On the Edge of Destiny (Book 3) (A Vampire SEAL Novel) (15 page)

The exam room door opened, and Dad strolled in. “Are these two healthy, Damon?” Dad clipped his phone to his belt.

“Better than healthy. I won’t know the results of the blood work and DNA samples for at least two weeks. It depends on how backed up the lab is.”

“What about the anomaly you spoke of?” Dad settled between the exam tables, stance wide.

“I’d rather wait until the lab results come back before I say for certain.” Dr. Vieira looked at Dad then me.

“Humor me, Damon. What do you think is going on with Jo?” Dad crossed his arms over his chest.

Dr. Vieira rose then set the keyboard on top of Sam’s cart. Then he cleared his throat. “The tests I ran on Jo after she turned vampire a few months ago revealed that her DNA has a quadruple helix structure. Normal natural-born vampires have a triple helix. I hadn’t said anything to you, Steven, because I wasn’t certain of this, and I’m still not.”

Dad chewed on his cheek as if he was thinking. Or was he mad?

So I had a different DNA makeup than normal vampires. What was the big deal?

Tripp and his wolf bloodline popped in my head. “Dad, did Mom have any wolves in her lineage?”

Sam snorted. “Are you crazy?”

“Um…dead serious. Talk to Tripp?”

“What?” Sam gaped. “Tripp is a wolf?”

“Let’s not get off track,” Dad said. “To answer your question, Jo, not that I know of. Our lineage has always been—”

“Odd,” Sam supplied.

“What does this mean, Damon?” Dad asked, his gaze on Dr. Vieira.

Dr. Vieira ran a hand through his short brown hair. “For as long as I’ve been studying genetics, especially ours, I haven’t come across a natural-born vampire with a quadruple helix.” He pinned his brown eyes on me.

“I take it I’m normal?” Sam asked.

“Your earlier tests are normal.” Dr. Vieira’s hand went over his face.

“You seem a little concerned for some reason,” Dad said as he uncrossed his arms. “Is there something else you’re not telling?”

He let out a heavy sigh. “If I were in Patrick’s shoes, and I was trying to genetically change humans into vampires, I would want to study Jo. Look, we know he’s developed something that works. Only there are flaws. If he finds out Jo is different, he’ll want her. You know he will, Steven. I’m not trying to scare anyone, but we have to think like him.”

“Shit!” Dad barked.

Electricity charged the air. My mouth hung open as horror settled in my veins. I’d rather be dead than in the hands of my uncle, Patrick. I remembered when we’d found Sam. He was lying on a table in a glass-enclosed room with his arms hanging off the sides. His skin was pale, and he had a weak pulse.

Sam swore.

“Are you sending their samples to our lab in Boston?” Dad began pacing.

“Yes. And I’ve already spoken to Fred Lambert, who’s in charge of the lab. I’ve asked if Grace can run the samples. She’s discreet and trustworthy,” Dr. Vieira said.

“Put a rush on them if you can, and make sure it is discreet. If Edmund gets wind of this info, Jo’s life will be in jeopardy.” Dad blew out a breath, his fangs extended.

What else was new? He wanted me dead anyway. At least, he’d told me so. Regardless, I had to live my life. Even as a human in foster care, I had to protect myself from other kids or even foster dads, although I didn’t do a very good job. Sam had always been my protector.

“He’s already planned my death. So what’s the difference? I’ll never be able to live a normal life, will I?” It was more of a question to myself than anything.

“Not unless Edmund is dead,” Sam said, matter of fact.

Dad looked as though a zillion questions were running through his mind.

Suffocating silence hung over us.

Dad bit the inside of his cheek. Dr. Vieira started to power down the monitors.

“Can I go?” What was the point of worrying or watching Dad have a meltdown?

He glanced down at me through silver eyes. “We do need to take extra precautions with you.”

“Now, Dad,” I said. “You’re protective enough. I don’t need for you to put a noose around my neck.”

Since I started living with Dad, he’d kept a close eye on me, to the point that I had a bodyguard on me at all times. But that was mainly due to my bloodlust, given the humans who lived on base. Over the past week, he’d loosened the restrictions. I liked not having someone watch me all the time.

He arched a brow as though I’d given him a great idea.

“By the way, Doc. Are we free to drink any type of blood now?” Sam asked as his fangs slid out.

“Not until the final results are back.”

“Then I need to run to the apartment.” Sam jumped down. “Are you coming, Sis?”

