Davis: Blood Brotherhood (6 page)

“Great. Someone else to show us how to use the weapons we have.” He was shaking his head at Skylar even as she handed him her sword. “They say it’s too big for me. How would you change it?” Remy watched as Skylar just moved in, trying to make the man help her even when it looked as if he didn’t want to be there.

“Look, lady. I can see you need help and all, but I’m not going to be doing the training. I just wanted to come here and move on. This guy, he said you’d know what I was here for.” Remy smiled as he heard Rueben coming out of the house. And he was sure that Hector was right behind him. “I’m not cut out to be a team player. I’m more of a lone wolf that—”

“Are you?” The question startled him, Remy could tell, but Reuben didn’t stop asking. “Are you a wolf? Weston is, and so is Jarvis. And when Catherine is well enough, she’s gonna be one too. I can’t be one. I’m too small.”

“Am I a what?” Leo looked at Remy, then Reuben again. “There are no such things as men who can change into wolves, kid. Whoever told you that was lying to you. I don’t know where you got that idea, but we’re all just—”

“I’m a faerie. This woman is Skylar…I’m not sure what she is, but she’s awesome. Weston there is a doctor who also happens to be a wolf.” Leo kept up with her, shaking hands that were offered when Vicki made the rounds of introductions to the rest of the people that had gathered. “And you are a warrior. That’s what we all are when it comes down to it. You might not like it. Hell, none of us do, but that’s what you are. So either work with us or go out there with the malefactors, let one of them turn you, and someday real soon, one of us will kill you. I’m hoping right now that it’ll be me. I really hate whiny people.”

Leo looked at Remy, then back at Vicki. “You always this welcoming? Or is there a reason you’re being particular nasty to me? I’ve had a really shitty few months, and the only reason I’m here is because the need to be here has been keeping me up at night. I’m hoping that now that I’m here I’m over it and can get on with my life. Even as fucked up as it is.”

“I’m not normally nasty to anyone unless you piss me off. Which, in the event you didn’t get it, you have. I was in a really good mood until you came in and shit on my fun.” She lifted her hand and blasted through about a dozen malefactors before continuing. “To think, if Davis hadn’t stopped me, that could have been you.”

She turned and walked away. Remy stared at her for several seconds before he threw back his head and laughed. Christ, she was as bad as Skylar. Not that he’d point that out to either woman. It wasn’t that he’d thought they’d be mad, no. He was afraid they’d start double-teaming them and kill them all. He put out his hand to Leo.

“Welcome to our house of madness. I’m sure that there’s a room for you inside. Talk to Ann about any food you might require. Also, have Catherine show you around. But don’t touch her. Her mate is very possessive. And a wolf too.”

Leo nodded but didn’t move. He did, however, take his hand, and Remy felt a connection. It was sharp and quick, and he knew that something profound had been touched off as soon as Leo let him go. The man dropped to the ground, crying out in pain.

It was all Remy could do not to flip the man over and see where he’d been hurt. But he knew what was happening. The man was being marked. Just like with all of them, his power would come to him stronger now, and whatever he could do now, when his mate came, it would be even stronger.

“Mother fuck.” He looked up at him, and Remy knelt down to his level. “What the fuck did you do to me?”

“I think I might have just claimed you into our band. Sort of like matching jackets, but we have tats.” Remy waited until the man sat on his ass and looked up at him before he spoke again. “What are you? I’m assuming you’re human, but what were you before this?”

“School teacher. Fifth grade.” He looked around while he sat there. “I was also dying. I had just been diagnosed with leukemia about a month before. It was…I only had six weeks to live. Then while I was in the hospital, this guy comes along and tells me he has plans for me. And that I was to come here. I don’t suppose you know why me?”

“That would have been Hector, I think. That’s him over there with the little boy.” The man looked at him, then lunged at Hector. He backed away but said nothing as he shielded his son from harm. Remy nodded. “I’m assuming this is the man who touched you.”

Hector walked toward them then. Not close enough to be touched should Leo try again, but he’d left Rueben in the care of the others while he stood there. Leo looked up at him as he sat there. Remy knew the man was still in a great deal of pain.

