Sweeter Than Wine (23 page)

“Matt? How is Cam coming with that countermeasure?”

“Almost there.”

“Tell him to hurry, Matt. Sebastian is awake and out in the open. He’s fighting it, but
he’s very vulnerable right now.”

“Dammit!”
Matt broadened his communication to include Sebastian.
“Stay put, man,
until Cam frees us completely.”

“Sorry, Matt. No can do. My lady needs me.”
Sebastian sounded as if every word were a struggle as he fought against the magic trying to hold him in place.

“She needs you to stay alive, you idiot. Stay put! Cam says he’ll punch through any
second now.”

Christy kept her focus on Mario. The man was still standing, mouthing words under his breath in some foreign language, and Christy feared what he might be calling.

“Oh, no you don’t.” She ran forward and launched herself in a flying kick, meant to knock him out, but ran into a kind of invisible wall that sent her flying backwards. Only the animal grace imparted by Matt’s blood allowed her to land without breaking bones.

As it was, she knew she’d be sore for days from her jarring contact with the ground.

But her distraction served its purpose. She saw the sixth line of Mario’s tattoo stop pulsing and fade to match the other lines. That strange phenomenon was followed by a little pop of magic in the air and then Sebastian was moving normally. Well, normally for him. He was across the distance from the shipping container to Mario in a blurring display of speed.

His hands had morphed into razor-sharp talons the likes of which didn’t exist in nature. With them, he neatly sliced the mage’s neck from behind, before the other man even knew what hit him.

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Sebastian threw him down hard, discarded like an old rag doll, and morphed his talons back to hands as he came to her, picking her up off the ground and tugging her into his arms.

He rocked her as she clung to him, touching his blood-stained face and inspecting what she could see of the damage. He’d been hit hard in the temple, which is undoubtedly what had knocked him out.

“Oh, my love,” he whispered, kissing her hair and clutching her close, “I was so worried.”

“Me too.” She hiccupped, remembered fear clogging her throat.

Sebastian held her with his back to the man on the ground, but she could see Mario’s body, twitching. He wasn’t dead!

Things happened quickly then. A streak of tawny fur tore across the yard and tackled Mario as he rose to his knees, muttering dark words of magic. The glow of his facial tattoo increased and the cougar slowed, but refused to be stopped.

Matt had the mage by the throat, but Mario refused to fall. Then Cameron stepped out into the open and for a moment, Christy saw his whole body glow with otherworldly light. In the blink of an eye, Cam was dressed in ethereal armor as he strode forward to face Mario. His hands moved in intricate patterns and one by one the marks on Mario’s face diminished and then popped out of existence. The glowing tattoo unraveled as it died, the intricate knot work of twining vines of energy retracting and winking out of sight.

Then the light of life itself left his eyes as Matt’s strong, cougar jaws ripped out his throat. Mario fell, finally, lifeless to the ground while Christy hid her eyes against Sebastian’s shoulder. She’d seen and done enough for one night. Never before had she witnessed or committed such acts and just thinking of it made her feel queasy.

“Courage, my love.” Sebastian was there, with her, knowing her thoughts and ready to help her recover. If not for him, she could never have done any of this. If not for him, she’d already be dead. He was her life, her world, her universe, and she would be strong for him.

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They stood together and faced what would come next.

Cameron stood over the body, still working the last of his spells while Matt trotted off. He reappeared a moment later, dressed once more in his jeans, though he was still buttoning his shirt as he walked toward them.

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Mario Gonzalez lay dead on the ground, his lifeblood pooling around him, returning to the Earth from which he came, so many years before. Christy clung to Sebastian, holding on to her lover as if for dear life.

Others came out of the darkness to check on them. Matt met his fellow
were
, moving in from the perimeter. He spoke short words with Hastings and learned that every
were
who’d been placed on the perimeter of the grounds had been incapacitated by whatever spell Mario had woven.

Hiro and Ian reported the same had happened to them inside the warehouse, though Ian had been able to move a little more than his younger colleague, Hiro. That the human mage had been able to so easily disable so many beings of power over such a large area was troubling, to say the least.

Matt went to Christy and Sebastian, knowing from his connection to them that the storm was past for now. They pulled apart as Matt walked up. Cameron flanked them as they stood around Mario’s lifeless body.

“This one’s outstayed his welcome in the mortal realm.” Cameron looked with satisfaction at the dead mage. “I sense the balance returning, and that’s a good thing, but we’ll need to do something with this.” He gestured to the body.

Sebastian stepped forward. “Marc and I discussed this before he left.” He nodded to Ian and Hiro, who also stepped forward. “We want to be sure he can’t come back.” A significant look passed between the men and Matt knew the vampires meant to sever the man’s head and remove his heart, then burn him and scatter his ashes to the four winds.

