Redemption

Averill slowly exited the Underground and took in the clear view of the moon. A few more days and it would be full. She was crawling with anxiety. Desperate to have the wolves return with Alasdair . . . Bryce. That’s what he was going by now, Bryce. He’d always be Alasdair to her. The man who was drained within an inch of his life and left for dead. Averill could have let him die. She gave him immortality. She saved him. That’s what he chose to forget.

He should have worshipped her. Instead, he resented her.

And for what? It’s not as if he was happy in his mortal life. Hadn’t he been driven out of his home by the wolves? Did he really think a life loading ships by the docks would be what satisfied him? Eadgar and Eadric’s blood thirsty soldiers had gone after him. That was five hundred years ago, and old wounds are difficult to heal. They claimed they weren’t a fan of his accent. Averill doubted it was his accent at all, but rather how intimidating he was. Even as a human.

When she had first seen him—broken, beaten, and drained—she wanted him. Something about his spilled blood called to her. She had crouched down and listened to his chest. His heartbeat was faint but still determined to go on. That was the first thing that intrigued her. When his emerald eyes locked on hers, that was the second. But the final thing that sealed his immortal fate were his words, “Kill me. I’m nae afraid.”

No, Averill didn’t kill him. She gave Alasdair so much more than that. He could have ruled beside her, become the final member of the Council. But he denied her. How he broke the sire bond, Averill never knew. He should have wanted nothing more than to be by her side. But he didn’t care for Averill. He didn’t seem to care for any of the things that were offered to him. Money, power, sex . . . it all meant nothing to him.

Alasdair just continued on, following orders, keeping his head down for centuries. Averill half expected Alasdair wasn’t a real man at all. Perhaps he was a eunuch. Having never known the pleasure of seeing him without his trousers, she couldn’t be sure. She did see him in his kilt once at a formal ceremony. Malaric had another tribe of vampires come from the North to negotiate new laws. There was much blathering and threats tossed across Malaric’s table. Needless to say, those Northern vampires never returned home, and Averill never got close enough to look up Alasdair’s kilt. So no one really won that day.

Had he continued in this fashion, Averill might have lost interest… or at least enjoyed the thrill of the hunt. But he didn’t just carry on. He did the unspeakable. Alasdair saved a whore from a vampire feeding frenzy and turned her into an immortal. He gave a woman that slept beside rats the dark gift, as if it were not sacred at all. Then, the couple claimed each other as mates.

There was nothing Averill could do. She was forced to watch for years as a simpleton had the life she was destined for. A life with Alasdair. She begged Malaric to execute them, but he refused, stating Alasdair was not in the wrong. He had registered his newborn and trained her to be obedient of the Council. Averill knew Malaric favored Alasdair. She often wondered if it came down to it, would Malaric choose her or him?

Then, nearly three decades later, Averill found her opportunity. Miranda, Alasdair’s whore, was feeding on a child one day in the poor section of London. Averill could smell the plague on the boy. No doubt she was doing the child a kindness. It was a mercy killing. He would die in Miranda’s arms instead of the dirty London streets on a cold night. Averill knew this was her chance. And she wasted no time.

She had Miranda release the child to her, still alive. Miranda was brought before the High Council, charged with the attempt to transform a human child into a vampire. Miranda was sentenced to death by sunlight. And afraid he would do something rash, Averill had Alasdair shipped off to America.

Had he just remained in his life of solitude, Averill could have let him go. But recently she discovered he had turned another, and for the second time, claimed a mate. Alasdair thought he had committed this crime unseen. But even across the Atlantic, the Council was always watching, their spies whispering back his every movement.

Alasdair had no secrets.

Thinking about seeing him again caused Averill’s blood to boil. Part of her wanted him to suffer as he had made her suffer. The other part just wanted him by her side. And that reality made her sick. She had power, and a mate that worshipped her, but it wasn’t enough. For the truth was never had she loved someone the way she had loved Alasdair. But when love has been poisoned, it turns to a sickness that slowly consumes, but never retreats.

Two familiar arms wound their way around her waist. She raised her head and leaned back into Dante’s chest. “You found me.”

“Your scent is an easy one to track. It’s a smell I’d recognize anywhere.” Dante pulled her long blonde hair to the side and dragged his nose across her neck.

“I forgot. You’re a bloodhound,” Averill said absentmindedly, her thoughts still on the Highlander.

Bloodhound, the pet name she started calling Dante after Sunniva had transformed him into a hybrid. He had the same powers as any vampire, plus the ability to transform at will into a wolf. It made him a lethal weapon. Averill knew having Dante on the Council would make them unstoppable. She had plans for him. Once Dante had mastered his new powers, she had him challenge the Alpha of the Weres that dwelled in London. It was a match to the death, and as Dante approached her in his wolf form and rested the arm of the old Alpha at her feet, she finally felt what she had been missing for centuries—a mate that desired to please her.

