Coming Together

by Brandy L Rivers

  “I had all night to think about my mistake. I don’t plan on repeating it. Look, I watched what Clive did and knew what his next move would be. You can’t expect me not to have a strong reaction to that horror repeating itself with another woman I love.”

  “Love? You don’t know Jackie, and she clearly doesn’t love you. You claiming love is completely ridiculous. You loved Eloise. You don’t love Jackie.”

  “I do. She’s everything.”

  Her hands flexed and closed tight. “You’re a fool. You cannot go after her. I’ll turn you in myself.”

  “I’ve said I would stay away,” he growled. “What more do you want?”

  “I wish I believed you. But it doesn’t matter because I have no clue where she is, nor have I found a trace of Clive or Sidra. They’re simply gone. All of them.”

  “Brent’s not talking to you?”

  She snorted. “No. And thanks to you, he no longer trusts me. Not sure he ever will again.”

  Stefano leaned back in the seat and pushed his fingers through his hair. “I am sorry. Perhaps he has fallen to Jackie’s charms as well?”

  “He’s her cousin, not a lover. You can’t call a woman a whore, then expect her to fall at your feet. I can guarantee you’ve lost any hope you ever had of winning her heart.”

  “I apologize. It’s been a stressful night.” He would disappear as soon as they got back to the bookshop, and find her himself.

  * * * *

  Chatan walked into Shenanigans and made his way to Toryn Flame. If anyone knew what was going down, it would be him. He ran Ward Tower Security, which kept up on all the Others in the western hemisphere.

  Toryn waved him over with a smile. “Hey, Chatan. What brings you to Seattle?”

  “Jackie and Eddie. Sounds like she’s landed herself in trouble again, and Eddie is worried. At least they finally got together.”

  A chuckle left his lips.

  “So, what happened? What’s going on with the vampires?”

  Toryn gave Isa a quick kiss before leading Chatan to a booth. He slid in, and Chatan erected a spell to insulate sound in the small space.

  Toryn sighed heavily. “One vampire is obsessed with Jackie. Two others want to use her as revenge against him. We’ve been looking for them, but they seem to stay two steps ahead. Bastards have been draining Others. That’s what happened to Kim.”

  Chatan gasped. “Shit. She was a dragon too.”

  Toryn shook his head. “Doesn’t matter. They were able to get past her natural defenses and take her down without a fight.”

  “Then why are they camping?”

  “To hide, from everyone.”

  “But camping?” Chatan’s brow furrowed.

  “No one knows where they are.”

  “Jackie isn’t the type to hide.”

  Toryn relayed the information he had.

  Chatan swept his hair behind his ear. “So the shit keeps getting thicker?”

  “Something like that.”

  “Anything I can do to help?”

  “They don’t want to be found. If you see Stefano, an Italian vamp, long brown hair, deep blue eyes, don’t go near him. And the other two. Sidra has long black hair, pitch black eyes, pale skin, and wicked sharp claws from what I hear. Clive’s big, bald, and built like an ox. They wear a lot of leather. Stay clear of them. If they get in your head, it’s game over.”

  “I’ll avoid them. Maybe Eddie’s right about visiting Tomahawk.”

  “It was good seeing you. I’m going to get back to Isa.”

  “Congrats, man.” He took a deep breath and shrugged. “One of these days I’ll find someone.”

  “You will.”

  * * * *

  Nightfall came and Sidra’s plan had fallen to pieces.

  Stefano was nowhere to be found.

  Jackie and her harem had vanished.

  No one said a damned peep about any of them. As if word had spread they needed to disappear, and the masses agreed.

  Disconcerting, but Sidra refused to give up.

  She’d scoured the city while Clive watched over Eloise. Luck seemed to be on her side when she ran into a man who looked a lot like Eddie, Jackie’s current lover. Same long hair, similar features. The Native American man walked away with a fae who reeked of power. The kind of power she wouldn’t touch because last time she tangled with a fire fae, she went up in flames, and nearly became a pillar of ash.

