Dark War Chronicles Box Set One (87 page)

Lucius had always said he didn’t know who had made him. Kass kept her face blank. “Then you know that to mess with his people is dangerous. He protects what is his.”

“Oh really? Is that why he left you with your family and sent Jaxon to save you? Is that why his human is always blindfolded and hiding? And why he is trying to collect Immortal shifters?” She walked up to Kassity and touched her cheek. “You can’t lie to yourself Kass, you know the truth.”

She jerked away from the vampire. “I don’t like being touched.”

“Kassity DeBeau, you presence in my territory is seen as a threat. You will reside with me and allow Jaxon to finish what business Lucius has here or you will bring war upon Lucius.”

Vampire politics. She hated them. “Lucius checked with the local vampire and we were given clearance.”

“No, he was given clearance to send two people who would not be taken as a threat here. Jaxon has connections here that you do not. You have not been accepted by his clan as his mate, meaning in this territory you are rogue.”

Shifter politics...Kassity was starting to wonder which one was worse, vampires or shifter. Kass bowed her head. “Then I was mistaken about the truce with us coming here.” She was backed into a corner. “Let me meet with Jax and let him know where I am going.”

“No.” Karina snatched Kass up by the neck and they disappeared from the forest and reappeared in a room made from stone. “You do not get to make the rules, little cat. I will stick by my word, you may return to Jaxon when his business here is finished.”

Kass snarled. “And in the mean time?”

“You stay here. Alone.” She disappeared and Kassity cursed. Nothing like getting kidnapped in a foreign land because of supernatural politics.

Jax came up to the tomb and his nose caught the scent of Sarah, Kass and death. Which meant vampire. He snarled and pulled out his phone. He dialed his parents and hoped they hadn’t changed their number in all these years.

His mother picked up the phone on the third ring. “You prepared to have dinner tonight?”

“My mate is missing, and judging by the scent I would say vampire. You haven’t seen Karina around lately, have you?”

There was silence on the other end.

“Mother?”

“She took over the clan not long after you left. She came back and we were so small in numbers that we had no choice but to take the forced alliance she offered. She’s brought in rogue and abandoned panthers from around the world.” She sighed and he paced the ground.

“She has Kassity. She can’t control Kass because she has Immortal blood in her.”

“Just like you, a great couple you two would make if the marks appeared.” Her voice sounded far off and Jaxon wanted to scream at her.

“Mother.” He snapped. “I need to get Kassity back. She doesn’t belong to your clan. She belongs to Lucius and I need her to return home in one piece.”

“Then you have to help us defeat Karina and set the clan free.”

He clenched his jaw. This was supposed to be an easy in and out trip and now he was going to get mixed up in the war on this side of the pond. “Fine.” He’d do anything for Kassity. “You get with her and get me Kassity back. Let her know that we’re not here to threaten her.”

His mother chuckled. “You are now, but there’s no need for her to know that. Welcome home, son. Meet us at the house for dinner. I’ll have Kassity there for you.” The phone disconnected.

He resisted the urge to throw the phone. If Kassity had been taken she had to have gone willingly because she couldn’t fight.

Jaxon went back to the house and found Ayden sitting at the kitchen table on the phone.

“I promise I won’t wreck it and you can pick it up at the airport. Yeah, if you could keep an eye on the house for me that’d be great. No I don’t know how long I’ll be in the states.” He looked up and met Jax’s eyes. “I have to go, I’ll see you in a couple hours.” He hung up. “Something’s happened.”

“Kassity was taken by Karina. My parents can get her out, but it looks like we’ll be in town a little longer than any of us wanted.” Jax ran a hand through his hair. “I have to meet with them tonight. My suggestion is that you and I get Nuala to the airport as soon as we can, you and her go to the states and Kass and I will follow when we can.”

“And you think Lucius won’t try to kill me for that? Leaving two of his prized people here? Not happening. We deal with this tonight, even if I have to take her out. I’m going with you.” Ayden grabbed keys from the table. “We’ll take the car.”

Jax’s first instinct was to argue, but that wasn’t going to help in this situation. “Fine. How did you not know that Karina was taking over the local panther pack?”

“I did, but I didn’t think it was worth mentioning. Quick trip in and out. The vampire and I have bad blood.”

