Redson Read online

  Velder stepped closer. “It is. My sons mated partial humans. My mate believes it’s a family trait our younger generation share.” He grinned.

  Grandpa cleared his throat. “Emma, may we speak alone?”

  She didn’t budge. “No.”

  Grandpa scowled and narrowed his eyes.

  “No,” she repeated. “You always said you wanted me to be with someone I love, trust, and who makes me happy. That’s Red. I want your blessing.”

  “You have it.”

  She blew out the breath she’d been holding.

  “I just wanted to make sure you’re aware of VampLycan culture.” He glanced around. “No offense. She’s been raised as human as possible. I wanted her to have a normal life.”

  It was her turn to snort. She focused, clearing her mind, and pushed her thoughts toward her grandpa. “Don’t piss off the people who just saved you, old man. I love Red, and he’s worried that you’ll attack him. Please smile and be cool with this. I really do love him.”

  Her grandpa cocked his head, staring into her eyes. “I said you have my permission.”

  “You look like someone just died. You’re not losing me. You’re gaining a kick-ass grandson-in-law. And we’re both alive. The VampLycans and Red are responsible. Smile, damn it. Act happy.”

  Grandpa nodded and smiled. “Better?”

  Emma rolled her eyes. “You can be such an ass. Tell Red welcome to the family or something.”

  “What in the hell is going on?” Velder, asked.

  “We’re having a private chat,” Emma admitted. “Grandpa needed a mental kick in the pants.”

  Grandpa’s smile widened. “Welcome to the family, Red. I’m thrilled that you and my grandbaby are mates.” He faced Velder. “Emma was four when she came into my care. She has a unique ability to receive my thoughts and send her own. Her mother could sense her moods in the womb and sometimes catch what she was thinking as a child.”

  “I didn’t know that.” Emma was surprised.

  “It’s only shown itself with family. Your mother, then me.” Grandpa shrugged. “It might have been a rare human trait your father had, or maybe some fluke thing that happens with VampLycan and human children. It wasn’t as if there were any others like you around to ask.”

  “What’s the distance?”

  “Not far.” Grandpa answered Velder. “Inside the house, to the front yard. It takes concentration for both of us. We worked on it after I heard some of her stronger thoughts about me.” He chuckled. “‘He’s so mean’ were the first words of hers that I heard inside my head. I had yelled at her after she’d jumped out of a tree. She’d seen me do it but didn’t understand that she could have broken her legs or worse from such a height, if I hadn’t caught her. It took a while for her to learn she can’t do what I can. I had to keep reminding her how fragile she is and to accept her limitations.”

  “Here we go.” Emma shook her head.

  Grandpa frowned. “What?”

  “You’ve made her feel inferior.” Anger tinged Red’s tone. “She’s not. Just different. The sun can’t hurt Emma. You’d fry, Malachi.”

  “I apologize.” Grandpa appeared horrified. “That’s not how I meant for you to feel.”

  “Let’s deal with family issues later.” Velder jerked his head toward the living room and waiting Vampires. “I’m going to talk to Paula, we’ll take care of Eduardo, and then we’re out of here.”

  “What are you going to do with the Vampires from the council?” Emma asked.

  “I’m going to make a call to their council, tell them where they can pick up their assassins alive, and warn them to stay the fuck away from my clan members.” He pointed at Malachi. “You included. How do you feel about returning to Alaska? You’re clan. I’m certain you’ll want to stay close to Emma.”

  Emma watched his face for a reaction but he was too good at hiding them. His voice, when he spoke, didn’t even give a hint. “Blood would become an issue.”

  Velder shook his head. “Sometimes VampLycans are born more Vampire. They get fed. It’s not a problem. The younger ones take a vein from a family member. The older ones get it in bags. The clan is happy to help each other.”

  Emma stepped closer. “At least come for a while, until things blow over, Grandpa. You know you’d worry about me otherwise.” She jerked her thumb toward the Vampires. “Give them a cooling-off period.”

  He addressed Velder. “I’d be honored.”

  “Great.” Velder paused. “I gave Emma my word she could kill Eduardo. Are you okay with that? He was a member of your nest.”

  Rage reddened Grandpa’s face. “I’ll kill that little prick myself.”

  Emma hadn’t considered that he might want to take out Eduardo. She could feel Red tense beside her. “The kill is yours, Grandpa. He murdered my mom but she was also your daughter. Plus, you’ve spent all this time having to deal with him since he invaded the house.” She couldn’t imagine what it had been like for her grandpa to be stuffed into his own safe. “Vengeance is yours.”

  Grandpa reached out and squeezed her shoulder. “Thank you. You don’t have to watch. I plan to make him suffer first.” He glanced at Red. “Perhaps you should take her somewhere else.”

  She wanted to groan in frustration, knowing Red would do it.

  He surprised her though.

  “Emma is strong, and she deserves to witness her mother’s murderer being put to death. I’ll stand with her.”

  Hot tears filled her eyes and she blinked them back, smiling up at him.

  Red didn’t look happy, but he squeezed her hand. “I know how much this matters to you.”

  “It does.”

  “Let’s get this over with. The sun will go down in a few hours and we have a jet to catch.” Velder leaned closer to Malachi. “How do you feel about being flown by a GarLycan? It would save time once we set down in Alaska, to get you under cover before the sun rises.”

  Grandpa chuckled. “I love new experiences.”

  “He’s an adrenaline junkie,” Emma shared with everyone. “You might be sorry you offered. He’ll hound Glacier to take him flying if he loves it.”

  “Shush, Grandchild. Don’t spoil my fun.”

  Emma rolled her eyes. “Don’t take hours to kill Eduardo but make it painful, please. I need to pack before we go. I’m not leaving my clothes behind.”

  They walked in a group toward the Vampires. Eduardo tried to hide behind the Vampires nearest him, as if anyone would forget he was there. Grandpa waded through their bodies, grabbed him by his hair, and dragged him toward the fireplace. None of the council Vamps protested or said a word. They probably feared they’d be next.

  “Mal,” Eduardo whimpered. “I’m your child!”

  Malachi slammed him against the stone, released his hair, and a chill ran down Emma’s spine as her grandpa released control of his rage in a wave of menace and Vampire power. Once glance and she was certain everyone else felt it too. A few VampLycans lifted their eyebrows but didn’t step back. The Vamps on the floor trembled.

  Red pulled her close, putting his arm around her. She curled into his side but didn’t look away.

  “You killed my child. I ordered you not to go after Kallie and the others. They were under our protection. You betrayed me, went to another nest, and took my baby from me.”

  Emma lowered her gaze when the bleeding started. Her grandpa had always been kind, sweet, and gentle with her. Unless they were training. The way he used his claws to rip open parts of Eduardo made her feel ill. Red didn’t try to pull her away though. He held her tight, staying at her side.

  Eduardo’s shrieks and pleas for mercy didn’t end his suffering.

  “I sentence you to the death I once saved you from!” her grandfather thundered.

  Emma lifted her gaze as Velder offered a sword to Malachi. He used it, severing Eduardo’s head. It hit the floor, rolled, and both parts of him ashed.

  It was done. The man from her nightmares would never