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Chapter Thirteen

Taggert seethed with anger, wanting to lash out at the man he’d once seen as a god, as a father figure of sorts.

Cal had taken him in when Taggert was barely in his teens, starving, hungry, cold, and having to sell his body for coins. It wasn’t a time in his life Taggert liked to discuss. And very few knew the truth of it all. That was how he liked it. He didn’t like showing weaknesses.

When Cal had shown up in the alley, just outside of a well-known and well-used brothel, Taggert had assumed the man was there for sex. Either from Taggert or one of the whores Taggert palled around with. The ones who were the closest thing to a mother he’d ever had.

That hadn’t been what Cal wanted at all. Cal had offered Taggert a warm bed for the night, food, and clean clothing. Of course, Taggert had been suspicious of the treatment. He’d seen a lot of sick shit in his short life back then and wondered if perhaps the man was simply buttering him up for devastation later.

He hadn’t been.

Cal had sensed the wolf-shifter and Fae in Taggert and he’d nurtured it, guiding Taggert on using his gifts and controlling his beast. When it became clear that Taggert’s Fae side required sexual energy, Cal saw to it women were provided. And when Taggert’s appetites in the bedroom grew darker, Cal never questioned him—or the number of dead bodies that had to be cleaned up and removed after the fact. Body counts that to this very day continued to accumulate.

No.

Cal told him it wasn’t a sickness. That his cravings were natural. That supernaturals were created to kill and the ones with animals in them had been fighting their nature for far too long. That they should be permitted to hunt, fuck, kill, eat, and repeat the steps. Cal stressed that Taggert’s powers were divine and could be used to help in Cal’s vision of a brighter future for supernaturals. A vision that would one day leave supernaturals controlling the world, not humans. A time when there would be no shame for doing as they were born to do.

Rule over humans and weaker supernaturals.

Over the centuries, their bond had only strengthened. That was, until Abigail, Amelia’s mother, came on the scene. Cal had taken an unnatural interest in the woman when she was hardly old enough to be considered of legal consenting age. That hadn’t stopped the man. He’d ordered the girl’s parents to give her over to him, to be one of his harem women who were often called wives.

Taggert, who was no choirboy, remembered what it had been like to be young and used by adults sexually. He’d found himself encouraging Cal to wait until the girl was slightly older. The morning of Abigail’s eighteenth birthday, her parents had led her to Cal’s cabin, dressed in a sheer gown, a crown of flowers on her head, her long dark hair flowing all around her. Her green eyes had been wide, and she’d radiated fear. That had excited Taggert’s wolf side.

Hell, thinking back on it now still made him hard.

She’d been a vision of beauty. In fact, Amelia looked a great deal like her mother. But in Taggert’s opinion, Amelia was even more beautiful than Abigail had been.

Abigail’s parents had joined the rest of the Flock at the celebration held in honor of Cal selecting her. Afterward, Taggert had been instructed to remain behind and assure no one bothered Cal as he bedded his new bride (although no wedding ceremony ever actually took place).

To this day, Taggert could still hear the woman’s pleas for Cal to stop, to be gentle, to let her go.

He hadn’t.

No.

He’d kept her locked in that cabin with him for days, breaking her spirit. When he was done taking what he wanted from her, he’d set her up in her own cabin and forced Taggert to watch over her. To keep other Flock members far from what was his. And then the kill order came on her parents. In Cal’s eyes, the two were a liability. He wanted them eliminated. He’d charged Taggert with doing so.

Taggert had done as commanded. He’d killed Abigail’s parents and then watched over her. It hadn’t taken long for the woman’s scent to change and for Taggert to realize she was expecting. The news had shocked him, as he knew she wasn’t Cal’s mate.

The rest of the Flock took it as a sign of Cal’s divinity. Of his power. His strength. Taggert knew better. He knew the man had spent centuries absorbing the power of the alpha males he’d killed, and that Cal had tapped into that power to ensure he’d have an heir. He’d drawn upon that stolen power to be sure his seed took root.

And it couldn’t have happened with just anyone. Abigail had been special—divine in her own right—making her the perfect choice to bear Cal’s offspring.

The entire time Abigail had been pregnant, she was kept under close supervision to be sure she didn’t attempt to end the pregnancy in some fashion. Like Amelia, Abigail had a natural-born talent with plants, flowers, and natural remedies. It would have been easy for her to take something that would have caused the babe in her to be no more. The pregnancy was monitored closely, and Cal seemed to have real concern for the child. When Taggert learned why—that Cal had foreseen his daughter would be instrumental in assuring some Bringer came into the fold—he’d been jealous.

He’d always been Cal’s favorite prior to Amelia.

Once Amelia had been born, nannies both supernatural and human were brought in to assist in her upbringing and make sure her mother did nothing to harm her. Abigail’s dislike of Cal was well-known. While the woman hated Cal, she loved Amelia, so much so that the baby became the perfect way to control her.

