Primal Kill (The Order of Vampires #5)

Chapter 37

CHAPTER 37

J uniper slipped a book from the shelf in Lazarus’s library and drifted out back toward the greenhouse. Adriel was reconnecting with her family and she didn’t want to rush them. It was still sinking in that they had a lifetime to get to know each other and the three of them were buzzing with questions and curiosity.

They weren’t the only ones wrestling with this new kind of normal. Juniper had to constantly remind herself the battle was over. The grueling existence they survived had finally shifted like a dancer swiftly changing directions on a stage, and the wind now blew in a new direction.

It was a strange awareness, and Juniper couldn’t easily accept a life of ease after years of confined torment and life-or-death battles with a monster. Survival had been so hard for so long, that peace made her uneasy.

She sometimes caught herself laughing, and a spike of nervous energy would shoot through her. Her eyes would meet Dane’s or Adriel’s as if they felt the same stab of guilt, and then a shaky smile would appear. Who knew letting go of anger to create room for joy could be so challenging and feel so unnatural?

Happiness was definitely a process. Together, they would get there.

Adriel’s laughter coasted on the breeze. Juniper smiled at the illuminated house, warmth spreading through her chest at the perfect sound. Yes, they were getting there.

Opening the stiff pages of the book brought about the scent of time and wisdom. This one had a spine sewn of thread so rotted, the pages slipped loose from the binding. She righted the loose pages and dragged her finger down the crease.

“Sarciri glutino ventoque ad tempus.” The scent of ash filled the greenhouse, and the spine's filament cinched tight.

The corner of Juniper’s mouth curled into a half grin. Damn, she was good.

Settling into the hammock chair, she turned her back to the moon and flipped to page one. The ink was faded but at least this one was written in English. Lazarus had the most extensive library on paranormal lore she’d ever seen, and she planned to read every single book on his shelf as well as every personal entry of his and Lilias’s journals—with their permission of course.

The elder Schrocks were an open book. They believed knowledge needed to be shared for the sake of survival and that censorship led to corruption in more than mortal governments, and the history of supernatural species was an essential part of avoiding extinctions.

Juniper understood why Lazarus was so passionate about preserving the truth, especially when his own family had been so ravaged by lies. Even witches, nowadays, were commercialized into cutesy Hallmark card beings. There was an entire subculture of crystal pushing, tchotchke selling, tarot reading phonies out there dressed in gypsy clothing while wearing goth eyeliner pretending to be witches. It normalized the literature, but also buried the real magick in a slush pile of self-published bullshit that balanced between herbalist secrets and manifesting coincidence.

Lazarus’s library was the real deal. He had books on all types of immortal creatures and those who lived far beyond mortal possibility— draugrs, shadow-wolves, spirits, fairies, banshees, demons, and more. Lazarus had information on all of them.

She peeked over the tattered pages of the book and spied Lilias and Adriel walking the gardens, their distant laughter rolling out like a Harry Styles song, the kind that promised by the first note it would be a banger. Another jolt of happiness followed. She was growing used to those little spikes and learning not to fear them.

Sighing, she let the warm wave of contentment unlock the tension in her back. They looked more like sisters than mother and daughter, but the pride in Lilias’s eyes gave her away. Only a mother’s interest could transcend to awe the way Lilias’s did whenever Adriel had something to say.

Juniper’s hand rubbed over her chest where a bolt of joy stabbed. It was a good love, the pure kind a mother should hold for her child, the kind Juniper’s birth mother had never given her.

Things would be different now. The Schrocks invited them to stay and they were going to be a family. She and Dane would always be a little more outside of that definition than Adriel, but trust would grow with time.

As a guardian, Lazarus’s watch would never truly end, especially where his mate and family were concerned. Juniper felt safe here. She believed him to be more honorable than all the elders of The Order combined, and her gratitude for what he’d done to help rescue Adriel went beyond words.

This new life would take time, especially for Adriel, who had been sheltered by primitive beliefs for centuries. Gender stereotypes suppressed her gifts, and there was so much potential inside of her that was yet to be discovered.

