Page 1 of The Vampire and the Tattooist (The Vampire and Series Book 4)

Gavin was sitting in his room crying. His brothers were there holding him. Bruno was laying on his legs, offering comfort. But what comfort could they bring? He had just killed someone and ripped their throat out. All he saw when he closed his eyes was the dead witch on the ground and blood everywhere.

Gavin had killed the man to stop him from murdering the wolf shifter Ian, but even so, that was the first person he’d ever killed, and he never wanted to do it again. Sure, he was a vampire and could be fierce when he needed to be, but killing someone wasn’t something he’d ever thought he’d have to do.

There was a knock on the door, and before anyone could say anything, in walked the human female Annie, his coven leader’s mate’s mother who now lived with them. She’d adopted everyone when she moved in, and truth be told, everyone had fallen in love with her. Annie was carrying a plate of biscuits.

She waved Raz out of the way and sat on the side of Gavin’s bed, putting the plate down beside them, and picked up his hand. “Now then, sweetie, I’ve made you your favourite biscuits. I know at the moment nothing can cheer you up, but biscuits always help. I also came to see if you wanted a hug. When Davy’s upset, he always needs a hug.”

Gavin nodded, took his hand back, and signed to her.

“I got some of that, but not the last bit. Something about being scared?” Annie said.

Gavin nodded.

“Mum, Gavin’s asked if you’re scared of him now,” Dave said gently.

Annie looked shocked. “And why would I be scared of you, young man? You killed that nasty man to save a friend. I would have done the same thing if I’d been there. Oh, I don’t mean ripping his throat out, as that’s a bit messy, but I would have found something to stab him with.”

Gavin gave her a strange look.

“Don’t look at me like that. I would kill if I needed to. Sure, I’d be a mess afterwards, but to keep those I loved safe, I would kill a stone,” Annie told him. “You, Gavin, are not a horrible person. You’re one of the sweetest people I have ever met. If you need to cry, throw things, or hug everyone to start feeling better, then you do just that.”

Gavin threw himself into her arms, his head resting on her chest as his shoulders started shaking again and he silently cried all over her.

Annie rocked backwards and forwards, rubbing his back and muttering nonsense words. She didn’t hurry him, she didn’t complain he was getting her wet, she just hugged him like a mother.

While Gavin was with Annie, Mathis stood up and moved away from the bed before he grabbed his phone and sent a message to Gabriel, his mate, checking on him. He wasn’t expecting a reply straight back, but at least Gabe would know he was thinking about him.

“Father, Cairo, Troy, Kevin, and Ian are with Gabriel as he informs the coven what’s been happening and takes his place as coven leader and head of the Southern Witches,” David told him quietly, walking into the room.

Mathis smiled at him. “Thanks. I know I should be there, but...”

David touched his shoulder. “He knows. Do you really think he would want you there when Gavin needs you?”

“I know, but I still feel guilty.”

“He understands,” Dave assured him, coming to stand next to David.

Mathis knew that his mate would. Gabriel was the most accepting mate and loved Gavin like a brother. “I wonder if it would be worth ringing his tattooist and asking him to come round,” Mathis pondered, thinking aloud.

Gavin must have heard him, as he pulled out of Annie’s arms and started signing to him.

“Slow down, Gav. I’m missing some words.”

“He said not to call Hunter. He can never know what Gavin’s done. He”d be disgusted and want nothing more to do with him,” Dave translated. “Hunter’s not like that,” Dave said to Gavin. “You don’t need to tell him what happened, but you could tell him you’re sad and let him try and cheer you up,” Dave suggested.

Gavin shook his head no and signed again.

“I can’t face him yet. I feel so guilty. Mathis, Raz, he wants to know if you’re disappointed in him. He wants to know that you still love him,” Dave translated.

Mathis moved back to the bed and sat down, pulling Gavin back into his arms and hugging him. Raz came over and hugged the both of them.

“We’re not disappointed, Gav. We’re so proud of you for protecting our friend. Of course, we still love you,” Raz told him.

“Gavin, why would I be disappointed in you or stop loving you when I did much worse — and to our father? I thought you would fear me and never want to come near me again, but not even half an hour later, you were asleep in my arms, trusting me as you always had. Like Raz, I am so proud of you, baby brother. You defended your friend. Do I wish I had killed him instead of you? Yes, but only because I’ve killed before and you never have. But never think that any of us are disappointed in you.”

Gavin hugged his brothers hard.

“Oh, I know! I’ve just had the best idea,” Annie said, smiling at him. “Gavin, tonight, Thomaz and I will cook all of your favourite foods and have an ‘I killed my first-person party.’ How does that sound? It’s against the law to be sad at your own party. I wonder if I have time to send Willard out for decorations. Lots of red, I think, for blood and some fake fangs.” She patted his leg, ignoring his shocked look. “Leave it all to me, sweetie. This will be so much fun. My first kill party,” she said while standing up. “Don’t forget to eat your biscuits, sweetie.” And with that, Annie was gone.

Everyone was still for a moment before Dave burst out laughing. “God, I love my mum.”

“I still say humans are weird,” Raz said, shaking his head. “Anyway, Gav, you can’t be sad. Remember, you need to design a new game, Vampires versus Witches,” Raz told him.

Gavin nodded, smiled, and signed.

“That will be so much fun. I like Sean and Kaydan and can’t wait to work with them on it,” Dave translated for them.

“I see strong bonds of friendships forming with a few of the other witches,” David said.

“Me, too,” Raz said. He picked up the plate of biscuits, holding them out to Gavin. “Want one?”