by Kym Grosso
“Necromancy?” Gabriella asked.
“Yeah, but she’s not your typical zombie. My guess is she’s capable of maintaining her human form for longer as long as she feeds on blood,” Quintus agreed. “Witches. Demons. Both own the toolkit to create these kinds of things.”
“And just when you think the zombies were so last year, they make a comeback. Who knew?” Hunter laughed.
“Jiangshi are rare. I’ve only heard of them,” Quintus said.
“Do you think Lilitu had something to do with this?” Gabriella asked.
“Can’t rule her out. Could be a demon. One that’s laying low. They aren’t usually the social types. Thorn’s hybrid so he doesn’t count. Witches like to be known. It’s possible it’s a new player. A witch or a warlock, but they haven’t made an appearance.”
“What about Absinthe? She’s a slippery one,” Hunter said.
“Yes she is. But I doubt she has the power.” Quintus looked to Gabriella. “When we get back to New Orleans, we’ll head straight to Luca’s and meet up with Samantha.”
“And Viktor?” Hunter asked.
“I’m going to text him again,” Quintus replied. Attempting to hide his concern, he stared out the window. He knew his brother all too well. Despite his warning to avoid her, Viktor would attempt to find Mao. She’d challenged him by breaking his wards.
“He’s going to be okay,” Gabriella whispered.
Although he didn’t hear her voice, it was her fingers brushing his cheek that drew him out of his deep thoughts. As he turned, she straddled his legs and his hands found her waist. Her intense gaze held his and his heart tightened.
His eyes fell to her lips and he leaned in, capturing her mouth. His tongue swept against hers, tasting and probing. She kissed him in return, her hands cupping his face. She tasted of honey, her familiar feminine scent wrapping around him. Blood rushed to his cock, and he groaned as she sat on his lap and rocked over his erection.
His hand slid up her shirt and cupped her bared breast. “Fuck, you’re not wearing a bra,” he groaned.
“I’m not either.” The voice of the Alpha broke Quintus’ concentration.
He reluctantly tore his lips from Gabriella’s, his forehead resting on hers.
“Don’t mind me. I don’t want to sit out on the game but if I can’t play, I’m good with watchin’ y’all again. But hold on a minute, lemme grab something to eat. Where did the co-pilot say he kept the snacks again? Up front right?” Hunter stood and walked toward the cockpit and began to rummage through the cabinet. “Damn. You didn’t tell me they were fully stocked.”
“Seriously wolf,” Quintus exhaled loudly and lifted his head, catching a glimpse of Hunter waving a small bottle of vodka.
“Stuff’s top shelf, vamp. Want some?”
“No.” Quintus focused on Gabriella, whose heated gaze churned his desire. “There’s only one thing I want to drink right now but that will have to wait until later.”
“And here I thought I was getting another show.” Hunter poured the clear liquid into a glass and held it to the air.
Quintus ignored the Alpha. As Gabriella moved to stand, he pulled her back onto his lap so that they both faced Hunter. “We should talk about the bone.”
“Really? The bone?” Hunter began laughing, walking to his seat. “You mean like the one you’re hiding in your pants right now?”
“He’s like a thirteen-year-old boy,” Gabriella commented.
“Wolves.” Quintus rolled his eyes. “I’m sorry. This is your lineage.”
“Hey, I’m part witch,” she protested.
“The first witch. Her bone,” Quintus clarified.
“Oh yeah. Right. Sorry, got distracted there for a minute with the PDA. It’s over. I’m good.” Hunter sipped his drink, exhaling loudly. “Look, I don’t know what we are supposed to do with it, but I’ll go with weapon.”
“I agree with you. We either have to physically use it, which if that’s true, we’ve gotta be in pretty close proximity to Lilitu. Or maybe there’s some sort of potion. And again, that involves close contact.”
“Growing up, I saw Lilitu and the others doing spells with no contact,” Gabriella said.
“True but I’m with Quint on this one. I’ve been around a lot of witches in my time and while they can do spells on people without contact, they usually need something that belongs to the person they are using the spell on. The more personal the better. Hair plucked from the scalp. Blood. A personal item like a ring or bracelet would work too. Clothing.”
