JAVIER

by Miranda Jameson

“I’m sorry.” Harry said as Javier felt Cassia touch his hand gently. He realized his attention had wandered and turning his palm up grasped her hand in his. It surprised her; she blushed and looked down then squeezed his hand tightly.

  “Well, would you like to have a look at those photographs?” Harry asked abruptly.

  Cassia snatched her hand out of Javier’s and the two of them left the table and leaned over the desk where Harry had spread out the photos.

  “Well he’s put on weight since our last encounter but this is Dion Erebus alright. He’s obviously been operating only in the Human world for the last decade which is not our concern. He has been rebuilding his little empire. He must have wanted to draw us out; it is as you said Cass, the only way to get at one of us is through something personal. He’s using these Humans and the slayer cult to attract our attention. He knows we would never ignore such a threat. He wants revenge, pure and simple.” Javier murmured, half to himself.

  “Well, he must have tired of his mistress Javier; I thought Chronus said he was in Venice. He may be a lot cleverer than Chronus gives him credit for.” Cassia peered at the pictures

  “Or Erebus the Elder is pulling the strings. I’ll just call Chronus and tell him he’s got faulty intelligence. Thank you for these Harry, and the car registration.”

  Javier had the Empaths’ London HQ on speed dial and was soon updating a tense and distracted sounding Chronus. The Empath was wide awake and stone cold sober and that meant only one thing; he had started reading Draco’s journal. Chronus had a whole new set of priorities.

  He ended the call and stood tapping his phone absently against his chest; tracking down and taking out Dion and his cronies was the easy part. How were they going to neutralize the bikers? Twenty two humans belonging to the same gang; it would be pretty conspicuous if they were all killed whatever LaSalle said. No, they would have to find some way to wipe and reset their memories. He needed to confer with LaSalle and the other commanders. In the meantime a detailed picture of that compound would be very useful.

  Cassia and Harry were talking quietly together as he joined them;

  “Trouble?” asked Harry, Javier smiled distractedly;

  “More of a logistics question. Harry, do you have a really good camera? One that can take clear pictures at night?”

  Cassia smiled as Harry went over to a cupboard and returned with a very professional looking camera.

  “Cassia knows how to work this. Be careful with it, I want it back, it cost thousands. You can send your pictures directly to a computer from this.”

  Javier turned to an expectant Cassia;

  “I want to get up on that roof and photograph the entire compound and perimeter from above. It will be useful when planning how to hit them; you take the pictures, I’ll cover you.”

  He screwed the silencer onto his gun, released the safety and put out a hand for Cassia;

  “Come on Cass, I’ll get us straight up there. Harry, you have seen how we travel?”

  Harry nodded, backing away from them;

  “Cassia got us out of a tight situation once by doing that. It was a horrible experience. I’m sure I felt my molecules scatter.”

  Javier grinned;

  “Ha…it is not like Star Trek Harry. Our molecules do not scatter, we simply slide between dimensions. I believe the scientific term is matter transfer. We’ll be back within the hour with your camera.”

  Cassia was completely rigid as he pulled her in close and he was certain she was holding her breath as they shifted out.

  Javier pulled her down into a crouch on the roof of the biker’s warehouse. Cassia waited, completely still as he held tightly onto her wrist while he scanned their surroundings; scenting the air.

  “Something has changed.” he whispered; “No dogs and I’m sure I can detect…”

  He tailed off and made silently for the skylight, signalling to her to remain where she was. Cassia could hear voices drifting up to the roof and suddenly picked up on the same scent as Javier. Oh God! She joined him as he beckoned her over and they peered down into the warehouse together.

  There were five Human males standing in a semi-circle. They were all gang members by the look of their outfits and tattoos and they were busy goading the sixth male who stood handcuffed to a metal post.

  “It’s another young one.” Cassia whispered in dismay;

  “They must be easy pickings for the gang’s Empath guides. Oh no, look, he’s trying to shift out and failing miserably. His distress and fear won’t be helping. Javier, what are we going to do?”

  Javier’s expression was completely calm as he turned to face her. He obviously had a plan.