Threaten Amelia and her mother obeyed. Doing whatever was asked of her. That included pleasing Taggert and the other men on the security team sexually whenever they wanted.

Cal hadn’t cared. His only demands had been that the woman not be killed or seriously injured during their sexual escapades. And that Amelia never be present for any of it. The men who were given turns with her obeyed.

Taggert had fucked the woman so many times he’d lost count. In truth, he’d started to develop something close to feelings for her. She didn’t reciprocate them. She had always seen him through the same tainted lens she saw Cal. More than once, Abigail had called Taggert a monster.

Sick.

Twisted.

And when she’d noticed the way Taggert watched Amelia when she was in her late teens, Abigail had tried to stand against him.

He’d beaten her into submission.

Cal had been fine with that, too. In fact, he’d encouraged it, disliking the disobedient streak the woman had begun to develop.

Then one day, shortly before Amelia was to turn eighteen, Cal had approached Taggert and informed him that he was no longer allowed to lie with Amelia’s mother in a carnal way. Nor could hands be lain upon her in anger. That she was to be placed in Cal’s cabin, where she would stay until she became pregnant with another of Cal’s children—hopefully a boy.

And it was then that Cal had told Taggert that one day, after Amelia did what was required of her—guaranteed the Bringer joined the Flock—Taggert could have her. He could wed her, and Cal would even lend his power to make sure Taggert could have children with Amelia. The same power Cal had used to have his seed take root in Abigail.

Taggert had longed for that—for a family and a woman of his own. Unlike Cal, he had no intentions of sharing his woman with any others—that included the fucking Bringer. Amelia would be his and his alone. While she may not like him or trust him, she would learn to obey and serve him, as a woman should. With time, she might even begin to care for him, as he cared for her.

She was different from other women.

Special.

He didn’t want to squeeze the life from her while he fucked her and made her bleed. He wanted her to join him in inflicting pain on others, all while they found sexual release in one another. And he would not stray from her bed as Cal had done to Abigail. No. Taggert would be loyal to his wife. Together they’d one day take over the Flock.

Taggert had thought he’d end up happy and with a family years ago.

Then Amelia’s cunt of a mother had learned of Cal’s plans for his daughter and had run with Amelia. She’d run, pregnant with Andie, with no help, no friends, no money. And she’d managed to stay gone for two years. She’d even managed to give birth to Andie while on the run without sending up a giant flare into the ether, alerting Cal to the birth of his next child. That was impressive.

To a point.

He grinned, thinking of what had happened to the bitch when she and her daughters had been brought back to the compound. It had been against Abigail’s will. She’d put up one hell of a fight. He’d give her that. But the second Taggert dared to threaten Andie, the woman had caved. She folded and came willingly, begging and pleading the entire time for her daughters to be allowed to go free.

Not a chance.

Amelia would be his come hell or high water.

The bitch learned what happens when you cross Cal, when you go against the greater good of the Flock. She’d learned, and her daughters had been there to see what happens as well. It was a life lesson he knew Amelia and Andie would never forget.

A smile touched his lips as he thought of the punishment Cal had served Abigail.

A close business associate of Cal’s named Walter Helmuth had been acquiring failed experiments from another of their friends, Gisbert Krauss. These failures were termed original hybrids, and Helmuth had found a way to crank up their lethal tendencies even more. They had been given the label berserkers. They were magnificent creatures. Singular visions. They followed a command to the letter.

When Cal had issued orders to the hybrids, he’d told them to rip the bitch to shreds. To feast upon Abigail’s flesh.

And they had.

It had been a sight to see.

Beautiful.

He still jerked off to the memory of it to this day. The terror in Abigail’s eyes, not for herself but for her daughters, had been amazing. Her scent had changed, coated in fear, making her smell so fucking good. Hell, it had sent many of the males of the Flock into a frenzy. Some had even gotten so worked up they’d turned on the women near them and killed them to slake their inner beasts.

No matter.

Nearly all the women were replaceable.

All except Amelia.

Taggert had ensured Amelia and Andie weren’t touched or harmed. He’d kept the other men away from them. Brian assisted, having been promised Andie’s hand when she was of age.

The expressions on the girls’ faces as their mother was consumed by the berserkers amused Taggert. It was important the girls understand their place in the grander scheme of events.

If Amelia ever dared try to run as her mother had, Taggert would hunt her down and punish her himself. Cal wouldn’t need to bother. Though Taggert would not allow her to be killed or eaten by anything or anyone. No. He wanted to keep her forever. Instead, he’d hurt her little sister. That would teach her.

Cal’s sudden change in plans regarding gifting Amelia to him set Taggert’s teeth on edge. He wasn’t one to question the man, but this was pushing too far.

Cal stared at the river, lost in thought.

When he finally turned to face Taggert, his expression was hard. “You are unhappy with my change of heart about Amelia.”

“You told me I could have her when she was done getting the Bringer to join us,” reminded Taggert. “You said she’d be my wife. That you’d lend me power to have a family of my own with her.”

