The bond that had already started to grow had given Logan a few of Damion’s thoughts and emotions. Soon, the two would be linked to each other, as well as to Jessa. The mere idea of adding someone to their perfect trio made both want to rip that somebody to shreds. Logan shot Damion a knowing look, and turned back to Christina. “Christina, how much time do we have to find this guy?” Logan could hear desperation in his own voice.
“That is the thing, guys. You can’t fix this. You can’t find him. He has to find her for fate and destiny to unfold. Both of you need to go. I am staying here tonight. Annie and Autumn have the girls until tomorrow, and Michael is headed to the meeting in Missouri.” Christina covered Jessa and stood.
“We can’t just leave her like this, Christina! That is insane! Both of us will stay too,” Damion grumbled.
“You can’t. You two have done your part. I understand your need to protect her, and to stay by your freshly mated woman, but trust me. Keep your phones on at all times. I will call you when it is time for the joining ceremony, given the third finds his way. In the meantime, both of you get some rest. We are in a rush against time.”
Damion and Logan stared at her, both unable to speak. After a good ten minutes, they both quietly walked over to the bed and kissed Jessa before hugging and thanking Christina. They both exited the house, taking time only to exchange ideas that were not coming through their link.
“Meet me at my place. I live the closest to here. I am going to swing by town and get supplies and pizza, but the key is under the gnome in the flower bed,” Damion stated his instructions in a hurry, and jumped up into the cab of his truck, and took off.
Logan shook his head at the idea that big bad Damion had a gnome in his yard before quickly following suit. Both left in a cloud of dust, spinning and slinging rocks and dirt everywhere.
Chapter Eight
Tonya Blackard stared out the window at the rising full moon. The room was abuzz with conversation, making it next to impossible to put the final touches on her plans for the night. Finally reaching her breaking point, she screamed, exerting a mental high frequency screech that froze everyone in the room with their hands over their ears in agonizing pain. She smiled, reveling in their discomfort, allowing them to suffer longer than necessary. She let off reluctantly, allowing their whines and cries to stroke her ego.
“Now that I have your attention, we need to get down to business. As you all know, tonight is a huge meeting between the shifter leaders and vampire leaders in the Missouri compound. This is our chance to get the best of the best, and all in one snatch. I want as many as possible! For those of you, who are too ignorant to comprehend the meaning to that, don’t come back without at least 30 captives! Am I clear?” her voice cut through the air, creating cringes from all in the room. Bunches of mumbled ‘yeses’ were her under-enthused response. Finally, unable to deal with the imbeciles, she rolled her eyes and stormed out of the room, slamming the door hard enough it shattered in splinters the size of toothpicks all over the room.
****
Gavin Blackard spent his day rest time in his sister’s thoughts and dreams while her guards were down, flipping through like a file cabinet. Hundreds of lives depended on the information he gathered, and time was running out. After he would rest only a couple hours before waking to check on Jessa. He'd witnessed the events the last day and a half, and knew she didn’t have long. He had to get to her, and fast. He was torn, and he knew he needed to figure out how to do both before it was too late.
He packed the final items he needed into a black backpack and took off through the night air toward Missouri. It had taken two months to narrow down her plan of attack, and thankfully with the help from his old friend, Joe Rangle, the new residence he had moved to in Northwest Arkansas was in a great location positioned between Jessa and the place where Tonya’s captives were going to be taken. Joe was a longtime friend of Michael and the other leaders in the area. He was a loyal ally, and a badass vampire that kicked ass and asked questions later.
Tonya had withheld information from her crew, and thankfully he was lucky enough to stumble upon it during one of her dreams. She was following through with their father’s sadistic idea of creating a ‘Hitler’ type breed to become the strongest vampire in the world, but she was also going to sacrifice the top few that held the strongest magic to attempt in bringing her mate back from the dead. In all of the old scribes, no vampire had been successful. Their father, Lestar, had tried a similar reign of terror back in 1802 and had failed, killing Tonya’s husband in the process.
