“This is what is going to happen. The club will be our starting point, someone will have seen something. I bet that is what Harry would do, wouldn’t he? If this was you, he’d find you just as we are going to find him. I’m going to get my gun then we’ll go together.”
Something about his tone must have got through to her because he felt the trembling ease and heard her frantic heartbeat slow down. She touched his face and nodded;
“I’m sorry. You’re right, that’s what he’d do. I…I just panicked, it won’t happen again.”
As Javier disappeared into the bedroom to collect his gun Cassia checked quickly through the pockets of her jacket and redistributed the items around slightly. Then she examined the picture on her phone again. No, it wouldn’t be Javier she thought, she wouldn’t let it be him, she’d rather it was her. Whatever was destined to happen would happen with or without a little intervention so she might as well give it her best shot.
With that thought she dashed across to the security panel; she was certain Javier hadn’t armed the net. No, he had been too distracted. Pulling out one of her high precision tools she worked quickly. He would be furious but at least he would be safe. Lastly she doubled locked the front door and pocketed the key. This would keep him out of danger. The net would arm in three, two…Cassia shifted out of the apartment in a black flurry. She knew exactly where she was going.
Javier laced up his boots then pushed his knife into place. With quick practised efficiency he checked his gun then replaced the clip with a fresh one. Ensuring he had spare ammunition he headed out of the bedroom and stopped dead. He knew without a shadow of doubt that the apartment was empty. Still, he took a tentative step forward and called her name;
“Cass? Cassia?”
The answering silence was deafening.
Javier forced himself to remain calm and strode across to the security panel. The net was armed. Black foreboding swamped him as he keyed in the code. There was no response, she had changed the sequence. He couldn’t shift out of the penthouse. Alright, that was not a problem. His heart thudded as he punched in the code that operated the private elevator. Then he hit the doors with his fist as they stayed firmly shut. She had changed those numbers as well.
“No you don’t Cassia Mathrafal.” he was muttering to himself as he moved to the front door then squeezed his eyes shut in dismay. She had double locked the door and taken the key. Screwing on his gun’s silencer with grim determination he aimed it at the lock and fired twice; in a building like this the sound of gun shots would conjure up armed police in minutes.
The damned door did not budge. Javier gave a roar of frustration and cursed Rafe for the money he had spent on making the security in this place water tight. He was trapped; Cassia had ensured he couldn’t leave the apartment and had gone off alone.
Javier backed up against an armchair and sat down heavily as panic completely overwhelmed him. If he had thought his protective instincts over Cassia were heightened before their bonding it was nothing to what he was feeling now. She was out there alone and in danger and he couldn’t do a damned thing about it. He’d have to stay calm or he would go completely mad with fear.
Grabbing his mobile he realized with a shock that he didn’t even have her number. In desperation he rang Gabriel. As he updated him he decided on his course of action.
“I’ll call into the nightclub first Gabriel, I’m sure that’s what she’ll do then I’ll take it from there.”
Javier paused as he listened to Gabriel’s question. Ever sharp, his fellow commander had worked out what he was going to do and was attempting to dissuade him.
“I have to Gabriel and I’ve trained often enough. I cannot let her face this alone. We…we are bonded…” he tailed off knowing there was nothing else he needed to explain. There was a short silence on the line then a few final words. As Javier ended the call he knew that Gabriel was about to mobilize every resource he had.
Heading into the master bedroom suite Javier crossed to the wall of floor to ceiling windows. The view was breath taking. It was the one closest to the far wall that was split to allow the top half to slide back. Looking out he studied the sheer drop down the side of the towering building; good thing he didn’t suffer from vertigo. Ensuring his weapon was securely and firmly anchored he climbed up and stood on the dividing pane of the window. There were very few of his kind who could pull off the kind of manoeuvre he was about to make. It took years of training and practise; the kind of training only a warrior undertook. Clearing his mind he stilled his body completely and focused with exacting precision, there was no room for error. A minute lapse in concentration would end in his death. Taking a deep breath Javier launched himself straight into the darkness beyond the electronic net that protected the apartment.
