The Quest (10 page)

Tabby turned the car into the Steak ’n Shake lot minutes later. Jackson’s police cruiser was nowhere in sight. After she parked on the side of the white building, near a few windows, we headed inside.

The scent of hamburgers and grease roused my appetite when I stepped into the restaurant. A young female waitress wearing a black-and-white outfit greeted us. She gathered a couple of menus and led us to a table near the windows.

“Can I get you something to drink?” the waitress asked as we settled into our seats.

I glanced up and spotted her nametag. It read Cindy. “Coke please.”

“I’ll have one too,” Tabby said.

Cindy smiled. “I’ll be right back.” She disappeared seconds later.

“I’m starving,” Tabby said, her gaze fixed on the menu in front of her. “I’m getting a triple stacked cheeseburger with fries.”

“What else is good here?” I asked, scanning the selection.

“Everything, especially the shakes. We have to get one before we leave.”

My stomach growled upon hearing a sizzling sound in the distance.

“Here you are,” Cindy said as she placed our glasses on the table. “Have you decided what you want?”

“We’re waiting on a friend to join us,” I said, staring into her gray eyes. “He should be here soon.”

“I’ll come back and check with you in a few minutes.”

“Thank you,” I said.

Tabby snatched a straw and began peeling off the paper. “If he doesn’t show in the next few minutes–”

“We’ll order. I’m sure he’ll understand,” I said, smiling.

“Have you thought about what you’re going to tell him?”

“Yeah, I have to tell him everything. He’s like a detective, so I’m sure he’ll have questions.” I scooted my glass closer and unwrapped the paper from my straw. “But in the end, I’m hoping he’ll help me look for evidence in the warehouse.”

“Do you really think he’ll help?”

“Yes, I do. He’s loyal to his pack, and they are desperate to know what happened to their Alpha.”

“What if you don’t find any evidence?” she asked before she sipped on her straw.

The thought had never occurred to me. Call it intuition, but I firmly believed evidence had to exist somewhere, written or in a database, especially if Galluzzi spent years planning on a way to kill me.

“There is evidence, and I will find it. There’s no doubt in my mind.”

Sipping on my drink, movement outside captured my attention. A police cruiser filled a parking spot, facing the main road.

I set my glass on the table. “That’s probably him.”

Tabby and I watched as the robust man dressed in a tight shirt and blue jeans strode toward the building. Large muscles bulged from under the short sleeves.

“That’s Jackson?” she asked, her eyes wide.

“Yeah.”

“Meeeoooow.” She slid her glass across the table.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m sitting by you so I can enjoy the view,” she said as she switched spots and planted her rear on the plastic chair.

I held my laughter as Jackson walked up to the table. His eyes darted from Tabby to me.

“Jackson, this is one of my roommates, Tabby.”

Tabby extended her hand. “Nice to meet you.”

He gripped her hand and shook it. “Good to meet you. Have you known
Shelley
long?”

“Only a few days longer than you, and don’t worry, she’ll explain everything.” She gave him a flirtatious smile.

Jackson chuckled while his gaze lingered on Tabby. I wondered if he sensed she was a shifter.

“Please, have a seat.” I directed him to the chair across from me.

The waitress appeared as he sat. “Hi. Are you ready to order?”

“Do you need a minute?” I asked Jackson.

“No, I don’t need to look at the menu.”

Tabby gave her order first, then I requested the same platter. Jackson ordered a western steak burger, which sounded delicious and I almost changed my selection. Once Cindy left, Jackson folded his arms and pressed his elbows on the table.

“Where would you like me to begin?” I asked.

“How about last night when you shoved me. How did you do it?”

I stared at him without a proper response. Of all the places to start, I would’ve never guessed that one. His choice surprised me.

Tabby looked at me. “You shoved him?”

I gave a casual shrug. “We had a heated moment.”

“I’ve never seen a half-breed demon with above average strength.” He directed his gaze at me. “What are you?”

With a deep breath, I realized the moment of truth had arrived. “I’m not a half-breed demon.”

“I figured that one out, but you can mist. How is that possible if you’re not a half-breed?”

