Chapter 2
Tessa’s hands shook so bad she was surprised she made it home without running off the road. Adam sat in the back with the vampire they had stolen from the VC Warriors. Her stomach pitched violently thinking of what they just pulled off.
“Pull around back.” Her brother ordered.
Chad, who hadn’t shut up the whole ride home, chuckled. “You guys are as good as dead. They’ll find you.”
“Shut up.” Adam hissed glancing out the back window.
Pulling around to the back of the house Tessa pried her death grip off the steering wheel flexing her aching fingers. She swore if she hadn’t been driving she would have shot the bastard the first minute of being in the car with him. He wouldn’t shut up and it was driving her crazy. Her head, already buzzing with what they had just done, was now hurting so bad her eyes felt like they were bleeding.
“Unlock the cellar.” Adam ordered as he pulled Chad out of the back seat.
“Stop ordering me around.” Tessa snapped grabbing the keys out of the ignition. Heading down the three steps she unlocked the old door pushing it open. Turning, she rushed back to where Adam waited.
“This is great.” Chad laughed enjoying every moment. “You guys are turning on each other. You have no idea what you’ve done. The warriors aren’t going to give up trying to find you. Take it from me. No one messes with them and gets away with it.”
“Shut up!” Both Tessa and Adam yelled. Adam pushed Chad ahead of him down the steps into the cellar, slamming the door behind him.
Taking a deep calming breath Tessa glanced around more paranoid than she had ever been in her life. They didn’t have any close neighbors, most everywhere you looked was woods, but it felt like someone was watching her. Rushing around to the front of the house Tessa shivered. She needed to get a grip. There was one way to their small farm house and that was the gravel drive. With one last glance down the driveway Tessa ran up the steps, key ready to shove in the lock. She couldn’t get inside fast enough. Finally the door gave after a few shaky tries and she quickly jumped inside slamming the door closed. Feeling dizzy she realized she had been holding her breath and let it out in one long sigh. Her legs felt like noodles barely carrying her through the living room to the kitchen. Grabbing a bottle of water out of the fridge she drank it down in one long swig. Her mouth was so dry from fear she was about to choke.
The sound of Adam stomping up the steps echoed in the small kitchen. Tessa rushed over unlocking the door leading to the cellar. After slamming the door shut Adam went to the kitchen sink splashing water on his face.
“You okay?” Tessa locked the door back not taking her eyes off her brother.
“Yeah, I’m good.” His answer muffled with the dish towel he used to wipe his face with.
“Did he say anything?” Tessa pulled a chair out from the table practically falling in it. Her legs were so rubbery she was surprised they were still holding her up.
Adam snorted. “Oh, he said plenty, but nothing worth a damn.” He also grabbed some water before sitting across from her. “Don’t worry. He’ll talk.”
Tessa nodded noticing Adam’s one golden eye was slightly darker with what looked like a tinge of red. She wasn’t scared of her brother, but his short fuse did make her cautious. He was the same, but different. It confused the hell out of her. “Do you think they’ll find us?”
“Who? The warriors?” Adam took another drink. “I doubt it. I mean look how easy I was able to get us in their so called compound. They’re still probably trying to figure out what the hell happened.” He snorted shaking his head.
Not really comfortable with Adam’s cocky attitude Tessa frowned. “Do you need to feed Adam?” She asked remembering the warrior’s words from only an hour ago.
“Yeah…” Adam grinned rubbing his stomach. “I could use some chow. How about some of that chili from last night? You got some of that left over?”
“That’s not what I’m taking about Adam.” Tessa shook her head, but got up to heat him some left over chili.
“I know it’s not, but I’m fine. Just don’t worry about it….okay.” His words were firm, clipped with anger.
“I do worry and I will worry.” Tessa slammed the bowl of chili down on the counter. “I’m your big sister so yeah, I’m going to worry…get over it.”
Adam snorted with a grin. “You may be older, but not by much, so don’t go thinking you’re gonna be bossing me around.”
Tessa threw a wadded up napkin at the back of his head. “Don’t make me put you in timeout, mister, cause I’ll do it.”
