Revolution

Deacon

I’m going to have a son. That thought has been on repeat in my mind for the last week, ever since the weird episode with Carrie happened. No one said anything about the scent change in her the first couple nights, so I thought we were in the clear. Then Carter walked in. We hadn’t discussed what we would tell people, I honestly hadn’t even thought about it. My focus and fear was still focused on the odds of my angel’s survival.

I was grasping at straws with what I told Carter, he wasn’t buying it either. Then my little angel saved the day. She not only explained the pregnancy, but Colton’s absence in one. He used to come and go all the time before. But that was before we brought him into our mating. Him leaving now would have been suspicious. She was so serious as she said it, Carter had no reason not to believe her. Grace intervened before he could even try.

“Well, well, well. I had heard a rumor, but I wasn’t sure I believed it.”

I looked up from the same cup I had been drying for the last five minutes. The sun had barely set, most vampires weren’t out yet. This was definitely earlier than Lou usually came out.

“What’s going on?” I asked him, cautious in what he was referring to.

He made a dramatic wave toward his nose, like he was smelling the perfect fragrance. Then his eyes fell on Carrie. His eyes were twinkling. I watched my mate, and paid attention to the feelings coming from her. She laughed. A good sign. If she felt bad intent coming from him, she would have been afraid, at least on the inside.

He sat down on a bar stool and leveled me with an intense stare. Carrie walked over and I slid my arm around her bare waist.

“You need something Lou? The donors should be coming in soon.”

He sighed and scratched his jaw. “You all didn’t get the message?”

“What message?”

“Curtis sent drones out to all the neighborhoods, the places with the highest populations of humans, this morning. I had a feeling you wouldn’t have heard.”

Now there was fear in my girl, just not from Lou. “What did he say?” I asked my old friend.

“He said he will be here within the next few days. He is keeping a few cities for Vampires only and shipping the humans off to the smaller ones. Each of them will need to go to their city courthouse and receive a job assignment. He is keeping San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego. The only humans allowed to be here will be donors. Which will be open for volunteers, but also an assigned job. Until then, the humans are under a strict curfew, no one is allowed outside at night. The drones will be patrolling. He is spending a few weeks in the three cities, on a rotating basis, until everything is settled. And then…” Lou took a deep breath. “Then he is making LA his home base. It’s time for you to grab your little mate and run, Deac.”

Out of everything that he said that last line surprised me the most.

“Why?” I mean, I was going to do that anyway, no way was I going to let Carrie and Curtis be in the same city.

Lou huffed, a little sarcastic, and a little amused. “You know why. I’ve suspected for some time.” he waved at Carrie, “this little surprise just sealed the deal.”

“I… I’m not exactly sure what to say to that.” I admitted.

Lou chuckled. “I’ve been around a long time, maybe not as long as you, but long enough. I may or may not have also heard your little friend refer to you as your highness.” Lou looked at the roof, trying to remember something. “It had to have been in the 80s, maybe the 70s. I don’t know. At first I thought it was some kind of joke, but he never seemed like the joking type. Then I thought maybe you were some type of prince in your old life. I have paid better attention since then. I’ve noticed a few things. Like when the two of you went to visit the shelters… in the middle of the day. Or the headless corpse that appeared down the street a few weeks ago, then disappeared a few hours later. The timing for you and Colton to become extra protective was too coincidental. Now the pregnancy. It won’t be long before the others realize there is no way you would have let a human touch your mate. And with Curtis coming soon, all three of you are a threat. It’s time to go, Deacon.” Lou stood up and pushed away from the bar.

I held my hand out to him. “Thank you, my friend. I hope to see you soon.”

“As do I. Be safe. If I may suggest, leave as soon as the bar closes tonight. And take a different gate.” He waved one last time and walked out of the door.

“Do you even know of a different gate?” My angel whispered.

“No. Can we trust what he said?” I turned to her, my hands gripping her waist.

“Yes. His only intent was to warn his friend. He had no hidden agendas. What are we going to do?” Her hands slid over her stomach, and I felt the sharp pains of her worry.

I heard laughter as Nightwalkers came closer. “We will stay open for tonight. We will act normal. And then I will get you and our child out of here.”

