End Game (Vampire Hunter Book 6)

by Reynolds, S. C.

  “My head is already swimming from the colossal plan we have in place for next Saturday!” I exclaimed. “I don’t think I can take any more.”

  “Henry’s right,” Jet said. “And now that the entire vampire race is being threatened, let’s just say I have a vested interest in helping you. No, I still don’t want to be part of the war, but I don’t see how I can keep my hands entirely clean, either.”

  “Did Senara say anything else before she left?” I asked.

  “Just that she’d be in touch.” Jet paused. “It’s actually a good thing you’re here, Henry. How’s it coming along? What else do you need for the spells?”

  “We’ve got the one covered to open the Gates of Hell,” Henry said slowly. “Kind of scary how that spell’s not very difficult. But closing the Gates for good, now that’s another story. Between Nicholas and Emmett – he’s the psychic Aurora mentioned – they’ve got maybe 70, 80 percent of what we need.”

  “What’s left?” Jet asked. “Maybe I can help.”

  “Tooth of a wendigo, flesh of a reaper,” Henry said morosely. “Blood from a human that’s possessed by a demon – but Nic assured me he’s got that one. He said it might even be fun.”

  Jet laughed and shook his head. “Nicholas doesn’t remember, but right after he was turned, our paths crossed. Even back then, he was a character. He was so crazy; I figured he’d be dead in less than a year. I guess he calmed down with age.”

  I wanted to ask Jet more about Nicholas; understanding the time they were ‘born’ as vampires was almost impossible, but we had bigger issues to deal with.

  “Is that all that’s left?” I asked Henry, feeling like I might burst into hysterical laughter at any moment. I didn’t even know what a wendigo was!

  “Well, those are just the two that have us tripped up,” Henry admitted. “Like the blood that Nicholas is going to get, the other weird stuff can be found. But we’re stumped on the wendigo and the reaper.”

  “I can help with the reaper. I personally know one. We have a…mutual respect for each other’s work. His name is Niall. I’m sure once I tell him what spell this is for, he’ll let us have a bit of his flesh. It will grow back almost instantly, anyway.”

  “That’s a relief,” Henry said, smiling for the first time. “But what about the wendigo?”

  Jet screwed his face up into a sour expression. “Are you two familiar with wendigos?”

  I shook my head no. “Only a little, since it was in the spell,” Henry said. “But please, tell us.”

  “They’re nasty, vile creatures that feast on humans. Supernatural cannibals, if you will. They live in wooded areas, preying on unfortunate campers, eating bears and other forest animals when the humans aren’t around.”

  “Gross,” I muttered.

  “They are,” Jet agreed. “The only good thing about this is that they are not smart creatures. They travel together in twos and threes. I can find out where some are in the area. I’ll get one of my vampires to come with me and we can extract a tooth. You just need one, right?” he asked Henry.

  “Well, yeah,” Henry hedged. “But – ” he paused and looked at me, “there’s a catch.”

  I groaned. “There’s always a catch.”

  “You see, unfortunately, the tooth has to be extracted by Aurora.” Henry gave me a wan smile.

  “Me?” I asked incredulously. “Henry, that doesn’t even make sense! No one wrote that spell with me in mind.”

  “Okay, not you specifically,” he amended. “But that spell is fucking complicated. It has to be a tooth that was pulled by ‘the living dead.’ So unless you want to ask Tobias to do it, you’re SOL.”

  “Maybe that doesn’t mean me,” I argued.

  Henry looked at Jet. “What’s your opinion? I had the same reaction as Aurora. Is there something else that would qualify as the living dead?”

  “I don’t think so,” Jet said slowly. “I’ll have it checked out to confirm, but I agree; it sounds like Aurora has to do it.”

  “Great!” I said sarcastically.

  “I’ll go with you, protect you,” Jet offered.

  Somehow I don’t think Lucas is going to go for that.

  But aloud I just said, “Thanks, Jet. We’ll figure it out.”

  “Soon. We need to figure it out soon. We’re running out of time.” Henry’s words hung in the air, thick and ominous, as the three of us fell silent.

  Jet was the next one to speak. “Just to confirm, that’s everything, Henry? Provided we get what we need from the reaper and the wendigo?”

