Creature of Habit: Book Two (Creature of Habit #2) (13 page)

Chapter 25

Grant

When we reached the porch, and I'd procured one last kiss from Amelia for courage, I pushed open the front door without hesitation. Amelia entered first, only to be welcomed by an excited Olivia in the front hallway.

“Forced him to bring you?” she asked Amelia.

“Actually no, he wanted me to come.”

Olivia shot me a curious look but I shrugged her off.

“The others are scattered about. Elijah and Ryan are working on some computer program. Genevieve is on a conference call with The Council. Sebastian is around here somewhere.”

“Oh,” Amelia said. “I haven’t met him yet.”

Olivia and I exchanged looks. Sebastian. He was going to be the one that had the most problems with this relationship. Sure, he willingly helped protect Amelia, but he was adamantly opposed to human/vampire relationships. I wasn’t sure how he would react meeting Amelia in person. Besides all that, Sebastian had intense scars on his face that usually kept him from mingling with society as much as the rest of us. He did have the ability to cloak them with illusions—his own personal gift—but he rarely chose to do it. Some sort of penance I assumed.

“Boys!” Olivia shouted, her voice echoing off the high beamed ceiling. Footsteps beat across the floor and everyone fell in line. I rolled my eyes at their predictability. “You know Elijah and Ryan, obviously.”

“Hi, guys.”

“Amelia,” Ryan said, giving her a quick hug with his massive, bone crushing arms. I watched him carefully. “How’s it going?”

“Good.”

“This is Sebastian,” Olivia said. Bass stood with his hands in his pockets, chin high, and scars on display. He looked terrifying.

“My brother,” Ryan interrupted.

Amelia stepped forward and offered her hand. Everyone in the room could hear the even beat of her heart. Not only was she not afraid of this man and his disfigured face, but she wasn’t scared of any of us. Elijah must have noticed too because he lifted an eyebrow in amusement.

“Nice to meet you, Sebastian,” she said. Her hand hung for a beat too long and I hissed quietly under my breath. Sebastian may have a chip on his shoulder, but he knew very well I would kick his ass if he didn’t behave.

Reluctantly, he took her hand and shook it quickly.

“I’ve heard so much about you. It’s nice to finally meet Ryan’s better half.” She never blinked.

“Hey!” Ryan shouted, but he gave her a quick wink. Accepting Sebastian was the way to Ryan’s heart and vice versa.  I should have known Amelia could hold her own even against the toughest in the family.

With the meet and greet over, I took Amelia to a quiet nook in the dining room. “Wow,” she said. “He’s gonna take some work.”

“You have no idea.” I laughed. Leaning over I gave her a quick kiss. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“Just being you.”

She shook her head. “You’re pretty cheesy, you know.”

“I’ve got to run out with Miles, you’ll be okay with Olivia?”

“I’m fine. You be careful, okay?” Her fingers clung to my belt. Have mercy. Only Amelia would worry about the safety of an immortal. I kissed her again, hard enough to get her heartbeat racing, and slipped out the backdoor to meet Miles.

I’d just cleared the back steps when Sebastian stepped out of the woods. I slowed to a trot but he didn’t budge. “What’s going on?” I asked, coming to a full stop.

“You’re really going through with this aren’t you?”

“The meeting?”

His face clouded. “The girl.”

“Amelia.” I pronounced her name clearly. “Am I missing something? I thought things went well back there.”

“They did and I’m sure you thought it was enough to sway me—the others certainly are on board.”

I sighed and looked into the dark forest. I didn’t have time to mess around right now and he knew it. “What do you want me to do? Other than walk away, because that isn’t happening.”

“I figured.” He leaned his back against a tree. “I’ll stick around and see this Caleb thing through. I’ll protect her, but once it’s over I’m gone.”

“Have you talked to Ryan about this?” I asked.

“He knows how I feel.”

“For what it’s worth, I will make every effort to keep Amelia safe, as well as human. Her heart is my compass.” I closed my eyes and held up a finger. “Do you hear it? Because I can. Each day begins and ends with the blood pumping through her veins. The minute that is lost—so am I.”

I opened my eyes in time to see him shake his head. “It’s not that easy. They’re so fragile. It doesn’t take much. Every minute you’re with her or she’s around any of us is one step closer to her early death.”

I couldn’t argue with that, but I also had made my decision. It seemed as though he had made one as well. “I don’t want you to make this choice, Bass, but she comes first. I’ve known that from the instant I met her.”

