by Tia Didmon
Jess leaned against the sink counter top, frozen, as Charisse left the washroom. She turned to watch the water swirl around the sink.
Jessica walked returned to the crime scene. The moment she saw Dante she knew Charisse was right. She had to come clean with him. His eyes squinted when he saw her face.
“What has happened?” he asked quickly.
“I met a woman in the ladies’ room that said she was a demon. Her name was Charisse.”
Dante’s eyes widened. “Long dark hair. Sweet smile?”
Jessica tramped down the unfamiliar feeling of jealousy. “Her hair was spiked with blond tips.”
Dante frowned. “Will you allow me to show you a picture of her?”
“How?”
“My mind is always open to you, enter and see her as she looked the last time, I saw her.”
Jess hesitated to connect with Dante while her conversation with Charisse was still so fresh in her mind but she knew he would never take advantage of her. Unlike her, he was honest. She pushed the oppressive guilt away.
She opened her mind, reaching out with invisible feelers. She was connected with not only him but his demon. The elated beast grumbled its satisfaction as her presence entered their memories. She saw the picture form in Dante’s mind. It was like watching a movie of days gone by. The young woman smiled and ran after a young man that looked similar to Dante and Valen but had softer features. Charisse held up her long-ruffled skirt as her black boots kicked up dust while she laughed.
Jessica pulled back, uncomfortable with the intimacy of the moment. “Yes, that’s her. She was wearing black leather clothing and the years have taken the smile from her face but it’s the same woman.”
Dante body tensed. “What did she say?”
Jess relayed the conversation, leaving out the part about her working for PURE. The Ladon. She needed time to process that information herself before divulging it to Dante. She watched as red fire flamed in his eyes. “Dante, your eyes.”
He looked down. “I’m sorry. This is not the place for this. I am surprised and appalled. It seems we were betrayed at every turn.”
Jessica’s stomach squeezed. She looked around the crime scene. There was a wooden table with two chairs in front of a small cafe contained within the roped off area. It was closed while they continued their investigation. “Let’s sit there for a minute.”
Dante’s defeated look plagued her as she led him to the metal chairs.
He sat and then looked up at her. “Valen is incensed. He is contacting the council. This is a devastating blow. We failed our females. Our race.”
“They manipulated you.”
Dante huffed. “Nothing excuses a failure of this magnitude.”
“It isn’t your fault... can you tell me about Charisse? She was running with a young man.”
Dante nodded. “Yes, that was Rico. They were very close. We hoped they would bond someday but Charisse was too young to be sure. The cotillion was hers.”
“She didn’t tell me it was her cotillion. Can you explain to me how they got your blood? I know it has regenerative properties but you would never have given it freely.”
Dante shook his head. “I assumed it was human hunters that attacked me that day.”
“What happened?”
“I was walking home in the woods. Our home was a few miles away when I was struck with two arrows in the chest. Neither hit my heart, but they seemed hollow. Blood dripped from the middle of the arrow like a stream. I felt dizzy and passed out. When I woke, Jordane was feeding me his blood. That was how our bond was completed. I had helped him a few years before but when he gave me his, he opened a pathway that he can never close.”
“And that’s bad?”
“No, it just gives me access to his mind at any time. Most Weres would not want such a thing as telepathy is not one of their natural gifts.”
“They aren’t telepathic?”
“Naturally no, but a few had mated with a demon that possessed telepathic ability.”
“And that gives them that ability.”
“With their mate, yes.”
“And with you?”
“I can form a blood bond with any demon I exchange blood with but this ability is unique to me alone.”
“The blood prince thing?”
“Yes.”
Dante’s head was downcast. He appeared to have aged in the last few minutes. She put her hand on the arm he rested on the table. “I’m sorry for what’s happened. I’ll do everything I can to help track the women down.”
Dante looked at her with pain etched in his face. “How would we look those women in the face, knowing the torture they have endured?”
“Some escaped.”
Dante’s voice dropped. “Those women. The ones that have ensure the survival of the demon race, did it at the expense of their own happiness. I do not understand how their demons allowed such an action.”
Jessica pulled her hand away. “Are humans so repugnant to you?”
Dante grabbed her. “Do not make this about you and me. You are my choice. These women were not given one. Their men were taken. They were killed and resurrected into a life of pain and rape.”
Jessica looked at his hand as his finger nails turned to spikes. “You’re wrong. They had a choice. Once they escaped... They elected to find happiness in the eyes of their human children even if it was short lived. They were determined to save the demon race because they thought it was worth saving despite the actions of the Chameleons. Don’t cheapen their sacrifice.”
Dante sucked in a quick breath. “How can you say such a thing?”
“Because there’s nothing a woman won’t do to save her family.”
Dante’s fingers returned to their natural form as he withdrew his hand. “Did Charisse say anything else that could help us?”
Jess looked over at the PIA squad car pulling up to the scene. She couldn’t look at Dante as she rose from the chair. “Jenner is here. We need to update him.”