Juniper couldn’t wait to see her explore her innate gifts without the fear of consequences. She wanted Adriel to proudly embrace who she was so they could live, play, laugh together, make love together, and grow.

She smiled, grateful she was hidden like a flower in the shadows of the greenhouse while experiencing such a deluge of soft and squishy emotions. Her vision blurred as she continued to think of the life they could make for themselves in Argos. It seemed almost too good to be true, but it was true.

They were safe and they could finally be happy.

The moon illuminated the sky overhead, shining through the glass ceiling and casting shadows on a variety of exotic plants. They were so removed from modern light pollution, the stars shined twice as bright. They would be at peace here, now that the tides had shifted, but she worried about Dane who still remained restless.

He skulked about the house, so tense he put others on edge. He refused to talk about Grace and what happened with the shadow-wolf. Instead, he renewed his interest in rescuing his sister.

It was an obvious distraction and a vendetta without end, so if his goal was to avoid the Gracie thing forever, he’d found the perfect place to divert his attention. Juniper expected him gone by the end of the week. He was too unsettled to stay in one place for long—no matter how peaceful.

His restless pacing and pensive reflection displayed an undying eagerness to ignore the wreckage of his broken heart. Juniper would respect whatever he chose to do, because had she lost Adriel, she would have been in the same desolate place.

Love could be such a bitch.

Gracie’s claim had come faster than expected, but it was the shadow-wolf that gutted Dane most. All of this time, he’d been told he wasn’t enough because of his tainted bloodlines, but it turned out bloodlines had very little to do with callings. This changed everything, but Dane’s sense of inadequacy remained the same, if not worse.

She truly hoped he found the happiness he deserved. Like her, he’d lost everyone he loved. That was a scary state of mind to live in, one where a person can afford to be reckless because they have nothing left to lose.

Dane was a good man, but there was no guarantee he would stay that way if he dwelled too profoundly in the past. His best chance at finding happiness rested in embracing the future.

The door creaked and Juniper’s gaze jumped to the entrance of the greenhouse where Lilias stood. “You’ve been hiding out here all night.”

“Not hiding. I was giving you two privacy. ”

She drifted inside the conservatory with the grace of a goddess. “My daughter has quite a story.” She examined the dark, waxy leaf of a palm and grinned.

Juniper smiled. “This is just the beginning.”

“Since you’ve agreed to stay, I hope to be a part of the happy ending.”

“You will be.”

Lilias’s hand rubbed over her flat stomach as she grinned. “To think, I went from believing I had lost all of my children to discovering I still had a daughter. And then I met you.” Her green eyes flashed in the moonlight, the corners creasing ever so slightly. “I now have two daughters.”

“You have a grandson too.”

“Yes,” she said with a look of awe. “And a mated daughter-in-law with a great-grandbaby on the way.”

She was obviously thrilled about such news. Juniper shut the book and sat up. “If there’s anything we can do?—”

“No, no. It’s my pleasure to take care of you. Please just enjoy this time and let me mother all of you. I’ve grieved for so long. I’m ready to come out of mourning now.”

Fair enough, Juniper thought, eager to find those feelings of safety again . No one had taken care of her in years. “If I haven’t said it enough, thank you.”

Lilias laughed. She must have heard those words more than a hundred times today. “Thank you for finding us and giving me a family again.” She looked through the glass where the valley sloped and moonlight danced on the placid sea. “Adriel took a walk to the grotto. You should visit with her. It’s beautiful at night when the moon is full.”

While the thought of a full moon and all of that charged water was enticing in itself, the image of Adriel wading into the grotto under that blue glow was pure carnal temptation.

“I think I’ll check it out.” Unable to resist such a tantalizing vision, she slipped off the hammock seat and set the book aside.

Lilias chuckled. “Goodnight, Juniper.”

“Goodnight, Lilias.” As soon as Adriel’s mother left the greenhouse, Juniper headed for the grotto.

The scent of tropical blooms perfumed the air. She followed a stone path through the valley toward the caves. The moon hung low in the sapphire sky, casting its silvery glow across the rugged landscape as it rippled majestically over the sea.

