The Vampire SEAL Collection, page 103
“But you don’t like her,” I said. Diane Wallace had been instrumental in finding evidence for my lawyer, Mr. Rose, during my trial. Her efforts helped to acquit me of Blake’s murder. Still, she’d been coy about who she really was when she’d followed Webb and me up to Webb’s house in Maine. Mr. Jackson had hired her to investigate us because he believed we’d had something to do with Ben’s disappearance.
“I may not like her, but she’s a good investigator. I want to know if she’s still working for Mr. Jackson or has any insight into where Ben has been.” Dad huffed out a sigh as Tripp left.
“What are you two doing out of bed? It looks like you’ve been working out,” he said more to Sam than me.
“I couldn’t sleep,” Sam said.
Dad swung his tired gaze to me. “You too?”
“Same problem, different day.”
“We’ll have to figure out how you can sleep longer than two hours. I would really like to find out if your dreams can tell us anything.” Frustration rode Dad’s words.
I chewed the inside of my lip as a pang of sympathy gripped my chest. My dad was under an extreme amount of stress. He worried about me constantly. I hated that I contributed to his stress. I understood his need to protect me from our enemies. I also understood how I could be the key to Edmund’s sick plan of building a vampire army. But I wanted—no, needed—him to be the father I never had, the father he didn’t get a chance to be since Sam and I had been in foster care up until eight months ago. Now that we were with our biological father, we hardly had any time to be a real family. And until our fight with Edmund was over, spending time as a family wasn’t possible.
“Dad,” I said. “Tripp mentioned that he could put me to sleep for a little while. Maybe we can try that.”
His green eyes narrowed. “Absolutely not. There’s a risk involved with you drinking his blood. I’m not willing to take that chance.”
Clenching my fists, I drilled my gaze into my father’s.
Dad almost rolled his eyes. “Stop making the chairs move, Jo.”
My anger always kick-started my telekinesis. I unclenched my fists. “Look at this way. If I’m sleeping, that means I’m not in your hair. And a deep sleep could help me dream more.”
He leaned back with a look that implied he was considering my request. “No. We’ll figure something else out.”
“Then let me hang out with Darcy or at least let me get off this base. If I clear my head, maybe that would help.”
Sam muttered something under his breath.
“We’ll talk after I speak with Ben,” Dad said.
He didn’t say no, which was a good sign.
Tripp sauntered back in. “Diane is on line four.”
Dad lifted the receiver. “Diane, are you still working with Ben’s father?”
I honed in on her voice.
“No. After Jo’s trial, I broke ties with him, although I heard recently from a colleague within the Fall River Police Department that Mr. Jackson is still trying to get someone to listen to him about you. Did something happen? Do you need my help?” Her voice was sweet and sounded sleepy.
I couldn’t blame Mr. Jackson for trying to get the law to investigate Dad and his military operation. If I were in his shoes, I would question why my son was always getting hurt and ending up in our base hospital or why Ben had disappeared without a trace.
Dad’s finger’s turned white around the receiver. “Ben has been off the radar for the last three months. Can you open a dialogue with Mr. Jackson again?”
“Absolutely. But you didn’t get me out of bed to ask me to talk to Mr. Jackson. What else is going on?”
“Ben showed up on base this morning,” Dad said. “While I find out more about him, I need someone to keep an eye on Mr. Jackson. Who he’s talking to other than the police? Where he goes? You get my drift. He can’t know his son is here, either.”
“Why not?” she asked.
Dad pressed his fingers to his forehead as though he was trying to ward off a headache. “Look, you don’t need to know more than that right now. Can I count on you and your discretion?”
“Sure. I’ll do what I can.”
“Oh, and one more thing while I have you on the phone. We still haven’t found the person who cut the brakes on the limo that almost killed my daughter. I’d like you to look into it, and I would start with Mr. Jackson.”
Not that I’d forgotten about that freaky ride down the mountain road in Maine when Webb and I were heading home. That was the night we met Diane a.k.a. Lauren. We’d suspected her, but after reading her mind, I found that she hadn’t been the culprit.
Her voice hitched. “You think Mr. Jackson had something to do with running Webb and Jo off the road?”
