Fate of a Blood Moon (The Hades Blood Moon #2)

Chapter 21

Rachel

N ow … now I was afraid. What Andrei had done to me in that twisted mind game was different this time, more sinister. I took a sip of coffee to keep my hands from shaking.

He wasn’t just playing with me—he was trying to scare me. This was a warning. On top of that, I now had to worry about the power within me. Sure, I was glad Valentina was finally proud of me, but this magic was unpredictable. Why the hell did it have to be tied to how angry I was?

I was always angry, which made this more dangerous.

It wasn’t just the power that terrified me, though—it was the revelation that this power had been dormant for so long and had only surfaced. A power that might lie within all dhampir magic. This was an ability I needed to learn how to control—and, more importantly, how to control it safely. I needed it to show up when I was calm and happy.

Valentina’s optimism about it was obvious, and she’d been combing through every book she could find in Darius’s library, hoping for answers.

“Alright, fill me in,” I said, watching her walk into the kitchen with her head low. “How did it go—?”

As Valentina looked up from the floor, shock stole the rest of my words. She looked withered. Her skin, albeit pale, looked sickly, and her hair had lost its lustrous shine. I put my mug of coffee down and stood from the table, walking over to her. I grabbed her shoulders and gently turned her around. Even Valentina’s blue eyes were dim and tired.

“What the hell is going on with you?” I asked, but she only shook her head.

“Just a bit parched,” she joked with a weak smile and a playful wink, as if she were trying to make light of her condition. “It’s been a while since I’ve had something to drink.” She leaned against the counter, a hand pressed to her mouth. I hurried over to the refrigerator and pulled out a blood bag. I ripped open the plastic, poured the blood into a large mug, and set it on a warmer plugged into the wall. After thirty seconds, the blood was heated and ready. When I handed her the mug, she smiled weakly at me before taking a deep gulp.

I pressed my back against the refrigerator as she drank. After her last sip, Valentina lowered the mug from her mouth, wiping a drop leaking from the corner of her lips. Color bloomed back into her cheeks, and her sickly pallor improved.

After placing the mug back on the counter, she sighed. “Thank you.”

I gave her a pointed look. “Sure, but why the hell aren’t you feeding on your usual schedule? If I need to give you my damn blood, then I will. But you and I both know pure human blood is the only one that will really help you. It’s ridiculous that you’d let yourself get like this.” She flashed me a look of annoyance, rolling her eyes. “Oh, now suddenly, I don’t know what I’m talking about. You’re smarter than this. You might not care if you kill someone, but I do. Respectfully, Mother , get your shit together.”

Valentina raised her hand. “As much as I appreciate your feigned attempt at calling me ‘mother’ for the first time, you’re being a bit dramatic. I’m just stressed. While Darius hires a crew to clean up the mess in his garden, we’re scheduling a trip to Ireland. We leave tonight.”

My brows shot up. “Excuse me?” I let my arms fall to my sides. “We’re leaving already?”

“Darius has arranged a meeting with the Aileach Clan. They’re more ruthless than most. It’ll take some mental persuasion to get them on board, if you know what I mean.”

She was planning on altering their thoughts with her mind games.

That was risky.

“Listen,” she continued. “Although I gave you that ring before we left the States, I’ve burned some bridges in the past with many of these clans. My life is more in danger than yours right now, so I’m going to need it back before we board our flight.”

My body stilled. I knew this was fucking coming. Promises didn’t mean shit to her.

“Naw, that’s okay. I think I’ll keep it on for now.”

Valentina’s eyes turned dark. “It wasn’t a suggestion. Once we pack our bags, you’re taking off that ring.”

After Valentina left the kitchen, my body felt like it couldn’t move. Luka prepared me for this. Once I refused, she would use her power, and I had to be ready to fight the bitch off.

Night quickly arrived, and everyone was busy. It wasn’t just my mother and me leaving the villa to recruit. Aside from the human guards staying on post to protect the property, everyone had their assignments. After packing my bags, I jumped into the scalding shower, scrubbing my body clean. My mind was racing with the potential outcome of what could happen if I failed, and she did actually remove the ring. I had survived for two hundred years, so I wasn’t worried these clans would hurt me, but Andrei made it very clear he was coming for me, and his threat about Jase didn’t make me feel any less afraid. Both those psycho brothers were unpredictable, and I had to be ready if they tried to take or kill me. That ring was my only guarantee.

I placed my hand on the shower tile and leaned forward. “Fuuuck,” I drew out the word.

Despite the water, my skin went cold at the thought. I had to tell Valentina about the guardian bond and the shift in its power—how he could come to me in dreams and manipulate my emotions into something dark and lecherous. Maybe then she’d let me keep the damn thing on.

I had to tell her the truth. She had to know everything.

