by Terry Spear
The two hunters were way outnumbered, but they had to take down the ancients first. No matter what.
“The one you’re fighting, that’s Rutherford,” Alex warned Zachary.
Zachary called on Daemon and Ephraim to join them. “We have Rutherford in the hotel lobby. He can’t get away. Five more…wait, ten more men he turned. Hurry.”
The great thing about vampiric transportation was it was quick if they were close by, and they were. They were soon there, Daemon attacking the one Zachary was struggling with, and Ephraim swinging his sword like a Highlander filled with rage at the newly turned vampires. So startled with the way Ephraim continued to make flying leaps to decapitate them, they kept falling back, stumbling over each other, landing on their backsides, scrambling to get away. They couldn’t gather their wits about them to make short work of one ancient vampire who was scaring the tar out of them. For which Zachary was thankful.
Alex had a sword out now and was helping Adonis with fighting the other ancient vampire.
Zachary was concentrating on Rutherford, who didn’t seem injured in the least, and was swinging his sword one way and then another, whacking Zachary’s sword away from his chest, and then doing the same with Daemon’s. Neither of them could seem to get the upper hand with him.
Then Danai was there, helping her brother with the ancient, probably figuring Alex wasn’t as skilled as a hunter of vampires yet.
Pasha and Thomas soon ran into the lobby. Thomas went to help the wild Highland lord, while Pasha ran straight for Rutherford and threw hunter’s stars at the ancient’s chest. Rutherford screamed in agony, but the stars weren’t enough to kill him. They were a great distraction though.
Zachary plunged his sword into his heart at the same time Daemon did.
“Daemon, prince of the vampires, at your service,” he said, right before Rutherford’s body shriveled up and fell on the floor in a bony heap, then turned to ashes.
“Pasha,” she said, pointing her sword at the dead ancient, “avenging those I lost and loved.”
“Adonis,” her brother said, his brother pricking the ashes left behind, “leader of the hunter clan in the city, avenging those I lost and loved.”
“Danai,” their sister said, sticking her sword into the other ancient’s clothes, “sister to our leader and Pasha, avenging those I lost and loved.”
Zachary saluted the three of them with his sword. “Zachary, who will continue to fight your battles as Pasha’s mate.”
Ephraim and Daemon smiled. Adonis shook his head and slapped Zachary on the back and gave Pasha a hug. Danai hugged her sister too and gave Zachary one also. He was now officially part of the family.
Rutherford’s ten vampires sat on the floor cowering, waiting to die.
“You have a choice,” Ephraim said, taking charge of them. “You can either die at the point of a hunter’s sword, or you can make your peace with what you’ve become.”
Pasha immediately objected. “If they killed my family—”
Adonis put his hand on her shoulder. “They had no will of their own. Remember that. They were turned against their will, just as I was. Just as others were.”
“I will not fight the hunters,” Alex said, sheathing his sword. “They killed the vampire who turned us. You’re free to make your own decisions now. To accept what you are and to live in peace with the humans and hunters, other vampires as well, or not and end it here.”
“Are all the vampires accounted for?” Zachary asked Rutherford’s vampires, figuring they could still have a fight on their hands if they hadn’t finished all of them off, or had them agree to the terms. “Any other ancients?”
“Two ancients,” one of the men sitting on the floor said, rising to his feet. “I accept your offer. I’ll learn how to live in peace with everyone else.”
“Ten more vampires Rutherford made,” another man said, standing up. “We’ll call them here.”
That would make twenty newly turned vampires and two more ancients. Not good odds for the hunters or law-abiding vampires.
“Will they come if Rutherford is not ordering them now?” Zachary asked.
“I think they’ll be confused,” another of the men said, standing. “We no longer have Rutherford telling us what to do.”
“Do it,” Adonis said. Then he got on his phone and sent a text message: I’m having all the hunters come here. We’ll finish this one way or another. Rutherford is dead. Some of his vampires are standing down.
