Wolf Games: Severed Fates (The Vampire Games Book 6)
Page 24
“I'm still going to continue with my work. He needs me for that...but I'll keep my distance.”
“When you reveal Immortals to the world, you mean?” I bit at him. “Which, by the way, if I haven't already told you is a thick-as-shit idea.”
Silas pressed his lips together. “You don't understand.”
I leant against the door-frame. “Yeah, I do. You want money. Or power. Whatever the latest world-dominating fad is. You want it. Just like Rockley.”
Silas sighed, looking to Cass then back to me. “This isn't about money. Or power for that fact. It's about finishing the work I started. Do you have any idea how many human diseases will be cured when I bring V blood onto the market?”
“If you were that much of a philanthropist, you'd hand it out for free,” I drawled.
“And how would I fund my projects? How would I continue to make these cures? I will have to expand, hire new workers, up my security-”
I lifted a hand into his face to stop him. “Save it for your speech. I'm sure you have one planned for when you deliver this news to the world. Oh and I'm sure you have quite the little line about how the Immortals won't harm any of the humans, even though when some of them get hungry, they can't help themselves.”
“And why would they even need to encounter Immortals?” Silas volleyed.
I raised my brows. “You don't honestly think the Immortals are going to stay in hiding once you tell the world about them? You're going to give them the green light to integrate with society. And some of us aren't the friendly wolf kind.”
“It will be dealt with.”
“Immortal rights,” I said.
“What?” Silas frowned.
“Have you thought about Immortal rights? You know, even animals have rights in the world. But Immortals don't have anything as it stands. What's to stop them being taken advantage of? Even you and your company don't care about rounding us up and doing experiments on us. The whole scientific world will be hankering to cut up Immortals and see how they work.”
Silas sighed heavily. “I'm working on it, really. And I'm making big changes in my company. The Immortals will be paid in future. Not forced. They will be volunteers. And that money will be useful to them when they are allowed into society.”
“Sure, Vampires will be lining up to buy a studio flat in Covent Garden,” I said dryly. “Are you even thinking about the repercussions of this Silas? Many Immortals have different needs to humans. Some of them won't want to live harmoniously alongside humans. Some of them will want to cut off their heads and eat the insides.”
“I know,” Silas snarled. “This isn't going to be easy for anyone, but the benefits will far outweigh the negatives. Vampires will be kept well-fed. Donations will be required for anyone who wishes to drink V blood to cure illness. If the subject isn't capable, then a family member will have to step forward.”
“Right,” I snarled. “Well you've got it all planned out, haven't you, bud? So you'd better get back to ruining the world as we know it.”
Silas glared at me, turning to Cass. He held out his hand. “Here. It's the obedience cure. I had one of my employees bring it here. But I wouldn't order you around anyway, I hope you know that.”
She nodded, taking the pill from his palm. “Thank you.”
Silas's expression softened. “Goodbye. I wish you every happiness.” He glanced at me, his eyes softening. “Both of you.”
He headed off down the corridor and I called after him, “Let us know when you're going to press the big red button. I'd like to find my family a cave to hide out in while we ride out the end of the world.”
Silas ignored me, stepping into a lift at the end of the hall and disappearing behind the closing doors.
I was left with a niggling feeling of worry. That man might bring a lot of good to the world, but that was all he was focusing on. Couldn't he see how messed up this could get? And once Immortals were revealed, there was no going back. There could be government breakdowns, bloody wars-
Cass touched my arm. “Hey.”
I turned to her, my muscles tense with anxiety.
“He knows what he's doing. We can't change his mind.” She linked her hands behind my neck. “We don't have to be involved.”
“That's the problem,” I muttered. “I don't know if we're going to have a choice one day.”
She hushed me with a soft kiss. “We'll figure it out.”
I knew she was right. She was the Cat Woman to my Batman. Maybe we'd save the world one day, but not now, not today.
I walked her back into the room, kicking the door shut behind us.
