“The winged monster flying around in these pictures is the same winged creature that is dragging…” he handed him the other photo, “this winged creature. Maybe they’re the same species? Maybe they called in a specialist to help bring down one of their own?”
Jameson studied the photographs, his head shaking as he switched from one to the other. “I’m not reading you.”
“Stay with me here.” Ingram sat down and took a long drink from his coffee. “We’ve had all kinds of reports on the Monster Squad for some time now, haven’t we?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Okay. So what if they were facing…well, whatever the hell this thing is?” Ingram pointed to the winged creature being dragged across the ground. “In order to bring this thing down, they had to call in one of their own to help hunt it down and stop it?”
“But they don’t look the same.” Jameson flipped from photo to photo. “This one has wings like a bat. Sort of. This one has…”
“So maybe they’re the same, but different. I dunno. Like comparing humans from different races. They have different physical attributes, but they’re still the same.” Ingram stood and pointed to the two creatures. “They’re both winged. They’re both large. Granted, their skin tones are different. This one has hair, this one doesn’t. This one has a tail, this one doesn’t, but, who’s to say they aren’t the same species?”
“And the giant? What is it? A juvenile? Hasn’t sprouted its wings yet?” Jameson asked in a snarky tone.
“Possibly. Who knows? Maybe it’s a physical defect or they were chopped off in battle?” He tossed the photos down in front of Jameson. “Who gives a flying fuck why, the point is that we’ve never heard of these asshats before because they aren’t actually part of the Monster Squad.”
Ingram stood in front of the older man with his arms crossed smugly over his chest. Jameson picked up the photos once more and glanced between them again. “How confident are you in your hypothesis?”
“I’d bet your life on it.”
Jameson stared up at the younger man and raised a brow. “Would you bet your own life on it?”
Ingram gave him a slow smile. “Better yet, I’d bet the Titans on it.”
Jameson studied him for a moment and then turned back to the photos. “That’s a pretty damned expensive wager you’re willing to place, Robert.”
“That’s how confident I am that I’m right.”
Jameson continued to study the photos and nodded. “Get a satellite on their base of operation. I want their every movement scrutinized from this moment forward. If these…things are part of their forces, I want to know about it before we commit the Titans.”
“Agreed.”
Jameson tossed the photos onto the table and stood up. “And Robert?”
“Sir?”
“We still have to make plans to deal with the Council.” He stepped over to where his coat hung and shrugged it on. “I sent them the test video and requested the first half of the payment. You might want to check your Swiss accounts.”
17
Mitchell hung up the phone and stood behind his desk, peering out through the window and toward Doctor Peters’ lab below. “Will they be of any use?”
He shook his head. “No, love, they won’t. But if they can keep Bigby on the move, he can’t act against us.” He closed his blinds and turned to face his mate. “It seems that there is always somebody trying to remove us from the playing field, but to have so many at one time? This is new, even for us.”
“You’re worried?” She stepped closer and cupped his face with her hand.
“I worry for you.” He gave her a wan smile. “If we hadn’t mated, I’d yell at them all to bring their worst. But now that you could be put at risk?”
“Don’t think of me as a china doll. I don’t break easily.” She gave him a warm smile and kissed his cheek.
“Of that, I’m certain.” He took her hand in his own and kissed her palm. “At least now we can take your father off the list of those trying to destroy us.” He shrugged slightly. “At least, I think we can.”
“Now that we are mated, you most definitely can.” She led him back to his chair and gently pushed him back into it. Her hands went to work on his shoulders as she tried to put things into perspective. “But you still have this British soldier who wants to destroy you. You also have another branch of your own government who wants to destroy you. And your people have just returned from removing a ‘great threat’ to mankind? You must be relieved that at least one of your worries has been dealt with.”
Matt shrugged. “There’s always some power-hungry numbskull trying to destroy humanity or take over the world or some such. That’s just another day at the office for these yahoos.” He closed his eyes and allowed himself to relax. “But the other threats could be devastating for us.”
