Page 25

Gram blocked a strike from a cat-shifter and then spun, slicing out as he did, cutting the man’s chest open. The shifter dropped, and Gram stepped over him, grabbed a discarded sidearm and came up, firing at more of them.

They were like locusts, descending upon the location. There seemed to be no shortage of them.

“Fire in the hippie!” shouted Bill a second before there was an explosion to Gram’s right.

The force of it slammed into Gram, knocking him into the air.

When he landed, it was near the vehicle Bill was standing in. He looked up at the hairy man. “Really?”

Bill shrugged. “Stop bitching. You guys are hardy stock. Hey, Little Bow-Mac could use a hand.”

Gram pushed off the ground to find Mac getting swarmed by a mass of men in white clothing. He wanted to get the assholes beat back enough to go after Amelia and Andie. He needed to be sure his family was safe. He ripped off his shirt and did a partial shift, his wolf more than up for the task of killing cult members and getting to their mate.

“Well, now you’ve gone and done it,” said Car, holding one shifter in a headlock. “You’ve pissed off Campbell.”

A fully shifted wolf lunged at Gram and he bent slightly, coming up fast and ramming his clawed hand through the wolf’s side. It fell away with a whimpering thud.

Energy filled the area and it wasn’t Gram’s, nor was it Amelia’s. But it was powerful. More powerful than anything he’d ever felt before. One second, he was upright and the next he was on his knees, struggling to stand.

The same happened to Car and Mac.

“What the fuck is this shite?” demanded Mac.

The Flock fanned out, making room as Cal strolled casually in from the side, as if it was no big deal that grenades, automatic weapons, rockets, and general pandemonium surrounded him.

He nodded slightly to his followers and they willingly bowed to him. When his gaze found Gram’s, his expression was a mix between amusement and curiosity. “Mr. Campbell, I’m told you greatly enjoyed the afternoon services provided, but that you’ve decided to check out early.”

Amelia was right.

He was nuts.

“Who is the guy with the man-bun?” demanded Mac, still straining to stand.

Car snorted. “Asked Little Bow-Mac.”

“Fuck you, you, ugly arsehole,” snapped Mac.

Cal stopped in front of the twins and stared down at them, sizing them up. “It seems I have found what will be my main course this evening. You see, I find alpha males very tasty.” With that, his face morphed quickly into something that looked to be part wolf, part bird, part vampire, part dragon, and fully horrifying.

Car grunted. “Campbell, yer father-in-law is a dick.”

“Aye,” added Mac.

Gram glared at Cal.

Cal’s face returned to normal. His lips drew up in a thin smile and he lifted his hand, motioning for someone to come to him.

As Brian stepped into the area with Amelia’s limp body over his shoulder, Gram lost it, fighting against the power holding him, snarling, growling, spittle flying—anything he could do in an attempt to get to his mate and unborn child.

“Here will do,” said Cal, pointing to the ground right in front of Gram.

Brian tossed Amelia down with no concern for her safety.

She fell to the ground but didn’t move or make a sound.

Gram strained to touch her but whatever Cal was doing to him left him just shy of making contact with his mate. He roared, his own power beating against the magik around him. He was no slouch when it came to magik, yet his power didn’t make a dent in what was holding him in place.

It was then he remembered Amelia’s warning about her father, his age, and what he’d done to alpha males for centuries.

He stopped fighting and his upper half re-formed to human. Gram stared at his mate. She was face down, her head turned toward him, her long hair spread out in every direction. “Amelia, lass.”

Brian laughed.

Gram drew his gaze upward slowly. When he found Brian, he pinned him with a murderous glare. “You had better pray the man holding yer leash kills me. I will hunt you, I will find you, and it will be me feasting on yer innards when this is over.”

“Yeah, sure,” said Brian with a huff. He bent and lifted long strands of Amelia’s hair and inhaled. “Damn, she smells so good. She always does.”

