JAVIER

by Miranda Jameson

  “It’s a journal. Written in Italian. We have dates, events, names…mostly Empath.”

  Cassia turned and glanced across the room. Chronus’s face was chalky white and strained.

  “At last. At long last. I was beginning to believe it did not exist. Bring it over Cassia.”

  “What the hell is it Chronus? She can’t bring it remember? We are supposed to leave no trace of this search.” Javier’s voice was quiet and dangerous,

  “This has priority over the other matter Javier.”

  “On whose authority? You have used us Chronus. As far as I’m concerned nothing has priority over finding the killer of that poor boy; not to mention three dead Empaths and the unlawful detention of Flavia Mathrafal.”

  “Er, you two…if you can keep all that testosterone under control I have a solution.”

  Cassia took a powerful compact camera from one of her pockets and systematically went through the book photographing every page. She finished off by taking pictures of the front and back covers then returned the book to the safe, being careful to position it exactly as she had found it. Then she locked the safe, re-hung the picture and turned, concentrating her mind once more;

  “Stand out of the way please, I need to be clear of the door.”

  She materialized into the hallway and Javier grabbed her immediately and checked her over. There was such concern in his eyes that Cassia relented;

  “I’m alright Javier. Really. Please don’t worry.”

  He nodded, his hands stroking in a quick caress down her arms.

  “Let’s lock the place up and leave. Perhaps then Chronus can explain what this is all about. A very neat bit of manipulation Chronus; you live up to your reputation.” Javier’s tone was uncharacteristically cold.

  As Cassia reset the alarm, locked the door and changed back the setting on the surveillance camera she sensed the tension between the two men. They had been on opposing sides for a long time; mistrust must be second nature to them.

  They neared the wall and Chronus suddenly said casually;

  “The camera, I’ll take it and have a look at that book when we get back.”

  “No Chronus, Cassia will keep it till we return to the Island then we will all look at it together and you can update us.” Javier countered.

  “I need to have a look at it first Javier.” Chronus reached out and Cassia yelped in surprise as he grabbed her arm.

  Javier moved so fast he was almost a blur. In a heartbeat Chronus was pinned to the ground with Javier’s hand round his throat and his knee on his chest.

  “Back off Chronus! You do not touch her, understand? What the hell is all this about?” Javier’s quiet voice was deadly, his eyes almost black and his canines sharply extended. A warrior ready to kill; the contrast to his normal easy-going charm was terrifying.

  “Javier, you’re choking him. Let him go, Javier!” Cassia shouted frantically.

  Javier let go of Chronus’s throat and hauled him to his feet then waited while the Empath coughed and recovered his composure;

  “You know Javier of Seville, I only have to lift my hand and I could blast you straight to hell.” Chronus rasped, his face white.

  “Go ahead, I’ll get a shot off as I go and take you with me.” Javier’s gun pointed steadily at Chronus’s head. Cassia watched the two men confront each other; she had no idea what to do.

  “Please,” she pleaded, “Javier, Chronus, aren’t we all supposed to be on the same side now? Guys, this isn’t helping. Javier, please…please…I thought you two had fought together.”

  It was Chronus who backed down first, sitting heavily on the grass and holding his head in his hands as he muttered;

  “Shit. What a mess.” Then he turned to Cassia and said dryly, “Perhaps we would have had peace a lot sooner if we had left it to our women Javier. Can we talk somewhere else? Those dogs are going to wake up soon.”

  Javier lowered his gun slowly, the astonishment on his face palpable. Glancing at Cassia he asked;

  “Cass, can we shift over to your bijou place? It’s more neutral than the Island.”

  Cassia nodded and Javier tucked his gun away then reached out his hand to Chronus;

  “You are ruining that expensive suit Empath. Come, you can explain over a large single malt. Cassia has a bottle of really decent stuff at her place.”