  Moving closer didn’t provide information. Their faces became blurred. No sound penetrated the buzzing that surrounded them.

  Seconds ticked into minutes. Finally, Eddie’s lookalike scooted out of the booth and hurried outside. She floated in shadow, following. He climbed into a truck and she took form in his lap, sinking her fangs into his neck.

  She saw a younger version of him taking young Jacqueline’s virginity, and Eddie’s name leaving her lips. She flipped forward through memories, finding the present, the conversation, and his thoughts. A campsite. She scoured his memory for the location, before closing the wound and leaving the vehicle as he laid his hand on the horn.

  Stefano appeared on the road and ran for the truck, forcing Sidra to flee. Things were starting to look up.

  * * * *

  Stefano walked down the street, looking for any sign of Jacqueline, when a blaring horn pulled his attention. He ran to find a shadow fleeing the scene as the man fell forward.

  He ripped the door open and pushed the guy to sitting, finding someone who bore a striking resemblance to Eddie.

  Ripping his wrist open, he placed it at the man’s mouth. Images flickered through his head. Sex with Jacqueline. A campground. Sidra attacking him. He learned how to get to the camping location, then pulled his wrist from the guy’s mouth. Not enough blood to form a link, but he’d ensured the man would live.

  He grabbed the man’s keys and hurried down the street to his car. Sidra had a head start and he had to stop her from destroying Jacqueline.

  * * * *

  Sidra smiled as she walked to Eloise’s cell. She could hardly wait to see how the night would play out.

  She pushed through the door to find Eloise huddled in the corner. Pathetic.

  Sidra beckoned her closer with a curl of her finger.

  Eloise crept to the bars, staring up with disdain.

  “I know where you can find your doppelganger. The one Stefano wants more than you.” Sidra smirked cruelly, moving closer. “First, take a sip so you can see what I’ve learned.” Sharing thoughts and memories with a fledgling sometimes had to be done through a blood exchange.

  Through Chatan’s memory, she’d caught enough of the conversation between the fire fae and cousin to learn wards would prevent them from finding the spot, though the memories provided a loophole. If that failed, she’d set the forest on fire.

  “He would never. He loves me!” she screeched, flying at the bars.

  “Ah, but he has never come for you.”

  “He wept for me. I heard him screaming my name.”

  “Clive and Maverick ruined you for him.”

  “No, you ruined him. You broke him. He would not have left me behind.”

  “You can make him realize you’re everything he wants. First, wipe out the whore who looks like you.” Sidra slit her wrist and held it up.

  Eloise reached through the bars to snatch her hand and bring the wound to her mouth for a drink. Sidra forced the campsite and area around it to the forefront of her mind. As insurance, she also pulled out the memory of Stefano lip-locked with the siren.

  She tore away with a growl. “The slut will pay.”

  “There’s my girl. I’ll drive you to an area nearby. You’re free to take care of her anyway you choose.”

  Chapter 34

  After dinner, and getting the camp set up for several days, Eddie followed Jackie down to the lake. She pulled her clothes off as she went, and walked into the water, turning back with a grin.

  “Come get me.”

  “I can’t ke
ep up underwater. Never could, but now…” He shook his head, a laugh on his lips.

  She rolled her eyes and backed further into the water. “I won’t make you chase me. Come here.” Jackie dipped under. The flash was brighter in the dark.

  Eddie hurried to catch up. The temperature was warmer than the day before, thanks to sunny weather.

  Once the water reached his chest, she grabbed his wrist and dragged him further in. Below the surface, she closed her mouth over his, pushing breath into his lungs.

  He teased her tongue with his, caressing down her body as she pressed tighter. His feet hit the gravel bottom as her legs locked around his hips. Her body shifted to take him in and he sighed into her mouth before she gave him breath again.

  Their bodies moved in sync, her hands gripping his shoulders as she rode him. His fingers tangled in her hair, keeping her mouth on his, trading breaths as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

  Her body shuddered as she pulsed around him. Tiny lights glowed through her skin and eyes. He pushed deep and followed her into release.

