Primal Kill (The Order of Vampires #5)

Chapter 32

CHAPTER 32

F lying with vampires as old as Lilias and Lazarus was wild. They did not belong to a cult or society that rationed their use of power, so once they were going, it was a balls-to-the-wall compulsion for all.

If there was a chance for an upgrade, they got it. If they wanted silence, it happened. There were no primitive limitations, religious rules, or forced modesty cramping their style. And it was something to behold.

Once on the plane, Juniper wrapped them in a protective spell that gave them privacy to speak freely without the worry of others overhearing.

“How is it you didn’t know about The Order when you seem to know so much about everything else?” Dane asked.

“Just as mortals break off into religious sects and small societies, there are countless covens around the world,” Lilias explained. “Lazarus and I never wanted to give anyone that sort of authority over our lives.”

“Why should we, when we were born superior?” He spoke factually rather than arrogantly, and Juniper hoped that once this was over, their way of thinking would have a positive influence on Adriel.

Adriel should’ve trusted her own instincts more than her Bishop’s, but she had been indoctrinated for centuries, and meek pacifism was the result. Now, after meeting her parents, Juniper realized just how strong Adriel could be. She wanted her to step into her power and grow her confidence as high as possible.

The elder Schrocks weren’t afraid of the modern world. Lazarus didn’t hesitate to feed when it came to meeting his and his mate’s needs. This would have deeply troubled Juniper a few months ago, but now it only helped her cause. They needed all the strength they could muster.

Lazarus fed off the vein of the Uber driver, not explaining his choices, just as mortals offered no apology to a fish hanging from a line. He acted with respect and civility, taking great care of the donor and even displaying gratitude for his service.

The driver was fine, just slightly lightheaded and dazed, but fully able to continue his day. Taking pity on him, Juniper doused him with a quick abundance spell.

Lilias then drank from Lazarus’s vein in the back of the SUV, which reminded Juniper of how much she missed Adriel. She closed her eyes, quelling the anxiety pumping through her veins and focusing on the happy outcome. They would collect Christian, find Adriel, and then kill Cerberus.

That seemed straightforward enough.

The closer they drove to the farm the more anxious Juniper felt. After vowing never to return, she wasn’t sure she had the strength to visit again. Her eyes found Dane’s, and they exchanged a nervous glance.

He reached for her hand and squeezed. “You don’t have to come.”

Was that the coward’s way out? Adriel needed her. They needed her son.

Dane squeezed her hand again. “We can do this part without you, June. We’ll be fine.”

She hated any sign of fragility.

The couple in the back shifted as Lazarus leaned forward. “What has you worried?”

Juniper glanced over her shoulder, but quickly averted her eyes as Lilias continued to feed from his neck. “Sorry, I don’t mean to disrupt.”

He frowned and whispered something in a different language to his mate. Lilias pulled her fangs from his vein and licked the wound shut. Her pupils dilated, and her lashes lowered as she sat back.

She knew that warm daze that came from feeding from a partner and missed Adriel even more.

“Juniper’s sitting this next part out,” Dane said before she could decide.

“Hey—”

“It is what it is, June. There’s no reason for you to get upset. We need you calm and focused.”

“Why would she get upset?” Lilias asked, joining the conversation.

“She was a prisoner there.”

“Dane!”

“What? It’s true.”

The energy of the car shifted. “I thought this was a place of decency.”

“Juniper attacked an immortal and cast a spell on him, so they imprisoned her.”

“Why?” There was no accusation in Lazarus’s tone, only curiosity. “I’m sure you had a valid reason.”

She didn’t like talking about her time at The Order or what happened with Jonas. “He killed my aunt.”

Lazarus nodded and sat back. “The females will stay at a hotel while Dane and I retrieve my grandson.”

Juniper looked at Dane. She wasn’t the only one who promised not to go back there. “Do you think you’ll see her?” There was no need to specify she was asking about Grace.

He shrugged. “I’d rather not. She wouldn’t approve of what we’re doing. ”

Juniper sat back in her seat. “Well, she doesn’t get a say.”

He folded his hand in his lap and stared out the window as the landscape opened to a patchwork of fields and farmland. “Be nice.”

