The Vampire SEAL Collection, page 104
“Serapis, get out of the way,” I said.
He pressed his nose into my leg, trying to get me to move.
I shook my head. “I can’t bear to look.”
He nudged me again before a soft angelic voice floated somewhere nearby. “You must turn around.”
I angled my head toward Serapis, gazing into his topaz-colored eyes. “Are you speaking to me?”
He bowed his head, his black coat shining beneath the moonlight. “You’re up against a massive war that’s about to unfold. Your enemies are aligning.”
I held my breath as I slowly turned. Operating tables had replaced the coffins in a cemetery. I shuffled forward, down the stone path with Serapis at my side.
“Who are all these people? They look alive.” All of them had IVs in their arms, and red liquid filled the IV bags.
“Your loved ones are in danger. You are the key to their survival,” Serapis said in my head.
“How? What do I need to do?” Holding my breath, I scanned the tables of bodies, looking for Webb or anyone I knew. But I couldn’t make out faces.
Serapis rubbed his ear against my leg. “That I can’t answer.”
A vibration sound caused me to bolt upright. I blinked a few times as sweat coated my body. The vibration sound stopped. I dropped back down on the pillow. As I did, my head landed on my phone. I checked the screen and saw a missed call. I waited for a second to see if the unknown caller would leave a voice mail. One minute ticked by, and nothing.
I closed my eyes. I had more questions for Serapis. Then as my brain cleared, my eyes flew open. The panther was talking to me. The old man who had been in all my dreams wasn’t there. That seemed odd because the panther never came without the old man. As I pondered the significance of my dream, my phone vibrated again.
I sat up and answered. “Hello.”
“Is this Jo Mason?” the male voice asked.
“Who wants to know?”
“I’ll take that as a yes.” The man’s tone was unique, reminding me of the man who did those Allstate insurance commercials. “Are you still looking for Webb London?”
I went ramrod straight. “Where is he?”
“There’s a price,” he said.
“Anything.” My pulse was all over the place. “Is he alive?”
“He’s breathing.”
Oh my God. “My dad is going to flip.”
“Not so fast. There are conditions. You should know that my name is Bruno, and this deal only involves you and no one else.”
I laughed, albeit nervously. Not telling my dad would be impossible since he could read my mind anytime we were in the same room. Not only that, he had me locked down on this military base.
“Are you in, or should I let him die?”
I gasped. I loved Webb. I would do anything to get him back. I had to pause for a moment, though. I’d learned a thing or two about enemies during the time I’d spent on the military base, surrounded by my dad and the sentinels. Trust no one was my dad’s motto. As a leader who commanded a team and sent them into battle, my dad always weighed everything that could go wrong.
My dad taught me be to cautious, so I realized the man on the phone could be setting me up, but he was offering up Webb, the man I was in love with. I couldn’t be blinded by that fact. I’d already experienced a lot in the short time since I’d become a vampire. Edmund had kidnapped me and left me to die in the turbulent Atlantic, and I’d battled him to save Darcy, Webb, and Sam. I would endure all that and more to get Webb back. “I want proof he’s alive. I want to talk to him.”
“I figured you would say that,” Bruno said. “But you can’t talk to him. I’ll text you proof. Do we have a deal?”
I hopped out of bed and started pacing. I prayed my dad was sleeping or not in the apartment. “Provided I get proof, then yes.”
“Good. I’ll be sending a private jet for you. Here are the rules. One, come alone. Two, you can’t mention our deal to anyone, not even your father, the sentinels, or the vampire government. If you do, then Webb will die. Is that understood?”
My mind raced, trying to figure out how I would get around my father. But I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to rescue Webb. “So, you’re going to release Webb in exchange for what?” Considering he wanted me to come alone, I had a feeling I knew the answer. But I wanted him to say it.
“I want you,” he said in a mocking tone.
“Why? I’m just a vampire with nothing to offer.” Unless Bruno wanted the same thing as Edmund—my DNA.
“You have much to offer.” He sounded irritated.
