Mortals Rule: The Rule Series, #5

By Kasi Blake

This is the last in the Rule Series. Jack and Silver go to war with the original werewolf, Jersey Clifford. Some friends will die along the way, but Jack is determined to keep the love of his life alive. He's willing to do anything. An action-packed story with plenty of twists and turns to keep you turning those pages.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kasi Blake
• Release date: Jun 26, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223312208

Kasi Blake

Kasi Blake learned that writing was her superpower when she was in the third grade. The teacher asked the students to write a short (one-page) story about a pet monster for Halloween. She heard the other kids all saying they were doing vampires and werewolves, so she chose to write about a pet mummy. Her story made the entire classroom erupt with laughter. That's when she realized words had power. Then when she was in high school, she had to write a short story for a class and put it off until the last minute. While talking to friends that morning, she scribbled it out and handed it in. The teacher thought she'd plagiarized it. It was that good.. Later in college, her writing ability saved her from failing history. Kasi currently lives on a farm in the Midwest with cows, chickens, ducks, a dog, and a few stray cats.

Book preview

Chapter One

BLOODLUST

RUNNING.

Jack fled into a forest that stretched over a hundred miles, and someone or some thing followed. Scared and confused, he tried to run faster. His vampire-speed refused to kick in. In fact, none of his supernatural powers seemed to be working. Low-hanging branches tore at his unprotected skin. He should have been clear on the other side of the country, but he was stuck in unfamiliar territory.

Despite the inner voice screaming at him to keep going, he skidded to a stop on loose soil.

Twilight. Shafts of moonlight encased fog between the trees, trapping it like an eerie photograph. A branch snapped under a heavy foot. Blind panic hit him, and he took off like a sprinter after the starter’s pistol shot into the air. A painful stitch stabbed him below his ribs. He pumped his arms and legs faster in an attempt to get away from... something unknown.

Yesterday, he would have insisted being chased was the worst feeling in the world. It wasn't. The worst feeling was not remembering who or what was chasing you; yet, knowing if you didn't get away, something terrible was going to happen.

Dogs barked in the distance and men shouted, spurring him on. He dodged around a clump of trees and saw the reason for his lack of powers. The forest broke apart on a small clearing, and Jack's stomach dipped along with the land.

Suddenly, everything made sense.

Sound ceased as if someone had pushed the mute button on a universal control. The forest went deathly still. Was he dreaming? He had to be dreaming.

The dead didn't visit the living in the real world.

His brother sat on a fallen trunk that rotted on the ground, hands folded on his lap and an impish half-smile on his face.

B-billy? Just saying the name threatened to stop Jack's heart cold.

Billy nodded, grin widening. I've been waiting for you.

W-what? Why?

Because it's your fault I'm dead, Billy said in a matter-of-fact tone. Didn't you tell me the wizard was going to kill you? So, why am I the one not breathing?

Jack shook his head as a myriad of emotions caused him to tremble. Shame, grief, anger, they were all as much a part of his everyday life as his skin. He mumbled, You weren't supposed to die.

What about me, Jack? A deep baritone with a familiar accent asked over his shoulder. Was I supposed to die?

Ian Carver came around to stand between the two brothers.

I am definitely dreaming, Jack said, adding disappointment to what he already felt. It would have been nice to find his brother still breathing.

Ian shrugged. The facts are still the facts, son. If it wasn't for you, I'd be alive. We both would be. I told you to stay away from the dark wizard, begged you even, but you wouldn't listen. I'm only your father. Why should you care that I'm dead?

Just when Jack didn't think he could feel worse, Silver's father joined the discussion. Andrew Reign appeared on the other side of Billy with a grim set to his mouth. Instead of speaking to Jack, he addressed Ian.

His back and shoulders were rigid with visible anger. Your boy, or should I say vampire, doesn't listen to reason. If he had, I'd still be alive and taking care of my wife and daughter.

Jack shook his head again. "I had nothing to do with what happened to you. Silver told me you and your wife went after some werewolves on your own. Hunters die every day. You can't blame me for their deaths."

No. Andrew's eyes narrowed. "But I can blame you for my death, and this is why. The man vanished and popped up mere inches from Jack's face, startling him. You should have used the magical stone on Jersey Clifford when you had the chance."

Ian nodded. Here, here. He raised an invisible glass to toast Silver's dad before asking the next obvious question. Why didn't you kill Jersey, by the way, before things got so out of hand?

