Page 52 of The Vampire and the Tattooist (The Vampire and Series Book 4)
Seth and Gio ran into David’s study, Seth leading the way to the fireplace. “There are several priest holes and secret passages down here,” he said, clicking the secret lock open. Once open, he rushed inside, Gio behind him, and they ran to the first large priest hole. Seth hit the secret button and the door opened.
“You”re safe,” Jack said happily, jumping and throwing himself against Seth and Gio. They both wrapped an arm around him.
“We’re safe, just a few scratches which will soon heal,” Gio told him. He looked up. “It’s safe to come out now.”
“What was the explosion?” Dave asked, standing up. “And how many casualties?”
“A few vampires will need blood, but that’s pretty much it from our side. Sean was knocked out when the front door fell on him, and the explosion was one of the hall walls exploding,” Seth answered. “Come on, let’s leave here.”
They all walked out of David’s office and into the hall, seeing all the damage.
Dave ignored that and rushed to David’s side. “Are you alright?”
David pulled Dave into his arms. “I’m fine sweetheart,” he said, dropping a kiss on his head.
Gavin looked around for his brothers but didn’t see them. He looked at David.
“They are both fine and still outside,” David told him.
Gavin nodded and looked at Hunter.
“Let’s go check on your brothers,” Hunter said, holding his hand out to Gavin. “We’ll be back in a bit.” And with that Hunter and Gavin walked off.
AJ went and looked the wall over. “I can fix this if you want. I’ll sort Hunter’s room out first and then I can come back and fix your wall.”
“Thank you, AJ. Your help will be much appreciated,” David said.
“I’ll go and make some food,” Annie said. “Come on, Jack, Spencer, you can help.”
“I’ll come with you,” Lissa said, following them.
“As will I,” Charlotte said, joining them.
David stepped closer to his parents and lowered his voice. “Kayden thinks they came for the children.”
Stefan hissed in anger, his eyes swirling red. “Over my dead body will they ever touch those children again,” he ground out.
Louise laid her hand on Stefan’s arm, calming him down. “We’ll protect them,” she assured him.
“We need to check on the other children that were taken back home,” Bert said, looking worried. “I’ll have Kev look into that.”
“Look into what?” Kevin said, now dressed and walking in with Ian and Creed.
“The children the pack took home,” Bert answered.
Kevin’s eyes widened for a moment, realising what his brother meant. “I’ll get right on that. I just spoke to Jeff since I wondered if they’d been attacked, as well, but they weren’t,” he replied, pulling his phone out and walking out the front door.
“I’m going to the council offices tomorrow. We need more answers and to see what we can uncover,” Stefan said.
“I’ll come with you. We can show that the vampires and wolves are working together,” Bert said.
“I can come, as well. I’ve never been there, but I can show up as the concerned leader of the Southern witches,” Gabe said.
“Then we have a plan. In the meantime, Gio, call the rest of your guards here and I shall call some of mine. There is enough land that they can camp outside. Until everything is sorted, this coven house needs protecting, and David, I want no arguments from you,” Stefan said, glaring at his son.
Dave sniggered, and Seth looked at him and grinned.
“I didn’t say anything,” David protested. “While at the council offices, are you putting in the adoption papers for Spencer?”
Stefan nodded. He looked at David and Gio. “Do either of you mind?”
“Why would we?” Gio asked. “He needs a family and couldn’t have asked for better parents than you and Mum.”
Stefan pulled Gio into a hug. “I’m not sure that’s true but thank you.”
“And I don’t mind. I get another brother and nephew, well, when Seth and Gio put the paperwork in, I get another nephew,” David added.
“Dad can take our paperwork with him,” Gio said. “Do you want me or David to come with you to the council? I’m not sure I’m comfortable with you going alone,” Gio said, quickly looking at Bert and Gabe. “This is no reflection on the two of you, but you can’t be with Dad all the time you’re there.”
“I understand,” Bert said. “I’m taking Drake with me.”
“Who’s Drake?” Dave asked him.
“My best friend and I guess you could call him my beta,” Bert explained.
“We need to meet him,” Dave said, grinning at him.
“No, you don’t,” Ian said. “Drake is dull and serious and boring and wouldn’t know humour if it smacked him in the face.”
“He’s not that bad. He takes his job seriously,” Bert said.
“Very seriously,” Ian muttered as Kevin walked back in.
“My guys are contacting the rescued children’s families to make sure they are all safe,” Kevin said.
“Stefan, Gabe, and I are off to the council building tomorrow,” Bert said.
“Not alone,” Kevin said, looking at him.
“I’ll take Drake. I was going to take you and Ian as punishment, but you two will be better off here, doing what you do best.”
Kevin grinned. “So you admit we’re good?”
Bert snorted. “A moment of weakness that I will deny ever saying.”
“That’s okay, Wolfie, we’ll remember,” Seth said, grinning at Bert.
Gabe looked at Sean and Kayden. Kayden looked exhausted and in pain. “Kayden, are you sure I can’t help ease your pain?”
Kayden shook his head. “No, you look exhausted. I can fix myself up later.”
“Do you want me to send you back home so you can sleep in your own bed?” he offered.
Sean nods. “Please, if no one minds.”
Gabe snorted and opened a portal. “Rest, my friends. I’ll message you tomorrow.”
“We’ll come to the council building with you tomorrow,” Kayden told him, walking through the portal with Sean.
Gabe nodded. “Thanks. By the way, congratulations on you both becoming my seconds.” And with that, he closed the portal, laughing as he did.
“Nice way to break it to them,” Dave said with a laugh.
Gabe grinned. “I know. I could have told them tomorrow, but why wait?”
“I’m going back outside to check on everyone,” David said as he looked at the dead body, “and get someone to remove the body.”