Crisis Alert (Divine Justice, 3)

by Mary Abshire

  The microwave beeped. She circled around him and headed to get her drink.

  “Are you feeling okay?” he asked.

  She removed the warm bag from the machine, ripped a hole in the top with one of her canines, and then poured the contents into the glass. “Yeah, I’ll feel even better after I have a couple of bags.”

  He came to stand behind her again as she finished emptying the bag. His strong heartbeat and body heat made it difficult for her to resist him. He pushed her long hair from one side of her shoulder. Before he could kiss her, she stepped aside with her glass in hand. He inhaled a deep breath as she walked away from him.

  “Is something wrong?” he asked.

  She took several gulps of the dark fluid and then took a seat on one of the high chairs on the other side of the bar.

  “You seem…distant.” He moved toward the counter separating them.

  She licked her lips as she set her drink down. “I’m fine.”

  “Then look at me and say that.”

  She lifted her gaze. Green eyes stared back at her. His tense brows and pursed lips revealed his concern.

  “Now, tell me nothing is wrong,” he said.

  She couldn’t lie to him. She guessed he knew it. “I think maybe we should slow down.”

  “Slow down? What do you mean?”

  “This morning was beyond incredible, but I think we might be rushing into this.”

  He sighed and looked away from her. “I love you, Anna. I want you to be happy.” He met her gaze again. “Nothing is going to change for me a year form now or in a century.”

  “How can you be so certain?”

  “Because I am.”

  “Just like that?”

  “Yes, it’s that simple.”

  “Christopher had told me he loved me. He did everything to make me happy for over a decade.”

  Zale shook his head. “I’m not him. I’m not looking to gain anything from you except your love.”

  She drank more blood. He made a valid point. For years, Christopher had asked her for immortality. She should’ve known he’d tire of asking and take measures to get what he wanted or leave. But she’d been blinded by love. Maybe Zale didn’t want anything, but he could still change his mind about her.

  She set her empty glass down. “Your feelings are heightened right now because we work together and we’re on the brink of an outbreak. Down the road after we prevent it, I bet you’ll change your mind about me.”

  He flattened his palms on the counter and leaned toward her. “Werewolves don’t leave their mates, ever. My feelings for you will never change in this life or the next.”

  His steadfast words gave her hope. Maybe her relationship with Zale would be different. She wouldn’t know unless she stayed with him. But if she let their bond grow, the heartbreak would cut deep into her soul.

  He took hold of her hands and then brought them together. “Please don’t let that evil bastard ruin any chance of future happiness. I guarantee my love will never end. You have to have faith. Give yourself the opportunity to enjoy love. You deserve it.”

  She wanted to believe everything would work out between them and they’d stay together for the long haul. Unlike Christopher, Zale fought for the same goals as her. They did it in different ways, but they both worked to save lives. Christopher had lost his faith in mankind midway through their relationship. That detail along with the fact Zale didn’t want anything from her boosted her confidence. Moreover, she couldn’t let some evil bastard ruin her love life forever.

  “You’re right,” she said. “I should let go of my past and Christopher. It’s difficult because he hurt my heart so much.”

  He brought her hands up and kissed her fingers. “I know. But if you give me a chance you will see I’m right and you’ll be happier. I promise you.”

  Accepting his words, she nodded. She’d never been one to hold much fear. She spent over two centuries fighting demons and took pride exorcising them. She had solid values and beliefs. Yet, when it came to love, she had a hole in her heart. She hoped Zale would fill it and all her worries about him would disappear. He asked for faith and she’d give it. But if he let her down, she’d never give love another shot.

  “I’m sorry if I alarmed you,” she said.

  “Don’t be. If something is on your mind, share it and we’ll work through it. We are a team inside and out of our partnership. I want us to succeed and be happy. To do that, we have to work together, in the bed and out of it.”

  She grinned. “Tease.”

  He gave her a smile.

