“The one that’s supposed to block him from entering. Well, darn it, I must have done something wrong.” Lucas came out with clothes forall of them. “Lucas, honey, will you check my spell. Find out where the hole is for me,” she said as if she was asking him to take out the trash.
“Sure.” Lucas closed his eyes and concentrated. A white light left his body and slammed into an invisible barrier. It moved around the barrier in a big circle, sending sparks off every so often. It sounded like a lightning bolt striking the ground when it came to a corner and moved to the backyard. It came back to Lucas, entering him again. “It’s secure, Mom.”
“Bennett, try to bring that one into the yard.”
Bennett stood on the edge of the property and shoved the vampire forward. The vampire hit the wall and fell onto his ass a few feet into the road. He scrambled up and tried to make a run for it, but Garridan shifted and flew in front of him, blocking his path. He shifted into his human form just as the vampire ran at him, fangs out. Someone screamed, but Garridan couldn’t tell who it was because it sounded muffled, as if it were coming from inside the house. Garridan grabbed the vampire around his head just as he was about to sink his teeth in and snapped his neck. The vampire fell to the ground in a heap.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Sage standing in the window. Garridan worried that Sage would regress after he saw Garridan kill someone. He wondered if Sage would fear him again. He turned and their eyes met. Sage smiled and blew him a kiss.
Garridan sighed in relief.
He could tell Sage wanted to come to him but was afraid of the other vampire even though the guy was tied up with the rope Forrest had brought in his truck earlier. Garridan crooked his finger at him. Sage disappeared from the window, giving Garridan the opportunity to zero in on the vampire.
Garridan took a few steps closer and scented the air. “You’re definitely one of Stavros’ coven members. You smell just like that place.” He growled.
“I’m not a member of any coven. I never did anything to you, not one time while you were a guest.” He started to struggle against Owen’s hold. The vampire’s eyes turned red and he showed his fangs, making a hissing noise, not unlike the one that Sage made when he was pissed off at someone. Garridan might have snapped the guy’s neck if not for the similarity of that one sound.
“A guest? Now you sound like Stavros too.” Garridan stepped back and took the sweatpants Lucas handed him. Sage came around the corner of the house. He stopped several feet from the vampire. Garridan could tell just by the restless way he shuffled his feet that Sage wanted to come to him but was afraid of the vampire not even a foot away from Garridan.
“Come here.” Garridan turned to meet his gaze.
Sage shook his head, making Garridan sighed. Ramsey came around the corner then and Garridan was relieved. He needed to take care of his mate, set his mind at ease so Sage wouldn’t worry anymore. He’d let Ramsey ask all the questions.
Ramsey came up beside him. Garridan wriggled his fingers for Sage to take his hand.
The vampire’s eyes changed to a light blue color and back again. His nostrils flared and he tried to get away from Owen, but he held firm. He seemed to stare over Ramsey’s shoulder at Ladon. Ladon’s eyes widened and he took a step closer to the vampire. Ramsey moved to his right, standing in front of Ladon.
Lucas’ mouth fell open. “Oh my God. You’re Ladon’s mate. That explains how you were able to get past Mother Estelle’s spell.”
Garridan raised his eyebrows and watched for the vampire’s reaction.
Sage leaned into him. “You should put on shoes, Garridan.”
Garridan made a noncommittal sound in the back of his throat. “I need to be ready if this guy takes off.”
“You were gone a long time,” Sage whispered.
“A little over an hour isn’t that long.” Garridan smiled when Sage narrowed his eyes. Garridan leaned down. Their lips met and Garridan held the kiss for several seconds before pulling back. “You make me forget my duties.”
Sage grinned, a little too pleased with himself.
“You were just a little too easy to catch, vampire. Why is that?” Ramsey words brought Garridan back to the reality of the situation.
“Fuck you.”
Ramsey grinned. “I’m going to either tell my brother to let you go or kill you. I haven’t decided yet. I suggest you be a little nicer to me.”
“No! Ramsey, you can’t kill him,” Ladon yelled and tried to get around his brother to get to the vampire.
“Go back inside, Ladon. Now!”
Ladon flinched but didn’t protest. “Yes, Alpha.” Lucas handed Owen’s sweatpants to Garridan as he passed and followed Ladon.
Sage squeezed his hand, right before letting go. “I need to make sure Ladon’s okay.”
Garridan smiled and nodded. He watched Sage enter the house before turning to the vampire.
“What does Stavros plan?” Ramsey asked.