  “Yes,” Henry said.

  “Good,” Jet replied. “I want you two to know that I’ll do everything I can to help you. But come next Saturday, it’s down to you. I can’t go to the Gates with you. I can’t risk my empire if something goes wrong. I hope you understand.”

  “Yes,” I replied immediately. Of course, ultimately Jet had to think about himself, about his position as head vampire. If something happened to him, total chaos amongst the vampire community was likely to erupt.

  “I understand,” Henry echoed my thoughts. “Without you, I’m not sure we could even get everything for the spell. I can’t say thanks enough.” We stood up to leave.

  “You can thank me when the Gates are closed and Tobias, Magnus and Leon are locked in Hell forever,” Jet replied.

  “Deal,” Henry said with a forced smile. They shook hands.

  “I’ll call you again when I have news,” Jet said. “And in the meantime, let Lucas know he might be getting a visit from Senara.”

  “Okay,” I replied nervously.

  Jet saw us out and we walked down the long path to Henry’s car. The surroundings weren’t quite as creepy in the daylight, but it still wasn’t the type of place I could ever imagine living in.

  “What did you think of him?” I asked once we were back on the road.

  “He seems alright,” Henry said slowly. “I mean, I don’t get a bad vibe from him or anything; I didn’t feel unsafe, and there’s no other choice but to let him help us.”

  “Good. I knew I needed an impartial opinion – a human opinion.” We both laughed.

  I glanced at my phone and saw I had a missed call and a text from my mom. Don’t forget I want to meet Lucas’ parents today! it read. I groaned.

  “What now?” Henry asked in a weary voice.

  “I wasn’t kidding about my mom being totally crazy about meeting Lucas’ parents. She’s mandating that it happen – today.”

  “Can’t you put her off?” Henry asked.

  “How?” I said. “You know how my mom can be.”

  “Yes, persistent. Just like you.”

  I shot Henry a death look as he tried not to smirk.

  “Maybe what you said earlier could work,” I said slowly. “You know, about Emmett pretending to be his dad.”

  “I dunno.” Henry sounded skeptical. “Emmett’s average height, small frame, whereas Lucas is tall and built. And besides, I don’t think Emmett’s old enough to be the father of a teenager.”

  “It could work,” I argued, not quite sure I believed it myself. But we had no other options. “Emmett once said that he was thirty-six. And Lucas told my mother his dad is an accountant. You’ve got to admit that Emmett fits the image – glasses and scholarly looking! And if my mom seems weird about it, I’ll just tell her that Lucas takes after his mother.”

  Henry snickered. “That paints an interesting picture. A 6’4 female bodybuilder.” We both laughed.

  “It’s worth a shot,” I said.

  “Do what you like,” Henry replied. “It’s not me you need to convince – it’s Emmett and Lucas.”

  “Oh, I’ll convince them,” I said with a lot more confidence than I felt.

  Chapter 3

  “Come on,” I wheedled.

  “No,” came Lucas’ reply over the phone.

  “My mom is going to forbid me from seeing you if she doesn’t get to meet at least one of your parents,” I argued.


  Lucas sighed. “You realize how ridiculous this is, right?”

  “Of course.”

  “I guess…if Emmett’s willing,” Lucas said grudgingly.

  “I’m sure he’ll do it,” I said confidently.

  After we hung up, I called Emmett and gave him the same spiel as Lucas. “It will just be for five minutes,” I assured him. “My mom isn’t going to try to hang out with you or anything. She’s always been funny about meeting my friends’ parents.”

  “Oh, fine,” Emmett said. I was surprised he didn’t put up more of a fight.

  We arranged for Lucas to drive to his house, then I’d get my mom to drop me off there.

  Mom was over the moon when I told her she’d finally get to meet the mysterious Lucas’ father. “His mom’s not around most Saturdays,” I explained, thankful that Lucas’ story about his mother’s profession as a real estate agent supported this. “The weekends are her busiest time for showing houses.”

  “I understand,” Mom said. “I’m just glad his dad is around. What’s his father’s name?”

