Hunting Tess by Kathryn Summers (best novels to read in english .TXT) 📗

them of the departure time and thought I had succeeded until I saw them waiting for me at customs.

Their entire dialogue flows smoothly because the two panthers take care of any threat that comes too close.

“We need to get you out of here,” Eliza states, kneeling next to Tess. “That ankle doesn’t look good. Can you walk?”

“I don’t know,” she says, looking down at my wrist. The crack in my femur is nearly healed but the others will take more time.

“Man’s best friend will be fine. It’s you the psychopath is after. Let’s go.”

Tess looks at me once more and I try to give her my best reassuring face that’s possible with a giant muzzle. Then she glances at Leo and her face falls. I nudge her arm to get her attention once more, silently urging her to get to safety, or at the very least, try.

The ghostly figures still fight against the vampires whose lines look to be thinning. The dead versus the undead. It’s not a big question as to who will win since one is corporeal. No, the real question will be how many of our side will fall as well.

Southern Europe’s leader rushes to the edge of the forest with several others, pausing to witness the scene unfolding before them. Too worn to really think about how this is possible, I work my way to Leo, concerned that he’s still down. Pain continues emanating from him, but it’s not as severe as it was.

A harsh growl like a lion taking down its prey rips through the air. Swiveling to pinpoint the noise, I watch in slow motion as Kleidion reaches for Tess. The two panthers leap in unison from either side of the Master, one hitting him low and the other high, cleaving him in half. Once he’s downed, they tear into the pieces guaranteeing the end of his final life.

Thunder splits the sky at the demise of the person responsible for causing such grief in Tess’s life.

With their leader gone the other vampires scatter, trying to fight their way into the woods. I don’t look at how many successfully escape. I can deal with that later.

Time resumes to a normal pace. A couple members from Jackson’s team attend Leo while others do who knows what. Tess clings to Eliza as she sobs, her friend soothingly rubbing her back. Bracing myself for the pain, I force myself up to go to her.

Bruised, broken, and sore, I limp my way to her side where she leans into me. The storm still rages overhead when a couple of Jackson’s team finds us looking rather disheveled. They both give Tess disapproving looks. She looks sheepish as she follows their instructions, making sure to always keep me in her line of sight which is fine since I don’t plan on letting her leave mine.

I’m going to marry this girl. That single thought brings a smile to my face.

CHAPTER 20

HER

I look at my feet propped up on the couch. The socks cover the worst of my new outline, but the medics say I’m lucky to only lose two toes. They were worried a foot would have to be amputated as well.

Kleidion’s last words ring in my ears and I know it will be a long time before the voice fades. I’m not sure Eliza heard them over the storm, but if she did she has not said anything about it. Probably for the best since I want to take those words with me to the grave.

“Heavy thoughts?” Parker asks from the foot of the couch.

“Hey,” I say with a smile. Apparently, the death of a Master is a big deal so Parker has been shut away in his office, monitoring the rippling effects such an event has in the supernatural community. It’s nice to finally have him not only physical here, but mentally as well.

He lifts my feet before sitting on the couch, placing them onto his lap where I pull them out of his reach. My balance doesn’t seem to be impacted but I’m not quite comfortable with the new look. “Are you in pain?”

“No,” I say reassuringly. The operation was a few days ago and doctor’s orders were to stay off them for at least a week. I haven’t done as well of a job as I should have, meaning I resumed all my normal activities. Parker was not impressed when he returned from a scouting trip to a friendly wager between Caleb and myself involving a downed tree and balancing contest. It may have been because the balancing contest consisted of us doing everything in our power to knock the other person flat on their backs. Thus, I’m couch ridden. At least until Marc’s chief medic clears me to resume life which will hopefully be at his visit in two days.

I want to tuck my feet underneath me to hide them. With Parker busy and me wearing shoes I haven’t had to stare my current biggest problem in the face.

“So Ben . . . that’s a pretty . . . big talent.”

Kleidion’s tight grip left a deep bruise that still mars my arm, but as soon as I heard the drums, I knew exactly what was coming.

“Yeah, there are times it comes in handy.”

“There are other times I’ve seen him fight vampires. Why didn’t he call on his ancestors then?”

“It’s walking a fine line with his sanity. It takes a heavy toll calling them up, and maintaining that connection which is why he doesn’t do it often. He lost his dad when he was ten. He had the same gift.” I pause thinking about how hard it was for Marilyn and Ben. He didn’t want anything to do with his gift after it had driven his father crazy.

Immensely grateful Ben intervened since it means Parker and I are safe, I’m worried the toll it took will add to an invisible jar. And that one day the jar will be full.

“They’re wanting to come for a visit