Page 45 of Jackal's Pride
August grabbed my arm with a bruising grip. “I’m worried about our sister too, but she’d never forgive any of us if one of these humans died today because we went back for her.”
I wanted to rip my brother’s heart out. That wasn’t only my curse talking…He was right about Maureen.
“Maureen’s tough,” Prudence chimed in. “I’m sure she has Jackal tied up by the balls somewhere. Don’t worry.”
“Then why isn’t she here?” Joy spoke up as she bit at her bottom lip.
When Jackal stormed out of a portal, twisting his neck around as he turned, my eyes hardened as I stalked over. Sebastian cut me off, and all eyes fell on Jackal as his gaze snapped to us. His nostrils flared as he frantically squinted around before staring at us. “Where’s Maureen?” We didn’t expect those words from Jackal.
His words alarmed us.
Chapter 17
Maureen
“What do you think you’re doing?”
Gavin ignored me as he forced me into tying myself to a bed. I felt clammy and disgusted, but I’d burn in Satan’s flames before ever showing the vampire any weakness.
“What does it look like?” His sneer was carnivorous as he took me in.
“Have you forgotten who I am? Who my family is?” I hissed as I yanked at the collar—the same way Jackal had done before he finally stopped.
“Scoot back.” It was an order. My skin sizzled and burned around the collar as I fought to stay put, but then I was doing it, anyway.
I didn’t feel good. It wasn’t my situation that made me feel this way, but because I had done this same thing to Jackal.So…this was what it was like to be collared—your will stolen. Oh, fucking Hades,I’m awful.
I did this to Jackal,I thought miserably again.
All to get away from these bets with Gavin, but it backfired. Gavin was too obsessed. I saw it in his eyes for a long time, but I always had the upper hand. I always won. I should have known he’d get to a point where he’d try something underhanded.
He wasn’t afraid of a stake to the heart anymore to get a taste of me.
“Gavin,” I clipped out since he was ignoring me.
“I hear you,” he hummed as he slipped off his shirt. “I’m aware of your family, my dear sweet Maureen. Why do you think I’ve been biding my time and waiting for when they would all be too busy to come searching for you?”
The bastard.
He pulled out a cigarette and lit it. Wisps of smoke greeted me before he turned around. “I’m disappointed in you, ya know?”
I rolled my eyes. “Oh, please. Tell me what has got your panties in a bunch?”
Hate shone in his eyes. He’d never looked at me that way before. “Youfuckedhim.”
“What?” Now I was confused.
“Jackal.”Oh, now I wasn’t.
I examined him with a scowl. “How would you know that? We only just now—” My eyes widened. “Have you been watching me?” He sneered, and I got my answer.
How would I not know that? Vampires had a distinct presence. I knew and recognized Gavin’s plastic, wet wood-like odor. I also could sense if someone was close by watching me like some perverted fool.
He blew out a cloud of smoke. “Oh, don’t act so surprised. You should know I’ve been watching you here and there for a long time now.”
That news was alarming. I actually flinched, taken aback. “There’s no way,” I told him. “I would have sensed you.”
He chuckled as the bed dipped beneath his weight. “You don’t know this, Maureen, but I used to be a warlock.” I did know this, actually. Reapers knew certain facts about everyone. “Before I was turned and lost my powers, that is.” He glanced back and smirked. “I still have a brother though. He doesn’t like people knowing we’re related—family disappointment and all—but, he’ll concoct any sort of spell or potion I request.”