Dad stood. “I’ve got a gut instinct. Call me when you find out something on anything we just discussed.” Then Dad hung up.
I couldn’t see Mr. Jackson trying to kill me. He’d always been a decent man, a good principal, a good father to Ben, and he’d taken Sam and me in when we ran into trouble with our last foster family.
“Pops, you can’t be serious about Mr. Jackson cutting the brakes on Webb’s car.”
“Anything is possible. Tripp, let’s see what Ben has to say. In the meantime, Sam and Jo, head back up to the apartment and try and get some sleep.”
At the same time, Sam and I said, “No.”
Dad’s eyes flickered from green to silver for a split second as they always did when his emotions teetered on the edge. The color change was unique, as it was for me. My eyes were silver, but when my fangs dropped or my emotions went haywire, violet replaced the silver. Ninety-nine point nine percent of the vampire population had eye color that changed to black when their emotions changed. Only one other vampire joined Dad and me in the field of unique vampire eye color, and that was Edmund Rain. His went from brown to red. We weren’t quite sure why yet. However, we knew it had something to do with his powers.
“Pops,” Sam said. “Jo and I need to be in there. He knows you can read minds, but he doesn’t know Jo does. So whether he’s human or something else, he’ll let his guard down around her, and he won’t hurt her with us there.”
I pinched my eyebrows. Ever since Sam had learned that Ben was in love with me and tried to kidnap me, he didn’t want Ben anywhere near me. Now, he was switching his tune.
Sam looked at me as if he knew what I was thinking. “I don’t want you around Ben, but I know you can handle yourself, Sis.”
My heart fluttered for a second as I silently did a happy dance. All my life, Sam had been my protector, especially when we had lived in foster care. Most of the time, I welcomed him as my savior, and even though I wouldn’t want him to stop taking the lead as my big brother, I stood up a little taller, knowing he had confidence in me that I could fight my own battles.
My father scrubbed a hand over his scruffy jaw. “You have a point, Son.”
It didn’t matter what Dad’s answer was. I would’ve found a way to eavesdrop. No way was I missing what Ben had to say.
“I’ll meet you three in the war room. I need blood.” Dad stalked out.
My pulse raced at the idea of confronting Ben. A part of me wanted him to be happy, and he hadn’t been happy since learning Sam and I were vampires. He’d always believed that mortality was better than immortality. At first, I’d agreed with him, but now, as a vampire, I wouldn’t want to be human again. I liked the idea of spending eternity with my family. Of course, I didn’t like all the fighting and kidnapping and worrying about whether our enemies would succeed in killing us. But I couldn’t be killed as easily as a human. Not to mention, I had powers that were pretty cool, although reading people’s minds wasn’t exactly the best one. I didn’t like learning others’ creepy thoughts.
Memories bombarded me as I entered the amphitheater-like war room. As humans, Ben and I had learned several things the day Webb brought me here. My dad had been missing. Sam had been kidnapped. My dad’s half brother, Patrick Mason, a well-renowned geneticist, had become a traitor. Edmund Rain was the head of a group called the Plutariums. Patrick Mason had been working on a serum to change himself into a vampire. He’d also concocted an endotoxin to attack the DNA of some young vampires. Most of all, I’d learned that I had to give up my humanity to save Sam. All of that felt like eons ago. Yet I couldn’t shake how Ben and I had come full circle.
Ben sat stoically in the first row of seats, with his hands in his lap and no expression on his face. It was as though he had resolved all of his demons. I imagined he had many, considering he’d been injected with a new formula of the vampire serum my uncle Patrick had concocted after his original serum hadn’t worked on Blake Turner.
Ben waved a hand around. “Brings back memories, doesn’t it, Jo?” He raked his bronze gaze over me.
Human Jo would’ve cowered or blushed at the way a boy was looking at her, but not anymore. The only person I blushed for was Webb, and my days of cowering were over. Instead, I lifted a shoulder as I rested against a table opposite Ben, keeping my gaze focused on him rather than the sentinel behind him or the one slightly at attention to Ben’s right. “Why are you here? Are you doing okay? Where have you been?”
