by Anna Santos
Chapter Nine—POTIONS, TRACKERS, AND TRICKS
JESSICA
“This is how it’s going to happen,” Jessie said, in the middle of the living room with her crew surrounding her. “Shane and Anna are going to go disguised as Myra and her vampire lover. They will be their replacements, allowing us to follow Valentina to Alaric’s hideout. I’ll go as myself to the location where the exchange will be made and negotiate with the person Alaric sends. Sebastien and Dulce will have my back and make sure that they don’t try to kidnap me and break the deal.”
“Which they most certainly will,” Anna stated with a hardened look on her face.
“Yes, but we have that covered too, don’t we?” Jessica asked her with a grin on her face. She nodded and winked at her.
“Once I’m inside, we’ll study the compound and open the doors to let the others come in,” Anna said.
“My pack will be the backup,” Sebastien added. “And I’ll contact the king with the coordinates to Alaric’s hideout. I’m sure he’ll be heavily guarded.”
“It won’t be easy,” Shane said. “But the most important thing is to grab Alaric.”
“You mean kill him,” Sebastien interrupted.
Everybody looked at Anna, waiting for her to say something. “First, we need to grab him so Jessica can unbind his soul from his mate,” Anna explained. “I’m as eager as any of you to have his head, but Jessica and I agreed that we won’t kill an innocent.”
“She’s his mate, she will want revenge,” Sebastien stated.
“Maybe, but we can’t kill a girl without knowing if she’s guilty of anything other than being Alaric’s soul-mate,” Jessica explained, calmly. “He wasn’t always evil, it was the blood thirst that did this to him.”
“But he still needs to be put down,” Sebastien stated.
Anna put a hand on his shoulder to calm him down, before saying, “We know. Trust me, no one wants him as dead as I do. He killed my parents.”
“I’m not trying to be heartless about this situation,” Sebastien explained. “I’m just afraid that our attempt to capture him alive will increase the body count.”
“All you need to do is let me have him,” Anna stated with cold eyes and a serious face.
“Let us have him,” Shane rephrased her sentence as he snaked his arm around her waist and brought her closer to him. “I’m not going to let you out of my sight. We are together in this and you aren’t going to do this alone.”
“Yes, we have him. I’m sorry, honey, it was just a figure of speech,” Anna said. “We are in this together.”
Jessica grinned at them for being so cute together. Then she added, “We are all in this together, Our priority is to grab Alaric, but we need to deal with his men to get to him. Sebastien and Dulce will lead the assault team to Alaric’s hideout and I’ll team up with Anna and Shane to find Valentina since it’s the most likely place to find Alaric. I’m sure he’ll be eager to have a nice chat with the witch.”
“And what will Giovanna do?” Dulce questioned. Everybody looked at the quiet girl, who blushed as she raised her eyes to watch them.
“I have the perfect job for her, don’t worry,” Jessica smirked mischievously.
***
A few hours later and the plan was set in motion. The night had fallen and they were parked in the middle of a road in a dark part of an abandoned industrial area.
Patiently, they waited for Alaric’s representative to join them in that isolated area so they could make the exchange. It wasn’t going to be easy. Jessica and her crew had to have eyes and ears everywhere. Alaric was most certainly up to something, and Jessica was sure that he wouldn’t miss on a chance of grabbing her too. Just because she had the nerve to claim to be his reincarnated mother and Marcus’ bride.
Therefore, it came as a surprise when Alaric’s men arrived in two black SUVs, exchanged a few necessary words, delivered the money, and grabbed Valentina with her head covered. The vampire only asked Jessica twice if she was sure that this woman was who their master was expecting.
Jessica confirmed and Alaric’s bully threatened her with being chased and found if she was lying. Then, the huge vampire, dressed in leather, walked to the SUV, carrying Valentina.
Jessica got a glimpse of Myra and her vampire mate in the second SUV, unsure how they were going to be able to exchange places if they were part of the crew. They were supposed to meet elsewhere to be replaced, not there.