“The lone soldier may be a threat, but I think your people can handle him if given the chance.”
“That’s just it, they have to have a lead on him. Once they pick up his trail, he’ll be taken care of.” He groaned as her artful hands worked at the knots at the base of his neck. “But these government funded assholes? That’s another story altogether.”
“And that’s why you have the prisoner downstairs talking to your vampire?”
Matt chuckled at the way she said, ‘your vampire’. “Doc’s a pretty sharp guy. If there’s a chink in their armor, he’ll exploit it. If these Spartans or Titans or whatever the hell they are have a Kryptonite, he’ll find it.”
“You sound confident.”
“I am.”
She leaned in close to his ear and whispered, “Then why worry so much?”
Matt opened his eyes and turned to her. “Because that’s my job, sweetheart, I have to worry. All the time. I have to try to think of all the things that my people might have forgotten or overlooked.”
“Allow them to do their jobs, my love. Allow them to show you just how good they are.” She spun him in his chair and crawled into his lap, stirring feelings that he’d rather not feel in his office. “You have surrounded yourself with the best of the best. Allow them to be the best by doing their jobs and you relax and do yours. Sign your papers and approve what they ask of you and stop worrying about what you cannot control.”
Matt chuckled again and pulled her close for a quick kiss. “If only I could allow myself to do that.”
She sighed and ran her hands through his thick hair. “One of these days, Matthew, I will teach you to relax and trust your people.”
“I do trust my people.” He gave her a warm smile and squeezed her tightly. “But it’s my job to worry. And I do my job very well.”
*****
Jack entered the underground conference room and noted the few still milling about. Allister had taken up a strategic position by the freight elevator, essentially blocking the rear exit. Phil had taken up a position at the main entrance, blocking it. Jack nodded to Kalen then moved to the front of the room.
“Everybody, take your seats.” He stepped to the white board and pulled the marker from the tray. “First order of business is to turn in our angelic weapons. As we all agreed to before this started, they have to be returned to Phil and there’s no time like the present.”
Jack lifted the lid on a plastic cargo container and pulled the dagger that Brooke had given him. He dropped it into the container and watched as each warrior stood and walked by, dropping their weapons as they reached the container. He watched Brooke especially close, but felt confident that she removed all of her blades and dropped them into the container. He continued to watch the group as each deposited their wares.
Gnat squeezed the handle on the hammer he held and met Jack’s gaze. “It seems a shame to surrender such a finely crafted tool.” He cast a glance back to Phil. “Are ye sure they wouldn’t miss just one?”
Phil crossed his massive arms and gave the gnome a nasty look. Gnat grimaced and reluctantly dropped it into the container. “It doesn’t hu
rt to ask.”
Kalen went last and handed his bow to Jack rather than dropping it into the container. “The drawstring is sensitive. I’d hate to see the crate fill with arrows unintentionally.”
Jack gave him a knowing smile and tucked the bow gently along the side. Casting one last quick glance about the room, he placed the lid back on the container and sealed it. Phil nudged the crate to the side with his leg then moved back to stand beside the door.
“Next order of business.” Jack turned to Phil and gave a slight nod. The giant stepped toward the table and reached for Brooke just as Kalen grabbed her wrists and held her. Her eyes shot wide with shock and she struggled against the elf’s grip.
Phil pulled the whip from his belt and wrapped it around her wrists, binding her. With a spin of his wrist, he flipped her over and pulled her across the table. All of the warriors were on their feet, a murmur of shock and confusion rising in the air as they tried to understand what was happening.
Jack held his hands high and yelled for their attention. “Hold it down! Hold it down! We have an unwanted visitor with us today.”
“Let me go, damn you!” Brooke kicked and writhed as Kalen tried to hold her down upon the table. “Let me loose!”
Kalen looked to Azrael. “Help me hold her!”