From the forest Miles called my name impatiently. “I’ve got to go,” I told him, feeling like we were far from finished. Sebastian gave me a curt nod and disappeared into the woods.

I went the opposite direction, heading toward Miles’ voice. Once we met up we set off in a brisk run. “Everything okay?” he asked.

“Sebastian is having some problems with my relationship with Amelia. Nothing I didn’t anticipate.” That was a lie, I never could have predicted Sebastian would leave the family over Amelia. “Some wounds are deeper than we realize, I guess.”

“I think it’s fair to say Sebastian hasn’t reconciled the anguish from his mother’s death and the circumstances of his transformation. I do wonder how Ryan feels about all of this.”

The twins were a tight pair and the torture Sebastian took as a fledgling pushed Ryan into the role of caretaker while they figured out how to survive. He was the one that took Miles up on the offer to join the coven. He wanted his brother safe—away from the seedy side of carnival life.

The sun had set, but the moon was still low, hiding behind the mountains. Miles and I were on a ridge overlooking a narrow side road. Mostly hikers and loggers used this passage, but nestled in the trees just off the road was a small building.

“That’s where we’re meeting?” I asked, trying to get a better look.

“That’s it,” he replied.  The building looked ancient—the kind of place most people never would even notice. A row of motorcycles were lined across the front and a couple of pickup trucks sat in the parking lot.

“You’ve been here before?”

“This is where Judson and I typically meet—it’s established itself as kind of a meeting place for our kind. Sort of like a vampire, shifter, supernatural being bar. Neutral territory, if you will.”

“And you never felt the urge to tell me about this place before?” I asked. Miles shrugged and descended the hill, leaving me little choice but to follow him down.

Chapter 26

Amelia

Olivia lead me to a room similar to Grant’s dressing closet but twice the size and distinctly catering to a female. Three dresses hung on a rack but to my surprise Olivia pointed to a stack of clothes folded neatly on a chair and said, “Put those on.”

“Uh, what about the dresses?”

She waved her hand. “Pick whichever one you like the best. Trust me, even if you showed up looking like one of Alberto Vargas’ models, you’d get the same reaction. He’s totally gaga for you.”

“Who?”

“Alberto Vargas. He’s an illustrator from back in the day. Grant had a thing for his models.”

“Huh.”

“Right?” she said with a shake of her head. “You never know what’s going on in that head of his.”

“So why am I changing into this?” I asked, holding up the clothing. I could see now that it was workout clothes.

“Because you and I aren’t spending the afternoon messing around with clothes. That situation with Joe really freaked me out the other day, Amelia. So I’ve decided that I’m going to teach you how to defend yourself.”

“Seriously?” I asked, feeling excited.

“Totally serious. Get dressed and we’ll go down to the training room.”

“Do you really think I can beat a vampire?”

She laughed. “No, but hopefully I can teach you enough to get you out of there alive.”

With the clothes still in my hands, I grabbed her and pulled her rock hard body into a tight hug. “Thank you.”

Her arms squeezed back, so hard I almost couldn’t breathe. She said, “Look, I’ve always relied on my telekinesis to help me through a fight. Lately that’s been failing me, so for the first time in ages I get what it feels like to go into something blind and unprepared. If I can’t give you a map of the future at least I can help you this way.”

Olivia kept saying it. The thing about me being a part of the family, but until this moment it hadn’t seemed true. I wasn’t even sure I had wanted it to be true until then, but being in Grant’s family home, with the people he cared for the most, everything clicked. These were my people. Alive or dead.

Chapter 27

Grant

Miles and I stood outside the building and I looked through the small, dusty window. “It’s a bar?”

“Yes.”

“You hang out at some supernatural being bar and never told me about it?”

“It’s not really a big deal. Think of it more like a tavern—from the old days.”

I combed my fingers through my hair and tried to figure out how I never knew this was going on. Oh right, I walked. I didn’t care. I wanted out of the family and nothing to do with The Council.

"Exactly what should I expect here? You said Judson and another Shifter will be present?"

Miles stopped completely, his feet crunching on fallen leaves. “From my conversation with Judson they want to know what your plans are for stopping Caleb. The tribe wants revenge for the girl's death, but I really think it would be best for everyone if they stayed here and away from the city. Their interference at the Palmer Foundation, although appreciated, is very risky. I can only keep The Council out of it for so long. The Shifters only add another layer of exposure for us." With a grim expression he added, “I don't think you or Amelia want to entertain that idea.”

“You know how I feel about The Council.” Those nosy bastards needed to stay away from Palmer affairs.

