I Accidentally Hooked Up with a Vampire (Accidents Happen #2)

21. Make the plan.

21

Make the plan.

“ W hat? Who has her?” I asked, even though I already knew who she was talking about.

“Reddick’s men. I have confirmation they are on a plane headed here,” Domino answered.

“How did this happen?” A mixture of rage and disappointment boiled in my belly as I pointed at him. “You said this couldn’t happen. You both said she was safe.”

“I don’t know. With all our people watching, there is no way they should have gotten to her,” Domino answered.

“It doesn’t matter how it happened.” Lena stepped forward. “What matters is that we know, and now we need to make sure when that plane lands, we’re there to intercept.”

“Why would Reddick want my sister? Is this just to hurt us?” My mind raced—I already knew the man was sadistic. There was no telling what he would do to Jai.

“Maybe he thinks taking Jai kills two birds with one stone,” Jackie offered.

I turned to look at her. “How?”

“He hopes taking your sister will make us act recklessly,” Domino explained. “It gives him what he wants and makes it easier to take us out. He’ll also have her blood. If you’re a descendant, then so is your sister. He will test her blood, and if it works, he doesn’t need you.”

“But we don’t have the same blood. I’m adopted!” I panicked. “Domino, he was talking about making me a blood whore and selling me off to the highest bidder! We can’t let that happen to Jai! She is innocent. She doesn’t deserve this.

“You’d think he’d look into that before snatching her up,” Lena said. “What happens when he figures that out?”

“We have to get to her; she won’t be able to protect herself like I did,” I urged them.

“What do you mean?” Domino asked.

“That’s why Reddick fed me his blood. When he tried to bite me, he couldn’t.”

“I’ve been thinking about that,” Lena said. “I made a few calls, and I think it might have something to do with your powers. Even before you unlocked your abilities, something protected you from him. It looks like this has happened before. The person had to basically give consent in order for the vampire to bite them.”

“Meaning if I don’t want to be bitten, I can’t be?” I don’t know why I glanced at Domino, but I did, and I could see him tense.

“Basically.” She nodded.

“What if they get her blood without consent?” Domino asked. “There are other ways to spill blood.”

“Hopefully, it kills them,” Jackie said and winked at Domino.

“I would never do that,” he responded sternly to the insinuation.

“Sure. I’m sure you ask all your victims for their permission before you feed. Give me a break.” Jackie rolled her eyes.

“Sure. Do you have a preferred bone?” Domino threatened.

“Guys!” Lena snapped her fingers in between their challenging gazes. “We need to focus!”

“Thank you.” I nodded at Lena before addressing the bickering babies. “Look, I know that, between the two of you, there are a lot of resources at our disposal. How do we get my sister back? She doesn’t need to be pulled into all this.”

“You’re right.” Jackie took a deep breath. “I apologize for letting my hatred distract me. We’ll work together to plan an interception. We know they’re still in the air; we have about six hours until they land at a private airstrip.”

“That will only give us roughly two hours to do this before the sun rises again,” Domino added. “After that, my people will have to retreat.”

“You think that’s enough time?” I asked.

“If we plan it right and can convince the hunters and vampires not to kill each other.” Domino pointed back toward the main house. “You already have one dagger-loving hunter we have to worry about.”

“Miguel won’t mess this up. None of the hunters will,” Jackie defended her group. “And if he really wanted to kill you, he wouldn’t have missed.”

“So,” Lena said to interrupt another potential bickering session, “do we know exactly where the airstrip is?”

“Yes, it’s the only one here equipped to deal with special cargo. It's roughly an hour away,” Domino said. “Reddick wouldn’t risk using another one. We’ve intercepted their flight plan, and that’s where they’re going.”

“Good. That means we have four hours to prep before we need to leave.” Lena chewed her lip. “Is that enough time?”

“What are the known threats?” Jackie asked Domino. “You know your brother better than anyone, right? What do we need to know about how he’s going to move?”

“Don’t overthink things. Reddick still likes to act in simplistic ways. He’s cocky. He’ll send in a slew of mediocre vampires, ones easily disposable, to assist his top guys. Those are the ones you have to worry about.”

“Nyesha and Vance.” I thought of the two vampires who had already tried to snatch me up.

“And others,” Domino agreed. “He has seven in total who are his front runners.”

Jackie held her hand up. “Who the hell are Nyesha and Vance?”

“They’re my brother’s special pets,” Domino explained. “With the others, they run things for him.”

“Nyesha is the one who tried to bite me,” I added.

“Do they have special powers or anything we should be aware of?” Lena asked.

“Powers? Vampires have powers?” I asked and looked at Domino, who had displayed no powers to me.

“If they had them before they were turned, yes. If a witch became a vampire, she would still have access to whatever abilities she had prior to being turned.” Domino nodded. “Most don’t; some magic fights the turn, and it ends up killing the person.”

“Do they have anyone?” I asked.

