Chapter 9

“I’m considering starting a diary. With all the crap that has happened to me, it’s bound to be interesting. But then again, it might just say, today I didn’t kill my mate and we saved the world, page after page after page. Lame. I could write about Dec and I, but then I’d be all hot and bothered even more than I am now. Not practical. Okay, so the diary is out.” ~Jen


Jacque restlessly paced the alleyway as they waited for the others to return from their little vampire extermination mission. She pressed her hand to her stomach as she felt the baby kick and then gritted her teeth as the jar to her bladder nearly caused her to revert back to pre-potty trained ways.
“You okay, Luna?” Fane asked as he placed a large hand on her lower back.
“Your child just likes to do the Irish River Dance on my bladder, no biggee.”
He chuckled, as if she was being funny. She wasn’t. Jacque frowned at him and continued her pacing. She had never been good at waiting, especially if it meant waiting to see if all of those she cared about were going to return to her in one piece.
"She's going to be fine," Jen said as she started walking beside Jacque matching her step for step.
"I know," Jacque retorted. "I'll just be happier when I can see that for myself."
"How did we handle her being gone with Peri for so long?" Jen asked as she shook her head.
Jacque shrugged. "We didn't know what she was doing. Now we know. She's possibly fighting a coven of vampires that are killing children." She turned to look at Decebel and Fane. "Should we be able to hear anything? I mean if they’ve already started fighting?"
"I've put up a sound barrier," Alston spoke up. "No noise will come up out of that opening and I'm sure Peri has done the same thing."
"So we won't know if they're getting slaughtered?" Jacque snapped.
"Love," Fane said gently as he walked over to her and took her hand. He pulled her away from the others and took her face in his hands. "Are you okay?"
She took several deep breaths. "Yes, I'm fine. It's just… I'm just worried about Sally."
"Costin won't let anything happen to her, nor would my father, my mother, or Peri for that matter. She's as safe with them as she would be here."
She knew what he was saying was true, and maybe it was just her hormones (man she was sick of that excuse) but Jacque was concerned about Sally. It was on the tail end of that thought that Sally's screams reached her ears.
Jen's eyes snapped from Jacque to the manhole from which Sally's screams were ringing loud and clear.
"I thought you put up some fancy sound barrier," Jen snarled at Alston as she made a lunge for the manhole. She heard Decebel's growl behind her, but she didn’t stop to see how close he was to snatching her out of the air. Jen dove headfirst into the hole, executing a perfect summersault that, had she not been part werewolf, she'd never have been able to pull off. She landed in a tucked roll and the momentum carried her to her feet.
As she rolled up and hit the ground running, she looked back to see Decebel land just where she'd been. Jen knew she was going to catch hell from him for acting before thinking, but if it meant getting to Sally and helping her, then whatever Dec threw at her would be worth it.
Sally's screams were still filling the air as Jen rounded a corner. She'd been pulling on her wolf’s superior senses in order to follow the sound of her terrified friend’s voice. The reverberation of her screams was painful on the wolf’s sensitive ears, but Jen was immensely grateful both for Sally's incredible lungs and her own supernatural hearing, because it meant that finding her in the underground labyrinth would be a tad easier.
"Jennifer!" Decebel growled from behind her and, based on how well she could hear his voice even over Sally's screams, Jen knew her mate was within grabbing distance.
"She needs our help, Decebel. I'm not just going to stand by and listen to my best friend scream in terror."
"In what life would I ever ask that of you? I'm simply asking that you let me go first. Let me meet whatever danger there is so that you can tend to Sally."
Okay, so maybe he had a point. She slowed a little and let him take the lead. The look he gave her as he past made Jen want to smack him. She could be reasonable—sometimes.
They rounded another corner and finally found her best friend, although it wasn't the scene Jen had been expecting to encounter. What she'd expected was hissing vampires and raging wolves. What she got was Sally kneeling on the ground with her mate wrapped around her while she sobbed. The screaming had turned into smaller wails of utter agony.
Jen took several steps forward but Decebel wrapped an arm around her and pulled her back against his chest. "Give them a moment. He is the only who can calm her," Decebel whispered into her ear causing a shudder to run through her. Yes, he still affected her, even in the most inappropriate situations. "I hope I always affect you, Jennifer."
Jen rolled her eyes. "Nosy much?"
She felt his amusement but he didn't respond.
After several minutes, Sally seemed to be gathering her emotions back together, though she was having a hard time getting Costin to release her. When Costin finally unwrapped his arms from his mate and helped her stand, Decebel let Jen go. She hurried forward and just barely kept from pushing Costin out of the way.
"How ya doing, Gypsy Lady?" Jen asked, attempting to keep her voice upbeat despite the worry she felt. When Sally's eyes met hers, Jen’s stomach fell to her feet. The look on her face was haunted.
"Do you feel it?" Sally asked her.
"Feel what?"
"The pain, the suffering. I can practically hear them crying. They were so scared. There were no arms to comfort them, no soft words to chase away the nightmare—the monsters." Several tears escaped her eyes and trailed down her face. Costin practically whined as he reached up and wiped the tears away.
"Did you know this would happen?" Costin turned to look at Peri who had just come through an arched doorway.
Peri frowned as she looked at Sally. "No, I didn't know she would be able to do this."
Jen raised a hand. "Um, could someone please explain exactly what it is she's doing?"
Peri stepped closer to Sally and reached out a hand. Costin snarled at her, attempting to push Sally behind him.
Peri's power swelled around her. "You know I would never harm her. Get a freaking grip or I swear I will shave you like a poodle the next time you're in your wolf form. Now, move!"
Costin bared his teeth at her one more time before finally stepping out of the way.
"Sally, may I?" Peri asked as she reached out her hand again.
Sally nodded
The high fae placed her hand on Sally's forehead and closed her eyes. Jen was so restless to know what was going on that she started tapping her foot as her hands went to her hips.
Finally, Peri opened her eyes and looked at Jen. "Strong emotions, especially when supernaturals are involved, leave something behind—like a fingerprint. Some humans actually pick up on it at times. Usually if a person is confused by the uneasiness they suddenly have when entering a room or building, they're picking up the emotional fingerprint that's been left behind." She paused and looked at Sally thoughtfully. "Then there are some people, usually of the supernatural persuasion, who are very sensitive to these fingerprints. Sally, it seems is one such person."
"But she's never done this before?" Jen pointed out. "And we've been in some pretty crappy places since joining your merry band of furballs."
Peri shrugged. "The Great Luna has changed the game. There are so many things happening that have never happened before. There's no telling why a healer suddenly has such a gift."
"This is not a gift," Sally ground out through clenched teeth. "This is a form of hell."
Costin wrapped a hand around the back of Sally’s neck, attempting to soothe her.
Jen turned back in the direction they'd come. "Well we aren't going to figure it out right now. There's no point standing here making her feel all those emotions. Peri, can't you get her out of here?"
Peri nodded and took Sally's hand, flashing out of the tunnel.
Costin growled and turned, running past Jen at an inhuman pace. Peri could have taken him along with his mate, but she loved poking testy wolves. Jen was pretty sure the fae got her kicks from it.





