A Warrior For Her E-Book

Brooke Campbell

• Herausgeber: Next Chapter
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2022

Beschreibung

A shocking revelation about her best friend sends Libby reeling. The more she finds out, the more confused she becomes. But what she’s always known about Emma doesn’t jibe with what her girlfriend Jo and her vampire friends tell her.

Jo’s obvious prejudice only serves to further muddy the picture. To make things worse, Libby has no idea how she keeps inciting Jo’s anger. It soon becomes clear that Emma’s whole family is in terrible danger, and Libby doesn’t know if she can forgive her own part in it. When Emma is taken, Libby vows to find her at any cost.

Soon, Libby faces a difficult choice: being herself and losing the love of her life, or risk losing herself in order to save their love.

This book contains adult content and is not recommended for readers under the age of 18.

Leseprobe

A WARRIOR FOR HER

THE WARRIOR SERIES BOOK 2

BROOKE CAMPBELL

CONTENTS

Acknowledgments

1. Fates My Curvy Ass

2. Unbelievably Sweet

3. Good Question

4. A Little High

5. Sullen Five-Year-Old

6. A Little Insulted

7. Enough and No More

8. So Unfair

9. Pain Won’t Kill

10. Are You Kidding Me?

11. Shouldn’t Be Surprised

12. If the Shoe Fits

13. Completely Unfair

14. A Sick Feeling

15. Fight the Instinct

16. So That’s Something

17. Regardless of the Cost

18. What’s Wrong with Me

19. I’m Completely Useless

20. Not at All Surprised

21. I’m Begging You

22. Oh, No You Don’t

23. Enough for Me

24. And There It Is

25. Still Just Me

About the Author

Copyright (C) 2022 Brooke Campbell

Layout design and Copyright (C) 2022 by Next Chapter

Published 2022 by Next Chapter

Edited by India Hammond

Cover art by CoverMint

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the author’s permission.

To Don, who brought The Shire and The Force to life for me, and awakened my love of all things fabled and mystic. I’ll see you on the other side of the veil, big brother.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

You know what they say, it takes a village. Here are some of the village people who kept this village idiot on track, in no particular order: My fellow writers in Heart of Carolina Romance Writers of America, Terri Nelson, Author Christy English, Patrice Schwermer, Shannon Quinn, Jane Nelson, Gay Fritzemeier, Linda Jones, Mary Zaik, Kris Hillenburg, Anthony Seagle, and everyone who read A Warrior Within and encouraged me to keep writing and/or took the time to review it. If I’ve forgotten you, please. Dip me in chocolate and, well, you know…

1

FATES MY CURVY ASS

Emma’s eyes widen painfully. “Libby! Your girlfriend – she’s – she’s a vampire!”

Jo hisses. “Chérie. Has your best friend bothered to tell you she is a fae?” My girlfriend spits the word like it leaves a bad taste in her mouth.

What? A what? My head bounces back and forth between them like I’m following a champion ping pong match. She’s a…and she knows…how did…what? Confusion swirls around as I try to make sense of what’s happening. Jo had barely walked into the restaurant when Emma turned to greet her, all of us smiling expectantly at this first meeting. And then out of nowhere, Jo goes all full-on vampire: red eyes, sunken cheeks, and glistening points resting on her bottom lip. And Emma! My gorgeous, girlie, joyful best friend dropped into some kind of serious fighting pose, like she knows what she’s doing. And now she’s glaring at Jo with such contempt! So instead of my best friend and girlfriend having the long-awaited introduction I’ve been looking forward to, it’s…this?

No. Jo has to have it wrong. My best friend since middle school isn’t a fae. I mean, I’d know, right? Not that I have any idea what a fae even is. Is it the same as a fairy? I mean, I’ve read the fairy tales, and watched the movies. Of course, that doesn’t mean I believed any of it. On second thought, I could almost believe Emma was a fairy godmother – Disney-style. That tinkling laugh and all that glorious blond hair? But Jo is acting like being a fae is a bad thing! Like, Grimm brothers bad. Gods! I so don’t want those gruesome stories to be real.

And come on, Emma already knows about vampire? Heck, I’ve only known about vampire for a couple of weeks, and I’m dating one! I mentally roll my eyes at myself. Duh! If Emma’s some kind of fairy, she’s not exactly human herself, is she?

But no. This is crazy! There must be some mistake. Unfortunately, neither of them is backing off. No denials come from Emma’s lips. Rather, my friend looks scared. Like, really scared. And Jo just looks scary. And pissed off.

Emma’s eyes dart everywhere at once. She pats the air as if trying to shush Jo. “Shh! Ohmygod! Don’t say it! For heaven’s sake. Just. Just don’t say…that word again. Okay? Please.”

Jo barks a laugh but then her glittering eyes narrow. “What are you so afraid of? What are you up to?”