“I’m always nice.”

Dane chuckled. “Sure you are.”

Juniper liked that Lazarus and Lilias had taken them under their wing. Unlike the Amish, they weren’t afraid of violence and understood that sometimes life got messy.

Lilias told her that Lazarus was once a great warrior. It seemed his greatest weapons, however, were patience and knowledge. Lazarus never got worked up, and that helped Juniper stay calm.

But her mood shifted the moment they reached the motel. She wasn’t sure separating was wise. On edge and anxious, she pulled Dane aside. “Maybe I should go.”

“June, we’ll be fine,” he assured her.

She paced nervously. “They exiled you. What if they don’t let you in?”

“The Bishop is one of Adriel’s closest friends. He’ll hear me out.”

She rubbed the back of her neck, feeling foggy and unfocused like an addict going through some sort of withdrawal. “My heart’s racing.”

“Lazarus,” Lilias snapped. “What did you do?”

Juniper looked up at the immortals, startled. “What do you mean? ”

Lilias shook her head. “He has a habit of calming others when they’re nervous. It can have a few side effects if you’re not used to it.”

“Such as?”

“Jitters and hyper-awareness when it wears off. Lazarus, you shouldn’t do such things without permission.”

“Apologies. I was merely trying to help. She was upset in the car.”

Juniper paced. “I thought you couldn’t get into my head?”

“It’s not compulsion.”

She frowned and Lilias explained, “It works like a pheromone. Very subtle and undetectable. The effects should wear off in a few minutes.”

Thank God.

“Feeding might help.”

The scent of manure and country air spoiled her appetite. “You’re probably right, but I can’t right now.” She hated this place. “The guys should get going. The sooner they leave, the sooner we can get out of this hell hole.” Every moment that passed was another chance for Cerberus to hurt Adriel.

Dane returned from the front desk with a room key. “We’re in room six.”

Perfect. Juniper hoisted her bag onto her shoulder and headed that way. Her nerves were starting to regulate, but a little blood might speed things along so she could feel normal again.

“Speaking of blood, I think there’s something else we should do. ”

Lilias glanced at her in question. “Such as?”

“Your blood shares DNA with Adriel. We can use yours to find your daughter’s exact location.”

Once inside the motel room, she pulled out the grimoire and shut the curtains.

“Take whatever you need,” Lilias said, already rolling up her sleeve.

Dane carried in the last of their bags, and another whiff of farmland wafted through the air. Lilias placed a calming hand on her shoulder. “You have nothing to fear of this place, child. Lazarus and I will protect you.”

As much as she appreciated her words, they did not stave off the memories flooding her mind. She could smell the musty floor of her cell, hear the howls of Cybil, and the grunts and growls of Isaiah. The heavy footsteps of company approaching. The clink of keys and the creak of the bars opening.

“Juniper, look at me.” Lilias held her by the shoulders, her green eyes creased with worry. She looked so much like Adriel. “You will get through this. She will get through this.”

Light swept across the room as the door opened again and Lazarus stepped in. “We need to get moving. Is she?—”

“She’s fine. We’re just having a moment, but it’s nothing we can’t manage on our own, dear. Juniper’s tough. Isn’t that right?”

Juniper nodded.

Lilias released her so she could say goodbye to Lazarus. Dane came to Juniper’s side and frowned. “We won’t be long.” When he placed a hand on her shoulder, she flinched but then closed her hand over his.

“Be careful.”

“I will.”

It helped knowing Lazarus was going with him.

She closed her eyes and faced the panic welling inside of her. Calming her breathing, she pictured Adriel. Air reached her lungs as a placid vision filled her mind. She recalled the sweet scent of her skin and the gentle way she laughed. How warm and safe she felt when she was wrapped in her arms. The whole world quieted and all the ugly parts faded away.

Juniper’s eyes opened and Lilias smiled. “Were you thinking of my daughter?”

“How did you know?”

She tapped her nose. “Your love has a scent, soft, like the inside of a rosebud. It’s very young and pure.”

Juniper pressed her lips tight and tipped her face down to hide her smile and blush. “Yeah, I was thinking of her.”

Lilias brushed a hand down her arm. “We should try that locator spell now.”