The Lost Ones (Here Witchy Witchy Book 12)

by A. L. Kessler

  “I know the rules, you two can’t hurt me. You’re using Mario and Levi to do your dirty work. Well, they’re trapped, so I guess we’re at an impasse here.” I tried to think what to do. I couldn’t take Samuel and Hannah down at once. I had no weapons.

  “Levi,” Samuel said, almost casually.

  Levi walked through my fucking circle. Just like Hannah had before. My heart pounded.

  “Abigail,” Mario shouted from his circle.

  I ignored him. I couldn’t afford to get distracted. I knew he couldn’t walk through my circle.

  Levi’s face crumpled into a painful expression. I could see him fighting whatever orders Samuel was giving him. I needed him to fight.

  Hannah laughed, “Levi.” She tossed him a fucking butcher knife from the knife block.

  I cursed the idea of a fully functional kitchen. Hannah stood between the doorway to the hall and me. Levi and Samuel stood in the way of me getting to the dining room.

  Zayne. Zayne had no attachments in this situation. I needed to get safe enough to send an SOS text. Levi appeared in front of me. Knife poised.

  “Run,” he grumbled again. “Get out.”

  He thrust the knife, and I dodged, shoving him back with a circle. I wasn’t sure if he could walk through a circle to protect me, but I knew I couldn’t trust it completely.

  “He could have stopped this, Abigail. All he needed to do was agree to have you come study with us for a few months.” Samuel laughed, and I felt his power snake around the room, even through the circle.

  I took a deep breath and focused. I couldn’t go far with the transportation spell yet, but I could get out of the room. I disappeared from my circle and reappeared in the media room. Lucky me. There was only one way in and out of this room.

  I quickly sent Zayne an SOS text and hoped he had the same tracker app that everyone else seemed to have.

  Levi appeared with Samuel a moment later. This time he moved too fast for me to dodge all the way. The knife pierced my side, scraping against my rib, making me stagger backward. I put a hand to the wound and hissed. I tried not to think about the fact that my own father just stabbed me. At least it wouldn’t be fatal. Tissue, muscle, and that’s it. Nothing life threatening.

  Zayne appeared, quickly assessed the situation, and grabbed my wrist. A moment later, the media room disappeared.

  We reappeared somewhere I didn’t know. “Where are we?”

  Zayne lifted my hand from the wound. “Catalina’s house.”

  Not really where I wanted to be, but I assumed home would probably be the first place Levi and Samuel would look for me.

  “Levi stabbed you,” he said calmly. “We need to get this patched up, possibly stitched up.”

  “He was being driven by Samuel. The whole maker and fledgling thing.” I took a shaking breath. “Fuck.”

  “Shirt off,” he snapped.

  I lifted the blouse and cringed as he examined the wound.

  “It’s going to need stitches. I don’t know how to stitch.”

  I didn’t either. “Just get me some bandages and a rag. I’ll make do until Merick or Simon can patch me up.”

  He nodded and disappeared from the room. I brought my phone out again to see texts from Liz popping up.

  ‘Press conference handled’

  ‘Call me ASAP’

  ‘WTF Abigail, Zayne got an SOS, call me.’

  I sighed and dialed her number. “Hey Liz.”

  “What happened? Zayne just sent us all your location saying you’re secure, but it’s not your house.”

  “Yeah, well, Samuel used the press conference fiasco to force Levi, Mario, and I back to the mansion. Hannah was waiting. She was controlling Mario, but he’s too weak to walk through my circles.”

  Zayne came back in and pressed some gauze against my wound, and I hissed.

  “Samuel showed up and gave the orders to attack me. Levi walked right through my circle. This is fucked. Levi should be too strong to have to listen to Samuel.”

  Liz let out a long string of curses. “Are you safe now?”

  “Yeah, Zayne’s patching me up now. What happen at the press conference?”

  “We fought a few of the vampires off and then they disappeared. No casualties and no injured.”

  “Good.” I swallowed as Zayne taped the gauze into place.

  “What did Samuel want?”

  “Me to come study under him and Hannah.” I bowed my head.

