by S. C. Storm
“No kidding. I know the islands are full right now, but I didn’t expect to see so many of them in one place till the ascension,” Haley agreed as she scanned the room. Spotting Kane and Jason, she automatically tensed. “Great, my alphas are here.”
“I’ll take you home if you want,” Draven told her.
“Hell no, I’m good,” she assured him as she looked over at Draven. His intense stare was back. For the briefest moment, she wondered how he was going to react if he saw something that bothered him. If there was one thing she knew, better than most, Draven had one hell of a temper.
“Look at the pool table beside Jas and the others. I think that may be them. Those two are twins,” Draven said, trying to mask the excitement in his voice.
Bouncing up on her tiptoes, Haley spotted who he had spoken of. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to know he was right. One of those twins was clearly his dad. Draven looked just like them. The slightly long chestnut brown hair, the height, it was all there. The other man with them was clearly family as well. His resemblance was too much to ignore. Although she couldn’t be sure, she thought she remembered one of her sisters mentioning the Atherton twins having a younger brother. Damn, a whole family. Draven and Gia had found an entire family they had to get to know. Watching him as he peered through the window, Haley slowly reached over and took his hand. Draven’s eyes never wavered, but he squeezed hers in acknowledgement of her support.
Watching them, he wished he knew which one was his father. It probably didn’t matter to be honest. Both seemed to almost mirror one another. As they played pool, it was easy to spot the charisma all three of them had. Girls were standing by, clearly watching and talking to them. Drinks were being had, laughter being made. Still, a seriousness was there, an awareness he knew all too well. Thankfully one of his fears could be set aside though. His father wasn’t some walking asshole everyone would hate. Clearly, they could get along with the people Draven knew already. Even Kane himself was talking with them. Seeing the scene eased him but also intrigued him more. Now he wanted to know which one his dad was, as well as watch a bit longer.
***
Materializing at the door of Temptations, Zane Prescott reached for the handle when he heard an odd noise. Glancing around him, he didn’t see anything. Carefully, he made his way around the corner. There was no reason for people to sneak outside for anything at Temptations. Rayne made sure all needs were met inside. No, something was off here. Walking toward the darkness, he caught sight of what had caused the noise. It had been the sound of a little wolf’s boots, clearly an attempt to be like her older sister, rustling against one of the wooden benches that lined the outside of the club. Crossing his arms, he shook his head as he watched. As long as he could remember, every time you saw one of those two, you saw the other. Draven and Demon. Yes, they could handle themselves. Yes, they were of guardian descent, but for the life of him, something about them being out on their own unnerved him. He needed to call them out and send them home. “What are you two doing?” he asked.
Hearing a voice behind him, Draven jumped. Before he could even see who had spotted them, he quickly spun around and had to catch Haley, whom he had elbowed in his shock. In what would be described as a blink of an eye, he caught her, moved her behind him, then dropped into a crouch, and let out a growl.
“Calm yourself, Draven,” Zane told him as he stepped closer. “What the hell are the two of you doing out here? You know your parents would have fits if they knew.”
“Dammit, Zane, you scared me.” Haley fussed as she ran her hands over Draven’s back, trying to chill him out. She let out a sigh of relief when he finally straightened and spoke to Zane.
“Sorry, we wanted to see all the new people.” Draven covered the real reason they were there quickly. “We had already sneaked out for the night, but instead of goofing off on the beach we decided to head down here.”
Unable to really tell with Draven, Zane glanced over at Haley to see if they were lying. He knew the girl well. Keeping things from him wasn’t easy for her. What he saw was a classic Demon blow off. She was fiddling with her nails and not even bothering to look at him. He laughed. “You two can lie all you want, but you need to get away from here. Whether you go home or not, not my business. I do know, however, that if Jaz or Rayne spot you two, not to mention your alphas, little lady, you are toast. Now get.”
Haley looked up and beamed. “You aren’t telling on us?”
