The Quest (36 page)

“Jackson called and confirmed the details of the meeting. We need to leave soon,” Boss said.

“Why so soon?”

“We’re meeting her, Martin, and Sal outside the city, in Kokomo.”

“Sal?” I asked, confused.

“She insisted on a moderator.”

“Did she agree to a private meeting?” Anubis asked.

“Yes, but I’m willing to bet she will have shadows lurking,” Boss replied.

“How do we know she will even show up?” I asked. The last time Galluzzi set up a meeting, she never showed and had everyone slaughtered. Could she do it again? Anything was possible with her.

“She will be there. Sal recorded the conversation.”

“How do you know?” I asked.

“Jackson was with him, and convinced him to set up the meeting between you and the Senator.”

“Keeping the werewolves out is a good idea,” Anubis said. “She won’t suspect they have evidence. She will believe the meeting is about you and her.”

“Jackson will meet us a mile from the site. He’s going to give you a copy of the petition.”

“Is he going to follow us, but stay out of sight?” I asked.

“The pack will keep a mile distance and rely on Anubis to signal them, should anything happen.”

A loud boom made my head jerk away from the two of them. The storm appeared to be growing in intensity. Dark clouds swirled as the wind picked up.

I veered my gaze back to Boss. “Where will you and Jonas be?”

“Waiting in the car. Sal will have a guard waiting also.”

“He’s not taking any chances,” I said with a shake of my head.

“I don’t trust him, but I know he values his life. He wouldn’t make a stupid move to endanger himself,” Boss said.

I snorted. “But he would put others in harm’s way to save his hide.”

Boss stared deep into my eyes. “You don’t have to go.”

A touch of anger sparked within me, having heard enough of their pleas. “I’m done talking about this. I’m going and neither of you can stop me. Try, and you will see my wrath.”

“Trust me, you want to avoid her fury,” Anubis said with a devilish grin.

A tic in Boss’s jaw flexed. “If you are ready, we should leave soon.”

Words couldn’t describe how anxious I was to put Galluzzi in a place where she couldn’t hurt anyone else. “My dagger is in my boot. I’m set to go.” Would she attack me, forcing me to use my poisonous blade? I doubted it, but given her evil nature, I refused to go anywhere without my weapon.

Boss strode toward the door. His heavy footsteps thumped on the wood deck.

“Shall we?” Anubis asked, his arm extended. “We don’t want to be late.”

With nothing left to say, I headed inside. Soon, the Senator would have a rude awakening courtesy of her half sister.

Chapter 25

I stared out the window, not really seeing the lights from passing cars on the other side of the interstate or the continuous flashes in the sky. The lengthy drive accompanied with silence allowed my mind to wander. Where would I go and whom should I stay with after the law took Galluzzi into custody? What would become of my life now that I was a vampire? What would become of my relationship with my father? Would he turn a blind eye on me as he had with my half sister? Would I ever see Tabby again?

Thinking of Tabby gave rise to a smile on my face. I missed her laughter and joyful attitude. After the chaos settled, I’d contact her. I’ve known her for only six weeks, but she was a better friend, a sister, than Galluzzi ever was.

I glanced at the front seat where Boss and Jonas sat. Boss glimpsed in the rearview mirror. He looked at me and then Anubis before veering his gaze back to the road. In the passenger seat, Jonas studied a map. The lit up GPS navigation screen on the dashboard gave directions, but that didn’t stop Jonas from examining the layout of the county road where we were meeting Galluzzi and Martin. He’d also spent time searching on his cell phone and comparing the map on his phone with the paper one in his lap. Knowing he had his reasons, I didn’t bother to ask what he looked for.

The past few days had been eye opening and given me plenty to think about concerning Tabby, the men sitting in the front and me. Each one I considered a dear friend. Once Galluzzi was out of the way, any threat to their existence would end. They could go back to their normal lives, whatever that was. So, what would I do? The big question kept repeating in my head.

Anubis placed his hand over mine. I lifted my eyes to him and instinctively smiled. He leaned closer to my ear. “Listen to your soul, and it will guide you.”

I lifted a brow. “Prying again?”