“Yes, it could be used in a spell. But sometimes the artifact is simply a weapon infused with magick. That sternum? My guess is that it could be used to slit a throat. Possibly deliver a fatal stabbing.” Quintus stroked the inside of her palm with his thumb.
“When I touched it…” Gabriella recalled the dark magick that stung through her body. “Its energy is strong.”
“I’ve got it in my coat pocket, but I think we should keep it under wraps until we get it to Samantha,” Hunter suggested.
“I agree. That thing is carrying some heavy vibes. Thirty thousand feet over the Atlantic isn’t the best place to fuck around with magick,” Quintus said.
“The energy. It was familiar but toxic. It’s really dangerous.” Gabriella leaned back onto her vampire, resting her head on his chest.
“Absinthe says it’ll kill Lilitu. Let’s hope there’s not a catch,” Quintus said.
“There’ll be a catch,” Gabriella stated, her voice almost hypnotic in its soft and even tone. “There’s always a catch. I know I’m supposed to embrace what I am. Practice the craft. But for me there is no sisterhood. Even if they weren’t trying to kill me, I wouldn’t be in the coven.”
“You’re probably right, but we’ll deal with it,” Quintus agreed, pressing his lips to the top of her head. “If I could change what happened to you, I’d do it in a heartbeat. But you’re never going to be alone again.” Emotion coiled in his chest, and it took him by surprise. Quintus had almost forgotten what it had felt like to care for someone so much. The bond had been inevitable, a force far greater than his own. But opening his heart to Gabriella was unexpected. “I’ll protect you.”
“You’re not alone anymore. You’ll always have a place with my pack,” the Alpha told her.
“I’m not sure if I can go with a pack.” Her fingers slipped underneath Quintus’ shirt.
“No one’s pressuring you, but I want you to know you’ll have the support of a pack if you want it,” Hunter assured her.
“If you want to run with the wolves again, you will. As far as the witches, let’s talk to Samantha. You’ve had a lifetime of Lilitu. I want you to meet a different kind of witch. She’s the polar opposite of the likes of Lilitu or Absinthe. Or Ilsbeth for that matter.”
Her silence told Quintus she didn’t believe him, and he considered after everything that had happened to her, she deserved to be skeptical. He’d underestimated the extent of the trauma she’d experienced. Torn from her parents, living on the edge of death day after day, fight or flight was her only way of surviving. Anger boiled inside his gut, but he cloaked his emotions from her.
He grew determined to give her a better life, filled with light and love. It would be Gabriella’s choice if she chose a pack, but living in fear, selling her blood to strangers was a thing of the past.
Quintus had always understood the technical aspects of bonding, yet he’d underestimated the amplified level of connection between two beings. As he wrapped his arm around Gabriella, her nervous energy sizzled through his body as if it was his own. Contrary to the sexual tension on the plane, Gabriella’s mood in the limo had turned to anxiety.
The car rolled to a stop as they pulled up to a set of old pillars. The driver punched a code into a metal keypad, and the intricate metal gate slid open. He’d originally planned to meet Samantha at the coven’s mansion in the Garden District, but Quintus suspected there’d be far too many witches living there, overwhelmi
ng Gabriella.
It had been over fifty years since Quintus had been to Kade Issacson’s estate. Sired by his child Léopold, the leader of New Orleans had never quite taken to Quintus. He supposed it had rubbed Kade the wrong way that he’d come and go in New Orleans as he pleased, never informing him of his agenda. Every now and then, Quintus exacted his own justice, and he didn’t have time for long discussions or explanations. Far older than the others, he’d grown to do what he pleased.
Tonight, however, he’d contacted Kade directly, ensuring Luca’s compliance. Although Kade led the vampires in New Orleans, it was well known that his trusty acquaintance was far more cantankerous. They needed the help of his fiancée, Samantha. The witch was known for being powerful yet benevolent. Luca, on the contrary, was known for killing first, asking questions later.
As they pulled into the grand Garden District property, Quintus took note of the enormous mansion; a guest home stood majestic in its shadow. He glanced to the sidewalk, which was covered in brightly colored chalk drawings and smiled, recalling that a child lived in the residence.
