Dangerous Retaliation (The Harcourte Vampyre Society Book 4)

by Kelley, Morgan

  Jolie laughed. “I have wealth, but I have no power, Isis. I have no society.”

  “What do you wish if you win?” asked Nathaniel

  “That I am exempt from these matches for as long as I reside in this city. I also want the name of the vampyre helping Zola Saran. I believe if I defeat Isis, that I’ll have proved that a death match against me is insanity.”

  Jolie was an ancient.

  Isis was screwed.

  “Is that all?” he asked, a little surprised. “You can have her family and her seat?”

  “No, I don’t want anything. I just want that baby back and alive. This kind of power means little to me, Nathaniel, and I have no need for her family. The last family I took in was slaughtered, and I have enough vampyres to care for at this moment.”

  “Very well.”

  “The guardian and Jolie against myself and my guardian,” said Isis. “No death to help her. Agreed?”

  “Yes.”

  Isis crossed to her family and picked the largest meanest looking guardian she had before returning to the circle.

  Yeah, she was out for blood.

  Jolie locked down her mind and only allowed Mathew access. He would need to feel her there. She sent him peace as she whispered into his mind. ‘He’s big and slow, so you can defeat him without breaking a sweat. I believe in you.’

  ‘Thank you, Mistress,’ he said, taking off his leather coat.

  ‘Remember who trained you, Mathew. He’s the best guardian who ever lived, and you’re his pupil. That means everything.’

  Mathew nodded.

  Jolie took off the long leather coat she was wearing to reach behind her back. She found the guns and flicked off the safeties.

  “Be careful, Mathew,” she whispered.

  Isis threw off her own leather coat and stepped into the circle. “I’ll enjoy this, Jolie, but please take no offense. You just have something I want. If it’s any consolation, I’ll probably let the human go. I don’t like them.”

  Jolie laughed. Yeah, that didn't make her feel any better, but she wouldn’t let this vampyre get into her head.

  Not before a death match.

  “I think I would have liked you, Isis, if I didn’t catch you groping my mate. We might have been friends.”

  Jolie kept her eyes on the woman.

  Out of her peripheral, she saw Mathew facing off against the muscle bound freak. Her sole focus was on Isis as she moved into her reach. When they were close enough, Jolie sensed the power breaking free from her challenger’s body. The wave after wave of heat scorched her flesh, making her feel like she was on fire. Immediately, she thought about her little growing babies.

  Jolie struggled to regulate her body temperature. “Nice trick, Isis, but a simple one to master.”

  Isis hissed at her dismissal. Her eyes flicked to her guardian, giving Jolie a brief second to brace for the blow. Claws ripped down her back as she was pushed roughly to the ground.

  She couldn’t stay down. Instead, Jolie rolled to her feet. She sought out her guardian in training, in time to see Mathew also getting back on his feet.

  He was a bloody mess, and they’d just started the fight.

  Great.

  He was getting his ass handed to him.

  There was no doubt in her mind--she was screwed. He wasn’t ready for this, and they weren’t making it out of there alive.

  Jolie braced for the next attack. She had just enough time to move away, narrowly escaping being impaled. Isis merely managed to slice into her arm.

  She instinctually knew it was silver.

  Isis was going to try and bleed her to death.

  From the corner of her eye, she saw that the guardian was moving toward Mathew who was still disorientated. She reached for her own dagger. While the angle was off, it wouldn’t kill the guardian, but it would buy Mathew some time.

  Throwing it, Jolie found her mark.

  When the guardian screamed, Isis charged her again. Jolie sent out energy to take Isis to her knees.

  “I’ll kill you,” hissed Isis. “Your weak guardian will cost you your life.”

  Yeah, she was well aware.

  Jolie turned to see that Mathew was fighting for his life. Here was the proof that her mates were right. Mathew wasn’t ready to be fighting in that clearing. He was struggling to keep one step ahead of the larger guardian.

  At that point, screwed was an understatement.

