Betrayed in Blood (Of Blood & Dreams #6)

Chapter 27

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Once the word was given that phase one was complete, Sergi’s calm voice came through the earbuds. “All teams, prepare for phase two. Teams Three and Four move to your next position. Teams Five and Six you have a go. Team one, move to your next position.”

Devon and I returned to the house, meeting up with Teams Three and Four. Once we were all inside, I ensured the lock I’d opened coming in from the garage was re-engaged. Devon locked the utility door leading to the backyard.

Teams Three and Four each had four vampires, including Simone, who was the lead for Team Three. We grouped together in the foyer, and I reported in. “Teams One, Three, and Four are in place and secure.”

A minute later, Sergi responded. “House security is back on.”

“Check.”

“Team Five is in place.” Decker was the lead for a team of eight who would secure the front of the property. It included three shifters—him, Elijah, and Rachel, and five vamps. They would stay in the shadows and behind trees and shrubs. Decker and Rachel would be positioned near the garage, while Elijah and a vamp would be positioned close to the front door but well hidden behind a hedge that ran along the path to the pool. The other four would spread out between the house and front gate.

“Team Six is in place.” Lucas led another team of eight—seven vamps and Ginger. Lucas and Ginger would be positioned near the back door, with another two between them and the back gate to the alley. The other four would break into two teams and cover the sides of the house, including the pool area and patio doors, for anyone attempting to flank them.

Sergi responded to the check-in. “All teams be aware the security net for the perimeter has been reactivated. Radio silence is in effect until the party arrives.” It must have killed him to say the last part, and to be honest, I didn’t think he would. My reference to the mission as being a party had annoyed him. Maybe Roxie had something to do with it. Her high energy and irreverence to rules would grate against the steadfast Sergi. I couldn’t imagine what the next few hours would be like in the van.

There was no telling how long April would stay on Shadow Island, but we assumed it might be closer to dawn before they returned. Either way, Roxie was tapped into the security cameras so she could advise when cars arrived at the front gate. She could also monitor where the vamps were located, either entering the house or moving to perimeter positions around the property.

Regardless of where the vamps ended up, they’d have no idea that twenty-six skilled commandos waited for them, all with kill orders for everyone but April and Jasper Hunnicutt. Devon wanted that vamp alive. He’d wrestled with his kill order for the others, not knowing exactly which House they belonged to. We’d been concerned that the SUV caravan that left the estate might not be going to Shadow Island, so Decker had asked Remus to watch who was boarding the ferries to the island. We received confirmation that April had arrived with her caravan. And that was when Devon issued the kill order.

With hours to wait, I wanted to check in with Bella to see how Mom was doing, but radio silence prevented me from doing that. If there were a problem, Sergi would contact me. The no news is good news adage would have to be my only comfort. Devon and I waited with Teams Three and Four in the main living room. It had exits to all the different parts of the house, including the stairs, so once we got the word April’s caravan had left Shadow Island, we’d move into place. Worst case, if the shifters missed her exit, since it might be difficult to pinpoint her if the ferry from the island was filled with guests, we’d know the minute they pulled up to the front gate. That still provided more than enough time for us to get into position within the house.

“I think I’ll go up and pack a bag for Mom and April.”

Devon nodded as he flipped through one of the several magazines Mom liked to keep on the enormous coffee table. The room was used mostly for business guests, and Christopher always liked to show off his wealth.

Simone stood. “I’ll help.”

I didn’t argue. The two of us hadn’t spoken much since Colantha arrived, so I didn’t mind the human and vamp time.

We didn’t speak as we climbed the stairs, and I took the lead, heading for the master bedroom first.

“There should be a suitcase in the closet.” I went to a dresser and began removing a handful of panties, bras, and two nightgowns.

Simone returned with one and laid it on the bed, opening it. “Only one, or do you want a second one for April? Until we know their condition, they will need to be separated for a while.”

I nodded. “April should have a suitcase in her closet.” I dropped the undergarments and nighties on the bed. Simone followed me to the closet. “Are you going to hide away at Oasis until Colantha leaves?” I walked past the racks of clothing, pulling things down at random—slacks, blouses, a couple of jackets.

“I’m not hiding. I’m overseeing repairs and upgrades to the security system.”

“I get it, but Devon mentioned all that was completed a couple of days ago.” I shoved the clothes to Simone. If she was going to follow me around, she might as well be useful.

She repositioned the clothes in her arms. “I have other matters to attend to.”

