Page 42 of The Vampire and the Tattooist (The Vampire and Series Book 4)

David and Dave were standing on the front steps of the coven house waiting for Gavin and the others to arrive.

As soon as Gavin climbed out of the car, Dave ran down the steps and pulled him into a hug. “I was so worried about you. Louise and I raided Adrian’s supplies, and we have things that can help you,” he said, pulling back.

Gavin smiled at him.

“Come on in, everyone. Thomaz is currently out, but I can find Annie and ask her to make you all something to eat,” David said.

Taha held up the food bags. “We have food covered.”

As they were talking, Dave led Gavin up the steps, and they stopped in front of David.

David pulled Gavin into a hug. “I’m glad you’re safe, Gavin. Come inside and sit down before you fall down.”

Gavin pulled back and nodded, wincing again, realising that was a stupid thing to do. He really had to stop moving his head too much and let Hunter lead him inside.

They had just reached the kitchen when Mathis, Gabe, Sean, and Kayden ran through a portal.

“You’re injured?” Mathis asked, pulling Gavin into a hug.

Gavin wrapped his arms around his brother, thankful that someone had thought to message him. He rested his cheek on his brother’s chest and soaked in the brotherly love.

“You’re injured?” he heard Raz say from behind him before Raz joined in the hug.

Gavin moved around and put an arm around Raz, happy that both his brothers were there. Sure, he had Hunter in his life, but it had always been him, Mathis, and Raz. He could never imagine a time that he wouldn’t need them.

“We need to check your head out, little brother. I can smell the blood in your hair,” Mathis said gently.

“If Gavin can sit down, I can use the healing rune on him,” Gabriel said softly.

Gavin pulled away from his brothers and hugged Gabriel, Sean, Kayden, and then Thiago before Thiago pulled him to the table, pulled out a chair, and gently pushed him to sit down. “Sit.”

Gavin smiled at him as he moved out of the way.

Gabriel looked at Gavin and grinned, a grin that was tinged with worry. “This shouldn’t hurt a bit. I’m going to put my hands gently on your head and call on the healing, okay?”

Gavin mouthed, “Okay.”

Gabe pulled out his wand and drew the healing rune on both his hands. He probably didn’t need to, but this was Gavin, and he was taking no chances. He walked behind Gavin, and as soon as he placed both hands on Gavin’s head, a white light surrounded his head. A moment later, the light faded, and Gabe took his hands off and walked back to stand in front of Gavin.

Gavin gave a silent sigh of relief as the pain in his head receded. He had never had such a bad headache before. He smiled at Gabe and jumped up, pulling him into a hug before stepping back and signing his thanks.

“I will always help you when you’re injured,” Gabe assured him.

“So will we,” Kayden said to him.

“Why don’t we all sit down, and you can tell us what happened?” David suggested.

As he said this, they heard a car screeching to a stop and running footsteps as Kevin, Creed, and Ian rushed into the kitchen.

“You’re injured? What happened?” Kevin enquired, pulling Gavin into a hug.

Gavin hugged him back, pulling away as Ian pulled him into a hug.

“Who do I have to kill for you?” Ian asked.

“Gavin and the others were about to explain what happened,” David said. “Everyone, have a seat and we can find out.”

Bert looked at his brother. “You’ve never come running when I’ve been injured.”

Kevin shrugged. “You’re not Gavin.”

“I’m sure someone will come running. I mean, you do have guards,” Ian pointed out.

Hunter laughed. “These would be the same guards that only came to help after they weren’t needed.”

Bert nodded. “We’ll be having words.”

“Wuss,” Kevin coughed into his hand.

Chuckles were heard and everyone moved to the table to sit down as Louise and Stefan walked in. Louise walked to Gavin and touched his shoulder. “How injured are you, dear? We got healing items from Adrian’s room.”

Gavin smiled at her and signed.

Louise looked at Gabriel. “Thank you for healing Gavin.”

Gabriel smiled. “No thanks needed. I’ll help any of you that needs it.”

“Mum, Dad, sit down. Gavin and the others were just about to tell us what happened,” David said.

Once everyone was settled, Gavin started signing what happened, with Gabriel translating for everyone.

“Did he say what spell was used to make him stronger?” Gabe asked.

Gavin shook his head.

