Redemption

Defiance radiated from her as her jaw clenched and her jade green eyes sparkled. "I'm not afraid of you," she retorted.

  "But you're afraid of Calvin?"

  A ring of red encircled her eyes as her chin tilted. "You will leave, Calvin will still be here."

  "So eager to get rid of me?"

  "It is simply what will happen. You will move on, as you have done so many times over the last year, and continue to make sure that the practice of using blood slaves has in fact been eradicated from the outer colonies."

  It sounded like a worthy cause, but he knew that it wasn't what he or William had been doing. In fact, they had yet to encounter a town where blood slaves were still being used. Coexistence between the species hadn't been easy, there was still a lot of fighting and resentment amongst the humans and vampires, but Braith had a lot of troops moving throughout the settlements who were working hard to keep the peace. He was hiding amongst these outer towns; he knew it, just as he knew William was also well aware of the fact that he was doing the same.

  She was right, when he was done here, he would move on. He would continue to do so until there was nowhere left for him to go, or until either he or William decided it was time to return home.

  "You're right, I will move on." Her nose crinkled slightly at his words, her gaze focused on the wall behind him. "But I can guarantee that Calvin will continue to leave you alone when I'm gone."

  "I'm sure you believe so."

  "I know so." With his temper under check again, he grabbed hold of the chair and pulled it next to her bed. "He won't ever force you into something that you didn't willingly choose Hannah, I can promise you that."

  She looked as if he had just handed her the most precious jewel in the world as her mouth parted and hope filled her eyes. "Why would you do that?"

  He wasn't entirely sure how to answer that question or even what the answer to it was. "Because no one should be forced to do something they don't want to do."

  "Thank you," she whispered.

  "What is Calvin's weakness?" he inquired.

  "He doesn't have one," she said as she stifled a yawn.

  "I thought everyone in this town had something wrong with their DNA."

  "That's true, everyone, except for Calvin and Kane. From what I've been told they showed up here four hundred years ago and never left."

  Like a thermometer in the sun, Jack felt his temper rising again. "So he established himself as the leader in this town because he believed everyone to be weaker than him."

  "We are weaker than him, they're not Undesirables."

  "Neither are you."

  A sleepy smile curved her mouth as her eyes fluttered closed. "I'm glad you think so."

  He sensed it when she fell asleep again and bent down to press a kiss against her temple.

  ***

  Lucas shifted nervously and tapped his fingers against his leg as Jack pulled the rope on the bell hanging beside the gate. "Those are not friendly puppies," William muttered as he eyed the dogs growling at them from the other side of the gate. "Seriously those things could rip my arm off and they'd probably even be able to nibble off one of your vampire fingers."

  Jack shot him a look as he pulled at the bell again. Calvin knew they were there, he was certain of it, but he was enjoying making them wait. He briefly contemplated just killing the man and ending all of their problems right now, but even Braith couldn't save him if he was arrested and tried for murder. From what he'd seen, Calvin had done nothing overtly wrong. He couldn't kill the man simply because he didn't want him going anywhere near Hannah again.

  "Maybe we should throw them some steak or something," William said.

  "I won't let them eat you," Jack retorted impatiently.

  "You didn't promise that I could keep my extremities."

  "I may just shove your foot in your mouth if you keep talking."

  "Somebody's cranky," William said with a roll of his eyes at Lucas.

  Lucas wisely chose to remain mute as Jack glowered at William. They were more than friends, he'd come to consider William a brother. However, like any sibling there were times when he wanted nothing more than to throttle him, especially right now. He'd appreciate the silence strangling William would bring, but he would also miss him.

  "Ripper, Vicious, sit."

  "How fitting," William muttered as the dogs retreated a few feet and sat down at Calvin's command.

  The large blond vampire smiled as he approached the gate. "They're really much friendlier than they seem," he said as he opened the gate. "Please come in."

