Blood Doll (The Vampire Agape Series Book #3) (The Vampire Agape Series #3) (11 page)

“Vin.” I hear Anna’s voice behind me.

Vincent’s expression changes from arrogance to disbelief. He rises from the couch and his eyes are focused behind us. “Anna.” It comes out as a whisper because he’s clearly effected by her presence.

Anna crosses the room and he meets her half-way. He cradles her face in his hands and gazes into her eyes the way a lover would. He strokes her cheeks with his thumbs and then takes her in his arms to pull her close. “My sweet Anna. It’s been so long.”

Both are silent as they hold one another and I’m overwhelmed by the reality of my future with Avery. This is how she and I will be if she remains a human. We’ll be happy but I’ll watch her age. And then die.

Anna is the one to let go first. “What are you doing, Vin? This isn’t you.”

He steps back and slides his hands into the pockets of his trousers. “I’m afraid this is very much me.”

Anna shakes her head. “You were never unkind but what you’re doing to these girls is cruel.”

“There’s no way for you to imagine the way I felt after we separated,” he says. “I was miserable so I searched the world for anything that might bring me some semblance of happiness. The blood of the jewels is the only thing that can free me of my misery.”

“But it’s wrong.”

“Not being able to be with you because I’m one thing and you’re another. That’s what is wrong.” I once believed the same thing about me and Avery so I understand where he’s coming from. “I wanted you to live
the dream.
To
experience everything life had to offer. A husband. A family. Sunlight. Happiness. You could never have had those things with me.”

“I went on to experience everything you wanted for me. I have a husband and a family I love very much including a granddaughter you’re holding captive.” His eyes widen as he steps back. “She’s a mother. She has two newborn babies at home–my great-granchildren–and they desperately need her. They’ve not done well since she was taken and I fear for their health and well-being. Please, Vin. They need their mother back.”

He runs both of his hands through his hair and then laces his fingers across the top of his head as he appears to be thinking. “Silas,” he sighs. “Bring the dark-haired girl.”

“Yes, sir.”

Anna puts her hand up to stop Silas. “Vin, you have two girls to release.”

Vincent shakes his head. “I can’t do it Anna. I have to keep Avery or I won’t survive. I thought I’d die after she was taken a few months ago. I can’t go through that kind of withdrawal again.”

“Coven of Landra can help you. It’s what they’re trained to do,” Anna tells him.

It’s our job to help the unsavable but I’m not sure I could tolerate having Vincent inside my home so close to Avery. I could never bring myself to trust him.

“The only time I’m able to forget all the ugliness is when I drink from a blood jewel. And I don’t plan on stopping. The Landra can’t help me if I don’t want it.” He doesn’t want to be helped. Suits me. I’m happy to kill him.

“Please try. Do it for me.” Anna’s voice is pleading.

“No.” Vincent’s face is pained. “I can’t be cured.”

Anna walks to Vincent and places her hands on his upper arms. “Don’t ever say that. Vampires that can’t–or refused to be helped–are destroyed. That can’t happen to you.”

Silas brings Chansey around the corner and she falls into Curry’s arms as he reaches her. “Thank the gods.” He squeezes her tightly and kisses the top of her head. “I love you, Chansey. I’ve missed you.”

“I love you too. I’ve missed you and the babies.” She lifts her face and Curry showers her face with kisses. “Tell me they’re both all right.”

He squeezes her again. “They’re fine but anxious to have their mother back.”

Vincent watches the union. “Take your granddaughter and leave this place. And remember me the way I once was and not as the monster you see before you now.”

Anna shakes her head. “No. I know what will happen when I leave.”

“It’s the way it has to be.” Vincent pulls her into his arms–and maybe I shouldn’t be so quick to trust him with her–but my intuition tells me he would never harm her. “I was a fool but I’ve never regretted my love for you. I wish I had been selfish enough to turn you. We could have had a good life together.”

“Anna, it’s time to go. Lairah will take you and Chansey home while we tend to our unfinished business.” She’s hesitant to let go. I’m guessing she suspects what will come next. Vincent will refuse the one last offer of help and that’s when things are going to become violent.

