Primal Kill (The Order of Vampires #5)

Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9

A driel had rested for most of the drive in hopes of tamping down her hunger. When they reached upstate New York, her ears adjusted to the high altitudes. As they ascended the narrow, winding streets, she took in the raw beauty of the waterfalls, fascinated by the natural canyons, caves, and gaping ravines.

Creeks carved through mountains, forming deep hidden valleys and gorges. Rapids lapped at the rocks in the basins below, where ancient rocks frothed with mist.

“That waterfall was once a brook,” she remarked quietly, staring out the car window.

How could just a slow trickle transform mountains into such a masterpiece? To think it was accomplished by moving one granule at a time. These once gentle waters were now brimming with power, but even in its gentlest state, water possessed the strength to saw mammoth rocks in half.

“Can you believe what running water can accomplish?”

“That’s great, Ade, but I really have to pee, so let’s not focus on the water right now. Besides, you’re supposed to be using your Spidey sense to find us a house.”

Adriel glanced at the rooftops in the distance, but her attention returned to the cliffs. The subtle scent of methane gas further proved that these rocks had formed millions of years ago. She smiled. Very few wonders could make an immortal feel young.

“There’s something powerful protecting this place. Don’t you feel it?” The mist pushed into the air the way a thousand whispered secrets formed a scream.

“The only thing I feel is the need to pee. Do you sense any empty houses?”

Adriel sensed the ephemeral passing of creatures that no longer walked the earth, creatures that existed long before the invention of cars.

“I believe the mountains hold secrets. They’re incredibly ancient. Doesn’t it impress you? That water once belonged to glaciers in the sea.”

“I’m much more interested in indoor plumbing at the moment. My bladder is literally about to explode, and you’re still talking about water. Enough about the rocks.”

“There’s power here, Juniper. I can feel it. As a witch, that should interest you. ”

She growled and pulled down a narrow street on a steep hill. “Sorry, I need to stop.”

Once parked, they both got out of the car. It felt good to stretch their legs. Perhaps Adriel could feed while Juniper conducted her business in the nearby woods.

She gave her privacy and hiked in the opposite direction. A glade of mud formed a path where rain eroded the earth. Sediment and moss gathered in every crevice. Adriel closed her eyes and took a few minutes to breathe in the majestic sense of peace.

“Ready?” Juniper opened the car door, and an incessant bell chimed, the modern technology disrupting the tranquility.

Adriel didn’t move, unable to pull herself away from the rushing water.

“Whoa.” Juniper approached her side, finally able to see what Adriel saw.

They stared over the hypnotic ravine, breathing in the damp air and absorbing the energy of the elements. “Do you feel it now?”

“I feel…something. Time… Power…”

“There is strength here, Juniper. Perhaps it can help you. There has to be a way for you to harness its natural energy to better channel your magick.”

“Maybe. But we should keep moving. I’m exhausted, and I need to rest, or I’ll be useless.”

Adriel broke her stare with the distant chasm. “Yes, we should find a place to rest. Near the falls would be best, I think. ”

They drove a while longer, weaving in and out of the narrow, steep streets until they found a brick home that looked sturdy and well-maintained despite being several centuries old.

Juniper pulled over at the foot of the pebbled driveway. “I see lights on. Someone’s in there.”

Adriel scanned the house from the dormers to the cellar floor. “One person. An older female. She’s mortal.”

Juniper looked at her with an impressed expression. “You can tell her age?”

“I can feel her pain. She’s arthritic. She’s also partially deaf in one ear. She wears a device but only when she’s watching her shows.”

“Damn. That’s pretty impressive. Anything else?”

“There’s a cat in the yard, but that could be a stray.”

She laughed and shut off the car. “Cool. Witches dig cats. You ready to do this?”

Adriel had never done anything like this before, so she hesitated. “I don’t want to hurt anyone.”

“Then don’t fuck it up.” She left the vehicle and Adriel scanned the house one more time to be sure the woman was alone.

“Don’t fuck it up,” she repeated, then followed Juniper toward the old home.

Pots of withered tomato plants lined the back steps, showing a lack of water—again, proof that the woman lived alone. The chipped iron railing showed an absence of maintenance. Despite the house appearing well-kept at first glance, the scent of dust, cat dander, and time tickled her nose the closer they came to the back door.

Juniper pressed the button on a small electrical box.

“What is that?”

“Doorbell.” She looked up at the windows. “Do you hear anything?”

Placing a hand on the bricks, Adriel closed her eyes. The scent of talc and rose tickled her nose as a soft shuffle approached.

“She walks with a cane. We must be patient.”