  “Get him out of there. Cass, I need you do to exactly as I say, no arguments. Can you do that?”

  There was quiet authority in his voice and Cassia nodded.

  “I’m going to draw them away from the kid. They will not be able to resist, I guarantee it. Watch carefully, as soon as I have their attention I want you to shift down, get him and shift out immediately. Go back to Harry’s, he’s got food and probably has a first aid kit, the boy’s been hurt. I’ll join you there.”

  “But, I can’t leave you Javier, there are five of them…”

  Javier grasped her arm;

  “No arguments Cass. Take the boy to safety and stay with him. He’ll be terrified of Humans, even Harry.”

  Cassia stared at Javier, remembering the dream. What if it was him? What if…

  Javier shook her arm then suddenly reached out and stroked her cheek as tears pricked her eyes and clogged her throat;

  “Stop that. It’s not going to be me Cass. I need you to focus querida; don’t fold on me now. We can get him out together, understand? Cassia!”

  Cassia took a deep breath. She was being ridiculous and she was letting him down. Forcing herself to remain calm she briefly shut her eyes and cleared her head. Focus; that was what she needed to do; what she had trained herself to do before a job.

  “Sorry, I’m fine now. I’ll do as you say. I expect to see you back at Harry’s Javier of Seville. Don’t let them hurt you, you’re much too pretty. Women would be in mourning all over the land.”

  Javier smiled and kissed her hand then there was a swirl of black energy as he shifted out. Cassia wriggled forward so she had a clearer view of the warehouse. She needed to make sure she made her move at exactly the right moment. She was completely focused now as she took out her set of picks and held them ready in her hand. Those cuffs would take mere seconds to unlock.

  She watched Javier materialize into the doorway of the warehouse. A dramatic entrance, she thought. He was back lit by one of the security lights and at six five and dressed in black he was certainly giving those Humans the full Vampire warrior experience.

  “Good evening gentlemen. So easy, baiting a child. Fancy taking on the real thing?”

  Oh, she loved that voice and that accent, thought Cassia, as she saw Javier walk catlike into the light, his gun pointing steadily at the men. He smiled coldly, exposing his sharp white canines.

  There was a loud chorus of startled curses as the men span round. They appeared to be momentarily hypnotized; Cassia could almost smell their fear. She watched carefully, poised for action. Javier was deliberately drawing them away from the prisoner.

  “Easy when you’ve got a gun, bloodsucker!” one of the men called.

  Javier looked at his gun as if surprised then to Cassia’s horror tucked it behind his back then pulled out the evil looking knife from his boot;

  “You’re so right. What was I thinking? Shall we take it outside? More room to fight there. No need to be so scared boys…five against one.”

  Cassia dragged her eyes away from Javier as he backed out into the courtyard taking the men with him. Now was her chance.

  She shifted out and materialized behind the boy.

  “Do not make a sound.” she whispered in their old language, “I am getting you out.”

  Unlocking the handcuffs
she put both arms tightly round the boy from behind. Oh god, she hoped Javier was alright. Concentrating her mind she shifted them both out back to Harry’s office.

  It was hard to decide who was more startled; Harry or the boy. Cassia led her charge over to a sofa talking to him quietly.

  “Do not worry. This Human will not hurt you. What is your name and when were you taken?”

  She continued using the old language hoping it would reassure him. She turned to Harry to ask for the first aid kit she knew he kept in his office then smiled as she saw him approaching with it.

  “He’s been roughed up Cassia. Here, I’ll hang back till he calms down a bit. How old is he? He looks about seventeen.”

  The boy stared at them both and spoke in English;

  “I am seventeen, still can’t shift. Can’t seem to get the hang of it yet. An Empath grabbed me and took me there in the boot of a car. Who are they Miss?” he spoke breathlessly, the words tripping over each other.

  “Slow down kid. What’s your name?” Cassia gripped the boy’s arms to steady him then passed him the brandy Harry had brought over. The boy took a large swig then coughed violently and shook all over, his teeth chattering;

  “Michael, my name’s Michael. Can you call my father? He’ll be frantic. Please.”