This was the first piece of hope I’d had in months. I had to at least follow it through. I would firm up a plan along the way. A crazy laugh broke out in my head. You’re walking into a trap. Maybe I was, but if Serapis was right, and I was the key to my loved ones’ survival, I definitely had to jump at the chance. My dreams had been telling me bits and pieces about the future that didn’t make any sense, but the one common thread that had always been present when the old man and Serapis graced my dreams was that I was the key to stopping my enemies. “If I see proof, then what do you want me to do?”
“I’ll text you the details within the hour. And Jo, if my team suspects anything when you get to the hangar, then Webb dies. Are we clear?”
“You have my word,” I said as a knock sounded, causing me to end the call.
I blew out a breath, trying to clear my mind.
“Jo?” Dad knocked again.
I was screwed. I began chanting the alphabet in my head as I opened the door, something I’d gotten into the habit of doing when I didn’t want Dad in my head.
Dad stood there with a crease between his eyebrows. His lids were heavy, and lines creased around his eyes. “Everything okay? Who were you talking to?”
Damn vampire hearing.
“You don’t know?” I asked in a flat tone. At least I hoped the guilt and fear didn’t resonate in my voice and that he hadn’t read my mind.
He studied me. “What don’t you want me to know?”
I laughed. “I just had a personal dream about Webb. And not one where he was dead or anything if you get my drift,” I said in a rush as heat infused my cheeks.
“Yeah, I don’t want to know. I’m going to get some sleep for a few hours.” He scratched his head. “You have your tutoring session with Ms. Costner today, right?”
“Yes. After that, I would like to visit Darcy. Please, Dad. I’ve been cooped up for too long. I’m either in the control room, training room, or the library. I need to get my head clear. It might help me dream more about other things like if Webb is alive. If anything happens, you know I can handle myself.”
He briefly closed his eyes. “I guess I can’t keep you locked up forever. And you do have some strong abilities.” He threaded his fingers through his thick black hair. “Edmund has been quiet too. So I’ll allow it under one condition. You listen to your security detail.”
I hugged him. “Thank you.” I hadn’t expected that he would let me go alone.
He hugged me tightly. “Jo, I worry about you. I know I’ve been quite strict. But now that I have you back, I want to be a good father. I want us to do things as a family. We can’t do that when Edmund wants nothing more than to hurt you. I can’t lose you.”
I eased back, and tears threatened. “I know you go out of your way to protect Sam and me. But we’re adults now. Our powers are strong.”
He studied me as though he was trying to read my mind. Oh, wait. He probably was.
“How’s Ben? Is he staying somewhere on base?” I asked.
“He’ll be staying in one of the bunks in the sentinel barracks for now.”
“You’re not locking him in the prison?” I found that odd. Dad had never trusted Ben. Well, he’d never trusted Ben around me. It was more of a boy and girl thing with Dad. Not to mention, Ben had a police record for inappropriate behavior with a girl. Dad had been leery about Ben ever since he’d read that report.
“He’ll cooperate better if he’s not locked up. Besides, I have someone watching him. As for you, I want you to be cautious around him. I know your powers are strong, but remember, until we know more about him, he’s still human to us.”
Here, I’d thought Dad would bring up Ben’s police report. I had to smile that my father was trusting me and my powers. Regardless, I still had to ask, “You’re not worried about Ben’s police record.”
“Not anymore. I read his mind. That boy won’t hurt you. What I don’t want to happen is another murder trial over some human or half human/half vampire person that you killed in self-defense.”
“The last thing I want is to go back to court.” I wouldn’t hurt Ben anyway, unless he hurt me. “Is Ben with Dr. Vieira now?”
He kissed me on the forehead. “He’s in the mess hall with Sam. I’ll see you later tonight.” He yawned as he vanished into his bedroom.
I quickly changed into jeans, a sweater over a T-shirt, and boots. I grabbed my phone and headed to the mess hall. Once out of the apartment, I let out a huge breath. I was grateful that my conversation with Dad had helped to keep my mind off of Bruno. I wasn’t lying when I told him I needed to clear my head, but I was also about to break his trust. I slumped where I stood. After today, Dad would never trust me again. But I couldn’t dwell on Dad. If I did, I might chicken out, and I couldn’t, not if I wanted to save Webb’s life.
