by Janice Jones
She didn’t look back until she was outside the gate and headed down the path to the hotel. Maybe that had bought her a little time, maybe it hadn’t. One day, the truth would come out; all of it. The vampires would find out that Dr. Carlisle had used their DNA to construct those hybrids that were now dead; all but one. And whoever that someone was would find out that she wasn’t constructed—that she was born the old fashioned way. Of all the hybrids, she was the strongest and the oldest, and the only one left on earth. One day all supernatural beings would be introduced to the world and everything would change. And one day, her secret would come out too. The secret she had kept since that day in desert when Tristan Ambrose revealed her fate and sealed his own.
Chapter 22
“This is Area 51 Lab,” the female voice announced. “Can you hear me okay?”
“Yes, we can hear you just fine, Emily. Anything to report?” Adam answered.
“Yes, sire, but you’re not going to like it,” she replied in a solemn voice.
“Is he too far gone?” Jason jumped, palms sweaty.
They could hear noise in the background, doors slammed, voices rumbled in confusion.
“No, Mr. Stavros,” she sighed. “He’s just gone.”
Jason almost choked as he put his glass down, “What? What do you mean gone?”
“He was being transported from x-ray back to his room,” she answered. “Someone took him sire. I’m sorry.”
Adam crushed his glass in his hand as he yelled, “You had better be joking, Emily!”
“I’m sorry, Adam, but I’m not. He’s gone and we lost ten guards.”
Jason asked Nikki to leave.
“He was practically comatose! How did this happen right under your nose?”
“Someone on the inside helped, I’m sure. We’re going over all the employee files now to see who’s missing or new at the facility. We’ll find them.”
Jason slammed his fist down on the machine. Its shiny pieces dropped silently to the carpet. Remnants of the coffee table piled on top of them.
“Stupid,” he hissed as he paced in front of a silent Adam. “Damn!”
His mobile rang and he cursed again to see that it was Conner. Adam shook his head, but he answered anyway.
“Jason,” Conner sniffed, “I’ve been calling for a few minutes. Is there something wrong with your office phone?”
Jason looked at the pieces and shook his head again. “Sorry. It’s been acting up all day. Um . . . the humans are here, safe.”
“Good,” he sighed. “I’d like to speak with her if that’s possible.”
Jason could feel his stomach turn. “Of course sire, as soon as she’s ready, we’ll call you.” He took a shot of tequila and prepared for the worst. “Sire, there’s been a development with Jesse Cooper.”
“Has he made a turn for the worse?”
“No, not exactly.”
“What then?”
“He’s been taken from the facility, we’re . . .”
When he roared the feedback stung Jason’s ears and Adam jumped at the sound over the small speaker. “You let someone take him from the facility?” Conner barked.
“Sire, I just got word myself . . .” Jason huffed before being interrupted again.
“I want them, all of them, on video conference in one hour! Do you understand me, Jason?”
“Yes sire.”
The phone folded up in his fist, the sharp edges cut his palms as he let them fall to the floor next to the rest of the mess he’d made. He emptied the bottle of Patron, washed the blood from his hand at the bar sink and dropped back in the chair.
“Do you know where they are?” Adam whispered, still staring at him.
Jason shook his head slowly.
“Find them!”
Adam stomped from the room; doors slammed and glass broke in his wake.
_______________
When they pulled up to the front of the junk yard, they spotted her on the hood of her car. The expensive sports car didn’t stand out as much as one would think. The vehicles scattered around the dark lot were all expensive. From antiques to the most exotic machines on four wheels, the gravel parking lot looked like Barrett Jackson on auction day.
She slid from the car as they pulled into a space.
Xavier grinned as they all looked around, “What is this place?”
“Dog pound,” she replied, as they followed her toward the chain link gate.
There were old Junkers piled high on either side. More lined the path deeper into the property. Pulling the gate open, Alex led the way down the narrow path.
“This is a junkyard, not a dog pound,” Kai sniffed.
Sebastian took a deep breath as his incisors dropped and his muscles bulked.
“Whoa! What’s wrong,” Xavier whispered as he reached for his weapon.
The night air brought cheers and howls from deep within the property. Barks, blood-curdling screams of pain, and anguish flowed overhead. When the circle of people came into view, Alex just stood still. The others drew their weapons and waited for her signal.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” said a sweet voice from behind them.
When Kai spun, she had his gun and he was on the ground before he knew it.
Sebastian charged, but didn’t make it very far.
Two big men in partial wolf form stopped him. He growled and spit as they slammed him to the ground and held him there. David and Xavier both stopped short when the sniper beams hit them in their chests. Alex raised her hands slowly as she smiled at the woman.
She turned in a full circle to show no visible weapon under the jacket she still wore.
The woman smiled back and then whipped out her hand to slap to Alex’s face. She laughed when Alex spit out her own blood. “I thought I told you not to come back here!” she yelled.
“I just want to talk to Lucas, that all,” Alex replied, as she rubbed her cheek.
“Talk or screw,” she laughed.
Alex continued to smile with her hands behind her back. “Talk. He’s not real good at multitasking.”The woman laughed as she pushed Alex toward the noise and the team behind them.