Standing up Adam grabbed the napkin off the floor where it fell tossing it in the trash. Grabbing Tessa, he gave her a brotherly hug “I know what I’m doing, okay.” He ruffled her hair. “I know I haven’t shared a lot with you yet, but it’s for your safety right now.”
Nodding Tessa took the bowl of chili out of the microwave and set it on the kitchen table. “Whatever it takes we’ll do.”
“Damn right we will.” Adam smiled before shoving a large spoonful of chili in his mouth.
Not hungry, Tessa tossed the rest of the chili out, figuring it wouldn’t be any good tomorrow. Her stomach was a mess of nerves. What she needed was a good strong drink, but no alcohol had been in the house since their father had taken off. Having an alcoholic father had pretty much set both of them on a firm road of sobriety. That didn’t mean at times she might need a stiff one to get her through the rough times, but it had never helped their dad and she really didn’t want to go down that road.
Finishing his chili Adam put the bowl in the sink looking up at the clock. “Why don’t you go ahead to the nursing home and see Gramps.”
“You sure you don’t need me here?” A nauseous feeling churned her stomach. “Maybe we need to stick together.”
Adam shook his head. “No, you need to go check up on him. We haven’t missed a day and we’re not starting now. It’s fine. I have you blocked, they can’t find you.”
“I’m not worried about them.” She lied, but when he gave her the ‘look’, she sighed. “Okay, so I am worried, but you’re the one they’re coming for. It would be better if I stayed.”
Grabbing her keys and bag he shoved them at her, then turned her toward the door with a push. “Go. Come back in about an hour.”
Tessa turned to look at her little brother. At eighteen he towered over her and since his change he had become more dominant. Sometimes it was a nice change, but most times it made her want to scream, like now. She took one last look at her brother then headed out the door the feeling of unease growing with each step she took.
********
Jared punched the heavy bag so hard the top split spraying sand out the top.
“Duncan’s gonna be pissed.” Sid walked up glancing at the heavy bag. “He just replaced that after Damon split the last one.”
“Anything yet?” He ignored the comment about the heavy bag. He was keyed up and ready to find the half-breed and voluptuous red head. They had no clue who they were dealing with.
“Nope, and Damon is ready to kill something.” They both turned when the door opened to the warehouse. “Speak of the devil.”
Damon, who had another warrior pick up his mate, Nicole, walked in followed by Pam. “Anything yet?” Damon growled as he made his way toward them his hand holding tightly to Nicole’s.
Jared shook his head, then smiled at Nicole. “How you doing sweetheart?”
“Great!” Nicole grinned, showing off her new fangs. Damon had turned her after she saved his life by sacrificing her own, drawing Chad Evans to her and away from Damon.
“Damn if that ain’t sexy.” Jared went to touch one of her little fangs knowing he was driving Damon crazy.
“Okay, that’s it!” Damon grabbed Jared by the back of the neck pushing him away. “Stay away from my mate. This is your last warning.”
Jared laughed loudly as he tucked his arm around Pam careful not to jar her arm that had been injured in the car accident Chad Evans had caused. Damn, he should have just killed the son of a bitch when he had the chance.
“You’re so bad.” Pam swatted Jared with her good hand laughing at Damon’s possessive stance.
“No other way to be.” Jared winked at Nicole giving Pam a squeeze.
Damon rolled his eyes pulling Nicole tight against his body.
“So what’s so important that me and Pam had to rush over here with an escort?” Nicole demanded before the door burst open.
“I hope to hell you two being here means you’re back to work.” Mitch stomped in the door his booming voice bounced around them.
“Awe, you miss us.” Nicole batted her eyes at her boss.
“Hell no.” Mitch grunted. “I’m up to my ass in cases and I need you two back to work pronto.”
“Bet you haven’t been feeding dollars to the F-word jar either.” Nicole frowned.
“You know Callahan, I really haven’t missed that mouth of yours.” Mitch shot back. He hated the F-word jar. Most of his hard earned income went into the f*cking thing because he couldn’t stop saying f*ck. Dealing with kids, they had to watch their words so Nicole came up with the damn F-word jar.
“You better watch out Mitch.” Nicole’s grin turned evil. “I bite now.”
“You come near me with those new chompers of yours and I’m investing in wooden stakes.” Mitch warned, glancing at Damon. “Haven’t you taken control of her yet? She needs a firm hand.”
