A Cursed Bloodline (WG 4) (22 page)

Angelo’s glare bore into me like a slow-twisting screw. “I challenge you, Celia Wird, for your family. I—”

Word to the wise: Don’t mess with a hormonal pregnant woman at the end of her rope.

My jumping, spinning back kick completely shut him up. There was a collective gasp when his head left his shoulders and landed somewhere near the Elders. My sisters, friends, and—to my surprise—
Aric
had all raced forward to help me.

I ignored them and followed the stream of blood to where Angelo’s head lay, careful not to soil my skirt. This time it was my turn to glare. “You ever threaten me or Misha’s family again, I’ll ram a stake through your goddamn heart—you got me?”

“Yes,” he muttered.

I addressed the other masters. “Anyone else want to challenge me?” Funny, they all found somewhere else to look.
“I didn’t think so.”
I bowed my head slightly at Makawee. “Sorry about the mess.” It was a stupid thing to say, but it was my way of showing her some respect. She tilted her chin slightly and tried her best to squelch her grin. With that I turned on my heel and left, but not before Misha’s vampires shoved Angelo’s body aside in another show of strength.

Tye dashed after me. “Oh,
shit
. I can’t believe you took down a master in one strike.” He followed me to the limo and jumped in ahead of me.

I dropped my arms to my sides. “Tye, what are you doing?”

“You’re my destiny, dovie. I’m going with you.”

“That’s a great idea. Isn’t it, Celia?” Danny’s insistence told me not to argue.

I wanted to tell them both they were nuts, except that chaos then blasted behind me like a siren. Leave it to Hank to escort Emme out with his arm around her waist. And leave it to him to then taunt Liam, the wolf, Warrior, and Emme’s ex-boyfriend.

Liam stepped between them, forcing them apart. His upper lip curled in a snarl. “Emme, tell me you’re not with this damn parasite.”

Emme clutched Liam’s arm. “Lee, don’t.”

He reeled on her. “Just because we’re not together doesn’t mean you should settle for a vampire!”

Hank swung, aiming for Liam’s face. Liam sidestepped, gripped his wrist, and they both toppled down the stone steps, punching and landing hard blows. I grabbed Emme and shoved her into Shayna and Taran’s arms to keep her back. The wolves leapt from the large porch and charged to where Liam and Hank pounded each other like sledgehammers meeting rock.

Emme screamed at them to stop, tugging them with
force,
unable to pry them apart. Misha’s vamps jetted to the rolling mound, their claws and fangs out. To say I was in no mood for a
were
-vamp smackdown was an understatement. Gravel flew up around me with how fast I moved. “Back,” I hissed to the oncoming vamps. They grounded to a halt. “Hank,
stop
.”

Hank did as he was told, like a good little vampire. Liam wouldn’t stop and ripped off Hank’s arm before Koda and Gemini could haul him away.

Aric broke from the crowd and stalked toward me. “I want to talk to you,” he said under his breath.

I couldn’t hide the hurt in my voice. “I wouldn’t want to keep you from your mate.”

He didn’t follow me when I gave him my back, but I felt him watching me.

Liam spat blood on the ground. “I don’t want you with him, Emme. You deserve better than him.”

“Go back to your coyote, mutt,” Hank snapped. “Tonight when you’re with her, Emme will be begging me not to stop.”

And with that one statement, Hank completely ruined his chances with Emme. Her cheeks burned red and she edged away from him.

“Nice one, Hank.” I yanked the dismembered limb out of his hand and smacked him upside the head with it. “Get in the damn car!”

Hank grumbled but took his arm back and obeyed. Liam continued to struggle. “You
asshole,
don’t ever talk about her that way again!”

Gemini dragged him farther back. “Settle down, Liam. It’s over.”

Liam wouldn’t listen. I didn’t want any more trouble and neither did Emme.

“Go get Allie,” she said quietly. “She’s Liam’s mate. She’ll be able to soothe him.”

Emme’s reaction tore at my heart. In her soft, simple words she’d given Liam her blessing. He broke away from the wolves and lifted her in an embrace. “Thank you for understanding, angel,” he whispered.

“I’m happy for you,” she said as tears trickled down her small face. “But please don’t invite me to your wedding….I can’t watch you marry someone else.”

Liam released Emme and bowed his head. For the first time, he realized just how much his upcoming marriage had hurt her. I placed my arm around Emme and ushered her into the limo and into Danny’s arms.