“Yes. You motherfucker, why me?” Hector looked at Remy, then at Leo before he sat down too. Hector looked around before he spoke, but Leo cut him off when he opened his mouth. “And how the hell did you make me tatted with this blade? And this shit, what the hell is this?”

“You are marked as a warrior, as you’ve been told. But I will admit to you that I have no idea of the rest. Like the people of this household, there have been changes to you as well as them that I did not do. In fact, I had no idea that any of this—other than you were all to come here—was going to happen.” Hector nodded to Remy as he continued. “I only changed this man. At first I gave him life, long life, and the ability to see the monsters I needed him to kill. The rest—everything that each of them can do, including you—are developments that they have gotten on their own. The tats on your back, the ones I’m assuming you have on your legs, I had nothing to do with those either. I have surmised that they are part of the magic that will keep you and those around you safe. What is your super power? You have one; have you found it yet?”

“Superpower? You mean more than I have right now with this sword?” Hector nodded at Leo, and he started cursing again. “I have no idea. I was a man who had nothing to live for. No hope of recovering from this illness that took everything from me. The next thing I know the doctors are scratching their heads and wondering what the hell happened. And so was I. You did this to me.”

“I did.” Hector looked up at Remy, then at Leo. “I did save you. I have to…the person that is a warrior, like the malefactors that are out there, must be close to death before I can convert them. All of you, all the men who are coming here to work together, have been so close to death. It was the only way to save you so that you could work with Remy and the others. Had I not, you’d be dead now.”

“I didn’t want to be saved.” Hector stood up and left Leo sitting in the grass with Remy. He looked at Remy before he spoke again. “I was dying. Ready. My mother was gone. I lost my house when I got sick. Everything that meant something to me was gone because of this illness that I’d never counted on. I didn’t even have a dime to bury me with. But I was ready. My life up until that man came to me was over, and now this.”

“But you’re here now. And we need you.” Leo was still sitting there when Remy went into the house. And an hour later, Leo was still out there. But now he was sitting next to Vicki. Remy could see that neither of them were speaking, but they seemed to be connecting. He wondered what was going to happen.

“She saw her brother today.” Remy looked at Davis when he spoke behind him. “He was selling her. Or I guess he actually sold her. To some guy. He made promises to him about her being a good fuck as well as able to do things with her mind. I think he hurt her badly. I can feel her sorrow, but I’m not sure if it’s because we’re going to kill him or that he’d done this to her.”

“Both, I would imagine.” Remy watched Vicki with Leo. “He’s not going to be much help if he doesn’t get the chip off his shoulder. Right now he’s just trying to adjust to things. I understand that, but he’s not of much use to us just sitting on his ass. What can we do to fix this?”

“She’ll bring him around. I don’t know why, but I think he might need someone like her to kick him in the ass a little.” Davis moved away then, and Remy stood there watching. He had no idea what to think of either of the men that now worked with him. But one thing was for sure, it was going to be an adventure.

Remy stood there until Leo stood up. He offered his hand to Vicki, who didn’t take it right away. There were words spoken—he was sure that they were caustic coming from the woman—but Leo only nodded and then laughed. Remy thought that things might be a little better now. Not perfect—nothing so far had been—but it might go a little easier on the man. And in turn them as well. But as soon as they walked through the door together, he thought maybe he’d been a little premature. They were still arguing at the top of their lungs as they went to the lower levels. Ann tisked at him when he paused on the stairs. Both of them could hear what was being said below them.

“He’ll need to clean up his mouth if he hangs around the baby much. If his first words are ‘fucking asshole,’ I’m going to give Leo salt peter in his meals for the rest of his life.” Remy laughed but said nothing. “You mark my words. First time Carter says one of those words and he’s just a little man, I’m going to hurt that man.”

“I’m sure once he hangs around a while, he’ll change his tune.” Remy hoped so anyway. The man simply projected anger. “Maybe he can take you out and show you how to use his sword.”