  Fifteen minutes later they were sitting in Cassia’s Bloomsbury living room sipping from the generous measures of whisky she had poured. Chronus sat hunched over, lost in thought as he regained his composure after shifting. An Empath in her house; the head of Intelligence for the Empath High Council in her house. If someone had predicted that a week ago Cassia would have laughed about how ludicrous the very idea was.

  Javier was watching Chronus like a cat watched its prey, ready to pounce at the first provocation. Cassia had passed him the camera and it rested on the arm of his chair beside his gun. The silence stretched out and Cassia was just beginning to wonder whether she had any crisps or nuts stashed away in the kitchen when Chronus started talking.

  “We all have stories of people lost during the great conflict. Did your family lose anyone Javier?” as Javier shook his head Chronus smiled and took a long sip;

  “Well, you were incredibly lucky. LaSalle’s father, Gabriel’s parents and brother, the list goes on and on. Some of us Empaths wanted an end to it all, a truce, dialogue with you Vampires, our close cousins. Five of the ruling families got together to try to broker a peace. You were not born Cassia and Javier and I were mere boys; no older than that murdered kid, Spike. Yes, I do know his name Cassia and I do care.”

  Cassia nodded, not wanting to break the strange spell that seemed to have been cast over the room; an overwhelming air of sadness. It was emanating from Chronus; almost as if the emotions had leaked out of his body and were floating around affecting her and Javier. She had heard that this projection of their emotional state could happen with Empaths but Chronus appeared so controlled and disciplined. He must be more agitated than he let on. She felt a sudden surge of pity and compassion and Chronus turned to her and smiled;

  “Thank you. You have a warm and loving heart Cassia Mathrafal. Where was I? The backlash from Empath hard liners was ruthless and cruel and leading them with all the enthusiasm of a grand Inquisitor was our friend Draco Erebus. Many Empaths died because of him. He personally supervised the killing of Rhea and Arion of the House of Achilles. He wanted to make quite sure they did not escape and if Aries had not left the city with little Hera he would have killed them too.”

  Javier was leaning forward in his chair;

  “My god, does Aries know?”

  “He does now, ever since we unearthed that file. The one proving that Draco lived.”

  Cassia asked gently;

  “And why does it matter so much to you Chronus?” She had already made a guess at the answer.

  “The House of Chronus was one of the five ruling families I mentioned. My parents Alexander and Daphnis simply disappeared. To this day I have no idea what happened to them or how they were killed. Oh, I am quite certain they were killed. After I took over as head of Intelligence I used the resources at my disposal to try to find out. I need to know Javier, all the children and families of the murdered and disappeared need to know. If only to put flowers on their graves. We need to know.”

  “Is that all Chronus? Aries would deal with that, surely. You want to find him personally and then you intend to kill him. That’s it, isn’t it?” Javier asked quietly.

  “Yes. Like you killed the murderers of your consort. Aries would want a trial.”

  Javier nodded then passed the camera to Cassia.

  “Can you make him a copy Cass?”

  He turned back to Chronus.

  “This business is yours Chronus but you should have confided in me, I would have understood.”

  Chronus spread his hands and shrugged;

  “Old habits Javier.”

  “Draco Erebus harmed a lot of
people Chronus. Not just Empaths. Have you ever thought that maybe a trial would be the right thing? Get all that dirty laundry out once and for all? Deal with the past so we can all move forward? Killing those terrorists did not bring back Charlotte or any of the other poor souls they murdered but…it is your business as I said. My business is to find Dion and stop his Knights before they kill any more of our people or yours and to get hold of that dagger. That has to be our priority. What you have said tonight remains between us and you can have a copy for yourself but Draco’s journal needs to be seen by Aries and our High Council. Do not ask me to keep secrets from LaSalle.”

  Cassia listened. She could see the sense in what Javier was saying but she could understand Chronus’s point of view equally. After all, hadn’t she spent years fantasizing about what she would do to the man who had condemned her father to such misery? Chronus bent his head in assent;

  “Thank you Javier of Seville. I will think about what you said. Cassia, I am sorry to have involved you in this.”