  “Everything’s under control Michael. We’ll call your dad. Now, I want you to take my vein, just a small amount to calm you. Understand?”

  Raising her wrist to the boy’s lips she watched as Harry suddenly backed against the desk, his eyes widening.

  “Harry, my dear friend. I explained about our ways. Please, please don’t look like that; blood is life to us. Please.”

  As Michael bit down into her vein then shut his eyes and drew deeply she watched Harry. She couldn’t bear it if he was disgusted.

  “Is he hurting you?” Harry asked, staring in fascination.

  “No, we are used to it. Where’s Javier? I thought he’d shift out as soon as I left with the kid.” Cassia forgot about Harry’s feelings as she fought against the rising panic inside her. She had expected him to be right behind her. What was taking him so long? Ten more minutes passed. She felt a slight wave of dizziness and focused her attention back on the boy Michael. He was taking too much; she hadn’t topped up since she had given blood to young Rose. Gently she tapped his shoulder and whispered;

  “Stop. Enough for now.” He was well brought up and disengaged immediately then leaned and sealed her wounds.

  She was just about to settle him back on the sofa and clean some of the scratches and grazes when there was a disturbance in the air and Javier shifted in, black energy swirling around him in eddies.

  Cassia jumped to her feet, her hands clenched into fists as Harry exclaimed;

  “Hell’s bells! I’m definitely going to have a heart attack at this rate!”

  “Alright chico?” Javier smiled at the boy who was staring at him open mouthed then grinned at Cassia;

  “Good job Cass. Nice work.” Cleaning off his knife on his black jeans he stuck it back into one of his combat boots.

  “Good job? Where the hell have you been? Look at the state of you! I thought you were following right behind. You’ve been at least twenty minutes.” Cassia yelled as she grabbed Javier’s left arm, staring in alarm at the blood dripping from the long gash.

  “It’s nothing.” He wiped away the blood from a cut on his lip and grinned again;

  “You should see the other guys. I thought they deserved a little roughing up themselves…payback, eh kid?”

  The boy Michael nodded dumbly and gazed at Javier with blatant hero worship stamped all over his young face. Harry came and took over cleaning the boy up as Cassia dashed into the small cloakroom and dampened a towel to wipe some of the blood from Javier’s arm. She listened, lips tightly compressed as he spoke rapidly on his mobile to one of his men, making arrangements for Michael’s safe return. How dared he swoop in grinning all over his face as though it was some sort of big game? What if she had lost him? Drawing in a shaky breath Cassia squeezed the excess water out of the towel and stared at her own reflection in the mirror;

  “You stupid woman, you can’t lose something you haven’t got.” she whispered. God, she felt rough, she would have to visit the Donor as soon as possible.

  Javier had finished his call and was talking quietly to Harry and Michael.

  “I apologise for all this Harry, I’m afraid you are about to have another of us shooting in here any second. Michael, one of my warriors will take you home. I want you to give him every single detail you can remember.”

  As Harry poured generous measures of whisky, Michael asked;

  “Sir, are you a warrior on the Council? Have you ever met the Comte de LaSalle?”

  Cassia knelt in front of Javier and shoved him further back into his chair before grabbing his injured arm roughly and dabbing at all the blood with the towel;

  “Michael, this big brawling idiot is Javier of Seville. He’s a bloody commander on the Council and he reports to LaSalle. Look at the size of this cut! How could you let someone get in so close? You’re dripping blood all over the carpet. Stop wincing…I’m trying to…”

  Cassia’s breath suddenly hitched and she stopped and sat back on her heels blinking fiercely as she twisted the towel tighter and tighter in her hands.

  “Cassia, Cass. It’s alright, everything is alright. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make a joke of it all. It’s just our way; gallows humour I suppose. Hush, Cass…” Javier’s tone was gentle as he spoke to her quietly, soothing her with his voice as his hands smoothed the escaping strands of hair back from her face. Cassia held his eyes and nodded, smiling ruefully;

  “I’m the one who should say sorry, you must think I’m a complete idiot.”

