that moment. Placing a hand against his father’s arm, Tobias eased the male into his seat. The room became steeped in heavy silence. Copi broke the ice.

  “I’m kind of relieved by all the bickering. I thought I was going to have to bow down, or kiss his ring or something. Nice to meet you, sir. I’m Copi. Sort of new to all this so please excuse me if I screw things up. Your son can attest to the fact that I’m quite good at stepping out of place.” Copi reached out and took Jorn by the hand, earning himself a pat on the back from Roman for his efforts.

  “Good to meet you, Copi. I can see you have questions. I’m willing to help in any way I can. I sense the conflict you’re feeling toward your wolf, and the reasons behind it are justified. If there is anything we can do to help you, we will as a pack. I’m sure that offer comes from all of your friends at this table.”

  He turned his attention to the female. “Alexa, I understand your concern and applaud your protective instincts. Not just because of Khad, but for the way you feel about the bigger picture going on here. I can feel the fragility of your people, even with Shaver protecting the island. There is something very wrong here that needs to be addressed.

  “However, I hope you understand that before I address any of your concerns, I need to know if the male under your care is really my son. While as Summus I wield power over all wolves, I am still a father, one that has never given up hope of one day finding my son.” Jorn’s voice wavered with the rise of emotion. Tobias closed the gap between them and draped his arm across his father’s broad back in an offer of support.

  “Whatever happens here today, never will I forget your strength and how you pulled me and your mother through those early years. I’m proud to call you my son. You’ll be a worthy Summus someday.” Jorn’s hand covered his, the weight and heat from his palm felt good against his skin. Tobias loved his parents, respected them. It was good to know that after all they’d been through, their feelings toward him were reciprocated.

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  Chapter Forty-Seven

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  It had taken them a few hours to cover Copi’s and Sage’s scent trails, but Khad had shied away from going back to the mainland even after they’d finished. Damian had given him some time and space, telling Khad in his own subtle way to ‘grow a pair and man up.’ He’d kept that in mind while running himself ragged hoping to clear his mind. Not the easiest thing to do with Shaver’s scent engrained into the island’s heart.

  They’d spent years running the trails together, hunting and fooling around. So, it had come as no surprise to Khad when he’d ended up at Shaver’s childhood home. Thankfully Mrs. Carys wasn’t home. He didn’t think he’d have been able to handle Shaver’s mother. He loved her, there was no doubting that, but she’d see straight through him if she saw him. Khad just wanted to wallow, surroun
d himself in Shaver’s scent before having to return and face his family and friends.

  “Khad, you going to stay in there all day without saying hello?” Mr. Drakos knew he was there and called him on it.

  “Sorry, pops, I just…” What could he say without embarrassing himself? He sat at the table while Mr. Drakos made them a snack and continued to eat in silence with Shaver’s dad sporting a strange look on his face. To break the silence, Khad explained about Sage and Copi. Gaelon’s surprised look at Khad’s announcement about his family turned to one of concern. Khad wondered if that concern was for him or his son.

  “We had a fight.” To his credit, Gaelon didn’t ask who; he waited for Khad to continue. “Shay was upset about Sage, and I didn’t give him time to explain. Now, everything’s a mess and I just want him to be ok,” Khad blurted out.

  “Well, tell me this, Khad. You’re about to meet your family, your dad, brother and maybe your mom, and all you can think about is making things right with Shay. Why is that? This isn’t the first fight you’ve had. It certainly won’t be the last. You and my son have been skirting around each other for years. Time to man up don’t you think?” Shaver’s dad winked as he took the plate to the sink. Khad was left even more confused. Did Shaver’s dad know how he felt about his son? Fucking hell! Khad’s cheeks were on fire by the time Mr. Drakos returned to his seat.

  “I better go. Thanks, pops. I’ll see you later,” Khad croaked.

  “Make sure you do. You know we will always be here for you, son. Good luck. Your dad has a lot to be proud of.” Mr. Drakos hugged Khad before seeing him to the door.