Matt personally thought it was a bit of overkill, but he didn’t want to see this evil asshole resurrected any more than they did.

Hastings moved closer. “We can help.”

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“Ian and I can carry him aloft in shifted form,” Sebastian said. “If some of your winged brethren would follow, we could use their help to scatter the remains as far and wide as possible.”

“Done.” Hastings moved off to organize his people.

“And you’ll want to be doing this in a sacred space,” Cameron added thoughtfully.

Sebastian nodded. “There’s a stone circle in the foothills we can get to quick enough by air.”

“I see you’ve thought it all through.” Cam bowed his head, though his gaze never left Sebastian’s. “Your leader has my compliments. He’s a thorough man. I look forward to fighting at his side one day, should it prove necessary.”

“I’ll pass that along,” Sebastian said. “For now, we’d better get to work. Matt, will you see Christy home? And please let the
were
know they are welcome to stay at our place. I think we should stick together after such traumatic events. At least for a while.”

Matt stepped up. “I’ll tell them.” He gave Sebastian a brotherly hug, pounding him on the back. “I’m glad you’re okay.”

“Same here, friend. Thanks for sticking by us and helping my lady when I was unable.” Matt was a little shocked to see the vampire’s eyes fill with emotion. When Sebastian would have said more, Matt stopped him.

“We can talk later. For now, I’ll take care of your woman. You take care of the bad guy, and do a thorough job of it. I shudder to think of any of us having to face that bastard again.”

“Amen to that.” Sebastian left Christy with a quick kiss and went to work with Ian, both vampires shifting quickly to bird form. They were huge California condors in shape, but in strength they were mightier than ten men. They each took hold of an arm and a leg with oversized talons and flapped great wings that lifted them into the air. They were awkward, but got the job done.

Matt marveled at the vampires’ ability to shift into just about any form they wished and selectively alter parts of their anatomies for whatever task they needed to do. That wasn’t something
were
could do, but then, for all their power, the vampires paid dearly.

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Matt couldn’t imagine never eating his favorite foods, or feeling the sun on his skin…or his fur. It was the vampires’ greatest weakness.

Matt watched as the vampires flew out of sight, followed by a flight of various kinds of flying
were.
Most were raptors, with Hastings in the lead. Cameron spoke in quiet tones with Christy, then turned to Matt.

“Things should be all right now, for a while at least.” Cam clapped him on the back, hugging him to his side for a brief moment. “You did good tonight, boyo. It was an honor working with you.”

“Thanks. Same here.” They shook hands and the fey warrior stepped back.

“With all the magic flying here tonight, it’s a sure bet the enemy knows where I am.

I’ll teleport myself to the stone circle, just to make sure they’ve got a handle on things.

Dealing with a mage of such power—even in death—is not an easy task. I’ll set them on the right track, then ’port to Sebastian’s house. Take Hiro with you and get some of your
were
brethren to guard your backs as you make your way to the estate.”

“Will do. We’ll be all right, Cam. Go do what you’ve got to do.”

“Good man. Be safe, my friends.” Cameron sent Christy a smile and a small nod of respect.

Then with a flash of light, he winked out of existence.

“Man, that is some cool shit.” Matt marveled aloud at Cameron’s abilities. When he turned his attention to Christy, she was looking fragile again. Poor mite had been through the wringer and then some in the past weeks, not to mention this hellacious evening.

Matt simply held out his arms and Christy walked into them, resting her cheek against his chest and hugging him.

“Thanks, Matt.” Her voice quivered. “When I couldn’t feel Sebastian in my mind, I almost lost it. If not for you…”

“Ssh, sweetheart. I’m glad I could help. You and Sebastian are very special to me. I want you both to live long, happy lives together and tell my descendants about me long after I’ve passed on.”

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“Don’t talk about death, Matt. Not even remotely. I can’t face any more tonight.”

She sniffled and burrowed closer. “Just take me home. I need to clean up and so do you.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He kissed the crown of her head. “Your wish is my command.”

They walked around back to where they’d left the cars out of sight, picking up a small group of
were
along the way. Many of the land-based
were
wanted to decompress together after the harrowing events of the night and had already decided to act as guards during the next day or two at Sebastian’s estate, just to be sure. His spacious grounds had the added attraction of being one of the few places
were
could run free and still be close to the city.

Hiro drove Sebastian’s car from around front, and waited for Matt and Christy to hop in with him while a few carloads of
were
got in front and behind in an impromptu caravan. Hastings had given orders to his people, organizing them into watches. Some stayed behind to keep surveillance on the warehouse area in case any of Mario’s associates came nosing around. Matt was glad, once again, to have the military-trained
were
hawk on their team. Hastings was on top of every aspect of the operation and always seemed to think three steps ahead.

