Scarlet Assassin (24 page)

She hoped her shit bath was enough to cover her scent from the dogs, but it was a long shot. Pressing into the tree trunk, she remained perfectly still. Patience was what she needed, besides it would give her the time to regenerate and build-up her strength. With every passing minute she felt her body getting stronger. Her thoughts went to Clarissa, how she missed her lover. A day, a night was too long to be apart when they hadn’t been without each other longer than a day since reconciling. They woke up together and slept in the same house, sometimes in separate rooms due to AJ’s schedule, but still together. She was sure Clarissa must be frantic, but there was absolutely nothing she could do right now to calm her lover. In her weakened state, AJ’s ability to connect with Clarissa was more difficult. She could get Clarissa’s thoughts, but she had more difficulty pushing hers to Clarissa. They would need to be a lot closer if she wanted to reach Clarissa and put her at ease.

“Let’s go, she’s going to get further away if we don’t move,” bossy man from earlier screamed.

The small group of searchers moved en mass away from the coven and deeper into the forested land. AJ waited what seemed like hours, yet she knew it was probably only minutes at most. Her mind worked out the logistics of getting to her car, assuming it was still where she parked it, getting off the coven grounds unseen and back to Clarissa. She needed to protect her lover. De Marcus was evil and he would be out to eliminate everyone around Clarissa, keeping her to himself for eternity. Scrambling down from her perch, she zigzagged from tree to tree, trying to stay covered while weaving her way back to the coven parking. Her car still sat on the small hill where she’d parked it. Little did she realize at the time, parking it facing down the drive would be convenient. Searching the lot, she didn’t see anyone around it. No sounds caught her attention. She crept closer, keeping low to stay hidden. It was eerily quiet—almost too quiet. Scanning the grounds, she suspected the impending dawn would keep the majority of the coven in lock down. All she had to worry about were the few out scouting for her.

Crawling to the side of her car, she reached up into the wheel well and felt around for the replacement box she always placed on her rental. She’d learned a long time ago, that rental agencies took their sweet time sending a replacement key, and time sometimes wasn’t her friend. Staying alive in a world that wanted you dead meant planning was a necessity. It had kept her alive more times than she could remember. She’d built her life around possibilities, usually of the worst kind. The metal box slid, dropping its contents into her hand, a key and a small wad of cash. No use in having a car, if you couldn’t keep it filled with gas. Sliding down the fender she slipped the key into the door lock, turned it and waited, worried the sound of the lock turning might bring someone running.

Nothing.

She slipped into the driver’s seat and gently pulled the door closed. Pushing the lock button, she leaned across the seat and waited again. Her heart raced, anxiety coursed through her. It was difficult to stay focused. Suddenly her mind bounced from the past to the present. Clarissa then and her lover now flashed through her thoughts. How could she have not known Clarissa was alive all those decades? Why didn’t she search for AJ? Why was self-doubt eating at her now? AJ closed her eyes and pushed all of the questions from her mind. Now wasn’t the time to linger on pointless regrets.

She slipped the key into the ignition and turned it. The car didn’t start. Pushing the brake she shifted the car into neutral, slowly let the car roll down the driveway. AJ peeked over the dash and then all around her, still nothing. She would only get one chance to get out and off the mountain, so she needed to be quick. Without power the car would be difficult to steer, so she prepared to start the engine before she careened off the road into a tree. She cranked the SUV and it lurched into drive as she pushed the gas to the floor.

The back glass shattered with the sound of gunshots, followed by another that splintered the right side of the windshield into webs that nearly blocked her view. She was out of options.
Time to move.
Pushing the SUV harder she slid through the turns. A gun-wielding man raised his weapon and got off a shot that shattered her window. She felt the bullet zip past her face, missing by inches.