She flushed, and as Remy walked away, he realized how dirty that had sounded. He nearly went back to tell Ann that’s not what he meant, but figured it would be worse. Instead, he went to find Skylar. Maybe she’d let him show her how he used his sword.

Chapter 6

Vicki was in the gym when she heard her mom. There had been several opportunities to talk to her over the last several days, but she’d not wanted to get into an argument with her. And Vicki was sure there would be one. Instead, she’d been avoiding her. But they had to talk.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know anyone was in here. I’ll come back later.” Vicki almost let her mom go but called her back. “I just wanted to use the hot tub. I can do that later.”

“I saw Randall.” That had her turning back. “He never saw me or he might not be up and around, but he sold me to some guy. I don’t know for how much, but it looked like a nice bundle of cash. How did he know what I am?”

Her mom came into the room and sat near one of the many benches. “He figured it out. Not what you are, but that you weren’t my daughter. He came to me a few months ago, right after you moved in with me, and asked me what you were, and who you were.”

“And what did you tell him?” She sat there looking so afraid that Vicki went to sit next to her on the bench. “I’m not upset anymore. I know how he is. Did he hurt you, Mom? Did he knock you around to make you tell him?”

“I tried to fight him, but he’s so much stronger than I am. I could tell…he’d been drinking or high when he got into the house. I’d been bringing in the groceries the cabbie helped me put on the sidewalk. It was difficult to do with this chair, but I’d managed pretty well. I had just shut the door to the house when I realized he’d gotten in while I was going back for the last bags. He showed me the letter. I guess he’d been looking for money and found it.” She rolled her chair to the large tub and started the jets. She didn’t get in yet, but she did dangle her fingers in the water, stalling, Vicki thought. “He hit me a few times, knocked me into the wall and out of my chair. Then he sat on me and beat my head into the floor until I told him. I thought he was going to kill me. I must have said something then.”

“How did he know what the letter said?” Vicki had found out just yesterday that the letter she’d read wasn’t in English, but in a language that no one knew. Even with the help of Jarvis and Jake using the computer, they had found was nothing about the language. “Was he able to read it?”

“No. I didn’t…no. He said he knew what it said. And like a fool I believed him. So I asked him if it was from your parents, about the night they’d brought you to me. He said it told how they weren’t human. I had an idea that you weren’t like us, but he said you weren’t human. I guess…I sort of told him I knew what you were. And that…I told him you could read minds and manipulate them. I’m so sorry.”

“He has no idea that I’m a faerie then?” Her mom shook her head as she continued to play in the water, not looking at her. Vicki could tell that she was crying. She wiped at the tears several times while she sat there. “So all he thinks is that I’m different, but not how much.”

“I tried to tell him that you weren’t very good at it yet. Even told him that without proper training you’d not be able to do much more than hurt someone. I had no idea. But he didn’t believe me anyway. Not until a couple of days later, the day that you guys came to get me, did I really know how different you are.” She smiled at her. “I saw you blast those monsters out there today. I’m very proud of you.”

Vicki flushed. She wasn’t very proud of herself. She’d been showing off and pissed. Vicki knew better than anyone that losing your temper could be bad for everyone. Watching her mom, she smiled.

“I heard that Weston said he could help you with your back. He said that surgery would make it so you could walk again.” Her mom told her she was afraid. “We’re all afraid of something and someone, Mom. But if he can help you to walk again, I’d very much like that. Maybe you could meet a really nice man that will treat you right this time.”

“No thank you. Good heavens, girl. Who would I…?” Her mother looked at her with the most comical look on her face. “You should know better than anyone that one man in my life was enough. I don’t need, nor do I ever want, another person who can have the privilege of knocking me around. And so you know, that nice young wolf is showing me how to fight back. He said that every woman should be able to. Even the ones in wheel chairs.”

Vicki got up and kissed her mom on the cheek. “I think it’s a great idea. And it’s good for you. Just don’t go turning into a wolf on me. I don’t know if I could handle too much more change in my life right now.”

“This young man, Davis, he’s making you happy, isn’t he?” Vicki nodded. “I’m glad for you both. I think he’s in love with you.”

