“That doesn’t matter,” she insisted and James couldn’t help but smile a little. Somethings never change. She still wasn’t ready to admit that they were mated and she now wore his mark. At least this time she wasn’t trying to beat him down with her shoes. “Charlie knows the reason and that’s all that matters.” Jessie argued and Lily stood her ground, but the vampire held up his hands speaking loudly to get their attention.
“The how isn’t relevant Jessie,” he said and Lily shot him a grateful look. “I know it and it has no importance to the mission.” The human clearly didn’t like being out of the loop, but James didn’t think the vampire would budge.
“Fine,” she snapped. “If you don’t have anything else to say, Lily, we need to get to work. You know the way out.” James frowned again, crossed his arms over his chest but remained silent.
“I do have one more thing to say,” Lily said, looking around at them all. “You told Tony that his pack would be safe. If any harm comes to Tony, his family, or civilians belonging to his pack I will take back the research and my collaboration with the Aequivalere will be finished. Do I make myself clear?”
“I will not make myself or the Aequivalere responsible for the alpha’s actions which could result in possible injury to his self, family, or pack members,” Jessie replied and James shook his head.
“You’re responsible for the words you said, Jessie. You made the promise now keep it. Come on James,” Lily finished and he followed her out of the hotel room.
“Is it just me or is she a hell of a lot bitchier than she used to be?” James asked as they walked to the car.
“Yeah, she is,” Lily said getting in the driver’s seat. “I don’t know what’s going on with her. Maybe it’s the pressure of the job. Whatever it is, I’m about ready to call it quits!”
“Really?” James said, hoping he didn’t sound too hopeful, but her chuckle made him wonder if he had failed miserably.
“Really James,” she replied, pulling out of the parking lot.
“Got any idea what you’re going to do now?” He asked, sinking back as best as he could in the tiny seat.
“Not a clue but I’m not worried,” she said with a shrug. They drove to his apartment, with the sun setting he could see Lily getting more and more nervous.
“You’re going to be fine Lily,” he told her once they were inside. “He shouldn’t come for you until tomorrow alright. As much as I hate to I need to go see Tony. Now that he’s had a few hours to stew I want to see if I can’t talk some sense into him. I think it’s honestly best of the Aequivalere to take this one on and I am hoping now that you’re out of Silvano’s influence maybe I can talk him into backing off some,” he explained and she looked at him in some surprise.
“This isn’t over James,” she told him. “He’s lost his chance to enslave me but don’t think for a moment that means he’s just going to give up and move on to somewhere else. He’s lost his lands, title, and all of those that served as his blood bank. This is all about revenge for that and he’s going to keep trying. Most likely now he’ll want my head now.”
James sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He had figured as much but still he had hoped. “Well, we’ll work out something, maybe work with the Aequivalere to capture him. It worked more or less well enough when we went after Xavier. We can do it again but we want to avoid a massacre and if Tony puts his men out there that is exactly what will happen,” he explained.
“Yeah, you’re right. You should go talk to him. Between the two of us, he’ll listen to you more than he will me,” she admitted and he wanted to walk over and give her a hug, but he didn’t want to do anything that would make her defenses go up.
“That’s not exactly true, but we’ll talk about it later. I want to go and get back so you’re not here by yourself for too long.” He said and she started to laugh.
“Oh James, my hero,” she teased him. “I can take care of myself you know!”
“Oh I know but it gives me a good excuse to spend as much time with you as I can,” he said, giving her a wink before leaving the apartment, hearing her laughter through the door. This was good. This felt good. He grinned, swinging his key ring in circles on his index finger as he walked to the car. Sending Tony a text, asking him where he was James got in the car and drove towards the meeting hall.
The parking lot was pretty much deserted at the late hour. James locked his car but froze when the scent hit him. Vampires! He turned slowly, testing the air. He wasn’t sure how many were there but couldn’t tell how many were there. As if from a nightmare, dark figures emerged from the shadows, six in total. Tensing, he sent them a warning growl, but they kept advancing slowly towards him.
“This is Alpha Tony Robert’s territory and I’m his beta James Lacrosse, identify yourself and tell me what the hell you’re doing here,” he demanded. A hissing sound came from them, sounding like laughter almost.
“Greetings Beast, our master the great and powerful Silvano Raul Alvarez DeCastilla sends his regards,” One of them spoke, he wasn’t sure which one it was, and three of the creatures ran towards him. James was really glad Keon had been teaching him some things from his military training. He just hoped he could remember them all. His beast stirred eagerly and ready for blood. Fight… shift. Let me have their blood! James shook his head. Not yet buddy.
The first vampire reached him, its fingernails elongated like claws. It tried to strike at James’ face, but he pushed back against his truck, narrowly escaping then shoved the vampire back as hard as he could, sending the creature flying but it left him open and vampire, jumped on his side sinking its fangs into his shoulder. He yelled with the searing pain coming from the bite and turned, ramming the vampire into his truck, trying to dislodge him but the leech still clung to him.
With a roar, James grabbed the vampire’s head and pulled. The pain was hot and intense as he the fangs ripped through muscle and flesh until he was free of the bloodsucker. James paused for a moment struck by the oddity that the vampire wore a silver colored mask, but he had to quickly recover as the thing snapped at him like some rabid animal. With a beastly growl, beast flooding through his system nearly to the point of shifting, James twisted the vampire’s head, breaking its neck, until the head nearly came right off.
His skin tingled painfully and he realized he was partially shifted by the odd feel of the wolf-like teeth filling his now oddly shaped jaw. His eyes locked on the third that seemed to hesitate. With a snort, James rushed the vampire and with his now clawed and furry hand he struck the vampire across the throat, ripping it out. The smell of its blood was intoxicating and enough to send him over the edge. With an ear-splitting roar, he gave into the Beast and shifted completely.