The Ripple Effect (Rhiannon's Law #3)(89)

“Yes,” he whispered, his power washing over me, and cupped my chin. “I’m not running, and I will not hide. I plan to return and reclaim my rightful place as Master of New York. I will not exist like a pestilence in the shadows. It’s time half-demons understand vampires will no longer bend to their will. Those who stand against us are destined to fall.”

As I’d shared my thoughts with him, he opened a mental vault with me. There was a part of me that was shocked, taken back by the vehemence rolling through him. Gabriel fully intended to take the city back, to proclaim it as his. If he had his way, vampires would break from half-demon tradition. They would refuse to bow down to those who were the originator of the vampire race.

Shit on a stick, he wanted an uprising.

“One thing at a time,” he reminded me and stopped the flow of thoughts.

“Whatever you say,” I responded and lowered my gaze. So much for the easygoing Disco. I was stuck with the hard-edged Gabriel Trevellian from now on.

“I’m glad you think that.” He spoke in my mind. “You know I prefer my given name.”

I could have argued with him like I used to, telling him I’d always call him Disco if only to piss him off, but I didn’t. The snarky bitch was gone, leaving behind a woman who was emotionally damaged and bleeding out. There wasn’t enough in me left to joke, to make things light or breezy. Not when the weight in my arms—so light I barely registered it, yet so heavy I couldn’t lift it to save the world—reminded me of how much had been lost.

The conversation with Disco had blessedly redirected my thoughts, allowing me to pretend I wasn’t holding my sister. Only now, gazing down, I had to face that I was. I studied the young woman in my arms. She was so young. Still innocent despite everything she’d experienced. All she had known was horror. I wondered if it was possible to introduce her to something better.

“Every time I visited Jenny, she was always looking out the window. I don’t know what she saw that captivated her so much, but I’d like to ask.”

“Are you ready?” He reached out and ran his fingers along Jennifer’s forehead, the touch tender, his own respectful and lingering farewell.

No. I wasn’t ready. For something like this I never would be. “I don’t know if I can do this.”

“You can. Show her how much you love her by ending her suffering. Give her peace. Set her free.”


Give her peace. I could do that. A final gift before we said goodbye.

He took Jennifer from my arms and took a step back, allowing me to stand. Letting her go would be one of the hardest things I’d ever done in my life. She was the only person who knew me before things went to shit, who got to know the Rhiannon I used to be. In a way, she was taking that part of me with her. The rare joys from my teenage years were hers to keep.

I followed Disco out of the basement and up the stairs. We ignored the slaves as we walked down the hallway, until it was no longer safe for him to carry Jennifer. He passed her over to me, giving me an added dose of his strength as he did. She felt like a child in my arms, lightweight and easy to hold.

“Tell Jerry to pull around the estate. There’s a carport on the back of the property that will allow us to leave,” he said softly, as though he knew just how fragile I was, how broken.

I almost asked him how he knew about Jerry, but then I realized he’d plucked the thought from my head. We couldn’t stay here. It wasn’t safe. We had to come together, organize, and start getting ready for what Disco had in store for his kindred.

A war that had started and would end in blood.

“I’ll be waiting for you,” Disco whispered, seeing more than I wanted him to, telling me what I needed to hear.

My gasp heralded my descent into grief, my fortitude slipping away, my steel walls crashing down. I started to make the trip outside, forcing my legs to function. But I felt frozen in place after the first few steps, unable to continue when I neared the doorway.

I couldn’t do this on my own.

I didn’t want to face the unknown alone.

Waves of reassurance cocooned me like invisible arms, giving me the support and comfort I craved. Like the dreams we shared, Disco cradled me with his mind, soothing my fears, taking as much pain from me as he was able. I felt stronger in my lover’s presence, relying on his strength and will.

“You will never be alone,” he promised, prompting me to keep going, aiding me as I struggled not to cry as I continued my trek. “Not now. Not tomorrow. Not for eternity. I am here, Rhiannon. I will always be here.”





Epilogue


The steps to the front door were the longest I’d ever taken. My legs felt sucked knee-deep in quicksand, so that the closer I got to my goal, the harder it was to lift each foot and place it in front of the other. Each step was too far away yet too close, beckoning me even though my heart demanded I take a step back and turn away. When I reached the door, a slave was there to open it wide. I nodded and he did just that. Then he moved aside to give me room. The morning sunshine hit my feet when I stepped into the entranceway, heated despite the chill of winter, warming the black leather protecting my feet.

The time had come. No turning back.

As I stepped outside, the sun wrapped around me, familiar and welcoming, touching every inch of my body from head to toe. As Disco had promised, Jennifer didn’t stir, remaining limp in my arms, her head crooked into the arch of my neck. I carried her down the stairs, walked past the driveway, and stopped at the grassy area with a fountain several yards from the mansion. For several seconds, I stood as I was, holding her like a child in my arms. Then I sank to my knees and took her with me, cradling Jenny to my chest, and bowed my head as heavy sobs racked my body.