  Jolie only hoped he could stay on his feet a little longer. Right now, she had other issues to worry about.

  “You can try, Isis, but I’m hard to kill,” she stated, her attention divided.

  When the guardian slammed the silver dagger into Mathew’s body, he screamed in pain.

  Miraculously, he stayed on his feet. When the larger guardian laughed, throwing his head back, Jolie used compulsion to control her guardian’s actions.

  The change was immediate. Mathew’s hand found the much larger guardian’s chest and he ripped out his heart.

  The guardian looked surprised.

  Again, she used her dwindling energy to control him. Jolie prompted him to end it.

  Mathew swung out, tearing out the man’s throat.

  Jolie heard the footfalls behind her. Spinning, her timing was off. Time seemed to stop as the silver blade found its way into her chest.

  Saving Mathew had cost her something so very dear.

  Her life.

  If that wasn’t enough, a wave of energy slammed into her, knocking Jolie to the ground.

  She fought to catch her breath as she assessed the situation. The silver blade was off its mark.

  Isis had missed her heart.

  The female vampyre moved to stand above her body. “It looks like you’re hurting, Jolie. Can’t you win a fight without Death?” she sneered, placing her knee on Jolie’s chest pushing the dagger deeper.

  Jolie thought about the guns she couldn’t reach pinned at her back. That option was off the table. Scanning for her guardian in training, she couldn’t feel Mathew moving behind her.

  This was bad.

  If Mathew didn't get up, she and the two little lives were done.

  When Isis pulled the blade out of her chest, to drive it home again, she knew it was time. Jolie used that last bit of energy to reach for her mates. She sent them her goodbyes, and then slammed the connection closed between them.

  Jolie couldn’t let them feel her death.

  The sadistic laughter got her attention as the descending knife made its way toward her heart.

  She prayed it was fast.

  Mathew saw his mistress about to be killed, and pushed aside the pain he was feeling to get to his feet. With what energy he had left, he launched himself at Isis, taking her to the ground.

  They rolled.

  Mathew was too weak to fight, so he ended up on the bottom as Isis plunged the dagger toward his body.

  ‘Turn,’ whispered Jolie into his mind.

  He did as she asked, and the blade missed his heart.

  Everyone in the clearing jumped at the sound of the gunshot. It was followed by a second and a third. A hole formed in the middle of Isis’s forehead.

  Mathew gasped as she tumbled away from him. Glancing over, he found his mistress holding the gun that Flynn had given her.

  Jolie stumbled toward him, gun in her hand in case anyone else moved toward them. She pulled his head into her lap and touched his cheek. “Thank you, Mathew, for distracting her.”

  He didn't speak.

  Jolie ran her hands over his wounds and sent energy into his body. “Go to death, Mathew, we’re fine now. I’ll get you home.”

  He wouldn’t argue, but he wouldn’t go under either.

  As the council heads approached, Jolie still held the gun in her bloody hand--just in case.

  “That was close, Mistress Jolie.”

  She was well aware.

  “Are you okay?” Master Morris inquired.

  “I’ll live,” she said, taking his offe
red hand before letting him pull her to her feet. “Could you carry Mathew to my vehicle? I really can’t. I’ve lost too much blood in this stupid fight. For now, I have to conserve my energy until I get home to my mates.”

  “Yes, I will, Mistress Jolie.” Nathaniel lifted Mathew into his arms, his blood grotesquely coating his white silk shirt. “May I ask you a question?”

  “Yes,” she said, trying to reach the Hummer.

  “I’ve seen you fight. Tonight, you didn’t fight with your usual abandon. Why?”

  Jolie disengaged the locks with her mind. “I just found out that I’m pregnant, and I was more concerned for the wounds I might receive.”

  “Oh my,” he stated, shocked. “You battled to the death, knowing you were risking your own child for someone else’s.”

  “Children,” she said, as he rested Mathew across the back seat. “I’m carrying two babies, and yes, I did. I need to get Ariel back to her father.”