I took a quick glimpse at Tabby. Although she knew the story, she looked just as anxious to hear it as Jackson did. I shifted my gaze back to the werewolf. “My genetic makeup consists of demon blood, human, angel and vampire. I retain qualities from each breed. I was able to shove you because of my vampire strength.”

Jackson simply stared at me. No blinking. No movement of his lips. Frozen in time described him best.

“She’s telling the truth,” Tabby said, and he blinked.

“How…how is that possible?”

“Before I answer that, let’s back up to the very beginning.”

Jackson lowered his arms to his sides and leaned back in his chair. “Tell me everything.”

I took in a deep breath. “Jonas and Boss found me at the dump. I don’t know how I got there or anything. I didn’t even know my name. They offered to help me, so I went with them.”

“Boss and Jonas work for the WWOPP,” he said.

“Yes, they do. I don’t, technically.” I placed my arms on the table and threaded my fingers together. “Jonas and Boss recognized me as a half-breed vampire.”

“Not demon?”

“No, that came later.”

He rubbed his fingers over his mouth, then said, “Go on.”

“I didn’t believe I was half-vampire, but I had a craving for blood. It was…unreal. As I said, I didn’t have, still don’t have, any memories. Anyway, before we went to Boss’s house, we stopped at a store. Jonas and I ran into Sal. He recognized me as half-demon.”

“Holy shit. How?”

“When we shook hands, I felt as if my hand was on fire, yet I didn’t acknowledge the sensation or show any marks on my hand.”

“Unbelievable.”

“Very. And that’s when the trouble with Sal began. He found out I wasn’t registered and issued the all-points bulletin.”

“Makes sense. Go on.”

“Jonas and I told Boss, but he didn’t believe me. He said it was impossible.”

“He’s right. There’s never,
ever
, been a mixed breed.”

I lifted my palm up to him to stop him from going on with his lecture. “Yeah, I heard about the reasons from Boss. But I’m here to tell you, it’s possible. I’m proof.”

Jackson pressed his lips together and shook his head in disbelief. “So how did you convince Boss?”

“Jonas and Tabby helped me go through a few tests to prove what I am.”

“You misted?”

“Yes, and I suggested Tabby hit Jonas, and she did.”

“You can influence people?”

“If they don’t wear the special contact lenses,” Tabby said. “I don’t wear them.”

“Ah.” Jackson tilted his head back slightly as if he understood. “So at this point, he believed you came from a vampire and a demon?”

“Well, and human too. Since I haven’t died, I’m not a full vampire. But I’ve apparently had enough vampire juice in me that I require blood.”

Jackson ran his hand through his short hair. “Jesus.”

“Yeah, it’s an odd feeling to enjoy the warmth of the day and then love the magic of the night. I get the best and worst of both worlds.”

“I can’t imagine.” He suddenly jerked forward. “You mentioned angel blood too.”

“Oh, right. Tabby and I were shopping and this strange young man kept following us. We left and stopped at a store. He showed up again, and he recognized me as half-angel.”

“How is that possible? Was he himself an angel?”

I nodded. “Yes. Tabby couldn’t see him at all.”

He redirected his gaze to my shape-shifting friend.

“It’s true. I never saw him. She called him one night when we were at dinner. I guess he showed up because she started talking to the booth across from her. Jonas and I never saw anyone. We even tested her abilities. She can pop in and out of places. It gives me the chills, but it’s amazing to watch.”

Jackson slouched over the table with his hand bracing his head. “Jesus fucking Christ. How is this even possible? I don’t understand.”

“Jonas first conducted some research,” I said. “We found some articles that didn’t make sense to us at the time, but do now. And Boss tested my blood. He studied the results and concluded my mother was a half-breed angel and my father was, or is, a demon.”

“Did he find out whom exactly?”

“Not from the blood work, but after meeting with Galluzzi, I confirmed his suspicion. My mother was Angela Baxter. She saved Galluzzi’s life, worked for her for a couple of years, then died in a house fire. Benny also verified she was a half-breed. He found her birth listed in the angel records.”

“What about your father?”

“We still don’t know who he is.”

Jackson straightened as he inhaled a deep breath.

“We didn’t tell anyone about our discovery of my mixed breeds because we didn’t think it would be safe. You’re the only other person to know outside of us.”