  The soft ring of a phone captured both their attentions. The melody sounded unfamiliar to her.

  “It’s my phone,” he said, walking away. “I plugged in the charger upstairs. I’ll be back.”

  His feet thudded on the steps as he ascended the staircase at a quick pace. While he retrieved his phone, she left her seat with the glass in hand. She returned to the kitchenette and set the next bag into the microwave.

  Relief coursed through her since she’d talked about her fear. Some men might have taken it as a sign of weakness, but not Zale. He continued to encourage her to have faith. He was a one of a kind catch.

  His fast beating heart calmed while his feet patted on the steps. She heard his voice, but was too busy fixing her next drink to recognize what he was saying.

  “All right, I’ll be there,” Zale said, walking toward her. “Send me the details.”

  She squeezed every drop from the bag and into her glass before she tossed the empty container, along with the other one, in the trash. “Who was on the phone?”

  He set the cell on the counter and sighed. “Gordon. The vampire community leaders are meeting at eleven to discuss what’s going on. I guess a lot happened earlier this morning. Gordon didn’t go into much detail. He said Colin asked for me to talk to everyone and give an update. I said I’d go.”

  His words gave her an unsettling feeling. What had happened in the morning? She’d like to know. If something bad had gone on, she didn’t want Zale to get mixed up in it.

  “It’s important for you to talk to them if the leaders are edgy, but without knowing what happened, I’d hate for you to get involved,” she said.

  “My priorities are to help you find the masters. All I can do is update them on our progress.” He stepped closer to her as she drank her elixir. “Do you mind staying here? I would prefer you did after what happened the last couple of nights.”

  She swallowed and set her glass down. “Will Gordon be there?” She ignored his question and comment.

  “No, he can’t make it.”

  “Then I’m going with you. I’m not letting you talk to a room full of vampires without some protection.” She doubted the leaders posed a threat to Zale, but she wasn’t taking any chances.

  “Anna, after what happened—“

  “I’m better and this isn’t a strenuous activity. I’ll be fine.” She stopped in front of him and placed her palm on his cheek. “I’m not letting you go without me. So don’t even try to leave me behind.” Determination thrived within her. If he attempted to go without her, she’d do everything in her power to find the meeting.

  He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close until their bodies met. “If your boss finds out, he might not be happy.”

  She planted a gentle kiss on his lips. “I don’t care. I’m standing by your side. You’d insist on doing the same for me.”

  He kissed her back. His erection twitched against her belly.

  “We should clean up before we leave. We have a little time,” he said.

  “Good idea. I am feeling a bit dirty.” She supplied a crooked grin.

  He took her hand and tugged it. “Come on, I’ll make sure you’re thoroughly cleaned.”

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Zale navigated from the exit to a stoplight. The red-glowing light prevented him from driving forward. He’d sped on the inters
tate, trying to make up time since they’d left later than intended. But traffic had been heavy and had delayed them. The time on the dashboard showed 11:02, which put them a few minutes late to the meeting. Still, he didn’t want it to reflect poorly upon them.

  He glanced over at Anna sitting in the passenger seat. She had her long hair tied behind her head and wore a leather jacket over a green sweater. Knee-high boots covered the lower part of her legs and black tights hid the upper half. Clothed or not, she was damn sexy. Of course, he preferred her naked so he could feel her flesh.

  She held her gaze low as she stared at the phone in her hands. The cell had a silver case instead of the black one he’d seen prior to her capture.

  “New phone?”

  “Yeah, the masters took my last one.” The screen darkened. “Aziel isn’t thrilled I’m going to this meeting with you.” She tucked the cell into a pocket in her jacket. “He wants me to report back to him after the meeting.”

  The light above the vehicle flashed to green.

  “How angry did he seem?” Zale asked, pressing his foot on the accelerator.

  “His messages indicated his concern. He didn’t seem too mad. I assured him the meeting was to talk and nothing more.”