I meant to leave then. Not just for Emme’s sake, but for mine as well. Shayna’s voice kept me in place.

“Don’t go after Misha, Ceel. If you do, you won’t come back.” She stood behind me, clenching the hilt of the dagger at her hip. She didn’t understand what Misha meant to me or that he was my only chance of surviving, especially now that Anara’s power would soar into something unstoppable.

“I can’t abandon him,” I told her. “He’s my friend.”

I tried to hug her, but she wrenched away from me. “You’re going to die—don’t you get it? What you’re doing is suicide!”

She fell against Koda’s chest, sobbing. I expected him to explode at me for upsetting her. Instead his solemn expression revealed his worry and disappointment. Once again, I’d managed to kick everyone in the emotional gut without even trying.

I paused, sensing Aric’s attention fixed solely on me. Instead of acknowledging him, I addressed my remaining sister. Taran’s eyes glistened with tears before narrowing sharply. “This isn’t your problem, Celia. Let it go.”

“I can’t.”

She muttered a bunch of swearwords and kicked at the pebbles at her feet. “
Fine
. But I’m going with you!”

“No,” Gemini and I both said at once.

Taran’s anger charged the magic around her. “For shit’s sake, what the hell happened? It used to be all of us, or none of us!”

“Not this time,” I told her quietly.

Gemini slipped his arm around Taran’s waist and gripped her hip, holding her protectively and lovingly all at once. It was hard for me to watch them, realizing Aric used to hold me the same way.

Gemini spoke calmly. “Celia, your decisions lately have been irrational at best. Give yourself time to think things through before running after what is evidently the source of your problems.”

My shoulders crumbled and my body wasn’t far behind. I was so tired of fighting with those I loved. “I have to go,” I said, my voice cracking. “Take care of each other.”

I hurried into the limo and slammed the door. Taran pounded on the glass. “Celia. Don’t do this!”

The limo thundered away at my nod. Emme grappled with her misery all the way back to the mansion. I’d moved past misery and cuddled up with anger. Given a choice, anger always made a better lover than heartbreak.

Of all the things Aric could have said, how could he call Diane his mate? And how could he promise to give her a child when ours grew inside me with every breath?

Tye cleared his throat. “What are you thinking, dovie?”

“That I’m probably going to die, and so will you if you come with me.”

Tye tucked his hands behind his neck and spread his long legs across Agnes and Edith’s laps. They let him, obviously charmed by his white-blond hair, smooth tanned skin, and light blue eyes that cut through the darkness of the limo. “You know what your problem is?”

I groaned. “No, Tye, but I’m sure you’re going to tell me.”

Tye reached out to me. In a blink, I lay across his lap and his mouth was tickling my ear. “You don’t believe in Destiny,” he whispered.

I pressed my fingers against his lips before he could kiss me. My thoughts at that moment remained with Aric. “I did believe in destiny once. I don’t anymore.” The tone in my voice wasn’t harsh like I’d intended. It betrayed every last trickle of emotion I’d fought to suppress.

Tye backed off and placed his hand gently on my knee. “Hell, Aric really did a number on you, didn’t he?”

Tye’s comment surprised me. He must have heard I’d broken our bond. And yet instead of blaming me, he held Aric responsible. I shrugged and moved back to my seat, just in time for the limo to roll to a stop.

I abandoned the Hummer at the same time Uri emerged from his. “I have arranged for a plane. Where do you intend to fly?”

I rubbed my hands, chilled from the sudden drop in temperature. “Panajachel. That’s the Tribe’s first destination. I’ll need cars and access to another plane in case we don’t stop them before they reach El Salvador.”

Uri nodded to his vampires. They dispersed to set my plans in motion.

Tim bowed to us. “Who do you want to come with us, Celia?”

“The strongest vampires we have. Make sure they eat, we leave in an hour—oh, and tell Hank to pop his arm back in place. He doesn’t have time to regenerate a new limb.”

I urged Emme, Danny, and Tye upstairs to check on Bren. They left without question, realizing my need to speak with Uri alone. “There’s something I need to discuss with you. If anything happens to me—”

“You wish me to care for Misha’s keep.” He scoffed when I said nothing. “Celia, as this family’s grandmaster my subordinates apprise me of everything. I see all and know all through them. You’d be a fool to think otherwise.”