If she could pull it off, the results would be something darker than the world had ever seen, and could destroy everything. His heart went out to her, but he knew that this was not the solution.
Joe had spread the word to the west coast clan who were in route to release the people she already had and to lock Tonya into the catacombs until they could figure out what to do with her. Everything had been carefully planned, and no one knew besides a small few what was going on. He couldn’t risk her finding out through all of her spies, so Michael and the others had been left in the dark.
The air turned a sweet scent, giving him a calmness before the storm that was about to unfold. The hills and trees were so majestic on a summer night. The trip was short when flying, and he soon was descending into the thick cover of the woods. He could hear voices coming from the hidden door on the hill, and knew he was in position. Time to wait. Any minute the goof troops would be surrounding, waiting to pounce. He watched them all scurry around in their best attempt of covert, and hide in pathetic points. He laughed silently, knowing the sabotage would be easier than he had first anticipated.
Two hours passed, with no movement or sign of anyone. Then, all the shifters and vamps began trickling out slowly. At least the stupid goof troop has enough common sense not to jump the gun. Okay. Almost show time…. Once everyone had exited and congregated around leisurely conversing, Gavin closed his eyes and concentrated. In a bulk thought, he sent visions of what was about to take place to them all. They heard his silent whisper that he was there to help, and the quick plan of action. Everyone carried on as if nothing had happened, and laughed and joked amongst themselves. The second they attacked, they were countered full force. Bodies slung everywhere, ripping and tearing flesh. The place was full of snarling wolves, vicious large cats, brawny bears, and other animals that were able to quickly dismember and illuminate killing Tonya’s evil army.
What no one expected was the appearance of Tonya. Even he hadn’t seen that one coming, and scrambled to warn the others. She gave him no time. In a flash, she materialized in front of him. A piercing pain shot through his head, taking his focus off the fight to battle the intensity of her mental invasion.
‘Ah, sweet brother. I should have known I would find you here. Shouldn’t you be less worried about my business and more about your dying mate? From the way she looked, she doesn’t have much longer… She has shifted into her wolf and is fading with each ticking second.’
‘What did you do to her! Tonya, you have to stop this. Xylar is gone. I know you hurt, but you are hurting so many people by doing this! It has to stop now! You are not evil like our father!’ He put so much energy behind his words that she winced from the pain. He could see the anger boiling in her, and knew it was going to end in a battle to the end if he couldn’t talk sense into her. Voices screamed around him from the withering pain Tonya was sending each one. He had to stop this, and fast.
“Ah, brother. Let’s talk like normal people, shall we? I don’t think anyone here will pay us much attention…they seem to be quite…occupied.” Her lips tilted up in a demonic grin, reminding him of their father. To add to her bitch-on-a-trip-ness, with the wave of her hand, she amped up her assault, creating screams to ring through the still air. He had to stop her before it was too late, and get her to turn back toward the light. The fight was always constant to stay good, but he knew her heart. He could still see the sweet girl with pigtail
s he grew up with centuries ago. The idea of killing the only family he had left made his stomach turn. Determined to help and stop her, he approached her from a different angle.
“I see your handiwork at its best, Tonya. Look around. Are you trying to cause everyone pain because you still suffer so badly from Xylar being killed? Lestar was an evil bastard. He took your husband from you. But look! You are doing the same thing he did, only to hundreds of people! Making others feel your sorrow will not bring him back! If you do happen to miraculously succeed, what will Xylar say when he finds out how he was resurrected, and at what cost? Accepting that and opening your heart for someone else is what your husband would have wanted. Not this!” He slammed against her, glaring into her eyes and roared his words, hoping his anger would still have the same affect it did when they were little. She was always the one to calm him down and keep him from exploding. His anger was something that had taken centuries to contain, but this was the only way to break her. He unleashed the gates and let it blast through her person. She fell to the ground, immobilized and sobbing. “Is this how you want to be, Tonya? This is what hate and anger is! The gates of hell have nothing on me!” His eyes illuminated bright red, and his feet began hovering over the ground. Everyone around them had been broken from her bewitching, and now backed away from the scene unfolding. Knowing this was his only shot, he fell deeper into the darkness to allow enough wrath to come forth. The trees withered and died instantaneously, shrinking into dark, lifeless piles in a circular radius around them.
