The Vampire SEAL Collection, page 89
Huh? Dad hated for humans to visit the base. Or did he just hate Mr. Jackson nosing around?
“I would absolutely love to. Do you have a reading program for the children living on base?” she asked.
“We do,” Webb said.
My head swiveled so fast his way I thought my neck would snap. “We do?”
“Sure,” Dad said. “Ms. Simpson has a program for the little ones where she reads to them on most afternoons. The kids love it.”
Sam slouched in his seat, as bored as ever. If I knew my brother, he wanted to be hunting the enemy, or anywhere but here.
The music faded. The conversations died as Ms. Costner’s delicate voice said “Check.”
“Ladies and gentlemen.” Ms. Costner paused from her spot on stage, scanning the crowd.
Clothing rustled as some people changed the angle of their chairs to face the stage.
“I want to thank all of you for coming this evening.” Ms. Costner pulled the mic closer to her. “Without your healthy donations, our organization wouldn’t be able to support the many, many people who struggle for one reason or another in learning how to read. With that said, I would like to introduce Debra Broward, president of the Greater Fall River Illiteracy Foundation. She and her magnificent team have done a terrific job in touching lives and helping people of all ages learn the basics of the written word.”
The room erupted in applause.
A short, black-haired woman stepped up to the podium while Ms. Costner shuffled to the side.
Debra explained her organization, sharing examples of citizens in the local community who had benefited from the program. The speech lasted fifteen minutes before Ms. Costner took the podium again.
“The music and dancing will resume momentarily, but first, I would like to recognize a few of our larger donors this evening: the Davenports, the Stroths, the Johnsons, the Masons, and rounding out the top five, Edmund Rain. Thank you for digging deep into your bank accounts. The organization and the children are grateful.”
At the mention of Edmund’s name, I searched the room. Was Edmund here? If he was, did that mean Kate was, too? Everyone clapped except me. Okay, Sam didn’t, either.
Dad and Webb didn’t seem surprised.
“He’s not here,” Webb whispered so low only I could hear.
“Why would he donate to this event?” Edmund was the villain. Well, he was our enemy. I’d only seen the worst of him when he tried to kill Sam and me. I was shocked at his generosity. Even more shocked that there could be a good side to Edmund.
“Remember he wants power, greed, and revenge.” Webb said. “The one way to get that is to inveigle himself into the community, the government. Look like the nice guy. Make them like you. If they do, it’ll be easier for him to infiltrate an organization.”
“But what about the vampire government? Don’t they want him for kidnapping humans?” I didn’t know a whole lot about our world, since I’d only been part of it for a few months.
“They do, if they can catch him. Which is where the sentinels come in. Our team was formed because of people like Edmund. Keep in mind, Jo, anyone—human or vampire—can be bought. Money speaks to many different people. And there are a lot of people in both governments who are greedy for money and power.”
“So why do you think Kate didn’t show?” I asked.
He leaned in. “We need to leave. We’ve served our purpose here.”
I tried hard to keep patient despite my anger that he ignored my question, but his moodiness infuriated me. I needed a time-out before I got into a car with him.
“I’m going to the ladies’ room first.” I pushed myself to my feet.
“Webb?” Dad said. “I need a word with you. Sam, please accompany your sister to the ladies’ room.”
I rolled my eyes. “I’m fine.”
Sam stood. “Yeah, like the last time. You remember what happened, right?”
All too well. The last time I went to the bathroom alone, I ended up drugged by Kate, taken out to a yacht in the ocean, and pretty much left for dead. Still, did I always need a bodyguard with me to go to the bathroom?
“Whatever,” I murmured. I had little energy left to argue.
After wandering around, we finally found the bathrooms. I slipped inside and dropped down on a cushioned bench in the sitting area between the entrance and the bathroom. I inhaled the bouquet of fragrant lilies on the table in front of me and closed my eyes. I had just drifted off when a knock jolted me awake.
“Sis, you okay?” Sam asked.
“I’ll be right out,” I replied.
Well, so much for quiet time.