Moments after the exchange, as fast as they have arrived, the SUVs left with a trail of dust behind.
“Check the briefcase, they must have placed a tracker inside. They were too quick with giving us the money,” Jessica ordered Dulce who had been there to accompany the exchange.
“Liam,” Dulce called in her earpiece. “Do you have some device to detect trackers?”
“Yes, I’ll be there in a moment,” the werewolf said.
“Okay, please hurry. We need to make sure we aren’t being followed home.”
“How’s our tracker working, Liam?” Jessica asked.
“It’s working fine, but they have stopped a few miles ahead.”
“They are probably searching for trackers like we are.”
“Not everything worked according to plan,” Liam announced.
“Yes, I know. Anna…are you there?”
“Yes, we’re here. We’ll follow the SUVs.”
Jessica advised, “Keep your distance, I’m sure they left people behind to see if they’re being followed.”
“I’ll take another route to get to them,” Anna said in her com.
“The plan to replace Myra is still on. If she gets to the checkpoint, you have a go to drink the potion and take her place.”
“Okay, I’ll be waiting for news.”
“Nothing here yet,” Sebastien’s voice interrupted their conversation. “Maybe she won’t be able to escape.”
Anna declared with a sigh, “If not, we will take her place inside Alaric’s lair. It will save us time.”
“It would be better if you were part of Alaric’s crew and enter his lair without raising suspicion,” Sebastien said.
“We’ll work with what we got,” Anna replied.
“Okay. Good! Keep me posted,” Jessica requested.
“What are you going to do, Jessie?” Anna asked.
“I’m going to get back to the apartment and gather the rest of the team to meet you where you’re going. Wherever that is.”
“And if they don’t take Valentina to his lair?” Anna questioned the feared outcome.
“He’s too eager to have her. Even if he’s not taking her to his hideaway, I’m sure that he’ll come to her. When he does, we’ll be there, waiting for him.”
“Communications off for the time being. I’ll keep you posted if anything changes or it’s relevant,” Anna said.
“Good luck,” Jessica said, turning off her earpiece communicator.
Meanwhile, a car had arrived and Liam came out with a device that he hovered over the bags with the money.
Jessica folded her arms and asked when he kneeled and put the device on the floor, ““What’s the verdict, Liam?”
“Two trackers, one in the suitcase and other in the bills,” Liam said, searching and finding two small chips.
“Destroy them, place the money in a new bag and give it to Dulce. We are still keeping our word, and you’ll wait for Myra in the designated location.”
Liam got up and cleaned his hands against his trousers. “And if it’s a trap?”
Jessica looked at Dulce, before stating, “Dulce is taking four of her best men. But you can go with her if you think you can help.”
“I’m better needed at my computer. No offense, Dulce, but someone needs to access the traffic cameras and hack into Alaric’s compound once we find it. We need to tap into all the surveillance cameras and turn off any silent alarms.”
“No hard feelings. I’ll see back you at the apartment,” Dulce said, kneeling and shoving t
he money into a black gym bag.
Moments later, she left in a black SUV along with her backup.
Jessica grabbed the briefcase and threw it into a pile of garbage on the side of the road. Then, she walked to Liam’s car and signaled the other men to enter their own vehicles.
“Let’s get back to the apartment,” Jessica sat in the driver seat. Liam joined her and turned his laptop on. Jessica peaked before starting the engine. “Are they moving again?”
“Yes, they are traveling East, leaving town.”
“Did they find the fake tracker we planted on her?”
“Yes. They were clever, they didn’t destroy the two of them only one. The SUVs must have separated, because the remaining fake tracker is going West, into town.”
Jessica’s nails tapped against the wheel. “They think they can fool us into believing that they’re taking Valentina to some other place while they are actually going in the opposite direction. Interesting.”