Alex and the woman stood in the center of the large circle.
The team was being held at gunpoint on their knees a few feet away.
“Brothers and sisters of the Pack, we have visitors! Humans and their pet bloodsucker,” she yelled, as she walked around the circle with pride. “The best the Tracker organization has to offer—which explains why the humans are in such bad shape these days!”
Alex followed her with her eyes as the crowd roared and booed.
The woman turned to Alex; her round eyes a deep sapphire, teeth long, white, and dripping with saliva. She pulled her wavy, dark hair into a ponytail as she circled Alex.
“You’re interrupting our recruiting session,” she hissed.
“Sorry, I just need to talk with Lucas, then we’ll leave you to it,” Alex stated politely.
The woman kicked her in the small of back and the dirt puffed up around her when she fell to the ground. Rolling just in time, the woman’s foot slammed down where Alex’s head had been. Jumping to her feet, they circled each other like gladiators.
“Can I be of any assistance to the great and powerful Alexa Stone?” she purred. “Lucas isn’t here.”
Alex cracked her neck and knuckles in preparation for the next attack.
“That’s all you had to say, Deanna. Let him know I came by, okay? I’ll call him later.”
When she started to back away, Deanna howled.
Alex stopped, slipped out of the jacket and pushed up her sleeves.
“I don’t think so,” Deanna purred again. “If you want to leave, without a severe limp that is, you’re gonna have to get past me! If you think you can do tha
t old lady, let’s play!”
Deanna’s razor sharp nails cut through Alex’s thin t-shirt. Shortly after, thin ribbons of blood appeared on her torso, stinging as the wind blew over them.
When she looked up, Deanna’s fist caught her chin, and then the tip of her cowboy boot cracked two ribs when she kicked Alex into the air. She hit the ground right in front of her team. Each breath sent an icy sharp pain through her chest as she rocked slowly.
“Stay put!”
Back on her knees Deanna took Alex by the hair before she could get to her feet.
“That was a bitch move,” Alex stated as she pulled her hand from her hair.
“I am a Bitch,” Deanna laughed and the crowd roared.
“Good point!”
The crowd roared again as Deanna tossed Alex like a rag doll to the other side of the circle. Alex rolled to her back in time to see Deanna as she flew through the air, big knife in her hand and rage on her face. With both feet, Alex kicked her back to the other side and was on top of her before she could react. She twisted Deanna’s arm behind her until she dropped the knife. Taking out one knee, Deanna flipped Alex over her back.
Alex’s foot shot back in a flash and Deanna was on her back, Alex sitting on her chest with the tip of the silver knife to her throat.
As the blood slid down the blade, Alex was close to taking her life and it felt good!
“This is for the ‘old lady’ crack,” Alex glared down on her and slid the tip over her skin.
Deanna screamed when her flesh opened and her blood seeped out.
“Stop!”
The crowd parted and the cheering stopped when he came into view.
The others were pulled to their feet and pushed into the ring, weapons tossed at their feet.
“I said stop, now! Put the knife away, Alex. I’m here,” he stated in a half growl.
Alex stumbled to her feet and backed up. Staking the knife in the ground as she spit out more blood. He pulled Deanna to her feet and pushed her into the arms of two big men.
When he stepped up to Alex, he wiped her bloody lip with a piece of cloth from his pocket.
Lucas Wolfe was tall and all lean muscle—bare arms sweaty and tight—with a Pack tattoo etched in the reddish brown skin of one broad shoulder. His wavy curls shined black in the moonlight.
“She’s still pissed at you,” he whispered with a smile.
“I can tell,” Alex replied holding her side.
Lucas waved the others over and they followed him down a trail between the cars.
The fighting noises started again as they disappeared behind a heap of rusty parts and old tires. The lights of the office drew them closer, and Lucas told the guards to wait outside as they entered the small building.
He took the chair behind the desk, Alex the one in front. The others stood silently behind her. “Nice of you to drop by,” Lucas grinned. He looked at Sebastian and winked. “You should have told them you wanted her to think she was winning. They looked like they were worried about you.”
Alex glanced back at them then turned back to Lucas. “They don’t know me that well,” she shrugged. “I kinda owed her that one anyway.”
“Right,” he laughed. “Drink?” He placed a bottle of Jack Daniels and two glasses between them. “Sorry boys, I think she needs this more than you do.”
He poured the golden liquid in the glasses and slid one over to her.
It stung going down, but she swallowed two before she shook off more. “I need to find your brother,” Alex said as her brain cleared.
Lucas frowned at her then took two more shots. “He’s . . . gone.”
“What?”
“He’s gone, Alex,” Lucas replied. “It’s been about three months.”
Alex could feel his pain as he took another shot. Her stomach dropped when he looked at her, tears in his brown eyes.
“The training ground was attacked,” he continued with a pained expression. “The potentials were killed and Matt was taken. His trail went cold about a week ago.”
“Where?” Alex sniffed.
“Los Angeles,” he sniffed back. “That’s why we’re doing this recruiting session. I won’t stop until I find my brother.”