Sam stepped up beside me. “Slow down.”
Tripp settled on Ben’s left and shoved his hands into the pockets of his workout pants. “Let’s wait for Commander Mason.”
Ben regarded us. “Isn’t it kind of early for you to be working out? Or did you get news on Webb’s whereabouts?” His tone held a smidgeon of sarcasm.
I almost choked. Maybe Dad’s hypothesis was right, and Ben was working for the enemy. Or maybe he’d spoken to Darcy. She knew Webb’s plane had gone down. Besides, it wasn’t a secret. The local newspaper had publicized an article about the plane crash that had claimed Webb and his SEAL team.
The door creaked open and in walked Dad, looking less pale.
“Is that why you’re here?” Sam asked. “Do you have information on Webb?”
Dad took a position next to Tripp, raising his eyebrow. “Are you working for Edmund Rain?”
Fisting his hands in his lap, Ben growled as his light-brown eyes flared an orangey red. “I wouldn’t work for that asshole if you paid me.”
“Then start talking.” Dad’s tone permitted no argument.
The sentinel behind Ben gripped his shoulder. Ben sneered, his eyes blazing with fire.
“Sentinels, leave us,” Dad said.
Both guards obeyed. Once they were gone, Ben’s shoulders slumped.
Dad crossed his arms over his chest. “Now, talk.”
Ben sighed. “I’m not here to cause trouble. I need your help.”
“Why would we help you?” Sam’s tone could have sliced a glacier.
Dad glared at Sam for at least a minute. I would bet Dad was reprimanding my brother by telepathic means. I went over and sat next to Ben.
“They’re doing that mind thing, aren’t they?” Ben asked.
“Probably. So what help do you need?” My tone was soft. I didn’t want to argue with Ben. He’d come there of his own free will rather than the sentinels capturing him or tying him down.
Dad gave Ben his full attention as did Sam and Tripp.
Ben fidgeted somewhat before he began. “I’ve been hiding out in dark places around the city, sleeping in empty buildings, trying to keep my distance from humans.” He let out a crazy laugh. “Humans.” He shook his head. “It wasn’t that long ago that I was a human. I want my life back. I don’t know what I am, but I’m not normal. I have strength that goes beyond the physics of humanity, and I have the urge to drink blood.” He set his sights on Dad. “You’ve got to help me. I know I’ve been a complete jerk, and for that I’m sorry to all of you.” He took his time to glance at Dad, Sam, then me, bypassing Tripp. “Especially you, Jo. I wasn’t myself that night outside that gala. My mind has been all screwed up.”
“You don’t have to apologize,” I said. “Sam and I know more than anyone how losing your humanity can be. That is if you aren’t human anymore.” Which I was skeptical about. Edmund had mentioned to Ben and me just before he left us stranded on a yacht that the serum hadn’t worked on Ben. Even Dr. Vieira had tested Ben and confirmed that he was in fact human.
“Trust me. I’m not human. But I’m not vampire either. I don’t have fangs, although my gums hurt like hell.”
That wasn’t a good sign. “Do you understand any of this?” I asked Dad. “Edmund injected Ben with his vampire juice almost five months ago.”
“Dr. Vieira should be here shortly,” Dad said. “Ben, during those five months, had you been experiencing any physical changes?”
“It was slow at first. In the beginning, I found myself throwing a baseball farther than was humanly possible. When I was helping my dad move some furniture, I could lift a dresser all by myself. My dad thought I was on steroids in preparation for that baseball camp he wanted to send me to. But when my eyes changed color, I knew I wasn’t normal. And they only change to red when I’m angry or now I’m finding when the urge for blood is strong. I swear this is all so screwed up.”
It was also scary because the changes in Ben meant that Edmund was succeeding with his plan to build an army of vampires. The other scary part was that Ben was given the same serum that Blake Turner had been given. Dr. Vieira had testified during my trial that the reason Blake had died was due to his enlarged heart. Apparently, when a natural-born vampire like myself changes from human to vampire, our hearts shrink in size. However, since Blake didn’t carry a natural-born vampire gene, his heart had grown larger than his normal human heart. Not to mention, Blake’s brain had been shrinking, which wasn’t normal even for a vampire. The brain was one organ that didn’t change when humans became vampires.