“Chansey, please wait for me in the car with Lairah,” Anna says.

I see the exhaustion on Chansey’s face. She doesn’t have the strength to debate the issue and she accepts assistance with walking when Lairah offers.

Anna waits until Chansey is safely out of hearing range. “What makes my granddaughter a blood jewel?” He looks to the floor to avoid her eyes but Anna is persistent. “I need to know for her. And her children. If you ever had any feelings for me, you must tell me.”

He’s hesitant but finally answers. “All blood jewels are agápes but not all agápes are blood jewels.”

“What makes Chansey and Avery different from other agápes?” Anna asks.

“It happens one of two ways.” He lifts his face so he can see her eyes. “Their human mothers or a maternal descendent shared blood with a vampire.”

Shared could mean two different things and we need to know the difference. “Shared as in gave or shared as in drank?” I ask.

“Does it matter?” He deflects answering with a question.

How could he think it wouldn’t? “Hell yes, it matters. There are countless blood swans all over the world. They have the right to know if they’re putting their future daughters at risk.”

Vincent hesitates before replying. “There is no risk for the blood swans. It only happens when the mother or one of her maternal descendants drinks the blood of a vampire.”

I’ve never heard of this and I can tell Curry hasn’t either by the expression he’s wearing. “Why would a human drink blood from a vampire if she wasn’t being turned?”

Vincent looks at Anna. “I won’t have her subjected to any more of these questions.”

Anna closes her eyes and tears roll down each of her cheeks. “I did this to Chansey. She’ll spend the rest of her life in danger because I tried to make you turn me.”

“I would never hurt her now that I know she is your granddaughter.” He’s telling the truth. I hear it in his voice but that doesn’t protect Avery from him.

“But other vampires won’t care,” Anna whispers.

Chapter Fifteen

Anna turns one last time before leaving the house and a look passes between her and Vincent. I think it’s her final plea–begging him to give himself up to Landra. But I see rebellion in his eyes and expect no surrender from him. He’s addicted to the blood of my agápe–my heart and soul–so he dies tonight if he doesn’t willingly return her to me.

There’s no point in being unclear about our intentions. “You have two choices. You can come with us and allow Landra to help you with your addiction or you can die now.”

“Fools,” Vincent laughs. “Chansey had a get out of jail free card because she’s Anna’s granddaughter but you can’t possibly think I’d willingly hand over my only other blood jewel.”

“Actually, that’s exactly what I expect. Avery doesn’t belong to you. She’s my agápe and you know what that means. I’ll fight until the end for her. And it’ll be your demise. Not mine.” He knows this so maybe he has a death wish.

“Your union is ordained by Anteros. Blah … blah … blah. Do you think I give two shits about your bond with her? I only care about her blood so there’s no way I’m handing her over.” He’s persistent. I’ll give him that.

“I’m giving you one last chance as a courtesy to Anna.” I offer him one last out because I promised her I would. “Let Avery go or die.”

“I couldn’t if I wanted to. Something about Avery’s blood has changed. It’s richer now and my addiction to her is nearly insatiable. It’s so bad that I fear my own unquenchable thirst.”

Avery’s blood is becoming richer to nourish the life growing inside her. And every time he takes blood from her, he’s taking life from our child. I’m certain of it.

He has admitted he’ll never let Avery go so there’s no debate. It’s time for him to die. And I’m not a bit unhappy about being the one to do it. “You tortured my agápe for months. You murdered her parents and turned her sister.”

“I turned Jennifer at Avery’s request.”

It’s a weak argument and I feel the need to correct him. “Jenn was dying because you bled her dry. Avery didn’t want to lose the only family member she had left so she threatened to kill herself if you let her sister die.” He doesn’t argue. “You persistently refuse to release my agápe and you have no desire to reform so I don’t have a choice. You have to die tonight.”

“I watched my sister go mad from the withdrawals after you took Avery. She killed herself in the sunlight. It was a gruesome death and it’s only a matter of time before my fate is the same as hers if you take Avery.” He stands before me with his arms spread wide, his signal to invite me to drive a dagger through his chest. “I saw Anna and said goodbye. There’s nothing more I need from this life so I welcome death.”