Panic flashed in Tonya’s sparkling green eyes, releasing all of the rage and miserable agony that had been fueling her for so many years. The intensity of Gavin’s attack held her on her knees, flushing through her body like the rapids of a raging river. He could see the single moment when realization hit her. Her features twisted into pain, and then a deep remorse left tears streaming down her face. Knowing he needed to harness the power, he began pulling back toward the light gradually. “Tonya, I love you, sister. You are better than this. Do not choose to be like Lestar.” With that, he released her out of his clutches and scooped her up. Alan and Michael walked over to help, seeming shocked and impressed at his abilities. If they only knew what I am capable of.
“Gavin, we can take her to the tunnels and keep her until she gets better. She will be safe, and others will be safe from her,” Michael’s tone was calm and sincere.
“Thank you. That will be better than locking her in a catacomb. She is a good girl, but her heart is broken. She has a long spell of healing ahead of her.” Gavin kissed her cheek and walked her over to the van some of the others were readying. After seeing her safely shackled and a few words of encouragement, he vowed to visit her every day.
“Gavin, I…I am so sorry. It hurts so bad. The only thing that numbs the pain is anger and the idea of bringing Xylar back. I don’t know how to move on.” Tonya’s tears changed into stomach heaving and body tremors.
“I know, sis. It will get better in time. You have help now, okay?” He wrapped his arms around her tightly, holding her close to ease her heartache. “I will see you soon.” He pulled away reluctantly, and turned to walk away.
“Bye,” she whispered.
Alan walked up and took a seat next to her. He draped an arm over her shoulders, and gave an unspoken promise to Gavin, assuring he would keep her safe and out of trouble. With a final nod, the doors were shut and the van drove away. Braden and Michael still remained, walking in his direction.
“Gavin, thank you for your assistance today. I just received word from the west coast clan and Joe Rangle that the laboratories have all been destroyed, and the people have all been accounted for and set free. There is nothing left, thanks to you. We had no idea of her ambush plot, and things could have went way differently today.” Michael shook his hand, followed by the others as they gave their appreciation.
“I am glad I could help.” He smiled, feeling relief wash over him. As they all stood making small talk and light of the situation, Jessa popped back into his thoughts. “Shit! I have to get to Jessa! I have to go, now!” He turned to gather his things only to be stopped short by Alan.
“Wait…Jessa who? Is there anything we can do to help?”
Gavin quickly pivoted to look at him, answering, “Jessa Meadows…she is my mate. The heat has taken over, and she is fading fast. I have to get to her now!”
He could see their immediate apprehension and knew it was because of what they had witnessed that left uncertainty and the rising need to protect her. With a roll of his eyes, he crossed his arms over his chest. From the thoughts that emerged from the group, he knew they were not keen on the idea, but he shook it off. “I assure you all, I would move hell and back to assure her safety. You will all see.”
“The love of a mate is a powerful thing. We will discuss a few things later, but you need to go now. Thank you again for your help today.” Alan walked up and shook his hand, remaining puffed up in an Alpha stance to assert his dominance. Gavin had to laugh, they all had heart. None stood a chance against him, but they still held strong with honor. A perfect group to call family.
Just before he took off in flight, he heard Michael flip open his phone and dial. “Hey, baby. Yes, we are fine, thanks to Gavin Blackard. Yes, he is Tonya’s brother. I will tell you all about it when I get home. Okay. Uh huh…Listen, he is on his way there now. You knew he was her mate and didn’t tell anyone? Damion and Logan too? Never mind. Just see if you can get her conscious long enough for Gavin to put an end to this. I love you, too. Bye.” He hung up the phone and smiled. “Okay, brother, it seems you are the newest addition to our extended eclectic family! Autumn is going over to help Christina get her conscious to give you a small window. Please be careful, and take care of our girl.” A very fatherly tone laid under the surface of the conversation, making Gavin like this group more and more.