What? No! Emma, tell Jo she’s got it all wrong! But they just keep glaring at one another. Gah! To think I wasted all that time and energy worrying about how to explain away the injuries I sustained the second time Jo’s vampire father kidnapped me. Leave it to me to obsess over something that never even happens. In my defense, despite the healing a little vampire blood gave me, I’m covered in long scabs from a wickedly sharp knife he wielded, and makeup could do just so much with the black eyes and bruising remaining from his lightning-fast punch. For a terrible second I’m back there in the putrid cell of the militia compound. Oh, now is so not a good time for this. I pinch the flesh between my thumb and index finger, hard. The pain succeeds in grounding me, and my vision clears. I shoot a worried look at Jo—she’s been really upset by how much the trauma has affected me. But Jo doesn’t even react to my near panic attack. That’s not good. That really isn’t good. Jo, please don’t hurt Emma. Please.

Worried about witnesses to this scene, I glance around the walled-off lobby. Thankfully it’s the kind of swanky restaurant that doesn’t want people who are waiting for a table gawking at seated guests. Not even a hostess stands at the station. I can’t remember. Was she there when Jo walked in? Did she see Jo’s red eyes and fangs?

Gods. I have been so excited for our double date. Finally, my sister of the heart and the woman I love would meet. And I could see if the man Emma is dating deserves her. At the moment, I’m just glad he’s still in the bathroom and not here to see this. Emma looks for all the world like she’s spoiling for a fight. I had no idea my friend even knew how to throw a punch.

Jo? Well, there’s no denying the predator is in control. Unfortunately, it’s not the first time I’ve seen her this way, though in truth, I’ve only seen her like this once before. The day she showed me the truth, and then it was only a flash to make me believe. Now? Her deadly focus is trained on Emma. Jo, please. I think as loudly as I can, hoping she will listen to me. Please don’t hurt Emma! Please! My stomach churns with fear, and the beginning of a headache stabs behind my eyes.

Emma grits her teeth. “Stop it. You stay out of my head.”

Jo snarls. “Then tell me what you are so afraid of.”

“Not on your life, blood sucker. Though it would serve you right if—”

I nearly jump out of my skin when I hear an excited voice behind me. “Well, hey there, you must be Jo. Hi! I’m David.” Spinning, I fearfully watch his approach and wonder how long he’s been privy to this little scene. I’m relieved to see the innocently expectant smile on his face, as he extends a hand to Jo. Oh, no. Her fangs!

But I needn’t have worried. His arrival galvanizes the pair to break their standoff. By the time I turn back around, Jo, looking human once again, glides to my side. However, she pulls me to her so hard I stumble, bracing myself with a hand on her hard abs, my cane knocking against her shin. I almost feel sorry for her, but she kind of asked for it. Even if her sharply possessive behavior makes sense. I just wish I understood. Jo’s acting like Emma poses some kind of danger, but I know her. I think? Gah! Do fae and vampire really hate each other this much?

They shake hands and Emma shoots David one of her dazzling smiles. He drapes his arm across her shoulders, and then she turns her attention to me. I easily read my friend’s concern, her fear. She must see my shock – we know each other so well. At least I thought we did.I can’t know what else Emma sees on my face; I really don’t know what I feel. My head is reeling. It’s excruciating to have to act normal now. Jo presses a kiss onto my hair, and I draw in a deep breath of her unique evergreen scent. It helps to calm me. Knowing David is watching us all, I steel my face into as neutral an expression as I can manage.

“David, you know how it is—no one is good enough for my best friend, and, well, we were kind of sizing each other up, you know?” Emma’s laugh sounds forced, and her eyes plead with me to go along with her charade.

What choice do I have? I’ll play along. After all, I have a few secrets of my own. I plaster a smile on my face.

“I must say, I find it fascinating to finally meet Libby’s best friend.” Jo’s voice doesn’t betray her feelings, though judging by the tight grip around my shoulders, I know it must take colossal effort for her to sound so calm. “I have heard much about you, Emma. Obviously, there is more to you than even your very best friend in the whole world could tell me.”

I feel a surge of gratitude for Jo coming to my defense. Whether it’s warranted or not remains to be seen. Her arm tightens around me, telling me she senses it. And probably my confusion, too.

David beams at Emma. “Yeah, she’s great, isn’t she?” His arm still around her, David looks to me. “Emma tells me you two met about the same time we did. Isn’t that something?”

On some level, I can certainly appreciate his attempt to lighten the mood. With effort I force my emotions aside to deal with later. “I think you’re right, David. So, I met Jo at a bar, of all places. And the two of you met in a grocery store? Is that right?” My temple throbs with the effort to sustain a semblance of normalcy, when all I want to do is start jumping up and down demanding answers.

“Sure did! I don’t know what came over me. I’ve never done anything like it before, but when I saw her at the other end of the aisle, it was just as if lightning struck.” The look he gives Emma is filled with adoration and she finally meets his eyes, her face softening into a smile.