Cal shrugged. “Things change. I had not foreseen just how taken the Bringer would be with her. Did you smell the mating energy? You know, they could be actual true mates. That would mean he will do anything to keep her safe, to protect her, to make her happy.”

At the mention of mates, Taggert stiffened. “She’s not his fucking mate.”

Cal arched a brow at Taggert’s tone.

Clearing his throat, Taggert averted his gaze. “Father, I’ve waited years for her. I’ve done all that has ever been asked of me. I’ve served you well. Give me her. I beg you. Have another handle the Bringer. Give me Amelia. I will honor the union with all I have.”

Cal touched Taggert’s arm lightly. Energy radiated from the man. “Taggert, if they are mates, there is no way I can make that promise. The Bringer will not let her be given over to you, and he’s far too important to the grander scheme to upset. If having her makes him happy, then he shall have her for keeps.”

Taggert’s jaw set in a hard line. “Father, I heard you order Susan to make sure Amelia is the one who services the man today. She’s never been with a man before. Send one of the others. Tina, even. Tina’s a succubus. She can make the Bringer happy. She can get him to join us.”

Cal snorted. “Tina and every other Flock female could run naked in front of Campbell and I don’t think he’d notice them. His focus is singular and on Amelia and her alone. It must be Amelia who sees to his needs. She will get him to stay. She will be the key to having him align with me.”

“What is so special about him?” asked Taggert. He didn’t understand. The Bringer guy was clearly broken. He was injured, and he wasn’t running at full capacity. What could Cal, who was godlike, possibly want with the man?

“What I see is never clear-cut. It’s impressions. Ones I’m left to interpret. You know as much,” said Cal, folding his hands before him again, looking serene. “I see great power coming from his presence here.”

“It always comes down to power with you, doesn’t it?” questioned Taggert before thinking better of it.

“Caution, Taggert. You are like a son to me, but that will not save you from my wrath. Amelia is of my blood, but if she does not do what’s required of her, I will see her dead as well.”

Taggert stiffened. He didn’t want Amelia dead. He was pissed with her for endlessly rejecting him, but he didn’t want her dead. He didn’t even want her seriously injured. Sure, he’d scared her some and handled her with a firm grasp, but that wasn’t anything out of the norm for the males of the Flock to do to the females—those who were beneath them. But that didn’t mean he wanted her dead, and he wouldn’t have really harmed her. Scared her, yes, caused her permanent injury, no.

“Father, if I can ensure this Bringer joins us, will you give me Amelia then?”

Cal laughed. “Campbell’s dislike of you is very clear and quite sudden. It makes me wonder what happened prior to my arrival.”

Taggert sighed. “I was attempting to take what I wanted from Amelia.”

“Despite my explicit orders that she was to remain untouched?” questioned Cal, standing eerily still.

Taggert nodded. “Yes. I know it was wrong, but the darkness in me is growing, Father. I need her. She’ll keep it away. She’s the key to my happiness.”

“She will be with the Bringer. End of discussion.”

“She will not obey,” said Taggert. “You know her will is strong. Like her mother. Like you.”

Shrugging, Cal continued to look at the river. “Then she shall meet the same fate her mother did.”

Fear for Amelia crashed through Taggert. “No! I will not allow her to be harmed!”

Cal rounded on him, slashing out with talons that emerged from his fingertips in the blink of an eye. Huge white wings burst free from the back of the man, ripping through his shirt. Cal’s eyes turned bright red and fangs flashed as he struck Taggert, knocking him off his feet.

Taggert’s wolf struggled for freedom, wanting to go head to head with Cal. That was suicidal and Taggert knew it. He’d seen what Cal was capable of. The man had a little bit of every kind of supernatural imaginable within him after centuries of harvesting power from others.

Taggert rolled to his knees, bent his head, and put his arms out, showing he was submissive to Cal. “Father, please.”

He waited, knowing there was a high chance Cal would deliver a killing blow. When Cal’s hands, having returned to human form, found the top of Taggert’s head, he looked up to find his leader staring down at him, the red gone from his eyes.

“My son,” said Cal, the words warming Taggert. “We have spoken at great length about your darkness, have we not?”

“Yes, Father.”

“And what did I tell you?”

Taggert let out a long breath. “That it is to be embraced, not feared.”

Cal nodded. “Yes. You are a force to be reckoned with. An asset to me, to the Flock. But, Taggert, the Bringer will kill you if you push him too far, my son. And you should know, if I’m forced to pick between you and the Bringer, I will select him. Brian would be happy to fill in for you, if you were no more.”

Taggert fell silent, forcing his wolf to stay down. If it dared to challenge Cal, he’d end up dead. That being said, he wasn’t about to lose Amelia to a Scottish dickhead.

No. He’d see to it the Bringer was no more—and then Taggert would take Amelia himself and run with her.

She would be his one way or another. Even Cal would not be able to stop him.