  “Emmett,” I said, not seeing a reason to lie about that. But I was nervous. The truth was, Emmett didn’t quite look old enough to be Lucas’ dad. My dad was in his early forties and mom had turned forty this year. But there was no time to start second-guessing the plan.

  Mom pulled the car up to Emmett’s house and parked on the street. We got out and walked up to the small house.

  “I thought Lucas had a basketball net at his house?” she asked.

  “Um, they have a paved patio in the back, so it’s out there,” I replied, hoping like hell Emmett didn’t offer to show her around.

  Lucas answered as soon as I knocked. I resisted the urge to laugh, seeing him towering in the doorframe. “Please, come in,” he said to us.

  “How are you, Lucas?” Mom asked him.

  “Just great, Audrey,” he said, not sounding nervous at all. “And you?”

  “I’m happy to finally meet your dad,” Mom replied. “I’m just sorry your mother isn’t around today.”

  “Yes, Saturdays are her busiest day of the week.” Lucas motioned for us to sit down on the couch. “Dad’s in his office. Let me tell him you’re here.” Lucas retreated to the back of the house.

  The picture of Rachel and Emmett, the one that had been on the coffee table the other time I came to Emmett’s house, was sitting on one of the bookshelves. My mom caught me staring at it. “Are those Lucas’ parents?” she asked.

  Luckily, I didn’t have to answer because Lucas and Emmett walked into the room. Surprisingly, Emmett looked calm, collected. Maybe this won’t be so awkward after all.

  They introduced themselves and Emmett and Lucas sat down on the couch across from us. “Lucas said you’re an accountant,” Mom commented. “What firm do you work at?”

  “Dad’s self-employed,” Lucas answered quickly. Emmett flashed him a grateful smile.

  “That’s right,” he said. “I contract out with various firms,” he explained vaguely.

  “Well, I hope you don’t mind Aurora hanging out at your house all of the time,” Mom said. “I keep telling her to bring her friends to our house, but she seems to like to come here better.”

  “Not at all!” Emmett said, a little too enthusiastically. He wiped his palms down the front of his pants, something I noticed he did whenever he was nervous – which was pretty much all the time. “The kids are always welcome here. Watching TV, playing video games…” His voice trailed off. Must be the only thing he knows that kids like.

  “And they play basketball as well, right?” Mom prompted, trying to check my story I’m sure.

  “Yep,” Lucas answered. “It’s my favorite sport.”

  Mom smiled. “Since Aurora and Lucas are together so often, would you two mind if I put your numbers in my phone?” My mom shot a sideways glance at me and I forced my face to remain expressionless.

  “Of course not,” Lucas said. “Would you mind if I put your number in my phone as well?” Lucas, Emmett and Mom all exchanged phone numbers, while I stood there watching the odd scene unfold.

  Finally, Mom stood up. “Well, I’d better get going. You kids have fun. It was nice to finally meet you, Emmett.”

  “Likewise,” he said, looking relieved.

  “And you’ll be here all day?” Mom asked.

  How mortifying! She doesn’t want me to be alone with Lucas. If only she knew what had really been going on lately.

  “Oh, yes. All day,” Emmett echoed.

  Mom turned to me. “Aurora, call me if you need a lift home.”

  “Thanks, Audrey, but I’ll drop her off,” Lucas said. “What time does she need to be home?” he added quickly.

  “Oh, no rush,” Mom said with a smile. “Just text me, Aurora, to let me know what you’re up to.”

  “Yes, Mom,” I said, forcing a smile.

  “I guess she bought that I’m Lucas’ father,” Emmett said peevishly as soon as she’d left.

  “Right, which we needed,” I reminded him. “Thanks, you guys, for doing this,” I said gratefully.

  “Since you’re both here, I need to tell you what happened this morning.” I proceeded to explain how Henry and I had gone to Jet’s house, leaving out that Jet had originally asked me to bring Lucas.

  “Aurora, I can’t believe you’d go out there without me!” Lucas exclaimed. “It could have been dangerous. I don’t trust him.”

  “Why?” I countered. “He’s done nothing but help us. Do you know a reaper?” I asked pointedly. “Or how about a wendigo?”