I'll tell you why. Isobel appeared within their growing circle. She looked good for a dead person.

They all did.

She added, Jack was using the head werewolf as a pseudo father figure. Sick, if you ask me. Everyone tried talking sense into him, even Silver, but he wouldn't listen. He convinced himself the werewolf was his friend, and he set everything into motion. Because of him, we're dead.

Jack could barely look at her because her death was definitely his fault. He'd wanted her and Cowboy to help him rescue Silver from Samuel after the wizard kidnapped her.

Silver had survived; Isobel had not.

I'm sorry for what happened to you, he said.

Isobel snorted. Are you? Are you really?

He nodded as words stuck in his throat. How did a person apologize for getting someone else killed?

Well, she said with a bark of humorless laughter. That makes everything all right, doesn't it? Her face tightened with rage, and she leaned close. Do you have any idea what it feels like to burn to death? My skin turned to ashes. I was awake and conscious right up to the final second.

Emotion choked him as he repeated, I am so sorry. Out of desperation he said, If there was anything I could do to bring you back—

Do it, Isobel said, and a glimmer of light hit her eyes as she retraced her steps. Bring us back.

How?

The room, Ian said in an ominous whisper. With Samuel's magic room, you can reach into the past and rescue us.

But he didn't know how to use the room. According to Samuel, only a faerie could bring someone back from the dead. It took a great deal of power. Afterward, Samuel had killed a faerie to recharge his batteries. He'd told Silver he was only able to resurrect one person at a time.

So, how was Jack supposed to bring everyone back that they'd lost before William shut him down? Or before it killed him?

Reading his mind, Ian said, Find a way... or live with the guilt forever.

☼

With an abrupt jerk, Jack woke on the couch. He avoided looking at his brother’s empty chair. Damp hair stuck to his forehead, and his heart thundered so hard it physically hurt. He wasn’t going to sleep again tonight.

Silver was alone upstairs in their bed, unaware of the turmoil in his heart.

Jack drifted from room to room, not satisfied until he checked every lock in the house twice. He tried to forget the fact William could pop inside without warning. It’s not like they had a spell strong enough to keep him out.

After killing the dark wizard, after biting him, William had the insane power that went with the title. Scary. No one knew what he was capable of, and Jack didn’t want to find out the hard way.

Once he finished his security check, he returned to the living room. Too wired to sleep, he flipped on the TV. There was always at least one old movie on, usually a comedy or a mystery. He avoided monster flicks for obvious reasons.

As soon as he found something interesting, he settled back, one arm resting on a throw pillow. They were Silver’s idea. She had placed some on the bed, too. He didn’t see the point in tiny, decorative touches, but it warmed his heart to see them knowing his wife had picked them out.

During the first commercial break, he went to the kitchen for a late-night snack. With two vampires in the house, they had to keep several bags of blood in the fridge. Although, Cowboy preferred to get his fresh from a live donor.

Starving, Jack ripped into the bag and drank the entire thing.

He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and waited.

☼

Hours later, even with vampire-speed, Jack barely made it to the kitchen sink in time. He puked up a fair amount of blood, maybe a pint, and turned on the faucet with a blind hand to wash it down the drain. Cold water congealed the blood into a dark red mess. The sight of it triggered another round of dry heaves. His stomach felt like an overfilled water balloon on the verge of bursting. Lately, he got sick every time he fed. Didn't matter if it was animal blood or the bagged stuff from the nearest hospital, he couldn't keep it down.

Sweat dripped off his forehead. He counted the drops to keep his mind focused on something other than the painful cramps. He gripped the stainless-steel sides of the sink tight with both hands and shuddered.

Sleep was an elusive thing, and he couldn't keep his food down. His body ached like someone had used it for a punching bag. How long could he endure this without cracking? It was worse than when he’d had the flu and worse than the metal poisoning in Alaska.

Early that morning, before Silver left the house, an inconceivable thought had taunted him. What if he just gave in to the urge and bit her? Sometimes his cravings kicked in worse around her than anyone else. The smell of her blood was ridiculous, even better than the scent of her hair.

Fortunately, he'd been able to squash the itch to take what he needed.

As soon as he finished vomiting, he returned to what he'd been doing before getting sick. Yesterday's newspaper waited on the breakfast bar with a black marker next to it. So far, he'd circled two possible jobs. The money their parents had left Billy was running out, and he had a wife to take care of. No way was Silver dropping out of school because of him.