  He made a grand gesture with his arm as he stepped aside to let them pass. William's eyes remained riveted upon the panting dogs but for once he kept his mouth shut as Calvin closed the gate behind them. "If I had known that you were coming to visit, I would have had them put inside so they didn't bother you."

  "They're not a bother," Jack said as William finally turned away from the animals.

  "Well come in then. I was hoping we would get a chance to talk some more," Calvin invited.

  Jack seriously doubted that but he didn't argue against the bullshit Calvin was trying to shovel on them as he followed him up the stairs to the double front doors. One door was already open and the ugly vampire Kane he remembered with Calvin in the tavern was standing just inside of them.

  "It's unusual to see you out of the tavern, Lucas," Calvin said as he led them down a lengthy hallway.

  "I get out once in awhile," Lucas replied tersely.

  Most humans would have had a difficult time seeing in the gloomy home but Jack's eyes picked up all the details of it. Spears, knives, swords, katanas, and an assortment of crossbows and long bows lined the walls beside him. Jack imagined the assortment of weapons, and the implication that Calvin knew how to use them all, had been meant to intimidate the vampires that had entered here before him. He didn't feel intimidated though, instead he eyed a finely crafted crossbow at the end of the hall that he would like to get his hands on.

  "I suppose Hannah is capable of taking care of things," Calvin said.

  Jack didn't miss Calvin's glance at him but he refused to rise to the vampire's baiting. The hallway opened into a massive sitting room with two sofas set against the wall across from them and the wall on his right. Instead of weapons lining these walls, there were suits of armor taking up almost every inch of available floor space.

  The only source of light within the room was the six sconces lining the walls. The flickering candles in them cast dancing shadows over the blood colored rug and dark brown wooden walls. Calvin walked around the glass coffee table in the middle of the room and settled himself onto the red sofa across from where they stood. He leaned back and folded his hands behind his head to study them.

  "Please sit. Would you care for a drink?" Calvin inquired.

  "No," Jack said in a clipped tone.

  Calvin waved his hand and a woman scurried from the shadows of the room beyond this one. The beat of her heart would have given her away as human even before he spotted the bite marks and bruises marring her wrists and neck. She wore a floor length dress but it did little to cover the ample cleavage exposed by her low cut top. Jack took a step forward as she poured a glass of what smelled like whiskey for Calvin.

  "Pour one for Kane too Portia," Calvin said as the bull like man standing within the shadows strode forward.

  Though Kane was shorter than everyone in this room, at about five ten, he was one of the stockiest people Jack had ever seen, and one of the ugliest. Unflinching hazel eyes, that reminded him of a lizard's, focused on him as Kane lifted the glass and swallowed the contents in one gulp.

  A small clatter brought his attention back to Portia and Calvin as the young woman's hand trembled enough to bump the decanter against the crystal glass. "I know what you're thinking but Portia is here willingly, aren't you Portia?"

  The young woman's sable eyes were shadowed as she glanced around at them. "Of course," she murmured.

  "Some women just like a l
ittle extra danger in their men, right Portia?"

  "Yes." She was saying it, but Jack wasn't buying it as her haunted eyes briefly met his before skittering away. He knew there were humans willing to fill the role that Calvin was describing, but none of the ones he'd encountered had appeared this unhappy and worn out.

  Calvin slapped her butt before gesturing toward the alcove she had been standing in before. "Go on now Portia, let us have some privacy."

  Like a mouse she scurried into the shadows. Irritation spurted through him, but he forced it back as he remained standing, his gaze unwavering upon Calvin's. "I'm sure you're aware of the laws Braith has instated and changed."

  "You'll find no blood slaves here," Calvin replied casually.

  "There were more than just blood slave laws that were changed. There is to be equality throughout the land for vampires and humans alike."

  "You will find that here," Calvin smiled at him over top of his glass as he took a sip of his drink.

  "I haven't so far."

  Calvin's gaze slid to Lucas, but to his credit, the young vampire remained where he was with his shoulders thrust back. "I don't know what Lucas has been telling you..."