“No, Demon, but this place isn’t safe for you guys. Supes from all over come here. We don’t know them. Just head on home,” he finished with a tone of command.
Haley nodded and saw Draven do the same. They both thanked Zane for his discretion. Before they could leave though, Haley hurried over and hugged him tight. “Don’t worry. We’ll be fine,” she added as she stepped back. She felt Draven’s arms wind around her, and she waved as they vanished.
“Those two,” Zane muttered as he turned and headed for the door.
***
Keeping her eyes on everything happening around her, Rayne had watched the scene between Deacon Winthrop and one of the wolves, named Courtney Hunter, closely. Knowing what he had done to Jasmyn concerned her. There was no way she would allow something like that to take place in her club.
“You seem lost in thought,” a deep voice said, shocking her back to the present.
She turned and smiled brightly.
“Hello, beautiful,” Kane said as he leaned down and kissed her cheek.
“Hello, yourself. I did not expect to speak with you tonight. It looks as if your hands have been quite full.” She smiled up at him. His piercing blue eyes nearly took her breath away. To say Kane Riggs was handsome would be an injustice. No, he was mesmerizing. His build was that of perfection. Muscles rippled down his body. His jet-black hair hung slightly past his shoulders. The silky smoothness of it was etched in her memory. He was tall, clearly the tallest man in the room. He demanded attention. He demanded respect. The muscle shirt he wore only showed a few of the tattoos that covered his body that she herself had explored many times, something she must admit she loved doing. Hearing his voice brought her back to the situation at hand.
“I expected all of them to be upset about what the vamp did to Jaz. I was ready for it all, luckily.” He smiled as he reached out and touched her cheek. “How are you holding up?” he said, glancing back at Ryden who was shooting pool with his twin.
“I am not sure,” she said, purposely not looking in the direction he did. “I did what was needed. Ryden and the children know everything.”
“That’s good, Rayne. You did the right thing. Now you just let it all work out,” Kane told her. He had known for quite a while who the kids’ father was. He, like Rayne, had doubted she would ever have had to face Ryden again. Taking her hand, he smiled down at her. “You know if you need to talk, I’m always here.”
“I do and for that I am most thankful.” She smiled. She would not tell him just how at ease being around him made her.
“No thanks needed, but you could indulge me with a dance.” He smiled.
“I would love to,” she said as she followed him to the floor. She wrapped her arms around his neck as they began to move.
***
Sitting across the room from the Athertons, Deacon Winthrop took in everything around him. Voices throughout the room kept talking about the ascension and the doubts his father had been putting in all their heads. He himself paid no mind to what they spoke of. He had heard it all a million times from Richard. No, his attention was on the rest of the room. His father had wanted him to try and gauge the reaction of other guardians, as well as vampires, about the ascension and the sudden arrival of the Athertons. So far, he had assessed mixed opinions. Some vampires were skeptical of their sudden decision to ascend after so many years. Others were elated they had made the decision to—in their minds—save the race.
He could care less. All he knew was his father’s plan—which he was not privy to�
��would go off much smoother if the Athertons did not ascend. The problem was, killing them would result in major questions by the council and other high-standing vampires. Their only option was to turn the vampire race against them. With enough support, Richard hoped their ascension could be stopped. The only problem was, time was not on their side. Luckily, however, his father’s claims of the Athertons not being the final play seemed to keep things from going to hell. The last thing he wanted was his father’s anger brewing and his poor sister being on the receiving end of it. Over the years, he had done quite a bit to try and land himself in his father’s good graces. As of late, that seemed to be mattering to him less and less. His sister, the only person in the world he could truly rely on, hated their lives. She detested being with Richard, yet she would never attempt to leave. He knew why, although she had never spoken the reason aloud. She feared that without her in his life, he would become their brother, Edmund. The one Richard had always truly adored. The son the Athertons took from him. The reason for all the hatred and bloodshed.