The limo rolled to a stop, and Quintus issued a warning. “Luca Macquarie doesn’t care much for others who aren’t vampire.”
“Excuse me…what?” Gabriella nervously pulled her hair back into a ponytail.
“It’s just Luca’s more of a purist, so to speak. It’s not like he’s my direct child. If it weren’t for Viktor…let’s just say I don’t think he’d still be alive.”
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“There is this thing.” He hesitated. “It’s very easy to become lost. To forget who you were. The humans who walk among us are fragile. They’re living day to day…knowing all the while their time is limited. But if they do it right, they love, live, experiencing all that is offered on the earth. But immortals? We live year after year, often taking for granted all that the Goddess offers us. We become cold, indifferent to the plight of others.”
“But you aren’t like that.” Gabriella reached for his hand, her attention briefly drawn out the window as the car stopped.
“I was human once, but the reality is thousands of years as an immortal can change you. You reach a point where you no longer value humans. You see them as nothing more than food. They’re weak, a liability.” Quintus brushed a kiss to the back of her hand.
“And Luca?” Gabriella held tight to Quintus, watching as the driver got out of the car and circled toward the back.
“He’s distant. He sees humans as weak. It’s his way of adapting. He’s not especially fond of wolves either, for the record.” Quintus’ gaze went to Hunter, a corner of his lips upturned.
“Yeah well. He can take a number. I knew Luca way back when he was just a little baby vamp. Before I went to Wyoming to make my way. It didn’t take him long to ditch the human routine and go full on dick. No offense but if I had a nickel for every vampire who had a beef with wolves,” he laughed, “I’d be a rich man. Oh yeah, I am anyway. Look, life is hard. But you just have to accept things. Human today. Vamp tomorrow. Live and let live.”
“True. But you were born as beast. We weren’t. We were human once. When we transition, our loved ones and friends still live on. We watch them die. While we’re both immortal beings, we take far different paths.”
The car door opened, and Quintus stepped onto the cobblestone driveway. He sensed Gabriella’s hesitation, but she feigned confidence, her chin held high. The Alpha exited the car, protectively shielding her from behind.
The scent of roses lingered in the air. The fragrance triggered childhood memories, momentarily distracting him. Shoving the thoughts to the back of his mind, he refocused on their task. He sensed Luca seconds before the front door opened, but it was Quintus’ child who surprised him, materializing onto the driveway.
Léopold Devereoux. France. 988AD. During a drunken celebration with his fellow warriors, he’d been badly beaten. A mercenary, loyal to no man or king, Quintus wasn’t bothered about humans, but the broken soldier had bought him a drink, befriended an Italian stranger in a foreign place. In a brief conversation that Léopold would never remember, the vampire had confessed his grief; his family had been murdered whilst he’d been at war. Later in the evening, Quintus had found him beaten, dying on a filthy stone floor. In a desolate alleyway, Quintus offered immortality to the pitiful stranger.
Quintus had given Léopold enough instruction to live but he couldn’t afford to bring a fledgling vampire with him on the road. Living under the radar, he traveled the world, taking on dangerous missions, killing his marks. He’d known Léopold harbored resentment, but the new vampire would have died within the year had he taken him. The benevolent action had cost him a friendship, but was a price well paid, considering how the vampire had flourished on his own.
“Quintus.” Léopold flashed directly in front of him, blocking his view of Luca.
“Léopold.” He nodded, shielding Gabriella with his body.
“What are you doing here? You could have gone up north, no?” The vampire eyed him, letting his gaze drift to Gabriella.
“We’re here to see the high priestess,” Quintus explained. Far too many years had passed to ease the anger of the French vampire. “It’s complicated.”
“You bring wolves?” He tilted his head, his gaze falling upon Hunter.
“Si. Like I said. Complicated.”
“What do you need with Samantha?” Luca interjected without greeting him.
“Where’s Kade?” Quintus asked, annoyed with the Spanish inquisition.
“I’m here.” The tall vampire stepped out of the doorway onto the porch. He made his way down the steps and extended his hand. “Quintus.”