I picked up a pair of flats and two pairs of short-heeled pumps my mother favored before turning to assess Simone. She had recently taken blood, mostly likely for tonight’s mission. I handed her the shoes that she piled on top of the clothes.

“Devon mentioned you were trying to reach an old friend.” When the tips of her fangs dropped, I ignored them. If we were in a training room, I’d immediately drop into a fighting stance, but Simone sometimes released her fangs when she was emotional. That didn’t mean I wouldn’t keep on eye on her. Simone could be unpredictable, though this time, she was warning me I was heading into personal matters.

I waved a hand as I grabbed a sweater and a robe, which I draped over my arm. “I’m not prying, but after trying to reach my family, I understand what it’s like to get nothing but dead air.”

I pulled out a couple scarves, then went back to the bed, where I dumped everything. Simone, being a fashion diva, was more respectful of the clothing. Once she laid everything down, she began folding the items and placing them in the suitcase.

“It’s frustrating.” Simone startled me by sharing her emotions. “We haven’t spoken in centuries until I was gathering information on Gheata. We parted on good terms.” She chuckled, and I gave her a quick glance. Chuckles or any form of laughter were rare for the vamp, even with her wicked sense of humor.

“Did you try calling?”

“I only have an email. It’s his preferred method of communication.”

I nodded as I went through drawers, not looking for anything in particular, just seeing if there was anything she might want. I found a drawer of bathing suits and pulled one out. “That makes sense if he wants to reduce the ability for anyone to track him. I know Devon uses phones with the GPS tracking removed, but not everyone trusts technology. Email is safe, considering he could be accessing it from anywhere in the world.”

My last stop was the nightstand. There were three books but no phone or tablet. I grabbed the books and tossed them on the bed, then searched for her purse. It was in the closet. That was odd, but it told me something. Mom hadn’t left the house in some time and apparently wasn’t going to anytime soon. I took out her wallet and personal phone book. She was old school when keeping track of her friends and contacts, but there wasn’t any phone. April or Jasper most likely had it.

Simone had the suitcase packed, and I added the wallet and address book on top before she zipped it up.

“What’s next?” Simone picked up the bag.

“April’s room.”

I was in for a shock. April had always been ultra feminine. Lots of pink and lavender. Not anymore.

She’d gone goth and it was heavily reflected by the decor. Black and deep purple seemed to be her new colors. She hadn’t lost her fashion sense, but the dark colors made me wonder if this reflected a more angsty April after Christopher’s death—because there was no way he would have approved of this—or whether it was influenced by Jasper. Goth would have been more my style, if I had one.

Simone grimaced when she walked into the room. “This is different.”

“It’s not the April I knew.” I went to her closet to see if her clothes were different as well.

Simone followed me in, and we simply stared. On one side of the small walk-in closet were the clothes I’d always seen April wear—bright colors, a little preppy, and fitting for someone who went to a private school. The other half was the new April—all black with the occasional deep violet or red.

I sighed. “I wish I knew if this was a personal choice to change, a change because of her new boyfriend, or because she was mesmerized.”

“Mesmerizing could force a change if she was being directed to follow someone else’s preferences. But this wouldn’t come from Venizi.” Simone found the suitcase and picked it up.

“Based on the wardrobe he hand-selected for me, I agree. Maybe that’s why she’s kept her older clothes.”

“Maybe. Let’s get her packed.”

I went through the same ritual as I had for Mom, selecting undergarments before making a decision on the rest. Unsure which to choose from, I selected a couple outfits from the old-April side and some from the new. I couldn’t care less which she preferred. I’d gone through my own goth period, though it had been to irritate Christopher more than anything else. Wasn’t that what a rebellious teen was supposed to do? April wasn’t a teen, but she was still in her early twenties. Maybe she was all businesswoman by day and turned goth on her off hours. I wasn’t sure how things would go with April, and it depended on whether she was mesmerized or simply pissed at the world. Either way, she might as well wear what made her comfortable. It wasn’t like we couldn’t buy her something else if she was unhappy with my selection.

We dropped the luggage in the closet by the front door. It would be easy to grab on our way out.

Once that was done, it was a waiting game. Devon had someone check on the two vamps tied up in the hall closet every hour, and Sergi checked in every half-hour. All was quiet, and so far, no ferries had returned from the island.

“What if they’re staying overnight?” I asked.

“They’ll be leaving soon.” Devon had moved on from the magazines and was flipping through channels on the LCD panel. “I don’t remember there being housing for a large number of overnight guests.”