Shoot. Is he only interested in her looks? I’d hoped he was different. She’s had such awful luck dating. Disappointment for Emma wars with my other emotions in a confusing mix. I stare at Emma, trying to see hints of what I’ve apparently missed all these years, but all I see is my best friend. Feeling surreal, my mouth moves on its own. “That’s nice.”

Jo’s voice softens slightly. “I know what you mean, David. I noticed Libby from the other side of the nightclub. I was wondering how to meet her when the fates intervened.”

Despite the tension, I have to choke back a laugh. Fates my curvy ass. I fell into Jo. Literally. Out of habit I catch Emma’s eye to share in the joke, but jerk my gaze away before we make eye contact.

Gods. She’s a fae. My best friend has been lying to me all this time. What else has Emma lied to me about? Kept hidden from me?

“Your table is ready if you would follow me?” The hostess’ smile looks a bit strained, and I force down my bitterness like bile. Seemingly clueless, David twirls Emma in a circle, eliciting her surprised laugh. Jo loosens her hold enough that I can walk easily, and we trail them to the table.

Jo’s breath tickles my ear. “Chérie, just think it and I will take you home. I am sorry, but I am reading you until we leave.”

I meet her gaze and don’t have to force a smile. This is one of those rare times I can honestly say I’m grateful she can read my every thought and emotion. As we settle, the hostess tells us the specials. I’m too upset to follow her practiced litany. My appetite took flight, and I can’t focus enough to read the menu, much less figure out something to order. I cannot fathom how we’re going to get through this meal.

As the hostess walks away, Emma stretches across the table and holds her arm out to me. I meet her pleading gaze. “Libby, would you come to the little girls’ room with me?”

At her words I freeze, and my vision grays. Crap. Crap. Crap. I swallow hard. Just two days ago I was taken at gunpoint in the hallway outside of a restaurant bathroom while Jo waited at our table, oblivious. Fingers of fear shiver down my spine, and I fight off a second wave of panic in too short a time while stars dance in the periphery of my vision.

Jo proves her focus is on me when she lays her hand on my thigh and squeezes gently, grounding me. I take a couple of intentional breaths. That isn’t now and my guards won’t be taken by such a surprise again. My heart still hammering, I meet Emma’s tense gaze knowing full well that I will give in to her. Sure enough, her beseeching look gets to me and I find myself starting to push back my chair. Jo jumps to her feet and pushes in her own chair to help.

When I gain the aisle, I lean heavily on the cane, my knees feeling weak. Jo bends to me and I strain to catch her words. “The guards are all on alert and we are all listening. Aella will keep a close watch.” Relief exhales out of me, her words making me feel stronger with the knowledge that they have my back. Grateful, I raise my head for a kiss and Jo obliges nicely. Cupping my face, she looks me in the eye for a long second. I nod, understanding her reminder that she’s ready to whisk me away at the slightest indication. Then she levels a look of such malevolence on Emma, I cringe. My hands barely shaking, I fall in behind Emma to the ladies’ room.

Aella turns from the mirror when we walk in, and Emma lets out a small squeak. I can understand why. I just met Aella earlier this evening, and I’m still in awe of the half-vampire, half-ancient warrior who guards Jo. Even without stilettos, the statuesque woman would be imposing. Intricate black ink coats both bare arms in stylized depictions of predatory animals from shoulder to wrist. Spiked mahogany hair frames a square-jawed olive-toned face, and the short black dress shows off muscular limbs. Ice blue eyes glittering red now, she gives Emma a steady look, before turning to bow formally to me. “I’ll be close, Miss Libby.” The vampire is gone before I can even acknowledge the respect she just showed me, not to mention the message she sent Emma in doing so. Aella wasn’t surprised to see us, and she didn’t react to Emma being a fae. Guess she and Jo have been talking mind to mind.

Propping the cane beside me, I settle my hip against the lengthy sink counter, reassured by Aella’s nearness. I take another bolstering breath and cross my arms. “Okay, Em. I’m here.”

Her wide eyes on the closing door, Emma sputters. “She’s—she’s a vampire, too. And she called you Miss Libby. She’s one of your guards, isn’t she? They—all your guards are vampire, aren’t they? Of course they are. How did I miss that?” And without taking a breath, she switches topics. I’m so used to it, I don’t even react, though the pitch of her voice is higher than normal.

She spans the distance between us with pleading hands. “Libby, I’m just so sorry. I’m sorry I never told you. And, I’m oh so sorry you found out in this way. But it doesn’t change anything, I promise. I’m still me. Gosh, if I had any idea… Please. Please understand. I—I couldn’t tell you. It isn’t my decision to make. I never wanted to keep it from you. But I—it—it’s complicated.”

