by JF Holland
"It's still nice to have it confirmed. I've not had family for a long time Maya, I'd forgotten what it was like." She leaned up, taking hold of his face between her palms, kissing him slowly.
"Ahem… ahem," Sam said, clearing his throat, before tapping Jaden on the shoulder.
"Can I help you with something?" Jaden responded, breaking the kiss, and turning. He raised a brow at Sam, as he pulled Maya beneath his shoulder, putting his arm over hers.
"We need a quick chat," Sam said, mouth flat. Jaden sighed, his head dropping.
"Here, and now?" he asked in disbelief, and Sam lifted his chin towards the house. Kissing Maya on the nose, Jaden gave her shoulder a squeeze, before leaving her side to follow Sam.
"I'll tell you what it's about when I get back, okay?"
"No need, I can just listen in if I want to know anything," she said with a grin, tapping her forehead. Jaden laughed, as Sam swung his head to the side, his eyes slitting as he looked towards Helena. She'd just walked up. They held eye contact for a moment, then turning, he strode up the garden. Jaden in tow, as they headed inside the house.
Chapter Fourteen
Jaden sat on the corner of the kitchen table, hands shoved in his jeans pockets. Then grinned as his finger brushed over the silky material in there.
"Right, what did you want to talk about?" He asked Sam, stroking Maya's bra.
"There's been another murder. This one's bad Jaden," Sam told him as he paced before the sink.
"How do you know?"
"That would be me," Agatha spoke up. Moving into the room, her weight supported by a very pissed off looking Douglas.
"Do you know who it is?" Agatha nodded in answer to his question.
"It's Miriam Forrester, she has a gift shop in town. She's a shifter Jaden, this is going to cause problems," she told him.
"Can't we just get Helena…" she shook her head.
"No, not this time. This is John Forrester's mother," Agatha explained. She gave Douglas a tight smile while he helped her into a chair, which he pulled out from the table.
"Shit," Jaden growled, rubbing the material in his pocket between his fingers, trying to calm his mind. Sighing he ran his other hand through his hair.
"Yeah, that was my thoughts too when Aggie collapsed," rumbled Douglas. He stood behind her, hands on her shoulders, with a face like thunder.
"Are you okay Agatha?" Jaden asked, getting off the table and crouching before her. Genuine concern for her health showing on his face.
"Can I make you a drink?" she shook her head to his offer.
"No, I'm fine." Douglas let out a rumble of displeasure. "Well, I'm not, but I will be." Agatha smiled, just a slight lift of her lips.
"What made you collapse?" Jaden asked, still crouched before her. He didn't miss the way she shuddered.
"It was the violence involved," her hand fluttering to her throat. Douglas leaned forward and rubbed his hands up and down her arms. "It was vicious, she never stood a chance. She didn't even have time to shift." Her eyes took on a haunted quality. "It was done in the middle of town, in the back room in her shop.
"Why her?" Jaden asked, and Agatha raised a brow as his question.
"This is where the problem lies. John failed them by not killing you and Maya. Therefore, they went after his mother."
"Fucking, psycho rogue," he spat. Agatha put her hand on his shoulder and shook her head.
"No?"
"No, it was the witch this time, Maisie. I've never felt anything so vicious. She tied her so she couldn't fight back, then she took an eye with a blunt knife. Making sure she was gagged of course; no chance of calling for help. Then she spent hours cutting her. Minute cuts, all over her body. Every time she passed out she'd stop." Jaden ran a hand over his face, trying to remove the image her words evoked.
"When?"
"Just after they'd left the clearing." He frowned looking towards her.
"Why is it only now, just affecting you?"
"Because she only died about half an hour ago. Maisie kept at her from leaving the clearing, right up to then."
"Fuck."
"Quite. The other thing Miriam wanted to warn you of. She not only saved her blood, she also harvested her heart and another couple of organs." Jaden felt bile rise in his throat.
"Yes, she took her organs while she was alive, obviously, once her heart was removed it killed her. Unfortunately, she didn't do that right way, she wanted the pain and terror to seep into the organ first." Jaden's head whipped up.
