Dangerous Sacrifice (The Harcourte Vampyre Society Book 6) Page 19

  “Thank you. I appreciate it. I need to ask that as you ask around, you keep this as quiet as possible.”

  His father got angry. “Why? Because you needed my help and don’t want the world to know?” he accused.

  And here it went.

  There was his father’s notorious anger.

  Why was he surprised?

  Jacques felt his own temper rise. “No, Mordechai, because someone is trying to kill my mate because we are pregnant. This has nothing to do with you. Why can’t you see that?” he asked.

  Already, it was escalating.

  This was the relationship they always had. In his life, there were only two people who could make him this mad.

  Jolie.

  His father.

  One of them he loved more than his life, the other…it was debatable.

  “Why can’t you be a father, and for once, not provoke a fight with me? Is it so hard to love me? I’m about to be a father myself, and it took everything I had to come to you. I swallowed my pride for our children.”

  Mordechai paused at that news. It was a surprise to him, and he couldn’t help thinking about little children in their midst. While his son had opted not to run the Degaul society, he still was bringing new life into their family.

  “I apologize, Jacques. I didn’t realize that your mate was expecting. Of course, I’ll help out. Please expect a call from me once I have an answer.”

  Jacques slammed down the phone.

  There was no one who pissed him off like this. Jolie frustrated him, but now he was feeling pure rage.

  His chest burned as his tattoo began heating up.

  He was quickly losing control. Jacques didn’t understand it. He was the king of calm, but now…

  He was falling into the rage.

  Before he knew what he was doing, he stormed toward one of the bookshelves, and in anger, he dumped its contents all over the floor.

  That wasn’t enough.

  He then put his fist through the wall.

  It continued.

  The anger fed the tattoo and the bitter resentment toward his father, plus the hate for the Tueur.

  He couldn’t control it.

  Instead, he needed to be alone and destroy something.

  Everything.

  ∞ Chapter Sixteen ∞

  Flynn really hated taking a trip to Death-land. There was nothing pleasant about hanging out with her. If anything, he expected her to try some shitty attempt to screw them over. If it wasn’t for the demon living in him, he’d be free game.

  Sometimes, he had to wonder why she’d given him this gift. Was it to save them or was she screwing with them? With death, you never knew.

  As they headed into the garish room, he could hear the copulation going on.

  Great.

  Death was getting her sex on.

  Could this day get any worse?

  There should be a way to call ahead. No one liked popping in on someone bumping uglies.

  And then he walked in.

  Jesus.

  What he saw had him horrified. He couldn’t even describe it. Sex with death was like two praying mantises going at it. As they were forced to stand there, Death came, the male beneath her too.

  And then she ate him.

  Literally.

  She took his head off and then devoured his flesh.

  Flynn glanced at Vanth, and she looked sad that she couldn’t join in.

  What the hell?

  Death laughed. “Don’t judge, Rinnon. I believe you’ve had some questionable orgies in your past. I was there to see them. They were magnificent.”

  Flynn could feel the darkness welling up, and he had no chance to hold it back. As Death sashayed her way toward him, he knew she was going to touch him.

  The gore didn’t bother him.

  The naked Death part would get his head ripped off if Jolie ever found out.

  “She’s not here. Relax. What happens in my chamber stays in my chamber,” she whispered, practically rubbing her body against every part of him.

  Flynn let Rinnon deal with her.

  After all, this was his playground.

  “We need the location of the sanctuary,” Rinnon stated. While his voice was similar to Flynn’s, there was a distinct difference.

  “Give me the address, and I’ll let you get back to whatever the hell this was.”

  Death was amused. “What’s wrong?” she asked, shifting her form into Jolie. “Better?” she asked, stroking him through his pants.

  “Hands off, Death. You know there are rules.”

  “Rinnon, we used to have so much fun.”

  Flynn was infinitely grateful that he couldn’t remember any of that.

  If it was anything like what he’d just witnessed…

  “Oh, Daddy, you don’t remember,” she teased.

  “Death.”

  “Okay, okay. You’re cranky and no fun.”

  She snapped her fingers, and she was back to her normal form, the dead man in her bed was gone, and she wasn’t covered in gore.

  “We have some issues going on, and I’d like to get back before anything happens to Jolie and the babies.”

  “Yes, you’re in the middle of a storm, Rinnon. Bad things are coming.”

  “Why don’t you just give me the Cliff Notes to this story, and I’ll fast forward it to the end?”

  “Take me to bed, and I will.”

  He actually hesitated.

  “I’ll stay in her form.”

  “No.”

  “I almost had you.”

  The truth be told, he’d do it. If it meant saving them from what was coming, giving them an edge, and getting to the head of the Tueur, he’d sleep with Death.

  Jolie would hate him, and he’d have to tell her the truth, but he’d protect his family.

  “If there are no other options, we’ll discuss it.”

  Death grinned. “I promise to leave your head on.”

  “Great.”

  Jolie could then remove it.

  “As for your lair,” she said grinning. “It’s where you left it, Rinnon.”