The old Alpha was dead, and that meant Dante was now in charge of the wolves. It didn’t matter that the wolves hated the vampires. Their leader accepted the challenge and they had to follow the commands of their new Alpha. The wolves that objected were captured and publicly executed, ripped apart by Eadgar and Eadric’s army and burned in a bonfire for all to see. It was a warning, and it was quickly understood.

Despite Averill’s desire for blood, Dante had won the wolves' favor. He rewarded them generously, kept to their traditions and only enlisted their help when necessary. Still, they knew he was in charge, as Averill was quick to remind them.

“Did you eat yet, love?” Dante asked, still lost in Averill’s scent.

“No. I’m not hungry,” she lied. Her vampire side thirsted for fresh blood, but her mind was so obsessed with Alasdair and his newborn, she pushed the burning pain away.

“Hmm. Not hungry? I was hoping to dine with you this evening. You’ll need your strength to torture your new toys when my wolves return.” Averill spun around and placed her hands against Dante’s firm chest. She gazed into his dark eyes that sparkled as he smiled at her. He looked so sure of himself.

“Are you sure the wolves you sent were the most competent?”

“Averill, my sweet. There is no one I trust more than Jade. If Faolan faltered in his mission, then surely Jade would have seen it through. In a few days you’ll have Bryce in a dungeon for his crime. You can carry out his punishment however you see fit. The same with his newborn.”

“He’s made a joke of me for centuries.”

Dante hooked a finger beneath her chin and tilted her head up toward his. “It all ends soon. I promise.”

Bryce ended the call and set his cell on the bar. That was the last one. He wiped his hands across his eyes and over to his temples, massaging in circles.

“Allow me.” Tori reached over and gently pulled his fingers away so she could give her mate some relief. Bryce closed his eyes in response to her touch.

“Aye, that feels good, lass.” She felt him relax beneath her fingers.

“So, that’s it?”

“Aye. I told Danny I was taking a trip and was shutting the bar for a while. Of course he offered to keep it running for me, but I told him I dinna know when I’d be back and it’s best he looked for new work elsewhere.” Bryce opened his eyes and looked at Tori. His expression stoic.

Tori frowned. “Did you tell him he could have his job back when we return?”

Bryce pulled Tori’s fingers away from his temples and curled his hands around them. He brushed her fingertips with kisses. “Lassie, ye know we might nae come back.”

Tori drew her hands back in defiance. “Maybe you’re giving up, but I’m not.”

“Lass, that’s nae whit I said.” Bryce placed his hands on the bar and stretched back, he looked at her with a lazy grin.

“It’s what you meant.”

Bryce sighed and turned to pour himself a scotch over ice. He swung around and raised the glass to his lips, but Tori flicked her wrist and pulled the glass away from him. She caught it in mid-air, having summoned it with her mind. “Nice trick. Let me have it back now. I’d like to enjoy a drink while I still have a tongue to taste it. Knowing Averill, she’ll rip mine out.”

Tori ignored him, placed the glass on the counter and leapt over the bar. She flicked her wrist again, this time slamming Bryce’s body against her own.

“Woah. Easy there, lass.” His grin deepened, causing his dimple to flash at her. Damn he’s good at being distracting, she thought Tori locked her gaze on his. “I have my powers under control. I’m not afraid of Averill.”

“I dinna doubt yer bravery, lass. But it would be wise to be cautious.”

“I am cautious. I’m overly cautious. I’ll do whatever I can to protect you,” Tori said unwaveringly.

He slipped a hand around her waist. “Who knew you’d be the one catching me?” He pressed his forehead against hers and inhaled her light earthy scent of heather.

“We can do this,” Tori whispered. “I believe in us.”

“And I believe in ye.”

He kissed her fiercely, drowning the pain of the past few weeks in her slender frame. He was thirsty for her as he pulled her closer. The bar was empty, and Tori knew he would have taken her right there. God knows he was ready. But the door opened, and Erin walked in followed by Kyle and Liv.

“I could’ve sworn I locked that door,” Bryce groaned into Tori’s ear.

“Sorry, Bryce. Erin had a key,” Kyle said. Tori pushed Bryce away and fixed her shirt, which had a few buttons opened from the heat of the moment. Tori noted how Kyle looked away, running a hand through his bright blue hair. Liv sucked in her bottom lip to hide a smile and Erin simply winked at her.

“I dinna expect ye for another hour.” Bryce reached past Tori for his scotch.

“Well, we’re about to take down a clan of vampires who have access to a host of wolves . . . I thought we could use the extra hour to practice.” Erin crossed her arms.

“Great idea. Erin and I will train downstairs. You three can have the bar.” Tori walked around the bar and gestured for Erin to follow her.

“Whit d’ye want me to do wi’ them?” Bryce blinked a few times at Erin then placed his hands on his hips as he cocked his head toward Kyle and Liv.