But they wouldn’t know if they all would or not. Or even if the ones here who were cowering in their shoes would stand and fight with the others when they arrived.
At least no one was in the lobby, and the night manager and a clerk had both disappeared into an office and appeared to be hiding. Zachary didn’t blame them. They didn’t need to witness this, though he could wipe their mind of what they’d seen so they wouldn’t have nightmares about it.
Suddenly, there was an influx of vampires and hunters coming in through the lobby doors after that. Robert and his three brothers, Michael, Grandpa, and Gregory and his hunters. And Zachary had contacted the Van Helsing hunters who arrived a few minutes later, their mouths agape to see so many people in the lobby armed with swords and not knowing which were the vampires, the good guys or the bad.
“Stand down,” Ephraim said to the newly arrived vampires, “and you will live to see many more days.”
“We’re not fighting them,” one of the men who Ephraim was keeping at bay said. “Don’t fight them. Rutherford is dead.” He motioned to the clothes and ashes at Zachary’s feet. “You’re your own men now. You can think for yourself.”
The two ancients hesitated, rethinking the situation? Now that the one who had gotten them into this mess was dead? And now that the newly turned vampires appeared to be reluctant to carry on the fight.
But Pasha wasn’t about to stand down where the ancients were concerned, and she rushed forward to kill one of them. Zachary was way ahead of her with a flying leap, not wanting her to get herself killed. He was all for taking down the ancients who had come to murder her family. They’d had a choice from the very beginning.
His sword swinging, he startled the ancient with his vampiric move and beheaded him. Adonis and Danai took care of the other, both flying in to stab him in the heart before he could make his exit.
Once the two ancients were ash, the hunters waited for the other vampires to agree to the plan. They were free to live their lives the best they could unless they began killing or turning humans or hunters.
There were still twenty vampires, but the hunters knew they could take them down if they had to, now that they had such a force of hunters to deal with them. Zachary just hoped they didn’t have to. Then Crichton’s vampires turned up. “We came to help.”
The Van Helsing hunters were awestruck when they realized the hunter giving the orders, Adonis, head of the hunter family here was also a vampire, and so was Zachary.
Then one of them shook his head. “No wonder you warned us about killing all vampires.”
Gregory was just as shocked to learn that Zachary had been turned and so had Danai.
“Those of you who want to come with me to Portland, Oregon where I have my estate, you can join me there and learn how to be with our kind now,” Daemon said.
“He’s the prince of the vampires,” one of the men said, as if that would give them some status if they joined him.
Ephraim shrugged. “I don’t usually take in newly turned vampires, but if any of you who want to come with me, I have an estate in Maryland. And a castle in Scotland.”
Zachary wanted to laugh. It sounded like the Scottish lord was trying to outdo the vampire prince.
“Alex, you can stay with us,” Adonis said, since he was part hunter and living among purely vampires wouldn’t suit him as well, he must have figured.
“And us?” Crichton’s vampires asked.
“The same goes for all of the newly turned vampires. After what h
appened here, I think it’s best the ones involved in the crisis in Pensacola don’t remain here, since you aren’t from here in the first place either. As to Crichton’s vampires, if you want to find a new home with either Ephraim or me, we’ll take you in. Or, since you didn’t cause the trouble here with the hunters, I’m sure you can stay here and try to sort things out with your family and friends. You can also try that and if things don’t work out, you can join us later. Some humans won’t be able to accept what you’ve become. The hunters will know you weren’t part of any of this,” Daemon said.
The seven vampires decided to stay and try to sort things out with their families but vowed they would join the others if it didn’t work out.
Ten of the other newly turned vampires agreed to go with Daemon, and the other nine wanted to see a Scottish castle in the Highlands.
“You will work for your keep,” Ephraim warned.
“The same if you come with me,” Daemon said.
The vampires agreed.
Zachary hoped it worked out for everyone. He was glad that Rutherford’s vampires were leaving the city.
Adonis glanced at Gregory. “And you and your men?”