Costin desperately needed to kill something. Killing the vampires hadn't been enough, not after seeing his mate curled up in a ball screaming in anguish. He jumped through the manhole with a powerful push of his legs and landed in a crouch. His head swung around, ignoring everyone else and looking for Sally. She was off to the left with Jacque’s arms wrapped around her.
An irrational surge of possessiveness filled him as he stepped toward them. She was his to comfort, his to hold, and his to protect. He wasn't jealous of Jacque, not the way he would have been had it been a male wrapped around her. But, he didn't like anyone else doing what he longed to do for her.
Sally’s head rose suddenly and turned to look at him. Her eyes pinned him in place. Did she want him to hold her? Maybe she didn't want him. Maybe she wanted it to be her friends comforting her.
"There is no room for insecurities, Costin. Not between us. I always need you and always want you." Her words were a soothing balm to the festering wound that the doubts had been causing.
Costin started toward her again; this time in better control. Jacque stepped aside when he reached his mate. He gave Fane’s mate a slight nod of his head, acknowledging that he appreciated her allowing him access to Sally.
Costin pulled her into his arms and struggled not to squeeze her too tightly. His hands ran over her back, attempting to appease his wolf by touching her. Skin, his wolf growled. He was a needy bastard but Costin couldn't help but agree. Feeling her warm soft flesh reassured them that she was okay.
Sally reached behind her to grab his hands. She pulled them up to her face, placing one on either side. She looked into his eyes and gave him one of the smiles she reserved only for him.
"I’m better now," she said softly as she closed her eyes and leaned into his touch. "It was just too much, but it's all gone now. Only the memory of it remains."
"I don’t want you to have those kind of memories," Costin growled. His mate was a light—pure and precious. Nothing so dark as the emotions she had felt should touch her. It was once again a foe that he could not vanquish.
Her head tilted thoughtfully and her eyes filled with compassion. "Someone should know what those poor children have gone through. Someone should know the truth because their parents never will. They shouldn't have died like that, Costin." Her voice broke.
He pulled her head to his chest, massaging the back of her neck. "Why does it have to be you?"
"If not me, then who?" Sally challenged. "It would not be fair to wish it on anyone else. How many times has Vasile told us that we are held to a higher standard, a higher calling because of the gifts we have? I know it sucks, believe me. But instead of questioning it, I need you to help me endure it." Sally pulled back to look up at him. Her big brown eyes pulled him in as they always did. "Can you do that?" she asked.
He blinked several times, trying to break the spell she held over him. Then he leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. Costin pulled back just far enough to whisper, "For you, I can do anything."