Steel went back with them to the estate as well, having witnessed only a little of what went down in the warehouse compound. Like the
were
, he too had been immobilized by Mario’s magic.

The mystery remained as to why Christy had been spared. Of all of them, she was the one Mario had gone there to kill. Why leave her able to move and immobilize everyone else?

Matt realized the answer almost before the thoughts finished forming. Like any sick predator, he’d wanted to play with his prey before killing it. The man had positively enjoyed Christy’s fear in the moments before she got herself together.

He’d probably banked on the idea that with her past, she’d be easy pickings, regardless of the skirmish they’d had on the patio of Atticus and Kelly’s home. Maybe Mario figured that on neutral ground—away from the serious protections around a 188

vampire’s lair—he’d have an open shot at the young woman who’d only been turned weeks before.

Lucky for them, he’d thought wrong, and his miscalculation had been his defeat.

Underestimating Christy had been his first mistake. Underestimating her friends had been his last.

Matt felt satisfaction as he remembered the feel of the man’s throat under his jaws.

When he was in cat form, he reveled in the kill. More so, when it was as justified as this one had been.

The ride back to the estate was uneventful. Christy kept silent, staring out the window as Hiro drove. Matt sat with her in the backseat, in case she should need him, but she seemed to be holding up well. Just knowing that Sebastian was all right went a long way toward her equilibrium, he knew. The two depended so greatly on each other already, he marveled at the relationship.

Marveled and envied. Matt didn’t ever think he’d be lucky enough to find a woman who could share his life. Many cats didn’t. Chances were good that one of his brothers would find a mate and take care of siring the next generation. As the youngest, Matt didn’t expect that task would fall to him, though after seeing Christy and Sebastian together, he wouldn’t mind finding a partner to share his life and his love, if he should be so blessed. That was a rather startling revelation for a cat shifter who’d always been on the prowl. After seeing his friends and experiencing their love, it looked like his prowling days might just be over.

It took over an hour to get from the warehouse district to the estate. They pulled up and some of the
were
guards went ahead to be sure things hadn’t been disturbed on the grounds or in the house before Matt and Hiro escorted Christy inside.

She went into the first bathroom they came to and cleaned up. When she emerged, she looked better, though tired. Matt led her into the living room and settled her on one of the soft couches. She seemed a little out of it still after the tumultuous events of the night.

Not surprising, really, for a woman who’d only recently found courage to fight. Tonight had been brutal for her, considering her background.

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Matt left her there with Hiro and went to clean himself up. He stopped in at the large kitchen and found a few of his
were
brethren had started cooking. He had to grin at that.

Trust the
were
to want to chow down after a night watch. Matt found tomato sauce and pasta cooking on the stove. Nothing like carbs to reenergize.

But he decided to wait a while before eating anything heavy, grabbing a granola bar off the counter instead. His stomach felt a little off and now that the adrenaline high had faded, fatigue was setting in. It wasn’t usual for him, but then, nothing about this night had been normal. Matt put the unsettling weakness up to the trauma of the battle and thought nothing more about it.

Christy appreciated Matt giving her some space. It was tough to come to terms with the things she’d seen and done that night. Thinking about it during the long ride home and now, sitting with Hiro in the living room, she was damned proud of the way she’d stood up to Mario.

It was a far cry from the way she would have reacted just a few short weeks ago.

And it was all thanks to Sebastian. He’d saved her life and brought in Matt and Hiro to give her strength and knowledge. She owed all three men for her transformation, but most especially Sebastian. Without him, nothing else mattered.

Hiro sat silent sentinel across the big room, his quiet ways comforting. He watched over her without intruding on her thoughts, the sensei seeming to know instinctively when she needed to think things through.

“I haven’t thanked you.” She spoke into the silence, meeting Hiro’s gaze as he stood from his meditative pose and took one of the chairs opposite the couch she’d chosen.

“Your training went a long way towards saving my life tonight. I’m in your debt.”

“You saved your own life, Lady Christina, I merely gave you the knowledge. You were the one who took it inside and let it guide you when there was need. You did us all proud tonight. Especially yourself.”

The smile he gave her went straight to her pride. Such simple praise had never been directed her way during her married years and she’d only realized since waking up in the 190

hospital, she’d missed it terribly. Hiro was a kind soul, a gentle man with a big heart, but he was also a tough task master. He didn’t give praise easily and his words meant all that much more because of it.

“Thanks.” She spoke in a careful way, afraid to let emotion overwhelm her. After the ordeal they’d been through, she felt more fragile than she liked.

Matt came into the room, munching on a granola bar, breaking the mood. He sprawled on the couch near Christy and put one foot up on the coffee table.

“Make yourself at home.” Hiro chuckled and Christy followed suit.