Simone had turned to meditation while the other vamps had found a deck of cards and switched between playing gin and poker.

I was tempted to ask Sergi to check on Mom but had to remind myself that he’d have advised me if there were a problem. It was still irritating not knowing.

At two thirty in the morning, Devon ran us through the plan, finishing moments before my earbud crackled. Sometimes, I truly believed Devon was psychic.

“To all teams, the first ferry has arrived, and the target has been spotted. Anticipate twenty minutes for arrival.”

The television was turned off. The cards were returned to the drawer and the furniture restored to order, down to how the magazines had been arranged. Teams Three and Four moved into position, and Devon and I went upstairs to the room across from April’s.

Twenty minutes later, as Sergi predicted, we received the anticipated update.

“All teams. Three SUVs have arrived, and the gates are opening. Teams Five and Six, stay alert. Teams One, Three, and Four get in position.

“Team One is in position.” I glanced at Devon, who leaned against the wall, alert and relaxed at the same time.

“Team Three is in position.”

“Team Four is in position.”

“Team Six is in position.”

“Team Five. The target vehicles have cleared the gate and are approaching the manor.”

At this point, Roxie should be changing the security codes on the gates. We didn’t want anyone leaving by vehicle. It didn’t mean someone couldn’t escape on foot, but they’d have to scale the walls. And we were ready for that.

“Team Five is in position.” Now that the targets were at the manor, Team Five would spread out, forming a secure perimeter around the front of the mansion, including the garage, the front door, and the path leading to the pool.

“This is Team Five. We count four from the first vehicle. April, Jasper, one other vampire, plus the driver, who’s moving the vehicle toward the garage. The second vehicle also has three plus the driver. They also appear to be vampires. The last vehicle is moving toward the garage, the number inside unknown. Everyone has cleared the front door.”

Teams Three and Four remained on the first floor. This was the tricky part. The house was huge, with a lot of rooms and hallways on both floors. The issue with the first floor was the front rooms. They were the largest in the house and built with an open floor plan and, with the current decor, left no good places to hide.

The other rooms were smaller, and if Mom and April kept things like Christopher always wanted, several of the doors were always open while a few others were kept closed. Finding spots to hide eight vampires on the first floor and still be effective would require craftiness.

Our goal was April and Jasper. The plan was for Teams Three and Four to remain hidden until Devon gave the order to go. April would want to change into something more comfortable and would likely head to her bedroom first. If she was close with Jasper, it was a fifty-fifty chance he’d follow her up. They might also want to confirm that Mom was still where they’d put her.

At the same time, they’d want to check on the two vamps they’d left to watch her. One had been in the room down the hall from where Devon and I currently hid, and we’d made the assumption Jasper would check. The problem was the one on the first floor. It came down to whether our teams could remain hidden until April got to her room.

It didn’t take long to hear voices, even with my human hearing. Devon took point at the door while I stood on the opposite side, watching his face, ready for any signal.

Voices grew nearer. Someone was coming up the stairs, but they were too far away to make out the words or whether they were male or female. Devon nodded. At least one of them was April, and it was quickly confirmed when she reached the hallway.

“I’ve got to get out of these shoes.” April’s voice sent a shiver of memories through me. The good April, the one who tried to make my life easier.

“I’d like to help you get out of other things,” said some unknown I assumed to be Jasper.

I rolled my eyes, and Devon shook his head. He was all business, but honestly, couldn’t the vamp come up with a better line?

It didn’t seem to matter to April, who just giggled. Hells bells, was she mesmerized or really into this dude?

Their progress slowed, and now it was Devon’s turn to be annoyed. He didn’t roll his eyes, but he closed them. He was making a decision, and I wasn’t sure why.

Then I heard someone bump into a wall. They were close.

Then April groaned.

I rolled my eyes again. I couldn’t help it. They’d stopped to make out. They wouldn’t get to her room before someone downstairs was discovered. Devon opened his eyes, and he nodded.

We weren’t going to wait for them. We would use their making out to our advantage. The plan was for him to take Jasper while I restrained April. For a split second, I took the time to quickly run through how Simone showed me to take someone out without hurting them. I’d practiced the routine dozens of times. Now was the real deal.

Devon held up a finger. On the third count, he’d give the go command, followed instantly by us rushing out to take them.

When he reached the second count, a violent crash came from downstairs.

“Team Three engaged.” It wasn’t Simone’s voice, but Devon didn’t care.

Devon yelled, “All teams go.”