She loosened her gown, letting it fall open and my heart thumped excitedly against my ribcage. “Are you trying to distract me? Because it's working.”
She giggled lightly. “Who me? Never.”
I scooped her into my arms, laying her on the bed, dropping on top of her.
“Forget about Silas,” she said against my neck, running her mouth up to my jaw.
Heat surged through me, making the light of the world centre entirely on her.
I caught her mouth against mine, murmuring, “Silas who?”
Cass
Three Months Later
Having a baby was not the beautiful, magical experience everyone tells you it is. It was bloody and messy and sweaty and it damn well hurt. But the end result was worth it.
Two days after the birth, I sat on the sofa, nursing my little baby boy as Jameson strode and bounced around the room like a mad thing. We'd taken up residence in Ulvic's old home. Everyone from The Sanctuary had been reluctant to return to the Helsing castle so Nadine had suggested we head here. Ulvic certainly didn't need it any more. And despite my worries about the demons that lay here for Jameson, he hadn't minded.
“We'll make new memories,” he'd said. And already, the huge cabin on the island was full of happy moments. The Immortals were busying themselves building a new house further inland big enough for everyone. Brendan told us the Vampires had been cured, incredibly with the mix of Selena and Varick's blood, plus the light of the sun. They seemed happy. Most of them spent their time outdoors, soaking in the sun's rays.
“So we can't call him Jass? 'Cause that would be a totally cool combination of our names,” Jameson suggested for the hundredth time. Two days after his birth our baby still didn't have a name. He hadn't been born with a wolf's head, thank the Lord. But we didn't know yet what he had been born with. He drank milk like a normal newborn, so I wasn't too worried about his thirst for blood, though I still needed it on occasion, which was supplied courtesy of his Daddy-kins. He liked to show me his favourite memories, of him and Varick back in their pirate days, of the times we'd spent together – some a little raunchier than I was comfortable with.
Our son had my eyes, large and round like two emeralds, but it was clear he was going to have his father's dark blonde hair and a face that I would have to hide from girls when he got older.
“Or Jirefly?” Jameson's eyes rounded as he paused before me.
“Do you want our son to get bullied?” I laughed. I'd been thinking about a name all morning. And after I'd found an old scarred V on my underarm from Rockley, I'd had an idea. I didn't see the point in healing it. Jameson said it reminded him of how strong I was. He liked to kiss it. Like a lot. And I suppose I kinda liked that too.
“I was thinking...maybe we could call him something beginning with V? To change the meaning of this...” I ran my free hand over the V next to where my son was nestled against me. He'd fallen asleep, so I pulled up my top, trying to drag my eyes away from his beautiful face. Did everyone think their kids were this gorgeous? He looked like a Siren on steroids. I'd spent the previous evening just staring at him for a full two hours whilst he slept in his cot. I hadn't even noticed the time passing. And when I'd finally looked up, I'd found Jameson there beside me doing the same thing. I'd had no recollection of him arriving, but it had made my heart melt knowing he loved our son as much as I did.
“We aren't married, so maybe he'll be a Fairfax-Hollins.”
Jameson moved toward me, dropping to one knee and taking out something from his pocket. “Yeah, about that...Fairfax-Hollins just doesn't have the same ring to it as Fairfax solo.” He flipped open a tiny wooden box that looked hand-crafted and inside was a ring with an emerald surrounded with a little cluster of diamonds.
“Where the hell did you get that?” I gasped.
“London.” He beamed. “Stole Ulvic's credit card during my little kill mission, didn't I? Are you mad?”
“No,” I laughed. “He owes you more than his money.”
“I'm going to split the rest between the pack. He was loaded, baby. Now we are too.”
I grinned at him as he took the ring from the box.
“Anyway...um...” He looked shy for a second and it made my heart burn like it had been set alight. Jameson shy? Not possible.