“No. Fortunately for us, my brother hasn’t found anyone like that to add to his team. At least, no one I’ve heard of. It’s the only reason he hasn’t made a move to expand his territory.”

“Explains why he is so adamant about getting your blood,” Jackie added. “It’s not just about pissing off his little brother. That kind of power would rocket him to the top of the food chain.”

“Guess I’m really not that important to him.” Domino dramatically stomped his foot. “Damn it.”

“Oh, are you hurt to find that out?” Jackie poked her lips out. “You need a tissue to wipe away your tears?”

“Not gonna lie, it stings.” He sniffled.

“Anyway!” Lena poked me before pointing at the vampire and the huntress. “I’m not sure this is any better than the bickering.”

“Me either.” I frowned. “I don’t think I like this. Go back to fighting.”

“Make up your mind, woman!” Jackie snapped at me before her serious tone returned and she addressed Domino again. “I’ll talk to my people, you rally yours. I think we let the vampires make the first run. They’ll be expecting it. They won’t be expecting hunters to be there helping.”

“Smart,” Domino said. “We’ll try to keep the casualties low.”

“You might want to have all your vampires wear some kind of special color or something. That way, they don’t get caught in any accidental crosshairs.”

“Accidental?” He snorted. “I’m sure it will be an accident.”

“Hey, I’m trying to eliminate the possibility.” Jackie shrugged.

“Actually, I can help with that. I’ll create some temporary charms.” Lena perked up. “They’ll protect the vampires from the hunter’s weapons.”

“Uh-uh.” Jackie rejected the idea with a finger wag in Lena’s face. “I don’t need vampires running around immune to our weapons!”

“Chill.” Lena stopped our friend from going off on another rant. “It will only last one night. When the sun rises, they’ll deactivate.”

“You can do that?” I asked, proud of her.

“I’ve been putting in a lot of work to improve my craft. You know, to be connected with my magic.” She rolled her eyes at Domino, clearly not having forgotten his previous comment about her abilities. “When this is all over, I’ll show you!”

“We need to map out our movement.” Jackie left and returned with a large pad and pen, handing them to Domino. “Give us the layout.”

Domino took the pad, and we all headed over to the kitchen counter since the table was smashed up. He quickly sketched out a map of the private terminal, complete with a line of trees and several markings for roads.

“This is the airport,” he explained, pointing to his drawing. “The terminal isn’t that big, and there are only a handful of familiars who work there. Most never last longer than a few months before they find themselves on a meal plan. To the east are the Blight Woods, and to the west is a private access road blocked by a massive stone wall. It runs about four miles, covered by another line of trees on the opposite side.”

“How high is the wall?” Jackie peered at the drawing.

“Around forty-five feet,” Domino answered.

“Blight Woods? I’ve never seen this place.” Lena whipped out her phone and tried to look it up on a digital map of the area. “There’s nothing there.”

“That’s because someone pays a lot of money for it not to be,” Domino explained. “It’s also a private territory. It’s used as a feeding ground for arriving vampires.”

“I thought you said vampires couldn’t drink from animals…” I focused on that last statement.

“They can’t,” Jackie said through a tight jaw.

“So how can it be a feeding ground?” I asked.

“They release humans into the woods,” Domino said with a straight face.

“Oh, my God,” I gasped. “Are you serious?”

“That’s terrible.” Lena looked sick.

“Yes, well, I think that’s the best entry point for the Hunters.” Domino refused to address the atrocious nature of what he’d just told us. “They won’t expect humans to come that way.”

“What about the vampires?” I looked at Jackie. “What if they mistake you for food?”

“Then they’ll die.” Jackie smirked. “Besides, we have methods for fooling vampires. Most never see us coming.”

“Reddick will be expecting an attack from us. He knows I won’t sit back and let him do this. If we’re lucky, he won’t be ready for the hunters.” Domino looked at his drawing again. “The plane coming in isn’t full of vampires, and it’s not a place where a lot of vampires just hang out. The only ones there will be Reddick’s men.”

“How do we access the woods?” Jackie pointed to the edge of the drawing, where Domino had sketched a series of trees. “Is there a way in?”

“There is a path with very little surveillance. You should be able to get through there without issue,” he answered. “But you’re going to have to use the river to get to it and then walk.”

“How far is the hike?” Jackie asked.

“Roughly five miles,” Domino estimated.

“Five miles!” I gawked. “Is there a quicker route?”

“That’s nothing for us.” Jackie brushed off my concern.

“Maybe not for you, but my ass ain’t walking five miles.” I crossed my arms. “Not unless one of your hunters is strong enough to strap me to his back.”

“Who said you were going?” Domino and Jackie asked at the same time. They shared a look of disgust at their simultaneous expression.

“Of course, I’m going,” I insisted. “Why wouldn’t I?

“Whitney…” Jackie said my name in that ‘oh you poor baby’ tone.

“You think I’m going to sit here and wait for you to get my sister? Hell no.” I held my hand up. “I’m going. This isn’t up for debate.”