  “I don’t understand you, Mistress Jolie.” Nathaniel stated. “Take your guardian home, and I’ll call you as soon as I hear something.”

  “Thank you, Nathaniel.” Jolie gingerly crawled into the driver’s seat. Mathew didn't look good. It was going to be damn hard to get home.

  As she pulled away, Jolie tried to reach for her mates, only she couldn’t.

  “Focus,” she whispered over and over again. She was close to going under, but needed to get them to safety.

  “You need more training,” Jolie stated, knowing Mathew had yet to go to death, “but thankfully, you learned enough help get us out of there.”

  Mathew coughed. “Do I get to stay your guardian?” he asked, softly.

  What choice did she have?

  He’d saved her.

  Granted, it wasn’t a pretty win, but it was a win none-the-less.

  “Yes, Mathew, you do. You’re officially my guardian.”

  He didn't speak, and it was probably for the best.

  Jolie was going to have to tell her mates he was staying, and that meant the shit was going to hit the fan.

  Really…

  Could she blame them?

  ∞ Chapter Twenty-One ∞

  Waiting was going to be the death of them.

  They sat in the kitchen, hoping to hear something from either Jolie or Mathew.

  There’d been a wall and silence since the one whisper from Jolie, bidding them farewell.

  At that moment, they were feeling terror, pain, and every ounce of happiness slipping away from them. Fate had cruelly shredded their hearts, stealing away love from them.

  There had to be some mistake.

  At least that’s what they were hoping.

  Both men vowed to remain in that kitchen until they heard something. Neither would move until they found out the truth.

  Where was their mate?

  When they heard the Hummer in the driveway, they both raced to see who was behind the wheel. As the driver side door opened, they fully expected Mathew to jump out to greet them. It made them both furious to believe he’d be returning alive, and their Jolie…

  And their Jolie was dead.

  If that was the case, the men knew there’d be hell to pay.

  When it was Jolie who stumbled from behind the wheel, both men rushed toward her. Jacques swung her up in his arms, checking her wounds.

  “Help Mathew. He’s in the back and in worse shape than I am. We barely survived this one,” she whispered softly, as she laid her head on his shoulder. “He needs blood and badly.”

  “We’ll take care of him,” he promised, waiting for their other mate to pick up the wounded vampyre in the back seat.

  His eyes were half closed. When he felt himself being moved, he struggled to open them.

  Flynn knew that time was of the essence. Jolie’s sheer strength astounded him. She’d fought death and made it home--like she promised.

  “I’ll take Mathew to his room and get Mina to donate,” he offered. It was obvious that Jolie was going to need blood, and she was his priority. He would normally donate to the wounded man, but his woman, and their children, came first.

  Jacques simply nodded.

  “Baby?” Flynn said, pausing at the door to the kitchen.

  She glanced over. “Yes?”

  “We are so discussing this when you’re better. I’m putting my foot down on this one.”

  She laughed weakly. “Yes, Flynn.” Jolie knew he’d be over it by the time he finished with Mathew. She could tell he was just happy to have her home and in one piece.

  Come to think of it, so was she!

  Jacques carried her to their room before resting Jolie on a towel that Chloe had placed on the silk sheets. Immediately, he went about undressing her.

  “Your stomach…” he began.

  “They’re safe,” she reassured. “I took a chest shot, but nothing near them.”

  The fear and pain drained away.

  “What happened?” he asked.

  “You and Flynn were right,” Jolie stated, letting him clean her up. “Mathew wasn’t ready. He could barely stay one step ahead of the guardian. I had to use compulsion to fight, and that nearly got me…us, killed.”

  Jacques closed his eyes. “I’m sorry.”

  She didn't understand why. “For?”

  “I didn't train him well enough.”

  Jolie patted his cheek. “This wasn’t your fault. He just wasn’t ready.”

  “Who did this to you?” Flynn asked from the doorway. “I want to know who the vamp is, and I’m going to go out and end his or her existence.”

