Bound by Blood (The Garner Witch Series) (36 page)

“Agent Morrison’s death was imminent had I not acted to save him. Since his injuries were the direct result of a vampire attack, I felt I owed it to him to save his life.” He said.

After he finished retelling the specifics, Marcus and the other vampires sat together discussing the matter inaudibly. After a few minutes Marcus stood and turned toward Nathan. “We understand why you were provoked to change agent Morrison,” Marcus hesitated with a solemn look on his face before continuing. “However, humans die every day. As much as we would like to change every one we cannot interfere. That is why we have laws to prevent such occurrences.” 

“Oh, that is such bullshit!” I yelled, angrily before I could stop myself.

Marcus turned his indignant gaze on mine. “I presume you have something you would like to add Miss Reece.”

“Agent Reece. And yes, I do.” I glanced at Nathan’s shocked expression. Judging by the look of disapproval he shot me, I assumed it was unusual to question an elder. Well screw that. I wasn’t about to sit by while they decided to kill the man I loved.

“You say humans die every day, and that’s right they do. But do humans die protecting innocent witches and vampires from other vampires? No. I glanced affectionately at Morrison while I spoke. “Agent Morrison is an honorable man who refused to back down to a predator he knew he wasn’t strong enough to face, just to protect me. He sheltered a witch, and avenged the deaths of other vampires, because it was the right thing to do. Not many humans would be as courageous. Nathan was right to change him. It’s rare to find the kind of loyalty he possesses.”

“Agent Reece—” He started again, but I interrupted.

“I would also like to point out that one of the reasons your laws were created was to prevent the overpopulation of vampires. Two
good
vampires were killed while hunting this killer. And when I finally escaped the bastard, I destroyed him as well. So, by my count you still have two less vampires in the world, even though Nathan changed Morrison. I’d say you’re more than even. No harm no foul.”

I tried to project a calm, laid back stance, but I was prepared for anything. I didn’t really care what they decided; I wouldn’t allow them to touch a hair on Nathan’s head.

He looked me over for a moment before his mouth twisted in an amused grin. “Lucius can hear your thoughts
Agent
Reece and he can share those with me,” he warned. “If we decide that Nathan will be executed for his crime, there is nothing you can do to stop it.”

To impress on the truth of his words, he waved his hand at me and sent me flying through the air. I crashed, painfully into a marble column before slumping to the ground.

“Brianna!” Nathan yelled and began to run toward me.

“Stop!” Marcus boomed, pointing his finger at Nathan and forcing him to drop to his knees with merely a thought.

Nathan’s face was red with fury. “Your quarrel is with me, please do not harm her.”

Marcus ignored the remark.

Seeing Nathan forced to his knees was my last straw. Now I was pissed. I stood slowly and stretched out my gift toward Marcus. The power that flowed through his veins rolled off him like a sonic wave. Recalling how I absorbed John’s power in the barn, I attempted to do the same thing with Marcus. However, this was remarkably different. Marcus' power was much more potent than John’s, intoxicating in fact. Still, I realized I was successful when I felt the intense energy course through me. Narrowing my eyes at Marcus, I waved my hand back at him, the gesture identical to what he’d just done to me. And just like me, he went sailing through the air and smashed into the wall behind him. There was a thunderous clap of noise, and when he fell to the floor I noticed a large crack in the stone.

I turned away and walked to stand beside Nathan who was upright again. He and Morrison stared at me, wearing identical masks of disbelief on their faces.

“
It is true then, she is the one we have been waiting for. Astonishing!”
I heard Marcus’ distinct, tenor voice but it was inside my head, not spoken aloud.

“What do you mean you’ve been waiting for me?” I asked him cautiously. I noticed that everyone in the room looked at me curiously when I spoke, unaware of his silent communication. When Marcus stood up I prepared myself to fight him, but instead he laughed. “That was merely a test Agent Reece. I have no intention of harming you or Nathan, you can relax.”

Nathan nodded his head and I heard his thoughts in my mind, as clearly as if he had spoken aloud. “
Brianna he speaks the truth, you can relax.”

