Vaewolf: Damn the Darkness: The Prophecy's Promise (Hearts of Darkness Book 3) (8 page)

Going into town should have been a minor task, but it wasn’t anymore. It was one Dylan couldn’t risk, not without clearing a path through the details in his life. There were still his regular duties and errands to run, ones no one else could do for him. He had time before he met with Jackson and Delavega at Du Monde, but he wanted to discuss Caitlin’s new symptoms personally with Shelby and Max, and then he had major concerns about leaving her.

What if a demon breached the safeguards? How fast could he get back? If he needed someone to watch over the estate, his first choice was Garr. And Garr had the wolves. But if Caitlin encountered problems feeding? Or worse?

If she actually began her metamorphosis, Shelby and Max were her best bet.

“I believe it won’t be long, a day, maybe less, before Caitlin enters stasis.”

Shelby didn’t look surprised with his concern. “From my initial exam, I agree with you. Her stasis is approaching quickly, Dylan. The side effects she’s already suffering have me concerned.”

“I’ve never heard of anyone having such a difficult time at this stage. But, there’s something else.” Dylan filled them in on the demon attack and then said, “I have to meet with Jackson and Detective Delavega. Is Caitlin okay to leave? Will she be okay if I go into town?”

“I’m certain she will. When the time comes, I’d hoped Victor would be here to advise us? Dr. Salazar knows more about the metamorphosis than any of us.” Shelby tilted her head at Max when he grunted. “Don’t be offended, Dr. Hamilton. Even you have to admit your experience pales in comparison.”

“True.” Max snickered and took the drink Dylan offered.

“Max,” she asked, “is there anything in your recent research?”

Max gave a double shoulder shrug. “I talked to Victor yesterday. He’s as confused as we are about our initial findings.”

The image of Dr. Victor Salazar, the handsome, dark-haired Spaniard who appeared to be in his early thirties came to mind. As soon as he arrived, Dylan would see about convincing Victor to join his merry band of misfits.

Perfect. Besides, Victor needed to know everyone with fae DNA might be targets. He also was the one other vampire who might have answers about the consequences of Dylan and Shelby using both their blood during Caitlin’s crucial change.

Max gestured at Dylan with his glass. “Even though Victor knows more about the situation than anyone, there’s a great deal of testing we still have to do.”

“I agree, but we need Victor here—” Dylan argued.

“Tell him, Max.” Shelby pointed at Dylan.

“When I called, Victor was tying up loose ends in Guatemala. He should be finished up soon and be ready to get on his way. He said don’t get your hopes up, maybe he can get out tomorrow or the next day, and he’s ready to help in any way. Also said he could use some research stimulation,” Max added.

Dylan paced as he spoke. “Good. We’ll need him to do more than research, Max.” Dylan released the tension he’d been holding in with a quick shoulder roll. “There was a demon attack on Jackson’s wolves.”

Shelby gasped. “Is that what you meant on the phone?” Dylan nodded and Max shook his head.

“Victor has a strong need to atone for his earlier life—the dark time after Amyra turned him. Even if no one blames him for his actions, he does. He blames himself for the death and destruction he’s caused.” Max shared the story Kyle shared about Victor’s early life.

“As a newly turned vampire, Amyra left him to fend for himself, wild and crazed from the blood lust, with no knowledge of what he’d become. He’d killed and killed some more. For a Druid healer it was the worst thing he could’ve endured. Then, when he came to his senses, his guilt almost drove him mad. Finally, he’d learned how to live as the creature he’d become, avoiding Amyra every chance he got. He’s spent the rest of his life helping others whenever he could.”

“Hopefully there won’t be any natural catastrophes to occupy him until he gets here,” Shelby said. “His blood-line will be an asset when we decide to track the demons. Since we aren’t battling Amyra, he won’t feel the need to hold back if we encounter trouble.”

“One more vampire with demon blood around here won’t be a hardship when it comes to tracking them down.” Dylan would feel better when they determined the reason the demons forced their way through the portal, and Victor might have an answer about Caitlin’s rapid onset metamorphosis.