“Get. The. Fuck. Away. From. Her.” Gram’s entire body tensed.

Cal snorted. “Brian, step back so that Mr. Campbell and I can speak. His attention will only be on you if you remain near his mate.”

Gram flinched at the word because it meant Cal knew the truth. If Amelia was right, her father would have no use for her anymore now that she’d done what he wanted—ensnared the Bringer.

Cal grinned. “Yes, Mr. Campbell, I’m aware you claimed my daughter. Just as I’m aware that she already carries your child.”

“What?” asked Taggert, appearing on the edge of the circle. His gaze flickered to Amelia and worry flashed through his gaze. “Father?”

“Ah, Taggert, join us. We were just about to discuss Mr. Campbell’s role here with the Flock. The position he is going to agree to fill.”

“I’m not filling shite!” spat Gram. “I am going to cram a vat of grape-flavored drink down yer damn throat, you sick son of a bitch!”

Cal folded his hands before him, appearing amused. “Well, now that you have gotten that outburst out of your system, shall we discuss the terms of our arrangement?”

“Fuck you,” returned Gram, his voice low.

Cal shrugged. “Very well. If that is your final answer. Brian, kill his mate.”

Brian licked his lips and tossed his hands out, letting claws emerge from his fingertips.

Mac and Car shouted.

Gram was unable to form anything close to a full threat. He was blinded by a blending of rage, fear, and desperation. It was guttural as he reached but could not make contact with his mate—his wife.

Brian lifted an arm and Gram shook his head.

“No! I’ll do it. I’ll join!” shouted Gram.

Cal lifted a finger, stopping Brian, who didn’t look please but obeyed. “Ah, good choice, Mr. Campbell. Tonight we will indoctrinate you into our happy family. It’s simple really. You will kill your friends, offering them as a sacrifice to me in exchange for my generosity in allowing your mate to live.”

“That plan blows!” shouted Car.

“Aye!” added Mac.

Gram stared at the cult leader. “She’s yer child. She’s carrying yer grandchild. Have you no heart? No love of yer own babe?”

Grinning, Cal bent and touched the back of Amelia’s head. “The man of years ago cared greatly for her. He had wished for a family for so long that he did anything he could to see that goal achieved. She was such a beautiful baby, Mr. Campbell. And when I held her, she looked up at me with love and trust. And then over the years, her mother poisoned her mind against me. Her mother made her hate me. And if I permit her to go on, she will do the same with Andie.”

Gram stiffened. “You said you’d let her live if I did as you ask.”

“Campbell, you do remember the part about killing us, right?” asked Mac. “I like the lass as much as the next guy, but not enough to get fed to her father. I’m still debating.”

“I’m with ugly,” said Car.

“I will permit her to live until your child is born. Then, you, Mr. Campbell, will be the one who kills her,” said Cal, grinning more. “If you refuse, your child will be killed in her place.”

Taggert eased closer. “Father, no. Give her to me. Like you once promised.”

“Taggert, we have already had this conversation. It grows tiresome,” said Cal.

Someone whistled and Gram turned his head to find Bill standing in front of his all-terrain vehicle, holding an M16. “Listen here, Caladrius Manson, I happen to like Amelia a lot. She’s a good girl. Has shit taste in men, but hey, can’t be perfect at everything, I guess. I don’t take kindly to hearing you threatening her.”

Cal laughed, long and loud. “Little human, you think you can do what to stop me? I can kill you without touching you.”

Bill winked. “Yet, I’m standing and not on my knees. Think harder on that , jerkoff.”

Cal seemed surprised by his words.

Bill puffed out his chest. “Oh goodie, backup is here and we’re gonna hand you and your hippies their asses, birdman!”

The entire area seemed to explode all at once.

He caught sight of Armand, Cody, their friend Ace, and countless other men Gram knew from PSI and from years of serving as both a team member and a Shadow Agent.