"You know why, don't you?" Agatha nodded, then swallowed.
"She's going to use it to help with a tracking spell… They're going after Lana," she whispered.
"Fuck me," Jaden said, tugging on his hair, before running his hands through it. He then pushed up and began pacing, right alongside Sam.
They all turned as the back door opened, revealing both Helena and Maya, stood there.
"So, what exactly are we going to be doing about this?" Maya said arms crossing, her mother at her back. Then Helena slipped past her.
Maya didn't even raise an eyebrow as Helena slipped under Sam's shoulder. Although Jaden did a second take, before grinning.
Then he moved forward and pulled Maya in and closed the door behind her.
"I take it you are up to speed?" she nodded.
"I'm going to be honest here Maya, there isn't a lot we can do…" she gasped, her head shaking, but he held up a hand.
"Listen, we don't know where Lana is. How can we help protect her, if we can't find her? You said so yourself, she's gone off radar. If she doesn't open up, our hands are tied Maya."
She looked up at him and nodded, but her throat worked as her eyes took on a sheen.
"Fuck," Jaden said lowing his head to hers as he wrapped a hand around her, bringing her under his chin. "Babe, I'd do anything for you not to have to worry over his…"
"It's fine, well, it's not, but I understand. I'm just so mad right now. Why did we have to have such sick psychos for fathers," she fumed, her breath leaving her on a huff, and warming his chest.
"No, it's not," they heard Sam say out loud. Turning, they watched as he pulled Helena further into the corner.
She had her face buried against him, her fingers, tangled in the belt loops of his trousers.
"It's not," he reiterated through his teeth, eyes lifting towards the others. His jaw tight as he ran his hand over Helena's hair.
"What's wrong?" Maya asked pulling back with a frown, and looking from her mum to Sam.
Sam sighed, and Maya heard her mother sniffle.
"Mum?"
"She's blaming herself for this mess," Sam said. "She won't have it that it's their fault, not hers. She's already dealing with the guilt over what she did yesterday, she doesn't need this." Sam growled.
Maya's mouth dropped open, then her eyes slit.
"Show me your hands Sam," he closed his eyes, but held up his left palm. Maya gasped, her eyes lifting from the mark now present on his palm to her mother.
"Mum?" Helena's shoulders stiffened, but she didn't turn or respond.
"She says not ready at the moment, just give her a minute Maya, please." Maya looked from Sam to her mother and a grin split her face, then she squealed.
"So can I call you dad? Oh man, this is going to cost you. There are so many things you are going to have to buy me now. I mean the new dad has to wheedle into the affections of the kid, right." They heard Helena snort.
"It's only fair. At least fate wasn't being a bitch this time. Congratulations mum, I like this one," she smirked at Sam. "So can we keep him, huh?"
Helena slowly turned to face her daughter, her face streaked with tears.
"It's not your fault mum, it really isn't. Now suck it up, we need to make plans. I meant what I said too, him I like," she said pointing to Sam. "Now let's make a plan. Who's going to tell John?"
There were a few murmurs and muttering, but no one stepped forward. Jaden dropped his head onto Maya's.
> "Shit, I always get the good jobs," he grumbled. Squeezing Maya's hand, before he broke away and headed towards the back door.
Maya watched him go, then turned towards the kettle.
"Agatha would you like a tea, or do you have a special one that helps you? I have a feeling we'll be getting more company shortly, so I better make a start on the drinks."
Jaden walked out of the back door, shutting it behind him, muttering under his breath. He ignored Balin who looked up at him. He made a beeline for the group of men, who were stood talking in the bottom corner of the garden. He smiled in all the right places as he skirted around the people, which were milling around. He even had to step over Jenson, as he skidded near his feet, still with the toy airplane in his hand, being chased by his mother. Luc stood eating a hotdog a little further back than the group, which Leonard the vamp was part of. It seemed Luc and Leonard kept their distance, maybe he'd ask what the story behind that was, one day. Balin had told him that Luc had taken a spot as far away from Leonard as he could get, when looking for guard positions.