The door opened, and a small woman appeared. “Hello.” Her deep-set eyes appeared almost crystal against the translucent creases of her pale skin. “May I help you?”

Juniper stepped back, nudging Adriel forward. “You’re up.”

Adriel easily entered the woman’s mind. “Hello, ma’am. I’m Adriel, and this is Juniper,” she greeted with a kind smile. “May we come inside?”

The woman cocked her head. “Do I know you?”

“Well, no, but we were wondering if we might?—”

“What are you doing?” Juniper snapped. “Don’t explain yourself. Just make it happen.”

“Don’t pressure me,” Adriel snapped back, overwhelmed by the trusting innocence that radiated from the woman. “This feels wrong. ”

The woman stepped back. “Are you solicitors?”

“No, ma’am. We’re not selling anything. We’re looking for a place to stay.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, but this isn’t a hotel.”

Juniper caught Adriel’s arm and hissed, “Do you want to die, Adriel? Did you forget why we came here? He’s coming for you. I’m exhausted, and I can’t hold this spell much longer. We have no money. If we want to rest, this is our only option, so set aside your moral hang-ups and do your thing.”

She looked up at the brick walls, certain they couldn’t save her from Cerberus. What if she was just putting one more person in danger?

Glancing back at the little old woman, she dropped her gaze. “I can’t.”

“ What? Why the hell not?” Juniper’s words trembled with desperation. “You have to. We came all this way. I helped you get this far. You can’t just give up.”

“I’m not giving up. I’ve been defeated. He’ll find me. There’s nothing I can do to stop that. But that doesn’t mean I have to involve or endanger others.”

“I’m already involved.”

“I told you that was a bad idea, but you at least made the choice for yourself.” She looked back at the confused woman. “She isn’t choosing this.”

“Please.” Juniper grabbed her hands, her eyes pleading .

Heat rushed up Adriel’s arms like a bolt of electricity. It had been so long since anyone touched her the contact startled her, but then a wave of protectiveness washed over her as Juniper’s desperation overwhelmed her with empathy. It could only be magick. She didn’t typically have such a strong response to others.

“I have nowhere else to go, Adriel. My home is a pile of ash. My aunts are dead. We made a deal. Don’t make me regret trusting you. Please do this. I swear, nothing will happen to her. We can help her.” She looked back at the little old lady. “Wouldn’t you like that? We can sit with you and keep you company.”

“Oh, I do enjoy having visitors.”

“See,” Juniper argued. “We’d be doing her a favor.”

Adriel looked regretfully at the sweet woman and sighed. “Invite us in, please.”

Any reluctance drifted away as she stepped back and opened the door. “Please, come in.”

“See, that wasn’t so bad.” Juniper passed the woman and immediately started inspecting the dated kitchen's interior. “Yikes. Look at this place.”

Maroon laminate tile, mustard yellow countertops, and brunette wooden cabinets darkened the space. There was only one small window over the sink and a buzzing light that hung like a pendant over the chrome-trimmed table and vinyl chairs.

Adriel looked apologetically at the wrinkled woman. “No one is going to hurt you. We’re friends.”

Juniper locked the deadbolt. “Tell her not to answer the phone or door. Convince her that we’re her distant relatives from out of state—her nieces—and we’re staying here for a while.”

Adriel looked into the woman’s eyes and repeated back everything Juniper said.

“You must be Agatha’s girls.”

When she looked back at Juniper, the witch shrugged. “Sure.”

The woman wrung her hands, the delicate bones of her knotted knuckles pressing against her crepe-like skin. “Did I know you were visiting?”

Gently resting a hand on the woman’s frail shoulder, Adriel reassured her. “Yes, you were expecting us.”

“Oh, dear, that’s right.” Capturing Adriel’s hand between her cool, withered fingers, she softly squeezed. “I’ll show you the guest rooms so you can get settled.”

Adriel glanced over her shoulder and scowled. “Juniper!”

“Go on. I’ll be right behind you.” The witch hushed her and shooed her off as she continued digging through drawers.

Following the fragile mortal up the stairs, Adriel noted with concern the sharp blades of brittle bones that protruded beneath the woman’s clothing.

“Do you live alone? ”

“Oh, yes. That’s why I’ve been so looking forward to your visit.” She pressed open the door to a large bedroom. By the scent of dust in the air, Adriel knew it had been unused for several decades.

A large canopy bed dominated the far wall. “Do you have children?”

“I lost my daughter a long time ago and my husband shortly after. Danny checks on me from time to time, but other than him, it’s just me.”