Killing him like this wasn’t going to be any fun. “You have no fight left in you?”

“I would have fought you to the death if Anna hadn’t come but seeing her changes everything. She is a ray of sunshine in my darkest hour even after all these years.”

I can’t believe I feel mercy for this monster but I understand him on some level. “And you’re sure you want to end it this way?”

“You must be anxious to have your agápe back,” he says. “Wouldn’t you prefer to kill me quickly rather than fight?”

Curry addresses Vincent’s coven. “What about the rest of you? Do you wish to die or go to the New Orleans compound and be reformed? Know ahead of time that it will be your demise if you choose to fight.”

The remaining vampires exchange looks but one speaks up for the group. “We choose reform.”

“Everyone is in agreement?” Curry asks.

“Yes,” they answer in unison.

“Very well.” I take the dagger from the holster around my waist and walk toward Vincent. He suddenly doesn’t seem the monster I once thought him to be. “One last time. Are you sure?”

“You’re doing me a kindness I don’t deserve.” He holds his position with his eyes closed as I prepare. I thought I’d feel a sense of justice or revenge but the feeling nagging at me has little in common with either. “Do it already.”

I’m experiencing emotions I haven’t felt since I was human. This agápe bond is messing with my mind because I feel sympathy for this known sadist.

Vincent opens his eyes and sees my hesitation. “My incisors ripped through the skin covering your agápe’s jugular only moments before your arrival. She’s lying across a blood-soaked bed right now fighting to stay alive while you try to decide if you should spare my life or not. Every second you stand here, her heart slows.”

Not another word is needed for me to make the quick upward motion to send the stake through his heart. I take joy in his gasp of pain but it’s him smiling instead of me. “Thank you,” he whispers as he falls forward into my arms. That’s when I know he was lying. Avery isn’t fighting for her life. She’s safe and her connection to me has never been stronger. “Tell her I’m sorry.”

I could ask why but it would be a waste of breath. Because I know the answer. And because Vincent Godfrey is dead.

Chapter Sixteen

I streak down the hallway toward Avery and feel my connection to her grow as I narrow the distance between us. I come to the third door on the left but don’t have to call her name. Her presence is stronger than ever before. It engulfs me, wrapping itself all around like a tight-fitting glove.

The door is locked to imprison her but it’s useless at keeping me out. Nothing–wood, steel, or any physical being–can stop me from getting through the walls and door separating us.

She beats her hand against the door because she knows I’m on the other side and calls out to me. “Sol! I’m here.”

I place my palm against the door and the sounds of her frantic pounding stop. I don’t have to see her on the other side to know her open hand is pressed against the same spot as mine like a mirror image on the other side. “I’m here for you, baby doll. I have to force my way through the door. Move back so I can come through without hurting you.”

I successfully kick through the barrier between us on the first attempt and I can’t recall a time in my life when I’ve felt more relief than I do in this moment. I’m overwhelmed by it when I see her standing safely in the middle of the room and there isn’t a name for the minuscule amount of time it takes to have my agápe in my arms.

Sebastian once tried to explain the pain a vampire experiences when separated from his agápe. My mind wasn’t able to comprehend the degree of agony nor the instant relief when reunited but I understand now. Avery is my everything and the only thing I need to complete me. She makes me not broken anymore.

I hold her close but I’m careful to not squeeze too tightly. We’re speechless as we bask in our reunion because neither of us needs to say or hear words. Our connection is more articulate than any words we could say.

Curry is kind by giving us a brief moment before clearing his throat. “I don’t mean to interrupt your reunion but Sebastian is leaving with Vincent’s coven. And I’m anxious to have my own homecoming with my wife.”

I lift Avery from her feet into a cradle and she slips her arm around my shoulders for support while insisting it’s unnecessary, “I’m fine, Sol. I can walk. Really.”

“You could but you’re not.” She’s been through hell these last two weeks but carrying her out of this place of torment isn’t really about her. It’s about me proving I want to be the protector she needs and deserves.