The ballroom was packed with people standing in groups, chatting; some sat and sipped their drinks while others danced to the slow melody played by the orchestra. When Sam and I returned to the table, it was empty. I spotted the elderly couple swaying to the music on the dance floor, but Dad and Webb were nowhere to be found.
“Let’s go, Sis. We’ll walk around. We’re not going to find them standing here.”
Sam led, and I followed. The groups of people automatically moved one way or another as Sam and I snaked through. I’d just passed a lady in a yellow three-quarter-length gown when a tall black-haired man turned from the people he was talking to and bumped into me. I stumbled backward, but he grabbed my shoulders just before I fell on my butt.
“Excuse me.” I dragged my gaze upward to lock with his.
He glared down at me as if it were my fault he plowed into me. We stared at one another for a minute before his features softened. “I’m sorry, young lady.”
Sam backtracked a few steps. “Jo, let’s go.”
The man let go of me, smiled, then disappeared behind me. Sam and I continued our quest to find Dad and Webb. We were walking around the large ballroom when Sam stopped short.
“What is it?” I asked. I followed his line of sight, and my heart fell out of my chest. We’d found Webb, all right. His body was stuck to Nicki’s on the dance floor. What the hell? When did she show up? Suddenly, I couldn’t breathe. She had one hand on his shoulder while he held her other in his hand close to his chest. I blinked a few times just to be sure I wasn’t imagining things. Then a blinding flash caused me to squeeze my eyes shut.
“Damn camera,” Sam barked.
After a few seconds, I opened them, and white specks floated in front of me as the photographer snapped more pictures. Once the cameraman moved to his next victim, I shook off the blurriness. When I looked out on the dance floor, Webb and Nicki were gone. As I scanned the throng of dancers, a man twirled his partner, and an area opened up. Webb and Nicki waltzed into view.
The desire to kill sped through me like wildfire. I clenched my fists as the air fled my lungs. My heart rate topped the charts. Pressure pressed against my gums, my fangs itching to drop. The room and the people in it vanished. The music became a faint sound, and my body vibrated with energy.
I had to get out of here before I attacked Nicki.
Another flash blinded me.
“Sis?” Sam’s voice was in my ear. “Breathe. We’re going to walk outside.”
I blinked to erase the flecks of white. As my vision cleared, Webb’s gaze latched onto mine, and I froze. Nicki smirked and trailed her hand up Webb’s chest. My fangs shot out.
“Don’t make a scene, Sis. And tuck your fangs in. Remember, humans are among us.”
His last sentence penetrated my rage. I couldn’t let humans see what I was capable of, plus I didn’t want to prove Mr. Costner right. I liked and respected his daughter too much to get her into a squabble with her father. He reminded me of mine, in some ways, and the wrath of a domineering father was never good.
Covering my mouth, I barreled through the crowd and ran out. Once outside, I dropped my hand, gathered my dress in both hands, and soared past the valet, cars, and other people lingering outside, and kept running for several blocks.
I stopped and removed my sandals, thankful I hadn’t fallen, given the heel size. Without the shoes, I walked at a brisker pace, continually looking over my shoulder. A light breeze rustled the leaves of the trees along the street. A dog barked, and red taillights shone as a car backed out of a driveway, stopping for a brief second.
No one was following me. I panted and slowed. Tears sprang to my eyes. How could Webb dance with her? He didn’t want me to hang around Matthew, but it was okay for him to dance with Nicki?
I wiped a tear from my face.
Out of nowhere, arms grabbed me from behind.
My shoes fell from my hand. After a second of reorienting my wits, I remembered the Taser. As I reached for it, I got a whiff of a familiar scent, and I tensed. Ben? My hand froze on my chest, and my lips moved, but nothing came out. Where did he come from? How did he know I was even here?
“I’m not going to hurt you, Jo,” Ben whispered in my ear.
I didn’t think he would. He did save my life, and if he was in love with me, he wouldn’t hurt me. Would he?
“B-Ben?” I twisted in his arms to look at him.
