The Quest (37 page)

My jaw dropped. “It really says I should be destroyed?”

Arturo flipped to the last page. “Yes, and the order attached gave the Senator the permission to seek and destroy said subject created from Project E.” He lifted his head and handed the papers back to me. “I’m surprised your friends were able to locate these documents. Where did they find them?”

“Tom said Andy found them buried in the vampire records,” Boss answered.

“How did the petition get in the vampire records?” I asked as I held the documents.

Boss glanced at me in the rearview mirror. “My guess would land on Daniel.”

“That’s not possible,” I said, then started doubting my words. “Well, he said he didn’t know where it was when dropped by for a visit.”

Anubis shook his head, and the wavy ends swayed over his shoulders. “He could have lied to you. He hid everything from me, knowing how much I loved you. For that, I will never forgive him.”

He could’ve lied, but he’d told the truth about my father. He knew plenty about Galluzzi and the project and shared it willingly. Why would he hide knowledge about the location of the petition when he wanted me to have it? “I don’t know.”

Anubis’s dark eyes met mine. “He could have told me from the beginning. I could have prevented everything.”

I’d thought the same thing when Daniel visited me. Maybe Daniel could’ve informed Anubis, but it wouldn’t have stopped Galluzzi. She would’ve continued to pursue me, just as Daniel had said. I believed it. Unless Anubis had killed her, nothing would’ve detoured her from coming after me. The petition and her hungry desire to hurt my father proved her determination to kill me.

“It’s imperative I return to the council with the evidence you have,” Arturo said, leaning past Anubis. “We need to order her removal immediately and bring in all councilman and clan leaders involved. The council cannot let those involved continue to walk around as if nothing happened.”

“Why bother with politics when I can resolve this problem. Let me deal with those involved,” Anubis said, and a chill raced down my spine.

Let the God of the Underworld toy with criminals? He would show no mercy, but she was evil. She killed plenty. She destroyed lives. The others involved enabled her, assisted her. Shouldn’t they deserve equal treatment?

“The decision would have to come from the council. I report to them,” Arturo said.

“I report to no one.” Anubis slowly shifted his gaze to me. “
Ask me to kill them, and I will honor your wishes.”

His words were whispers in my head.

“No.”

“Let me know if you change your mind.”

I looked away. Death was an easy way out. I wanted them to suffer, to understand they’d done wrong. Yet, they were all evil and deceiving and had been for far too many years. Would they really learn anything at this point in their lives if the justice system punished them? I had serious doubts, but at least the court of public opinion would recognize their crimes and convict them. I suspected society would inflict a much harsher punishment, and that alone brought me peace.

The car slowed along the dark gravel road. Rows of corn stalks on both sides hid our view. Above, lightning continued to light up the night.

“Car ahead,” Jonas said. “Looks like it’s Sal’s.”

I rolled the papers into the shape of a pipe while nervous energy rushed through me, bringing me to a high. Time to confront an evil bitch.

Chapter 26

Anubis slid his arm around my waist as we walked side by side, heading toward Sal and the large man standing next to him. We left Jonas, Boss and Arturo sitting in the car. I could feel their gazes. The wind picked up and the stench of fertilizer crashed into my nostrils. My gag reflex stirred, but I held it in check as I shut down the passage of air in my nose. Cornstalks rustled against each other while crickets chirped. Feeling cloth brush against my thighs, I glanced down. The strong wind gave flight to my dress. I quickly seized one side and held it. In my other hand, I held the rolled up papers.

Sal faced us as we drew near. Dressed in an expensive gray suit and with his hair pinned in a ponytail behind him, he looked ready for a business meeting. His guard, standing at Sal’s side, wore a polo shirt tucked inside dark trousers. He was twice the size of Sal, twice as old too. We stopped a few feet from the dynamic duo.

“Is this your new style?” Sal asked as his eyes traveled the length of me. “I never pictured you quite so lovely.”

“Her eyes are part of her head, in case you’ve forgotten,” Anubis said, his deep tone intended to warn.

Sal glared at Anubis. “I don’t believe we have met. Who are you?”

“I am Anubis.”

Sal’s eyes widened. “I beg your pardon. Did you say–”

“Yes. I am he.”