“I know, and in general they don’t get into our daily activities. But this situation is escalating. The kidnappings and murders were already high profile as well as the movement of a large coven of vampires working outside the system. Add in additional supernatural elements like the Melungeon and Genevieve and I can only do so much.”

Add the fact I’d taken a human mate to the mix and we had a huge problem. “First things first, we need to eliminate Caleb and if the Shifters want to help, I say let’s come up with a game plan.”

Miles opened the door and we stepped inside the dank, musty bar. The air carried the distinct hint of animal odor, but thankfully none were in sight. The lighting was low, but my eyesight didn’t need any better. The crowd was larger than expected. All of the small tables were filled with customers, half-consumed glasses in front of them. Miles nodded toward the back corner and I saw Judson and another man, a face I recognized from the funeral, waiting.

We passed the bar and saw two women working it. One a bit older. Her hair was dark but had long streaks of white coursing through it. Her eyes were faded but still a chilling version of the Melungeon blue.  She watched closely as we made our way back to the table.

Judson and the other man, who was much younger, closer to Amelia’s age, stood when we approached. I took in his cropped dark hair and bright blue eyes. His skin was tanned and healthy. He looked like a soldier.

“Thank you for meeting with us,” Miles said in greeting. “You remember Grant.”

Judson nodded and gestured to the other man. “This is Adam; he’s just entered the governance council.”

“Ah,” Miles said. “You’ll be an Elder one day.”

“Yes, sir,” he replied, eyes hard and focused.

“Before we start,” I said. “Although I don’t know your reasons for being on my property, I’d like to thank you for your assistance in bringing down that vampire. You have no idea how appreciative I am that you were there to prevent harm to my…assistant.”

Judson nodded. “I had some scouts in the city. We had no ill-will and it was all in preparation for this meeting. When they heard trouble, they intervened.”

“Thank you again, I’m in your debt. I only wish I could have been there sooner to prevent Laurel’s death.

Both men froze when I said her name. Judson’s face was filled with sorrow over the loss of his daughter. Adam simply looked angry.

Miles leaned forward and said, “As Grant expressed the other day, we’re very saddened over your loss. Grant and other members of our coven have been working on this case for several months, although not as effectively as we had hoped. Caleb has been difficult to track.”

Adam’s jaw tensed. He shifted impatiently in his seat and I sensed it would be difficult to convince him not to take action right away.

In hopes of breaking the thick tension, I said, “Stopping Caleb is my number one priority. I have successfully killed multiple members of his army, and permanently injured him in a fight. I think these losses have hindered his game and forced him take less obvious risks. Unfortunately, this is what is making it harder to locate him.”

“Game?” Judson asked.

“I apologize for the crass term, but Caleb views this as a game. And to my distress, he has proven to be a worthy opponent. He leaves me vague clues and speaks in half-baked riddles. We’ve combed the mountains searching for him and so far have fallen short.”

“You’ve failed—that’s what you’ve done,” Adam snarled. “And dragged us into your incompetency.”

We were interrupted by the younger bartender. She had a tray with six drinks. The glasses had the tint of grime and two were filled with a thick red liquid. From here I caught a distinct, gamey, copper scent.  A quick glance at Miles confirmed that we had just been served blood.

“Thank you, Clara,” Judson said, lifting two other glasses from the tray. Amber liquid nearly spilled over the edge it was filled so high. Adam snatched his quickly and swallowed the contents in two successive gulps.

“Thank you,” Miles said, taking a sip. He glared at me.

Vampires couldn’t get sick. We weren’t susceptible to germs. Nothing would happen to me if I drank from that filthy, disgusting glass. Or at least that was what I told myself as I quelled my OCD and swallowed the liquid.

“Look,” I said, and struggled to keep my temper controlled. "I met Laurel, and my—Amelia, she became friendly with her as well. She truly was a wonderful, caring person. I don't know if Caleb knew he was killing a member of your community. I suspect not. I think he's targeting people near me in an effort to draw me out—get some sort of revenge."

“Revenge for what?” Judson asked.

“I have no idea,” I admitted. “But he is singularly focused on me.”

Adam snorted. "Then let him draw you out. Be a man or whatever you are. Why let him kill innocents while you wait?"

His accusation stung. After all, I had considered this as well. Before I could reply, Miles touched my arm and said, "Grant is working tirelessly to stop Caleb, but he can’t just throw himself out there as a sacrificial lamb. Sure Caleb and his gang want to eliminate him—they see him and the rest of the coven as some sort of self-appointed gatekeeper, but killing Grant is not their ultimate goal.”