It amazed me. The last few weeks and just now at the Den, I’d been Uri’s hero. Despite my fears, I’d stepped up to the plate and ensured the survival of his family. And now he felt the need to flex his supernatural muscles in my face. He’d never disrespected me before, but I found his arrogance offensive. “Whatever, Uri,” I snapped. It was a cocky response, and one that could have been perceived as a challenge. But I’d be damned if I allowed him to treat me as he pleased and kill me if it suited him.

He watched me for a beat, not speaking, not moving. I watched him too, certain he’d attack. When he spoke again, his tone was softer, but by no means apologetic. If anything, he resumed the role of the gentleman he pretended to be. “I will take custody of Misha’s family should you die. However…”

I rammed my hands onto my hips. “Yes?”

“Just return with my son and there will be no need to worry.” Uri stared at me closely, in a way that made me want to bite. I should have expected his greatest concern, like that of most vampires, was meeting his own needs. He didn’t care who perished if it meant getting Misha back. Hell, for all I knew he’d probably told the vampires to exchange me for Misha if it came down to it.

My anger rose, and I cursed myself for thinking I could rely on Uri. Would he keep Misha’s family safe if I died? As we continued to eye each other, I wasn’t so sure. He was nothing like Misha. He may have respected me to a degree because of my abilities, but to expect him to show me any compassion or weep at my graveside would be absurd.

Tim returned and bowed once more. “Excuse me, Grandmaster. Here is the meal you requested.”

Uri’s dinner consisted of two strapping young males that couldn’t have been older than twenty-three. Like most men Uri preferred, they carried a feminine beauty. He nodded approvingly and beckoned the tallest one forward. Lust glimmered in the young man’s eyes as he reached to stroke Uri’s neatly trimmed beard. Their arousal hit me almost immediately. “If you will excuse me, dear Celia, I need to dine before I turn in. I expect to hear from you regarding your progress.”

“I’m sure the vampires will keep you informed.” I started up the stairs. I knew what was coming, and yet I still cringed when Uri’s fangs punctured his dinner’s jugular.

Chapter Twenty

Emme perched on the bed next to Bren. To my joy, Bren’s bugle wasn’t blasting away, though it could have been out of respect for her sorrow. Tye leaned her against him. “Emme, don’t cry. Liam may have found his mate, but in time, you will, too.”

She rubbed her red swollen eyes. “I hope you’re right,” she said quietly.

He rubbed her back, but winked my way. “Don’t be jealous, Celia. I’m just trying to make my future sister-in-law feel better.”

I let out an exasperated laugh and sat next to them. Danny rubbed my shoulders. “How are you holding up?”

“About as good as always,” I muttered.

I examined my sister closely. Emme was born premature and had always been small. Her stature and her sensitive nature granted her a free pass to be vulnerable.

I was denied that pass—stereotyped instead as a strong and fierce protector who couldn’t show weakness. So when I broke down, it made others uneasy. It was as if I wasn’t allowed to hurt. But I did, especially then.

I smoothed my sister’s hair and tried to smile. “Emme, I want you and Danny to take over Bren’s care while I’m gone.”

She wrinkled her brow. “Celia, I’m going with you.”

“No, sweetie, you’re not.” I sighed and tried to force the words out. “I need you to watch over Bren in case I don’t come back.”

Emme’s tears started all over again. “Don’t say that, Celia. I don’t want to lose you, too.”

The lump building in my throat made it hard to speak. “Emme, someday you’ll understand why you can’t come with me, but now is not the time to explain.” I didn’t want to cry, I had told myself I wouldn’t. But how could I help it? I was saying goodbye to my sweet baby sister, the one I’d protected most.

Danny placed his hand on her shoulder. “Just do what she asks, Emme.”

Emme glanced back and forth between us, realizing Danny knew what was happening and that, despite her reservations, she needed to trust me. “Okay, Celia. I promise to take care of Bren.”

And just like that, “Reveille” played in Bren’s pants.

Maria knocked on the door. “Celia, I have de items you requested.”

She crossed the room and handed me a briefcase and a large envelope. I brought Danny into the unicorn room and opened the case. “Holy crap,” he whispered when he saw it stuffed with cash. I dumped the contents of the envelope on the bed. There were two sets of passports, birth certificates, and driver’s licenses, for him and Bren.

“The briefcase has been magicked. Anyone who opens it besides you will see only folders and paperwork. Once you take the money out the spell will be broken. So try not to use it unless you have to.”