Shelby tapped a sheaf of papers on her lap. “Kyle and I are up to our eyeballs at the hospital doing trials on the rogue virus.”

The virus...” Dylan slapped a hand to his forehead. “Oh no.”

“You can relax.” Shelby said. “It’s one less thing to worry about with Caitlin. We gave her the first batch of anti-viral serum Max developed before she went through the change.”

For now, Dylan could take comfort in the fact she wouldn’t carry the rogue virus. “Look, I have to get going, but will you both stay? I’d like to discuss a few other issues with you, later.”

“Sure,” Max said. “I’m going to check this blood sample in the lab out back. Will you stay with Caitlin, Shelby?”

“Of course.”

Dylan realized Shelby looked visibly tense, and tired. “Why don’t you take the weekend off, Shelby? Have a girls’ day by the pool with Caitlin and relax. I’ll call in medical help from a neighboring Parrish to help Kyle out at the clinic.”

“I kinda like the idea.” She scooped her red curls into some twisted design and wrapped a band around it. The effect was a high pony tail that made her look even younger, especially when she grinned. “It’s been awhile since I’ve had a girlfriend to hang with. Maybe we’ll make it a party, invite Isobel and Genevieve, little Juliette...and Simone. She’s always good for a laugh or two.”

Dylan winced at the succubus’ name.

“Why do you do that? Simone is my friend.”

“The dark fae always makes me wary.”

“She’d never done anything to cause us to doubt her loyalty.”

To the contrary, Shelby was right—Simone was clearly on their side against the demons and the rogue jaguars, and lately she’d been helpful with the Halfling demon sisters.

“Sorry,” he said. “But a dark fae, fairy godmother isn’t what I envisioned as a best friend for you or Caitlin.” Why did she worry him? Because under certain circumstances, a succubus could suck the life force out of anyone—mortal and immortal alike.

“Simone is closed mouthed, but she’s cool. All good from what I can tell. I’ll check in with Kyle. His shift is over in”—she looked at the clock—”fifteen minutes. He’ll keep me company until the girls arrive.”

Max stood and said,“You better get going if you’re going to meet with Jackson and Delavega.”

“Aye, I’d better. Warn the others of the threat.” He stared pointedly at Max. “And you, help yourself to my whiskey. After all, your practically family.”

Chapter Ten

Garr

Dylan pulled the car from the garage and paused. Garr approached on a Harley from the path on the driver’s side and motioned for him to wait.

The alpha Werewolf frowned into the open window. “You look beat,
mon ami
.”

“Thanks. And you look...” Dylan inspected Garr, surprised by what he saw. “...unusually GQ.” The tough, usually grizzled Lycan was freshly shaved, showered, and dressed up for a change.

Always a great wingman in the past, most women found Garr ruggedly handsome, perhaps because most of the time he could have passed for a badass Hell’s Angel, hog and all. And although, he was the ultimate bad boy—the sort women loved to love—he was charming to the core when he wanted to be.

Today, Dylan had to admit, he looked all business...and charm.

Garr gestured to the rising sun. “Shouldn’t all good vampires be heading off to bed?”

“Later. Maybe this afternoon. I’ve been preoccupied.”

“Ah.” The wolf gave Dylan a snide grin. “Is that what you call it?”

“Caitlin is approaching stasis, and Shelby is staying to watch over her while I organize a few things.”

“It is time the others shared some of the burden,
mon ami
. You carry too much of the load on your shoulders.”

“I appreciate the thought, but it’s the responsibility I accepted over three hundred years ago. I’m keeping a promise.”

“More than your promise.” He let out a snort of sorts. “Even Niccolai couldn’t have seen you signing up for all this. The responsibilities are piling up. You should learn how to delegate more.”

“Aye, true enough.” There was council business to attend and preparations for the mausoleum. Neither of which he could delegate. He could ask Garr for an update on Jackson’s progress, though. “Can I ask you for your opinion on Jackson before I meet him, today? How’s he adjusting to the pack—no, how are they adjusting to him?”