“You don’t even know how to control your powers,” Domino added and held his hands up in defense when I side-eyed him.

“I’ll figure it out.” I sucked my teeth. “It can’t be that hard, right? And we knew this was coming. That’s why I did all this to begin with, so I could protect myself against threats.”

“Yeah, protect yourself. Don’t run into battle with hunters and vampires. You could get killed out there. And if we are too concerned with protecting you, they might get away with your sister.”

“She’s right,” Domino agreed, and I felt like I would fall over.

“Now is not the time for you two to start agreeing.” I pointed at him.

“When it comes to your safety, yes, it is,” Domino insisted. “How do you intend to learn how to use your power effectively and in such a short time?”

“I—” For a moment, I hesitated because I really didn’t know. But then, the answer hit me. “I do know someone I can call. She can help me.”

“Who?” Jackie asked.

“Likosa’s friend,” I explained. “The one who got me out of Reddick’s place. She’s like me, and she said I could call her if I needed her.”

“And you think she can help you understand this in such a short time?” Domino asked.

“I mean, it’s the only option I have right now, and I'm going to take it.” My eyes darted between them. Lena stood at my side, keeping her opinion to herself. When I glanced at her, I couldn’t tell if she agreed with me or not. “I don’t want to be in your way when it comes to saving Jai, but I’m not okay with sitting here helpless while you do it either.”

“Okay, I think that’s a great idea. If you can get her stamp of approval, you can come. But if she says you aren’t ready, promise me you will sit this one out. Is that fair?” Domino offered the compromise.

“I think it is,” Jackie answered for me.

“I don’t think he was asking you.” I rolled my eyes at her.

“Whitney,” Domino said my name, snapping my attention back to the serious look on his face.

“Yes, okay. I promise.” I gave in because what else was I supposed to do?

“While you work on that, I need to get my people together.” Domino looked at me like he wanted to say more, but he didn’t. Whatever thoughts he had floating around his mind, he kept them to himself. Instead, he pulled me into his arms and kissed me like we were alone. When our lips parted, he looked me in the eye, tightened his hold on me. “Stay safe.”

“Of course.” I looked up at him. “I promise.”

“Good.” He kissed my forehead, and then Domino was gone.

“Say what you want about vampires. That intense vibe is sexy as hell!” Lena clapped her hands and mimicked Domino. “Stay safe. With command, he said it!”

“You’re ridiculous.” I brushed off her teasing.

“Yes, you really are,” Jackie said with much less amusement in her tone.

“Oh, shut up. You know it was hot.” Lena mimed writing in a notebook. “I gotta capture that for my next novel!”

“I’ll keep my opinions to myself.” Jackie winked and rolled up the map Domino had drawn. “I need to take this to the other hunters.”

“Oh yeah, and I need to get those charms ready for the vampires. Damn, I really should have asked him how many we need.” Lena pointed at me. “Do send your lover a note and ask him for me?”

“Yeah, yeah.” I pulled out my phone, first sending Domino the question for Lena and then emailing Rayna.

Domino responded within seconds, confirming he would need no less than thirty charms.

“He says thirty, maybe a few more.”

“Thirty. Right, okay. I better get to work.” Lena took a step toward the door but paused. “Are you going to be okay here by yourself?”

“Uh, yeah. Actually, I think some alone time will be good for me. There are plenty of hunters here now, so I should be safe from any attack.”

“Yes, they will keep you safe. I’ll send a few more over to hang outside and make sure nothing happens.”

“Thanks.”

Lena pulled me into her arms and gave me her best mama bear hug. “It’s going to be alright. We’ll get her back.”

“Thank you.” I hugged her back. “I’m sorry for all this.”

“I'm not Jackie. I don’t need an apology from you. And honestly, I don’t think she does either. The thing is, hunters get a little testy when they’re around creatures they're meant to kill.”

“Really?” I chewed my lip. “I never considered this could be affecting her like that.”

“Yeah, it's like a built-in fail-safe to make sure they don’t get too buddy-buddy with the enemy. That’s why she wants to get this over with as fast as possible. All those hunters out there,” she pointed at the door that led outside, “they’re basically ticking time bombs with Domino being around.”

“Okay, so wrap this up and get him far away. Got it.” I nodded.

“I don’t know how you’re going to manage this moving forward, but it will be fun to figure out.”

“Maybe you can whip some magic up to help.”

“I doubt it,” she laughed. “But for you, I would sure as hell try!”

I sat alone in the destroyed guest house, waiting for a response from Rayna. Would she be able to help me on such short notice? For all I knew, she was on another world without access to email. I balanced my weight on the edge of the couch and tapped my phone screen, as if that would make her response come through any faster.

“Come on, please.” I muttered. Even with feeling the strange pressure change and the ripple in the air, the woman still scared the shit out of me.

“Hey, girl.” Rayna popped into the room in front of me.

“Holy shit!” I fell back off the edge of the couch and onto my ass.