Thirty minutes later, I stepped out of my bedroom, freshly cleaned and dressed. Valentina glanced up as I walked out, her eyes widening and her body going completely still.

A sickening feeling hit my gut, and my brows furrowed with concern. “What’s wrong?” I glanced down at my outfit. “Is it my clothes?”

I had decided to wear black jeans that tapered at the ankle, a silver belt, and a deep emerald-green silk blouse. The waves in my hair flowed gracefully, reaching past my shoulders. I kept my makeup to a minimum, just a simple brown eyeshadow with mauve lip gloss.

“Your outfit’s fine. It’s perfect, actually. It’s just … you look so much like Cyrus; it takes my breath away sometimes. That shade of green—it reminds me of him. It was his favorite color. He would always seek out clothes or gemstones with that exact shade, actually. When we found out about you, he used his last coin to buy me a jade necklace.”

“What happened to it?” I asked, watching her eyes turn glossy.

Valentina smiled. “The night in the church, it broke when it fell from my neck. I should have known it was an omen, but I was too focused on the ring and protecting Cyrus. It all seems meaningless when I think about it. I lost him and you in the end.”

She took a deep breath and grabbed my hand. “Enough about that. We need to catch our flight.” After a heavy breath, she said, “Take off the ring.”

I bit back my need to mouth off and clenched my jaw. “Maybe not right now. Let’s wait until Ireland.”

Valentina’s eyes turned dark but not at the level they did when she was about to go all demon bitch on someone. “You’re being ridiculous. It’s my ring.”

I tried not to flash a mocking smile, but damn, I wanted to. “Yeah, I know, but … I’m going to respectfully decline. You gave it to me for safekeeping. So, I’m keeping it safe. We’re going to be late.” I marched past her, but she reached out to grab my wrist. I jerked my arm away, and in the blink of an eye, she used her vampiric speed to dart in front of me, blocking my path.

Okay, now her eyes are red.

“Take. Off. The. Ring.” The power of manipulation moved through me, but I fought back, using Luka’s training from the last four months to push it away. I let the deep blue of my vampire power encircle my mind, my magic a secondary layer, and snapped her intuition back.

“Well, look at you,” I mocked, “you little liar. You promised not to use that power on me.”

“How?” she growled through her teeth, stepping forward as she pushed more power into me. “How are you resisting this?”

Fuck, I’m going to have to fight my mother.

It was as if there was a stranger before me—an enemy. I had to treat her like one. I lifted my leg and slammed my heel hard against her gut, sending her flying across the hall.

Shit.

As I lunged at her, I felt a firm grip on my arm. “Go!”

Luka.

“I’ll slow her down,” Luka said quickly. “Darius is outside. Jump through the window by my room that leads to the back gate. You’ll be able to get away with your speed.” My heart was pounding. “Now, Rachel!”

Quickly, I hurried over to my bag and grabbed it, throwing on my leather jacket as I rushed down the hall. I adjusted it as I bolted, heading into Luka’s room and over to the window. I pulled it up and leaned out, tossing my bag through and throwing my legs off before dropping into a sharp rose bush.

There was a ton of commotion going on in the house. If Darius weren’t my enemy before, he would be now.

As soon as I saw the trees concealing the path to the back gate, I sprinted faster, ignoring the fading throb in my ankle from jumping out the window. The fully set sun helped me move through the deepening shadows undetected.

I reached the western gate and placed my hand over the iron lock, where the ward held the shield spell. Thankfully, I didn’t have to break the spell to leave; it was only for outsiders coming in. After moving through the ward, I slipped out, closed the gate, and looked around again.

On the other side of the gate was the path leading to the neighborhood’s main road. I ran toward it, keeping flush with the villa walls so no one saw me. I had no fucking clue where I was going, but it certainly wasn’t Ireland with my mother, not with her trying to get the ring.

I’ll return once everyone cools down.

Once away from the entrance and in the grove of trees near the road, I looked around frantically, chewing on my inner cheek.

“Rachel,” a familiar voice called from behind me, and an icy shiver rolled down my spine, shock numbing my limbs.

No, it can’t be.

I turned slowly to see Tony and Lucy standing near two thick trees that shielded the road. At first, I thought I had lost my mind and was hallucinating, believing I saw familiar faces in front of me. But then Tony spoke again. “It’s us. We’re here.”

Shock overwhelmed me at seeing my two friends there, and I ran toward them, throwing myself into Lucy’s outstretched arms. Her white rose perfume and vampire scent flooded my senses, confirming that my best friend was there. I felt Tony’s muscular, warm arms slip around us, and his familiar scent reminded me of how much I missed home.

Missed them.

“Holy shit,” I breathed, pulling back. “What are you both doing here?” I scanned their faces, confusion fading as I caught the worry in their eyes. But then my gaze locked on Lucy. “What’s happened? How did you even leave the States without Andrei stopping you? Please tell me he’s not here.”