She spotted the hidden grotto within the ancient rocks. Secrets from a forgotten time whispered in the gentle wind. She approached slowly, her gaze searching for Adriel.

Her senses prickled the moment she saw her. The delicate line of her back caught the moonlight as she turned, slowly stepping into the calm waters. Juniper disguised her presence with soft magick so as not to disturb her .

She was lovely. Her natural beauty stole Juniper’s breath and made her feel and want things she never believed she would desire.

When she looked back nervously, her arm loosely draped across her naked breasts, she frowned, likely sensing her presence but unable to see her through the cloaking spell. A smirk pinched in the corner of Juniper’s mouth as she removed her clothes.

Adriel slipped silently into the crystalline waters, dropping low so the water covered her. She stared back at the rocks where Juniper stood and grinned. “You know I can scent your presence. And your arousal.”

Juniper released the spell, and her nude body flickered into view. “You’re no fun.”

“Being fun is something I’m still figuring out. Come in. The water’s lovely, and you can help me practice being fun.” The currents cradled her as she glided away from the stone edge. Ripples lapped at her skin as she stroked slowly toward the cave’s opening, where the moon reflected on the surface.

As the cool, midnight sea touched Juniper’s toes, goosebumps rose over her body. “It’s freezing.”

Adriel laughed. “Regulate your body temperature.”

Her head cocked in confusion. “We can do that?”

Her soft, melodic laughter danced across the breeze. “Yes, silly. ”

“How?”

“Concentrate on your blood flow. Feel it beating through your heart. Then send a mental command outward to your skin.”

Juniper did as she said and gasped as a warm surge of heat pushed through her body from her chest to her limbs. “Whoa.” She waded into the water and laughed. This hybrid vampire thing definitely had its perks.

The air was thick with the intoxicating scent of salt and jasmine, mingling with the earthy musk of the surrounding olive groves. Adriel swam toward her, a goddess under the moon's ethereal glow. Her green eyes shimmered as she pulled her into her arms. The luminescent backdrop cast sparkles like diamonds floating on every ripple against her skin.

It was hard to believe she was hers. “You’re stunning.”

A soft blush darkened Adriel’s ivory cheeks. “Can you believe we’re here?”

“No.” Juniper scoffed. “But I’ll take it.”

Adriel’s hands closed about her hips and tugged her closer so their legs could entwine underwater. Engulfed in her warmth, she no longer needed to escape the night chill.

Slick fingers danced over heated flesh as they caressed each other under the surface. “Did you have a nice time with Lilias?”

“Mm-hmm.” Adriel’s fingers gently traced up her arm. “As grateful as I am to have my parents back, I’m more interested in this right now.” Her touch trailed lower.

Juniper tightened her legs around her waist. “I see.” She kissed her slowly, the sensation of Adriel’s mouth on hers a pleasure she’d never tire of. “I’ve missed this.” Arms wreathed around her neck, she glanced down at their entwined bodies.

Adriel caressed her throat. “You have me now—forever, if you want.”

“I want all of it. All of you,” she rasped, scraping her teeth along her throat. “This moment and a thousand more. I want your mind, your body, and your heart, Ade. I want forever with you.”

She drew back and studied her in the silence. The gentle lap of waves against the rocks contrasted with the steady beat of her racing pulse. Crystals clung to the alcove ceiling in a canopy of sparkles that glistened in the reflection of the water and the world outside ceased to exist.

“I can’t imagine what that looks like,” Adriel confessed. “I want forever too. But it’s been so long since I’ve allowed myself to dream, I can hardly picture that sort of happiness.”

“We’ll figure it out together.”

There were no rules here like the ones of The Order. They were free to live as they wanted and love who they wanted. Juniper loved Adriel. She’d do anything to show her how much. “We could…marry.”

She looked startled by the suggestion, but then her mouth curved with the most genuine smile. “Is that possible?”

“There are others out there like us—well, sort of. There are other female couples.”

“I didn’t know.” She looked away but couldn’t stop smiling. “The elders say?—”

“Who cares what the elders say? Are we really going to give those guys any more authority than they’ve already taken? The elders aren’t living in the modern world, baby. But we are.”