  Javier shook his head and leaned in to say something when the warrior Andreas suddenly materialized into the room. He jumped to his feet, all business again as he explained what had happened and arranged for Michael to be returned home. It was all extremely efficient. Cassia watched as Andreas tucked his semi-automatic under one arm, grasped the boy in the other and after a brief parting nod to Harry and herself left in a flurry of black.

  “Expecting anyone else? This office is beginning to feel like Piccadilly Circus.” Harry remarked dryly as he watched Javier apply a dressing to the cut on his arm. Cassia took over;

  “Here, let me finish that for you. You can’t do your own first aid…what’s so funny?”

  Javier smiled wryly, enjoying the feeling of her taking care of him;

  “I was thinking about the many times I’ve patched myself up after an injury over the decades. Even sewn myself up a few times. It comes with the job I’m afraid.”

  “You are going to have to move against them soon aren’t you?” Harry asked

  Javier nodded. “Very soon. It will be tricky but I’ve got a plan forming. I am grateful for all you have done Harry Marshal. I beg you not to go near them again.”

  “It’s certainly been an eventful night.” Cassia rubbed her forehead wearily; it would be dawn soon. She felt exhausted and she needed to visit the Donor. The scent of Javier’s blood as she had bandaged his arm had made her heart pound. She would make sure she went as soon as they got back to the Island.

  “We will have to stop by your place and pick up that memory card remember?” Javier said as she kissed Harry goodbye. Cassia had almost forgotten about that; well she would be more than ready for her bed after all this.

  CHAPTER 13

  Javier sensed something was wrong the moment they arrived back at her Bloomsbury house. Cassia punched in the code for her alarm system then ran up the stairs, returning seconds later with the memory card. She was oddly jittery and wouldn’t make any eye contact.

  “Right, got it. Quick, let’s get back to the Island.” Her voice was breathy.

  “Yes, of course. Cassia, what’s up? What is wrong?” Javier asked slowly, reaching for her arm; why wouldn’t she look at him?

&nb
sp; Cassia backed away, hugging herself round the waist;

  “Nothing. Why should anything be wrong? Let’s go now.”

  “Cass, did you give blood to Michael?”

  She nodded, backing away still further,

  “I shouldn’t have, I know. He needed it, it calmed him down. Javier, please…please let’s just go now. I need to get to the Donor.”

  Suddenly Javier knew. His heart started hammering. She didn’t just need blood, she wanted his. That was why she was backing away, why she refused to look at him. This had never happened to her before; he’d lay money on it.

  “Cass, look at me.” He reached for her gently; Cassia shook her head and backed right into the wall. Javier lifted her chin and felt as if his heart would beat right out of his body. Her pupils suddenly dilated turning her eyes almost black with hunger and her canines descended as her vision focused on the vein in his neck.

  “I really need to get to the Donor.” she repeated, trying to wrench her chin out of his grasp.

  Javier stared as his heart raced. He should do as she asked. She was afraid, the need was overwhelming her; he knew how that felt. More than ever he was certain that she had never had a lover who was one of her own kind. She wanted to take from him and as far as he was concerned she could have every drop in his body. She was his and the instinct to take care of her was ingrained in his DNA. Blood was life.

  “Javier, please, let’s go. It hurts…it hurts…” Cassia implored him.

  “No, I’m here. This is what you want.” The spirits forgive him but he leaned in and traced her mouth gently with his tongue then kissed her, deliberately pressing his tongue against one of her sharp teeth so that his blood flowed into her mouth. The moan she let out as she plunged both hands into his hair was at once despairing and erotic and he lifted her up and carried her to the sofa, sitting down with her astride his lap. No pretence here that he was going to offer her his wrist though he knew that was what he should be doing. It had been so long since…

  No, he wasn’t going there, Javier thought as he tried to pull the neck of his T-shirt down urgently; this was about Cassia. About the two of them together. Damn this, reaching down into his boot he pulled out his knife, nicked the fabric then ripped his T-shirt open exposing his throat.