Tony put a hand on my arm. “He’s not, but … We can talk about what’s happening in a minute. It would also be best if you braced yourself.”

Lucy took my hands in hers. “I’m really sorry about this, babes. We brought someone else with us. You need to hear them out before you react badly … like you usually do.”

“What the hell does that mean? React badly about what—?”

Then I saw him step out from the shadows. His green eyes shone under the property lights, staring right back into mine. His hair, though slightly shorter than the last time I saw him, was intentionally messy, and he had on the same leather jacket and dark jeans he always wore. As I glared straight into the bastard’s soul, an arrogant smile tugged on his handsome face. “Hey, angel.”

“Jase,” I hissed through my teeth, drawing my fangs out in fury and taking three steps toward him until we were within arm’s reach. Without thinking about the consequences, I pulled my elbow back and slammed my tight fist into his left cheek, a sting pulsating in my knuckles, and I winced. “You fucker, that hurt!”

Jase’s eyes widened, and he held his hand to his cheek as if my reaction surprised him. Instead of lashing back at me, his smile broadened, and he looked up to meet my eyes. “Well, that didn’t feel great either,” he said, standing straight again and holding his hands out placatingly. “How about we not kill each other today? I come in peace.”

“Bullshit!” I stepped back. “Are you here to take me back to Andrei, so he can get back this precious little ring?” I held up my hand, waving the finger that wore it. “It doesn’t miss either of you.” I lunged toward him again, teeth flashing, but Lucy stepped between us and firmly grabbed my hands.

“No, no! Wait, Rachel. He’s telling the truth. Jase reached out to us and brought us here to find you. You have to hear him out. Please. ”

My brows shot up. “Don’t be a traitor. He killed and turned you!”

“Listen to him!” The desperation in Lucy’s voice shattered my rage, but when her eyes softened, it gnawed at me even more. When she didn’t budge, I retracted my fangs, stepped toward Tony, and turned to him. Both of my friends were solemn, nodding in unison. Rational thoughts slowly took over. Tony and Lucy wouldn’t do anything to endanger my life. So, for Jase to be just feet from them told me something terrible must have happened.

I let out a slow breath and looked back at my greatest enemy. I reached out with my senses and felt for his intentions. While anger and irritation were there, the intent to harm me wasn’t. But then again, he’d deceived and manipulated me before.

I allowed my powers to focus on his aura, and something shifted. It was like what I had felt in the church had vanished and was replaced by something too veiled for me to analyze. Whether or not he hated me, he wasn’t there to kidnap me and drag me back to Andrei’s mansion. What I felt was fear.

Fear?

“Okay. Start talking.”

“Not here,” he replied. “You looked like you were heading somewhere.” His eyes turned to the bag over my shoulder. “How about we go there? The more people around us, the safer. Right? Plus, I think we’re about to get caught by some vampires. I hear running in our direction. I suggest we get moving. Your mother isn’t joining us, is she?”

“Fuck no.” I turned my attention to the property gates in the distance and heard what Jase did. “You guys don’t happen to have a car, do you?”

Lucy nodded. “We just have to travel a few blocks on foot. Come on.”

Tony moved forward and grabbed Lucy’s hand, and they slipped through a small archway through the neighbor’s property, so we could cut a few corners and get out of view. I tailed them, followed by Jase right behind me.

Jase’s breathing down my neck made me feel uneasy, so I stopped, moved to the side, and ushered him to crawl through the archway. “After you,” I said. “I insist.”

Jase smirked. “You think I’m going to stab you in the back?”

“You might.”

This time, he chuckled. “Oh, this trip is going to be fun.”

I scowled. “How about this? I’ll trust you a tiny bit. But if you try anything, Jase, I’ll beat the ever-living fuck out of you … again. I still have my revolver.”

Jase flashed his white teeth, wider this time, before he bit his bottom lip slightly. “You have my word, angel. I won’t do anything to warrant a beating.”

Jase with that fucking nickname.

“Good, because if she doesn’t, I will, asshole,” Lucy snarled at him as she poked her head through the archway. “What are you guys doing? Let’s go.”

I gave her a quick nod and rushed her way, crouching down into the archway and onto the other property. As we walked across the lawn and over to the other side of the road, I felt Jase’s hand grip my shoulder in a light touch.

“Listen,” he said, forcing me to swing around to face him. “Truce?”

I pinched my brows together. “Absolutely not. But … maybe I’ll hear what you have to say for the next hour. I still hate you.”

Jase didn’t smile that time, but his nostrils flared like he was holding back an insult. “That’s fair.” He looked over my shoulder at Lucy and Tony. “Where are we heading once we get in the car?”

“Normally, I’d be able to venture out of the city on my own, but given that I just sent my mother flying across the room, we need to travel a little further before we stop,” I said. “And I know just the place.”