"Just keep moving," Goatee Guy said with a push.
As soon as they stepped into the main part of the store, one of the demons took out Harrison with a swift hit to the head with a steel rod. Garran whirled around to defend him, but a surge of electricity knocked him to the floor. His body convulsed, leaving him vulnerable.
One of the other demons gripped a taser. Mr. Goatee leaned down to stare at Garran. His eyes glowed red and his lips curved into a snakelike smile. "Given your history, I thought you'd be smarter. You fell for the ruse to get you here and you let yourself get caught. I'm truly not impressed." He nodded toward the taser the other demon caressed with his long dark fingernails. "Funny what this little gizmo will do to a vampire when it's amped to the fullest. It plays havoc on the magical aspects, confusing the power, fracturing it. Use it over and over again, it's rumored vampires combust." He shrugged. "I'd test the theory, but Alexander wants you alive. Guess he wants the pleasure of exploding you himself. Don't worry, your cute little human will be joining you for the fun and games."
Garran fought to control his limbs, but the electricity raging through him left it impossible. "Leave… her… alone," he bit out. "This is… between… Alex…ander… and me."
"I won't have to lift a finger," Goatee demon said. "Alexander has something extra special planned." He glanced at Harrison who groaned. Mr. Goatee pulled out the gun and fired a round into Harrison's leg and another into his shoulder.
"Ye bloody… bas…tard!" Garran growled. "I'll kill ye for this."
Goatee demon chuckled before he glanced at the demon with the taser. "Our friend hasn't learned who is in charge yet. Why don't you give him another taste?"
Chapter Fifty-Seven
Since Isabella bonded with Garran, randomly she'd pick up different memories of his, but in the last two days, she hadn't had one clear glimpse. There was only a fragmented connection to Garran and nothing more.
She'd left numerous phone messages for both Garran and Harrison. She even went by the voodoo queen's shop, but a 'closed' sign hung in the window. It was as if everyone left town and didn't leave a forwarding address.
Something dreadful must have happened, but when? At Monette's when they tried to stop Alexander from taking the witch balls? When they were supposed to meet up with Alexander later that night? She didn't have anyone to contact for more information and she couldn't discuss it with Nicholas.
They had barely spoken in days, keeping their distance at work and at home. Anyway, she had a hunch he'd be pleased to hear Garran had disappeared. He made no qualms about wanting her to stay away from any and all preternatural beings.
This morning, she arrived at the restaurant an hour before her shift to help Mario with any last minute preparations. When she strode up front to open the doors, she spotted Katie Mahoney waiting outside. She hurried to let her in with hopes she came with news about Garran and Harrison.
"I'm sorry to be bothering you," she said, nervously looking over her shoulder. She hovered near the door as if she were contemplating an easy escape if the need arose.
"It's fine, really. Are you all right?" She searched Katie's eyes for the truth. "Has Alexander sent more of his goons after you?"
"I am well, thank you for asking." Her lips curved with warmth. "You are a gem, aren't you, Isabella Lucci? Asking about my welfare when we only just met the other night. It is no wonder Garran has taken a liking to you." She sighed and glanced toward the back of the restaurant. "May we speak safely?"
"No one will harm you here," she reassured her.
Katie nodded. "I have news from the voodoo queen. She couldn't be seen here and sent for me. Things did not play out the way they should have. Alexander's men laid in wait. Harrison isn't too bad off now. He took a bit of silver, but Monette was able to help him. He should be fine in a day or so."
"And Garran?" Katie's pupils dilated catlike before returning to the more human appearance. Now that Isabella knew of the preternatural world, she would never mistake Katie's gold-green eyes as a human color. "Tell me."
"Alexander's men took him. Alive, but…" Katie lifted her slender shoulders. "I wouldn't give too much hope into believing it will stay that way. Monette said Alexander planned to blood him."
Isabella frowned, not knowing what that entailed, but she was sure it couldn't be good. "I need to see Harrison. Will you take me to him?"
She nodded. "I figured as much. Can ye leave now?"