I kiss her temple. “This will never happen again.” Curry opens the car door and I place her in the back seat before she slides over so I may sit next to her. Once inside, I gather her under my arm like a mother hen with her baby chick. I pull her close and press my nose to the top of her head. I smell his scent in her hair. On her skin. It’s permeated in her clothes. “I will keep you safe. I swear this to the gods upon my own life.”

Her eyes are closed and she doesn’t reply but she’s not asleep. I’m not sure if her lack of response is because she’s exhausted or angry. Perhaps she’s simply indifferent because she doesn’t trust me to keep her safe. I can handle fury–and maybe even expect it–but a lack of confidence in my role as her protector would break me.

We arrive at the compound and Curry is in the house before I open the door of the car’s backseat. I gather Avery into my arms and carry her into the compound to my quarters without stopping in the living room for the others to see her. Sebastian follows us down the hall and stands in the doorway as I place Avery on my bed.

He isn’t with the vampires from Vincent’s coven so I assume they are secured in the basement. “There isn’t time to make the ten-hour drive to New Orleans before sunrise so we’ll leave at dusk. They’re secured in the basement so you needn’t worry.”

“I’m not sure that’s a possibility.” I don’t think there’ll ever be a time when I’m not consumed with worry about Avery’s safety.

I move the wingback chair from the corner of the room and place it next to the bed. Avery’s lying so still. Her eyes are closed yet she isn’t sleeping. I’m afraid it’s a sign she isn’t able to bear looking at me. I’m terrified she won’t forgive me for allowing this to happen to her.

But that’s not what I feel from our connection. I sense relief. Pride. Love. But also despair.

“I’m going to step out so you can have a minute with Avery before Dr. Knight comes in to examine her.” Sebastian goes into the hallway and moves to close the door. “She’ll be in as soon as she’s finished with Chansey.”

We’re alone for the first time and I take Avery’s hand in mine as I lean over to press my forehead against it. She lifts her free hand from the bed and strokes her fingers through my hair. Her nails are gently scraping against my scalp and the hairs on my body prickle in response. It’s such a human reaction to her touch. “You’re placing blame on yourself but I won’t have it. None of this was within your control. Vincent’s dead and the others have chosen to be conformed by Sebastian. This nightmare is over so I refuse to relive it by not letting it go.”

I’m a vampire–an undead creature with a tortured soul–so it’s not my nature to let things go without dwelling upon the past. “I think I need to know what happened before I can let go and move forward.”

“You think you need to be tortured by hearing the things he did.” She knows me too well.

“I want to hear everything because I think not knowing is worse than hearing the truth. I’m afraid of becoming fixated on the unknown. I’ll drive myself mad trying to figure it out through our connection.” And in addition to my own punishment, I plan to use the information she tells me as a lesson well learned. It will be forever etched in my mind as a reminder of what happens when I don’t protect my agápe from other vampires.

I feel her reluctance. I see it in her eyes. But she’ll do this for me because I ask it of her. She’s unable to deny me the things I want just as I’m unable to refuse the things she asks of me. “I’ll tell you but I want you here.” She slides over and pats the bed. “I need to feel you against me. It’s been too long.”

She doesn’t have to ask twice. I slide into bed beside her and she places her head on my chest as she stretches her palm over the left side. “How long were we gone?”

I’m surprised by her question but I suppose I shouldn’t be. She’s been held captive in a house without access to light. “Two weeks and two days.” The longest sixteen nights of my existence.

“Time became a blur for us after the first night. The room where we were kept most of the time had no windows so we couldn’t decipher day from night. It was always cold and smelled damp and musty. The floor was stone and the walls felt rough so we guessed it was some type of cellar.” And probably full of airborne mold spores to make her sick. I pray none of them are toxic.

“Vincent allowed the others to share Chansey but he kept me to himself.” The thought of them passing her around makes me sick. “The first night wasn’t what I expected. He opened a vein in my wrist to drain what he wanted into a cup and then sealed the wound. He was never so gentle with me before so I was surprised. I expected a ravenous attack.”

My expectations were the same as hers. “He was kind to you?”