Sal’s brows tightened as his gaze narrowed on Anubis. “What proof do I have you are really the God of the Underworld?”

“I offer none, but if you wish to challenge me, I’m sure I can think of a creative way to show you just how real I am.”

The demon directed his red-ringed eyes on me. “Your friend, who asked me to arrange this meeting, said you were coming with a bodyguard. He did not inform me you were bringing an ancient vampire. The people you choose to associate with continue to astonish me.”

I shrugged off the comment. “What can I say? I’m special.”

His eyes darted to Anubis and then back to me. “Yes, well, if you’re ready, we should go see the Senator.”

“Lead the way,” I said, tapping the roll of paper on my thigh. Nervous energy built up within me sought release. I wanted to run, to fight, to d… something exhausting. For the time being, I freed my excess energy with a simple twist of my wrist. Perhaps later I’d find a way to fully let loose.

Sal guided us along the country road, keeping a step ahead. Dirt and rocks crunched under our shoes, a light noise compared to the buzzes and chirps from the bugs. Anubis slid his hand around my waist again. This time, a tingle of desire shot straight to sex.

“After we finish here, we should go somewhere private. I can help with your need,” he whispered in my ear. The soft tone of his voice charged my desire. He knew exactly what it was.

Sal looked at us while he maintained his course. “You look different, Shelley. Are you well?”

Anubis and I locked gazes. “
He doesn’t know I am, er-was, part vampire. He only knows me as a half-breed demon.”

A playful smile appeared. “
I’m sure he will enjoy the surprise.”

“I’ve never felt better,” I answered.

“Oh, by the way,” Sal said as he veered his eyes to the dark path in front of us. “Your father is here.”

I stopped. “What?”

“I thought I smelled him,” Anubis said, standing next to me.

Sal stopped a few feet ahead. “He has been staying with me. It was my duty to inform him his two daughters planned to meet.”

I continued walking. Anubis followed at my side. “Where is he?” I asked.

“He wanted to talk with her before you arrived.”

As we strode behind Sal, I looked into Anubis’s eyes. “
Daniel told me my father wanted to take me away from you. I stole his watch so he couldn’t drag me to Hell with him.”

“Your father and I do not see eye to eye. Never fear, if he ever pulled such a stunt, I would find you and bring you back.”
He pressed his lips to my forehead. “He can never break our bond.”

My father and Anubis, standing face-to-face in the middle of a cornfield. Squirrels ran rabid in my stomach. I wondered what dear old dad would do after he learned of my transformation. I hoped Anubis was prepared for battle.

We changed directions and walked on another road for a good distance more. The burning stench and sulfuric odor overpowered the nasty fertilizer, all of which made the nausea intensify. I heard voices getting louder, a male and a female, but saw no car or recent tracks in the dirt road. “Where did Galluzzi park?”

“There are three other directions she could have chosen to arrive from. When I arranged this meeting, she specifically asked for us to park on the south side of the main road, and then walk to meet her.”

“Did she ask for this location to meet?” I asked as a feel of disquiet prodded me. If my half sister knew the area, she knew the best places to hide. Had she killed others here? Did she hide their bodies? Call me paranoid, but she spent years planning my demise. The bitch was as crafty as she was evil.

Sal faced me. “Yes, she did.”

Anubis tugged me until I bumped into his side. “Have faith, love. I am here with you.”

“Love?” Sal lifted a brow.

“Not your concern, demon,” Anubis said.

As we reached a small dirt road, I heard a familiar voice say, “You have gone too far, Barbara. Enough of this.” My father sounded angry.

The three of us stepped around the corner. Galluzzi, dressed in slacks and shiny cream-colored blouse, faced Lorenzo. Past her, a bald-headed man stood with his arms crossed between the beaming lights of an SUV. Billy Rodriguez sat in the driver’s seat.

“You disowned me,” my half sister retorted. “Do you have any idea how that made me feel?”

My arms and legs quivered, instinctively finding a way to set free my nervous energy. I’d waited for this day, to confront her and let her know she couldn’t hurt me or anyone else anymore. She would pay for her crimes, finally.

Lorenzo and Galluzzi turned at the same time to face us. Tension around my father’s eyes revealed his frustration. As for my half sister, her evil glower said plenty. I simply smiled.