Isabella would make a few calls and see if she could find someone to take her shift. Mario would most likely call Nicholas and tell him she left early, but she'd deal with her brother later.
****
As soon as Harrison could move with ease, he took up residence at Garran's house. The place was set up like a fortress with cameras, not to mention the arsenal in the weapon's room.
Monette had helped Harrison once Alexander's men left her store. She overheard the demons say they were heading for the Mahoneys' warehouse with Garran. She wouldn't help them any further, fearing Alexander would kill Frimrose if he found out her involvement. She still held out hope that Alexander would release her daughter once this was all over. Isabella doubted it, but she understood Monette's hesitation.
"You can't rescue Garran by yourself. That's insane," she told Harrison as she watched him pack his satchel with so many weapons it looked like he was going to start a war. "I'm going with you," Isabella told him for the umpteenth time, and braced for another fight.
Katie leaned against the doorframe of the study and just listened as Isabella argued her point. Katie's catlike silence annoyed her. She could use a little support here.
Harrison turned to face her. "You're not going. You can't help. Garran won't be the same. We've been over this. He most likely won't even recognize me and I've known him for centuries. He'll be out of control."
"I don't need your permission." She turned away, but Harrison's hand snaked out, drawing her back.
"I wanted to spare you, Izzie, but I see you won't let this go. I may be forced to put him down," he said, pain evident in his eyes, but she refused to see it.
"Put him down?" She yanked her arm away. "You put down a rabid dog, not a person."
"You're thinking like a human. Garran is not human. He's a Grim Sith. A Bobhan Sith created him. He's a lethal vampire that would sooner suck you dry than accept your help."
She glared at him. "You're not putting him down." She opened her purse and withdrew her gun, checking to see if it were loaded even though she knew it was.
Frustration radiated from Harrison like a live wire. She could see the heat rising off of him. "What do you think those bloody bullets are going to do against a rabid vampire? 'Ey?"
"I told you, I don't want to kill him, but the iron bullets will put a damper in his step."
For a moment he looked impressed, but then he shook his head. "I have a better chance at withstanding his bite; you won't. If he grabs you, he'll kill you."
"Then you better get to him first" She stormed by him and out of the room. She could hear him cursing her in Irish Gaelic as she headed to the kitchen. Normally, she would cook to calm her nerves, but right now it didn't seem appropriate to whip up a meal in Garran's kitchen, while God only knew what was happening to him.
She was still seething and doing a little cursing herself when Katie strolled into the room. "Harrison must really care about you."
She harrumphed.
"He won't say it, but I will."
The seriousness of Katie's voice made Isabella glance at her.
"You wouldn't be the only one taking a big chance. Harrison's taking one, too. A vampire's bite can be lethal to a werewolf. The saliva causes a werewolf's immune system to shut down."
"Katie." Harrison's voice held a warning for her to keep quiet, but it was already too late. Katie had said enough.
"Is what she said true?" Isabella asked him point blank. "You know you can't lie to me."
"You're like a bloody lie detector." He let out a r
agged breath. "Aye, it's true."
She rubbed her hands over her face. She was tired and worried and she didn't take into consideration about anyone else's safety. "I'm a jerk." She shook her head. "I'm asking you to risk your life."
"Garran is like a brother to me. I would do anything for him. I swore to him if anything were to happen to him, I would keep you safe, but it seems I'm doing a piss poor job of it."
"You know Garran will be guarded. You aren't going to waltz in there and just take him home. If I need to, I can open the veil again. You know I can do it." She reached into the pocket of her jeans and withdrew the folded scroll. "This will keep Garran's soul safe from harm. It's what I used before."
They stood there for a moment, not saying anything, but she sensed she'd put a chink in his armor against her going with him. He couldn't deny she spoke the truth. He'd been there when she sent three vampires' souls into the veil.
"Bullocks." Harrison threw up his hands. "Let's go back to the study and go over a new plan. And you need more weapons than just a gun."