  “Don’t mention it Chronus. I would do anything to see that man brought to justice. I’ll just go upstairs and make you a copy. Help yourselves to the whisky.”

  As Cassia went upstairs to the little box room she used as an office she listened to the men’s voices as they talked quietly.

  “She evaded me most skilfully in Florence you know. I could neither track her nor pin anything on her. Gabriel is right, she would be a good asset.” Chronus was saying.

  “That may not be what she wants Chronus. She is independent, she does not respond well to authority. She would drive Gabriel crazy.”

  “I understand Javier. She is your woman; you want to keep her safe from harm, to protect her.”

  She heard Javier’s bitter laugh;

  “Oh, she doesn’t want anything to do with me. She is not my woman. You misread that one Chronus.”

  “Did I? Is that why you damned near killed me when I laid hands on her? Why you cannot bear the thought of her being in danger? Love and protect and defend, those are our overwhelming impulses too when we find a mate.”

  Cassia stood frozen at the top of the stairs, listening;

  “You’re wrong Chronus. I don’t have any of those impulses. I do not. It’s impossible.”

  “I am an Alpha Empath Javier, you are in love with that woman and she is in love with you. You are both just in denial. Now, pour me another whisky would you?”

  CHAPTER 12

  It was a morose and depressed Chronus who left in a taxi just before midnight. He had decided to stay at his High Council’s London headquarters then catch the first flight back to Venice the following day. He needed to show the contents of the journal to Hera’s brother Aries.

  Javier waved him off then turned back indoors with a shiver. September in London; the nights were getting a little colder. Cassia sat curled up in an armchair munching her way through a packet of nuts; she offered it to him distractedly as he smiled and shook his head.

  “I really ought to keep some decent food here. Chronus could have done with something to soak up all that whisky.” she said; then, as Javier stretched out on the sofa she asked;

  “Why would someone like Draco Erebus keep a journal? Why did he record all those things he did? I mean, why would he not just keep quiet about them?”

  “You’re assuming he was ashamed of what he did. No, men like Draco are completely convinced of the rightness of their actions.” Javier mused quietly;

  “Do you think it is written there? The fate of Chronus’s parents?”

  “We’ll find out soon enough when we look through it. I hope he doesn’t start on his copy tonight. He had too much to drink. He was talking rubbish and he was reading things all wrong. Empaths cannot tolerate as much alcohol as we can. They never learn.”

  Javier wondered if Cassia had overheard what Chronus had said about the two of them. It was nonsense, of course it was. He remembered the way she had responded to him in that kitchen and his body tightened up all over. He wanted to touch her so badly his skin hurt. It was just physical, just sex. That was all. Chronus was wrong.

  “Javier, do you mind if I shift over to see Harry? Just to see if he’s alright. You don’t have to come, you could wait here.”

  “Is this because of your dream Cass?”

  “I can’t get it out of my mind. He’s old Javier. Humans can just keel over with heart failure you know; any number of things can make them drop dead. They are so fragile.”

  “I’ll come with you. Are you sure he will be up? And what about our clothes? Neither of us is dressed for a place like that.”

  Javier didn’t want Cassia out and about in London without his protection.

  “Harry keeps club hours, always has. I’ll give you co-ordinates to shift to, my back door route into the club.”

  Her back door route involved them shifting onto the roof of the building then taking the fire escape stairs down to the club’s offices. It was interesting that she had given him the co-ordinates when she could have just held onto him and shifted them both over, thought Javier. Obviously she didn’t want any physical contact with him. It made his heart ache.

  Harry Marshal looked up as the taciturn Walt let them into his office, his face breaking into a broad smile as he saw who it was.

  “Cassia! My lovely girl, to what do I owe the pleasure of your company two nights running? And I see you’ve still got your bodyguard.”

  Cassia dropped a kiss on his cheek then threw herself into a chair and stretched casually;

  “Just passing by Harry. I don’t suppose you could rustle up some supper could you? We’re both starving.”