Jess needed to get out from under the Ladon. She followed Dante into the Davidson building. Neither had said a word on the ride back to the apartment. Both were too stunned and hurt by the evening’s events. She stopped Dante in the hall. “I want to go check on Darnell and Maddie.”
“It is the middle of the night Jessica. They will be sleeping.”
Jess nodded. “I just need to know they’re all right.”
Dante kissed her forehead. “I understand. You know where I am.” He walked down the hall.
Jess entered her apartment to find a wild-eyed Darnell waiting at the door. “Where have you been?”
“I was at a crime scene. What’s wrong?”
Darnell rubbed his face. “I can’t believe this is happening.”
Jess touched his shoulder. He pulled away. “I’m sorry. I’m just freaked.”
“What happened Darnell?”
Darnell glanced at the door. “There was a knock at the door. It was Jenner, so I thought nothing of it when I let him in.”
Jessica shook her head. “Jenner was at the crime scene with me.”
“It wasn’t Jenner. I mean, it was at first but then he said he was here for the girl. I told him you were working, and he pointed at Maddie’s room. He was going to take her Jess. I fought with him and then he... dissolved.”
Jess startled. “Pardon me.”
“I know what it sounds like, but it’s the truth. His features began to change. He looked like someone else, then he bolted out the door.”
Jess felt her stomach roll. “Why didn’t you call me?”
“It just happened Jess. I am surprised you didn’t pass him downstairs.”
Jess grabbed her chest. “My god.”
“What was that thing?”
“It was a demon. A Ladon. Did he say anything else?” Jess said.
Darnell swallowed hard. “He said that you were to call in immediately or the next time they were taking the child as payment.”
; Jess pulled out her phone and called the number on the black card. “What do you want?” she said snidely.
“Is that any way to talk to your boss?” Draven said coldly.
“Stay away from Maddie,” she hissed.
“Your family’s safety completely depends on you.”
“I am doing as you asked, getting close to the Morettis’. I don’t know what else you want.”
“And yet you are playing your role perfectly.”
“Tell me what you need from me or this game of yours is over,” she snapped.
Draven growled. “Do not give me orders human. Nothing is over until I say so. You disobey me and I will impersonate your form while I choke the life from that little brat in the other room.”
Jess clenched her eyes shut. “Tell me what to do.”
“Does Dante’s demon need to be awake for the healing properties in his blood to be active?” Draven asked.
“I don’t know.”
“Then find out. His demon is awake thanks to you. I need to know if it is essential to keep it that way.” He hung up.
Darnell touched her arm. “What do they want with Dante’s blood?”
She shook her head, surprised he had heard the call. “I don’t know but it can’t be good.”
He swallowed hard. “You need to find out.”
“I will.”
The loud bang startled them both. Jess unlocked the door.
Jenner walked in; anger written on his face. “We have been breached.”
“What happened?”
Jenner cursed. “They got one.”
Jess frowned. “They got what?”
“A DK10.”
Jess put her hand to her weapon. “How?”
“Agent Duval from the death squad just strolled into the PIA, accessed his personal weapon and walked out with it. Since he has all the clearance for that weapon and it’s synced to his hand print. It’s gone.”
“He betrayed us?”
“That’s the thing. Zane Duval is on a training op with his team. He has ten witnesses they have him off location including his instructor. They are no where near the Davidson building. They are still an hour away. Yet we have a video of him leaving the armory ten minutes ago.”
Jessica’s stomach clenched. “Shit.”
Jenner ran a hand through his hair. “That doesn’t begin to cover it.”
Jess reigned in her fear. “What’s our next move?”
“Fortunately, the weapons manufacture has a GPS tracker in each weapon. They can also detonate the explosives in the weapon.”
“You can’t do that without knowing where the weapon is. You can’t take the chance it’s in a public area when it explodes. You saw the damage it did to the armory.”
Jenner sighed. “We can’t detonate it, anyway. They are shielding it somehow. We are giving everyone a small tracker. If you come close to the weapon, then the tracker will beep. We don’t know how close you have to be to activate it but we are going to sweep the city with all available agents.”
“Who the hell thought Demon Killers would be a good idea?” Jess said sarcastically.
“A weapons plant owned by Davidson Enterprise manufactured them. So, my father.”
Chapter 8
Jess pulled over in her squad car so she could update Jenner. She had been searching the outlying areas of L.A. for four hours with nothing coming up on the tracker. After she finished texting him, she was about to pull back on the road when Dante shimmered in her mind.
Jessica.
She could still sense his shame and regret though he tried to shield her from it. Are you all right?
I am well. I am meeting Valen and Laura at the shelter. The warriors are arriving soon. We wish to get them settled in. Can you join us?
The shelter is in my search sector so I can pop by shortly.
I am stopping by the museum first. I will see you there. He cut out abruptly.
Jess looked down the road, before pulling back onto it. It was late in the day and few cars shared the street. She wasn’t far from the shelter when her tracked beeped. She stopped and grabbed the device. A moment later it blipped again.