I force a laugh. “It’s complicated? Gee, ya think?” I shake my head, attempting to clear the deepening sense of alternate reality, but it only serves to make my head throb. I don’t even know what we are talking about.Was she ever going to tell me what she is? Her best friend? I feel my shoulders tighten as I draw my arms in closer. “Em, you couldn’t tell me? All these years. I’ve told you everything and you never…For crying out loud, I don’t even know what it means! What you are!”

Dropping her hands, she stares at me a long moment, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears. Her voice lowers, and the intensity in her gaze speaks to her own state of mind. “I wish—but I can’t tell you, Libby. I’m so sorry. This doesn’t mean…I just can’t. There’s too much at stake or I never would have kept this from you. You have to believe me, if I could have, I would have shared this with you years ago. You’re my best friend. But…I just can’t take the risk. I won’t. And please. Don’t say, well, what I am. Out loud. I can’t explain why. Just trust me, it could be very bad. Please, Libby. Give me a chance. I have to—I have to ask.”

Questions swirl around my head. Why can’t I say fae out loud? Who does she have to ask? What’s at stake? What is the risk? My emotions mix with my growing fatigue and increasing pain, creating a nauseous miasma in my gut. “You were the constant I could always count on, Em. Always. I don’t understand this. Any of it. What else have you been lying to me about? Did our friendship even mean anything to you?”

Emma grips my upper arm, tears streaming. “Libby, oh my gosh! I can’t believe you’d think that. I never lied to you about anything! Not once. I mean, except for not telling you…this. You’re the best friend I could ever ask for. You’re the sister I never had; I love you. You have to believe me. You know me, Libby. Nothing has changed. I swear. I’m still me. You can still trust me. This is the only thing I’ve ever kept from you, I promise, and I didn’t tell you about this because—”

“Because you can’t. It’s complicated. Got it.” I shake off her hand and turn to leave. “You obviously know about vampire, so you left that out, too. You aren’t even human? I need time with this, Emma.”

I turn back to her when she grabs my arm, again, and a shudder runs through her. “Libby, be careful. Vampire—they’re dangerous. Really dangerous. You can’t believe what they are capable of, their strength. And they are manipulative liars! They’ll say anything, do anything to convince you. Oh, hold on. Wait a second.” Horrified, she points at my bruised face and the cuts on my arms. “Did Jo do this to you?”

I yank my arm out of her hand, anger spiking in indignation. “Jo would never do this to me. She came clean to me about what she is. And believe me, I have no illusions about any of them. I know exactly what vampire can do—a couple of them saw to my education. But I am safer with Jo than I am with anyone else. Anyone.” My anger dissolves as fast as it came on and just as suddenly, exhaustion weighs down my shoulders. What am I doing? How did this happen to us? Turning away from the stricken look in her eyes, I take a deep breath and address the door. “We have been there for each other for nearly 15 years, Em. I love you.” I choke back a sob.“So, we will give each other time. I have to trust that you have reasons for keeping all this from me. Now you need to trust that I know what I am doing and that I’m completely safe with these vampire. Let me know when you are ready for a real, honest talk.”

Aella falls a few steps behind me as I walk to the table, barely holding it together. The effort it takes makes my healing cheekbone ache. I don’t have to work to arrange my face into something convincing. I feel horribly sick to my stomach. “I’m sorry, David, but I don’t feel well. Jo, take me home, please.”

Jo is already on her feet and dropping a few bills on the table before I even finish speaking. David jumps to his feet while Jo murmurs something to him and wraps her arm around me. I don’t see Emma again as Jo guides me out, Aella close behind. I catch a flash of red hair in the lights as my bodyguard Stan materializes from the shadows to join us. Victor, his partner, arrives from the other direction to escort our party to the car.

2

UNBELIEVABLY SWEET

I wait until Jo settles in the driver’s seat and closes the door. “Please stop reading my mind now, Jo. I will talk to you, I promise, but I need my thoughts to myself at the moment.”

She rests her palm on my cheek. “Oui, chérie, I am blocking you now. It is plain enough that you are hurting, exhausted, and confused. Talk when you are ready.”

I rub my face into her smooth, cool hand like a kitten. “I don’t know what to think, Jo.” She drops her hand and starts the car. I continue as she backs out of the parking spot. “Emma said she can’t tell me what she is, that she never could. That I’m not even supposed to say what she is out loud. She has to get permission to talk to me. I just don’t understand any of this, Jo. Emma’s an adult. Why wouldn’t she tell me? Her best friend. We shared everything with each other. I thought.”

Jo glances at me and her voice is carefully neutral. “Libby, chérie, among those of us that are…different, there are rules in place for the protection of all. I can believe that Emma could not tell you.”

Since the day Emma and I met I’ve never noticed anything different about her, other than her effortless movie-star beauty, and being the focus of rapt attention no matter what she does. Is that part of it? “Why were you so upset when you met her? Is there something I need to know about them?”