Bill had been right. Backup had arrived and in huge numbers. Enough to take on the Flock.

Cal’s power dropped, and Gram threw himself over Amelia’s body protectively.

Brian snarled and lunged at Gram.

The man was tackled by someone Gram never thought would lend an assist.

Taggert.

The wolf-shifter began to beat the other male to a bloody pulp. Taggert drew upon his magik and moved his fingers around in the air. A bolt of power struck Brian as Taggert roared.

“What the fuck?” Brian pushed at Taggert but there was no moving the man. He was on a mission.

Taggert’s face shifted partially and he clamped his jaws down on Brian’s neck, tearing through the flesh. A gurgling sound came from Brian as his eyes glassed over. When Taggert looked up, his face returned to human and was covered in blood. He looked every bit the sociopath Gram suspected him to be.

“Save Amelia!” the man shouted.

Gram didn’t wait around to see what other inmate was going to take over the asylum. He scrambled to his feet and grabbed his mate, his intention to get her to safety. As he turned, he ran right into Cal.

Cal flicked his wrist and Amelia’s body was ripped from Gram’s hold.

“No!” shouted Gram.

Taggert growled and went at Cal, shifting fully in the process, as Amelia was propelled high into the air.

Gram threw power at his mate, his intention to catch her and slow her descent. Before his power even reached her, her body stopped in mid-air instantly and somewhat violently.

Taggert yelped and it was followed quickly by the sound of a neck snapping.

Gram highly doubted that neck belonged to Cal.

No.

Cal had killed the wolf-shifter, of that Gram was sure, especially since he no longer felt Taggert’s magik in the air. Gram had no remorse for the man and wasn’t sorry to know he was dead. He’d planned to kill Taggert himself once Amelia was safe. Cal simply beat him to the punch.

Gram ran in the direction of Amelia. He didn’t care how or why she’d stopped. He just wanted her safe.

“Oh, I do not think she will be joining us for dinner this evening, Mr. Campbell,” said Cal as his power went ripping upward toward his daughter.

Gram threw himself in its path, taking the hit meant for his wife.

Pain consumed him, causing his body to contort, but he didn’t go down. He remained upright, using his own gifts to draw down Cal’s power, taking in the madman’s death-magik. He would not allow Cal to hurt his wife or child. He’d gladly die for her.

For them.

He’d absorb every ounce of the madman’s dark magik if it meant his family was safe.

Gunfire filled the area more as did additional explosions. Countless PSI operatives and Outcasts fought with Flock members.

Armand was suddenly there, trying to get to Gram to no avail. The vampire hissed and made a move to go at Cal.

Cal knocked Armand clear with a flick of his power.

Gram strained to look behind him.

Armand struck a tree and came up, looking pissed and worried. “Gram!”

“G-get the girl,” managed Gram. “Save her.”

With a pained expression, Armand nodded and defied gravity—something Gram had seen the vampire do only once before.

“I saw a doco once with a priest and a chick with the devil in her!” shouted Bill. “Looked just like that. Back up! The vomit radius on that devil-chick was wicked wide. Oh and avoid steps.”

“Doc u !” shouted Armand on his way to Amelia.

Amelia’s head snapped up a second before Armand would have gotten to her.

Cal threw more power at them and it hit Armand, knocking him back again.

Confusion coated his mate’s face. “Gram?”

“Lass,” he said, feeling Cal’s power beginning to rip him apart from the inside out. “You will always have my heart.”

With a gasp, she looked directly ahead at her father as she continued to be suspended in mid-air, high off the ground. In an instant, she was no longer horizontal, but upright, facing Cal as she continued to float. She put her arms out and her hair lifted on its own.

White light began to form around her as she glared at Cal.

In that second, images of paintings that depicted gods and goddesses flashed through Gram’s head. His mate reminded him of those deities. Of a thing of great beauty and power.

And from the looks of it, a whole heap of wrath.