  “I can’t believe Levi attacked you.”

  I remembered the look on Levi’s face. “He was trying to fight it. I think he missed my stomach on purpose. This wound will heal quickly.”

  “Okay, I have to go. My phone’s blowing up. I’ll check in soon.”

  I sighed and pulled my shirt back on with a wince. “I need to go home. I also need my bag from Levi’s. I can’t go back there.” Not until I was sure Samuel was gone.

  “Are you sure you want to go home?” Zayne frowned. “Levi will look for you there.”

  I nodded. “It’s protected from vampires popping in and out. Samuel can’t pop into my circle. If Levi has any inkling of hurting me, he won’t be able to either. If he comes in without that intention and then receives an order, the magic will reject him.” I rubbed my head. “Things could have turned out so much worse.”

  “Yeah, especially if Levi hadn’t tried to fight Samuel’s influences.” His phone started dinging. “There’s an emergency council meeting.”

  Because of course there was. “I need a non-bloody shirt.”

  “We don’t have time to get you one, Princess. We go now.” He put a hand on my shoulder, and the world changed again.

  We reappeared in a familiar stone hallway. My body ached a little as I found my footing again.

  “Come on, Princess. They’re waiting.”

  We walked down the hallway and into a room with a round table. Catalina, Warren, Tabitha, Helena, and Oscar sat there talking. I looked around for Levi and Mario and found neither. Of course they wouldn’t be here. They were probably still at the mansion under the hands of their makers.

  Catalina stood. “Princess Abigail, there’s a dire situation that I’m sure you’re aware of.”

  “Levi is under Samuel’s control,” I said easily. “And I have a feeling that’s a threat to the throne.”

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  They all stared at me for a moment, as if debating on what to say. Zayne stood quietly at my back as I sat down, trying not to wince at the pain in my side. “Hannah came to Levi’s house uninvited and used Mario to attack. I trapped him in a circle. Levi, on the other hand, was under Samuel’s control the moment the vampire realized he wasn’t getting what he wanted. There has to be some sort of rule broken here.”

  Catalina nodded. “Using force against the vampire king and having intentions of hurting the heir to the throne. We can’t go after Samuel right now, not without risking Levi.”

  I bristled a little at that. “We need to kill Samuel. Why didn’t you guys think of this before?”

  “When Levi stepped up to the position of King, we didn’t think Samuel was around. Levi hadn’t felt him in centuries. There was no reason to think he was going to become a problem, but for once, Princess, we agree with you, and we believe Samuel needs to be taken down.” Warren leaned forward in his chair and met my gaze.

  I couldn’t keep the surprise off my face. “Then what are you waiting for? Go out there and kill the bastard.”

  They all exchanged glances, and I sighed. “There’s some stupid vampire rule keeping you from doing it, isn’t there?”

  “No,” Catalina said slowly. “None of us are strong enough to defeat him, and if he kills all of us, he effectively destroys any laws the vampires have.”

  Well shit. “I can do it.” I’d need a team.

  “Too dangerous, Princess,” Helena said. “If Samuel captures you, then he has two ways of controlling Levi.”

  “If you won’t do it, and you won’t allow
me to do it, then what’s your plan?” I tapped my fingers on the table. No one answered. “Exactly. I can put together a team. I just need to avoid Levi.”

  “You are also acting leader of the vampires until Levi takes his throne back. If you’re killed before Levi returns, it leaves us without an acting King.”

  That jerked me out of my planning thoughts. “I’m not a vampire. I’m not even trained for this yet.”

  “I’ll be acting as your principal adviser,” Catalina said. “I know you won’t be willing to give up your PIB duties, so we’ll have to find a balance.”

  I tried to calm an ache in my chest. “You’re acting like Levi won’t be back for a while.”

  “Not until Samuel is gone,” she confirmed.

  No Levi. No Oliver. No Mario. I took a deep breath. “Okay, I’ll start working with my team on how to take Samuel out. And until then, Catalina, you’re going to have to guide me a lot.” What on earth was I doing? I didn’t want to walk in both worlds any more than I already did, but what choice did I have?