I had expected the Nightwalkers to see that there were no donors and leave. That wasn’t the case. They were there to celebrate the old-fashioned way. They drank alcohol and enjoyed each other’s company. And not just by talking.

We even had more female vampires out than normal. I insisted that Carrie stay behind the bar, keeping her distance from their noses. Only a few looked at her funny, thankfully most ignored her.

A little after two I made the last call announcement. Once I had the door locked behind them, I looked at my mate.

“We need to pack what we can and leave. If we go now, we can make it to Carter’s gate around sunrise, they will be hiding from the sun by then.”

“Lou said not to take that gate.”

“I don’t know where else to go. I’ve met the soldiers on the other side, they were nice enough. The shifter Captain will help us.” I picked up my angel and ran up the stairs. Her speed was not going to work for me right now.

“Have you heard from Colton?”

“Not in the last few days. This is normal though. It would raise suspicions if we talked more than we used to. I will send him a message now, letting him know not to come back.”

Carrie walked into the room and started shoving clothes into her old backpack. I pulled out my phone and sent the message.

Me: Just got word, Curtis is on way. We are leaving.

While I waited for him to respond, I went into the kitchen and made my pregnant mate a sandwich. She used to skip meals regularly while we worked, not anymore. I was going to do everything I could to keep her body strong. About the time I finished, Colton’s reply came in.

C: Head for Vegas.

I cursed. I did not want to take her to my father.

Me: Is it safe? She has a bun in the oven.

C: What??? When did that happen?

Me: The day you left. It’s a long story that will have to wait.

C: Vegas. She carries the royal line. That is the ONLY place she will be safe. I will try to meet you along the road. Stay safe. That baby is partly mine too.

I laughed.

Me: Must you share all the good things in my life with me?

C: Yes.

He left it at that. I laughed some more until my, our, mate came out.

“What is so funny?” She was trying not to laugh at me.

I held up my phone and shook it back and forth. “Colton. He says to head for Vegas. That’s where our clan is right now. I told him about the baby, and he thinks you will be safest there. He is also claiming part ownership of our son.”

My angel laughed and walked to me, her backpack on. I hadn’t realized she had changed clothes. I was sad to see the skirts go, and the shirts, but those jeans did make her butt look good.

“We do not have time for that, love.” She teased, pulling away with a wink. I growled and followed her to the door. “Don’t you need to pack anything?”

“No. I will buy everything new. I will buy you everything you want as well, but I didn’t want you to leave anything behind that you might want to keep.” I paused at the back door. “Please tell me you packed some of my favorite clothes.”

She laughed and walked to the truck, not answering me.

She did. Of course, she did.

Didn’t she?

If she didn’t, I would be buying her a whole lot more. I’d already been fantasizing about her belly, swollen with my son, popping out between those short skirts, and barely there, shirts. Shirts that would be getting even tighter as she carried my son.

I gassed up the truck as soon as I could, then we hit the freeway. As we drove, she laid her head on my lap. I pulled the blanket out of the back, left over from when Todd and I went to the gate, and laid it over her. The drive was quiet and felt like it was taking twice as long as it should have. Despite my pushing the truck to its limits.

We were still a few minutes off from sunrise when the wall came into view.

“Angel. Wake up. We’re here.”

She mumbled in response, not quite ready to get up. Followed by a big yawn as she rubbed her eyes.

“We forgot to have you feed before we left. Will you be alright?”

I didn’t forget, I just knew I wouldn’t have the time to feed the way I preferred. “I’ll be fine. We will stop at a hotel after we get through the wall. We will both feed and sleep for a while.” I placed my hand on her stomach, emphasizing why she needed the blood from me.

Carrie was stronger now than when we first met. If she was going to make it through this, it was going to be with what I could personally give her. That had already been my plan before the psychic witch said to stay on the path we were on. So that was what we would do.

“Deacon, are you sure this is the right way? I don’t see a gate.” Her squinting was adorable.

I looked back in front of me and further down the road. Then I hit the brakes, not too hard, I didn’t want to jerk her sensitive body. She was right. There was no gate.

I cursed. “They sealed it. No wonder Lou told me to take a different gate.”

“Why did they do that?”

“I don’t know. Either one of the teenagers tried to run, which I doubt, or the army on the other side was trying to come through. Hill did say the President was planning an invasion. Maybe Curtis found out somehow.”