“He didn’t tell us, either,” Owen said.

“I broke his wand,” Bert said, pulling the two broken pieces out of his pocket.

“You broke a witch’s wand?” Sean asked in surprise.

“Is that a bad thing?” Bert asked, dropping the two pieces on the table.

Gabriel shook his head. “No, but I don’t think I’ve ever heard of someone breaking a witch’s wand before.”

“Some witches think they’re only magical because of their wand. If this is the case with the witch that attacked, he might think he’s powerless now,” Kayden said.

“I think he originally did, but then once I broke it, he realised he was still strong, so I don’t know what he thinks now. He’s currently in Bacon’s cells,” Bert replied.

“Turd,” Kevin muttered.

“There was a man who came to the house we were held in,” Jack said from the kitchen doorway, Bruno at his side. Bruno walked over to Gavin and rested his head on his lap, and Gavin stroked his head and played with his ears.

“What did the man say?” David asked him.

“That he was making super strong witches. He said he was going to create a witch army,” Jack said, walking in.

“How did you find this out?” Gabe asked him.

“The room they met in was next to the toilets. There was a vent where you could hear what they were saying through.”

“Would you know that man’s voice if you heard it again?” Mathis asked.

“Maybe,” Jack answered. “I mean, I heard him a couple of times. He instructed our guards to inject us with anti-shifting drugs.”

“What?”practically everyone shouted.

Jack took a step back, looking scared and uncertain.

Bertram jumped up and stood in front of Jack. “No one here will hurt you. We were shocked, and if they felt anything like me, horrified that someone would inject you with something so heinous.”

Jack nodded. “Sorry,” he said softly.

Bert pulled him into a hug. “There is nothing to apologise for.” As he said this, Gio came rushing into the kitchen.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, looking from Jack and Bertrum.

Jack pulled back. “Nothing. I got scared, but I’m okay now,” he said bravely, pulling back.

Gio looked at him for a moment and walked over to Jack before looking around. “What’s happened?”

“It would seem someone visited the house where Jack and Spencer were held. Jack overheard a man say he was creating super witches, one of which Gavin and the others ran into today. Jack also told us that he and the other children were injected with an anti-shifting serum.” Bert told him.

Gio gasped and pulled Jack into his arms. “Can you feel your fox?”

Jack hugged him back. “A little. I couldn’t for ages, but I felt him inside yesterday. I still can’t fully feel him, but whatever they injected me with is wearing off. I was scared I’d never feel him again, but I can.”

“Can you find out what was injected into Jack?’ Gio asked Gabe.

Gabe shook his head. “No, but Adrian should be able to.”

“When is he back?” Dave asked David.

“I’ll contact him when we’ve finished here and find out,” David assured him.

“Once you know, can you let me know?” Gio asked.

David nodded.

“Thanks. Until then, I’m going back to training with my men.” He grinned at Jack. “Wanna come and play with swords?”

Jack’s face lit up. “Hell yeah. Let me run and get Spencer. He’d love to, as well.” And with that, Jack dashed out of the kitchen yelling for Spencer.

David sighed loudly. “This used to be a quiet coven house.”

“What? Even with Seth around?” Sean queried with a laugh.

“Did someone mention my name?” Seth asked as he walked in.

“Yes, my Seth. David said this used to be a quiet coven house. Sean asked if it could be quiet with you around.”

Seth laughed. “This place was only quiet when I wasn’t home. Where was Jack running off to?”

“To get Spencer. I said they could play with swords,” Gio replied.

“Just keep an eye on them, and maybe start with practice swords,” Louise cautioned.

“I didn’t bring any with me. I’ll watch them closely, though. At some point, we should talk about living arrangements, as most of the guards are sleeping in tents on the grounds.”

“We can talk about that later,” David replied.

“Seth, has Jack or Spencer spoken about their ordeal?” Stefan asked.

Seth shook his head. “Only little bits, and mainly Jack if he hears us talking about them, but he hasn’t really said much. Why?”

“I’ll fill you in on everything later, but the men holding the children injected them with anti-shifting drugs,” David told him.

Seth hissed. “We need Adrian to check them out.” He looked at Gabe. “Unless you can help.”

“Sorry, that’s beyond me, but David said he would contact Adrian.”

“Good.”