The large teeth extended well past his full bottom lip.
The team’s guns were drawn. Alex stood slowly, telling them to stand down.
“How’s your father?”
Lucas retracted his canines when she asked that question. The look in her eyes eased his pain slightly. “He’s not doing well and this didn’t help. The cancer is spreading too fast. It’s just a matter of time. I don’t want him to . . . not without knowing.”
The problem with Werewolves is that they are susceptible to human disease. More human than wolf, they could contract any virus or bacteria or be overcome by cancer and even AIDS. The current Alpha Male, Roland Wolfe, had led this pack for almost 75 years.
His two sons, Lucas and Matthias, were his pride and joy, and both possessed the traits needed to lead the pack for the next few centuries.
As the oldest, Lucas would take the lead, but Matt would be the next in command. Now that was not going to happen. Now Lucas had to appoint someone, or mate and hope for a son.
“Of course,” Alex agreed. “Anything I can do, tell Roland to call me.”
Lucas smiled and nodded. “I’ll let him know.”
She stood and Lucas rounded the desk, taking her in his arms. He smelled of wood and ash for some reason. Releasing her, he walked to the other side of the small office and opened the safe. Lucas puled the shiny case from the bottom, he held it out to her. “I believe this is what you’re looking for?”
Alex hesitated, but took the case from his hand. She handed it to Kai then pushed him slightly toward the exit.
Lucas led them back through the stacks and away from the crowd to the gate. “Don’t forget about us,” he said holding the gate open.
“I won’t, I promise,” she replied letting her lips linger on his scruffy cheek.
Once outside, Alex turned and watched Lucas as he disappeared inside the gate again. He didn’t even look back.
Chapter 23
Jason changed clothes and left the house with Oren. Down the path to the casino, he called Alex again. This time she answered.
“Finally,” he huffed. “Where the hell are you? I’ve been calling for almost an hour!”
“Sorry, Dad! I had to see someone,” she said in an amused tone. “What’s the rush?”
“The head of the Council would like to meet you and your team in twenty minutes,” he shot back. “How far away are you?”
“We’ll be there in five,” she answered.
“Wait for me in the lobby,” Jason snapped and hung up on her.
“Problem, sire?”
Jason stuffed his hands in his pockets and picked up his pace. “Nothing a few dead humans won’t solve.”
“Any humans in particular, sire?” Oren chuckled.
Jason smiled, “Not just yet, but thanks.”
_______________
“Get back to the penthouse,” she ordered as she pulled the second briefcase from the back of the SUV. Alex handed one to Sebastian and kept the other. “He’s meeting me in the lobby, so you don’t have much time.” They watched her slip her torn and bloody t-shirt over her head and wipe her body with several tissues soaked in water. “Sebastian, I need you to push these back in.”
He looked down her body to see the small bump on her skin. Two ribs sat out slightly. “On three,” he said and placed his fingers on the spot. When he put her right hand on his shoulder, he counted, “One . . . two . . .” Before three he pressed hard and the bones popped back in place with a muffled sound. Her knees buckled but he caught her before she hit the ground.
She put the jacket back on and zipped it up
. “What?” she frowned. “Get going!”
When they disappeared behind the building, Alex popped a mint, took a deep breath and walked slowly toward the front doors of the casino.
_______________
Jason spied her as soon as she strolled inside, looking like she didn’t have a care in the world. As though the most powerful vampire in all creation hadn’t waited for an hour to speak to them. Jason was scared to death.
The case in her hand, Alex moved through the people without a ripple. No one noticed her in jeans, a leather jacket and no makeup. She could be anyone.
“Where’ve you been?” Jason asked, pulling a scrap of paper from her hair. “Mountain climbing?”
Alex pushed his hand away, “I had to take care of some business. Why?”
He stepped closer and took her arm. “Don’t go anywhere else without protection again, do you understand?”
“You’re being a tad overprotective,” she hissed, jerking free. “I’m fine!”
“I need you to clean up, quickly. We have a video conference in ten minutes,” he hissed. Oren led the way to the elevators.
Alex glared at Jason through the glass on the inside of the elevator doors. He glared back.
_______________
Inside the warm conference room, Jason took a seat at the round table. In front of each chair, a black leather portfolio, bottled water and a pen. In the center of the table, audio equipment and a state of the art holographic image device. It was very impressive, even Alex had to admit that.
To sit without pain was impossible. Usually, to heal, she’d take six painkillers and pass out. That was not going to happen tonight. She’d have to suffer through it with two aspirin instead.
When the blonde woman entered, every eye was on her. She smiled and moved gracefully through the room; turning on the equipment and then dimming the lights before she took a seat at the wall behind Jason.
Slightly shorter than Jason’s six foot three inch frame, Adam Craig moved just as gracefully to take a seat next to him. His gold pinky ring winked at her as he opened the leather-bound book and scratched on the paper inside. Gold cufflinks against the white shirt that peeked out caught her eye next. His gray wool suit, Armani probably, and silk tie—red, blood red—with a gold tack that symbolized his house at the center, all added to his appearance.