“Kade.” Quintus shook his hand but didn’t mistake the gesture as weakness. “I realize this is an imposition but I’m in need of Samantha’s services.”
“What are you doing here? New York is a big city. Go see Absinthe,” Luca growled.
“You best mind your manners around me, Macquarie. Remember your place.” Quintus narrowed his eyes on the British vampire. He balled his fists, his fangs itching to drop.
“He’s only saying what we all think,” Léopold said, shaking his head. “You’re one of the most powerful vampires on the east coast. Absinthe is skilled. Why Samantha? Why do this here? There’s no…”
“I’ve got this, Leo,” Kade interrupted. “Quintus. Clearly we have our reasons for questioning why you’re here. To Luca’s point, you have resources in New York.”
“Absinthe can’t be trusted,” Quintus responded. “You know full well I used to consult Ilsbeth every now and then, but she’s far gone. Samantha is pure. She’s Luca’s. This is Gabriella. She’s mine. We’re bonded.”
Kade’s expression softened, his attention going to Gabriella.
“There’s a coven in Salem. Circe. They’re trying to kill her. We have an artifact. Samantha is the only one I trust to help us figure out what kind of spell we need to protect her.”
“Samantha’s new in her role as high priestess. We have a daughter,” Luca stated. “I don’t want you upsetting either one of them.”
“I’m new too,” Gabriella said, her voice soft.
Quintus sensed her pushing her energy at the vampires. Although protective of his witch, he squeezed her hand, encouraging her to advocate for herself.
“I need help. I’m a novice witch. A wolf. A hybrid. I…we have an artifact, but I need the help of another witch.” Gabriella lowered her gaze. “Lilitu. She’s going to kill me. More than anyone standing here right now, I have something to lose. But I’m still standing here pleading for your help.”
“What in the world is going on out here?” a female voice asked.
A corner of Quintus’ lip turned upward as the diminutive redhead stepped outside onto the porch, hands on her hips.
“Luca? Why are our guests standing outside?” she demanded.
“We’re just having a little conversation, darlin’. Be right in,” he explain
ed.
“Let’s not be rude. We can do this in the court yard,” she said, as she stepped down the stairs.
“Just making sure you’re safe,” Luca said, keeping his eyes on his fiancée.
“Nothing and no one here is going to harm me.” Samantha reached for Gabriella and took her hand. “Come, little witch. Don’t let these big bad vampires scare you. We’re every bit as powerful. You just need to learn how to harness your talents.”
“What do you think you’re doing, Sam?” Luca asked.
“What does it look like I’m doing? I’m taking my guest inside our home. Your friends are invited too. See how that works?”
“Sam…” he began to protest.
“Hurry, dear. I hear the baby. Would you mind giving Sydney a hand with Kate while I attend to our guests? Thank you,” she said, giving Luca a slight smile as she raised an eyebrow at him. Her focus went to Gabriella. “I can feel your fear as if it were my own. Don’t worry now. We’ll figure this out.”
Quintus released Gabriella’s hand, allowing Samantha to lead his witch into their home. He gave Luca a knowing smile, and the vampire returned it with a disgruntled nod. Quintus inwardly laughed. The red-haired witch clearly had a hold on the prickly vampire. Women. Powerful as you may be, the right one will turn your world upside down and you’ll enjoy every second of it.
Where the fuck is Viktor? As the thought crossed his mind, Quintus retrieved his cell phone and glanced at the time. He’d texted him again while he was on the plane, instructing him to meet at Luca’s. His brother should have been there by now. As he followed Luca and walked through their house, he quickly tapped out a message.
Quintus slid his phone back into his pocket and refocused his attention on Gabriella, who’d stopped to admire a painting on the wall. While Samantha explained its origin, he scanned the room, noting the Picasso and smiled.
“What’s with you vamps? Y’all are fancy.” Hunter nudged Quintus from behind, and rolled his eyes.
“It’s a beautiful collection, I’ll give him that.” Quintus’ lips tightened, his thoughts lingering on his brother. “Luca always had taste for fine arts and antiques.”