A sexy grin tipped Damon’s lips as he stared down at his mate. “Only when I need to.”
“For the love of God.” Mitch gave a disgusted grunt before turning his attention to a safer subject. “How’s that arm of yours?” His question rumbled to Pam.
Pam smiled at Mitch’s disgusted expression, then shrugged. “It’s okay. Still hurts, but doing better.”
Jared watched Pam closely. He knew something was going on with her, but she kept her mind closed off so tight no one could get a read on her and every one of them had tried, even Nicole with her new vampire skills.
“Where’s Duncan?” Jared took his attention off Pam. He would get to the bottom of that issue as soon as they took care of this little meeting.
“I’m right here.” Duncan came in the door eyeing Jared’s arm around Pam before quickly looking away.
Damon and Jared glanced at each other with knowing looks. Ever since they had found Pam hanging upside down by the seatbelt in her car bleeding and broken, Duncan had become very protective over the social worker. Too bad she was hooked up with Kenny, who had made only one appearance while she was in the hospital. If that had been the woman he loved in the hospital, Jared wouldn’t have left her side and he would have made damn sure she had everything she needed. Matter of fact, it seemed Duncan had taken that role more than anyone. Yeah, something was definitely up and he’d be damn sure to keep a close eye on her.
“So what’s so important you needed to see us?” Mitch’s voice always sounded pissed, even wishing someone a Merry Christmas, he made it seem like he was really saying ‘Merry f*cking Christmas…a*shole.’
All the warriors looked at each other before Duncan spoke. “Chad’s gone.”
Nicole stepped closer to Damon. “What? How?”
“Seems he and someone he’s been working with have been busy turning humans into half-breeds?” Damon answered.
“Half-breeds?” Mitch frowned glancing back and forth between the three of them.
“Yeah, half human and half vampire. The best age for a half-breed is young, late teens. They’re rare and most are killed on site.” Jared shifted nervously.
Nicole jerked out of Damon’s grasp. “If you even think I’ll help you find these kids just so you can kill them then you can just forget it.” Nicole trembled with anger.
“Now hold on.” Jared glanced at Damon. “You need to understand something before you get your undies in a bunch. Once the half-breed…”
Nicole was in his face before anyone could stop her. “First off my undies don’t bunch and second I don’t like the word half-breed.” She snapped, her fangs growing slightly.
Jared tried, he really did, but the grin just popped out on his face. She was a sight when she was spitting mad. Leaning his face closer to her he continued. “Once these…..kids” He cocked his eyebrow. “become a certain age one of three things can happen. They will either become mindless killers of anything that breathes, they will become active leaders in the Vampire Council or they will become a warrior.”
“So it’s easier to kill them instead of waiting to see which of the three they become.” Pam demanded also not liking where this was going.
“If you two hot heads would wait until I finish.” Jared sighed. “I didn’t say we were going to kill them, but Vampira over there jumped the gun and didn’t let me finish. We need to get them into custody so they can be watched for signs of change and see if they can clue us in on what the hell is going on.”
“Why didn’t you say that in the first place?” Nicole grumbled.
“For shit shake Callahan. Your mouth is like a duck’s ass sprouting shit everywhere.” Mitch stood up shaking his head. “What do you guys need from us?”
“Inquire if there has been an increase in vampire adoption of older human kids between the ages of 14 and 17. We’re not even sure if there is more than one, but one we’re sure of.” Duncan replied glancing at Pam. “Anything that sounds out of the ordinary, let us know. All half-breeds have one human eye and one golden eye of a vampire. It seems the kid that broke Chad out is the only one we know of for sure.”
“Broke him out?” Pam piped in.
“He and a woman came in while Jared was interrogating Chad.” Duncan answered when Sid chuckled.
“F*ck you Sid.” Jared growled.
“Well, it isn’t every day you see the mighty warrior Jared tied to a chair by a little woman in a baseball cap and sunglasses.” Sid snorted.
Before Jared could make a comment Duncan’s cell rang. After a few seconds and a few words he hung up. “Got ‘em.”
Jared’s grin was evil in a happy sort of way. “Now the mighty warrior Jared gets his revenge.”