  “Well, you’re not going with Jet to get a wendigo’s tooth,” Lucas said, his voice hard. “I’ll go with you, if it has to be you.”

  “That’s perfectly fine with me! I’d rather go with you anyway,” I said honestly.

  Lucas sighed. “And I’m not thrilled to hear that Senara is looking for me. I’m not exactly in hiding. She’s bound to find me. All she has to do is get into the database. I’m legal. It’s got all of my information.”

  “You could move,” Emmett suggested.

  “No, hiding isn’t the answer,” Lucas replied.

  “But what if she tries to hurt you?” I asked worriedly. “It sounded like Jet thinks she’s more powerful than a vampire.”

  “Yes, I’m sure she is,” Lucas confirmed.

  “I’m going to have to kill her, aren’t I?” I said quietly.

  “I don’t know, Rory. I really don’t know.” Lucas sounded tired, defeated.

  “I might be able to help,” Emmett said.

  “How?” I asked. We both turned to look at Emmett.

  “I don’t know. I – I need to think,” Emmett said. He looked pale, weak.

  “We should go,” I said quickly. “I’m sorry for being such a burden, Emmett.”

  Emmett managed a frail smile. “You guys are never a burden. But yes, I think it would help if I could relax. Maybe get some sleep. Things tend to come to me when I’m not trying to force the issue.”

  “Thanks for helping today,” Lucas said.

  “Yeah,” I echoed. “Thanks.”

  “Anything. Anytime,” Emmett replied. “I’ll be in touch with one of you tomorrow.”

  We said our goodbyes and left.

  “I can’t go home,” I said once we were in Lucas’ car. “Mom doesn’t expect me back until much later.”

  “I would invite you over, but I’m not sure my apartment is safe. Senara is going to find me, probably sooner rather than later.” Lucas looked worried.

  “It’s daylight,” I pointed out. “Senara is half vampire. She won’t be out and about until this evening.”

  “Maybe.” Lucas didn’t sound convinced. “Who knows what the extent of her power is? For all I know, she can walk around in broad daylight without a sunlight pill.”

  I laughed nervously. “I’m sure that’s not the case.”

  Lucas didn’t say anything for a few minutes. We approached an intersection, and I knew if he
turned right he was taking me home, but if he turned left, we were going to his apartment. He turned left.

  “You should tell Henry to meet us at my place,” Lucas said.

  “Why?” I couldn’t help feeling a little disappointed that I wasn’t going to get to spend time alone with Lucas.

  “Because when he opens the Gates of Hell, he needs to be protected from any demons that might come out.”

  “Protected?” I asked.

  “Yes, there’s a marking he needs on his chest, by his shoulder blade, that will keep demons from being able to possess him,” Lucas explained. “You, Nic and I are safe since we’re not human. Truthfully, it’s not a bad idea for Henry to keep the marking on him all the time. It’s the only way for a human to ward himself from a demon.”

  “Is it common for demons to come to earth, possess humans?” I asked.

  “I think they’re showing themselves more, finding host bodies and trying to position themselves for the war,” Lucas said grimly, not directly answering my question.

  “I’ll text Henry,” I said, getting out my phone and typing him a quick message to see if he could meet us at Lucas’ apartment.

  Henry confirmed that he’d be there in about a half hour.

  When we got inside Lucas’ apartment, I sat down on the couch and Lucas sat down next to me. Lucas smiled, but it was a sad smile.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked. “Or should I say, what’s wrong now?”

  “I was just thinking,” Lucas said in a soft voice, “that this is the first time I truly don’t know if I can protect you.”

  “Because of Senara?”

  “If Jet’s unnerved – well, that’s saying something. Even though I hadn’t met Jet before the other night, I’d heard of him. Brazen. Powerful. Ruthless. Would do almost anything to get – and stay – on top.”

  I thought about Jet’s request for me to help recruit humans he could turn to vampires. It’s true, he was power-hungry, but was that such a bad thing? Wasn’t it possible that was simply human – and vampire – nature?

  “It sounds like Jet was shaken by Senara’s visit,” Lucas continued. “And that’s what has me concerned at the moment. If she’s that powerful, I’m not sure that Nic, Jet and I working together could stop her.”