Sam and I practically ran out before Dad protested. We wandered through the long hallways and stairwells of the building—Sam in his world, me in mine. I agreed with Dr. Vieira. Uncle Patrick would want to study my DNA. But I couldn’t worry about my uncle or what he might do. Besides, as long as I stayed on base, I was protected. Or at least I hoped I was.

“I don’t like any of this,” Sam finally said as we approached a bank of elevators.

“I don’t, either. But whether Edmund finds out about my unique DNA or not, he isn’t stopping his plan. He’ll attack us no matter what. We just have to be ready. Sam, promise me one thing.”

“What?” The tips of his fangs glinted in the bright hall lights.

“If anything happens to me, please make sure Webb doesn’t do anything stupid, or…you or Dad.”

He scowled, showing more of his fangs. “Huh? Are you insane? Are you giving up already, Sis?”

“No way. But I don’t have nine lives.” I pictured myself lying on that table in the glass room.

“Where is this coming from? You’re a fighter, Jo.” Sam stopped just short of the elevator.

“Ha! I’ve never been one to fight. You know that.” I glanced up and into his angry eyes.

“Oh no. Weren’t you the one who ditched the vampires to go to the funeral home to find me? Weren’t you the one who fought in the basement of the hospital and again in the mansion?”

I shrugged.

“Yeah. That’s right. You were the one who saved me both times. You were the one who saved Webb. This should make you angry. This shouldn’t make you crawl in a hole and die.” He pulled me into the tightest hug ever.

“My dreams don’t show me good things, Sam.”

“Your dreams are wrong.” He let go of me.

The elevator dinged, and surprise, surprise, my tall and sexy vampire sauntered out.

“What’s wrong? What’s going on?” Webb asked as his eyes shifted into vampire mode.

“My sister thinks because she had one dream that her future is doomed. I’m out of here.” He shook his head in disgust then jogged down the hall.

Whatever. I wasn’t going to argue with him. Sam had anger problems. When we lived with Mr. Jackson, he’d set up Sam to attend an anger management class. But he never had the chance to attend since he was kidnapped. His temper had actually gotten better over the last few months. He seemed to have fewer anger outbursts since starting to feel others’ emotions.

“Are you going to tell me what’s going on?” Webb blinked.

My fangs slid out. “Can I get blood first?” Like Sam, I needed sustenance. I wasn’t purposefully holding the great news from him, although I wouldn’t be surprised if Dad hadn’t already called him.

He nodded as we began to walk. When I entered the apartment, Sam was leaning against the bar, drinking from a glass.

I ignored the grimace on my brother’s face as I reached into the fridge.

“Well, did you tell him?”

“No,” I snapped. My fangs dug into my lip. I closed the fridge and narrowed my eyes at Sam. He was itching for a fight. At first, I chalked up his anger to him worrying about me. Now, though, he was getting on my nerves.

Webb hung back. “I already know.”

Why did he ask, then?

It wasn’t worth the aggravation to even ask.

“Why are you so upset, Sam? All I asked was for you to make sure you guys didn’t do anything stupid if I died. That doesn’t mean I’m giving up. And I have no control over my DNA or what Edmund is going to do.” I placed my hands on my hips.

Sam dumped his glass in the sink. “I’ll be in my room.”

“What? No response?” I asked.
Let your brother go
, my inner voice told me.

He stalked out.

Without warning, Webb’s strong arms were around me. “I’ll just have to tie you up and not let you go anywhere.” He grinned as he lifted me onto the counter.

Please do.

He arched a brow.

Did I say that out loud?

“No. Your telepathic connection must be open,” he informed me with a wicked grin.

Heat pinched my cheeks.

He leaned in, his gaze dropping to my lips. “Would you like me to?” he asked with a seductive growl.

As long as you’re on top of me.
“Um…”

“I’d prefer you on top,” he whispered in my ear.

Holy cow! There was something wrong with my powers today.

“Webb? How come you’re not freaking out like my dad?”

“Do you really want to talk about this now?” He nibbled on my chin.

“Yes and no.” I wanted to be naked… I quickly concentrated on closing off my mind.

He regarded me. After a heartbeat, he said, “I am worried. Make no mistake about it. But I’ve been in ‘fight and protect’ mode since Edmund left the sentinels. The news of your DNA just means we need to keep our senses sharpened and make sure he doesn’t get ahold of this information. Now, you interrupted me.”

My body turned liquid as his lips drew closer to mine. My brain, though, was focused on everything
but
Webb.