The group of men went quiet as he arrived. He stood there, hands in the back pockets of his jeans, without a clue where to begin.
"Do you want me to come out," came Maya's voice.
"No, it's fine, but shit Maya, I don't want to do this. I still remember how I felt in the after math of knowing I'd lost my parents. The thought of breaking the news that she's not only gone, but how…" he sighed. "Let's just say I'd rather pull my own teeth out with pliers, than have to deal with this."
Jaden, come have a drink with us, said John a smile on his face. Then he frowned as he got a good look at his face.
"Jaden?" John said again, looking towards Edwin Murdoch, who ambled closer to John, looking at Jaden in query. Jaden sighed.
"Fuck, Maya, I've ran out of time. I'll be in shortly, make tea, lots of tea. Maybe hunt out the bottle of scotch, I hid it under the sink."
"Okay, I love you," Maya ended on, as she pulled back.
Rocking on the balls of his feet, Jaden looked at John. How the fuck did he do this? Then the noise from the others chatter, and laughter permeated his think bubble.
"John, come join me in the house a minute," he said. Turning on his heel, and making his way back down the garden.
Both John and Edwin fell in behind him, he could hear Edwin trying to placate John. It seemed he was worried he'd done something to offend them. Fuck, this was not good, it really wasn't. He'd love to put the guy out of his misery, but not with so many witnesses. He was expecting a meltdown, and it wasn't right to take away the guys dignity in view of the others.
As he opened the back door, he noticed the others had disappeared and raised a brow at Maya. She stood by the kettle, pouring boiling water into a large teapot.
"Take a seat John, Edwin," Maya said, stepping forward, and putting the tea pot down in the middle of the table. She then brought over cups, milk, sugar and lemon. Leaving it all on a tray for them with tea spoons.
"Thanks," Jaden said, kissing her cheek as she left the room, then she turned back. Opening the cupboard under the sink and rummaged around, pulling out a bottle of scotch. She then placed that, and a couple of tumblers on the table too. She then disappeared into the front room, presumably to join the others.
He opened his mouth to speak, just as the back door opened again, and in walked Balin, with Luc on his tail. Jaden looked towards them and he shook his head, motioning for them to go into the front room. Balin frowned, but ushered Luc through.
"Jaden, what's going on?" John asked from the seat he'd taken at the table. Edwin sat down beside him, placing an arm around his shoulder, and John leaned into him.
"You're a couple?" Jaden asked, and Edwin nodded. Jaden let out a breath he hadn't known he'd been holding.
"That's great," he smiled, thinking at least John had someone to help him through.
"You think so?" Edwin asked.
"Yeah, I do."
"Not the reaction we were expecting. We've been mated for a year or so, but not officially. Let's just say that same sex relationships aren't always blessed." Edwin said dryly, but Jaden just shrugged.
"Their problem then, not yours." Edwin smiled at him as he held onto John's hand, his shoulders relaxing slightly.
"What's this about, I thought you were okay with John, he apologised over last night…" Jaden held his hand up, then ran it through his hair.
"We never blamed John for last night, this isn't about that. Well, it's about last night, but not for the reason you're thinking." Sighing, Jaden took the chair opposite them. Turning the back towards the table and straddling it. He then leaned over, and poured some whisky into a tumbler and downed it in one. Wiping his hand over the back of his mouth he sat up, crossing his arms over the back of the chair. Then slumped, and rested his chin on his arms.
Shit, where to begin?
"You're kind of making us nervous, here," Edwin said, squeezing John's hand a he looked worriedly towards Jaden.
I'm sorry John, I don't know how else to tell you this, but your mother has been killed. Jaden said, not meeting John's perplexed expression.
"My mother, but I spoke to her. I spoke to her last night, just before we left to take up our positions. She was fine, she was looking forward to coming away with us…" He went quiet, then just looked at Jaden. Frowning, he turned to Edwin, as if he could help him understand.
"Fuck, I'm not explaining this well, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. You've lost your mother because you helped us, if it's anyone's fault it's ours."