Jo grips the steering wheel so tightly it creaks in protest. “Chérie, vampire and fae have been at war for centuries. We are sworn enemies under a tenuous treaty at best. The fae are proud beings, in love with themselves, beauty, material things, power. Like vampire, some fae are uniquely gifted, though those gifts differ throughout the species. While we are both immortal, their affinity with glamour means they blend seamlessly into human society, much more easily than vampire. But they’d never be able to hide in plain sight in their true form. Understand, all fae are at least as dangerous as we. They see humans as a dependent race. Fae are completely untrustworthy and they are insatiable—absolutely corrupted by power, which leads them to acts of brutality and violence. They revel in chaos. For millennia, the fae incited human wars with their greed. They still do.”

I swallow hard. Holy…there are scarier things out there than vampire? “Okay. But that doesn’t sound like the Emma I grew up with. In fact, her parents were pretty strict. They taught her not to take anything for granted, especially their money or her good looks. Ohmygosh! This means her parents are fae!”

The worry on Jo’s face bothers me even more, because I know it’s for me. I fight to control my emotions. I don’t want her to feel that she needs to stop talking because it’s upsetting me. My attempts to calm myself must work because she finally answers me. “It stands to reason that only one of her parents is fae. She was well concealed until seeing me surprised her into momentarily dropping her shield. However, what I sensed was weak, which makes me think she is half, like me.”

Though everything I’ve read about vampire isn’t true, enough things are that I wonder about all the myths regarding fairies. “Are all fae beautiful?”

If so, that leaves out her mom. Emma’s mom is as plain as they come. And, brutal? Not even close. I’ve never met a more nurturing and kind person. On the other hand, Emma’s father is one of the most handsome men I’ve ever seen, even in movies. But, violent? Again. Not in the slightest. Gah!

“In the ancient past, fae were known for their unparalleled beauty. Today, many use glamour to bring back a semblance of their former appearance, though their malevolence eludes even that magic.”

“So, okay, it must be her father. But he doesn’t fit the profile other than looks. He’s so good and kind.” I feel even more confused now. I lean back in the seat and reach for Jo’s hand. Her touch makes me feel marginally better. Palpable exhaustion threatens to drag me under. The stress has brought all of my healing injuries to the forefront, and I’m achy and sore. Since the Ankylosing Spondylitis started flaring a couple of years ago, I’ve become accustomed to a certain level of chronic pain and fatigue. But this is above and beyond even a flare up. Add to that my fragile emotional state? I hate to admit it, but coming out tonight was a mistake on more than one level. I blink back tears. I just wanted a night of normalcy. Of fun. I never thought I’d see anyone I loved again, and I wanted to celebrate. Now? Jo leaves me to my thoughts as we drive the rest of the way to her place.

I come awake with a start to find someone leaning across me. Though on some level I know it is Jo, the panic only sees a figure looming over me and my vision darkens. My heart pounds but before I can put words to my growing terror, Jo’s deep voice rumbles gently and her sensual evergreen scent wraps around me. I focus hard on her words. “It is only I, chérie. You are in the car. Feel the seat under you and at your back. Feel the seat belt across your chest and your lap. Feel my hands on your shoulders. Hear my voice and the crickets and cicadas singing. Now, tell me—what can you see?”

With effort, I push the panic away and feel my vision clear. I give her a weak smile. “Your handsome face. Okay. Okay. I’m all right. I’m okay.” Irritated with myself, I fumble with the seat belt as Jo eases back. She hands me my cane and helps me to stand. “That one was quick. I’m getting better.” I’m not sure which of us I’m trying harder to convince.

The look on Jo’s face tells me I am not convincing her at all. I sigh as she turns to walk me to the house. Victor and Stan flank us, and I stifle my irritation at feeling hemmed in. After all, I remind myself, the first time I was kidnapped it happened here. They can’t risk Jo’s fury if it happens again. I turn toward the stately tree, just visible in the pale moonlight, at the far end of the meadow fronting Jo’s property. I was sitting at its base when the vampire Travis drugged me and took me to Jo’s father so he could torture me while blackmailing Jo. I can’t fully suppress the shudder that ripples through me.

Jo grasps my elbow, concern wrinkling her forehead. Gah! What the heck! This can’t keep happening. I give her a frustrated smile. “I’m still here.”

PTSD has plagued me since I was first kidnapped and tortured, so I’m getting help from a talented Naiad therapist named Naomi. She understands this world, and I can be open with her about what happened. We talk once a week. Until I was kidnapped a second time, I was gaining ground. But what happened in the militants’ compound seems to have set me back. A lot more than I want to admit.

Jo turns to my bodyguards. “Inform Thatcher I need to see him—and to send a fresh team to guard my suite. Aella will be there until they relieve her. You have the night off to hunt.” A mismatched pair, I don’t know them yet. They were just assigned since Dex and Beatrice were injured trying to protect me. I’m anxious for them to come back. Victor is a stocky brunette while his partner is leanly muscled like the rugby player he likely was. They bow to us, and I watch them fade silently into the darkness.