  "Lucas has told me nothing. I have eyes; I see the way the people in this town react to you. You lead here by intimidation and that is going to end," Jack told him.

  For the first time he saw a crack in the man's flawless demeanor. The smile slipped from his face as he leaned forward on the sofa and placed his drink on the table next to him. "I have been in charge of this town..."

  "For too long." A dim part of him was aware of the fact that the authoritative tone of his voice sounded like his father, but for once he didn't shy away from the association. If it got Calvin to stay away from Hannah, and to stop tormenting the people within this town, he would do what he had to in order to get his way.

  "You have no right," Calvin said in a low voice.

  "My brother gave me every right to take charge and make changes as I saw fit. You saw these vampires as weaker and you took advantage of that. There will be equality here."

  "Is this about Hannah?" Calvin inquired as he rose from the sofa.

  William shot Jack a questioning look; Lucas took a step closer at the mention of his cousin. Jack didn't miss the subtle movement of William's hand to the small crossbow tethered to his belt, hanging down against his thigh. "This has nothing to do with her," Jack told him though a trickle of aggravation filtered through him.

  "We all know how women can exaggerate things."

  Jack's mind flashed back to their conversation in her room. It was Lucas that stepped forward to speak though. "What are you talking about?"

  Calvin gave a casual shrug. "We simply had a pleasant conversation, but as you know women can be stubborn and they don't always know what is best for them."

  "What are you talking about?" Lucas demanded again.

  "Sometimes women must be persuaded," Calvin replied.

  Jack recalled the shadows on her hand and suddenly he understood. What he didn't understand was the haze of red that descended over his eyes or the fact that he was moving without even realizing he was doing so. In less time than it took to blink, he was leaping over the table in the center of the room and seizing hold of Calvin's throat. He lifted the man and propelled him back three feet before slamming him against the wall. Calvin's body crashed into the wood with enough force to knock one of the suits of armor over. The clatter of the metal resonated within the large room.

  Calvin's feet kicked against the wall, his hands clawed at Jack's but Jack only squeezed harder. Though Calvin didn't require air, his face became florid as his eyes bulged. "Don't even think about it," William grated out.

  Jack glanced back to where he'd left his friend. He'd pulled the crossbow at his side free and had it leveled upon Kane. The vampire's lip curled into a sneer. "You think you can take me, human?"

  William just smirked in return. "I wouldn't push your luck, vampire."

  Convinced that William could handle Kane, he turned his attention back to Calvin. The man had gone still within his grasp; his ruby colored eyes were riveted on Jack, his hands were wrapped around Jack's wrist. It took everything Jack had not to smash his head against the wall or tear his heart out.

  "You're not stronger than me," Jack growled as his fangs lengthened and he leaned closer to the man. "You may be stronger than the residents of this town, but you're not stronger than me."

  The red of Calvin's eyes grew even more vivid but he remained unmoving within Jack's grasp as his eyes slid past him. A small gasp brought Jack's head back to the hallway. Just barely visible amongst the shadows, her hand pressed against her mouth, Hannah stood within the doorway. William kept the crossbow trained upon Kane as another one of Calvin's men slipped out from behind Hannah and started walking toward Kane.

  CHAPTER 13

  Ellen had been sitting by Hannah's side when she'd woken again. Her friend was hesitant in the beginning but Hannah had finally managed to pry from her where Jack had gone. Though her back wasn't completely healed, the dress she wore was loose fitting enough that it didn't press against her sore flesh. She didn't know what he had been thinking, or what he proposed to do, but she was going to make sure her cousin stayed safe and that Jack didn't do anything too reckless.

  Both dogs were still patrolling when she'd arrived at Calvin's home but Lionel had been standing by the gate and let her in. The short vampire, with no hair on his body at all, and nearly white eyes had always been friendly to her, but she didn't trust anyone that worked with Calvin. Lionel had kept up a string of idle chitchat as they'd walked into the house, but her anxiety had only grown at the knowledge that Lucas and Jack were deep within the lion's den.