  “The vampire leaders and Colin are holding this, so I doubt they’re going to start trouble, at least not the physical kind.”

  “Exactly. I think my presence will help and show them we are working to end the violence. Aziel couldn’t argue with that.”

  Anna’s health remained a concern to Zale. She’d said she felt good and appeared almost normal. Her paler than usual skin fed his worry. He suspected she still had some healing to do. After the meeting, he planned to bring her back to his place and take care of her needs. All of them.

  From the light, Zale drove six blocks, passing small businesses and vacant parking lots, to the hotel where the vamps were meeting. The ten-story beige building stood higher than all others in a three-block radius. A red light on the flat roof flashed. Down the street a few blocks, a new three-story apartment complex had been built. Paper in the windows and the large banner advertising an opening date indicated the building was under construction. He couldn’t understand why anyone would want to live near a structure with a helicopter pad. The downtown location had to be the reason. Many shops and eateries were within walking distance. Stopping in a turn lane, he waited for a car to go by before making a U-turn.

  “I wonder why they chose this cheap hotel instead of the Conrad,” Zale said as he brought the Explorer to a halt in front of the hotel.

  A valet attendant dressed in a maroon jacket strode toward the car.

  “A hotel like the Conrad is an obvious place to meet. I’m guessing they chose a location outside the center of downtown to throw off anyone interested in discovering them,” she said.

  “That makes sense,” Zale said as the male attendant appeared near his window.

  He pushed opened the door and then dug his wallet from his back pocket. The older man had a strong musky scent and kept his gaze pointed in the direction of traffic. After Zale handed cash to the fellow, he strode behind the vehicle to catch up with Anna on the sidewalk.

  “Did Gordon tell you what room they’re waiting in?” she asked.

  Glass doors slid to each side as they strode toward them.

  “313,” he said, walking beside her.

  On the left, they passed the check-in counter with two people standing behind it. The waiting area on the right contained the typical large television on the wall, furniture, and refreshment supplies. The aroma of coffee lingered in the air while a machine gurgled and fluid dripped. Three pairs of silver doors faced them from the back. Anna strode toward them with her hands inside the pockets of her jacket. Reaching the elevators, Zale pressed the call button.

  “I hear five heartbeats on this floor and many others upstairs, too many to count,” she said.

  “I didn’t bring a weapon with me. Did you?”

  “I’ve got blades in my boots.”

  “Always prepared.”

  Lips pressed together, she nodded.

  Zale stood next to her in the elevator. He took her hand into his and brought the back to his lips. “I want you to rest when we get back to my place.”

  “If resting involves making love, then I hope this meeting is short.”

  He grinned while his heart gained a beat. The desire to kiss her pressed upon him, but the elevator doors opened before he could act.

  Her hand slipped from his as she exited the elevator. She paused where the hallway split and glanced at the sign. When she turned to the right, Zale followed at her side.

  Passing rooms, Zale heard voices from televisions and kids. In another room, a woman gasped and said, “Yes, fuck me harder.” Anna glanced at him and gave a crooked grin. He couldn’t resist touching her, so he slid his hand over her ass and then squeezed it.

  “We could get a room here instead of going back to my place,” he said softly.

  “Very tempting.”

  They paused at the end of the hall to read the numbers on the sign. To the right, a large man stepped around the corner at the far end. Zale grinned at the werewolf.

  “Trevor, good to see you again,” Zale said as he strode toward him.

  “Other werewolves are here?” Anna asked.

  “Looks like it. Gordon didn’t tell me,” Zale said.

  The brown-haired werewolf wore jeans and a tight gray t-shirt. His bangs hung above his right eye. Trevor smiled as they approached him.

  Another stocky man stepped around the corner. He had dark skin and stood a few inches shorter than Trevor. Black locks on his head and face matched the color of his t-shirt. Zale recalled training the werewolf in the 1960s.

  “Derek, good to see you too,” Zale said as he came to a halt in front of the two men.