“He said he is. But like you, I’m a little on the shy side when it comes to men and their fists. Once might have been enough for me as well.” Her mother asked if she loved him. “I think so. I’m not…like you, I’m not ready for a person in my life like this. He’s not like dad was. Nothing like Randall either, but it’s a big change for me. All of this is a lot to take on right now.”

“I understand.” Her mother turned and pulled off her robe. She was sliding into the water when Vicki realized someone had put the tub in for her, and that it more than likely had healing powers. “I’m feeling better about a lot of things since we’ve been here. Not just with being safe, but with the magic that’s here. It’s a wonderful thing to see people using it for good and not for bad things, like your stepfather or Randall would have. Once this is all done, with these monsters and stuff, I’m going to find me a nice house out there and play in the dirt again. It was fun doing it today, and I didn’t feel handicapped once.”

Vicki left her mom a few minutes later. She was worried about her brother. Not as much as when she’d been living at home, but she still worried for her mom. But everyone here seemed to work together to keep everyone safe. Ann said that she was going to ask for panic buttons by the doors, just in the event that someone came to the door that shouldn’t be there. Vicki thought maybe she’d talk to Skylar about it. But she was nervous about that too. Skylar was one scary bitch.

The kitchen was at the right at the top of the stairs. She walked in just as Leo and Ann were talking. She was still a little upset with the man, but she was willing to give him some slack. Not much, but a little. The knock at the door had her thinking about the button again, and she nearly fell backwards when Ann, who had opened the door, was shoved back. Leo was knocked out of his chair, and his head hit the floor hard. He didn’t move as she tried to get to Ann, who was struggling with a large person.

The man, who had come into the room screaming at them, never stopped hitting and slapping anyone that had the misfortune to be too close, which was mostly Ann. He had her in a headlock when he realized that Vicki had the door blocked.

“You stay there or so help me, you’ll be next. Get that girl. I want her home with me right fucking now.” Vicki was willing to try and be reasonable, but the fear on Ann’s poor battered face pissed her off. “Are you fucking deaf, girl? I said to get my daughter and that spawn of hers. I want them now.”

“You’re not welcome here. And if you don’t leave right now, I’m going to kick your ass all the way across the yard.” He hit Ann again, this time knocking her head against the cabinets. Vicki had had enough and hit him back.

The man was big, huge, and sloppy. His fists were hard, mean, and he had on a ring that bit deeply into her flesh. But Vicki was used to dealing with men who used their fists instead of their words to get what they wanted. He hit Ann again while Vicki tried to gain her footing to attack again.