Chapter Fifty-Eight
Salt air tickled Garran's nose and the sounds of motorboats and the seagulls confirmed what he already knew to be true. He was in the Mahoneys' warehouse near the waterfront.
Garran tried to block his dreams, hoping he wouldn't link with Isabella and give his whereabouts away. There was no reason she needed to be a part of Alexander's sick game of revenge.
He believed he was doing a good job of it too, but the longer he was held prisoner, the more time he had to think about what played out at Monette's.
The demons didn't kill Harrison. They only wounded him so he couldn't heal immediately and follow. Alexander was not known to give quarter, not without a reason. Harrison was part of this chess game. Alexander was moving them into position. It didn't matter if he blocked his whereabouts from Isabella. Harrison would find him and he knew with a sinking heart, Isabella would be at his side. Alexander didn't just want to kill him. He wanted him to suffer first. He wanted to destroy his spirit. What better way than eliminate all he held dear, and make him watch, knowing he didn't have the strength to stop it.
He lifted his head and glanced above him at the blackened windows to keep the sun's rays at bay. He hung upside down like a piece of meat. The iron manacles were clasped around his ankles and the chain hung overhead attached to a rafter. Escape proved impossible. His wrists were slashed and blood dripped from them into the buckets below. The drip, drip, drip a constant reminder of his impending doom.
The resounding click of a lock on the door, told him he had a visitor or as it turned out visitors. Alexander strolled in with his henchmen who dragged two women in with them. The flow of Spanish flavored curses told him one of the women was Sanya before he even saw her. The other lassie, a dark-skinned beauty, resembled Monette and had to be Frimrose.
"So nice for ye to visit," Garran said as a way of welcome.
Sanya's nostrils flared and her eyes glowed red as her gaze latched onto the blood-filled buckets.
Alexander strode forward. The cocky bastard wore a smug grin, making Garran seethe with anger. He wanted to rip the expression off Alexander's face, but he couldn't muster the strength to raise his hand.
"I'm goin' to have so much fun with ye." Alexander chuckled as he pushed the buckets of blood away. Blood sloshed onto his boot, speckling the black with spots of red.
Alexander flashed the key he'd been holding in front of Garran's face before he slipped it into the manacles clasped around his ankles and released him. He fell to the ground with a thud, his hands useless to stop the momentum of the fall. He forced himself to his knees, but he couldn't stand. He had no feeling in his feet where the iron had burned to the bone.
Alexander backed up toward the door. "Get the blood," he ordered one of the demons. "And leave the females."
One demon grabbed the buckets and the other demon shoved Frimrose into Sanya, making the two females stumble back.
The door slammed shut as the trio made their hasty escape.
"Enjoy yer dinner and dessert."
Alexander's chuckle left a sick feeling in the pit of Garran's stomach. Drained of blood as he was, he wouldn't be able to hold back for long. The bloodlust would set in and rational thoughts would cease to exist. Frimrose was human, and her heartbeat sped up as she met his gaze, sending her blood flowing through her veins at an alarming rate. He tried not to inhale too deeply.
Sanya's blood would sustain him for a while, but going after her in his state would probably be a death sentence for the Spanish vampire, or him, for that matter. He doubted she would just offer a vein.
Her dark eyes widened. His gaze swept over her gaunt features then to her wrist where the wounds hadn't healed completely yet. He realized, she'd been drained, too. Her fangs elongated and she took a defensive pose.
Alexander wanted them to fight over who would feed off Frimrose first. No matter who came out the winner, Frimrose's fate was supposed to be sealed.
However, Frimrose was not entirely helpless. His chat with Monette in regards to her daughter's abilities had proved quite enlightening.
He looked at both females, who stared at him with wariness of a person standing off with a rabid animal. He didn't take offense though.
"Well lassies, listen up. I have a plan."
Chapter Fifty-Nine
At the warehouse, Harrison moved with ease even loaded down with his arsenal of weapons: sword, daggers, and stakes. Isabella had a few weapons of her own, courtesy of Garran's weapon room.