“They respect him. Things are changing.” Garr waved off the question. “He finished up after a few days with the upstate pack and went hunting with our group yesterday. He’s grown some, and his training is moving along faster than we expected.”

“Grown? If Jackson grows any larger, he’ll be the size of a grizzly on two legs.”

“Well, after that incident last night, we should all consider his size a good thing.”

“What exactly happened?” Although he wasn’t Jackson’s father, mentioning the demon attack cause Dylan to experience a pang of concern. “Was it worse than you first thought?”

“Plenty happened, but no, it wasn’t anything he couldn’t handle. In any case, he’s fine. Called about an hour ago.” Garr filled in the particulars for Dylan, “Two demons, riding shot gun with a six-pack of rogue jaguars, attacked Jude out by the swamp.” Giving him more facts about the wolf packs’ encounter in the swamp, he added, “Jackson went in alone, shifted, and saved Jude. Took out one demon, and then he and his four Weres chased off the jaguars.”

“Another attack by the demons and this time with jaguars? They’re getting bolder.”

“I’ll let Jackson give you the play by play. The remaining demon stood his ground, then reconsidered and escaped with the rest. I guess Jackson’s appearance was a might too intimidating, no?”

“Aye, a bit,” Dylan agreed. The vaewolf was nothing if not the most intimidating beast around. He was powerful beyond measure, and the fact the wolf and vampire characteristics morphed in and out as if he was more than one entity was a trip to watch. Normally, he was the size of a Werewolf, but Jackson’s additional demi-god blood enhanced the vampire fright factor. When he took on the characteristics of the vaewolf, even the ground shuddered beneath his feet.

“Demons and more rogue jaguars?” Dylan cursed, “Damn! We can’t catch a break. I need to get out there with Delavega—”

“For now, Jackson handled them. You let us worry about security while you take care of business. If stasis approaches, your mate will need you. Jackson made good decisions, yesterday. Earned the respect from the pack he was hunting with.”

“Aye. All important factors for him inevitably to assume his role as leader. He’s right on track.”

“You should be proud of the man you helped raise,
mon ami
.”

“Me? You too, Garr. You’ve made his acceptance by the various shifter packs seamless. I know Niccolai would appreciate all you’ve done.”

Garr waved the compliment off with a hand and gave Dylan what he’d come to know was a smile, though most would claim he was snarling. “Get ready,” Garr warned. “He plans to begin training with you again soon—three or four full moons from now. And by then, he should have attained the balance of his control.”

“Good. Anyway, he can fill me in on the details about the encounter,” Dylan said. “He’s earned bragging rights, and it’ll be good to see him.”

“
Oui.
He’ll be relieved to see you, too and have a few hours away from the pack.” Garr rubbed the back of his neck and then ran his forearm across his forehead. “Humid as hell, and the sun’s barely up.”

“The pressure on Jackson to perform is punishing, I know. You’ve cared for him as well, all these years, Garr, just not out of a sense of responsibility. You think of him as I do—family. I’ve missed having the lad around since he’s been spending more time with the packs.”

“Man, don’t let him hear you call him a lad. At twenty-nine, he might be a pup to us, but he’s struggling like hell to prove himself. And as you’ll see, doin’ a damn good job, too.”

The big lycan chuckled and forked his fingers through his hair. Uh, how long had the executive look lasted on the Cajun Werewolf? Fifteen minutes? Tops. So much for the well-groomed look. “Even the alphas have grown to respect him.”

“Good to know,” Dylan commented, relieved to hear Jackson was bonding well with the pack, and they already accepted him as their future leader. “That respect will come in handy soon enough.”

“But there’s more leadership training he needs from you, the fae, and the elders. Eventually, the group of
vieilles femmes
on the vampire council will have to accept his position of leadership, too.”

Garr’s description of the old, conservative vampires—council members, the ones who opposed Jackson’s imminent leadership—as a bunch of old women was partially accurate. One: they were old—very old—literally ageless men and women in their prime. And anyone who didn’t know how truly old they were, would never guess from their appearance. But two: most of them were men.