“Have you spoken to your dad?” Tripp asked.
“I can’t. I have been watching him, though. He’s a mess. He can’t lose me. My mother’s death years ago almost sent him over the edge. Please, Mr. Mason. You’ve got to help me.”
I grabbed Ben’s cold hand. Immediately, his thoughts accosted me. I can’t go on living like this. I need to help my dad. I’m on the verge of killing myself. These people are the only ones who can help me. Please. Please. Say you’ll help me.
Ben squeezed my hand.
“He’s telling the truth, Dad.” Tears burned my eyes. Poor Ben. He’d been Sam’s best friend. He’d saved my life. He’d helped me when Sam had gone missing. He didn’t have to put his life on the line for me or any of us, yet he had. Sure, he loved me, which I was certain was one of the reasons he hadn’t run when he found out I was a vampire. Still, Dad and his team helped people.
The click of the door drew my attention away from Dad. Dr. Vieira ambled in, pushing up his gold-rimmed glasses with the tip of his forefinger. “Never a dull moment around here,” he said with a yawn.
“Damon, thanks for getting out of bed,” Dad said. “Ben Jackson needs our help.”
Dr. Vieira shoved his hands in the pockets of his lab coat that hung over a pair of plaid pajama bottoms and a T-shirt. “Are you going to let us examine you?” He settled in front of Ben with a scowl on his face.
Sam sauntered over to sit next to me.
“Yes, sir. Anything you need. I’m not going to run or cause trouble this time. Just please tell me what I am,” Ben pleaded.
“Very well,” Dr. Vieira said. “Let’s head up to my lab and get started.”
Ben squeezed my hand again as he stood.
I jumped up and hugged him. “You’re in good hands. I’ll see you soon.”
He hugged me back before he left with Dr. Vieira. Once the door shut, the tension in the room dissipated. I was glad Ben hadn’t lied.
Dad eyed Sam and me. “Why don’t we try and get a couple hours of sleep.”
I was kind of tired all of a sudden. Maybe I could try to sleep and maybe dream.
4
Jo
I flopped around in my bed like a fish out of water. Less than an hour ago after Ben left with Dr. Vieira, my eyes had become heavy. But as I lay on my back, staring at the white ceiling, my mind wandered to Ben then to Webb then to Darcy then back to Webb. I went back and forth. Was Ben really a vampire? How could I force myself to dream? Would Dad let me visit Darcy? I closed my eyes. I had to try to dream. Or I could help Dr. Vieira run tests on Ben. I had started shadowing Dr. Vieira not long after Webb’s plane crashed. For one thing, learning something new took my mind off Webb. For another thing, being in the lab gave me the opportunity to get a feel of medicine and help me decide if studying to become a doctor was something I wanted to do with my life. Granted, I had an infinite amount of time to decide, but I was quite fascinated with how someone like me, who carried a special gene, could change from human to vampire. The genetics alone were jaw-dropping. I could see why my estranged uncle Patrick studied genetics.
Laughing out loud, I opened my eyes. The blades on the ceiling fan spun like my mind. Argh! I was tired, yet I wasn’t. I took in a deep breath, then another, regulating my breathing as I again lowered my lids. I tuned out the hum of the refrigerator that was situated behind the wall of my headboard, the whirring sound of the fan blades, and every other little noise that my vampire ears were sensitive to. Then I crawled under the blankets, snuggled into my pillow, and imagined Webb holding me. I would give anything to see his stark-blue eyes, run my fingers over his muscular body, or taste him. The last time I got a taste of his lips on mine was minutes before he left on his mission.
His kiss had been soft and gentle, and his eyes had held so much love. “Open those pretty eyes, Jo,” he’d said. “I don’t want to leave you. Please understand I have to do a job.”
Tears spilled out and down my cheeks. As I cried, my mind drifted, farther and farther into the abyss.
The musty decay of earth permeated the air as a familiar place emerged—a place I’d seen a couple of times. I turned to run from the field of coffins and headstones that dotted the landscape. When I did, I ran into the sleek panther.