The gargoyle stepped forward and grasped her ankles, locking her legs to the table. He searched Kalen’s face for answers. “What is happening here?”
“Lilith took her.” Kalen choked on his words as he spoke them. He let Brooke go and stepped back as tears welled up in his eyes.
“You traitorous little bastard! I’ll drain you for this!” Brooke continued to struggle as Azrael tried to hold her in place.
Allister lit the last candle and muttered the end of his incantation. He looked up at Jack and nodded. “It is done. She cannot depart again.”
Jack felt his hands shaking as he looked to Brooke who finally showed true fear. He glanced back to Allister. “How long will it last?”
“Until I remove it.”
“Then we don’t have to be in a huge hurry, right? I mean, maybe we can find another way.”
Allister and the Nephilim both yelled, “No!” at the same time, startling the crowd. Phil glanced back to Jack and shook his head. “Do not waste time looking for an answer that cannot come.”
Jack clenched his jaw and shook his head. “There has to be another way!”
Kalen fell into the chair next to Brooke and reached for her bound hand. “Please forgive me, my love.”
“I’ll eat your heart, you traitorous son of a whore!” Brooke spat in his face and snapped her extended fangs at him.
“Enough of this!” Phil squeezed the handle of the whip and a charge shot through it causing Brooke to dance and convulse on the table. Azrael’s grip tightened on her ankles as he felt the surge of energy tear through his flesh. He watched as his hands began to turn to stone.
When Phil let go, Brooke passed out, her head lolling to the side. He looked to Azrael and nodded. The gargoyle waited a moment for his skin to shed the fine layer of stone and then released her legs, the thin layer of rock breaking away and dusting her leather pants.
The Nephilim stepped back and looked to Jack. “She is subdued for the moment. I do not know how long it will last.” He held the handle of the whip in his hand, just in case.
Jack paced quickly, his mind racing. “There has to be another way. There just has to be.” He suddenly stopped and looked toward the ceiling. The other warriors in the room first stared at him, then gazed at the same spot he was staring at.
“Azazel!” Jack yelled as he continued staring. “I know you can hear me!”
Gnat nudged Azrael. “Who’s he yelling at?”
The gargoyle shrugged. “Perhaps the angel that appeared to him earlier?”
“Damn it, Azazel! Get Michael! I need his help!” Jack spun in a slow circle as he continued to shout at the ceiling. “This is your fucking fight, not ours!”
Allister stepped forward. “Chief Jack…”
“No!” Jack spun on him, his face red with anger. “No, this was their battle, and we got suckered into it. Now this kid is about to have to pay the ultimate price because they refused to intervene. I won’t allow that. Do you hear me, Azazel? I won’t allow it! This isn’t her fault!” He reached for the pointer on the white board and threw it at the ceiling.
“Damn you, you winged bastard! Answer me!”
The room fell silent as they waited for an answer that wouldn’t come. Jack continued to spin in a slow circle, his eyes glued to the ceiling. “I swear to you, Azazel…if you let this happen, I won’t rest until I’ve hunted down every last one of you winged rats and put you out of your misery!”
Azrael cleared his throat. “Um, excuse me, Chief Jack, but do you think it wise to threaten an angelic being?”
Phil shook his head. “No, it is not.”
“I don’t fucking care!” Jack spun on the Nephilim and stuck a finger in his face. “If your uncles won’t help when we really need it, then fuck ‘em all! I meant what I said. I’ll hunt every last one of them down.”
Phil raised a brow and gave him a bored look. “And what do you possibly think you could do to an angel?”
Jack kicked the lid off the crate and pulled one of Brooke’s swords. “I’ll cut their fucking heads off, that’s what.”
Phil’s eyes widened as he stared at Jack holding the angelic weapon. “You swore an oath that the weapons would be returned once the mission was completed.”
Jack gave him a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “And as mission commander, I decide when the mission is complete. If they aren’t willing to help save this girl, then the mission isn’t complete until every last one of those winged demons are lying in a pool of their own blood.”
