The Blood Boss by Davidson King

Chapter Twenty-Six

Jayce

My father was asleep when I entered his hospital room, so I took a moment to assess the damage the Triton soldier had done. His arm was in a cast, there was a bandage around his head and over his eye. There was bruising on one cheek, and I knew if I lifted his gown there would be even more black-and-blues. I was told by the nurse before I went in that he had three broken ribs and to be careful not to let him talk too long.

There was a chair beside the bed, so I went over, sat, and took his hand carefully in mine.

“You look like Rocky,” I said.

One weekend when I’d been sick with the flu as a kid, he’d stayed with me on the couch and we’d watched a Rocky marathon. He loved a good underdog story and so did I. But as I sat there looking at my dad’s face, he resembled the character after he’d gone a few rounds with Apollo Creed.

“Jayce?” His voice was thick and scratchy. I looked to the side of the bed and saw a small cup and a pink pitcher.

“Don’t talk, Dad, let me get you some water.” After filling it up, I helped him lift his head enough so he could take a few sips.

“What are you doing here?” he asked, with a less raspy voice.

“Checking on you, what’s it look like? I heard you got beat up.”

He made a face. “An attempted mugging.”

That was the story he was going to go with? “Mom already told me it was some big guy asking you questions about me.”

My father sighed and I knew he had given up whatever lies he was going to tell me next. I wanted to abide by the nurse’s rules, so I didn’t push him to tell me more. In his own time he would, and if not, yeah, I’d ask.

“He wanted to know if I saw you since the vampire lord took you. I played stupid as if I didn’t know what he was talking about. He explained he knew where you were and then wanted me to call you to get you to come to me. I refused.”

“They wanted to take me to Rogos.”

My dad furrowed his brow. “Who?”

“Listen, I’m not upset…anymore. Sibell told me everything. About who I am, how I ended up on your doorstep. All of it. Rogos is the leader of the Tritons and Sable leads the Sirens. They have found me, and whatever you all tried to stop is coming to fruition.”

“What? No.” He tried to sit up too fast and hissed, plopping back against the pillows.

“Don’t hurt yourself, or the nurse will come in and yell at me.”

“Jayce, being with The Blood Boss, it’s what did this. I knew it would draw attention to you and—”

“It doesn’t matter. You think they wouldn’t have found out who I was eventually? At least this way I have protection.” It was true. Being with Cain and knowing that I wasn’t alone, that I stood a chance against Rogos and Sable, it made this all feel a little less daunting.

“Sibell, she said you were safe but…” He started panting and getting worked up.

“Dad, calm yourself. It’s going to be okay. Cain will have eyes on you, Mom, and the kids. You’ll be safe now.” I didn’t add that there’d been vampires watching before because, well, check it out.

“This isn’t what your mother or I wanted for you.”

Taking his hand in mine, I looked him in his one good eye. “I know. You taught me to deal with the hand we’re dealt. It’s been an awesome hand all these years. You and Mom loved me like I was a part of you. I was safe, happy, and had everything I needed. We both know it was only a matter of time until this happened, and at least I have support.”

He nodded best he could. “I love you, Jayce.”

“I love you, Dad.”

When I stepped out of my father’s hospital room, I wasn’t greeted by Petru like I thought I’d be; instead there were three vampires, glaring.

“Uh…hi?”

“Greetings, Jayce, my name is Nathanial. This is Lina, and Sammy. We are here to protect your father and family.”

Nathanial’s smile looked as if it wasn’t something he did very often but where I was a little afraid, it eased upon their introduction.

“Well, thanks.”

“The Blood Boss is in the waiting area if you were looking for him,” Lina said and took her place beside the door.

“Yeah, all right. Well, my dad knows he has protection and won’t give you a hard time.”

“Very good.” Sammy smiled. Her short dark hair was wavy, and she appeared friendly.

I kept peeking over my shoulder the whole way to the waiting area; they were an odd trio—but then again, vampires were strange.

“How is he?” I turned and crashed into Cain, who must’ve heard me approaching before I even saw him.

“He’s banged up pretty good, but he’ll recover. I met the terrifying trio over there.”

Cain looked over my shoulder and nodded. “He is safe with them. And I have others with your mom and the children. They will be protected, Jayce, I promise.”

Smiling, I wrapped my arms around Cain as much as I could. “I know, thank you.”

We stayed at the hospital a little longer so I could speak with the doctor. He told us my father wouldn’t be going home tomorrow and while I wasn’t a fan of hospitals, I felt he was safer there.

It was dark by the time we returned to the estate and when we entered the foyer, Sibell came rushing over.

“I got it to work for longer than thirty minutes.” She smiled.

“Wonderful, can you show us?” I pulled on Cain’s sleeve as she started heading toward the rear of the estate. I knew she was likely guiding us to the garden.

Before we even stepped outside to see Sibell’s fantastical magic, Emil raced over to us. “Cain.” The urgency in his voice washed away all our excitement like a tsunami.

“Emil, what is it?” Cain whipped his arm out pushing me behind him as if the danger were here.

“Fire.”

“Where?” I looked around, sniffed.

“The bookstore, bakery, the whole block.”

“Where Sibell works and lives,” Cain growled.

“Fire department is putting it out but it’s spreading. Sir, they’re escalating, we need to hurry and act or there will be no Black Veil to defend.” Emil was right, and I could tell from the expression on Cain’s face that he knew it too.

“Okay. Emil, you and Petru prepare for more company. I will summon my vampires; expect them by the morning. Jayce, you need to stay inside at all times—you too, Sibell. They are getting desperate, and I have a feeling Rogos has found out we’re poking around, searching for strong merfolk to take over in their place.”

“Desperate actions make fools of wise men,” Sibell tutted.

No way was any of this easy on her. She’d had the bookstore for as long as I’d known her. When I reached for her, she fell into my embrace.

“I’ll help you rebuild the store, Sibell.”

“Oh, sweetheart, I care not about the store; it’s the memories, and those can’t rise from the ashes.”

“Cain, go do what you have to. Sibell and I are going to the sitting room.”

He appeared torn, as if leaving us in his estate, under guard with hundreds of other vampires on the way, was irresponsible.

“I got the spell to work for forty minutes. I can protect him should I have to.” Sibell reached over and patted Cain’s hand. I’d never seen them be caring toward each other, and it warmed me when Cain nodded before leaving us.

“How about some tea?” I asked.

She smiled and held me close as we went to the sitting room.