He rubbed his turbulent stomach while staring down at the Want Ads. Maybe he was living in denial. If he wasn't able to eat, he would either die or lose control and kill somebody. Getting a job should be at the bottom of his to-do list, but he wasn't ready to give up on life yet. Something in Samuel's blood had made him sick. The optimist in him insisted it could go away without explanation or treatment. Anything was possible.

Bright sunlight spilled through the parted curtains over the sink. Late afternoon and Silver was on her way home. For the past few months, he'd managed to keep his illness a secret from her, but that wouldn't last. She was too smart. Sooner or later, she'd guess what was wrong with him, why he was grumpier than usual and couldn't sleep a full night.

Starving vampires couldn't think straight. If he wasn't able to find nourishment soon, he'd become too dangerous to share the same state with Silver, let alone the same bed. He might lose his grip on reality and bite her. It would only take a moment of temporary insanity, and she'd be dead before he came to his senses.

Vampires shouldn't sleep at night and stay up all day, Cowboy grumbled as he entered the kitchen. His hair stood straight up on top, and his eyes were bloodshot, making him look less terrifying and more like a kid ready for Saturday morning cartoons. Cowboy added, It isn't normal.

Jack stiffened. What's your point?

Made it. You look like crap.

Thanks.

The color drained from Cowboy's face, and he snatched the paper out of Jack's hands. Have you totally lost your grip on reality?

Jack had been dreading this conversation. He clenched his fists and tried to hold on to his temper. The weird sickness in his body had him living on a razor's edge. There should be a warning sign around his neck: Beware of fangs.

Cowboy cupped his hands around his mouth and put extra emphasis on each word. You... are... a... vampire. He wadded up the paper and threw it at Jack, hitting him square in the face. Get that through your thick skull. It's time for you to start behaving like a creature of the night again.

I told you I'm staying with Silver for at least four years.

Bull!

I made her a promise.

What about your promise to me? Huh? You swore we were out of here the second your little werewolf hunter was in the clear, and she sure looked fine and dandy when I saw her last night. What are we still doing here? Cowboy plopped down at the kitchen table. The wizard is dead, and everything is right with the world, so why aren't we on the road?

Silver's safety comes first.

I repeat, the threat is gone. Try again. Come up with a better excuse this time.

Samuel is dead, but his power lives on inside of William, and we have no idea what that maniac is capable of.

Cowboy shook his head. If the guy wanted to hurt your precious hunter, he would have done it when we were on the roof. He let us go. I think that shows his intentions are good. He's a decent guy... for a werewolf.

A flash of that night exploded to life at the front of Jack's mind, the last few seconds of his brother’s life, and he couldn't shake the bloody vision. In a sudden move, William had torn Billy's throat open with his sharp teeth. If Jack lived to be a thousand, he wouldn't forget the horrific sight of his brother's lifeless body.

Jack stormed into the living room with Cowboy a step behind.

His gaze immediately went to his brother's empty chair, and a wave of grief crashed down on him. For half a second, he lost control, and his eyes filled with tears. He blinked them away. After a single shaky deep breath, he reined in his emotions. It would be stupid to show weakness in front of Cowboy.

But what was he going to do without his kid brother bossing him around?

We don't know what William will do with his new power, Jack said. He sat on the couch, spine rigid, and waited for Cowboy to choose a seat. If Cowboy tried to sit in his brother's chair, Jack silently vowed to tear the guy's head off. It had only been a few weeks since Billy's death; Jack couldn't concentrate on anything other than that sad fact.

Cowboy chose to pace instead. William is on TV more often than that stupid law show with the six spin-offs. He's a fame whore, not a maniac on a killing spree. I don't think you need to worry about the werewolf hunter.

Stop calling her that!

Hey, I'm the one who should be mad here. Not you.

How do you figure?

Ah, let me count the ways. Cowboy numbered his fingers while going down a list he obviously had memorized. First, you take off without telling me or Isobel you're leaving. Then after we find you, you refuse to listen to reason and hit the road with us, but you swear we'll go as soon as your favorite hunter is safe. Next, you drag us into a fight with a dark wizard, and he kills my girl. Am I leaving anything out?

A fresh wave of emotional pain tackled Jack as he remembered Cowboy had lost Isobel because of him. Hadn't she said as much in the dream? He lifted his shoulders in a slow shrug, feeling helpless. There's nothing I can do about any of that now. If you want to hear me say I'm sorry again, I am. I'm sorrier than you will ever know.