Jax shook his head at the bad pun. “Care to elaborate?”

“She ran the slave camp that killed my sister. Back then I only knew her by name and reputation.” Ayden bowed his head. “I ran into her after the Father was put in his place. Let’s just say, if we’re going to face her, it’ll be best to have all of us there.” He walked out and Jaxon followed him, unsure how to respond to that.

Kassity looked up when the door opened. Karina walked in with Jax’s parents behind her.

Kass snarled. “What are you doing here?”

“You should be happy to see us. Karina is releasing you to our care as long as we take responsibility for any of your actions while you’re here.”

Why would strangers do such a thing for her? Certainly it wasn’t just because she was Jax’s mate. “Thank you.” Her gaze flickered to Karina as she walked to the other panthers.

“Of course, we’d do anything for family.” Jaxon’s dad placed a hand on her shoulder.

To her surprise her panther didn’t react at all to him. She tried not to read too much into the comment. They guided her out of the huge house and to a car.

Kass got in the back of the car and leaned her head back. Her panther curled back up and she sighed. The constant ebb and flow of the beast was becoming exhausting.

Jax’s parents got in the car and Kass spoke. “I’m sorry, I never caught your names.”

“Of course, I’m Ann Marie and this is my husband Lee. Jaxon has probably never mentioned us. He left and never looked back.” She answered. “He called us in a panic and made a deal in exchange for us getting you from Karina.”

“Which was?” She was scared to ask.

“That he would help us defeat Karina.”

Kass sat up at that. “We can’t kill while we’re here. We have the eyes of the Circle on Lucius’ territory right now. To kill a vampire while we’re here on under a truce would mean trouble.”

“That’s not our problem. Our problem is that Karina has taken over. Jaxon has obligations to his clan and those are a higher priority than some blood sucker in the states.” Anne Marie snapped.

Kassity shook her head. “You’re going to force him to ruin everything we’ve worked for.”

“Which is what, Kassity?” Lee asked.

She noted how he was much calmer than Anne Marie. “Happiness. Lucius saved my life and Jax saved my soul. We’ve worked hard to find happiness in an unlikely situation.”

“If Karina is alive then she will destroy that.” Anne Marie snarled. “Like she has for the full clan. Clan is family, Kassity, don’t you understand that?”

She shook her head. “Actually, no I don’t.”

“What Anne Marie is trying to say is that there are more forces behind the scenes here. However, you are Lucius’ killer, yes?”

“Yes.”

“Then you know that the only way the Circle can come after you is if there are witnesses.”

“Which there will be. I’m sorry, but I don’t trust easily. I can’t trust you not to run to the Circle and tell them that we killed a vampire.”

“Kassity, we will be happy to get rid of her. It means that our clan grows in the numbers that she’s collected. It means that we gain control again.”

She sighed. “There’s no way around this anyways, is there? Jax has already agreed.”

“He has.” Anne Marie stated. “Which is why we came to fetch you.”

Kass closed her eyes and leaned her head back again. She and Jaxon would have to discuss his desire to keep her safe at all cost. It was going to cause big problems.

Jax paced the foyer of his parent’s house while Ayden leaned against the wall.

“I’m pretty sure this isn’t what Lucius had in mind when he sent us here.” Jax joked.

Ayden shrugged. “Him and Zaaren can kiss my ass. If helping the local clan and killing Karina is the only way to get us out of the states safely, then so be it.”

“I didn’t want to get mixed back up with the local clan.” Jax sighed and paused in his pacing as he heard a car approach the driveway. He relaxed when he saw three figures in the car. She was safe.

“I don’t think I’ve ever met the local clan.” Ayden shrugged. “I’m an independent hunter, the supernatural tend to avoid me. I’m a Keeper, so I tend to keep my distance from vampires that might be in an alliance with the Circle.”

Jax snorted. “Trust me, shifter clans tend to be about as complicated as vampires.” He tried not to rush to the door when the handle turned. Kassity stepped in and met his gaze. She gave him a small nod to let him know she was not harmed. He smiled and held his hand out to her. She’d need comfort for her beast and he needed to touch her.

She calmly walked to him and took his offered hand.

His dad cleared his throat. “You brought a human with you.”