"What do you mean?" Edwin asked, and Jaden sat up, then looked towards the ceiling, unable to meet their eyes.
"Your mother was killed by that evil bitch from last night," he explained softly. John went to stand up, but Edwin held him in his seat.
"Can you tell us exactly what happened?" Edwin asked quietly as John sat there, his face a complete blank mask, closed down. Jaden's gut clenched because he knew sooner or later, he was going to blow.
"It would perhaps be easier if I explained," came Agatha's voice from the doorway. Again she stepped into the room, still a little unsteady on her feet. Jaden jumped up, taking her hand to help her into the seat he'd just vacated.
Maya sat nibbling her thumb nail, from the armchair she was presently slumped in. Her eyes kept wandering to the doorway, as she listened to the hushed tones coming from the kitchen.
It wasn't fare that Jaden was having to do this. Bad enough any time, but tonight they had guests. Then she wanted to slap herself for being selfish, she wasn't really, she was confused. Hers and Jaden's feelings were twisting and turning in her gut. Bad enough her own, but she was also picking up on Jaden's anxiety about having to explain. He'd rather have been anywhere but there at the moment. Maya knew this was one of the reason's he'd isolated himself. It wasn't that he didn't care, it was that he cared too much. He took on other people's worries, tried to help with their problems. He also felt their pain.
"He's an empath too," Agatha said from her place on the sofa, and Maya turned to her. "Jaden, he's an empath, that's why he tries to cut himself off, it can be painful at times. Also it can be exhausting, picking up on others emotions." Agatha smiled sadly at Maya, then turned to her mate.
He shook his head, so they were obviously discussing something. Then Agatha got up, patting Douglas's shoulder, before making her way into the kitchen to join the others.
"Tis no the lads fault, Aggie will try and help," Douglas said, a tick in the side of his rigid jaw.
"Thank you Douglas," Maya said, leaning forward and patting his hand awkwardly. The room then went quiet, just the hushed tones coming from the kitchen. Luc and Balin stood near the window, both had their hands in their pockets, as they looked out onto the street.
They heard a wail from the kitchen, and everyone's eyes lowered. Maya dropped her thumb from her mouth and swallowed. She wiped a lone tear that had escaped from the corner of her eye. Poor John, this was all wrong, that psychotic bitch and
her twisted friend needed to be stopped. What the hell were they going to do?
Sam cleared his throat and Maya looked up.
"We're going to have to put a curfew in place, and also put certain areas out of bounds, until this is resolved." He added, Helena looked towards Maya, her smile tight.
"I think that's the best idea," came Luc's gruff reply from the window. "The only problem is; it's not going to stop them from stalking people when they are on their own." He added and Sam ran a hand through his hair.
"I agree. I think we're also going to have to implement the buddy system, no one is allowed to be on their own." He added, and everyone nodded their agreement.
"Luckily we have a few here with us at present, so we can at least implement it."
"What about the humans?" Helena asked.
"They are also going to have to be watched, they are in as much danger as us at the moment. No one is safe from these psychos’." He added bitterly.
"When did the town turn into an episode of Midsummer Murders?" Balin asked grimly.
"What?" he said as people tutted at him. "Well that's what it bloody feels like at the moment. You never know whose next, but everyone knows who the murderer is." He grumbled and turned back towards the window.
Maya opened her mouth to speak, but closed it again as her mobile phone vibrated in her pocket, signifying voicemail. Snapping her mouth closed, she pulled her phone out of her pocket and dialled to listen.
Balin turned from the window as he heard Maya suck in a breath, and Jaden appeared at the doorway.
"It's Lana, she says to watch out backs, she's being tailed."
"Did she leave a number, or a way of contacting her?" Jaden asked as he stepped into the room. Maya shook her head sadly, looking at her phone screen.
"No number, nothing that I can find."
"Turn up the volume and play her voicemail," Sam said from his seat beside Helena
"Why?" Maya asked
"Because if she is Balin's mate, maybe him hearing her voice will be enough to break through the barrier she's erected. He may then be able to track her, it's our only hope at this point," he added, squeezing Helena's hand.