I was a little unnerved by the fact that I was hearing voices in my head. I realized I must have channeled all of their powers when I absorbed Marcus’, because according to Nathan, Lucius was the mind reader not Marcus. Nathan’s silent assurance calmed me slightly. Although I was still guarded, I stopped channeling their power. Marcus walked over to the other two elders and they began speaking in hushed voices. “Excuse me. I hate to interrupt your little powwow over there, but could you please explain what the Hell is going on.” I said impatiently. 

The three of them turned and looked at me, but it was Lucius who spoke. “Brianna, we ask your forgiveness. We only wished to see for ourselves the extent of your capabilities. We provoked you into using your power on us.” He shrugged unapologetically. “We agree with you. Nathan will not be punished for the actions he took in saving Agent Morrison. You are correct that Agent Morrison is a good man and deserved to be saved.” He smiled at me and I felt the tension drain from my body as I was overcome with a swelling sense of relief.

“Thank you.” I sighed.

“Do not thank me yet.” He warned. I felt my shoulders stiffen in response. “I am hoping that we can convince you to join us.”

I had no idea what he meant, but I suddenly felt Nathan’s consternation. “No” he said, “it is too dangerous.”

“What is? What am I missing?” I directed the question to Lucius because I sensed he would be more forthcoming.

Lucius sighed. “We have imposed laws to protect our races, both witches and vampires. The use of evil and dark magic threatens our kind with exposure, harms innocents, and simply cannot be tolerated. As Nathan has explained, our enforcers capture and punish our criminals, such as the one who murdered your family. Nathan supervises our enforcers.” My head whipped around to Nathan and I felt slightly annoyed by his omission.

Lucius continued. “We face a frustrating quandary. The enforcers are principled, law abiding vampires that never use dark magic to increase their power base. Contrarily, our enemies have no such reservations. They mercilessly pursue power, and as such, they are quite often stronger than our enforcers. It places them at a serious disadvantage and their lives are in constant danger. We have lost numerous enforcers these past few years.”

He cocked his head and narrowed his eyes. “It is a conundrum. How do we hunt these evil beings without employing their evil methods?” He looked at me meaningfully, and I understood what he was asking of me.

“So, if you had a witch who could absorb their power and use it against them, without having to use dark magic to accomplish it, it would put you on equal footing.” I finished for him.

“Exactly!”

I was considering the request when Nathan interjected. “Brianna, you do not understand.” He said anxiously. “It is extremely dangerous. The danger you have been exposed to recently, you would face that danger constantly.”

I walked over to Nathan and reached out to him. He pulled me tightly against his body and held firmly, as though he didn’t want to let me go. “I could not bear it if something happened to you. I was so close to losing you already once,” he whispered pleadingly, his breath whispering against my hair.  My heart clenched at his admission. I didn’t want him to have to worry, but this was something I vowed to myself a long time ago, to protect the innocent. If I had a particular gift that would help me do that, how could I ignore it?

I glanced over to the elders. “Could we have a moment alone? Please.”

They nodded and filed silently out of the room, Morrison followed. Nathan stood there holding me, his chin resting on my head. I enjoyed the feel of his arms around me for a few minutes before I spoke.

“Nathan, I’ve never told you this, but I was attacked and almost raped when I was eighteen years old.” His body stiffened and his grip on me tightened, but he remained silent. “That was the first time I ever used my gift to stop a killer. The man who attacked me was a serial rapist and murderer, and I would have died if I hadn’t discovered my abilities that night. I killed him using my power, and something inside of me changed at that moment. I believe that we’re given these gifts for a reason. That night I vowed to myself that I would use my abilities to protect other innocent people who couldn’t protect themselves.” My voice cracked and a single tear streamed down my cheek at the memory.

“The last thing I want to do is to hurt you, or make you worry unnecessarily. But I can’t sit back and do nothing while innocent people are hurt, knowing that I have the power to stop it. I hope you can understand that, especially since you place your life in danger doing the very same thing.”