  With her mouth fused to his, she unwound her legs and kicked them back to the surface. When she broke away, she blinked slowly.

  Then she gasped. “Oh my god, did you have enough air?”

  Grinning, he nodded. “We’ll have to do that again, and again. That’s my new favorite thing to do in the lake, Angelfish.”

  She giggled. “You’ve called me that forever.”

  “You’ve always been my angelfish.”

  Beaming, she tugged him toward the shore. “Let’s lay under the stars like we used to.”

  * * * *

  Tiana found a man frantically searching his truck.

  “What’s wrong?” Tiana asked.

  “Keys gone. Not sure who took them. Two damned vampires—shit.” He turned toward her. “Fuck me, not another.” Magic flared around her.

  She put her hands up. “Calm down. You know me. You’ve been in the bookshop many times.”

  Chatan paused, recognizing her. He’d known all along what she was. She’d been in Seattle for years. “I’m listening.”

  “My nephew, Stefano, is trying to help Jackie, but his method is flawed. I’m going to do one better and help you stop him. You can take my car. It’s faster than this relic.”

  “Lead the way.”

  She led him to her Lamborghini, a few spots down, and handed him her keys. If the rumors about Ward Tower Security were correct, the only way she was getting there was with a guide, or hopping in Chatan’s head. Clearly, he’d had enough of that for one evening. “Tell me what happened while you drive.”

  He nodded. “Give me one second.” Chatan stopped on the sidewalk and pounded out a text.

  “Who are you contacting?”

  “Someone who might be able to help.”

  He hurried around and climbed into the driver’s seat as she took the passenger seat in her own car.

  Chatan started talking at a hundred miles an hour. About Sidra, and the fucked up stuff he’d seen in her head. Then Stefano, and the fact he was headed to the lake, planning to abduct Jackie and take her far away.

  “Do you know where your cousin is?” she asked.

  He nodded. “They have a campsite at Lake Orenda. I go with them at least once every summer. It’s in the middle of nowhere. We never see anyone else.”

  Tiana pulled out her phone and called Brent, who didn’t answer. Admittedly, his silence pissed her off. Still, she sent a quick text before calling Kim’s father, who happened to be an old friend.

  Zhi answered on the first ring. “Tiana. To what do I owe this pleasure?”

  “The vampires who killed your daughter will be out at Lake Orenda very soon. Want revenge for Kim’s death? Track down Sidra and Clive. They’ll be there.”

  “I’m leaving now.”

  “And, Zhi, Eddie’s moved on. Don’t hate him for that.”

  “I don’t. Kids this age don’t get it. Love is love. Denying the emotion based on human conventions is a waste of time.”

  “Agreed. Now hurry. All hell is about to break loose. If you find yourself needing to kill Stefano, I’d understand. I’m not sure anything can bring back the young man I once knew.”

  “We’ll see what happens.”

  She hung up the phone and hoped there was a way to save her nephew. But if he hurt Jackie, she would never forgive herself for being so foolish.

  “No offense, Tiana, but do you really think he’s worth saving?”

  “He had everything ripped from him. He hoped to replace his love with Jackie. If he can realize his mistake and walk away, then yes.”

  “Then I hope he can.”

  “Look, I don’t know what’s about to happen, but it could get ugly.”

  “Shit, I’m not worried about a few psycho vamps. I want to help Eddie and Jackie, no matter what’s coming.”

  * * * *

  Stefano crept along the tree line around the lake. He spotted the outline of a man and woman, cuddled in the sand, near the water’s edge.

  He crept closer to confirm he’d found who he was looking for. She wore a man’s t-shirt, while he wore a pair of jeans.

  Watching Jackie run her thigh between Eddie’s legs as she kissed him, tore something apart in his heart. A growl escaped when she pushed Eddie to his back and climbed on top of him. His hands caressed up her sides as he smiled at her.

  Her lips dropped to his in a hungry kiss.