“Well, well,” Galluzzi said as her eyes raked me. She folded her arms in front of her fine pressed shirt. “You are alive, or shall I say, walking with the dead.” Her lips curled in a sneer as she stared at Anubis.

“Shelley?” My father stepped closer and studied me. “Tell me it’s not true.” He shot a ferocious glare at the ancient.

“Well, you can thank Barbara’s boyfriend for starting the process. He stabbed me and nearly ripped my insides out.”

My sister laughed, more like cackled. “Oh, Shelley, your excuses are hilarious. You’re blaming him for something your lover wanted all along.”

Heat flamed within me as I took a step forward. “I would still have a beating heart if your fucking boyfriend wouldn’t have stabbed me.”

Lorenzo, dressed in a red polo and black slacks, jerked his attention to Galluzzi. “Is this true?”

She threw up her arms, then placed them on her hips. “I called off the bounty. I had nothing to do with her stabbing. In fact, I had her brought to the infirmary so my personal doctors could help her.”

“Your fucking doctors pinned me to the table and were going to finish what Billy started.” My loud voice carried in the wind. Fury boiled in my veins like a volcano building up for an eruption.

A comforting hand touched the back of my shoulder, jarring my attention. “Easy, love,” Anubis said.

Slowly, I let go of my anger, but not all of it. The flame she had ignited remained vibrant.

“Barbara, what were you planning to do to her?” my father asked.

“My doctors are the best. They could’ve saved her.”

“They weren’t going to save me,” I said in a calmer tone. “They cut me open and had a saw ready to hack me up.”

She glared at me. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. You must have been dreaming.”

This time I laughed. “Yeah, I dreamed it. I laid there, screaming in agony, while the blade of the saw spun above me.”

“See, she admits she dreamed it.” Galluzzi tossed her arm toward me.

“Enough,” Anubis howled. All eyes turned to him. “Shelley was dead by the time I arrived. I saw the tools the doctors held in their hands. They were not instruments used to save a life.”

“You lie. You would do anything to have her. You know if you confess the truth, my father will come after you.”

“I have no reason to lie, and I don’t fear your father,” Anubis retorted with his chin up and a slight twist of his lips.

“I want to know the truth.” Lorenzo barked with his fists clenched at his sides.

Anubis met Lorenzo’s gaze with a heated glare. “Your daughter killed Shelley.”

Galluzzi stepped forward. “I can prove my doctors saved her.”

The rage I’d lowered a notch quickly rose again. “Prove it.”

She grinned in a way that made want to slap her face. “I have a witness that saw you and Anubis return to the warehouse and start a fire.”

“You’re fucking kidding me!” I spat. “What witness?”

“My new assistant came to me with the information.” She paused and flashed a smile.

It took a second for me to figure out who her new assistant was–Lizzy. The young girl wanted out of the warehouse. She’d briefly mentioned it when we’d first met. Galluzzi had given her the perfect opportunity.

The Senator continued. “I asked her if she would testify if I filed charges against you. She agreed.”

Galluzzi pulled my trigger. Squeezing the papers tight in my hand, I lunged toward her. Anubis wrapped one arm around me and lifted me off my feet. A bright light flashed, blinding me. Energy tingled in the air. My flesh felt warm and twitchy. I blinked to clear my vision, then saw the bald-headed man standing next to Galluzzi. A stream of smoke swirled up from the ground in front of me.

“Step away. Now,” Anubis yelled over my shoulder.

Sal stepped from behind us and kept a safe distance off to the side. He held his hands held out in front of him. “This meeting was to be nonviolent.”

My father glowered at the bald man. “If you hurt her, I will personally see your soul tortured in Hell, warlock.”

Martin. If I guessed right, had shot a bolt of lightning at me.

“Walk away,” Anubis said.

Martin glanced from Anubis to Lorenzo. Slowly, he back stepped toward the parked vehicle.

Anubis set my feet on the ground. “Think before you act.” He touched my hand and lifted it. Upon seeing the rolled documents in my hand, my sanity returned to me, and I focused on my purpose for confronting her.

“File your claim. I’m not afraid of you.” I slipped out of Anubis’s grasp and moved closer, careful not to step in the charred spot. Stopping two feet from my sister, I held up the papers to her face. “The time has come to face your crimes.”