I studied the wall both up and down. The road was the only place they hadn’t built some sort of overhang to provide them with shade. They even had tarps hanging down from them. This was our only way out. Especially now that we had drawn an audience.

“What are we going to do, Deacon?” Carrie scooted over to sit next to me, holding on to my arm.

“We are going through that gate. If they won’t open it. Then I will just have to put you on my back and climb it, after the sun rises.”

“What about the barbed wire running across the top?”

“Not a problem, angel. That was built to keep humans in and out, not the vampires. And certainly not my kind.” I put the truck in drive again and pulled up to the twelve-foot wall.

Carter was the one standing there this time, a curious look on his face.

“What are you doing here, Deac? Didn’t you get the message from Curtis?”

“No, but I heard about it from my customers. Why’d you block the gate?”

“Orders. I don’t ask, I just follow. Why are you here?” He looked up at the sky and shook his head. “Forget it. Come with me to safety, you can explain once we are undercover. This has got to be the stupidest thing I have ever seen you do.”

I nodded to Carrie and we both climbed out of the truck. I met her in front of it and held her tight, whispering in her ear. “Follow my lead.”

“You coming or what?” Carter started backing up, keeping one eye on the sky.

Grace popped out of a tent, with her eyes set on me. She couldn’t say anything without giving herself away. But she did nod at me. I looked down at my mate, who was still staring at the psychic. A message passed between them.

“Deacon! Come on! Your little mate can catch up with Gracey inside. Let’s go.” Carter ran backward as the sun broke over the mountains.

“Don’t think so, Carter. I’m sorry to do this to you. You’ve been a good friend for many decades. I’m glad you are doing well. But it’s time I stop hiding. It’s time to take care of my mate and unborn son. It’s time to take my place at my father’s side.”

I turned and bent down so Carrie could climb on my back. I had wanted to just pick her up and toss her on, but she was carrying precious cargo.

“What the hell are you talking about, man? Curtis ain’t gonna care about your human mate, or her kid. Just get over here bef… oh… holy…”

The sun hit us, and I closed my eyes, enjoying its warmth. It had been some time since I got to really enjoy it.

Carter cursed softly.

“I guess there are a few things I didn’t tell you. And she isn’t a human. She’s a witch. And I’m not your typical vampire. You need to brush up on your history, Carter.” I backed up a few more paces, as the sun coated the road with its rays. “Thanks for the laughs, my friend.”

With that last word, I took off running as fast as I could toward the wall. The psychic seemed to think this would work, and I didn’t have much of a choice. When I was still a few feet from the wall, I jumped.

I hadn’t gauged the distance enough though.

I set one foot down and pushed off the top with the slightest bit of pressure. Just enough momentum to get us over. My landing was shaky, but it worked.

“I think I’m going to be sick.”

I laughed in relief at my angel.

She carefully lowered her feet to the ground but kept her grip on the back of my shirt, steadying herself. I looked up just as a dozen rifles were caulked, all pointing at us.

“Who the hell are you and how did you get over that wall?” A deep voice barked out.

“My name is Deacon. Where is Captain Hill? I need to speak with him.”

“Captain Hill was needed elsewhere. I’m his replacement. And I believe you still haven’t answered one of my questions.”

“I jumped. Now, if you’ll excuse me. I need to get my pregnant wife to a hotel. It’s been a long night for both of us.” I started to walk forward, but a rifle with a silver dagger on the end blocked my path. “I see someone taught you how to deal with vampires. I’ll save you the trouble, that won’t work on me. Look at the sky gentlemen, the sun is up. I’m obviously not one of them.”

“Then what are you? That was some jump.” The new Captain pointed out, again.

I sighed, wishing Grace had been able to give us a little more to go on. “I think we need to take this to your office, sir.”

***

The Cursed Ones: Book 2 – Birth of a Queen

Coming Early 2023

Excerpt – Deacon

I walked to the front door and opened it carefully, two guards stood on each side. The one to my right, the direction the door opened, looked at me like he wasn’t sure what to do. We weren’t technically prisoners, but we weren’t guests either.

“Is there a bathroom nearby that my wife could use?”

He made eye contact with his partner, then nodded. “I’ll take her.”