  “She’s always starving.” Harry winked at Javier as he picked up the phone and reeled off an order. “Why are you really here my darling? You’re in your working gear and you both smell of whisky. Were you celebrating or commiserating?”

  Oh, he was sharp, thought Javier. No wonder he and Cassia had been working partners for decades.

  “Well, we were working on something connected to what we were discussing Harry. I just wanted to see if you were alright.”

  Harry Marshal leaned back in his chair, fiddling with his letter opener. He looked relaxed and handsome in his evening clothes but he glared fiercely at Cassia;

  “One twinge in my hip and you’re checking up on me? I’m not about to croak you know. My father lived till he was ninety three. I’m sure that’s nothing to you lot but to species homo-sapiens it’s a good innings.”

  “I wasn’t checking up on you. Don’t be so damned grumpy.” Cassia retorted.

  Javier watched the easy banter between them. Their mutual affection and comfort in each other’s company was obvious to anyone watching.

  “Anyway, I popped out and had a look at that place this afternoon.” said Harry suddenly, looking at Javier.

  Javier’s heart sank, surely not; “Which place?” he asked.

  “The warehouse and compound that biker gang use as their HQ. I sat and watched them for a couple of hours.”

  “Oh god Harry, they might have seen you.” Cassia sounded as dismayed as Javier felt.

  “Do you think I’ve gone gaga Cassia? I know how to watch a building and not be seen. Carry on like this and we’ll end up having a row! Do you want me to report my findings or not? Well, Javier of Seville, you’re in charge here, you tell me.”

  “He’s not in charge of me.” snapped Cassia;

  “Actually I am bonita, Harry, please, tell us what you saw.” Javier grinned as Cassia glared. She had an extensive collection of black looks, he reflected.

  “There was a lot of to-ing and fro-ing on their bikes. All in all there are twenty two of them. A lot of the bikes have the dagger insignia painted on them. It’s pretty distinctive. Only one car visited and I have a feeling that the man visiting was the head honcho, the boss. Big black chauffeur driven Mercedes, I took down the number.”

  Harry pushed a piece of paper over to Javier who pocketed it. He would get Katie to ha
ck into the relevant databases and find all the details.

  “Were you able to get a look at the man in the car?” he asked.

  “Not in the car, blacked out windows but when he got out I saw him clearly. Very powerful binoculars Javier as Cassia will confirm. The boss was about five eleven, thickset and blonde. The driver was a similar height, lean but athletic, also blonde. By the way their jackets fell I would say they were both armed. Ah, here’s supper. I got your favourite Cassia; chargrilled fillet steak cooked rare, extra crispy frites and green salad. No wine my dear, you already smell like a distillery. Got you the same Javier, hope that’s alright.”

  Javier suddenly realized how hungry he was as he joined Cassia at a small round table which had been efficiently laid with tablecloth, napkins, silver and food in the blink of an eye. Harry’s staff were obviously well trained. As the waiter left silently Javier asked whether Harry was joining them;

  “Too late for me to eat. When you get old Javier, eating late gives you indigestion. Anyway, I managed to get some decent photos. I’ve printed them out for you.”

  The food was simple but cooked to perfection. Javier ate quietly, listening to Cassia telling Harry about the Van Gogh and the Chagall she had seen back at the Island. She was careful, he noted, talking only about the paintings without giving any details away that would compromise their security. He loved the way her eyes shone with excitement and the way she used her hands to emphasise some point she specially wanted to draw to Harry’s attention. Soon she was telling Harry about Beatriz and her drawings and Harry turned to Javier sharply;

  “Your daughter? The woman Cassia impersonated was her mother?” he appeared concerned and Javier noticed the look of consternation on Cassia’s face.

  “Yes. She died eight years ago.” Javier ate the last of his steak.

  “Were you married long?” Harry asked, ignoring Cassia’s hissed rebuke;

  “It’s alright Cass.” Javier reassured her, “Nine decades, we were…married for nine decades.”

  The Human word married was an inadequate one to describe a bonded Vampire pairing, he thought, but it would have to do.