Liam looked at her. “Maybe Myra will be able to get away.”
“If she does, Anna and Shane will have the green light to change into them, but…there is also the problem that if Myra is going in the opposite direction, she can’t be seen inside Alaric’s place. It will raise suspicions.”
“True,” Liam agreed as he typed on his keyboard.
Jessica sighed before she said, “Well, if camouflage won’t work, then we’ll take it by force. You are the right guy for the job. You’ll have to use your hacker techniques to blind our enemy so we can save the prisoner and kill Alaric.”
“They’ll never know what hit them,” Liam said with a presumptuous smirk on his face.
Jessica patted his shoulder and started the car so they could go back to their hideout. “We need to change cars and get the rest of the weapons. It’s not going to be easy.”
“I know, but we are ready, and we’ll have more backup soon enough.”
Chapter TEN—THE REAL PLAN
MARCUS
The living room felt stifled since Marcus had entered the apartment that was Jessica’s hiding place. The king clenched his jaw and sighed as he looked at Eric, sitting on the couch. He seemed to be exchanging text messages with someone. Meanwhile, Francesco, who had joined them, seemed as impatient as the king.
He heard movement on the staircase. Someone was arriving and as if on cue, Jessica entered the apartment with a male following her.
“They are still circling, probably, afraid that we might be following them,” Liam said as Jessica stopped in her tracks. and the werewolf with the computer bumped into her back. “What’s going on?” He raised his head from his screen. “What the hell!”
“Calm down,” Jessie said, turning back and placing a hand on his arm. “They’re friendly.”
Eric got up from the sofa. “It’s about time you arrive. We were worried sick.”
The king raised his hand and signaled for him to be still as he narrowed his eyes at the girl “Who the hell are you and where’s Jessica?”
“Where’s my wife?” Francesco asked, lunging forward. Marcus grabbed him by his arm.
The fake Jessica raised her hands up so they would calm down. “Let me explain. You are right. I’m not Jessica.”
It was Eric’s turn to ask. “Then who are you?”
“I’m Giovanna. We had to swap places for her plan to work. She created a potion and we drank it. She sent me here to get you…”
Marcus cut her off, “You drank it and you took her place, whose place did she take?”
“Valentina’s.”
“Where’s your mother, then?” Francesco asked.
Marcus tried to control his anger and fear as he fisted his hands and grinding his teeth. “Why the hell would she do something like that?”
Giovanna tried to explain, “She was afraid that Valentina would join forces with Alaric since she is clearly in love with him,” she said the last words, staring at her father. “Mom is fine. We have her locked up somewhere else and she’ll be delivered to you to do whatever you think is appropriate. But only after we’re sure that Alaric won’t be after her any longer.”
Francesco had a scowl on his face, but after Giovanna’s explanation, he simply turned his back on them and walked to the opposite side of the living room where he seemed to be contemplating the wall.
Marcus looked at the fake Jessica again. “Tell me what Jessica’s plan is and how we can help.”
Eric intervened, “Did they take her already? Is that what you are following on your screen. Did you use a tracking device? What if it fails?”
“How far is Kevin?” Marcus asked, staring at his son.
“He’s close. He’s bringing air support. We’ll be able to move faster than using cars.”
“Is Jessica safe?” Marcus glared at Giovanna.
The girl nodded and added, “Alaric needs her to break the bond, she’s safe until then.”
“Are you relying solely on a tracking device that can be removed to keep track of her whereabouts?” Marcus asked as he offered her an intense glare.
“If you let me explain everything before jumping to conclusions. I can debrief you about what’s going on,” the girl boldly stated. The king nodded, encouraging her to proceed. “I have to change back to my old self first. I can see it’s bothering you and I no longer need to pretend to be her.”
“Do what you need to do?” Marcus said, stepping aside to let her pass.
“I’m going to grab some equipment, too,” the werewolf said as he walked behind Giovanna and entered a room.
Marcus turned to face his son.