All AJ could think was move faster.
Faster!
She heard yelling behind her, but at the speed she was moving there was no way they would catch her on foot. Not even vampires could run that fast. A splattering of bullets rained across the back end of the SUV before it was finally silent. Hitting the main road, she pushed the car further trying to put as much distance between her and the coven as possible. She’d have to dump the SUV and find another ride to the airport, but anything on the road would be obvious. What she wouldn’t do for a phone right now, just to hear Clarissa’s voice and know she was safe. She needed that small assurance more than she needed to breathe. Maybe she could find a pay phone somewhere. Finally passing a strip mall she drove along the front, searching. Nothing, not even a stump, she’d take anything. Asking to use a phone inside was out of the question. She smelled like an outhouse and looked like she’d been dunked in one, too. Gazing down at her hands she felt her gag reflex start.
Keep it together
, she whispered repeatedly.

She pulled behind a row of buildings. Slowing, she surveyed her options of the few cars available: a sedan, a truck and an old Dodge Dart.
Great, not much to choose from
. She pulled into a parking space next to the Dart, figuring it would be the easiest to steal. The Dart would also draw the least amount of attention. The only question was would it make it to the airport fifteen miles away?

Jumping out of the vehicle, AJ grimaced in pain. Grabbing her side, she felt a something sharp stab her hand. A rib poked through. With all the metal and glass flying around she wasn’t surprised she was hit. What surprised her was that she didn’t even feel the bullet hit her side—at least she assumed it was a bullet. Today just wasn’t her day. Hell, it wasn’t even her week if truth be told. She didn’t need to lose any more blood. She was running on a deficit as it was. Now it was imperative that she get to the airport and home. If she was going to die she wanted it to be next to Clarissa and not on some deserted Hicksville street. Stepping over to the Dodge, she elbowed the back window, pulled the door lock and slipped into the driver’s seat. Reaching underneath she yanked on the wiring harness and pulled two wires. Touching the bare ends made the connection and the engine cranked over. Pumping the gas, she tapped them again and the car started instantly. Slamming the car door, she slid down into the seat, punched the gas and tore out of the parking lot. Slowing just enough to make sure no one was coming down the street, she pulled out on to the main road again and tried to act as local as possible.

She passed the airport sign within minutes, and soon drifted to a stop next to her waiting plane. It wouldn’t be long now before she was home and with Clarissa. Her only hope was that Selene would keep her safe.

“Ms. Lockwood, are you all right?”

Those were the last words AJ heard before she collapsed at the stairs of the plane.

Chapter Thirty-four

Clarissa froze, her eyes locked on the scene playing out on top of Selene’s desk. She wished she’d knocked now, but what was done was done. She wanted to go home, but knew that Selene wouldn’t allow her to be that easy of a target. Her house had a security system, but not much more than that, so she’d wait for AJ at the penthouse.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you were otherwise detained, Selene. I’ll wait for you next door.”

“Sorry boss, she got away from…” Jax stood frozen behind Clarissa, too. “Well, I can see you’re—”

Clarissa closed the door before he could finish his sentence. “I think we should give them some privacy, don’t you?”

“Well—”

“Really? Have you no shame?”

“No, not really,” Jax said following Clarissa back to Selene’s room.

“Why am I not surprised, Jax? As you can see Selene is busy, so I’d like you to take me home.”

“No can do, Clarissa. Selene told me to keep an eye on you and keep you safe in here.” He swept his arm wide, waiting for her to go back inside.

Clarissa’s frustration boiled over. “Take me home now, Jax.” Clarissa’s anger could prompt her to change into a vampire and she was close to ascending into her sub-human form. “Now.”

Jax morphed into the most gruesome vampire Clarissa had seen. His soul had to be hundreds of years old. It’s withered old frame, with its craggy creases and deep-set eyes stopped Clarissa cold. Her transformation halted. Never had she seen someone look so wicked and dangerous.

“You shouldn’t push people, Clarissa. Some of us aren’t as nice as AJ or Selene. Now sit the fuck down and wait. Selene will be here when she’s finished.” Jax’s heel caught the door and it slammed behind him. “What’s wrong? Surprised?”

“Sorta,” she lied. She was shocked. “How old are you Jax?”

“How old is dirt?” He joked. “I’ve seen things that history books talk about. I’ve been places you could only dream of and yet, I feel as young as I did when I was brought over.”