  “I’ve been preparing for it since Samuel walked into Levi’s life again. Don’t worry, Princess, I have your back.”

  Thank the goddess, because I wasn’t sure I could do this. “Zayne will stay with me. I’ll adjust the basement so the windows are covered and he’ll be safe during the day. We all know that Samuel is a day-walker. I have a good team for the daytime. I’m not on the field right now, so I can work from home. If I do end up on the field, Liz will be there.” My heart pounded as I tried to think of something else. I didn’t want Levi or Mario hurt, but I wouldn’t turn myself over to Samuel. Levi had taught me better than that.

  “A solid plan,” Catalina agreed.

  Oscar cleared his throat. “There has been talk about offering to change you, Princess, so that you can take on this roll completely.”

  I put a hand up to stop him. “You all know of my ‘do not change’ order, and now would not be the right time. I know that the change takes three days, and I would be weak afterward trying to find a balance in a new life with new abilities. We do not need that weakness right now.”

  He nodded slightly and settled back into his chair. I wasn’t sure if he expected me to accept or argue more, but I gave him as much of a diplomatic answer as I could.

  Catalina gave me a nod of approval. “I think this meeting is done. Princess Abigail needs to gather her security, and we need to trust her to keep herself safe while she is acting ruler.”

  I was hoping I could stay out of trouble. This was one of those situations where I knew Levi would demand I stay at the mansion and out of the public’s eye. I stood to leave, and my phone rang. I stepped out of the room to answer it. “Agent Collins speaking.”

  “Abby, we need to chat. I found some information,” Liz started.

  “Meet me at my house.”

  “Is it safe there?”

  “Safer than anywhere else right now.” I glanced at Zayne. “Zayne will come too. I’ll need Merick and Simon there.” Shit, Simon was supposed to go to the mansion. “I have to go, I’ll see you there.” I hung up and called Simon.

  “Abby, what’s up. I’m about an hour away.”

  “Turn around and head to my house. Levi’s compromised. I’ll explain when I see you.”

  “Everything okay?”

  “No, not really, but we’ll take care of it. I love you.” I hung up the phone and turned to Zayne. “Okay, let’s get me home.”

  He nodded. “I’ll run by Levi’s to get your things once I know you’re safe.”

  Yeah, because I’d need those. “Thank you.”

  “Of course, Princess.” He put a hand on my shoulder, and we disappeared from the meeting place and reappeared in front of my house.

  I walked in and disarmed the alarm. Zayne’s gaze swept over the entryway. Merick walked into the entry area from the living room.

  “Sounds like it’s been an adventurous night.” He looked at my shirt. “And it seems you’re injured?”

  “I’m okay now. Zayne patched me up, so the bleeding is under control, might need stitches.” I motioned to Zayne. “If he hadn’t gotten my SOS text, then I’d probably be turning right now.”

  Merick stared at me for a moment. “Glad you could get an SOS text out. Will you fill me in?”

  “After I get coffee, and after Simon and Liz get here. We’re all going to figure out a plan, tighten my security, and solve a PIB case.”

  Zayne made a noise, and I turned to him. “Just because you saved my ass doesn’t mean I won’t still put you in a circle.”

  He held his hands up but said nothing. I followed Merick into the kitchen, and he started making the coffee. I sat at the breakfast bar and closed my eyes. I needed to find my peace and center before I tackled this.

  We had always assumed that Samuel wouldn’t go after Levi directly. We were wrong. Levi being king did nothing to protect him. The council wasn’t strong enough to go after Samuel. Mario was back with Hannah now. It was like a mini-vampire coupe.

  “Princess?” Zayne’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

  “Sorry, I was getting lost in a thought spiral.”

  Merick handed me a mug, and I looked at the dark liquid in the mug. Hannah had invited me to have a cup of coffee. “Zayne, can you see if Levi is still at the mansion? I need my bag and I want that cup of coffee Hannah offered me.”

  “Why the coffee?”

  “I’m going to get it to the lab and see if that bitch tried to drug me,” I muttered.

