Night Unbound(63)

Nevertheless, three vampires soon lay on the ground at their feet, shriveling up as the others stumbled over them.
Lisette’s back left his.
Lisette? he asked.
I’m fine, she assured him. I just needed a little more swinging room so I could—
Her presence in his thoughts abruptly vanished.
Spinning around, Zach saw her shoto swords fall from limp fingers.
Eyes closed, knees buckling, she crumpled where she stood.
“Lisette!”
Hurling his daggers into the throats of the vampires in front of her, he lunged forward and caught her before she could hit the ground. “Lisette?” He gave her a little shake.
No response.
Lisette? he thought desperately and delved into her mind.
Dead silence.
Fear struck with frightening force as he sank to his knees and waited for her to dissolve in his arms, certain she was dead.
But she didn’t. Beneath Zach’s ragged, panicked breaths, he detected the faintest beat of a heart.
Not dead. Not yet.
Like sharks scenting blood, the vampires moved in for the kill. Or the capture.
Rage so raw it seemed to scald his skin rose within Zach. Clutching Lisette to him with one arm, he thrust the other toward the vampires in front of him. All five fell to the ground and began to rapidly shrivel up.
He turned to the last two, who regarded him with wide, terror-filled eyes.
When they started to flee, he froze them in place.
The tendons in their necks stood out as they stiffened and strained to break his telekinetic hold.
“I don’t know what you’ve done to her,” Zach spoke as he rose, Lisette cradled in his arms, “but you’re going to pay for it in blood.”

In a rare moment of tranquility, Immortal Guardians and their Seconds kicked back and relaxed in David’s large, cozy home. There used to be far more of these moments. The insurgencies and enemies who had risen up against the Immortal Guardians in recent years, however, had stolen them away.
Most of the usual frequent visitors were present, lounging on the sofas and in the chairs that filled the huge room. Roland and Sarah occupied a love seat near Marcus and Ami, who shared a sofa with Seth. David relaxed in a wingback chair across from them, feet propped on the coffee table, the latest Stephen King novel in his lap. Bastien and Melanie chatted with Richart and Jenna near the fireplace. Seconds Sheldon, Tanner, and Nichole laughed on another sofa as they viewed something on Sheldon’s laptop. Tracy surreptitiously peered over their shoulders and smiled. Darnell joined the trio and laughed.
Ethan was almost curious enough to get up and go see for himself, but really didn’t want to leave the comfy leather chair in which he slouched.
Étienne called something to his brother, who flipped him the bird. Beside Étienne, Krysta and her brother Sean laughed. Jenna did, too, as she leaned into Richart’s side. Edward smiled as he studied the chessboard on the table between him and his Second, Desmond, over in the corner.
Yuri and Stanislav carried on a conversation in Russian while they raided the refrigerator, out of sight. Their Seconds, Dmitry and Alexei, headed in there to comment and filch some food.
It had been a good night, Ethan thought. An uneventful night.
He used to think uneventful nights boring. Now he preferred them. No one suffered any injuries on uneventful nights. Tense faces relaxed with smiles on uneventful nights. Laughter flowed freely on uneventful nights.
As it did now.
The immortals had all gotten their hunting over with early, each encountering only a slacker vamp here or there. Tracy and Tanner had prepared a delicious meal for the group. Everyone had enjoyed it so much that not a crumb had remained.
For once . . . for this moment . . . all was right in the world. All were safe. All were happy.
Except for Ethan, who didn’t like that Lisette was yet again absent. He hadn’t seen her in days and couldn’t help worrying, even though Tracy frequently touched base with her and claimed all was well.
Yuri and Stanislav returned with two platters piled high with fruits and breads and cheeses.
Immortals and mortals alike pounced.
Hell, even Ethan couldn’t resist that temptation and snatched some snacks before sinking into his favorite chair again.
Mmmm. Good food. Good company. Good conversation.
He smiled at a joke Darnell cracked, then grinned when Ami’s baby began to hiccup in the womb. It was odd, being able to hear the babe’s movements. Even odder to imagine an unborn baby getting the hiccups. Yet Jenna, Melanie, and Dr. Kimiko insisted it was normal.
Marcus rubbed a hand over Ami’s big belly and gave her a tender smile.
Seth and David both watched with affectionate indulgence, then abruptly turned their heads toward the front of the house, all levity in their faces draining away. Seth’s eyes flashed a bright gold milliseconds before he closed them. When he lifted his lashes, his eyes were brown once more.