Free The Vampire Gene by Jenny Doe Page A

and unforgiving under his dark brows. Marcus and Fergus watched him too. It was Oliver who broke the silence.
    "We're not as civilised as we look," he grinned. "My mother fought Jack many years ago, and she's still here to tell of it. And she's been practising her skills every time a war comes along." He paused, and his grin widened. "And I know how to handle a few weapons myself."
    Angus considered him thoughtfully, and then he nodded. "It needs doing. And it will be easier and less risky if we work together."
    Julia smiled, her eyes bleak. "Excellent."
     
    Angus
    It broke my heart to see her anguish. I knew how she felt - I had felt it myself many years ago, but the passing of time had made the fear of the monster inside less acute. My iron control had also helped. But even now, as we discussed killing Jack, I felt it rejoice in me as it anticipated its imminent release.
    "We can use this place as a base of operations," Marcus began, "with your permission, of course," he glanced at Julia. She nodded. I saw something pass between them, both anticipation and regret in their expressions.
    "Absolutely," she said firmly. "Bill and Lucy and Simon can go to London for a few days."
    "I'm staying," said Simon, his mouth set in a stubborn line. "I can man the computers and the communication equipment from here. We have a safe room, so I'll be fine. Even if Jack decides to attack this place. Which he won't."
    "I think that's a good idea," added Fergus. "We need someone back here, and I will be needed in the front line. We have no idea how many bloodsuckers Jack has, and we need every vampire out there fighting."
    "So I'm coming too," stated Rebecca flatly
    Silence fell heavily on the room. Everyone looked at me. I looked at Rebecca.
    "Are you sure you want to do this?" I asked her. I knew she would resent any interference from me, and I had seen how she had handled the situation the first time she had been taken. If she wanted to do this, I would not stop her. But I would ensure that we fought together, and I would protect her. I waited for her answer.
    "Yes. I should probably tell you guys what happened today..."
    She broke off as the door to the dining room where we all sat was suddenly flung open and an angry Bill Colborne strode into the room.
    "What is going on here!" he demanded fur iously. "I have received a phone call from my brother. He's at the hospital! He says you put him in there," he looked at Rebecca incredulously. "He says you electrocuted him!"
    She looked straight back at him. "I did," she said flatly. "But he kidnapped me."
    "Nonsense! You expect me to believe your version of events over my own brother's?"
    "We don't expect you to believe anything." I told him flatly.
    Bill seemed to be flabbergasted by my words, and stood there with his mouth opening and closing, looking for all the world like an angry, hairy fish.
    Julia pushing her chair back, and stood up.
    "Your brother kidnapped Rebecca to sell to Jack," she told him , her voice icy. "And Lucy helped him."
    "Oh, nonsense!" he exclaimed, his face red with rage and a touch of guilt. I wondered how much he knew. "You would trust the word of a vampire freak over that of your own daughter and brother-in-law. I thought Jack was dead, anyway!"
    Julia just looked at him and sighed. She spoke carefully, as if to a small and recalcitrant child. "James is guilty of kidnap and assault at the very least. He deserves everything he got, and more."
    She watched him, her hands on her hips, as his disbelief and contempt declared themselves on his face. Then she took a deep breath and spoke, her tone measured.
    "That is the last time you refer to us as freaks, Bill. Get out of my house. Take your daughter if she wants to come with you, and leave. Go to London, if you want. This does not concern you."
    "I'm warning you, Julia. You push me too far!"
    "I would push you further if I could," she told him, and she tilted her head to one side, her gaze cold and considering.
    "Actually,