“Then what is?” Adam asked.

“I told you,” I said. “We don’t know. Something or someone close to me. Amelia or someone from my past. I’ve wracked my brain trying to figure it out.”

Adam’s silence made me nervous. He leaned back in his seat, arms crossed over his chest. “If all the demon wants is the girl, then why not let him have her? Why not use her as bait?" he said with a smug grin. "Let her draw the bloodsucker to you."

Rage rolled beneath the surface and Miles spoke before I had to. "Absolutely not. We won't endanger the life of an innocent this way."

"Adam’s right.  You’re risking others' lives every day you don’t stop him. If you’d taken action months ago, Laurel would still be here," Judson argued.  “Maybe it’s time for you to consider an alternate plan. If he wants that girl so badly then he’ll let him get her and we can finally end this.”

I clenched my teeth at the thought of anyone attempting to take my Amelia away or put her in any form of danger. That was not an option.

"No." I looked them both in the eye. "Any strategy dealing with my assistant is off the table. We’re here to help and to provide you with information. I assure you that I’m working on this situation to the best of my ability." I paused, trying to control my anger, and took a deep, unnecessary breath. "We came here to ask if you’d agree to patrol between Asheville and Lost Cove. With your help we can probably find his nest and get the jump on him. Or even better, if you get the chance to eliminate members of his gang, do it. Otherwise I’m handling this my own way."

The tight lines around Judson’s eyes and the tight set of his jaw told me he had more to say. To my surprise though, he didn’t. He simply nodded and said, “We’ll patrol the area for now, but if you don’t stop Caleb soon we will be forced to revisit this subject.”

Adam sat up straight in his chair. “No, that’s not enough.”

Judson pinned him with a look. “When you become Elder you’ll have the chance to make the decision. For now? It’s my job.”

Miles nodded and offered his hand to the Elder and they shook on the agreement. Adam glared at me and my senses told me he was young and spoiling for a fight. I had a feeling he would get one before this was all over.

~*~

The meeting concluded a short time later and we left the two Shifters at their table. Again we wove through the crowded room, passing the bar. The woman from earlier—the older one—caught my eye and beckoned me to the counter.

“One minute,” I said to Miles. He continued out the door, but I approached the barmaid, curious. She slid a shot glass in my direction, before filling it with rich, dark blood. I picked up the glass and held it up to the light. The surface was spotless. I tipped the glass back and swallowed the liquid.

“I am Laurel’s mother.” She gestured to the younger girl. “This is her sister, Clara.”

“I’m sorry for your loss.”

She nodded. “Despite my husband’s reservations, I believe you. That girl that came to the funeral, was she really Laurel’s friend?”

“Yes. Amelia was very fond of her.”

“Moving to the city was a difficult choice for Laurel. Even though I never told her, I was proud of her for taking the risk. For doing something to get out of this god-forsaken place.”

I stole a glance at Clara and found her eyes cast down.

“She should have been safe. Stopping Caleb is my responsibility and as your family has made perfectly clear, my fault for not doing it yet.”

She waved a bar rag in their direction. “They’re hurt and angry, but they’ll help you with the fight.”

“I hope so.”

She reached under the bar and removed a small wooden box. She pushed it across the bar next to the shot glass. “I’d like you to give this to your friend…”

“Amelia?”

“Yes.” She nodded. “She should wear it always, in honor of Laurel and for her own protection.”

I picked up the box and opened it. Inside was a pendent, attached to a fine chain. The pendent itself was a deep red stone. It was abnormal in shape and about the size of a quarter. I touched the stone and dropped it quickly.

The stone had pulsed like a beating heart.

“What the hell?” I asked, rubbing my fingers together. “Magic?”

  She snapped the box shut and held it out. “If you love that girl as much as I think you do, you’ll give her this charm and tell her to never take it off.”

I eyed her skeptically. I’d never deny the existence of magic in this world but it wasn’t something we embraced. “You say it’s a protection charm?”

“The others will never believe you—that you love her for her life. For her heart. Even your own kind is wary of your intentions. But I sense it; that your happiness is bound in her every breath, in her thumping heart.”

I picked up the box. “And this will keep her alive?”

She didn’t answer, instead taking her rag and wiping it across the counter. Clara returned with an order and they busied themselves with their work. I’d been dismissed.

Slipping the box into my pocket I exited the building, undecided if I would give Amelia the charm or not.