She jutted out her chin and Cal’s power was instantly stripped from Gram.

Ignoring the intense pain, Gram stayed upright—barely.

Cal looked stunned. “Amelia?”

“Father, your reign of terror ends here and now. You will never hurt an innocent again. You will never hurt anyone again,” she said in an oddly calm voice.

Cal’s eyes began to glow. He thrust his hands out, and Gram didn’t need to be told he was throwing everything he had at his own flesh and blood.

Drawing upon his own magik, Gram added it to his mate’s power. The combination left Cal stumbling backward some.

Gram dug deep and pulled upon his rage. He then charged Cal.

White light engulfed the area and Gram let his other senses guide him since he was temporarily blinded by the brightness.

He reached out, grabbed hold of Cal’s head, and twisted fast, snapping the man’s neck.

The cult leader fell away from Gram as the white light faded away.

“Holy hippies!” shouted Bill. “Did you see that? I thought it was the end of days there for a minute. But look. It was just the end of the hippies.”

Confused, Gram glanced around to find every single Flock member lying dead. PSI-operatives, Shadow Agents, Crimson Ops, and Immortal Outcasts were all standing, looking totally and completely unharmed.

Not a scratch on them.

It was then Gram realized he was no longer in pain.

Gasping, he spun around to find Armand putting his arms out, helping Amelia as she lowered to the ground. Her magik faded away fully and she nodded her thanks to Armand before running at Gram.

He grabbed her and lifted her, hugging her tight.

She clung to him. “I thought he was going to kill you. I was so scared for you.”

Gram covered her face in kisses and set her down gently. “How hurt are you? Where are you hurt? The babe?”

She cupped his face. “I’m fine. The baby is perfectly fine.”

“Lass?” He glanced around to find all his friends, watching them with stunned expressions on their faces. “Amelia, what did you do? There are hundreds of dead Flock members.”

She nodded and eased out of his hold. She walked to where her father’s body was and put a hand out, holding it above him. White light emanated from her palm, engulfing Cal’s body. His body exploded into light and Amelia tipped her head back as the light seemed to rain down on her gently.

She touched her cheek. “Good-bye, Daddy.”

Squaring her shoulders, she looked at Gram. “He’s free of the darkness now. Of the evil he drew upon for so long.”

“Campbell, yer wife is fucking hot and she can death ray people!” shouted Mac. “Does she have a sister?”

“Yes, and she’s three!” shouted Car.

Mac winced. “She’s four! I dinnae mean that sister. I was talking about another secret one—who is, you know, an adult. Och, never mind.”

Armand approached. “Gram, you have no more scars.”

He nodded and went to his wife, drawing her into his arms. “Armand, this is Amelia. My mate.”

Lifting a brow, Armand stared at him a second before smiling and bypassing Gram, pushing him out of the way and embracing Amelia. He lifted her gently and kissed her forehead. “Welcome to our family, Amelia.”

She smiled and hugged him back.

As Armand set her down, he stiffened, his gaze going to her stomach. “Gram? You said baby. She is pregnant with your child!”

“Aye, I’m aware of as much,” said Gram with a laugh. “I need you to stay with her while I check on my daughter.”

“Daughter?” asked Armand.

“Clear the way!” shouted Bill as the golf cart driven by Gus came bounding into the area.

Gus’s eyes were still closed tight as he gripped the wheel.

Andie was still on the seat next to him, with Mona’s helmet on. It was still facing the other direction. She held the head under one arm and waved with the other. “Hi, Daddy! You did it. You punished Cal for being a bad boy. He’s on a very long time-out now, Daddy.”

Gram rushed to her and went to lift her out only to find she was belted to the seat. What was more troubling was that she was strapped in with one of Gram’s belts. He looked at Gus. Who had yet to open his eyes or say a word.

Bill strolled up leisurely. “Hey, Little Bow-Mac, what do you say we take the kid for ice cream while the rest of your pals clean up what’s left of the hippies?”