“Only the first night. He wasn’t in control when he returned.” She’s shaken by a rigor. “The addiction had taken him over again with a new vengeance. He had no self-restraint and was greedier than ever.”

The second night was when I lost my connection to Avery. “What did he do to you?”

“He said my blood was different and better than it had been even at my highest adrenaline rush. He drank until I collapsed. Chansey thinks I was out for at least eight hours but there’s no way to know for sure. I guess it must have scared him because he didn’t come back for a while.”

“Nine hours and twenty-seven minutes. That’s how long you were unconscious. I felt it the second it happened and I knew the exact moment you woke.” I pull her closer using the arm wrapped around her shoulders. “I thought he had killed you when I lost our connection. It took a lot on Curry’s part to convince me otherwise.”

She laces her fingers through mine. “I had someone trying to convince me everything would be fine as well.”

I’m sure Curry used his powerful bond with his agápe to keep her strong so in turn she helped Avery remain hopeful. “I’ll need to thank Chansey for keeping your morale high.”

“It wasn’t Chansey.” I lift my head from the pillow and Avery looks up at me. “Don’t get me wrong. I don’t want to belittle her encouragement but it was Eden.”

“Eden.” She must be the fylgia that appeared to me.

“You and I had so little time together before Vincent took me. I never got to tell you about my twin that died at birth. I know it sounds crazy but I see her sometimes. Chansey says she’s my fylgia–a supernatural being that accompanies me in connection to my fate. She usually appears in my dreams but she acts as my guardian when she materializes.”

Her arm feels cool so I rub it briskly from her shoulder to her elbow to produce warmth. “She guides me in protecting you as well.”

“How so?” Avery asks.

“She appeared in Vincent’s house while I was tearing it apart looking for any clue to where he had hidden you.” Even now it seems unbelievable. “I thought she was you when I saw her standing there. Even her voice is identical to yours. ”

“You saw Eden?” I hear the amazement in her voice. “I always thought I was crazy because no one else could.”

“She’s the reason I located the secret compartment in the mantle. It’s where I found one of the original keys to the house where Vincent was hiding you.”

She’s confused. “I don’t understand. How did the key help you find us?”

I pull it from my pocket–the place I’ve carried it for over two weeks. “The sigil identified the house.” She takes the key and holds it closer to the bedside lamp for a better look. “But Anna was the one to recognize it.”

There’s a knock at the door just as I’m preparing to tell her the rest of the story. “That’ll be Dr. Knight.” There’s plenty of time for explanations but for now I need to hear that Avery is the picture of health. “Come in.”

Michaela Knight eases the door open and is carrying the black leather bag she has every time she has made a medical call. “I hear I have another patient.” She enters the room and sits on the bed by Avery’s feet. She reaches out and strokes her lower leg. “It’s good to have you back.”

Avery pushes herself up in the bed. “I’m happy to be back.”

“I understand that you and Solomon made quite the discovery just prior to your kidnapping.”

Avery beams. “It’s true. I’m his agápe.”

“That’s wonderful news.” She pats Avery’s leg and then looks at me. “Are you staying or going while I examine her?”

I don’t know. What does a vampire do when his agápe is being seen by a doctor? “Do you want me to stay or do you prefer I step out?”

She shrugs. “I don’t mind you staying but I need to speak with Dr. Knight about some female issues so you might be uncomfortable.”

She wants to talk periods. And the lack of hers.

I don’t pick up on the scent signaling the menstrual cycle she should be having right now. It could be the result of the pregnancy I so strongly suspect or simply related to the stress or blood loss she experienced but I’m certain she wants Dr. Knight to confirm the cause. “Okay. I get it. This is girls only stuff so I’m out of here.” I kiss her forehead. “I’ll be in my office and I’ll return as soon as you’re finished.”

I pass the hallway leading to Curry and Chansey’s quarters as I’m on the way to my office. I want to stop by to check in on Chansey after her visit from Dr. Knight but I don’t. I think knowing she is well would put my mind at rest but I resist because I don’t want to disturb their family time with the babies. Or their agápe reunion.

I know nothing will stop mine with Avery once I know she’s well.