I’d meant what I said to Sam, about taking care of Webb and Dad. My life balanced on the edge of something. I just couldn’t put my finger on what.

Chapter 14

A
fter my physical, life moved on without incident. Three weeks passed, and everyone dove into routine. Darcy worked in the library, helping Ms. Simpson catalog new books she’d received from donors. She was stuck here until her father paid his debt. She didn’t mind, though. Her time on base gave her the opportunity to learn more about my paranormal world. She figured, if her father continued to defend and enter into deals with vampires, then she should know as much about my species as possible.

Sam and I spent our days in the secret vampire library with Ms. Costner, learning and testing on all school subjects. I’d welcomed the lessons and homework. The activity kept my mind from wandering and dwelling on my life and all the unanswered questions. Who cut the brakes on the limo? Webb had said we’d probably never know. How would my hearing go? Would the council find me guilty? Was my DNA different from normal vampires? My DNA results weren’t back from the lab. After several phone calls, Dr. V. had been told the lab in Boston had a large backlog, and the lab tech he’d requested had been out on medical leave.

Aside from our school lessons, Ms. Costner taught us how to unleash our powers without being angry. The key was visualization and breathing. Sam and I were now at the point where we could use any of our abilities, angry or not, which quelled Dad’s uneasiness somewhat. I didn’t think my dad would ever be comfortable with Sam and me as vampires. Maybe years from now, when we were older.

Speaking of Dad, he’d received word from the council that my hearing had been scheduled. In one week, the direction of my life would be decided. In the meantime, after our sessions with Ms. Costner, I’d been ordered to train with Olivia, who’d recovered from the drug-filled bullet. Webb and Dad wanted to ensure my fighting skills were in tip-top shape. I’d argued my powers were better suited to protecting me than punching and kicking were, but I lost the battle.

“There will be times when your fighting skills will come in handy over your powers,” Dad had said.

Whatever.

I actually enjoyed spending time with Olivia. When she had time, she would hang out with Darcy and me in the evenings. On the nights Webb had free, which weren’t many, I’d spend time with him. The sentinels met almost every night, planning some mission. I tried to tease the information out of him, but my kisses and touches didn’t hold a candle to the sentinel oath of silence. No matter. I had fun playing.

“You’re not concentrating, Jo,” Webb said.

How could I? Didn’t he know he was my distraction?

We had ventured out to the sentinel’s training area located south of the base. He wanted to teach me how to throw a dagger. We’d been out here for over an hour, and I’d thrown several daggers at a target he had set up on a tree in the distance. All of them fell short of the target.

“Sorry. Why am I learning how to throw one of these?” Olivia had taught me a dagger was a weapon used for powerful thrusts.

He grunted. “You want to be able to distract your opponent, especially at a moment’s notice.” He handed me another dagger as he shifted his body behind me. “Now, wrap your hand around the pommel and breathe in. When you throw, extend your arm, snap your wrist, and breathe out in one fluid motion.”

I snorted. As long as his body touched mine, there was no way I could function.

“You have to tune me out,” he whispered, inhaling.

“Stop, Webb. You’re not making this easy.”

“It’s not supposed to be. In a fight, you’ll have all kinds of distractions.”

I moved away.

He caught my arm. “A few more throws before the sun sets.”

I snarled. “Get away, then.”

As he laughed, I gripped the pommel, took in a breath, cocked my wrist, and flung the dagger. A thud sounded as the blade punctured the target in the distance.

“Nice. Why didn’t you do that earlier?”

I snubbed him and concentrated. That throw had to be luck. So I threw another one, and this one hit the target again. Not dead center, but still…

Now I wanted to see if I could hit the center. Webb stood off to my right with his arms crossed over his chest. He stared at me with one eyebrow raised. I picked up a dagger that was on the ground near my feet, positioned it in my hand, then threw. This time, the dagger hit to the left of the center.

“See? That wasn’t so bad.” He grinned as though he were proud of me.

Okay, that wasn’t perfect, but I’d take it for now. I just needed to practice more. He collected the daggers around the target, and I picked up two that were on the ground near me. After I handed them to him, he inserted them into the sheaths strapped to his legs. The others he wrapped in a brown cloth that had pockets for the daggers, then rolled it and tied it together. Then he slipped it into one of the pockets on his cargo pants.

“Come on. We’ll take the long way around. Your father isn’t expecting us for another hour.”