Adriel looked up, her grin impossible to hide. “The modern world. Imagine that— I am becoming a modern female!”

“That’s you. You get to decide how you want to live, dress, act… It’s all you, baby.”

She surged forward and pressed her lips to Juniper’s, the velvet water lapping around them.

Juniper forked her fingers through her hair and took command of the kiss. As her touch traveled over her thighs and between her legs, Adriel’s soft, erotic cries were swallowed by the night breeze.

Carnal need coursed through her veins. She wanted her on a primal level, deeper than ever before. She needed to possess every inch of her being. Drawing from the ancient energy hidden in the grotto, she charged her touch to enhance the sensation, and Adriel gasped.

“What are you doing?”

“Do you feel that?”

“Yes. I feel— Ah! ” Her head angled back as she sucked in another sharp breath .

Juniper teased every erogenous zone at once, and Adriel’s body pulsed under her touch as she came apart in her arms—so graceful yet unrefined, a true natural beauty.

Pulling her toward a low rock step, she lifted her out of the water and kissed a trail down her belly. She licked away the salty droplets and playfully bit at her ticklish curves. When she reached heaven, she tasted her like a holy offering.

Adriel moaned as Juniper dispensed a relentless wave of pleasure, driving Adriel to the brink of madness only to ease her back and start again. When she begged for release, Juniper delivered.

Juniper crawled over Adriel’s tempting body as she lay panting on the rock bed. Their bodies pressed together, rocking, thrusting, deriving pressure from friction as fingers teased and mouths kissed. The magic added pressure where it was needed most, and when they peaked together, a wash of calm blanketed them both.

Such sweet ecstasy.

“You taste like a winter morning,” she whispered against her thigh, licking over the fluttering artery there.

“My blood feels hotter than a summer day.”

“Mmm, I want a taste.”

“Yes…” she begged and Juniper’s fangs sank deep.

Hot, delicious blood filled her mouth as Adriel writhed under her touch. She fed from her vein as she fucked her fingers into her heat, driving her to another climax .

The tension of the last few weeks dissolved, replaced by a burgeoning sense of freedom and rightness. It would take longer for older wounds to heal, but for now, hope had at least been restored.

“I feel like all the pieces finally fit,” Juniper said, kissing her way back up her body.

A sense of weightlessness settled in as Adriel pulled her closer. Still trembling with the aftershocks of release. She whimpered hungrily as Juniper lovingly caressed her breasts.

“I’ve never felt anything so pleasant in all my life. If this is what it’s always like, how does anyone get anything done.”

She smothered a laugh against Adriel’s shoulder. “Sometimes it’s okay to be lazy and indulgent, Ade.”

“I wouldn’t even know where to begin.”

“We could start here.” She kissed her nipple. “Or here.” She licked her stomach. “Or maybe here.” When she nipped her throat, Adriel arched.

“Yes… More…”

Juniper sank her fangs into her flesh and pulled hungrily at her vein. It was easier now that her fangs had formed. Nails scraped down her back as Adriel held her close, wrapping her legs tightly about hers and rolling her hips.

When her fingers boldly traced lower, Juniper parted her thighs. Adriel’s touch delved into her heat, gently exploring and teasing all the right places. Her over-sensitized body became a riot of pleasure. Every ripple of water and whispered breeze a caress against her skin.

Drawing back, she moaned through her release. Adriel rolled her to her back, scooting lower and lower as Juniper arched and edged her on. When she bit into her thigh, pleasure ignited in her veins. Her fingers forked through her hair, fisting tightly as she rocked her hips. Adriel kept her touch where it needed to be, pushing her closer and closer to that carnal edge, and then…she was free.

Falling into an abyss of ecstasy.

Juniper had never felt anything so exquisite. When Adriel licked the bite closed, she looked up at her with kiss-swollen lips. “Was that okay?”

“That was…” Juniper panted. “I don’t even have a word to describe how good that was.”

She laughed and blushed, modestly dropping her face on Juniper’s thigh as she stared up at her. “I love you, June.”