His eyes had deepened to red—dark, blood-like. Even Edmund’s vampire eyes weren’t that color red.
I gasped.
“Cat got your tongue?” His hands tightened around my waist.
Finally. She’s in my arms. The plan is working. Okay, that was Ben’s voice, but his lips weren’t moving. I shook my head and squeezed my eyes shut at the same time, hoping like heck I wasn’t reading his mind. When I opened my eyes Ben had an evil smirk on his face, reminding me of Edmund.
“Don’t think of running or using any of your vampire powers on me. It won’t work.”
I hadn’t planned on running. I wanted to help him. But his hold on me was beginning to hurt, and if I had to reason with him, I needed him away from me.
“Ben, let go of me, then we can talk.” I planted both hands on his chest.
“You don’t know how bad I’ve wanted to see you.” He sniffed my neck.
My eyes widened. Sniffing me? Maybe he really wasn’t human anymore. Did he…
“Ben, please.” I didn’t want to make him angry, even though my own anger started to surface.
I need to get her somewhere where they won’t find her, especially London. There was his voice again.
Ignore his voice. Get the Taser.
As fast I could, I reached into my cleavage and withdrew the Taser. Ben glanced at the tiny device in my hand before he smirked.
“What is that?” he asked. His lips were inches from mine.
“Ben, I don’t want to hurt you.”
He brushed his lips over mine. “You can’t hurt me, Jo. I can match your strength. Unless you think the lipstick in your hand is going to hurt me.”
I smiled. I’d seen a vampire get Tasered before, and he went down as a human would when hit. The only difference, though, was the vampire’s skin burned from the cobalt in the Taser.
“Are you saying you’re a vampire?” I searched his face. His eyes were still red. I flared my nostrils, and his usual burned-sugar scent had turned acrid, nasty.
His grip loosened. His smirk turned into a frown as his eyes changed back to their normal brandy color. Then he released his hold on me and ran a hand through his hair.
“Let us help you,” I said softly with my finger ready on the Taser, just in case.
“And what is it that you think you can help me with?” He shoved his hands in his jean pockets. “You think you can turn me back into a full-blooded human? I doubt no one on this universe knows how to change animals into humans. Not even your uncle.” Disgust coated every word.
I wasn’t surprised. From the day Ben learned I had the DNA to change into a vampire, he tried to talk me out of my decision to give up my humanity. He’d said he believed in a world where people grew old and had families, not a world where vampires lived and fed off of humans. He wanted nothing to do with vampires. Well, with the exception of me. When he was in the hospital recovering from when the Coast Guard pulled him out of the ocean, he’d told me he didn’t see me as a vampire.
“Go ahead. Try and see if you can take me on,” he said. No hint of anger or sarcasm in his voice.
“I told you. I want to help you. What did you mean earlier when you said the plan was working? What do you want?”
“I didn’t say that out loud.” He cocked his head to one side.
A sudden strong wind ruffled my dress and hair.
“Ben, step away from my sister,” Sam said from somewhere behind me.
Son of a bitch. Her fucking brother is a pain in my ass. And I thought London was going to rescue her. I wanted to take him on. Damn, that woman didn’t follow through on her end of the deal. Ben’s voice was loud and clear in my head.
Ben stepped toward me as his eyes changed from brandy colored to red again. “I can promise you, we’ll have our time together, Jo.” He dragged the backs of his fingers along my cheek before stalking past me.
“You didn’t learn your lesson, Mason,” Ben spat out.
“Bring it on.” Sam sneered. “You don’t stand a chance.”
“Ben, wait.” I ran toward them.
Sam pivoted on one leg and struck out with the other. His foot connected with Ben’s jaw. Ben’s head bobbed back then forward. Ben lunged and threw an elbow to the side of Sam’s head. Fist after fist hit Ben, then Sam. The two were beating each other to a bloody pulp, and Ben’s strength seemed to match up with Sam’s.
They separated, staring each other down, both breathing heavily.
“Stop, Sam! We need to help him.” I inched closer to my brother.