I’d forgotten about my meeting with Dad and Mr. Rose, Darcy’s father, who Dad had hired to be my lawyer. I’d questioned his choice of a human to defend me. He responded, “There’s more to Mr. Rose and his connections to our world than you know.” My concern wasn’t his connections. Was he a good lawyer? Could I trust him to defend my life when I hardly knew him?

We set off for home through the dense wooded forest. The farther in we walked, the darker it seemed to get.

I kept my senses open, making sure I didn’t fall into one of those debris-ridden traps. I’d fallen into one once before, when I’d chased a coyote to sate my hunger. “Webb, what do you think the Council will do with me?”

“It’s hard to say.” He glanced around like the perfect soldier, keeping watch.

“Do you think Mr. Rose is a good lawyer?”

“Your dad wouldn’t have hired him if he didn’t think so.”

“I know, but what do you think?” As the court date drew closer, I needed more reassurance. I had tried not to dwell on my plight during the past few weeks. Now, amidst nature, my mind spiraled into worry. “Well?”

I slid a sidelong glance his way, but he wasn’t there.

I turned back to find the vampire frozen under a low-hanging branch, pain or confusion on his face. His heartbeat roared in my ears. I scanned the trees up, down, far and wide. Then I opened my senses, trying to detect a scent, a sound. Nothing.

“What’s wrong?” I asked as I refocused on the handsome vampire.

His shoulders tensed. His biceps bunched. “I think I love you, Jo.”

The words hit me square in the chest like a grenade.

My heart stopped for a brief second before it sputtered to a start again. The wind calmed, the leaves froze, and the animals held their breath. Or maybe I was imagining him, what he’d said. I opened my mouth, but… I couldn’t form any words.

He stalked toward me. Raw dominating power radiated off his sculpted body.

My brain’s circuit breaker seemed to be stuck in the off position. The closer he got, the harder my heart knocked on my ribs.

“Did you hear what I said?” He peered down at me through his ridiculously long lashes.

I craned my neck, my mouth still parted.

Grabbing my nape with one hand and my lower back with the other, he yanked me to him. “I’ve been wanting to tell you for so long. I love you, Jo Mason. I love every part of you, mind, body, and soul.”

The soft tenor of his voice, the feel of him against me, the words he just spoke sent my pulse into overdrive.

I was afraid to even speak, still didn’t know if I could. So I rose up on my toes and brushed my lips over his. He growled, low and deep, sending a warm prickle down my spine.

Happiness, elation, shock, love, lust, desire coursed through me.

I opened a telepathic connection as our tongues twisted in a slow, deliberate kiss.
I love you.

His kiss turned frantic.

Everything around me felt so new and different, even in the darkened forest. Whatever life had to throw my way, I could deal with it. At least for the moment.

A trilling sound rent the world I was lost in. Webb’s lips broke from mine as he growled. It took me a minute to regain my senses.

He pulled out his phone. “What is it, George?”

“I talked to Robert Pride today. You know, the guy who Lauren Dryer said was her father?”

“Go on.”

My vampire hearing perked up.

“He doesn’t have a daughter, niece, or granddaughter,” George said. “The only family he has is a son, who lives in Idaho. So Stan did some checking on his own. It appears Lauren Dryer’s real name is Diane Wallace. She’s a private investigator.”

My eyes grew wide, and so did Webb’s.

“Anything else, George?”

“No, sir. If I find anything else out, I’ll let you know.”

The phone went dead, and so did Webb’s arm. He held the phone to his ear as he stared off into the trees.

Well, our beautiful moment was definitely gone now. While I wanted to resume where we left off, I was curious. Who was this woman? Who was she investigating? Was she investigating
us
?

His phone chirped, breaking us from our zombie mode.

“Yes, Commander. We’ll be there in five.” He pocketed his phone and started back toward Dad. “Mr. Rose is here.”

“What are you thinking?” At the moment, I wished I could read vampire minds.

We walked a ways before he answered, “Someone has hired this woman to watch us.”

My thoughts exactly.

“Why, do you think?” I didn’t think Edmund would hire a PI, much less a human. He would have one of his vampires watch us. Vampires could be stealthy creatures.

“Let’s ask Mr. Rose,” Webb suggested.

Ah. Webb had mentioned she did work in Mr. Rose’s office.

We walked a little faster, and my pulse increased even more as we walked into Dad’s office. Beside Mr. Rose, Lauren Dryer—or Diane Wallace or whoever she was—sat like a lady out of the Victorian era, her posture straight yet loose. Her hands were cupped together in her lap, her chin jutted out, and her legs crossed at the ankles. The term “proper lady” came to mind, confident and delicate.