  He stared at her. “Maybe you don’t get this, Death,” he said, letting his fangs slip into his mouth. “I’m only half the man I used to be. I have a police detective now riding shotgun. He stole the memories part of our space. So, cut to the chase and tell me.”

  His eyes went black.

  “Now.”

  She laughed. “You know the cost, Rinnon. I like the way your other half tastes, so I want a drink. Then you’ll have that memory back.”

  Flynn listened to the conversation going on around him. It was weird to be split into two personalities.

  It was more than weird.

  It was insane.

  “Deal.”

  Rinnon released control and returned to the depths of the detective’s body. Flynn was forced to deal with the wicked witch of the underworld.

  Or wherever the hell they were.

  “One drink, I get the memories, and your hands stay off my junk.”

  She laughed. “One drink, you get your memories, and I offer you some advice but I still get to feel you up.”

  Negotiating sucked.

  “Deal.”

  So far, Death had helped.

  “I have, so keep that in mind.”

  “Let’s just get this done. Vanth, if she gets too handsy, eat her arm off.”

  His demon giggled.

  Death glared at her. “I can take you back.”

  Flynn laughed. “Actually, I do have some of my memories, and they’re beginning to come back. Vanth was mine, wasn’t she?”

  Death said nothing.

  “Truth.”

  “Yes.”

  She looked irritated that he had that power over her.

  “So, my statement stands. Vanth, if I look like I’m distressed, stop her. Jolie is our concern.”

  The demoness nodded. “Yes, Master. Sorry, Death. You know I have to answer to the one who ma
de me. Now that he’s back…”

  “Shut up. If he leaves, you’re coming back here, and I’m going to make you pay.”

  Vanth didn’t doubt it.

  “Let’s do this.”

  Death moved toward him. As she pressed herself to his torso, she blew warm breath across his throat. “I’m going to enjoy this.”

  Then she sank her fangs into his neck.

  Flynn groaned.

  It wasn’t the best feeling, and it wasn’t the worst. It was apparent that as Rinnon grew in power, thanks to the tattoo, Death could only do so much.

  As she stroked him through his pants, worked on his neck, and tried to flood his mind with sex, he focused on the one who owned his heart.

  Jolie was his only concern.

  He pictured her in his mind.

  Their children.

  The love he felt.

  Then before he knew it, the feeding was done.

  “I don’t like you,” Death said. “You’re no fun. At one time, Rinnon, we rocked this world.”

  Flynn could feel the demon stirring in him. “He’s not happy, so maybe you can give me the location, and we’ll get the hell out of here.”

  Death touched his forehead.

  “There you go.”

  He could see it in his head, and he was astounded at it. “It’s amazing,” he said.

  “Rinnon built it a long time ago. It’s his fortress. When you take over the Tueur, assuming you can kill the leader, that will be your home. Tell me that your mates aren’t coming with you, and we can get that shack shaking.”

  He stared at her. “They’re joining me. We’ll be raising the children there.”

  Death sighed. “Azriel and Angelique, huh? Don’t you find that ironic?” she asked.

  Flynn didn’t understand.

  “What?”

  She laughed. “We’ll save that for another time. If I give you too much, Fate will pop in and kick my ass.”

  Flynn looked around.

  “What?” she asked.

  “I’m waiting for the show.”

  Death laughed. “I see why she thinks you’re sexy, Flynn. You’re funny, and I hope you’re still laughing at what’s to come.”

  “What was my advice? You said if I let you cop a feel, I would get some.”

  “I did, didn’t I? Well, here it is. Life is not a mystery to be solved, but a reality to be experienced.”

  He stared at her.

  “Why does that sound like a saying in a fortune cookie?”

  “Because it was. I had Chinese for dinner,” she said, thinking back to the man she’d just dined on. “Good luck.”

  With that, he was sent back.

  When Flynn opened his eyes, he couldn’t find Vanth. They were in the kitchen. Then he heard her whimpers. He headed toward the pantry and opened the door. Inside, Vanth was shoved in there, and she looked like a pincushion. Apparently, Death didn’t like her standing with Flynn.

  He began pulling the silver blades from her body. When she opened her eyes, the vortexes swirled.

  “She’s mean.”

  “I’m sorry she hurt you, Vanth,” he offered.

  “She took my vampyre snack too.”

  He laughed.

  “We’ll get you some more. Let’s go find Jolie and Jacques.”

  “Promise?”

  He gave her a kiss on the forehead. “Yeah, we will.”

  * * * H a r c o u r t e * * *

  Jolie stood outside the office door and listened to the sounds coming from behind it. There were crashes, banging, and things being destroyed.

  Before going in, she could feel her other mate near. When he touched her arm, she moved into his body. “He’s locked the door with his mind, and I can’t get in.”

  Flynn was glad.

  The last place they needed her was inside while Jacques was melting down.

  “I could have broken in the door,” she said, standing there, “but he wants to be alone.”

  Flynn could get in.

  “Stay behind me, and I’ll calm him down.”

  Jolie moved behind her other mate. “You smell like another woman,” she muttered.

  She already knew whom.

  “Yeah, Death was all over me.”

  Her blood pressure shot up. Jacques wasn’t going to be the only one who destroyed a room.