Ben laughed. “I don’t need your help. I told you that.” He stared at Sam.
“Sis, go back to the mansion. Webb is on his way.” He pushed me behind him.
The air thickened. The wind picked up again and began swirling and howling. Leaves rustled. Several streetlights popped, covering the area in darkness. After a second, my vision sharpened, adjusting to the dark street.
Time stood still. Leaves and other decaying plant life hung suspended in midair.
I glanced at Sam then at Ben. Both seemed frozen. Then Sam fisted his hands at his side, and he began opening and closing them, not taking his eyes off of Ben.
In slow motion, the wind picked up again, gathering all the leaves and other debris into a ball. Sam seemed to be using his powers, which he hadn’t shown before now.
The ball of leaves grew bigger as Sam continued to open and close his fists. He was building a weapon of sorts. Even a ball of leaves could hurt—maybe even kill—someone if he used enough force.
If I hadn’t seen my own powers in action when we fought Edmund that night, I wouldn’t believe manipulating air or water could hurt anyone.
Ben stood, entranced as he reached for his neck. The glow in his red eyes dimmed, reminding me of what Blake had looked like right before he collapsed. Was Sam trying to…
Sam couldn’t kill him. I was already scheduled to stand in front of the council for the death of Blake. I couldn’t let Sam go through the same fate.
Before I could react, several sentinels stormed the street. Tripp tackled Sam to the ground. Instantly, the ball of debris dropped, spraying in all directions.
Ben collapsed, his eyes rolling back into his head. Olivia and Sloan ran to him. Tripp stood, pulling Sam with him.
“Sam?” I ran over to my brother.
His eyes were open, but he wasn’t acknowledging me.
Tears clouded my vision. What happened to him?
“Jo.” Tripp’s voice was gentle. “Give him some room.”
I took his advice and stepped back.
Strong hands came around me and settled on my stomach.
I screamed. “Get away from me!”
“Shhh, beautiful. It’s just me,” Webb whispered.
“No. Let me go.”
“Lieutenant, get my daughter out of here,” Dad said from somewhere nearby.
“Sam, please, if you can hear me—” I cried.
His eyes drifted shut, and then he collapsed in Tripp’s arms.
“Come on. He’ll be fine.” Webb’s voice was soft.
“Jo, he’s used a lot of energy,” Tripp said. “Webb’s right. He’ll be fine. His pulse is strong. He just needs to sleep it off. I’ll take him back to base.” He glanced behind me.
“Stay with him until he wakes,” Webb ordered.
“Yes, sir.” Tripp carried Sam away.
“Hey.” Webb’s lips skimmed my ear. “Sam will be fine. I promise.”
His words, his voice, his touch all made me sink into him until I remembered why I was out here.
I kicked his shin with my bare foot. “It’s all your fault.”
He held me tighter. “I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.”
“Get Ben out of here,” Dad commanded from somewhere nearby.
“Let me go, Webb.” My voice was shaky.
“No. Never.”
“I said…to let me go.” I gritted my teeth.
Dad walked up. Webb straightened a little but kept his hold on me.
“Young lady, why did you run like that?” Dad only called me “young lady” when I was in trouble.
“It was my fault, Commander. I—”
“You don’t have to stick up for her. I know why she ran.” Dad stared daggers at me.
Yeah, he was mad. The vibration in his voice was a dead giveaway. No matter. After my ordeal in the ocean, I’d made a decision to be an adult about things, which meant I would own up to my mistakes.
But running from the party hadn’t been a mistake. Displaying my powers in a room full of humans would’ve been worse.
The deep line between Dad’s brows softened, as though he had read my mind.
“I’m not sorry for running, Dad. My powers were about to take over.”
Webb let go of me as car doors slammed; engines started and faded into the distance.
Dad let out a breath. “Take my daughter home, Webb.”
“That’s it? You’re not going to yell or reprimand me or anything?” I asked.
“Not tonight, Jo. I get that you took the lesser of two evils. Although jealousy will get you in trouble every time,” he said casually.