It goes without saying that Jo meant for them to hunt animals rather than people. As part of the agreement made with any vampire who seek it, Jo and her oldest friend and business partner, Niall offer protection, employment, room, and board. All this comes at the low, low cost of leaving humans alone and swearing allegiance to Jo and Niall. To sweeten the deal, there is a steady supply of human blood available when hunting game isn’t feasible, thanks to the blood banks Jo and Niall operate around the world.

Jo wraps her arm around me. “It does not surprise me to see your struggle, not considering what the last three days have been like for you, chérie. There is no shame if you allow me to carry you up to my suite.”

Wow, do I appreciate that she asked me this time. My gratitude puts a smile in my eyes. “Thank you, Jo. Really. But I’ve been carried into this house far too many times for my comfort. Stay beside me?”

“Toujours, chérie. Always.”

Now that is just unbelievably sweet.

Aella meets us at the top of the stairs to escort us (okay me) down the hall to Jo’s suite. I can’t stop the surreptitious looks I keep sending the woman. I’m afraid I’m suffering from a big case of she-ro worship. Step aside Wonder Woman, Aella’s the real thing, a true descendent of some long-gone race of warrior women. I shake my head. Gah. I just don’t know what to believe any longer. Naiads, vampire, fae. Next, I’ll be learning zombies are real. Gods no. Anything but brain-eating monsters, please.

By the time we reach her sitting room, it’s all I can do to make it to the couch before I collapse into the cushions, my bad leg straight out in front of me. Before Jo can join me, there’s a knock on the door. She opens it to a tall man with an unmistakable military bearing.

Commander Thatcher, Jo and Niall’s head of security, bows deeply. “Jo. How may I serve you?”

Jo steps out, forcing the man back a few steps and pulls the door behind her, but not all the way closed. Thankfully, I have no trouble following their conversation, though they talk in lowered voices.

“How Commander? I will tell you how you may serve me. You will start by telling me why I have had no knowledge of a fae living in our territory until I met his daughter tonight!”

Thatcher sputters, shock evident in his voice. “A what? Where? Tonight? He-he cannot have been here long. Surely he is simply—passing through?”

“Merde, Commander! The chien has been living in our territory for decades, at least. And he must be strong to have hidden from us, and his offspring, so completely. He is using the name O’Shea. I want a full report on everything you can get on him. Yesterday.”

“On it. Shall I summon reinforcements? Do you want me to inform the—”

Jo cuts him off. “Not yet. He has been here this long without launching any attacks. Unless…”

“Jo?”

She sighs, sounding more tired than I have ever heard. “For now, just gather all the intel on him that you can. I have some things to look into. If I find out he is behind our troubles…I will let you know. In the meantime, I want to know his every move, starting tonight.”

“Very good. And this daughter?”

“A halfling. Either she is strong enough to create quite convincing glamour or she’s so weak someone else does it for her. I can see why my lady’s teams missed it before. I wouldn’t have caught on if she hadn’t reacted to me so strongly. I’ll expect a full report on her as well.”

My heart pounds out of fear for Emma and her family. Jo closes the door firmly behind her and by the time she settles beside me, she at least is calm.

“Are you going to explain to me what all that was about? You suspect Mr. O’Shea of doing something. What? What are you going to do?”

Jo takes my hand and kisses the back of it, then flattens my palm against her cheek. She lets out a deep breath. “Nothing tonight, I promise. Please. We have both had enough, oui?”

I study her for a beat, then nod. Goodness knows I’m exhausted. “For now.”

Releasing my hand, she leans over and nuzzles my neck. “How do you feel, chérie? And please, tell me the truth. I still am not reading you.”

The warning that she will if she catches me lying hangs in the air between us. I don’t know how, but she will know if I lie, even without reading my mind. I understand her warning. I think. At least I’m trying to. Jo comes from a time when women needed and expected to be taken care of. Out of that came a tendency to control. And trust me, Jo is all about control. It’s how she protects and rules so many vampires when she is only half-vampire herself. It’s how she, along with her mentor Niall, keeps an international business thriving. And, I’m learning, it’s one of the ways she shows she loves me.

Darcy leaps onto the couch beside me and pushes his head into my hand, purring. As I scratch the white patch under his chin, I meet her gaze and hold it. “Okie dokie then, Jo. Here’s the truth: My nose and cheek ache. My knee hurts more than usual from falling on it. And I’m beat, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Tonight took a toll I was unprepared to pay.”

Jo strokes my hair. “Will you allow me to call Louis?”

I’ve been hesitant to let them fully heal me from this set of injuries since my bodyguards were so gravely injured. Apparently, and I’m sorry I know this now, vampire can regrow severed limbs. But even in vampire terms, it’s a long, painful, and arduous process. But Beatrice and Dex will be fine in another day or two. And though trying to kill François was only doing what I had to do to survive, I’m not proud of my actions. Still, I kind of feel as though I’ve suffered enough. With a mild sense of shame, I nod at Jo.