“We’ve already talked it over and we’d like to stay here and help your family recover,” Gregory said. “If that’s agreeable with you.”
“As long as none of the rest of my family objects, I have no problem with it,” Adonis said.
“We’ll hang around a few more days to make sure there isn’t another enclave of rogue vampires still in the area,” Boniface said, Victor agreeing.
Robert and Crystal were going home to take care of other business. His brothers were going with them. But all of them offered to return if they needed their help.
Even Crichton’s vampires offered to help if rogues came into the area and gave the hunter families trouble. “We can’t thank you enough for killing the one who turned us,” one of the vampires said.
The Van Helsing hunters thanked the hunters for giving them the opportunity to help them hunt the rogues and were now returning to Smyrna, Georgia.
And then the shuffling of houses would begin.
Danai and Michael took over one of the other family homes where the family had perished. Zachary and Pasha would live in her parents’ home until they returned. Grandma and Grandpa moved back into their own home. And Adonis was glad to have Rachael at home with him.
Carissa and the baby went to Dallas to stay with Adonis’s parents until they felt settled enough to return home. Laura and her husband returned to their own home with their two boys.
Alex was staying in Carissa’s house to take care of it until she returned home. Gregory and his friends moved into the nearby condos.
It wasn’t a fairytale ending with everything being right with the world after Rutherford and Crichton were dead, not for the men Crichton and Rutherford had turned, not for the hunters or the vampires who hadn’t any choice about fighting them and had lost their lives. Not for the families and friends and coworkers of the men who had been turned, or the hunters who had lost their families and friends.
But it was the best everyone could do under the circumstances.
“Before we take care of Alex’s rogue vampires,” Zachary told Pasha, holding her tight in his arms in her parents’ home, “let’s take our trip.”
“And then you’ll turn me?”
“When we return home. I think it would be easier on you than on a trip. But for now, let’s get ready to plan a quick wedding.”
A week later, after a quick marriage and scheduling for the trip to Hawaii, what Zachary didn’t know, was that some of the family had the very same thought, and when he and Pasha arrived at the airport, Adonis and Rachael were not far behind.
“Who’s in charge of the family?” Zachary asked, shocked to pieces.
“Danai. It’s her turn to show she can lead. Michael will be at her side always.”
Zachary hoped that meant a mating was truly in the plans.
“We wanted to go to Hawaii before the baby comes,” Rachael said. “We don’t want to bother you when you’re ‘newlyweds,’ but if you have any trouble with anyone, we’ll be there.”
“We’re glad you’re coming too,” Zachary said, giving his cousin a hug, and slapping Adonis on the back.
Pasha hugged each of them. “Yeah. All we have to do is put out the ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign and then we should be okay.”
Zachary hoped Adonis didn’t know something they didn’t about rogue vampires causing trouble in the islands!
Epilogue
“Check out the super soft bed,” Pasha said as she and Zachary checked out their hotel room with a living room suite, separate bedroom, and kitchen, everything in tropical theme from hibiscus flowers to seashells and mermaids. They could stay here all day and all night and never venture out, if they didn’t want to. Not that she didn’t want to explore the island. But this was so nice. Ocean view, covered patio, birds flying overhead, a breeze blowing the palm fronds about.
Zachary was frowning, looking off into space. She knew that look. It meant he was talking telepathically to someone. Had to be her brother. Maybe they should have told them to take a trip somewhere else. But she couldn’t have done that to Adonis and her sister-in-law.
“What’s going on?” She took hold of Zachary’s arm and pulled him into her arms, so glad he was her mate and she’d finally found redemption.
When he was talking like this, it was like him having a phone conversation she couldn’t hear, and he was zoned out.
“Trouble.”
She sighed. “Did Adonis already know about it?” She figured he had, or he wouldn’t have come with Rachael to help.
“They have a small hunter family group here on the island, and four ancient vampires who are turning humans against their will.”
“Why does this sound familiar?”