Sipping his drink, he thought back to Edmund’s burial. His father had vowed revenge. On his own son’s grave, he swore to not stop until every Atherton was dead. Deacon had stood there with pain in his heart from the loss of the only brother he’d had. There was confusion in his mind from the accusations that had been made against Edmund as well as his father and worry for Tessa and the pain she was obviously suffering from the loss. All of it had landed on his shoulders. Luckily for him, however, he’d had his dearest friend and the love of his life to turn to. He’d never imagined as he stood in a cemetery saying good-bye to his only brother, they were to betray him as well as most everyone in his life.
Returning to reality, he glanced over at Ryder as he shot pool and laughed with his brothers. Brothers he still had. The family he still clung to. After all the years that had passed, that much remained the same, as did his own need for revenge. A trait he had hoped he had not inherited from his father, yet he knew he had. He wanted Ryder Atherton to pay for the hurt he had caused him, the hurt the Athertons had caused his entire family. But time was on his side. His mission now was to do what his father needed of him. His time would be soon. He was sure of it.
After several games of pool and even more drinks, Ryden could sense the wolves were finally calming down. The high alert they had been on since the arrival of Deacon was fading. He could see the same ease in Alexandra. With a smile, he motioned her and her friend over to where he and Ryder had taken seats. Rian and the little wolf who had stood her ground with Deacon had already taken off. Ryden had not been surprised to hear that her name was Courtney Hunter. Her family had a long, deep history.
“Are you summoning me?” Alexandra asked as she sat her drink down and leaned against the table.
“Would that work?” Ryden smirked. “If so, then yes.”
“It may.” She motioned for more drinks.
“You ladies could always have drinks back at our place,” Ryder added, seeing Nia look up at him and smile. His eyes roamed over her curvy body. He shook his head in amazement. “You are something else,” he told her.
“I know,” Nia whispered as she got closer. “You should see the rest.”
“I would love to,” he leered as he pulled her close.
“Ryder is right. The two of you should join us back at our place for a more private party,” he said as he leaned close to Alexandra. “I have been anxiously awaiting my thank you.”
“Hmmm, I suppose it may be time to give you that.” She lightly ran her finger down his chest. “If you play your cards right, that is.”
“I definitely know how to play my cards, little wolf,” he said, running his hand slowly down her arm. He smiled as she trembled. He extended his hand. “Are you willing?”
Smiling, Alexandra reached out and took his hand. She gasped as he pulled her close before they vanished.
“Shall we join them?” Ryder asked Nia as his lips trailed down her neck.
“Oh yeah.” She turned and wound her arms around his neck. Smiling, Ryder vanished for home.
Deacon sat watching the goings on around him. The Supreme Alpha had taken up with a hot vampire he would not have minded getting to know better himself. The Guardian Alpha was having the time of his life, drinking and partying with all his wolves. The Athertons had seemingly found their nightly conquests in the two they had been shooting pool with. Even young Rian had left with the sassy young wolf from his earlier run-in. It was clear nothing of importance was going on. He waited until things began to wind down, then made his way to the bar. Chatting up a gorgeous blonde vampire, he paid for their drinks then vanished back to her place.
Closing time, finally, Rayne thought to herself. Seeing the last of her patrons leave, her staff did the minimal clean-up she required of them then they took their tills to the office. After everything was counted, she walked with her staff out of the office. She was surprised to see Zane Prescott sitting at the bar, until Karina came up to him. He put his arm around her, he nodded to Rayne, and they disappeared. Shaking her head at the mess, she looked around, then with a wave of her hand everything was cleaned.
“Some would say that’s cheating, you know, or going easy on your staff.”
Rayne smiled. “Why make them clean for over an hour or more when I can do it in a few moments.” She smiled. “I wondered if you would be waiting.”