Her fingers fly over her cell and seconds later a knock sounds at the door. Darcy leaps nimbly to the floor and slinks into the bedroom. Jo opens the door to a distinguished-looking gentleman in pressed black slacks and a crisp white button-up shirt, who appears to be in his 50s. His former life as a majordome continues to dictate his dress and mannerisms.

He bows low to Jo and me. “Mademoiselle, how may I be of assistance to you this evening?” Louis’ gentle voice is heavily accented with his native French. A licensed medical doctor in addition to his other list of accomplishments, he appraises my condition clinically.

“Louis, I’m ready to be healed.” I look away from his assessing gaze, trying to shake off the guilt.

“Have you eaten? Do you have a headache?”

Crap. I neglected to say anything about my pounding head to Jo. I glance guiltily at her and tuck loose strands behind my ear. “Yes, I ah, do have a headache. And, um, no, I haven’t eaten since…this afternoon, I guess.” It pains me to admit this. I’ve lost weight due to all the stress, trauma, and injuries and everyone is on my case to gain weight. “I’ve been queasy since…” I drop my eyes. “And I guess I still just don’t have much of an appetite.”

“Oui, I know this is true, mademoiselle. I am sorry.” The compassion in Louis’ voice raises my eyes to his. Winking at me, he and Jo exchange a look and there’s an undercurrent that worries me. And, irritatingly, it doesn’t look as if either one of them is planning to fill me in.

“Okay. What? What aren’t you telling me?”

On a frustrated sound, Jo turns back to me. “Due to the many injuries you have sustained of late, you have had a lot of vampire blood in a relatively short period of time.”

Yeah, no doubt about that. I’ve had a ton of healing to do after both kidnappings, plus all the times Jo dosed me without my knowledge when I was in pain due to my autoimmune disease.

“So, how much is too much? And what does it mean if I have too much? Will my senses be heightened again as they were when I had Niall’s blood? Will I be stronger? How long will it last this time?” The last time was only about a half-hour. I blush, remembering how those heightened senses played out as Jo and I showered together. Talk about an out-of-body experience. My nipples tighten just thinking about it. But Louis’ words are a shot of cold water and thankfully they pull me back to the present.

“Mademoiselle, each time you take in vampire blood, it changes you in ways we can only guess at this point. These changes may not be evident right away. I have never dosed a human so much or so frequently. These amounts of blood will not change you into a vampire. But I must tell you, I do not know at what point any changes you experience may become long term or quite noticeable.” Louis’ kind eyes look troubled. “I want you to understand the risks.”

“I see. Well, let’s hope I don’t keep needing it, then, huh?”

“I could not agree more, mademoiselle. I will see if Charlene left anything that can be made into a snack for you. Give me a moment to put it all together, and I will be back tout de suite!”

Jo pulls me into her side and cuddles me while we wait. True to his word, the knock is at the door in no time and Jo just calls for him to come in without moving away from me.

Louis glides in bearing a tray. “It is not Charlene’s smoothie, but I managed to make a glass of chocolate milk to mask the flavor.” He winks at me and turns away with the glass. I start on the dish of cottage cheese while I wait.

Jo hands me the glass of chocolate milk, and I begin to drink it down right away, knowing the blood is stronger the fresher it is. Louis made it extra chocolaty, which means he is hiding more than a few drops of his blood. I try not to think about it as I drink. As I’ve come to expect, before half is gone, I feel loads better. I almost moan when my headache disappears entirely. Most outwardly obvious is the fading away of all those cuts. The pain in my face lessens dramatically and even my knee feels better than it has in a while. Though I do feel a bit more alert and energetic, it’s not by much. I suppose there was a lot to heal.

Well, darn. I hoped the blood would do more.

“Mademoiselle, the blood will not heal what ails you most. And I heard about what happened. Twice. I must ask that you please continue with the medication Naomi ordered for your PTSD.” The frequent night terrors and panic attacks especially worry me.

“Believe me, those attacks are no treat for me either. Don’t worry, I’ll keep taking the medicine. I know it could take a while before I really notice it making a difference.” Louis looks at me so strangely, I wonder what I said. “What?” When he just stares at me, I look over at Jo, hoping she will fill me in.

Can you hear me chérie?

“Of course, I can hear you, Jo.” And then I realize that her lips never moved. “Oh.” I look back and forth between them, trying to pick up any more of their thoughts, but I don’t. “Are you blocking me now or was that it?”

Louis bows to me. “I am afraid I am blocking you, mademoiselle. It is reflex to block unless we need to communicate in this way, out of respect for one another’s privacy. I leave it to Jo to experiment with the extent of this new…power. My prediction is that it will not last.” With practiced efficiency, he silently gathers the empty dishes onto the tray. “I bid you both bonne nuit.”