“Where the fuck is she?” Ann was bleeding and tried to get away from the man, but he jerked her back by the hair and back handed her. As Ann went falling again, this time atop Leo’s inert body, Vicki stood up and lunged herself at the stranger. He hit her twice before she got herself behind him. Then she jerked his neck hard to the right and heard the snap. Dropping him, she fell to her knees. Fuck, she’d just killed him.

~~~

Leo staggered down the stairs. His head was bleeding badly, and he thought perhaps his arm was broken. As soon as he got to the bottom of the staircase, he fell against the computer table in front of him. Three men, one of them he thought was Davis, came at him.

“The women.” He felt himself being picked up and before he knew it, he was being taken back up the stairs. He had no clue why he was being carried up instead of put on a bed so he could just die. But when Remy, he could see now, sat him on a chair, he could see that Vicki had not moved since he’d left her.

“Vicki?” Leo stood up and blocked Davis from touching her. He’d done that already before going to get some help. He was pretty sure it was the reason his arm was killing him. She’d been really pissed when he’d tried to see if she was all right. “I need to see—”

“Don’t touch her. She’s a little spaced out right now and will fucking hurt you.” Davis looked at her, then at him. “I tried to see if she was all right before coming to get you guys, and she tore into me like a bear. Just let her come back to us. Talk to her. That might work. But just don’t touch her. She’s not herself.”

Davis nodded and went to sit across from her. Ann was being attended to, and when she sat up she burst into tears. Leo wasn’t a whiny man, nor was he a big complainer before all this shit. But he thought about joining her. Christ, there wasn’t a part of him that didn’t hurt right now.

“Do you know what happened up here?”

Leo nodded and then shook his head. That sent a whole new kind of pain to his head, and he held it while he looked at Remy. The man was smiling at him. Not in a scary way, but like he was genuinely amused at him.

“I fucking hurt, all right?” Remy nodded and sat in the other chair. The fourth one was busted all to hell, so he watched the doc—Weston, he thought his name was—leaning against the counter while he stared at him. Ann was holding an ice pack to her face. “Vicki and I entered this room about the same time. Ann was already in here, and I thought about getting to know her. But someone knocked on the door. Not like he was asking permission to come in, but knocked it back on its hinges like he wanted the fucker busted in. He barged in, yelling about having someone brought to him, and grabbed Ann. I have no idea if he said their name, the people he wanted. But by the time I’d tried to stand up again to throw him out, he’d hit Ann and threw her into me. After that, I have no idea. I woke up to see Vicki leaning over the dead man and bleeding. When I touched her to see if she was okay, she went a little ape shit and nearly took my arm off. After checking on Ann, I went to find you guys.”

“I think he was looking for Catherine.” Vicki never moved from where she was, and she wasn’t looking at them either as she spoke. “He knocked Ann down several times, and I tried to reason with him. I reasoned with him when I knew that there is no reasoning with men like him. I should have just thrown him out of the house and come for you guys. But I didn’t.”

“What happened, Vicki?” Remy’s voice was low but firm. Vicki kept looking at the dead man, so he repeated his question.

“I hit him a couple of times. Told him to get out. But he was set on getting her. And every time he got close enough to Ann, he’d hit her again.” Vicki finally looked up and right at Ann. “He’s your ex-husband, the one that Catherine told me about?”

“He is.” Ann looked down at him. “He was, I guess. You saved me. I can’t tell you enough how happy I am that you were in here when you were. And you too, Mr. Leo. I think he…he would have killed me if not for you two. Because as surely as I’m sitting here, he wasn’t going to get my girl.”

“I didn’t do that much but be a cushion for your fall. He might have killed you both for all the help I was.” Ann shook her head and put her hand over his. “I thank you, Miss Ann, but Vicki is the real hero.”

“I’m going to be sick.” Before anyone could say anything to her, Vicki stood up and ran out of the house. Davis was right behind her. Ann got up, even with her ice pack plastered to her head, and put on a kettle of water.

“What do we do now?”

Good question, thought Leo, but he waited for Remy to answer Weston. There was a dead man in their house. Sure, it was self-defense, but someone was going to jail and from what he’d seen of the goings on here, that wasn’t a good idea. They needed every man or woman they could get. Besides, having Vicki in a jail cell with her power could be dangerous for a lot of stupid people.

“We bury him in the back yard.”

Weston nodded, and before Leo could point out that was almost as dumb of an idea as putting Vicki in jail, a young woman came crashing into the room with a baby in her arms.

Leo had been a fifth grade teacher for a long time. And being single and sort of good looking, he had been flirted with a great deal during parent/teacher meetings and after school events. And in all that time, children had been…little children had been around him. But he had never had the occasion to hold one. But he was suddenly holding Catherine’s.

The kid looked at him with the darkest eyes he’d ever seen. Dark chocolate, he thought, and it was his favorite way to have the confection. The baby’s eyes looked like he was older than his few weeks. His head full of equally dark hair seemed so soft that Leo ran his fingers over it to find that he’d been wrong. It was much softer than he could have ever thought. And while he was at it, he ran his fingers gently over his little chubby cheeks to have him take his finger into his tight fist. Leo was unprepared for the emotion that came with such a simply thing.

“It’s wonderful, isn’t it?” He looked up at Jarvis, who was standing over him. Looking back at the child, he could see that the baby had turned to the voice of the other man and was smiling at him. “Every time I look at him I want to snuggle him to me and keep him there. And the first time he smiled at me, I nearly wept.”