  Jacques glanced over to see their mate slipping out of his blood stained shirt. He dropped it to the floor before climbing across the bed.

  “Isis, and there’s no need. I shot her.”

  “Let me feed her, and then you can grill our mate,” Jacques stated.

  Flynn would hold off on the third degree until Jolie was fed. When she was healing, he was going to put her over his knee and…

  She laughed, hearing his thoughts.

  “I meant it,” Flynn replied.

  Jacques lowered himself to her body, giving Jolie access to his blood. Eagerly, she latched on to his throat, feeding ravenously as she tried to replace what was lost. When she stopped feeding, he pulled away.

  “More?” Flynn asked, offering up anything he had for the woman he loved.

  She didn't speak. Instead, Jolie pulled Flynn down to her mouth. The second she bit down, the delicious flavor of mate filled her mouth.

  Stroking her arm, Jacques offered her peace.

  When she released Flynn, Jolie knew they had to discuss it. “It was bad. I generally go in thinking I’m going to win, but tonight…I really believed I was dead.”

  The men listened.

  “Don’t get me wrong. Mathew fought valiantly. He didn't cower in fear, but he wasn’t able to handle the situation,” she admitted. “He wasn’t badass enough to come close to you two.”

  “What happened?”

  She told them how Isis picked the largest guardian she had. “He wasn’t a match for him. Where you and Flynn could have felled him, Mathew was scared. I could feel it, and so could his opponent.”

  The men didn't speak.

  “So, he’s out,” Flynn stated, feeling a wave of happiness. Yes, they nearly lost her, but now they could lose the love struck vamp.

  “No.”

  “What?” they said together.

  “When Isis was about to kill me, he dove onto her, taking that bitch to the ground. That’s the only reason I was able to get to Flynn’s gun. He may have been scared, but he fought with one hell of a giant heart.”

  They didn't know what to say.

  “He’s earned the right to try and be my guardian,” she stated. “He didn't back down.”

  “But you just said…” Flynn began, his dreams of losing the other vampyre started crashing down around him.

  “He needs more training. He simply isn't up to speed yet.”

  F
lynn tried not to picture how close they came to losing this one. “It’s not like you to be taken down by a younger vamp, baby. What happened?”

  She told him about having to use her mind to get him to fight. “I was technically fighting two vamps at once--in two bodies.”

  They hated that they’d put her in that position to begin with.

  “Does he really have potential?” Jacques asked. He was getting that sick feeling in his gut, and it had nothing to do with them nearly losing Jolie. “Or are you just trying to pay him back for saving your life?”

  “Yeah, that’s supposed to be his job,” Flynn added.

  “I think he does, my loves. He fought hard, but he’s just not there with training. With more time at your sides, he’ll be better suited to take on another guardian.”

  Flynn had to point out the big pink elephant in the room. “So, you’re making the final decision? He stays?”

  “Yes. I think it’s only fair. He fought hard, he tried to save me, and he did what he promised. We got back here to you.”

  Neither man liked where this was heading. Flynn was in Jacques’s mind, and he saw the worry.

  “What are you both thinking?” she asked. Why she bothered, she didn't know. Jolie was pretty sure this was all related to the whole sex with a guardian thing.

  Jacques looked stressed.

  Flynn looked pissed.

  And she was stuck in the middle. Here were their rules, and now she had two mates to manage too.

  Flynn went first. “If you think he’s worthy of being your guardian, we’ll go along with it,” he said, unable to stare into her eyes. If he did, she’d see the truth.

  Right now, he wanted to go into Mathew’s room and send him to death--permanently. Flynn suspected that was Jacques emotions, since he used to believe in justice and preserving life.

  “We should discuss what you’re going to do,” Jacques stated. “We’re both adults here. Our kind rewards a guardian when he returns from battle if they’ve protected the primus.”

  Flynn stared at him openmouthed. “Please tell me you’re not going to give her permission to have sex with Mathew. If you say yes, I may lose my damn mind.”