Page 16 of The Vampire and the Tattooist (The Vampire and Series Book 4)
Hunter and Gavin were still sitting on the sofa. Gavin had laid his head on Hunter”s shoulder and fallen asleep, and Hunter was happy to sit there and let him sleep, his arms around Gavin. Knowing how sweet Gavin was, Hunter was sure that Gavin hadn’t got much sleep last night and if being in Hunter”s arms helped him sleep, then Hunter would stay here all day if necessary.
Hunter laughed to himself, never in his wildest dreams did he think that the man he would fall in love with would be a vampire. He sobered up when he remembered that he now had a killer witch after him. Well, he didn’t know anything about witchcraft, but he knew how to punch someone. He was pretty sure punching a witch in the face would stop them. The one thing he wouldn’t do was get Gavin to kill another witch.
His arms tightened around Gavin. No, he would do whatever was needed to ensure Gavin never had to kill again.
* * *
Dave reachedthe library and found Max sorting a shelf out.
“How’s it going, Max?”
“I thought I would sort this shelf out since my hands were getting twitchy.”
Dave laughed. “I know what you mean. Mine have been itching to start tidying the shelves.”
“We need to get a scanner and computer down here. I’m sure a lot of these books need digital recording.” Max said, stroking the cover of the book he was holding.
Dave nods. “Yeah, David said these were one of a kind books, and they need preserving. I’ll look into getting everything we need to scan them. I know Stefan wants to create a central paranormal library. Apparently, before Kevin offered to help me, different paranormal groups didn’t mix or work together.”
“Why not?” Max asked.
“No idea, but now look, there are witches, wolves, jaguars, and a witch doctor.”
“So, what’s the story with the kill party?” Max asked, leaning on one of the shelves.
“Gavin killed a bad witch yesterday to save Ian’s life,” Dave told him.
“Gavin’s the computer game wiz, right?”
Dave nodded. “Yeah, he and Ian were kidnapped, and to save Ian, Gavin shifted into his vampire form and killed the witch.”
“That must have been hard for him. You told me he was a gentle soul.”
“He is. He was so distraught that Mum decided to throw him a party, her reason being that you can’t cry at your own party. Dad went out and got decorations, and he and Stefan decorated the ballroom.”
“Is there anything we can do to help him?” Max asked.
Dave smiled and pulled Max into a hug. “Thanks,” he said before pulling back. “He has Hunter looking after him.”
“What, tattoo artist Hunter?” Max asked in surprise.
“Yep, they’re mates. But Hunter has a killer witch after him.”
“Because Gavin killed that bad witch?”
Dave nodded. “Yep. Let’s sort more of these shelves and I can fill you in on everything you missed.”
* * *
Kevin pulledup in front of the pack house. The house was a large wooden three-floor structure with lots of windows. It looked like a wooden lodge, but on steroids.
“Wow, this is just as big as the D’Angelo coven house,” Creed exclaimed.
“It is. Those who don’t live in the pack house have houses all around this area, we even have our own shop, pub, school and cinema.”
“So you have a pack town,” Creed said.
“Please tell me it’s called Wolf Creek or something close to,” Rickon said with a laugh.
Kevin laughed. “Sorry to disappoint, but no. The town is called Sleepy Magna.”
“Well, that’s disappointing,” Jessamy said, opening the car door.
Everyone met by the pack house door. Kevin walked in, holding Creed”s hand, the others following.
He smiled at Creed. “Welcome to my place. I’ll show you around later, but for now, let’s go to the conference room.” Kevin says, leading the way. “Ian, see who’s around and can supply us with food and drinks while we research everything.”
“I can do that,” a woman says, walking out of one of the rooms they passed.
Kevin stopped walking and smiled. “Mother, what are you doing here?” He dropped Creed”s hand and pulled his mother into a hug.
She hugged him back. “Where else would I be when your brother tells me you’ve stopped returning his calls, that your consciousness went missing, and that you found your mate?”
Kevin pulled away. “I can’t believe that loser snitched.”
“He was concerned about you. Where have you been and when can I meet your mate?” His mother asked.
Kevin smiled. “Right now.” He turned back and grabbed Creed”s hand, pulling him forward. “Mother, my mate, Creed Brooks, Creed, my mother Lissa Mellor.”
Creed held his hand out. “It’s lovely to meet you, Mrs. Mellor.”
Lissa laughed and took his hand and patted it with her other one. “Call me Lissa, dear, and it’s lovely to meet you as well.” Lissa grinned at Kevin. “You scored yourself a vampire. Very nice.”
Kevin laughed. “I did. The fates sure smiled kindly on me.”
Lissa looked around the group. “And a human?”
“I’m a witch. Gabriel Augusta,” Gabe said, smiling at her.
Kevin introduced everyone.
“It’s lovely to meet you all. But what’s going on?”
“We’re planning to rescue some kidnapped paranormal children. They’re being shipped out tomorrow and we need to save them,” Kevin replied.
“In that case, go and start planning, and I’ll supply you all with refreshments. Your brother will be upset he missed you. He was called away this morning. But Kevin, and you, Ian,” she said, looking his way. “Start answering his calls, don’t make me use my annoyed voice.”
Everyone laughed.
“I’ll make sure he does,” Creed told her.
Lissa patted his cheek. “I knew I liked you, dear.”
“Annie’s going to love meeting you,” Ian says.
“Who’s Annie?” Lissa asks.
“Our coven leader’s mate’s mother. She’s currently staying at our coven,” Creed says.
“I’ve invited her and Queen Louise, the vampire queen, over here to play with our pups anytime they want to,” Kevin said.
“She’s the lady that keeps feeding you all,” Lissa said, remembering some of the pack talking about her.
“That’s the one,” Ian replied.
“Then I can’t wait to meet her or the vampire queen. Now run along and start your strategizing’ and I’ll start making food.”
“Thank mum,” Kevin said, leading everyone into the conference room.