The wind whistled past him as he dived; hurtling downwards to the ground. His mind remained completely calm. He had split seconds. There was a shift in the air around him and he knew he’d done it as he entered the blessed whirling black vortex between dimensions that was going to take him up onto the roof of Harry’s nightclub.
Javier gripped his own arms and ribs briefly as if to reassure himself that he was actually alive and standing on firm ground not broken into a hundred pieces on the Docklands tarmac. Then he raced down the fire-escape; he had to find Walt.
He found him in Harry Marshal’s office bent over the desk peering intently at the computer screen. As Javier tapped on the door and entered Walt spun round and Javier found himself at the wrong end of a Beretta. He raised his hands slightly and relaxed his body;
“I’m looking for Cassia…Miss Mathrafal. Has she been here?”
Walt shook his head; the gun steady in his hand;
“No. Lost her have you? Well that doesn’t surprise me. I’ve worked for Mr Marshal for five years and keeping tabs on that daughter of his must be a minder’s nightmare.”
Javier digested this new kernel of information. So that was how Harry presented Cassia to the world. He could overpower Walt in seconds but he preferred to gain his trust; the Human was clearly worried sick.
“Mr Marshal is being held against his will. Miss Mathrafal has gone after him and I intend to find them both. Were you examining the CCTV footage?” Javier nodded at the computer screen. Walt slowly lowered his gun;
“I bloody knew it. It all looks innocent enough but my gut told me something was up. Here, have a look.”
Javier joined Walt at the desk and watched the footage. The Human was correct; nothing looked suspicious except that the person walking behind Harry was Dion Erebus and the expression in Harry’s eyes as he looked pointedly at the camera spoke volumes. He had not gone willingly. Javier felt Walt’s close scrutiny; he knew he was checking out the outline of his gun tucked into the back of his jeans.
“You ex Special Forces or something?” Walt asked abruptly.
Javier smiled bleakly;
“Something like that. Did you find a message? Anything Mr Marshal could have left? A note, a number…anything?”
“No, I’ve searched the desk thoroughly. His mobile doesn’t answer…nothing, nothing from the moment he got into that Mercedes. I should have guessed something was up when he sent me for fags…the guy didn’t smell of smoke and Mr Marshal doesn’t allow smoking in his office.”
“He probably did it to save your life.” Javier murmured; “This man would have killed you on his way out; he doesn’t like leaving witnesses.”
Javier phoned the Island;
“Try to get a fix on this mobile would you and check out the last numbers contacted.” he’d obtained Harry’s number from Walt but didn’t hold out much hope. Only a complete fool would leave a mobile phone switched on these days if they were trying to hide. Still, at least he could trace Cassia’s number from the call log.
Javier shut his eyes for a moment and took himself back to the picture on Cassia’s phone. Harry Marshal had been sitting on a chair. Javier had focused only on his image but Cassia had obviously s
potted something else and that something had put her one step ahead of him.
“Where to next? If you’re off searching for Mr. Marshal I’m coming with you.” Walt was clearly gearing himself up for action. Javier couldn’t risk it and anyway, the Human would slow him down. Reaching out quickly he touched his hand to Walt’s temple and, as he slowly subsided into a chair Javier erased all memories of the last half hour and implanted a different scenario. Walt would be out cold for at least twenty minutes. Finally Javier turned to the computer and deleted the CCTV file for the last week. Who knew how this was going to pan out; it was safer to leave nothing worth looking into.
He shifted straight from the office onto the roof of the building to avoid the cameras in the corridor and to give himself a moment to think. As he looked down at the London streets below Javier fought to keep his emotions under control. If Cassia materialized in front of him right now he wasn’t sure if he’d yell at her for her recklessness or grab her and hug her so tightly her ribs would protest. Probably both, he thought ruefully. He knew why she had done it; she was fiercely protective of those she loved and she loved him. She loved him. He remembered the way her eyes had shone when she’d said the words. He hadn’t told her. How could he not have told her when he’d felt it in his heart with every kiss, every caress, every breath? She hadn’t asked either. With a sharp stab to his heart he realized why; she wasn’t sure he loved her. Javier rubbed his eyes wearily and groaned.