  Derek held out his hand and Zale gripped it. Zale gave him a tap on his shoulder.

  “Haven’t seen you in a while, Zale. I heard you’re working with the DS.” Derek shifted his gaze to Anna.

  “Trevor, Derek, this is Anna. And yes, she’s with the DS,” Zale said.

  The two men smiled at her.

  “Nice to meet you,” she said. “Where’s the party?”

  Derek jerked his head in the direction of the hall he’d come from. “Vamps are chatting in the suite with the guard standing outside. The guard won’t let us in. He said only Zale could pass.”

  “Are there any more of you here?” she asked.

  “No, just us,” Trevor said. “Gordon sent us in case Zale needed support.”

  Zale met her gaze as he sighed. While he understood Gordon’s concern, sending other werewolves to the meeting showed a lack of trust. He wished his boss wouldn’t have sent them. “Shall we join the others?”

  “Lead the way,” she said.

  Zale rounded the corner. A thin vampire dressed in black pants and a long-sleeved sweater of the same color watched him approach. Brown eyes matched the color of his short hair. He veered his gaze to Anna, walking at his side.

  “I’m with the Divine Syndicate,” she said as she and Zale stopped in front of vamp. “I’m here with Zale to meet the leaders.”

  “Let them in, William,” a man said from behind the door.

  The vamp gave them a nod.

  Zale glanced at his two fellow agents. “Keep your eyes and ears alert.”

  Both Trevor and Derek nodded.

  Anna opened the door and entered the suite. A large vamp with shoulder-length brown hair stepped from the side and brought her to a quick halt. The closeness of the vamp bothered Zale. With a low growl in his throat, Zale moved in front of her and faced the vampire.

  Colin shot up from his seat. “Ethan, it’s okay.”

  Zale stared into Ethan’s brown eyes. The vampire might have been as strong as him, but he held no fear. Without looking away, Ethan took a step back.

  “Anna, how are
you?” Colin asked, standing in front of a chair close to the middle of the room. He wore a navy blue suit with a white button-down under his blazer. His short flat locks covered one ear and hid behind the other. Sparse light-brown hairs on the lower half of his face indicated he hadn’t shaved for a few days before he’d changed into a vampire.

  Anna walked around Zale and headed for the Community Leader. The large suite had two sofas facing each other with a chair on each end. A rectangular cherry wood coffee table sat in the center. A big television with a blank screen hung on the wall to the side of where Colin had been seated. On the left, a bar with four high chairs separated the living area from the kitchen. Doors on each end led to bedrooms.

  “I’m well, thank you.” Anna stopped in front of him and shook his hand. “I hope you don’t mind me joining this meeting.”

  “Not at all.” Colin finished shaking her hand and then offered Zale the same greeting.

  Zale accepted it. “Good to see you again.”

  “Thank you for joining us,” Colin said. “I know you’ve met Tim, but have you met the other leaders?”

  “No,” Zale said.

  “I haven’t met any of these gentlemen,” Anna said.

  “Then introductions are in order.” Colin gestured to the men sitting on the couch to the left. “This is Tim and Jeffery. Tim is the west side leader and Jeffery comes from the north.” Colin shifted his hand to the pair sitting on the right. “And this is Michael from the south and Curtis from the east. Gentlemen, meet Zale from the Union of Justice and Anna from the Divine Syndicate.”

  Tim offered a flat grin while Jeffery gave a nod. Both men wore dark slacks. Tim wore a green sweater whereas Jeffery wore a crisp maroon button-down. Across from them, Curtis wore a long-sleeved blue sweater and kept his gaze forward. His black pants matched the color of his skin and goatee. Sitting next to him, Michael wore a long-sleeved multi-colored flannel shirt and khakis. Compared to the others, Michael appeared to be the youngest. The only one with blonde hair and blue eyes, Michael stared at Zale with a hint of curiosity. Given the silence in the room and lack of welcoming handshakes, Zale believed trouble brewed in their minds.