Phil squared his shoulders and narrowed his eyes. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“Try me.”
*****
Evan had separated the files into three stacks. One contained information pertaining only to the Titan warriors and their capabilities. Another dealt with their support, including the complex at Langley, the equipment at their disposal and the staff required to maintain their operations. The third stack was much smaller and it dealt with what little information Stevens had brought on the two men running the Spartan Project.
Evan continued to search through the short stack of files looking for anything that stood out about the two agency men when Stevens stood and stretched. “Any chance we could get some coffee in here? I’m dragging.”
Evan nodded and pushed away from the table, pulling a French press from one of his shelves. He set up a Bunsen burner and placed a beaker of distilled water above it to boil. “I’ve got Chilean Espresso or a very fine Costa Rican breakfast blend. Which would you prefer?”
“Whichever is strongest.” Stevens rubbed at his eyes and yawned.
“The espresso has the strongest flavor, but the breakfast blend has the most caffeine.”
“Breakfast blend it is then.” He stood and stretched his back, working the kinks out of it as Evan prepared the press. He watched the vampire work and sat on the edge of the workbench while the water heated. “What are the odds I’ll ever get out of jail?”
Evan shrugged. “It took them over three years to let me out.”
Stevens stared at him, his mouth agape. “What the hell did you do?”
Evan shook his head. “Existed.”
“Excuse me?”
“It wasn’t their idea. They actually busted me out and…well, it’s a long story.” He poured the water into the press and worked the handle on it, pressing the grind to the bottom.
“And yet, you stayed with them. Helped them.”
“Like I said, it wasn’t their idea to lock me up.” He poured the coffee into a mug and handed it to the agent. “Enjoy.”
Stevens inhaled the rich aroma and blew across the top of the mug before taking the first sip. “Ooh, good bean.”
; “You’re welcome. Now, if we can get back to work.” Evan pushed his wheeled chair back to the table and went back to the files.
Stevens eased over and set the coffee next to where he was working. “You know…the more I look at these, the more I think that there has to be something obvious that I’m just not seeing. These guys may be good, but they aren’t gods. There has to be a weakness.”
Evan glanced up and nodded. “There is.”
Stevens nearly choked on his coffee as he stammered. “There is? Well, why didn’t you say so! What is it?”
Evan shook his head. “I’m not at liberty to say. Not yet anyway.”
“Why?” Stevens was on his feet now and sifting through the files. “I’ve gone through this stuff a dozen times. I can’t see any…wait. You don’t trust me?”
“I don’t know you.” Evan closed the dossier and eyed him.
Stevens sat back down and sighed heavily. “You guys wouldn’t know anything about the Titans if I hadn’t risked my career…my life bringing you this information. And you tell me you don’t trust me. Great.”
He stood and pushed away from the table. “Thanks for the coffee, but I’d rather go back to my cell now.” He turned and walked to the door. “Guard!”
“Sit back down, Mr. Stevens,” Evan spoke in a calm manner.
“Go stake yourself.” Stevens kept his back to the vampire and continued staring through the acrylic walls. “Guard! Take me back to prison.”
“I said sit down, Mr. Stevens.”
“And I said, go st—” Stevens didn’t finish his sentence as Evan grabbed him by the throat and swung him backward toward the chair.
“I deplore violence, but I will make a meal of you if I must.”
“So do it.” Stevens glared at him while Evan continued to hold him by the neck. “Go ahead. Do it!”
Evan studied the man, clutching to his arm while he held him in the chair. He tilted his head to better stare in his eyes. “Why do you wish to die?”
“I’d rather not. But I’m sick of being treated like I’m the threat! I came here to warm you people, and rather than saying so much as thank you, you toss me in jail, tell me I’m untrustworthy, and threaten to eat me?” he spat, struggling to breathe as Evan steadily squeezed, holding him down. “So if you’re going to kill me, do it and get it over with!”
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