Just as she was about to ask who Danny was, Juniper screamed, “Adriel! Get down here—quick!”

She caught the woman’s fragile hand and looked into her eyes. “Don’t leave this room.”

Racing down the stairs, she burst into the kitchen, where Juniper pointed a wooden spoon at a middle-aged man.

“You must be Danny.”

“Where’s Ruth?” His gaze snapped to Juniper. “Who are you, and why are you going through her drawers?”

“We’re none of your business.”

He scoffed. “We’ll see about that. I’m calling the cops.”

Adriel quickly tried to defuse the situation as he pulled out what she assumed was a mobile telephone. “We’re Ruth’s nieces, Juniper and Adriel. She’s been expecting us?—”

“Ruth doesn’t have nieces.”

Juniper looked at her, and Adriel knew what she had to do. Leveling the man with a stare, she pushed into his mind and explained, “Ruth does have nieces—two of them.” She pointed to herself and then to Juniper. “We’re visiting on a private family matter. You will not call the police or tell anyone that we’re here.”

“He has a key,” Juniper pointed to his hand. “He let himself in.”

“So, what do you want me to do?”

“Take it from him.”

“Give me your key to the house.” He frowned as he dropped it into her hand.

“Find out what his connection is to the old lady.”

Adriel pressed her lips tight, uncomfortable with this level of pretense. “What is your relationship with Ruth?”

“I take care of the property. She makes me lunch, and we talk.”

Adriel sensed something else. She grabbed his arm, and deceit flooded her. “You’re harboring dishonest motives.”

“Of course he is. Did you see how shitty the plants out back look? His yard game is crap.”

“Enough.” She turned back to the man. “Tell me what you want from Ruth.”

His eyes glazed. “The house. She’s got no one to leave it to.”

As an immortal, she never considered what happens to mortal assets when their owners die. “Do you care for her?”

He shook his head. “I just want the house.”

“He preys on old people,” Juniper said with disgust. “I watched a documentary about scumbags like him. They’re total con artists.”

“Is that true?” She looked into his eyes with stern disapproval. “You only come here because you want the house?”

“She’s got money in the bank too.”

“Gross.” Juniper grabbed a small blue ledger from the drawer she’d been rummaging through. “Check this out.”

Various amounts of money were recorded. Payments to a Mr. Danny Hutchinson.

“Why does she give you money?”

He shrugged. “I visit, she helps me out.”

This man had no honor. “But you lie to her about your intentions.”

“She’s a lonely old lady with no husband or kids. What does it matter what the truth is? I’m all she’s got.”

Adriel was also a lonely old lady without a husband. A snarl built in her throat. “A woman’s older age and lack of husband does not justify such treatment. You should be ashamed of yourself.”

“Look, lady, I’m just trying to live.”

“So am I.” She lunged, slamming his body into the door and sinking her fangs into his throat.

Juniper screamed.

Hot, life-giving blood flooded Adriel’s mouth, and she moaned, locking her fists in his hair as she pinned him in place.

“Adriel, no!” Juniper yanked on her shoulders, and Adriel’s jaw opened wider as she turned and hissed at the witch. She ducked and held up her hands in defense. “Are you crazy?”

Seeing how appalled she appeared, Adriel covered her mouth. “ I wasn’t hurting him. I was feeding. He’ll be fine, just a little lethargic and dizzy. “

“He’s bleeding!”

Adriel looked back at Danny. “Oops.” She yanked him forward and quickly licked the wound. “All fixed.”

Danny drooped against the door, eyes glazed and confused.

Juniper cowered in the far corner of the kitchen, her eyes lit with a mixture of fear and disgust.

“You’re the one who suggested I change my thinking. I needed to feed. He’s food.”

Her face twisted in horror. “That’s way different than glamouring someone for a place to sleep.”

Adriel’s jaw locked. She’d endured centuries of censorship and was finally free to choose for herself. “You were fully aware of what I was when you asked to come with me.”

The potent human blood flooded her system—so much more intoxicating than that of a small woodland creature. She felt drunk on a mixture of elation and freedom. Such newfound autonomy flooded her like a drug.

What did it matter how she fed? She hadn’t killed anyone. With only days, maybe hours left, it seemed fair that she at least enjoyed a decent meal.

After losing everything, she had nothing left to lose. Her home, her community, her family, and her friends—they were all gone, left behind in a place she could never return. There was no reason she should also have to starve.

Looking into Danny’s eyes, she ordered, “Come back tomorrow.”

“Are you insane?” Juniper rounded the counter. “He’s a complication.”

“No, he’s a solution. I have to keep my strength up. Leaving the house opens us up to danger. Unless you plan on offering your vein, we need him.”