  Stepping into the massive sitting room all rational thought had fled her brain at the spectacle before her. They were all as good as dead; the realization was like a cement block around her neck. She was unable to move a foot further into the room as she glanced between Calvin, Kane, and Lionel. These were only two of his men, there were at least a few dozen others somewhere around here and there were rumored to be even more in nearby towns. Jack was holding his own against Calvin right now, but he'd never be able to fend off a small militia of vampires.

  She couldn't tear her gaze away from Jack. She didn't know if she was more infuriated with him for doing this or if he'd just stolen her heart for the rest of her life. She wanted to kill him but she wanted to kiss him in equal waves that were beginning to make her feel as if she were completely and absolutely nuts. She'd never been one to be so uncertain and confused in her emotions before but since Jack had walked into her life she felt like a discombobulated mess. That fact only made her want to kick him.

  Then his eyes met hers and she felt a newfound strength surging through her extremities that cracked the concrete encasing her. It would be ok, as long as he was here, it would be ok. He'd keep her safe; he'd keep them all safe. She didn't know how or why, but she trusted he would be able to make Calvin back down.

  He slowly turned away from her and focused on Calvin once more. "If you even dare to touch her again, I will kill you. If you mistreat anyone within this town again you will be locked away. You are not in charge here anymore."

  With those final words, he lowered the larger vampire to the ground and stepped away from him. Calvin tried to retain some of his dignity and confidence as he straightened his coat and tugged at the collar of his shirt. "You have no idea who you're messing with," he said to Jack as he made his way toward William.

  "I have every idea of who I am messing with and believe me when I say that I am not impressed," Jack responded without looking back. "Let's go," he said with a nod to William and Lucas.

  Her head tilted back as he stopped before her. "What have you done?" she whispered.

  "He's not going to bully and frighten anyone in this town anymore." With tender care he took hold of her hand and tucked it into the crook of his arm. "And he's definitely not going to harm you aga
in."

  Her eyes flew back to his as his thumb stroked over the flesh of her now healed hand. She knew, without having to hear him confirm it, that he was aware of at least a little bit of what had transpired between her and Calvin yesterday. "I'm fine," she told him. "No one is going to be hurt because of me."

  "This is because of him Hannah, he's made the wrong choices; he's the one that has abused his power."

  Hannah kept expecting someone to attack them, she repeatedly glanced behind them. She realized that Jack might be even crazier than she'd originally thought as he kept his gaze focused straight ahead. He'd lost his place in this world when the war had ended and he'd returned to the palace. Lost his place when David had been killed and she wondered now if it had made him a little reckless. He didn't seem reckless now though, in fact he seemed unbelievably self-assured as he made his way casually through the house.

  "Have you lost your mind?" William demanded when they stepped outside. "You could have given me some warning on that. You said you only intended to talk to the guy."

  "We did talk." She felt the tension in Jack's large frame as they moved swiftly down the stairs, but he kept his step effortless. "I just didn't like what he had to say."

  "Jack, we're outnumbered in this town. I assume he has more men than just those two."

  "He does," Hannah confirmed.

  "He won't come after us, not yet anyway," Jack said with confidence. She didn't know where the dogs had gone but nothing attempted to stop them as they walked to the front gates. Jack pulled one of the gates open. He pressed his hand into the small of her back as he ushered her through quickly. "From what I could tell there were only four men in that house, where are the others?"

  "Other than Kane they're all like us and live within the town," she told him. "There are rumors that there are more in surrounding towns."

  "It will take him some time to gather them if there are," Jack said.

  "Not much," she gushed out.

  Jack's hand pressed more firmly against her back as he looked down at her. "He won't come after us right away; he'll come up with a better plan than simply attacking us. We may be outnumbered by him but he knows that William and I cannot simply disappear without bringing Braith's attention to this town. He'll try and find something on us, something that will give him a reason to execute us first."