Kane smiled. “Now you should know better than that.” He came out of the shadows toward Rayne. Reaching her, he kissed her neck. “I told you I would see you later,” he told her as he wrapped his arms around her.
“That you did, although I thought you meant tomorrow perhaps.” Rayne lay her head back against his chest.
“It is tomorrow.” Kane smirked.
“A minor technicality.” Rayne turned toward him. “But you are right.”
“I usually am,” Kane said looking down at her. “Yes or no?”
Looking up at him, the past flooded her mind. She and Kane had been lovers on many occasions. Once they had even tried to be more than that. Her fears of not being able to give him what he needed always seemed to come into play. It always seemed to push them apart. Still, she could not deny her want of him, her need.
“Answer me, beautiful,” he said softly as he kissed her lips.
“Yes,” she whispered as her arms went around his neck, and they vanished.
Chapter 17
Bloodstone Island, Winthrop House
The next morning, Tessa Winthrop made her way down the stairs. She was doing her best to ignore the aches in her body. Yes, she was a vampire. Her kind healed quickly. Still, without proper nourishment the healing process always took longer. Although the offer of taking from those Richard sent her with was always there, it was just something she could not do. The mere idea of tasting the blood of the vile bastards who used her as their own personal sex object made her nauseous. Everything about Richard and his cohorts made her sick.
Entering the library, she sighed in relief that no one else was in the room. She poured herself a glass of wine, chose yet another book from the shelves, and settled herself into her favorite reading chair. It had once belonged to her mother. It was well made and had withstood the test of time. Some days she could swear the scent of the chair was that of the mother she could not remember meeting⸻lilacs and soft perfume. Then again, the scent could be that of anyone whom Richard had visiting the house on normal occasions. Still, it was a nice thought to hold onto.
Opening the book, she tried to allow her mind to slip into the world of fiction. Instead, it slipped into a world that was all too real, her past. It all seemed like yesterday. She was but a young woman, barely fifteen when the news came.
A messenger arrived at the door of their home in Manchester. The messenger himself seemed somewhat alarmed to be giving such news to the household. In her own mind, she thought he seemed embarrassed to be seen there. At first, she couldn’t understand why. Then his tale had unfolded, and she reali
zed more and more what was happening.
“Dear sir, I am sorry to inform you of such tragedy, but your son Edmund has been killed,” the man said while wringing his hands anxiously. His long dark hair hid most of his face. Still, his eyes darted around the room like he expected an attack or immediate death upon entry.
Richard’s voice boomed throughout the house. Both she and Deacon jumped out of pure fear of the rage. “KILLED? By whom? Why?” he demanded as he grasped the man’s collar, almost lifting him off his feet.
“Sir, I am sorry. I truly am. All I know is the death came as an order from the king. As we all know, traitors to the crown must be dealt with harshly.”
“TRAITOR! MY SON IS NO TRAITOR!” Richard bellowed as he threw the small man toward the door. “Get out of my house. Get out now,” he demanded in a much meeker voice. His face told the man all he needed to know. Richard would kill him if he did not leave his sight immediately. With a bow of his head, he slipped out the door without another word. Not looking in their direction, Richard spoke again after several moments. “I will find who did this, and they will pay with everything they hold dear.” He spat as he turned and stomped his way up the stairs.
Turning to Deacon, she could not hide the tears that slid down her cheeks. “Is this true? Is Edmund dead?” she asked, at a complete loss to what was happening.
Nodding his head slowly, Deacon took her in his arms and held her to him. She could feel the tears he shed landing in her hair. His body shook only once, alerting her to the fact that he fought to control his sobs. Their brother was gone. She had not been close to Edmund. In fact, he had barely acknowledged her, but knowing she would never see him again saddened her. Seeing Deacon upset pained her even more. Wrapping her arms around him, she held him as he wept. His pain was one of the hardest things she had ever endured. In that moment, she vowed she would protect him no matter what and keep him from that kind of pain ever again.