I pulled her out by the hand and started with them. His partner stopped me by placing the side of his gun to my chest.

“Only her.”

“No. I need him with me. Please.” Carrie pleaded with the man.

“What’s the matter?” Reyes jogged over.

“Carrie needs to use the bathroom, but they refuse to let me go with her. We need to stay together.”

“We can’t let you. Our orders are to keep you inside.” Reyes pointed to a small blue shed looking thing next door. Carrie looked over and grimaced. “You can stay right here and watch, but you are not going with her.”

I looked at Carrie, waiting for her to decide. She smiled when she looked back. I felt no fear, not even anxiety. She must not feel any ill intent from them.

“Alright, but I’m watching.” I didn’t like the idea of her walking away from me with armed men.

“You don’t trust anyone do you?” Reyes asked, his eyes on me, while mine were on my mate and the soldier.

“Very few people. You have to understand. When the vampires first attacked, they kept coming for her. I already had it in with a few of them. Bars and clubs have always been popular with vampires.” I laughed when he gave me an incredulous look. “The night life in big cities was a prime time for them to come out of hiding. I’m a businessman, I hired a few donors and took advantage of the opportunity. When it became obvious that they were targeting my wife, I made the deal to keep us protected. It took some time, but eventually the message spread. We both struggle with separation. We came too close too many times to it being permanent. As I said before, I couldn’t let her stay there any longer. I’ve heard the stories about Curtis. For some reason, my wife smells sweet and tempting to them all. I didn’t trust that he wouldn’t try to take her from me.” At least I was able to be mostly honest with the man.

We were silent for the next few minutes as we waited for them to come back. I probably would have been pacing had I not been able to feel her. Even still, I sighed when she walked back over so I could put my arm on her again.

We had barely stepped two feet into the waiting room again when the Captain came out.

“Sergeant?”

Reyes snapped to attention, the two guards with him.

“Yes, sir?”

“Are the men ready to leave?”

“Yes, sir. We have two Humvees gassing up now, sir. We will be ready to roll in a few minutes.”

“Good, make sure those left behind are on alert. We just received word that Curtis is on the other side of that wall. Or he will be shortly.” The Captain’s greedy eyes landed on me. “Want to save us some trouble and tell us why he randomly showed up on the same day you jumped the wall?”

“Not especially, no. But I will tell you this. If Curtis is coming, you need to get all your men out of here. You will lose every man you have on this side. They will either be killed or kept as donors. Vampires cannot create testosterone on their own.” I made a point of looking around the compound, there were nearly a hundred men stationed there. “I see a lot of men filled to the brim with it.”

Captain Miles chuckled, like I was a child telling a ridiculous joke that made no sense. “We are well prepared to defend our base, I assure you.”

The anxiety was bleeding through my mate, and her body was shaking with fear. I just wished I knew who she was more scared of, Curtis or the Captain. Before I could think of any other reason for him to save his men, the two trucks pulled up.

Reyes put a hand between my mate and I, earning himself a growl. “Remove your hand.” I warned him.

“You are not riding in the same vehicle as your wife.” The Captain said. “We will have each of you in a truck.”

I snarled as Reyes began pulling her away again. “I will be with her the whole time. She will be safe with me, I promise.”

I flicked my eyes to him, and then to Carrie. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Her body filled with peace.

“It’s alright, Deacon. He means me no harm.”

I tipped my chin to the captain. “And him?”

She studied him, the others looking at her warily. “He has not yet decided. Let me assure you, Captain. We are not your enemy.” Her voice was methodical, almost hypnotizing. And just the right blend to make the man relax.

Suddenly, her eyes widened, and fear shocked through her system. “But Curtis does. We need to run. Now.”

Thankfully, Reyes was smart enough not to doubt, just listen. We both spun and ran to the trucks. I clenched my jaw as Carrie was set into the truck behind me.

We all flinched when a loud boom was heard, and the earth shook from the force. The pause was brief before we jumped into action.

What happens when Deacon and Curtis meet face to face?

Will they get Carrie to safety?

Will Colton make it in time to rescue his mates?

What happens when Grace finds herself in the lion’s den?

Find out in Birth of A Queen, available on any bookseller site. Or Subscribe to my page here on FindNovel.net.

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