I checked my phone. Bruno had said he would get back to me within the hour. Only thirty minutes had passed. All kinds of questions bombarded me as I climbed down the stairs to the third floor, where the mess hall was located. Why does Bruno have Webb? If Webb is alive, are the rest of the sentinels who were with him alive as well?
As soon as I pulled open the door, the scent of bacon erased my thoughts for the moment. Breakfast was in full force, which meant the place was filled with vampires. Even though we survived on blood, we also needed protein.
Two long high-top bars lined the right side of the room. The buffet setup of food was immediately to my left, and tables and chairs were scattered around. I cut a path in between the tables on my way to the stainless steel fridge that stood against the back wall. I snagged an orange-cream juice box. Well, it was actually filled with flavored blood. As I inserted the straw, I spotted Sam and Ben at a table near the window that overlooked the courtyard. I sipped my drink as I made my way over to them. Ben rose and pulled out a chair for me.
I smiled. “Thank you.” His behavior was such a change from when he’d been so angry for so long with not only me but with the vampire world in general.
He nodded as he sat back down.
“What are you guys talking about?” I continued to sip on sugary blood.
Ben chuckled. “Remember when you first drank one of those blood boxes? You were human.”
Sam angled his head.
“Your sister got deathly sick from drinking flavored blood. Wait. Since when can you drink those? Aren’t you still on your father’s blood?”
“No,” Sam said. “We graduated months ago from our newborn status. Now we can drink bagged blood like every other vampire.” He scrunched his nose. “I don’t like those juice boxes, though.”
I couldn’t help but think of Webb and how he had been in panic mode the day I’d passed out from drinking a box of blood. Knowing he was alive made me grin.
“You look happy, Sis,” Sam said. “What’s going on? Did Tripp find out news about Webb? Or did Pops give you the go ahead for Tripp to put you to sleep?”
I eyed Sam warily. He was an empath who could detect feelings, strong ones. Hence, he was always questioning and suspicious of everyone. “I haven’t seen Tripp. Dad is letting me visit Darcy today.”
Ben fiddled with his fork. “I owe her an apology. Can I tag along?”
Sam glanced at Ben with tired eyes. “That’s not a good idea.”
“Dr. Vieira will be done with me later on,” Ben added.
I set down my empty blood box. “No offense, but I just want to spend girl time with her. Maybe another time.” I wagged a finger between Sam and Ben. “You know, I’m surprised that you two are cordial to one another.”
“We had a long conversation,” Ben said.
“Yeah, we’re cool.” Sam grinned, but it didn’t reach his green eyes. He was so much like our father, untrusting and cautious.
For the next twenty minutes, we chatted about our human days as I pulled out my phone and grasped it as though it was my lifeline. Actually, the phone kind of was. Webb was my life.
Sam’s and Ben’s voices and the noises from the room in general lowered to a soft hum as I stared at my phone. I was partly afraid to see what proof Bruno would send me. I was also partly excited. It didn’t matter how bad Webb looked as long as he was alive.
Sam snapped his fingers. “Sis, you with us?”
I glanced up. “Sorry, I was zoning out. I didn’t get enough sleep.”
“No worries,” Ben said. “I was just saying how badly I missed my dad.”
A pang of sympathy coursed through me. Ben had been through hell since the day Sam went missing from the human high school. Ben had stood by my side when he knew I carried a vampire gene. He’d been there for me, helping me find Sam. He’d been attacked by vampires, not once, not twice, but three times. The third time, he’d been used as a test subject for Edmund’s human vampire serum. I also empathized with his father. Mr. Jackson had to be on eggshells not knowing where Ben was.
My phone vibrated in my hand. I flinched as I lowered my gaze to the screen. “Excuse me. It’s Darcy. I’ll be right back.” In the event that I freaked out from Bruno’s proof, I didn’t want to be around anyone, especially my brother. Not only would he stop me, but he would tell Dad for sure.
I ducked out of the mess hall and into a deserted bathroom. The text had a video attached. Once the video began, I stifled a scream. Dirt walls formed the backdrop behind a deathly looking Webb.
“Smile, London,” Bruno said.