“Good night, Louis. And thank you.” I lean back as Louis lets himself out and Jo wraps her arms around me again.

How is your headache?

Her “voice” feels comforting in my head and I smile. Gone.

She traces the wide cut above my eye. Only a few of your deepest cuts are still visible. And they are faint. I do not believe you will scar.

That’s a relief, at least.

We aren’t looking at each other, but especially with her arms around me, there is an appealing intimacy to communicating this way. We talk for a few minutes. Darcy comes back out of the bedroom and stalks past us on his way to the bathroom. I hear him scratching in the litter box. Thank you again for letting Darcy come here, Jo. It means so much to me to have him with me.

But…course, chér…I … having him … I turn my head to look at her, as if eye contact would make her thoughts any clearer. But it isn’t like tuning in a station.

I frown. I think my new power is fading already.

“I am sorry, chérie.”

“It was nice to hear you in my head. Your—voice—felt good.”

“That is the bond we share, ma belle. Your voice in my head also brings comfort.” Jo strokes my hair. “Though you perked up a little, I know you are still tired. Let’s get comfortable.”

“I’d like that.” Jo gets up and holds out her hand. I take it, and she helps me stand, though the knee feels so good it’s hardly necessary. Still holding my hand, Jo guides me to the bedroom rather than the closet where my pajamas wait, and I begin to get an idea of what she has in mind.

3

GOOD QUESTION

I’m left with no doubt when we head straight for the bed and my heart speeds with excitement. Jo turns me around to face the bed, my back to her. She lifts my auburn hair and lays it over my right shoulder. Her hands skim down my back and down over my buttocks. They clench involuntarily in response.

“You look so sexy in this dress, belle. I knew you would. Part siren with the fabric hugging these luscious curves, part girl-next-door with the sweet polka-dots. It was enough to make me crazy having to wait all evening to unwrap you.” She rucks up the skirt and squeezes my scantily-clad behind. There’s an answering contraction deep inside. Jo lets the skirt fall as she runs her hands up to my rib cage and around to my stomach, leaving goosebumps scattering in her wake.

Without turning me around, she deftly begins to untie the bow holding the sides of my dress together. Then Jo peels back the top piece and has the second tie undone in a blink. I start to tremble as her hands stroke up to my shoulders and she pushes the fabric down. With a whisper the dress pools at my feet. A breath later my bra joins the dress on the floor.

“That is my favorite place to see your beautiful bras, petit.”

I grin but am too swept up in the feel of her hands and eyes on me to find the ability to answer. I’m left standing in only my lacy panties and kitten heels. Jo moans in appreciation as her lips explore. We’ve only been having sex for a week or so and holy cannoli has she learned fast what I like. And her skill teaches me more. My panties dampen as she takes my nipples between her fingers and pinches almost too hard. I cry out with pleasure-pain but then she steps away. I shiver in her absence and start to move to her.

“Do not turn around, chérie. I want to look at you here before me, trembling for my touch.”

Clothes rustle behind me. Anticipation sends a fresh shudder down my body and my nipples pucker painfully in the cool air. I only have to wait a moment, though, before her hands skim up my back and she steps into me. The sensation of her cool skin against my feverish body is delicious. I lean back into her, and Jo’s hands are all over me again, massaging and toying with my nipples, slipping across my ribs and over my stomach, stroking my neck. Her mouth is on my shoulder, my neck, licking my quickening pulse and nibbling her way around as she lifts my hair out of the way. I reach back to touch what I can, but my range is hampered by our position. Near frantic for her, I run my hands along her hips and muscular buttocks.

Slowly, Jo begins to bend me. At first, I think she is just leaning into me. But then her hands slide up to grip my shoulders and she presses me gently into the bed.

She yanks a pillow out from under the duvet. “Place it so that your forehead rests on it, chérie. Brace yourself on your arms.” Jo traces my spine then massages my bottom. Deftly she slides my panties down and after I step out of them, she removes my shoes. She nudges my feet apart. I feel so exposed I tremble. Jo glides her hands up the length of my legs and then down the backs of my thighs as she sinks to her knees. Her breath fans against me, and I quiver uncontrollably. I’m already so wet I fear I will drip down my leg. She toys with my curls and makes a guttural noise when she finds my moisture. She runs her hands all around, barely brushing the sensitive skin. I moan and press back, panting with need.

“Please Jo. I want you so badly.”

I spasm as one finger traces between my lips. When she flicks my nub, I cry out.

“Libby. You are so hot. So ready for me.” Her lips trail my lower back, my butt cheeks.

She swipes a finger and flicks my nub again, and I buck violently. Finally, her mouth is on me,. I’m panting “More!” and “Please!” while her tongue and lips work me. Sensations build and travel my body, making me pant and lose control. Jo slips inside me, and I moan in ecstasy. I push back against her as she strokes in and out, her rhythm maddeningly slow. When I try to speed her up, she grips my hip and holds me still.