He needed to keep a clear head if he was going to find her. Where was she? What had she seen that he had missed? She had examined the picture fixedly, turning the screen this way and that. She had seen something in the background and recognized it. Well she had been in both the Erebus properties; the one where Flavia had been held and the one in Surrey. It was unlikely Dion would go back to the first place but he didn’t know they had broken into the Surrey house.
What had Chronus’s agent reported? Dion’s black Mercedes had been to the Surrey house and had left. Javier suddenly laughed humourlessly. The car had blacked out windows; it was perfectly possible that Dion had stayed at the house and sent the car away with his driver. The time frame would fit.
He sent a quick text to Gabriel. His theory was certainly worth checking out. Time to find out what that bastard had really been after from the beginning.
CHAPTER 18
Cassia shifted into exactly the same spot she had arrived at previously with Javier and Chronus and peered over the wall. There were lights shining through the windows of Dion’s Surrey house casting their glow onto the manicured lawn in front. She looked up quickly; it was a dark night, the moon completely obscured by clouds. Good, that was to her advantage. She watched the house pensively; she could either march up to the front door and announce herself or she could take the stealthier approach. What would Javier do? Cassia gasped and hugged herself. He would be so angry with her but she could cope with that as long as he was safe; safe from whatever awaited her in that house. When she got back after this was over she would try to explain…if she got back.
Dogs…where were the damned dogs? Springing nimbly onto the wall Cassia walked along it and sniffed the air. Wherever they were it was not close by; another lucky break. She loosened the belt of her multi-pocketed jacket so it didn’t fit snugly against her body. All the heavier and bulkier items had been distributed into the front pockets and she hoped they would prove a distraction if she needed one. Her mind was made up; she would use the stealthy approach and give herself an advantage. Concentrating her mind she shifted straight up onto the roof. As she moved carefully over the tiles towards a flatter terraced area she wished she was in her work shoes; the biker boots were heavier, less flexible and much noisier.
Her gamble paid off as she spotted a round roof window. She peered inside, it was covered with cobwebs and obviously never used; it led to the attics. Fishing out her cutting tool Cassia traced a neat circle on the window pane then eased out the glass. Reaching through the hole she undid the catch, opened the window then slid sinuously inside, her feet touching the floor almost silently. She was in.
The attic room was pokey and led to another one; these had obviously been maids’ rooms in earlier times. Eventually Cassia came to a small dusty wooden staircase and crept down it. She tried the narrow door at the bottom; it wasn’t locked. Pushing it open just a crack, she listened intently. She could hear voices but they came from downstairs; she was certain this floor was empty.
She stepped into the corridor, wincing as the door squeaked slightly. How many of them were in the house? She sniffed; yes, human blood; Harry was here all right. Taking a deep breath Cassia deliberately stilled her thoughts and her emotions. Those were Empaths down there and they were known to be able to sense danger; she needed to keep her emotions locked down. Best to pretend she was on a job; her mind was like ice when she was working.
Reaching the edge of the galleried staircase Cassia stood in the shadows and looked down into the hall. Unless they had moved Harry she knew exactly which room they had him in. A door opened and she melted back against the wall as two men came out of the study she had searched with Javier. Her heart thudded; one of them was Dion Erebus, she recognized him from Harry’s photo. The other man was an Elder. As the two men stood in the hall the Elder turned and the light caught his face. Cassia fought for control as her mouth went dry and her heart crashed against her ribs. The Elder was a mature version of Dion; this had to be Draco Erebus.