  “Maybe we should discuss that?” Jolie suggested.

  “We can, but right now we need to make sure Jacques doesn’t do anything dangerous. If he’s lost in the anger, he needs some backup.”

  Flynn placed his hand on the door. With just a thought, he was able to get through Jacques’s barrier.

  He led them inside.

  Jolie gasped. They stood in the wreckage of the room and watched as Jacques was destroying the desk. Little pieces of splinters flew around the room and the desk hadn’t had a fighting chance.

  When he focused on them, he growled and hissed. Flynn braced for it. Jacques moved at them, and Flynn took him to the ground.

  As his mate was pinned beneath him, Jolie knelt beside the two men and began stroking his disheveled hair.

  “Jacques, my love, please be still.”

  He still struggled like a wounded animal.

  She wasn’t sure how long Flynn could hold him.

  “You’re safe. I have him.”

  Jolie laid on the floor, facing him. Her face was inches from his. When she started talking to him in French, she could see him calm down.

  Then she held his hand.

  “My love, are you going to be okay?”

  He closed his eyes and nodded. “I think so. It’s passed.”

  Flynn slowly moved off his mate. It appeared that the storm was over.

  Jacques didn’t fight to get up. Instead, he remained slumped on the floor.

  “I didn’t want you near me when I was out of control,” he admitted.

  Jolie still held his hand.

  “What has you so angry?”

  “My father.”

  Jolie kissed him softly on the lips. “What did he do? Did he say he wouldn’t help us?”

  “No.”

  They waited.

  “He’s going to help, but I’m afraid.”

  Flynn ran his hand up and down his mate’s other arm to offer him some comfort.

  “What are you afraid of?” he asked.

  “What if I’m just like him? What if I can’t be a good father? Flynn had a role model. Mine hated me because I wasn’t his. What does a vampyre really know about being a father?”

  “I am sorry, Jacques,” she said stroking his cheek with her fingers. “I know how hard this is for you, and I know how much you hate interacting with your father.”

  Jacques shrugged and pulled his hand away. His anger wasn’t at her, since she was blameless in all of this. The anger he felt had everything to do with the man who raised him.

  Flynn knew they needed to get this under control. “Maybe he’s right,” Flynn stated. “Maybe he will be a horrible father. We shouldn’t risk it.”

  Even Jolie stared at him in shock.

  “I’ll take his child and raise Angelique as my own. We shouldn’t let him ruin her.”

  Jacques hissed, and he was up and on Flynn in a heartbeat. He took the larger man to the ground.

  “You will not take my child. She’s mine. I love her.”

  Flynn grinned. “And that’s all the proof you need that you’ll be a great father, Jacques. Part of being a great father is that dedication. The mere thought that you’d kill anyone who touched your child is proof. You’re going to be fine. Mordechai didn’t make you. Your mother molded you into the man you are today.”

  He stared down at his mate.

  He listened to his words.

  The anger was gone.

  Instead of saying anything, Jacques rested his body against Flynn, cuddling against him.

  Vampyres shared comfort by touch, and he needed to feel safe. Flynn didn’t hesitate to hold him against him. J
olie smiled at her mates. This was why they worked as a unit.

  No one gave anything less than all they had.

  Jolie could feel her babies move inside her, so she reached out and took Jacques’s hand. Once placed over her belly, she reached inside to the little one he called child and sent it some energy. The baby bounced and reached back, sharing that love to the family who created her.

  Tears filled Jacques’s eyes.

  “You won’t be like him, my love. You’re nothing like him at all,” she said, running her fingers through his hair.

  “I couldn’t bare it if I ruined her life.”

  “You won’t,” his mates offered.

  Jacques needed to do something.

  Moving off Flynn, he placed his lips close to her belly bump and whispered softly to their children. “I love you both, and I promise I will be here for you always. I won’t hurt you, I will never strike you in anger, and I will always be proud of you no matter what path in life you choose,” he said, right before breaking down.

  Jolie held him against her body as he wept. She’d never seen her mate fall apart like this.

  It was so unlike him.

  Flynn ran his hand up and down Jacques’s leg. “We have you. It’s going to be okay.”

  He hoped they were right.

  This tattoo was playing with his emotions, his mind, and his heart.

  Jacques wasn’t sure if Death had cursed them by having them inked.

  Flynn could hear his mate.

  For the record, he wasn’t so sure either

  * * * H a r c o u r t e * * *

  Two Hours Later

  Nearly Dawn

  They were relaxing on the couch in the family room. Flynn was holding Jolie in his lap, and Jacques was resting against his legs.

  No one was speaking.

  They were each worried, and the silence proved that.

  Jacques was plagued with his father and their past, Jolie was stressed about how Flynn wouldn’t discuss what had happened while he was with death, and Flynn…he was dealing with the issues of having someone hanging out in his body.

  Rinnon kept whispering to him, begging him to pick up a sword and make an aggressive move toward the Tueur.

  He wanted to attack.

  He didn’t want to sit idly by and wait. He was a warrior, a killer, and death, so he wanted to reap some vampyres.