“Adonis wants to meet with the hunter family during lunch, their treat, and make up some plans on how to rid the island of the rogues.”
Pasha frowned. “Okay, and when does this have to happen?”
Zachary smiled. “Half an hour, and that means we have time for this.” He began pulling off her tank top, all business, but the sexy kind. “And, they’re footing our hotel bill for an extra week, if we can help them out.”
Pasha smiled and wrapped her arms around Zachary’s neck. “Now we’re talking.” And then they weren’t.
A little fighting with rogue vampires was a hunter’s calling.
Though Pasha and Zachary wanted to do the tourist business too, and definitely all the newlywed bed play, but hunting was what they were born to do.
And making hunter babies too.
One mistake to help out a friend in need, who was past needing her help had turned her world upside down. Zachary had turned it right-side up all over again.
Acknowledgments
Thanks to Donna Fournier and Darla Taylor for helping me out once again!!! I can always use your help! You all are the greatest!
About the Author
USA Today bestselling author Terry Spear has written over sixty paranormal and medieval Highland romances. In 2008, Heart of the Wolf was named a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year. She has received a PNR Top Pick, a Best Book of the Month nomination by Long and Short Reviews, numerous Night Owl Romance Top Picks, and 2 Paranormal Excellence Awards for Romantic Literature (Finalist & Honorable Mention). In 2016, Billionaire in Wolf’s Clothing was an RT Book Reviews top pick. A retired officer of the U.S. Army Reserves, Terry also creates award-winning teddy bears that have found homes all over the world, helps out with her granddaughter, and she is raising two Havanese puppies—well, they’re all grown up, but she still calls them her puppies. She lives in Spring, Texas.
Also by Terry Spear
Heart of the Cougar Series:
Cougar’s Mate, Book 1
Call of the Cougar, Book 2
Taming the Wild Cougar, Book 3
Covert Cougar Chri
stmas (Novella)
Double Cougar Trouble, Book 4
Cougar Undercover, Book 5
Cougar Magic, Book 6
Cougar Halloween Mischief (Novella)
Falling for the Cougar, Book 7
Heart of the Bear Series
Loving the White Bear, Book 1
Claiming the White Bear, Book 2
The Highlanders Series:Winning the Highlander's Heart, The Accidental Highland Hero, Highland Rake, Taming the Wild Highlander, The Highlander, Her Highland Hero, The Viking’s Highland Lass, His Wild Highland Lass (novella), Vexing the Highlander (novella), My Highlander
Other historical romances: Lady Caroline & the Egotistical Earl, A Ghost of a Chance at Love
Heart of the Wolf Series: Heart of the Wolf, Destiny of the Wolf, To Tempt the Wolf, Legend of the White Wolf, Seduced by the Wolf, Wolf Fever, Heart of the Highland Wolf, Dreaming of the Wolf, A SEAL in Wolf's Clothing, A Howl for a Highlander, A Highland Werewolf Wedding, A SEAL Wolf Christmas, Silence of the Wolf, Hero of a Highland Wolf, A Highland Wolf Christmas, A SEAL Wolf Hunting; A Silver Wolf Christmas, A SEAL Wolf in Too Deep, Alpha Wolf Need Not Apply, Billionaire in Wolf’s Clothing, Between a Rock and a Hard Place, SEAL Wolf Undercover, Dreaming of a White Wolf Christmas, Flight of the White Wolf, All’s Fair in Love and Wolf, A Billionaire Wolf for Christmas, SEAL Wolf Surrender (2019), Silver Town Wolf: Home for the Holidays (2019), Wolff Brothers: You Had Me at Wolf, Night of the Billionaire Wolf, Joy to the Wolves, Wolf Wore Plaid
SEAL Wolves: To Tempt the Wolf, A SEAL in Wolf's Clothing, A SEAL Wolf Christmas, A SEAL Wolf Hunting, A SEAL Wolf in Too Deep, SEAL Wolf Undercover, SEAL Wolf Surrender (2019)