Clarissa could believe his boastful claims. Old souls like him were rare. She’d never met one, but had heard of the
legends
. They had legendary status amongst the younger bloods. Hard to kill, even harder to find. Their wisdom ran deep, their voices just as so. The fact that he was in Selene’s employ was surprising. She suddenly felt safe sitting in the same room with him.

“Your master must–”

“Is long dead. He wasn’t worth the time it took to kill him, he gave me a gift I would gladly return if I could.”

Clarissa craned her neck as if doing so would encourage him to elaborate further. He didn’t bite, instead he sat changing back into his more visually appealing image. Clarissa blew out a breath through pursed lips. She wouldn’t get anywhere with Jax, so she might as well relax and wait.

Chapter Thirty-five

Icy fingers spread through the room. Clarissa’s interruption had more than dropped the temperature, it had been like jumping into a cold shower with all your clothes on as far as Francesca was concerned. Selene pulled back, clutching at the fragments of her shirt, pulling it closed. Turning away from Francesca, she cinched her belt and poured two fingers of something into a glass.

“Want some?” Her cold tone left little question about how she was feeling.

Francesca knew she should be embarrassed at being caught
in the act,
but her body still ached for Selene. For the third time with Selene she felt as if a job was half-completed.

“No, I’m good. Thanks.”

“I’ll have Jax take you home.” Still with her back to Francesca she shot the drink and then slammed it on the bar and refilled it.

“I don’t need Jax to take me home. I need you to talk to me. I need…I don’t know what I need…I mean I do know what I need, but clearly that ship has sailed.” Francesca pushed down her skirt.

“Your friend was escorted home, so I want to make sure you get home safe.”

“Well that’s very gallant of you, Selene.”

Raising her glass in salute, Selene downed another and then one more. Francesca suspected Selene’s metabolism would burn up the alcohol like a Bunsen burner. A hot flame short lived once the gas was turned off.

“I try.”

“Yes, I’m sure you do.” Francesca straightened her blouse. “We both know that we can’t stay away from each other now. I don’t know what you’ve done to me, but I can feel you inside me.”

Selene turned to face Francesca and grabbed her arms. “I’m not girlfriend material, Francesca. I’m—”

“Oh, I know, you have that dark, dangerous bitch down. Trust me.” Francesca yanked her arms out of Selene’s grasp. “I’m a big girl and I know exactly what you are, but trust me I’m not afraid of you.”

“You should be.”

Selene flung herself down on the couch and let out a deep breath. Francesca couldn’t let her off that easy. Selene had done something to her. She didn’t feel like her normal self anymore. She hadn’t felt normal since her first visit to The Dungeon.

“So it ends before it ever starts? Jesus, I’m sounding like a fucking stalker girlfriend who doesn’t get a call back after the first date.”

Selene just sat there, staring off and unable to make eye contact. Francesca suspected this wasn’t her first time breaking a heart or two and she was sure it wouldn’t be her last. Shaking herself, she wondered how she’d gotten so sideways so easily. Her logical mind was starting to fire-up and reason was boiling to the top of her scattered thoughts. Direct contact with Selene had a clouding effect on her, she suspected. Grabbing her jacket and shoes, Francesca could only feel pity for Selene. It was clear she was struggling with her demons. She supposed in a life this long, it was bound to happen.

Francesca’s only option was to take back whatever control she had innocently handed over to Selene. While she’d never had addictive tendencies, she suspected breaking away from Selene would feel like withdrawal.
God, what was she thinking?
She barely knew the woman and here she was planning how to deal with dependency.
Christ
, she needed to get as far away from Selene as she could. She’d quit Lockwood Pharmaceuticals! She’d find a new job! Her mind raced with thoughts on how she could avoid Selene and the physical contact. She was losing her mind. Run, she thought.

“Well, I hate to fuck and run, but thanks for another interesting evening. I think you’re right, we wouldn’t be good together. My apologies for bothering you, Selene.” She stalked out, slamming the door behind her.

She practically ran down the hallway and out into the club. Her path clear, her mind starting to free itself from the shroud of strange fog. In her haste to leave, she bumped head first into a solid form.