Isabella knew both Garran and Harrison had fought many wars through the centuries. They were warriors, soldiers, and mercenaries. They had worked under the worst of conditions. She, on the other hand, only fired her gun at a firing range. Even with her conjuring capabilities, it would take time to open the veil. Time they most likely wouldn't have if Harrison couldn't hold off what came after them.
Katie voted not to go on this adventure. Here in Boston, she was the last of her family line and didn't want to make it easy for Alexander to take her out. Isabella couldn't blame her.
Isabella stood behind Harrison, waiting for his signal to make the move. Her heart thudded so loud in her chest it was all she could hear over the seagulls flying overhead with their constant squawk as they dove for food.
Harrison nodded in her direction and she gave the okay that she was ready. Harrison charged at the door, kicking his feet forward to take the full impact. The door swung open, the hinges grinding as it folded back. The unearthly quiet didn't sit well even with the knowledge that a vampire couldn't venture out in broad daylight without meeting a fiery death.
Harrison cautiously moved forward, his weapon ready. Isabella followed a few paces behind him, gripping her gun.
Before they were halfway inside, they were attacked.
"It's a fledgling," Harrison warned as he swung his sword, taking the fledgling down.
She grimaced and forced herself not to be ill. "What the heck is a fledgling?"
"The fledglings aren't full vampires yet, and they are enthralled by the vampire who made them. You cannot reason with them."
"A half-vampire, just when I thought it couldn't get any worse," she grumbled. A movement to the left of Harrison caught her attention. "Look out!" Isabella warned as she pointed her weapon at another fledgling hurtling toward Harrison.
The fledgling screamed as the iron bullet hit him in the leg. Harrison swung his sword, gladly relieving the fledgling of his head.
Another came from above and would have taken her down, if its shadow hadn't crossed her face. She rolled away and shot off a round. It went wide, but the next bullet hit her mark, knocking it back.
Harrison staked another, lodging the pointed wood into his heart.
Another two fledglings dropped from the rafter above. The taller and wider one came after her, grunting and snarling. His eyes shone red. Isabella rounded off shots as she backed up, but the fiend kept coming. He lunged at her, tackling h
er to the ground. Her head hit the cement and for a second her vision blurred, giving the fledgling the opening to go for her neck. She was dizzy, but she could still function. Her hand gripped the dagger strapped to the tool belt. She stabbed it into the fledgling's neck. The fledgling shrieked and clawed at the weapon. Before it could recover, Isabella slammed her fists into his chest, throwing the fiend off balance. She scrambled away from him and to her feet. She didn't waste any time emptying her gun and reloading. Harrison had finished off the other fiend and rushed over to finish off hers in a final blow to the neck.
They were splattered with blood, but by some miracle, neither one of them had been seriously hurt.
"This was too easy," Harrison murmured.
She glanced at him with disbelief. She'd hate to see difficult.
Her gaze took in the warehouse and its lack of contents, except for the crates stacked against the far wall. She knew without opening them that they housed the souls of Alexander's victims.
Harrison gestured toward the back of the room where a door stood bolted with a thick steel lock. "If Garran is still here…" He didn't have to say more. It was the only place Alexander could have contained him.
Harrison opened the duffle bag and removed the bolt cutters. He glanced at her. He positioned the cutters and used his brute strength to clip the lock. He then removed the metal bar. He looked at her, meeting her gaze. "Stay alert." He pulled the door open.
Isabella had her gun reloaded and ready.
"Finally, you came for me." Garran sat on the floor, leaning against the wall.
Isabella frowned. Harrison had explained to her what condition they might find Garran. They expected him to be starved and crazed, but he didn't rush them.
Garran stood and his lips curved. He appeared fine, better than fine. Maybe Alexander hadn't tortured and starved him. She lowered her arm and took a step forward, but as she neared, she caught sight of the colors. "His aura is off."
Harrison's nostrils flared. "Blood," he said. "Lots of it." Before Isabella could ask him what he meant, Harrison's hand snaked out, grabbing her arm and pulling her behind him.
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