Jess got out of her squad car and turned until the tracker beeped rapidly. She was looking down an unnamed dirt road, surrounded by forest. When her cell phone went off. She answered while trying to determine if there was a structure in the distance. “Hello.”
“Hello Jessica,” Draven said.
Jess allowed the oily feeling roll through her. “What do you want?”
“What are you doing?”
“I am looking for the weapon you stole from the PIA,” she said, continuing to comb the forest with her eyes.
“You will stop immediately.”
Jess squinted. Was there a barn on the property? “I won’t let you shoot people with that monster of a weapon.”
“We do not plan to execute humans. It will be used as the PIA intended.”
Jessica’s heart sank. “To kill demons.”
“All but the Ladon.” He confirmed.
“Or chameleons,” she said.
“We are all Ladon now, but the Moretti’s knowledge of our race came prematurely. We may need some extra fire power in the coming days.” The ire in his voice clear.
Jess closed her eyes. “You plan to replicate the weapon.”
“Of course.”
She looked down at a tuft of grass, growing through a crack in the pavement. “Why do this?”
“We shall be the only demon race. All others will be cleansed,” he said in reverie.
“You are sick,” she snapped.
Draven hissed. “The demon races banded together to destroy the chameleons. We created a new one. We are gods. The demons will reap what they have sown.”
Jess felt a tingle at her neck. She spun, though she remained alone on the road. “Where are you?”
“I am looking at you right now.”
She swung around again, seeing nothing. “You lie.”
“Get back in your squad car and tell me where you are headed,” he snapped.
She closed her eyes and got in the car. “I am heading to the shelter.”
“The city was to remove those animals and dismiss the employees working there.”
“There has been a change in pans.”
“What change?”
Jess cursed herself for saying anything. “Valen and Laura have an updated will for the shelter. They have already given it to the city.”
“Who is the beneficiary?”
“Laura and Kiki.”
“Laura’s fate was sealed when she bonded with Valen. It is a shame the little ninja will have to join her.”
Jess sucked in a breath at the nickname circulating the PIA. They had a mole. Were there other agents being blackmailed into helping PURE. “It was ingenious to create PURE.”
“Isn’t though? All those humans who will help destroy the demon races while helping us rise to power. Humans are so gullible.”
Jess swallowed hard. “What are you gong to do?”
“That is not your concern. Go about your business Jessica.” He hung up.
She felt disgusting and she couldn’t let it continue. She had to warn Dante and save her family but would Dante ever forgive her?
Jess pulled her squad car into parking lot. Her mind raced over the ways she would tell Dante about her predicament with PURE. The Ladon. She flinched when her door slammed.
Laura popped her head through the window, waving her to come in. The shelter had seen better days but the surrounding forest was beautiful. Draven was a few miles down the road. Was he spying on the Morettis’ or had he hoped to be moving onto this property sooner than they thought?
The door to the shelter chimed as Jess entered. Laura was behind the desk, petting a three-legged dog she had on the counter littered with papers. “Hey, I didn’t realize you were taking patients right now.”
Laura laughed. “We aren’t we don’t have a vet on staff ye
t.” She indicated the dog. “Astro is a permanent resident here. After Ed’s death the animals that had homes were returned once they healed. Ed couldn’t turn his back on an animal so there are still a few strays looking for placement.”
“Who is managing the shelter right now?”
Laura smirked. “Much to the chagrin of my husband, I am, but I will hire a vet and an office manager as soon as we get the property into mine and Kiki’s name.”
Jess looked around the rundown office. “I mean no disrespect but why would the Ladon want this place? The property is nice and large and not too far a drive from the city but the building is...”
Laura nodded. “The shelter has seen better days and Ed’s house is more run down than this place. He put everything into the animals. I have no idea how we’re going to house all the Warriors there.”
Jess stared out the window of the reception room. “I don’t see the house, is it on this property?”
Laura nodded. “It’s a half a mile down the dirt road behind the shelter.”
“Huh, the property is larger than I realized.”
“It’s bigger than we expected too. If it wasn’t for it being utilized as a non-profit. Ed would never have been able to afford the taxes.”
Jessica’s eyes went up. “Do you think the zoning or the fact that it’s a sanctuary would make a difference to the Ladon?”
Laura shrugged. “No idea but honestly, I don’t care what they intended to use it for. It wouldn’t be good and Ed would roll over in his grave if it went to people like them.”
Jess played her recent conversation in her mind. “They aren’t people.” They’re monsters.
Laura frowned. “They aren’t monsters. Demons I mean.”
Jessica turned quickly. “I have impenetrable psychic shields. Or so I’m told. Why did you hear that thought?”
Laura continued to pet the small dog. “You have shields similar to mine but until I made that comment you had them down. I didn’t peek, but I got the impression you needed to share something important.”
Jess swallowed the lump in her throat. “There’s something I want to tell Dante. I didn’t realize I had lowered my shields. I thought you had to touch someone to read them.”