Tori knew Bryce was just busting Erin’s chops, but Erin looked livid. “Inform them about the Council. Unlike us, you’ve lived with the Ancients. Every detail could help us.”

Bryce took another swig of his drink. “All right children, time for medieval torture lessons.”

Liv looked at Kyle, eyes wide in alarm. “Is he serious?”

Bryce placed both arms on the bar, arched his brow and leaned forward. “Darling, I couldnae be more serious.”

****

“You’re getting really good,” Erin noted as she placed the knives back into the box. They had trained for over an hour.

“Thanks. I just hope I’m good enough to face what we’re up against.”

Erin sat on the floor, back to the wall, and looked up at Tori. “Are you scared?”

“Of course I am, aren’t you?”

“A little bit, I’d say I’m more anxious than scared. It’s in my blood to fight vampires.”

“Yeah.” Tori slid down beside Erin and placed her wrists on her knees. “I’ve been very curious about that. Mind if I ask a personal question?”

Erin shook her head no.

Tori said her next words fast, almost afraid to hear the response. “Have you killed vampires before?”

“Yes.” Erin answered honestly. “I’ve killed a few.” Erin looked down at her hands and back up at Tori. “Does that change things between us?”

“No. I mean . . . you never tried to hurt me before. And although he teases, Bryce adores you.”

“I would never hurt Bryce.” Erin caught herself, “Yes . . . I did throw a dagger into his thigh…” She laughed lightly. “But I would never—”

“I know.” Tori took Erin’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “I see the way you look at Derek. It’s how I look at Bryce. You want to keep his clan safe.”

“Yeah.” Erin sighed. “I wonder how long we’ll even be together.”

“What do you mean?”

“Derek is immortal, Tori. How much longer would he want to be with me for? Five years? Ten if I’m lucky. After that—”

“Derek wouldn’t end your relationship because you got older. That’s absurd.”

“He wouldn’t have to. I would. I know he would always love me and care for me, but our relationship would have to shift. I don’t want to lose what we have now. What we have is beautiful.”

“There is another option.” Tori turned her gaze to Erin. “Have you ever spoken about it?”

“Once.” Erin blushed. “He asked in the heat of passion. Something about him having to hold back.” Erin’s cheeks turned almost as red as her hair, reminding Tori of what lovemaking with Bryce was like before he had changed her. It was almost intimidating. He had held back, and amazing as it was, vampire lovemaking was far more sensual. “I don’t know if he was serious, or just caught up in the moment. Either way, we never really spoke about it again.”

“Would you want that?” Tori pursued.

“I don’t know.” Erin shrugged. “I can’t imagine a life without Derek. But, I can’t imagine a life where I’m not a slayer either. I’d have to trade one for the other. I’d lose a huge part of who I am to become what I’m designed to destroy. It’s all very complicated.”

Tori thought about what she said. Her choice wasn’t nearly as complicated. She detested her human life, so much so she was desperate to end it. Bryce pulled her into a whole other universe, and she never once looked back—even when danger presented itself. “I’ve never regretted turning.”

“Really?”

“Well, if we’re being frank, waking up buried alive was terrifying, and the initial thirst was like having flaming swords shoved down my throat. But Bryce was there. He pulled me out of that grave, comforted me, fed me, and taught me. After that I looked forward to our future, never back.”

“Never?”

Tori shook her head at a curious memory. “Not even when my fiancé came looking for me.”

“Yeah, I remember that night in the bar. That guy was pretty cardboard. I would’ve jumped too.” Erin stuck out her tongue in a look of disgust.

Tori rolled her eyes. “The point is, with the right person the transition can be like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon. You think you’re giving up so much, but what you gain is that much more.”

“Did the world look different when you awoke as in immortal?”

“Yes. Almost difficult to describe, because words don’t do it justice. I imagine it would be like giving a person with blurred vision glasses, but even that seems like a vast understatement. The colors were crisp and sharp, the sounds crystal clear. The smells saturated everything. And my feelings for Bryce were magnified.”

Erin swallowed looking at Tori with hope.

“Derek is holding back, Erin.” Tori smiled sweetly at her. “The sex… it’s indescribable. Kissing as a vampire is so intimate… it’s like braiding your souls together. I don’t know how else to describe it. I get lost in Bryce.”

“Sounds intense.”

“It is. And I never get tired of him. I love him more every day.” Tori’s mind wandered to Averill. Is this how she felt about him? Is this why she wouldn’t allow him to love?

Erin interrupted her thoughts, “My duty is to be a slayer, to destroy those that are cruel and unjust. But if we make it through this alive, then I would have done my duty. Perhaps… I’ll rethink my life with Derek.”

“I don’t think you’ll be giving up who you are, Erin. Becoming a vampire only enhances what you already were.” She nudged her playfully in the arm. “You’ll probably be one badass vamp.”

“So what cool stuff did you have in your human life that kicked your telekinesis into high gear?”

Tori thought about it for a moment, then the answer seemed so obvious. “Migraines.”