He cleared his throat, holding out the ring and meeting my eyes with an intensity that made the smile drop from my face. “I love you, hell more than that. If there was a stronger word I'd tell you it, but it's all I've got, so it'll have to do. When I first met you, you looked like the brightest, shining light I'd ever seen. That light has lived in me ever since. I can't be without it, without you. I'd die, Cass. And you know that's true, because you've seen what happens when someone takes you away from me. If things had gone any other way, that light would have fizzled out inside me and taken my heart with it. So I want you to accept this ring, not to claim you as mine – although that would be awesome – but as a promise that you'll never leave me. That you'll never take that light away. And I'll do everything in my power to be worthy of it.”
My heart crumbled to dust then reformed into something hard, strong and invincible.
I leant forward, adjusting our baby to free my hand and let him slide the ring onto my finger. “You're my light too, Jameson. Of course I'll marry you.”
“Marry you? I was just giving you a ring.” He laughed and I punched his shoulder.
“You're an arsehole.”
“Shh, Varian's listening.”
“Varian?” I questioned.
“What do you think wifey?”
I thought about it. It sounded princely, which I liked. “Varian Fairfax?”
He nodded keenly. “Varian Jameson Junior Fairfax.”
I leant back against the sofa, grinning from ear to ear. “I like it.”
“Really, baby?” He bobbed up and down on his heels.
“Yes, snookums.”
Footsteps pounded downstairs and I spotted my brother and father walking toward us. They'd seemed pretty lost since their arrival, but neither of them were keen to go home either.
“How's my little nephew?” Curt asked. He'd changed into some of the pack's clothes, his shirt a little tight for his built frame.
“Perfect,” Jameson said. “He has a name now. Varian. Oh and we're engaged by the way.”
I lifted my hand to show them the ring and my dad's eyes sparkled.
“My baby girl, all grown up.” He moved to embrace me and Varian cooed softly in his sleep.
“Anyone seen Nadine about?” Curt asked after a round of hugs with Varian.
Jameson pressed his tongue into his cheek. “Why?”
Curt shrugged. “Just thought I could help out, you know...with the building or whatever.”
Jameson jerked his thumb toward the door. “She left early with the pack. I don't think she's into humans, bro. Sorry.”
“Maybe you could make me a Werewolf then?” Curt asked, his eyes alight with excitement.
Jameson raised his brows, looking to me.
“No,” I said on instinct.
“Why not?” Curt complained.
“Because you can't make life-changing decisions like that on a whim,” I said.
“It's not on a whim. I've thought about it for weeks. It looks cool.” Curt folded his arms.
“My brother-in-law has a point,” Jameson said, grinning.
“We're not married yet, Jameson,” I said, turning to Dad. “He can't just become a Werewolf because he wants to be, can he Dad?”
“Oh I don't know...it doesn't seem all that bad.” Dad chortled softly.
“See!” Curt ran out the door, calling behind him, “I'm going to get Nadine to turn me!”
“You are not!” I cried after him, but couldn't fight a laugh.
I didn't know if more Immortals in the world was a good idea, not with the coming changes that Silas had told us about. Still, offering my family immortality wasn't the worst idea on earth either.
Jameson reached down, taking Varian from my arms and hugging him to his chest. My heart squeezed out warm goo. It was too adorable seeing them together like that. The two people I loved more than anything in the world.
“Now Varian, when you grow up, you're not going to run around chasing women like Uncle Curt.”
I raised a brow in appraisal then Jameson went on. “You're going to listen to Daddy and have the women running after you instead.”
I shook my head. “If Daddy does that, then Mummy won't let him in her bed any more.”
Jameson barked a laugh, whispering to Varian, “Don't worry about that happening, Mummy can't resist me.”
“Jameson!” I got to my feet, planting my hands on my hips. Thank God for Larkspur. I was already healed from the birth.
“I'll put him down in his cot,” my Dad offered, looking like he wanted to escape the awkward conversation.
Sorry Daddy.
Jameson kissed Varian's head, passing him to my father who headed upstairs with him.