Mac began yanking bows from his hair, stepping over dead Flock members on his way to the cart.

No one dared to comment.

Car walked into the center of the circle, put out his hands, and smiled. “I have video footage of him getting his hair done. Who wants it?”

Every hand shot up.

Mac grunted but didn’t snap at his brother. Instead, he put his hand on Gus’s shoulder. “I’ve got it from here. Thank you for keeping the wee one safe. Lass, do not turn that helmet around.”

Andie touched it and giggled. “I know. Gus said I had to wear it this way. He said I wasn’t allowed to watch Cal and the Flock get punished. Was it cool?”

“Aye,” said Mac with a grin.

Gus released the wheel and got out of the front seat. He batted at his ears on his way to the backseat, avoiding being touched again.

Bill climbed in next to him. “Gram-cracker, we’ll take Andie for a bit. She’ll be safe with us. The worst that will happen is Little Bow-Mac may end up with very pretty highlights in his hair.”

Mac growled.

Andie giggled. She then turned her head in Gram’s direction. “Daddy?”

He choked up and bent, wrapping his arms around her as best he could, considering she was strapped to the seat back very snugly. “Aye, wee one.”

“I’m gonna be a big sister,” she said, hugging him back. “When my sisters get here, we’re gonna have so much fun. Uncle Mac will say you’ve got girls coming out of your ears. That’s silly, huh?”

As Gram registered what Andie was saying, he tensed. “Lass, you said sisters. Not sister.”

Andie nodded, and the helmet bounced on her head.

Gram put a hand on it, holding it in place as he handed Mona to Gus in the backseat.

Gus snatched the head and began to stroke it lovingly.

Bill simply picked his nose.

Andie touched Gram’s arms. “Uh-huh. They match. Like Uncle Mac and Uncle Car. And then another sister comes and she looks like you do, Daddy. Same eyes. And then another sister comes.”

Mac eyed him. “Campbell, way to go. Yer a stud. Though you’ve managed more in one day than Car and me have in a lifetime. I’m a wee bit jealous and oddly scared it might happen to me. Do nae be getting that mating vibe on me. I’m a free agent.”

Andie giggled again. “For now.”

Mac gulped.

Gram touched Andie’s side, a wash of emotions moving over him for the child. He bent more. “Lass, if anyone ever tries to harm you, they’ll have me to deal with.”

“I know,” she said, laughing. “Because you love me, Daddy.”

“Aye, little one. I do,” he whispered, glancing up to find Mac misty-eyed.

The Scot cleared his throat. “So, what’s this I hear about ice cream?”

Andie squealed. “Gus said I can have a banana split. I don’t know what that is.”

Mac feigned surprise. “Well, then yer in for a treat, lass. Hold your helmet, we’re going to eat so much ice cream we pass out from sugar comas.”

“Yay!” yelled Andie as Mac started the golf cart and pulled away.

Andie lifted her hand and waved. “Hi, everyone! I’m Andie. I’m Daddy’s daughter! Bye, everyone! Nice to meet you! I’m gonna get a banana split, then I get to go play with my new best friend Bethany, and then I get sisters, and then…”

Her voice trailed off.

Gram smiled at Andie’s words. The little one could tap into something he’d never understand. But whatever it was, she knew she’d be close to Bethany, a child she’d not even met yet, and that she was going to be a big sister. Gram turned and locked gazes with Amelia.

She touched her stomach. “Twins?”

Car laughed. “Guid on you, Campbell. Though I’m told twins are hellions. I do nae personally see that though.”

Gram walked quickly to his mate, swept her up against him, and kissed her passionately. “I love you.”

She smiled against his lips. “Why, Mr. Campbell, I think I might love you too.”

“Might?” he asked with a grin.

She shrugged. “I’ll let you touch my boobs.”

“Might it is!” he shouted.

THE END