“There you two are. How did training go, pumpkin?” Dad asked.

“Good. I’m an expert in dagger throwing now,” I said as I looked at Mr. Rose then Diane.

She smiled coyly, seemingly unruffled by my comment. Mr. Rose, on the other hand, fidgeted in his seat. I’d met him a couple of times while at Darcy’s house. Both times, he seemed relaxed and happy. Today, however, shadows colored the area beneath his brown eyes, and his pallor gave me the impression he was afraid.

“This is Mr. Rose and Lauren Dryer.” Dad waved his hand to the humans.

“That is not her name,” I blurted out. “Who exactly are you?” I took one step before Webb stopped me.

“Commander, Lauren Dryer is not her name,” Webb reported.

Dad pinched his eyebrows then glanced at the lady, who still hadn’t moved. She didn’t even seem surprised.

Mr. Rose held up a hand. “Before you get all upset, Steven, Webb is right. But we can explain.”

“Gary,” Dad’s voice strained. “Either start talking, or I’ll have you removed from here, along with your daughter. There won’t be any protection for your family.” Dad pressed his knuckles into the desk as he leaned forward and relaxed ever so slightly.

I didn’t think Dad would put Darcy in danger. Maybe it was just his way of getting Mr. Rose to talk. I prayed so, anyway.

Mr. Rose let out a sigh. Webb and I went over to stand near Dad.

“Lauren—”

“No, Gary. Let me,” she interrupted. “I’m a private investigator, working for Gary’s law firm. My real name is Diane Wallace. Because of the nature of some of our cases, I don’t use my real name.”

“Do you know what we are?” I asked.

Dad whipped his head around toward me, expression horrified. Webb didn’t move.

It was a valid question. Mr. Rose knew, and she worked with him.

“She does,” Mr. Rose murmured.

“Come again?” Webb said.

“I do,” Diane announced clearly, glancing at Dad, Webb, then me.

Dad ran a hand through his hair. “Let’s all move to the couch,” Dad said, nodding toward the small sitting area he had in one corner of his office.

After we were all seated around the coffee table, Dad cleared his throat. “I warned you, Gary.” Dad narrowed his gaze. “Start talking. Or I’ll have your memories wiped clean.”

Diane gaped, her eyes wide.

I smiled smugly. What did she think she was messing with?

“I could…have you…reported,” she said hesitantly.

“Ma’am, you could do a lot of things. But I warn you,” Dad said easily, as though he’d given this speech a thousand times, “you’ll walk around this earth forever, not knowing who you are or where you came from.”

“Why not just erase their memories now?” What was the point of all this? We didn’t want humans to know we existed. So why not erase their memory of us?

Because, Jo. We can’t erase one memory. We’d have to clear her mind completely, and we don’t like doing that. It can draw attention to us. Plus the Council doesn’t approve of it, either.
Webb squeezed my hand before nodding to Dad.

“Okay. First, how does she know about us?” Dad set his angered gaze on Mr. Rose.

“As you know, Steven, I’ve been working and defending your kind for a few years. However, while my firm knows of the cases, they don’t know my clients are vampires. Well, Diane found out one day when she walked into my office and one of my clients had his fangs out. I tried to play it off, but he almost attacked her in a rage. At that point, I had no choice. She hasn’t broadcasted this news to anyone.”

“And you know that how?” Webb asked.

“The vampire who almost bit her threatened her life and those of her family.”

“So, why walk in here and threaten us now, Ms. Wallace?” Dad asked.

“I’m tired of your kind thinking you can rule humans with a drop of your fangs.” Her voice was more confident now.

“What were you doing up in Maine near my house?” Webb asked before she could answer Dad’s question.

“What?” Mr. Rose turned to her.

She clasped her hands together. “I’m not allowed to say. Client confidentiality.”

“What client?” Mr. Rose prodded.

“Ms. Wallace, I can easily find out,” Dad said. “So please share with us why you were watching my daughter and my lieutenant. And tell us why you cut the brakes on their car.”

“Diane? Cut the brakes? What is he talking about?” A bead of sweat trickled down Mr. Rose’s temple. “Steven Mason is not like the other vampires. He won’t harm you. But he is the most powerful of his kind. He…”

Without thinking, I went to sit next to Diane. Dad and Webb made a move to stop me, but I held up my hand.