“I can understand why now.” He crossed his arms and shifted his gaze around the restaurant. Jaw clamped tight, he held a serious look on his face. “Does Sal know who your father is?”

“No, I don’t think so. He only knew my name from the recordings his leader kept.”

“What recordings?”

“His leader recorded all his conversations. Sal listened to the ones with his leader talking to the Senator. Galluzzi told him about me and asked him to pick me up from the airport along with a vampire. He heard another one where the Senator asked his leader to escort us to the dump.”

“Sal knew your name and about the meeting?”

“He didn’t know about the meeting until it was too late, and the recordings never mentioned my involvement. After his leader went missing, he listened to the recordings. That’s when he discovered my name. When I met with Sal to remove the APB, he agreed to give me my name if I convinced her to withdraw from the presidential election. I left straight from his place to meet the Senator.”

Jackson chuckled. “This just keeps getting better.”

“It’s all true,” Tabby said.

His eyes veered from her to me. “What did the Senator say when you met with her?”

“Well, she not only was she surprised to see me alive, she admitted she planned the mass murder at the dump.”

Jackson stiffened. “She told you she planned it?”

“Not directly.” I leaned over the table. “She didn’t know, and still doesn’t know, about my lack of memories. Since Sal told me she was supposed to be at the meeting at the dump, I pretended to be normal, like I knew everything. I questioned her, and based on the answers she gave me, I’m confident she orchestrated the event. And when I told her I would go public with my knowledge, she withdrew from the race.”

“Evil bitch,” he murmured as his face turned a rosy shade.

I continued, “Soon after my discovery, I decided to get a job working for the Senator so I can gather evidence to convict her. Nobody deserved to die. I want to stop her before anyone else gets hurt, or worse.”

“And you don’t remember why you were at the dump, or the vampire you were with?”

“No, I don’t remember anything. I’ve had a few flashbacks, but nothing helpful. One of the flashbacks did reveal I was involved with Anubis, the God of the Underworld. We think he’s the reason I’m part vampire.” I took a moment to breathe deeply. “I still have a long list of questions about my identity. Boss is trying to get answers for me, but right now, my main focus is finding evidence to get rid of Galluzzi.”

“You haven’t told me about any new memories that came to you,” Tabby said, and I twisted. Her eyes were wide with a hint of fear. “The God of the Underworld?”

“Boss is researching to see if Anubis is in Egypt. I still think maybe I made a mistake when I said his name.” I left out Anubis’s name had slipped out of my mouth while I was in the midst of having sex with Boss. After all, they didn’t need to know that detail.

“Oh, and I had a run in with a demon last night. Billy Rodriquez, some underground leader, wants me to move away or he’ll gut me and feed me to the gargumen.”

“What?” Tabby asked, excitedly. “Did you tell Boss and Jonas?”

“Yeah, I told them. Boss thinks Billy and Galluzzi have some kind of connection. I don’t know, but I’m not worried. I’m armed and dangerous if he wants to play rough.” I grinned.

“Why–”

The food arrived, shortening Jackson’s question. Plates clinked on the table, filled with large burgers and thin French fries. The delicious aroma made my mouth water.

“Can I get you anything else?” Cindy asked.

“Mm…” Tabby said while she finished chewing on a fry. “We’ll need two chocolate shakes when were done.”

“Make it three,” Jackson said. His lips twitched when he looked at Tabby.

“All right. I’ll come back and check on you in a little while.” Tray in hand, Cindy strolled away.

I picked up two string French fries and met Jackson’s gaze. “What were you going to ask me?”

“Why would Galluzzi go to such great lengths to kill you and everybody else?” he asked softly.

“Well, from the meeting I had with her, she mentioned wanting to keep secrets hidden. I believe she was referring to me as the secret.”

“Okay, so why not hire a hit man instead of planning a meeting and killing people from various breeds?”

The question was one of many I had. “Not sure. I assume they knew about me, and she wanted anyone who knew exterminated. Since I am working in the warehouse, I hope to find something there or in the database to help answers that question and others.”

“I always suspected a connection between Billy and the politicians. A couple of us often have to guard events and we’d see Billy or his gang hanging around. I can ask and see if anyone ever saw anything.”