Cowboy brushed away the apology with a flick of his hand. I don't want words, Jackpot. I want action. Either you give me a good, and I mean one hell of a good reason why we are still here, or you pack the car and we hit the road tonight. He scowled. And your reason for staying had better not start with the word Silver, or I swear I will go apocalyptic on you.

Cowboy wouldn't care if Silver fell dead in front of him, choking on her own blood. He cared about himself and how the world affected him. So, Jack gave him a reason that would interest him.

Have you forgotten about the magical room in Samuel's office building?

Cowboy's eyes narrowed. I forget nothing. He made a face. But pretend I don't know what you're talking about, and make your point.

Use your brain and your imagination for a change. Jack stood even though he felt weak after throwing up almost everything he'd eaten this past week. I want my brother back, and that room has the power to do it. We aren't going anywhere until I rescue him.

Didn't you tell me Samuel said only a faerie could reach into the past and grab somebody?

William has Samuel's power. It's possible he has enough to use the room.

What are we waiting for? Let's go see the wizard.

Not so fast.

Cowboy looked ready to blast off like a rocket. If that room can bring back my Isobel, I want to talk to its owner. Now.

We need to be cautious.

Why?

Jack's gaze went to the foil-covered window. The sun was shining bright; Cowboy was stuck inside. At least he couldn't run off to Chicago and confront William. If Jack knew his former werewolf brother—and he did—William was not going to help them out of the goodness of his heart. We need leverage, something to bargain with.

Like what?

His sensitive ears picked up the sound of Silver's car coming down the drive. I don't know, he said. Think about it for a while and get back to me. Silver's home.

Cowboy rolled his eyes. She isn't going to like it when she hears we've got plans that involve the bad guy.

That's why she isn't finding out. Jack gestured for Cowboy to leave the room. Disappear for a while.

Yeah. Sure. I'll just go for a walk in the sunshine. That should do the trick.

Go to my dad's office or upstairs. Cowboy was staying in Billy's old room. Just make yourself scarce. I know my days of playing house with Silver are coming to an end, so just let me enjoy it while it lasts. Okay?

Cowboy rolled his eyes again, but didn't argue.

Jack used his new stolen power to teleport himself outside.

☼

Jack popped up behind Silver.

For a second, he watched her root around in the trunk of his car. Being outside felt good. The sun warmed his skin to a pleasant temperature instead of setting him on fire. The memory of tainted blood gushing into his mouth brought a smile to his face. That sweet power was the reason he could enjoy sunlight again.

She grabbed a bag of groceries and tried to juggle her purse while picking up the other. Somehow, she'd found the only store left in America that used paper instead of plastic. Without thinking, he reached out to help.

A short-lived screech burst past her lips, and she slapped his arm. Stop doing that! You scared me half to death.

The bag of groceries slipped. Quick reflexes saved it from hitting the ground as he caught it in mid-air. He wrapped his arms around the paper sack and grinned at her. If I don't check to see what I can do once in a while, I won't know.

No reason to give me a heart attack.

I was hoping the power was temporary, but it's as strong as ever.

Silver nodded in understanding. And as long as the power you got from Samuel is working, we know what William took is as well.

I only got a crumb. William ate the whole damn loaf.

He could be capable of anything.

Nostrils flared, and Jack's tone turned rough. Don't you think I know that?

She did a double-take.

He reigned in his temper with a great deal of difficulty and mumbled, Sorry.

Seemed like he was apologizing a lot lately.

A long list of terrible things went through Jack's head. William might know how to make them explode by snapping his fingers. He'd done it to Blanca. Or he could be using Samuel's magical room to bring back people better left dead. What if he brought back the werewolf that had killed Jack's parents?

Blood drained from Jack's face.

You okay? Silver asked.

He forced a shaky smile. How was school?

Same as yesterday. I listened to boring lectures, took several pages of notes, and I have a ton of homework. How was your day?

I've got them. He lifted the other bag out of the trunk and carried both into the house with Silver on his heels. Her soft footsteps followed him to the kitchen, where he set the bags on the breakfast bar. She went to work without a word. He watched her put the food away, some in the refrigerator and some in the cabinets. A bittersweet tug on his heart threatened to push him over the edge.

He tried to memorize the moment and silently prayed it would last for years instead of days. She was his wife, his finally. The mere thought still had the ability to knock him off balance. They were married, together in every sense of the word just like a normal couple. But it