  “Eddie, want you,” she murmured, her hand disappearing between their bodies.

  Mine!

  A snarl ripped from Stefano’s lips as he shot forward in the night, prepared to take her from Eddie. Carry her away to safety, and keep her from all the fools she’d surrounded herself with.

  Jackie sat up, throwing her hands in the air. Ice shot vertically, in a circle around her and Eddie, surrounding them in a dome.

  She looked around, then froze when Stefano slammed his hands against the ice.

  “What the fuck are you doing here?” Eddie demanded, moving her off his lap and fastening his pants.

  “You whore!” Stefano screamed.

  Rage flowed over her face as she stormed toward the barrier. “If I’m such a whore, why the fuck do you want me so damned bad?”

  “Mine!” He slammed his hands against the ice. “I can give you everything.”

  The air around Stefano dropped in temperature as she spat, “You’re a fool. I don’t want a damned thing from you. Leave me the fuck alone.”

  “I can protect you.”

  The air charged as ice crystals danced in front of his face. She hissed, “If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have been in that cage last night.”

  “How did you find us?” Eddie asked calmly.

  Stefano snapped him a glare, trying to enthrall Eddie, but nothing happened. In frustration, he rammed his shoulder into the ice. The shield fell in shards. Fear threaded through him as he realized he could have hurt her.

  * * * *

  Jackie dove for Eddie, erecting a shield of energy as earth rose up, creating a stone wall. “Shit, you okay?” she asked, clutching his face in the dark.

  “He’s not taking you,” Eddie promised.

  “And the crazy fucker isn’t touching you.”

  “We need to drop the shields to deal with him.”

  Jackie took a deep breath, not liking the idea of facing Stefano while dressed in Eddie’s shirt and her panties.

  She snorted. “Between us, we’re wearing one outfit.”

  “If he hadn’t interrupted, we wouldn’t even be wearing that,” Eddie pointed out, a smirk in his voice. “Pants or no, he’s got another thing coming if he thinks he’s leaving here with you.”

  Pounding increased, the wall shuddered. “Drop your shield,” Jackie said. “Mine will give him a jolt, then we can deal with him.”

  “How?”

  “Impale him with ice?”

  “I could shift and rip him open. You don’t feed him again.
No more pity.”

  “Oh, his teeth are going nowhere near me.”

  Eddie kissed her quick and the wall collapsed, sliding down the barrier of energy.

  Stefano threw himself at them, only to be flung back. Jackie dropped her shield. Eddie shifted to a cougar and charged at Stefano as he picked himself off the ground.

  The look of surprise only lasted a second as Eddie knocked him back. Stefano melded into shadow and swarmed her, pressing tight, every part of her molested by his presence.

  She pulled cold around her so fast he dispersed with a shriek as ice encapsulated her. “Don’t touch me!”

  Eddie roared, stalking closer to Jackie as she dropped the frozen shield, waiting for Stefano to take his form.

  Stefano’s voice slithered over her. “You wanted me the other night. You’ll want me again. I’ll convince you, one way or another, that I’m all you’ll ever need.”

  The shadow flew into the trees and Jackie spun around, searching. Eddie charged after him.

  “Eddie,” Jackie called. “Come back.”

  * * * *

  Crazy bastard floated through the trees in a cloud of shadow. Stefano materialized and Eddie took on his human shape as he charged after him, diving on his chest.

  Stefano flipped Eddie over, and opened his mouth to strike. Faster and stronger than he expected after having had his face broken the night before.

  Eddie pulled earth around him before Stefano could sink his fangs.

  Anger drove Eddie as he called on nature, seeking assistance. Power rushed through him.

  One pounding strike after another hit the shield. Eddie let the barrier fall away as he pushed his hands up. The defense jolted upward, knocking Stefano off balance, then faded away.

  Eddie grabbed a root, infusing his magic, causing the fibrous strand to grow. He wrapped the enhanced vine around Stefano’s throat and pulled it tight. He snarled, “You don’t get it. She doesn’t want you. You scared the fuck out of her.”