  “And what if she did?” Merick raised a brow. “Why didn’t you drink the coffee? I’ve never seen you turn down coffee.”

  “Because of what happened at my birthday party last year. I didn’t want a repeat of being drugged and fed from.” I shivered. “Especially by Hannah or Samuel.”

  “What do you plan on doing if the coffee was poisoned or drugged?” Merick asked.

  “She’s planning on turning Hannah in for an assassination attempt, so that the council can bring her in.” Zayne smiled. “That would take care of one of our problems.”

  I nodded. “It would. Then the council can bring her in, and you guys can deliver vampire justice, whatever that means.” I waved a hand.

  Merick sat down with his coffee. “I feel like I’m missing something.”

  Simon and Liz walked through the door at the same time. Simon came right to me and hugged me. “Fuck, I was worried.”

  I kissed his cheek. “I’m okay. Don’t squeeze too tight. Sit down and let me fill everyone in at the same time.”

  We moved from the breakfast counter to the living room. I sat on the couch and Simon plopped down next to me, putting a hand on my knee. Zayne stayed in the doorway between the kitchen and the living room while Liz and Merick took the two living room chairs.

  I filled them all in on the events of what happened at Levi’s, and they all stared at me for a moment in stunned silence.

  “So now what?” Simon asked.

  “I’m acting ruler, which is weird. But the council agrees Samuel needs to be taken out.”

  Simon squeezed my knee. “But they won’t do it?”

  “They aren’t strong enough.” I pressed my lips together. “I can do it with a team, but we have to have a solid plan in place that won’t get someone killed, or horribly hurt.” I looked at him, trying not to remember the pain of his howls.

  Simon nodded. “Won’t do us any good.”

  “And until then, Princess Abigail will handle King Levi’s duties,” Zayne stated.

  I wrinkled my nose. “Can we please drop the titles when we’re in private. It’s weird, and I don’t like it.”

  Zayne nodded.

  “Okay, that being said.” Liz crossed her arms. “Merick and I are on day duty. If Abigail goes out on the field, I’ll talk to O’Donald about the need to have a non-PIB bodyguard with her.”

  “And at night Simon and I will switch off. There will be nights that he’ll need to be with wolves.” Zayne add
ed.

  Simon nodded. “My pack has to come first. Abigail knows this.”

  I agreed. “Which is also why you can’t come after Samuel with us when it’s time.”

  Something played on his face, and I wasn’t sure what it was.

  Liz nodded. “Now that the security meeting is over, Abby and I have some PIB stuff we need to work on.”

  “I have to go to Levi’s and get Abigail’s bag and that coffee.”

  My phone rang, and we all paused as Levi’s ring tone filled the living room. I slid the answer icon over.

  “Abigail, are you safe?” His voice was low, almost scared.

  “Yes,” I said easily. I knew better than to give him any other information about where I was. I couldn’t allow him to give it to Samuel.

  There was a moment of silence. “You need to stay away from the mansion, stay safe. Catalina will take care of you until this is all done.”

  I swallowed. “We have a plan, and I’ll stay safe. Are you okay?”

  “I’m as well as I can be in this situation.” He promised.

  “And Mario?”

  “Worse for wear. Hannah was not thrilled about you getting away. I owe you a million apologies, Abigail.”

  “I’m fine, Levi. I got out, and the wound isn’t fatal…” But it was aching and I could feel the blood soaking through the bandages. “Be safe.”

  “You too.” He disconnected the call, and I sat back on the couch.

  Zayne waited a couple moments. “I’ll take watch tonight, Simon, if you’d like.”

  “I think I’m going to stay here for the night. I warned Travis, and he will keep a close eye on the pack.”

  Just in case someone tried to use them against me again. I rubbed my eyes, trying to process everything. “I need some painkillers for my side.”

  “And to be stitched up,” Zayne added. “I’ll go back to Levi’s and get the things you need.”

  “There’s a box of files in my chamber that I need.”

  “Your… chamber?”

  I nodded. “Down in the basement, big stone room, only one there.”