Webb bared his fangs. “Touch her, and I promise I’ll torture you until you’re begging for your death.” His voice was hoarse, as though he’d been screaming for months on end.
His voice slid over me, but it did nothing to calm me like it always had. I couldn’t get past the hollowness of his black vampire eyes or how ashen he looked. But he’s alive. He’s talking.
My phone buzzed with a text. Confirm you got this and that we have a deal.
The video could’ve been taken months ago. But what if it wasn’t? What if Webb is alive? You’ve got to find out.
I texted back. We have a deal.
Within seconds Bruno replied. Get to the Fall River Airport by six thirty tonight.
I blew out a long breath, not sure if I was doing the right thing. I wanted more than anything to save Webb, but maybe it would be best to include Dad in the plan. Don’t get scared. Go to Webb. Then I was reminded of what Serapis had said to me in my dream. “Your loved ones are in danger. You are the key to their survival.” My mind was made up.
5
Webb
My head lolled forward as my eyes closed. I’d been dozing on and off since Bruno graced me with his presence. I couldn’t shake the bad feeling that was all-consuming. Maybe it was just the hunger stabbing me in the gut.
Don’t fall asleep, London. You won’t wake up. I laughed. You’ve got to save Jo. I laughed again, only a little louder. My deep voice traveled around the cavernous cell. I threw my head back. Think, asshole. That was my problem. I couldn’t think straight.
A rustling sound echoed from somewhere in the cell. I glanced around. A rat emerged from a small opening in the rock wall. He sniffed the air.
“That’s it,” I said to the rat. “Keep sniffing.” Maybe my scent could lure him to me because I smelled downright rotten.
I crawled toward the rat like a starved dog. Rocks and debris punctured my hands and knees, but I couldn’t feel any pain. I was numb to it. The chains jerked me to a stop in the middle of the cell, feet from the rodent. Fuck.
The rat hesitated, unsure of what to do next.
“This way.” Desperation rode me hard. “I just want a drop of blood.” Hell, I wanted as much blood as I could get my hands on. The problem was, the rat wouldn’t come anywhere near satisfying my hunger.
The furry guy started toward me again, stopping every few feet to sniff the air. I scurried back to where the chains had me tethered, hoping I could snatch the rodent when he got closer to me. When I reached my original spot, the rat was a foot within reach. With my hands behind my back, the only way to capture him was with my mouth. I laid flat on my stomach, saliva dripping from my fangs as I willed the fucking rodent to come closer. I had the ability to alter water, fire, and earth, but I could only do that by absorbing and storing energy from the sun and nature. I hadn’t been in the sun or around anything remotely close to nature in three months.
My efforts, or lack thereof, for the rat died when the lock on the door clicked. Normally, I would’ve popped to attention, but I didn’t have the energy to move. The rat sure did, though.
Bruno’s laughter grated on me as he entered the room. “London, you’ve resorted to a rat. I have to applaud you, though. You’re trying. I’m not sorry to say that it pains me to see you like this. However, I am happy to inform you that your little beauty, Jo, is on her way.”
Energy or not, I was on my feet, lunging at Bruno at the mention of Jo’s name. Stars danced before me. “You lie.” I growled, snarled, and sneered.
He pulled out his phone and stuck it in my face. “Read.”
He was so close. I had the opportunity to bite into his wrist if I weren’t more drawn to the text on his phone. My heart plummeted to the floor at Jo’s response. We have a deal. I wouldn’t have believed Bruno, except the text came from Jo’s phone number. Bruno’s response was equally horrifying. Get to the Fall River Airport by six thirty tonight.
An inferno started building inside me. The need to kill Bruno far outreached the need to kill Edmund, and the desire to bury Edmund was strong. He’d lured my sister, Kate, into his coven of lies to the point that Kate had tried to kill me. That little plot wasn’t resolved yet, but if I made it out of here alive, I would be a killing machine. Fuck doing what was right according to the vampire law or any law. Fuck everyone. Jo and I would disappear until I could follow through on my personal mission. The commander could throw me in prison. The vampire government could sentence me to death. Either way, I was done taking orders, and I’d had enough with everyone wanting a piece of the woman I loved.