Juniper scoffed. “I’m not a fucking blood bag.”

“Which is exactly why you should be grateful we have Danny.” Adriel returned her gaze to Danny. “Tomorrow. Same time. Tell no one of our presence, and don’t be late.” She opened the door and nudged him across the threshold. “Go home and contemplate the ways you’ve wronged others.” She shut the door and sighed. “Don’t look at me like that. I was hungry, and he deserved it.”

“No one deserves that .”

Adriel scoffed at such hypocrisy. “How do you act so high and mighty when you personally played a part in the near murder of Jonas Hartzler?”

“We were never going to kill him. ”

“And I was never going to kill Danny. Who do you think is better off, him or Jonas?”

“Jonas burned down my house and murdered my aunt!”

Adriel frowned. “I heard it was Grace Hartzler who killed her.”

“That bitch killed my other aunt, Venus. Aunt Mabel died in the fire Jonas purposely started because she wouldn’t help him.”

“Is that true?”

“Why would I lie?”

“You could have told The Council?—”

“Fuck The Council.” The scent of her grief filled the kitchen. But there was also the delicate fragrance of truth and innocence behind her words.

Realizing there was much Adriel did not know about Juniper’s story, she abandoned her point for the sake of their friendship. “I’m sorry, Juniper. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

The room silenced.

“Please don’t look at me like I’m some sort of a monster. I also lost my home, and I may never see my son again.” Adriel looked away as the truth became impossible to bear once she said it out loud. “He’s all I’ve ever had, and I may never have the chance to tell him how much I love him again.”

“I knew a different side of your son. That council was cruel.”

Adriel instinctively defended her son. “Christian never ordered the things they did to you. I’m sure of it. I was listening.”

“Well, he also never did anything to stop them or save me.” Tension charged the air as Juniper’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears. “Why do you protect them?”

She wanted to argue that The Council was made up only of honorable males, but Juniper knew that wasn’t true, and Adriel would not minimize her pain or discredit her suffering by speaking lies. One of the elders had done despicable things to her, she could tell by the bruises on her neck and the faint scent of male sweat on her skin.

“My son was not the dishonorable male who hurt you. You cannot blame an entire population for one individual's crimes. Despite what happened to you, there is still good in The Order. If you told the bishop what was happening, he would have?—”

“Seriously?” She flung out her hands. “What does it take for you to stop defending them, Adriel? If they’re so great, why aren’t they helping you?”

“They did help me! Without them, I never would have escaped the first time.”

“Well, times sure have changed. Look around. They abandoned you. You’re all alone. I’m all you’ve got. So please don’t preach to me about their honor. Your son might not have hurt me but he also never protected me. They’re only honorable when it suits them. You know what they’re capable of. You knew they wouldn’t risk their peace to protect you from your psycho ex, that’s why you ran away.”

She was right. They wouldn’t have interfered because, in their eyes, Cerberus was still her mate.

“You have to understand, the life I had on the farm, it was all I’ve ever known. Before that, there was only pain. I can’t remember my childhood or what it felt like not to live in fear. The Order made me feel safe.”

“You were only safe if you lived according to their terms.”

Adriel tried to picture what it must have been like for her, sentenced to a small, dark cell, muzzled and bound because they feared her magick. They tortured the witch with fire and water in hopes of breaking the spell on Jonas. But it was not just captivity and inquisitions she’d suffered.

Someone fed from her.

Someone took her blood without consent.

What else did they take?

Adriel lowered her gaze. “There’s a lot we both don’t know about each other, but I believe we both know more than any female deserves to know about suffering.”

“So why defend them? I’m sick and tired of relying on others for scraps. There’s more to life than fear or pain, Adriel. And I’m going for it.” She turned her back and faced the window. “I refuse to accept that this struggle is all there will ever be. ”

“I am not them, Juniper. Feeding does not make me evil.” She placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, and the girl flinched at the slight contact, her withered smock hardly disguising how emaciated she’d become. “Please know, I would never hurt you.”

She nodded and sniffed, the salty scent of her tears tinging the air. “I know. I mean, I believe that. And I know that guy was a prick. It’s just hard for me… I wasn’t prepared...”

“I’m sorry. Next time, I’ll warn you before it happens.”

Again, she nodded. “That’s fair.”

“Are we okay?”

Her hand closed over hers, the gentle squeeze a testament of trust and forgiveness. “We have to be. We’re all we’ve got.”

Adriel’s mouth formed a sad smile. “Then let’s be good to each other, just as friends should.”

“Deal.”