He raised his head and locked his brown eyes onto mine, fingers lovingly wiping the tear from my face as he let out a heavy sigh. “Unfortunately, I
do
understand. What worries me though is that you will be facing more evil, and possibly on a daily basis—men who are not only evil, but
immortal
as well. I know you can absorb their power while you are near enough to channel it. But what if they learn your weakness and shoot at you from a distance—it has been attempted once already. What if I am not there to stop it? You protect no one if you are dead.”

I cringed at the anxiety I was causing him. “I understand your worries, but still I need to help. The only thing I can promise you is that I will be as careful as possible.”

“What if we made a compromise that we can both live with?” Suddenly, he looked a little brighter, and I felt the seeds of hope rooting within him.

“What do you have in mind?”

“We have the ability as vampires to share immortality with a mortal, without changing them. If you were to consume my blood on a daily basis, you would become nearly as impervious to harm as I am. If you were injured and I was not there, your body would be capable of regenerating almost as well as mine.”

“Okay,” I said with a flippant tone I didn’t actually feel. “Sign me up.”

He chuckled, but his knowing gaze told me he knew how seriously I took the offer. “Again, we must request permission from the council first. Although, considering it serves their purpose as well, I’m sure they will agree.”

Reaching up, he stroked my cheek gently, his chocolate brown eyes pulling me in. “We could work together, keep each other safe. He whispered the last as he leaned down and claimed my mouth in a rapacious kiss. His tongue rasped against mine and I felt heat rise through my body. I was overwhelmed by his love, and hope. His feelings not only mirrored my own, but amplifying them.

A deep longing flooded my senses as he kissed me fervently, nipping at my lips. For a moment I almost forgot where we were, until I heard a noise from the other side of the room. I looked over and saw the four men who had left us alone standing there watching us. Morrison and Lucius smiled brightly, while the other two wore the same scowling expressions. Nathan laced his fingers through mine as he led me toward the council. “Brianna will agree to join the enforcers under two conditions.” Nathan announced vehemently.

“And what are those conditions.” Marcus inquired, wearing a markedly softer look on his expression.

“I would like permission to perform the blood rituals with Brianna. She will be facing an inordinate amount of danger and will need the added protection.”

The three Elders glanced at each other, a silent communication passing between them. “Agreed.” 

“And...We will be partners.” Nathan’s staunch tone told Marcus unequivocally he would accept no opposition on the subject. Marcus nodded his approval.

“Will I be able to keep my job at the FBI?” I asked.

“Yes, in fact, your position with the FBI could prove useful to us.”

“I want to help too.” Morrison interjected.

Marcus’ brows rose, betraying his surprise. “You have definitely proven your worthiness to be a council enforcer. However, it is dangerous.” He shook his head as if he were going to deny his request. “You have yet to discover the full potential of your new abilities.” 

“I will not sit by and watch people I care about fight evil, putting their lives at risk, without helping.” He looked at me and then Nathan and I felt my eyes teeming with unshed tears. “So, with or without your approval, I fight with them.” He declared.

“I will train him.” Nathan offered. There was a distinct note of pride in his tone.

“So be it then. We will accept your offer Agent Morrison. You truly are a respectable man. Now if that is all,” Marcus dismissed us with a wave of his hand. “You may go.”

“Oh, there is one more thing—” Nathan began, but was cut off by Antonius. “Yes, I will arrive tomorrow and take care of altering the memories requested.”

I was relieved. With his help we’d be able to finally close out this case, without raising questions.

“Thank You.” Nathan nodded and we left.

As we drove away from the mansion, the three of us sat in retrospective silence. There were so many thoughts filling my mind, but what I really noticed was the deep sense of peace that had settled throughout me. I wasn’t worried about the danger. Whatever came, Nathan and I would face it together.

From the time that I first discovered my abilities, I’d always had a bone deep feeling that I was supposed to be doing something worthwhile with the gift I’d been given. This felt right. I knew deep down that working as an enforcer was my destiny.

A smile formed on my mouth as I realized I was with the man who filled my heart, and together we would be doing the work that would fill my soul. This felt like an ending, but also a beginning.  My old life was over, my family’s murders avenged, and I had discovered more family—and there were still more out there. Now that the danger was over, it would be safe to search for them. I would not stop until we were reunited.