“I promise you, I will do everything in my power to save her. I have been waiting centuries to find her, and I damn sure am not going let go of her now. I will see you guys soon.” He cut through the air, rising high above the clouds in a straight line toward his future. He knew her chances grew lesser by the minute, and he refused to fail.
Chapter Nine
Gavin watched as Christina and Autumn sprinkled Jessa with an unknown liquid. Her body was halfway through the transformation, stuck between wolf and human, which was progress from the lifeless, golden she-wolf that met him when he arrived. The bright full moon shone in on her, covering her body with a silvery glow. The candles around the room burned blue, making the room dance and flicker with an added mystery that both hypnotized and enticed. He stood back, watching from a safe distance as the two girls created winds and jolts of electricity to zing through the air above her. They chanted in an ancient tongue, compelling her body to change back into human. Before his eyes, she gradually came around, batting her eyelashes through the intense fever. She was flushed a deep red, her eyes glassy with illness while she drifted between reality and hallucinations. His breath caught in his throat at her underlying beauty. Christina’s voice shook him from his thoughts, snapping his attention back to the task at hand.
“Gavin, you have less than five minutes to get started. She is coherent enough to understand, but don’t try going into deep explanations right now. We will be right downstairs if you need us. Please remember her body needs time to accept your venom so save the honeymoon for later. Okay? We are in a race against time and so far, time seems to be winning.”
“Thank you, ladies. I will, and know this—time is always on my side. I am a vampire, remember?” He flashed a mischievous smile, lightening the mood a notch before nodding their dismissal. Both ladies scurried out the door with worry written all over their features.
He turned and arrived at her side in an instant, making note to take full advantage of all of his vampire abilities. Her dreamy eyes still seemed distant, so he quietly sat beside her and drew his hand to her burning cheek.
“Jessa, my l
ove. The time has come. Tonight, I am going to make you mine forever.” She didn’t answer, so he reached out to her mentally and repeated. This time, a weak response drifted back to him.
“Gavin. Yes. I feel so drained and hot. I am fighting sleep so hard because I want to see you,” her soft voice was not much more than a whisper.
“I know, baby. I am going to make it all better. Let me love you, my angel.” The softest whimper was his only response. He dropped his lips down on her feverish face, trailing the coolness of his lips in soft kisses across her brow and jaw line. When he reached her parted lips, he gently kissed and stroked until she slowly began responding and becoming more aware. He only pulled away to strip his clothing, knowing that his cool flesh would help her. In the blink of an eye, he had disrobed and was pressed against her heated, delicate body. She wrapped around him, reveling in the cool contrast he gave to her. Gavin took her mouth again, heating her desire higher than the fever that threatened her body. The need soon took over her, turning all actions into the animalistic, carnal instincts that her wolf demanded. He was quick to respond, meeting every touch and caress with a century’s worth of need that had built up like a topless mountain. He trailed his hand down over the perfect peaks that stood, ready for inspection. He broke his mouth from hers, unable to resist their taunting and teasing, to lick and suck his approval. Her breaths began to come in pants entwined with guttural grunts, encouraging him on. He let his hands assault her in caresses, moving one slowly down her taut stomach to the ridge of her hipbones. Her hands grabbed his and shoved them toward her pussy in desperation. He waited for her grip to lax, tickling her folds with a wicked slowness. When she gave him control, he stroked up and down inside her slit, dragging the fresh juices up to her hooded clit before flicking it so fast a vibrator would be jealous. She arched farther toward him, hissing through her teeth and coming alive in his arms. When he worked two fingers into her hungry sex, she bucked in a fit of wild ecstasy. Like a lit fuse, she exploded, clamping down on his fingers and milking them through the flight of her orgasm. Her tight little cunt sucked and pulsed, making his dick throb in anticipation. Jessa grinded on his hand, greedily riding his digits until the last single ripple shook through her. The moment her eyes popped open and met his, she smiled.
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