Peri watched the group of wolves check on Sally. They were a family. Regardless of the fact that they were from two different packs, they were still family. Wolves were a protective bunch and she knew it was necessary to let them each reassure themselves that one of their own was okay. Even the warlock king was checking on her, though none of the pack would let him get close enough to touch her. “Overprotective fleabags,” she thought.
A subtle movement to her right had her turning her head. Okay, so maybe not all of them needed the reassurance. Drake stood on the opposite side of the alley, leaning up against the wall of the brick building. He watched the others as well, but his face was blank, leaving her in the dark about what he was feeling.
She walked over to him and narrowed her eyes at him. "Are you defective too?"
Drake eyes shifted to look at her. "Too?"
"I've got a wolf mated to one of the new healers who avoids the affection of the pack members. That's not normal, not for a wolf. So, do you also have a haunted past? One that keeps you from acting like a healthy member of the pack?"
Drake's brow quirked up. "You don’t mince words do you?"
"Tiptoeing around the issue would indicate that I give a flying flip on how you feel about the topic. I don't. I do care about having defective wolves with me on a mission as important as this one. We don't have the luxury of holding your hand if you suddenly lose control and give into the darkness. I’m going to have enough trouble putting down the vampires. I don’t need a feral wolf to put down at the same time. Do I need to be concerned?"
He stared back at her, still giving nothing away. Her mate had that ability and it always made her want to pinch the crap out of his nipple just to get a reaction. Of course, she wouldn't be pinching Drake’s nipple; that would just be awkward.
The wolf let out a resigned sigh. "I don’t know."
Wow. Honesty. She hadn't been expecting that. "You can stay as long as you promise to let your Alpha know the minute you think the wolf is going feral."
He gave a single nod.
"Good," Peri said and then turned back to the others who were now standing quietly, looking everywhere but at her. Stupid supernatural hearing, she mentally huffed. She met Decebel's eyes. He gave her the barest nod, indicating that he'd heard the conversation. He would deal with it, but that didn't mean Peri wouldn't be keeping a close eye on the wolf.
She walked closer to the group. "So that's how it's going to go with all the covens. Or at least that’s how we hope it goes. As long as there is daylight, we will continue to purge the covens. Once night falls, we will rest. Sally and Jacque" —she pointed at each girl—"I'm making an executive decision. You two will not be going into the covens. The only reason we would need Sally is if we find any survivors. Jacque—sorry Red—but we don't need your waddling butt in the thick of a battle with vampires. If you argue with me the way you argue with your mates, then I will flash your butts back to Romania and lock you in the pantry with two large buckets."
Jacque was glaring at her. "I agree that I wouldn't be any help but couldn't you at least give us a real toilet if you lock us up?"
"That's what you're worried about? Really?" Jen asked her friend.
Jacque folded her arms and frowned. "I pee a lot. Like, I need to go right now. At least give me the courtesy of a toilet."
Peri pinched the bridge of her nose. "Jacque quit worrying about the damn toilet. If you obey my rules, you won't have to worry about it."
She noted the satisfied looks on Costin and Fane’s faces. She considered zapping them just to wipe the smug looks off their faces. She certainly didn't make the decree for them. Peri actually preferred that the girls defy them, but she cared deeply for them. She'd made the decision to protect them because of that reason.
"What's the next city?" Cypher spoke up.
"Oklahoma City," Peri answered as she, Nissa, and Alston held their arms out for the group to grab on.




They spent the rest of the daylight hours hitting three more covens after the Oklahoma City stop. Each time they rotated which group went down to fight. By the time the sun was finally setting, Jen was dead on her feet.
"You okay?" Decebel asked as he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close. They were standing in an empty warehouse, which made her feel like they were either about to do a drug deal or witness one of those underground cage fights.
"Just tired, and I want to see Thia. Do you think Peri would flash us home so that we could at least be the ones to put her to bed?"
Decebel nodded. "I'm pretty sure she would do anything for you three girls."
Peri appeared in the middle of the group suddenly, causing Cypher to stumble back or be pressed up against the fae. Peri didn't seem fazed in the least.
"We can go back to one of the pack mansions but we have to stay together. We aren't going to be hopping back and forth between them. We need to leave at first light again so it just makes sense to all be in the same location," she told them.
Jen raised her hand.
Peri’s brow rose as she looked at her. "Since when do you raise your hand to speak?"
"I'm turning over a new leaf, shut-up," Jen quipped back. "I would like to ask the group if everyone would be willing to stay at the Serbia mansion so that we could be with Thia?"
Everyone nodded or grumbled their consent. They were all just as tired as she was.
"Thanks," she said with a genuine smile because she really did appreciate it.
Decebel gave her a gentle squeeze. "Thank you," he whispered against her ear.
She looked back at him. "For what?"
"For being the mother of my child, and an amazing one at that."
Decebel didn't pass out praise like Halloween candy, so when he did praise her she knew it was authentic.
She patted the arm wrapped around her waist. "Welcome, babe." Jen turned back around just in time to see Peri and the other fae readying to take them home.