“You know it's true,” Jameson teased, laying his palms on my waist and pushing my hands aside.
“I can be rather resilient, I'll have you know.” I couldn't fight a grin at his expression.
“I do know,” he growled, dipping his head to kiss me. “Reason number eight hundred and sixty four of why I love you.”
“You have a list?” I asked against his mouth, my thoughts growing fuzzy from his touch.
“Baby, I have a personal filofax and thirty two rooms in the national archives.”
“Oh my,” I joked. “Have you got room for one more?”
“Yes, what would you like to add? I'm quite thorough, each of your eyelashes have their own plaque.”
I laughed again, smacking his chest lightly. “Well how about this one?” I turned, rummaging under the pillows on the sofa where I'd stashed the gift.
“Are you showing me your butt? Because that's already been documented a hundred ways. You'll have to try harder.”
I laughed as I grabbed what I was looking for, turning and presenting the old pirate gun with the name J Fairfax etched on the side. “I found this in Ulvic's room, stashed in a box under the bed. I presume it's yours?”
Jameson's jaw dropped as he took the gun like it was precious treasure, delicately turning it between his palms. “That bastard. He told me it had gotten lost.”
“There's quite a few things in the box. Jewellery...clothing.” I moved across the the cupboard I'd placed the box in, taking it out and showing it to him.
As he flipped the lid open, Jameson's expression darkened. “My pack's possessions. Trophies, I'd bet. God, he really was a sicko.” His eyes flipped up from the box and his face split into a grin. “But now he's dead. C'est la vie.”
I placed the box on the sofa for the pack to find. Jameson tucked the gun into his waistband, taking my hand and dragging me toward the stairs.
“Where are we going?” I laughed.
“To screw in my old bed. Never had a girl in there before.”
“So polite.”
He threw a hungry grin back at me. “Be warned: it's about get a whole lot less polite.”
As we reached the landing, he whipped me off of my feet and carried me into h
is old bedroom. Band posters shone down at me. It was so very him. It smelt like him too, mellow and manly. But I didn't have much time to take it in as Jameson weighed me down on the mattress and I was soon so absorbed in the heat of his flesh and the press of his body, all I could see was stars.
Jameson was rough and demanding, his teeth dragging over my neck like he was trying to devour me. I was equally fierce. It was always like this, like we were trying to break our way inside each other's bodies. Like we could never be close enough. Stupid really. Our souls were already intertwined, our fates spun in a web so thickly woven that neither of us would ever get out. And whatever the future threw our way, I knew we'd face it, conquer it, like we always did.
Unbreakable.
Unstoppable.
Inseparable.
The wolf boy was mine to keep.
Epilogue:
Mercy
“Mercy Helsing you are tried with assisting a rebel group during an insurgence against the Hunters. How do you plead?”
I was in gilded cage that looked more fit for a giant bird than a person. My hands were shackled behind my back, my feet chained together. Colt was parallel to me in a cage of his own, both of us facing a courtroom of white granite. Mortifer stood at the heart of the room, a ring of Watchers flanking the walls, standing regimental with their jackal masks in place. Next to her was a person in white robes, their face completely concealed apart from a slit for their eyes.
A row of Hunters were lined up on metallic seating that seemed cast from iron. I could only see the backs of their heads, but more than one set of eyes turned my way and hushed whispers broke out. I knew those people. Family friends. Attendees of the V Games. My parents' business partners. None of them rose to my defence. All of them seemed entirely comfortable to watch the daughter of their friends be sent to a prison I'd most-certainly die in.
I lifted my chin, ready to accept my fate. Colt caught my eye, shaking his head marginally. A warning? I couldn't plead innocent. It wasn't right. The lie would eat me from the inside out even if Mortifer did swallow it.
Despite that, my fear of Dødstårn was ripe. With all my heart, I didn't want to go there. But pleading innocent seemed like a betrayal to myself. Even if it would ultimately equal my death.