Grinning, he gently squeezed my hand. Confidence beamed from him, or maybe it was arrogance. Whichever, he didn’t seem concerned the least about the choice I had to make. He might know me, but I didn’t know him. The memories he’d shared showed him as a caring, loving man. We laughed and enjoyed each other’s company. He seemed genuine. Yet, could I trust snapshots in time? Could I walk away from my friends for this powerful and seductive vampire?

Boss exited from the main highway onto a smaller one. The green sign showed one gas station and a Burger King ahead. Minutes later, another sign listed Kokomo eighteen miles. I started to ask if anyone lived out in the cornfields until Arturo, sitting on the other side of me, leaned toward the gap between the front seats. “Have you spoken to anyone at the council recently?” he asked.

Boss moved his head slightly, yet kept his gaze focused at the road. “Only Martin.”

“Did he mention if there is an investigation or a replacement for me?”

“They started an investigation. The last time I spoke to Martin, he said they were going to find someone to fill in for you. I assume they have since he conveyed the information to me a few nights ago.”

Arturo grunted as he leaned back in his seat.

“Relax,” Anubis said. “I’ll let you go after Shelley and I walk away from this meeting.”

“What if you don’t walk away?” Arturo asked with a cold glare.

“I
always
walk away from meetings.”

My stomach knotted. Anubis failed to mention anything about me making it out in one piece.

“And what about her?” Arturo cocked his head.

“Don’t worry.” Anubis flashed a sly grin. “You will be free before sunrise.”

Not an exact answer, but it sounded confident and helped ease my worry. As for Arturo, he said nothing more and shifted his gaze to the window at his side.

Time whizzed by much like the corn stalks we passed. A large factory appeared ahead. The lights were out around it, yet I could see it clearly with my vampire eyes. Boss slowed the vehicle while Jonas folded the map.

“Are we meeting here?” I asked.

Boss steered the vehicle into the parking lot of the factory. “We’re meeting Jackson.”

Before the words came out of his mouth, I spotted another vehicle parked near the large building. Anxiety mingled with excitement and I tapped my fingers on my leg. Once we finished chatting with Jackson, I would face Galluzzi.

Boss parked next to Jackson’s truck, then we emerged from the vehicle and headed toward the front. Boss left the lights on, not that any of us really needed them. Each one of us had enhanced senses. The twin beams cut through the darkness and illuminated a good portion of the parking lot. In the distance, I spotted movement. First a shadow, then a pair of glowing eyes. I stopped in my tracks, listening to the sounds of the night. The patter of steps and beats of hearts were plentiful.

“Who else is here?” I asked Jackson. Tom stood behind him with papers in his hand.

“Pack brothers. They checked the area to make sure we were safe,” Jackson replied.

Jonas stepped around them and stood closer to me. “According to the map, the road where we are to meet doesn’t exist.”

“It’s a farming area,” Jackson said. “The road won’t show up on most maps.”

In other words, the location of our meeting was in the middle of cornfields. What a perfect place to murder and hide bodies. But not this time. With Anubis at my side, I doubted she would attempt attacking me. A piece of me secretly wished she would so I could have a reason to retaliate. A few punches to her face would bring me some joy.

“Have you been down the road or inspected the area?” Boss asked, placing one hand on the hood of the SUV.

Jackson gave a single shake of his head. “We’ve kept a mile distance from the site. We don’t want them to suspect anything.” He glanced down at his watch.

As Boss leaned against the vehicle, he directed his gaze at me. “Two vampires, a warlock, a demon and half-demon meeting in the middle of nowhere. The council would love to know about this.”

“They would indeed, especially since this meeting involves an investigation and a councilman is in attendance without the council’s knowledge,” Arturo said, standing between the two vehicles.

Releasing Arturo to return to the council would take precedence once the meeting ended. The council needed to know about the Senator, her connections and the people involved with murdering councilmen and clan leaders. They also needed to know about Martin’s involvement.

I twisted to face Anubis, who stood at my side. “I think Arturo should go once the meeting is over. He might be able to sway the council into taking immediate action against Galluzzi.”

“As I said earlier, I will permit him to leave after we return from the meeting.”