The conversation between the two men stopped as Draco suddenly looked puzzled then glanced around him;
“Papa? Che cos’e?” Dion’s eyes followed his father’s;
The Elder looked all around the hall then shrugged and continued towards the front door;
“Niente. Deve essere umano. Fino a domani.”
The two men shook hands and clasped shoulders then Draco left.
Cassia opened her eyes. It had taken an epic effort to control her emotions after the shock of seeing the man she now knew had destroyed her father. Thank goodness she had managed it because it had saved her from discovery. Draco Erebus had sensed danger but he had blamed his feelings of foreboding on the human…on Harry. The only consolation was that Dion Erebus had not sensed her. Hadn’t Chronus said he was a Beta Empath? He obviously did not possess the same finely tuned empathic powers as his father. Good, her luck was holding.
As Dion returned to the study Cassia assessed her situation. What exactly was her plan? She was playing this completely by ear; best case scenario she’d grab Harry and shift out with him. However that was risky; she had no way of telling if the security net was armed. She should assume it was. Next best scenario…she and Harry would make a nimble escape through a window. They had plenty of practice at that manoeuvre. First she had to get to Harry; she was sure he was tied up or he would have already escaped. Locks were no obstacle to him either.
Descending the stairs silently Cassia crossed to the room with the lasers and carefully opened the door. Both Harry’s hands were handcuffed to a chair and behind him on the wall was the Rembrandt. She had recognized the bottom left quadrant of the painting in the picture Dion had sent to her phone.
Harry appeared to be unconscious and Cassia pushed the door shut then rushed across the room, dropping to her knees in front of him.
“Oh god Harry, what have they done?” she hissed as she shook him.
“Harry! Wake up!” Cassia took out her picks and hurriedly unlocked the cuffs. She could manage, she was strong enough to carry him. She was a Vampire after all.
As she gripped Harry under the arms and lifted him from the chair he suddenly jerked into consciousness;
“Cassia! You shouldn’t have come here my darling. Put me down for heaven’s sake.”
Cassia eased him back into the chair;
“What did he do? Did he whack you? Come on Harry, get up, we have to leave…”
Cassia moved swiftly to the window and checked the frame for sensors; knowing what was kept in this room she
expected the worst and she was right.
“Cassia.” Harry said;
“I’m just going to disable these Harry then we’ll vamoose.” Cassia muttered as she concentrated.
“Looks like we’re staying a little longer my girl.” Harry’s tone was grim and Cassia suddenly felt her skin crawl. Gripping the screwdriver tightly in her hand she turned around slowly.
Dion Erebus leaned casually against the doorframe with his arms crossed. Another man stood with his gun pressed against Harry’s temple.
“The beautiful and intrepid Cassia Mathrafal. A pleasure to meet you at last. Do come and join us, carefully… Cyrus there has a really itchy trigger finger.”
Cassia moved calmly into the centre of the room;
“How did you detect me?” she asked, genuinely interested.
“My father’s instincts are never wrong. After he left I realized there could not have been a threat from the Human because he was unconscious so I decided to check and I’m so glad I did. Can I claim a first Miss Mathrafal? I believe I can…never been caught before have you? Well, you’ve never broken into an Empath house.”
Cassia gave her most dazzling smile; she couldn’t understand it, she should be afraid but she felt nothing except curiosity. Her mind was crystal clear.
“Who do you think stole your father’s Goya? Oh, and by the way, this is my second visit to this house.”
“Cassia.” Harry’s tone sent her a warning.
“Cyrus, search her.” Dion ordered abruptly.
The Empath Cyrus had the coldest eyes Cassia had ever seen. They were the colour of ice as they stood eye to eye.
“Empty your pockets.” his voice was dead calm.
This was a stroke of luck. With much scowling Cassia removed items from the bulky pockets of her jacket and banged them down on the table one after the other saving the ones at the back.
“And the back pockets.” said Cyrus.
Cassia hesitated a moment then huffed reluctantly, fished out the three items from her back pockets and slammed those down beside the other stuff.
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