Eric looked from his phone to him. “I’ve texted Kevin to tell him what’s going on. He’ll look for a safe place nearby to land a chopper for us to get in.”
Sighing, Marcus unfolded his arms and mussed his hair. “I really hope that we can find her and free her before that lunatic finds out that she’s Jessica.”
“It was such a risky and bold move for her,” Eric said with a worried expression.
The sound of the boots on the pavement alerted them that Giovanna was returning, but before she could say anything, Francesco sped to her side and grabbed her arm.
“I need to talk to your mother right now. You need to tell me where she is or take me there. I’ve been agonizing for days. The things she said…”
Giovanna cut him off, “She meant every word and you know she did. She needs to be punished. Your relationship can’t continue like this. She keeps hurting us with her hate.”
“I tried to reason with her in several occasions. You know I did. She doesn’t want to forgive me for my actions in the past.”
“It’s been ages, literally.”
Marcus cleared his throat. “We don’t have time for this.”
Giovanna removed her arm from her father’s grasp. “Once I do my part and help in saving Jessica, I’ll personally take you to see mom. But, for now, we have more pressing matters to address.” The serious expression on the girl’s face made her father step back and nod in agreement. Then, she looked at the king and said, “Uncle, everything is happening according to the plan. As long as the tracker works, we will find where they are taking Jessica,” she guaranteed.
“I would feel better if she had opened her mind link with me. I can’t see anything,” Marcus complained.
“Maybe they drugged her,” the girl said. “Maybe she’s unconscious.”
“I’m following her signal, it’s strong and steady. We’ll have her location soon enough,” the werewolf informed as he stepped back into the living room with a tablet in his hands and a backpack hang on his shoulder. “I’m Liam, by the way, one of Jessica’s friends.”
Marcus nodded to him and Eric reached out to shake his hand.
Eric stared at the tablet before asking, “How is your team communicating with each other?”
“We are using earpiece communicators. I have a few more to give you and your dad. You’ll need them to coordinate the attack with Sebastien’s pack.”
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“Kevin will need one too. He’s bringing back up from Chicago,” Eric informed.
“It will take them too long to get here. We are assuming that Alaric’s hideout is not far from here. Based on Myra’s information, we were able to track their movements and we are pretty sure that they are hidden somewhere on the outskirts of Boston.”
“Kevin’s boss lent us two choppers and, assuming that this tracker is right, Alaric’s men are heading to the seacoast.”
Marcus interrupted their chit chat. “My men are waiting for downstairs. We need to get in the cars and follow where they’re going. As soon as they stop and we have the exact location, we can set a perimeter and instruct our combined forces on how to attack.”
Liam nodded as he said, “As soon as they stop, I’ll have satellite images to work with.”
“Great,” Marcus said as he walked to Liam and grabbed him by his shirt and forced him to follow him. “The tech wizard is coming with me.” He looked at the werewolf. “I want you to give me one of those earpieces so I can listen to what is going on and find out who’s your team leader.”
“Gio-vanna is our team le-ader,” Liam stuttered as he followed him outside the apartment.
Chapter Eleven—TRAPPED
JESSICA
The witch’s head hurt and she had a bad taste in her mouth when she came to. Blinking, she focused her blurry eyes and realized that they had left her in a dark room with old gray walls and a wooden floor. There was only a chair and a small round table in the middle of the fifteen by fifteen sized space. They had uncovered her head, but they had left her leaned in a sitting position against the wall with her hands still cuffed. Despite the shut blinds, there was light coming from a small lamp on the table.
She wiggled, but her head hurt because of the blow her captures used to make her unconscious the moment she entered the vehicle.
Feeling her mouth dry and her body weak, she tried to focus on what she had to do. She needed to establish a mind-link with Marcus. She needed to tell him where she was or, at least, give him a beacon to follow. She hoped that the tracker she had ingested was working properly and would lead her team to rescue her.