“Thank you,” I replied, and he gave me a lighthearted smile.

“I have some documents you can give to her,” Tom said, handing the papers to me. “I’m sure she will demand proof of the charges. I have scanned copies ready to go out in the morning. By dawn, local media will know about her. After the courts open, the Prosecutor, Attorney General and Senate will receive a petition for her arrest. Once they issue the warrant, we can get her.”

“You can’t arrest her after we leave the meeting?” I asked, holding the documents close to my chest.

“No, someone has to request the court to order her arrest. Since one of the prosecutors is part of our pack, we asked him to draft the petition. He did, and it’s ready for approval by a judge. The minute we receive the go ahead, we’ll bring her in.” Tom finished with a smile.

Part of me feared Galluzzi would run since she would have time before the court could issue a warrant. She had the means to leave, and the connections to help her. But where would she go? The world would know about her crimes. I doubted she could hide. The council could hunt her down no matter where she fled, probably even in Hell. On second thought, I doubted she would run like a coward.

“Thank you for your help with the investigation,” I said to Jackson and Tom. Without their efforts, I wouldn’t have found the evidence in time. I owed them my gratitude.

Jackson rested his hand on my shoulder. “Our pack leader and brothers were victims. Because of your help, we have answers. We have avenged their deaths.”

“Our pack will always welcome you, Shelley,” Tom said. “Anytime, anywhere, you can rely on us if you need help.”

A sense of peace blossomed within me as my gaze drifted from one werewolf to the other. Boss once told me each race fought for superiority over the other. With the werewolves willing to assist me, a mixed-breed creature, the only one in the world, I wondered if times would change. Sure, my story was but one example, yet word would spread faster than a wildfire. Maybe races could comingle instead of fighting. One could hope.

Cool fingers gripped my elbow. “We should go,” Anubis said.

Catching me by surprise, Jackson wrapped his arms around me. I clung to the papers in my arms as he gave me a bear-tight hug. “We’ll be waiting to hear from one of you,” he said.

“Back away wolf,” Anubis growled.

Before the tension thickened, I pried myself from his embrace and kissed his cheek. “I can’t thank you enough.”

“I’m sure we could work out an arrangement,” Jackson said with a flirtatious smile.

“Not in your lifetime, wolf,” Anubis said, moving closer.

Of all times for him to show jealousy, this was not it. I spun and pressed the palm of my free hand to his chest. “We’re going. Now.”

Anubis shot Jackson the glare of death, then walked around the front of Boss’s SUV. We settled into the back seat, Arturo on the far right and me to the left of Anubis while Boss and Jonas occupied their original seats in the front. Anger stiffened Anubis’s body and tightened his facial features. What was his problem with Jackson?

“You should stay away from the werewolves,” Anubis said as Boss steered the vehicle toward the exit.

I laid the papers flat in my lap. “Jackson is my friend. He helped me and saved my life.”

“And for that reason alone, I will let him live.”

Staring into his arctic eyes, I saw intense hatred and fury. The vampire had shown gentleness and love to me, but in truth, he was a savage beast to fear.

He leaned forward, drawing close enough to touch my nose with his. “I am to be feared. Anyone who dares harm you will feel my anger.”

I swallowed and turned to the window.

“May I look at the documents?” Arturo asked.

I glanced down at my lap. The black letters appeared jumbled on the white paper. Maybe my state of confusion mixed with anxiety had altered my vision. “Can you tell me what they say?” I asked, handing him the stack of papers.

Arturo took the documents. He studied them quickly, lifting the first page, then another and another. “This is incredible. One page lists all the names associated with Project E. Your birth certificate shows your date of birth a week before they noted project a success. And this petition in 2006 requesting destruction of Project E is most interesting. It states, and I quote, ‘Subject poses a threat to every race on the planet. While the creation of a mixed creature opened possibilities, it is unclear if subject will cooperate with further testing. To date, subject has failed to show for numerous appointments and court hearings. It is our belief subject may turn rogue, therefore annihilation will ensure the safety of all lives.’” Arturo flipped between two pages. “Incredible. All of the initials on the document showing Project E a success also appear on the 2006 petition with the exception of L.D.”