Ayden held his hand out. “Ayden Blackwin.”

“You’re not welcome here.”

“Too bad,” Jax said. “He’s part of the reason we are here. So he stays. He can be an asset in our situation.”

His mother gave a dramatic sigh. “Shall we all adjourn to the dinning room for dinner then?” She walked past the group and into a hall.

His father and Ayden followed. Jax pulled Kassity back before she could follow. “You’re okay?”

“Other than my beast refusing to rise when I needed it, I’m fine. Sarah scratched my shoulder when she pinned me down, but that’ll heal quickly. You on the other hand...” She growled. “You are putting Lucius’ territory in danger. If the Circle catches wind of us killing Karina then they are within their rights to punish him.”

Jax pressed his lips together and nodded. “I know, but I wasn’t just going to leave you with her. Kassity, she’s a monster that I don’t want near my mate.” He swallowed. “If I do this, I can take my rightful place as the head of the clan.”

“I thought you didn’t want a clan.” Kass narrowed her eyes. “I thought you said Lucius’ people were our clan.”

“And they are, right now, but I was thinking while you were gone. What if it’s best for us to stay here? We can start a family of our own, run the clan with Karina gone.”

“And how long until another vampire steps in in her place? What about Lucius, he’d never let us go.”

“He would if we allied with him from over here. Him and Zaaren will need allies all over the world if this war escalates anymore.” He touched her cheek. “Just think about it.”

Kassity nodded. “I will, but I don’t know anything about Clans.”

“We can teach you.” Lee’s voice cut through. “Your clan was ripped from you and all you know is some demented version of family. Jaxon’s plan is a smart one. You take over the clan and ally with Lucius. We all know his is one of the strongest territories in the States. Everyone would benefit.”

Jax saw Kass’ brows draw together. He kissed her cheek. “Let’s focus on the vampire at hand first. She needs to be taken out in order for any of this to work.”

“Of course.” She walked out and Jax looked at his Father.

“Can we teach her the control she needs?”

His father grinned. “I think you can. I can see a difference in her the moment she lays eyes on you. She’s less tense, she struggles less. If you do this there’s no looking back, no running away. Are you sure this is what you want?”

He wanted Kassity to be free and safe. The only way they could do that is if he took over the clan. “Yes.”

“Good. Now, let’s plot how to kill a vampire.”

Kassity walked into the kitchen with a heavy heart. The desire to support Jax tried to take over her fear of trying to leave Lucius. No one would follow an out of control leader. Jax may have control, but his constant worry about her and her panther would hinder his ability to lead. And if she couldn’t control herself, how could she bring a child into the world of shifters?

“A Hunter.” Anne Marie stated. “So that’s why Jaxon brought you along.”

Ayden nodded. “If you want to avoid war with the Circle or any vampires, it’s best that I deal the final blow.”

Kassity nodded. “The less of this that gets connected to Lucius’ territory, the better. The less that gets back to your clan about this the better too. We don’t want Karina thinking you set this up, because if we fail she’ll be coming after you first.”

“How cute that you’re concerned with us.” Anne Marie smiled. “You just worry about killing the blood sucker. If you fail, you aren’t going to be returning to your precious vampire.”

Kass took a deep breath. “I’ve killed my fair share of blood suckers, shifters and humans. I think I can handle it. Especially with the backup I have.” Going in as a team would be the one advantage they have. “I felt Karina’s power, she’s strong, but just barely stronger than Lucius.”

“Then we attack tonight. I don’t want to wait.” Jax stated as he walked in.

She turned to him and wondered what he was thinking. Originally the idea was to get home as soon as they could, but with his new desire to return to his true home she wasn’t sure what he was thinking.

Ayden nodded. “Tonight would be best.”

“Tonight it is then.” Kass echoed.

“Eat first, you will all need your strength.” Anne Maria motioned to the table of food. “Tomorrow night we’ll celebrate.”

Ayden shook his head. “Tomorrow night, we are going to the States.”

Jax met Kass’ gaze and she looked down as she started to dish food onto her plate. Uncertainty curled in her and her panther started to pace at the feeling of it. Dread filled her at the thought of taking on a vampire, one who had a clan of panthers under her control.

Jax put a hand on her arm. “I love you.” He whispered and it warmed her.