She laced her fingers with hers. “I love you too.”

They swam out of the grotto, where the moonlight poured beyond the cave's opening. Wading into the liquid silver pool, they floated, safe in each other’s arms as the gentle current allowed them to be.

“June?”

“Mm?”

“How long can we stay here?”

“In the water? I imagine until our fingers and toes are pruned. ”

“No.” Adriel laughed, pinching her playfully. “In Greece.”

“I knew what you meant.” She kissed her nose. “We can stay as long as you want. Forever, if it pleases you.”

She sighed and rested her head on Juniper’s shoulder. “Dane will eventually leave.”

“I expect it.” Juniper didn’t know if that goodbye would come tomorrow or a year from now, but she sensed he was already growing restless. The moment he found a new purpose, he’d move full speed in that direction. Anything to take his mind off the reality he didn’t want to face. “I wish there were some way we could help him.”

“He’s broken hearted. Mourning takes time.”

“I just don’t want him to feel alone. We’re his family now.”

“And while family is wonderful, some of life’s hardest moments are best passed alone. Grief can make a person quite ugly at times.” Her fingers trailed slowly up and down her spine. “The bonding’s probably already happened.”

Juniper’s head tilted. “How does that work?”

“I thought I knew, but…” Rather than dwell on past deceptions, she shared only what she understood. “The bonding is said to be very powerful between immortals. There’s a blood exchange and then the mating takes place, at which point two souls are reunited and become one again. Once it’s done, it cannot be undone. ”

“What about with shadow-wolves? Do they drink blood?”

“I don’t know. The elders implied it was impossible to be called by another species.”

“The elders are not to be trusted. Christian’s one thing. As your son, he has earned your trust. And the Bishop—I guess he’s okay. But the others…”

“Perhaps my father will have some insight.”

“Now, Lazarus I trust.”

Adriel smirked. “You’re cute with my father.”

Juniper paused. She hadn’t thought much about her interactions with Lazarus, but when she did think about him, she felt a wave of security. He somehow earned her trust when she didn’t easily give trust to anyone. In only a short time, she learned to look to him for advice and input as if it were something she’d always done.

“I’ve never known anyone like him. He’s so knowledgeable and encouraging. He’s like…” Words failed her.

“A father,” Adriel supplied.

“Yes. I guess that’s it. He’s a good father. I’ve never known anyone like that. At least not in my personal life.”

“Well, now you do. We’re in this together.”

“A family,” Juniper confirmed, finally letting that sense of belonging settle in. “You’re sure you’re okay with staying here? It’s going to be very different from The Order, Ade.”

“I would never ask you to return to a place that holds such bad memories for you. ”

Knowing that the farm had been her home for centuries, that level of sacrifice seemed unfathomable. “What about Christian?”

“He’ll visit. This is exactly where I want to be.”

“Thank you for considering my feelings. I know you loved the farm.”

“You don’t have to thank me. I did love the farm, but that doesn’t compare to how much I love you. We’re in this together. We’re going to make a new home that’s ours.”

“Together.” She liked the way that sounded.

Adriel tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I know you hate discussing The Order, but there’s one more matter of business we must address.”

Juniper drew back at her serious tone. “What is it?”

“I plan to send a letter to Eleazar. He needs to know what happened to you, Juniper. The Council must be questioned, and whoever committed those despicable acts against you must be held accountable. I will not let their conduct go unpunished.”

“What happened to passivity and forgiveness?”

“Some wars are worth fighting. If they can do such vile things to you, no female is safe. Predators, like any storm, must be confronted head-on.”

She grinned. “Like the buffalo face the rain.”

Adriel nodded. “I’ll fight this battle for you because I am yours and you are mine. I claim you, Juniper Tempest, and offer protection to you in all things.”.”

When Juniper pressed a kiss to her mouth, lips were wet with droplets, her heart felt whole again. Adriel pulled her tight, and the current drifted them out to the sea where they lost themselves in the pleasure and tranquility of this magical place. There was no fear, only hope. And as foreign as that concept might seem to both of them, they surrendered to it easily, like a warm, overdue welcome home.