JAVIER (10 page)

“That was a cruel deception my darling. You have never
been cruel.”

She shook her head and Javier noticed tears instantly
flood into her eyes and get blinked back rapidly. This Human’s opinion mattered
to her. He passed her his handkerchief;

“She didn’t know. She had to do it. I would have too,
given the circumstances. And don’t forget, she could have left me behind…she
didn’t.”

“How can I help?” Harry asked.

“We have our joint Intelligence teams working on
finding these people in and around London. Cassia thought you might be able to
put out feelers or that you might have heard something…strange. We could do
with a lead on the Humans involved.”

Harry Marshal didn’t miss anything;

“Joint teams? I’m sorry but does this mean there are
others like you? Not…human I mean? Another species?”

Javier rubbed his eyes. He knew this had been a bad
idea. The hole they were in was getting deeper and deeper. Perhaps he could
just wipe this conversation from Harry’s mind afterwards. It was tricky though,
his memories about Cassia were deeply embedded and went back decades. There was
a risk of complete mental breakdown; it was a known side-effect. He would have
to assess the situation and make the decision later.

“I cannot give you any details; you already know more
than you should. Suffice it to say that there are others and we have been
enemies for centuries. Currently we are feeling our way through a new and
delicate rapprochement.”

Harry Marshal digested this latest piece of information
then asked;

“Why have these people, this group, resurfaced again?
You said you thought you’d got rid of them.”

“We don’t know; many of our former enemies do not
agree with our current state of peace or perhaps it is simply someone who wants
to settle old scores.  I suspect the partnership with the Humans is less about
teamwork and more about manipulation and causing maximum panic amongst our
people. We have long memories. Your kind has always been fascinated by Vampires
and you have many strange ideas about us. Bring religious beliefs into the mix
and you have powerful motivation. That is the way it has always been with
slayer cults throughout history. We are the evil undead, bloodsuckers,
desecrators of religious houses and virgins…need I say more? We will not allow
our people to be hunted and killed again. This group calls itself the Knights
of the Obsidian Dagger. Does that ring any bells?”

Harry Marshal was silent as he sipped his drink, his
expression distant;

“Actually it does. I’ve heard that name before. I
remember it because I could not imagine a dagger made of obsidian could be much
use; I mean the material is like glass, black glass.”

Javier glanced at Cassia and raised a hand to silence
her as she was about to speak. It was best if the details were kept to a
minimum.

“Any piece of information might give us a lead Mr
Marshal.”

Harry Marshal started to speak then stopped as there
was a knock on the door. They all waited in silence as a waiter wheeled in a
trolley, laid out plates of canapes then left.

Javier helped himself then grinned as Cassia tucked in
with a sigh;

“I’m absolutely starving! Harry darling you ordered
all my favourites.” She caught Javier’s look and stopped mid-bite;

“What? I haven’t eaten yet today. Would you prefer it
if I nibbled like a lady?”

“No, you go right ahead Cassia Mathrafal. I like a
woman with a healthy appetite.” Javier said it to get a reaction, he couldn’t
resist.

“Oh I bet you do. Keep your mind on your work
Commander.” Cassia retorted waspishly.

Harry Marshal looked at the two of them and smiled a
small secret smile.

“Interesting.” he murmured, “Now, it was a tiny piece
I picked up from a local paper. I like to know what’s going on in this city. It
is the name of a motorbike gang. I remember thinking it was typically
grandiose…petty criminals trying to make themselves appear darker than they
are. They are based in south London. They have been linked to a variety of
illegal activities over the last five years but nothing at all recently. It
seems they got their name from some old legend, some supernatural claptrap
their leader found when his grandfather died.”

“Hm, I wonder if the supernatural claptrap was an old
covenant written in Latin Javier.” Cassia murmured.

“I don’t suppose you kept the article?” asked Javier

Harry Marshal and Cassia both laughed then Cassia
answered;

“I have always teased him…he keeps odd bits of
information or stories that catch his eye. Like Sherlock Holmes. Get your book
Harry.”

Harry got up and returned with a large book he had
taken from a pile of similar ones kept in a cupboard. He flicked through till
he found the right place then turned it round to face Javier;

“There it is. There is even a photo of the tattoo they
all sport. Can you see the small piece underneath from the same paper? The
reporter who wrote the first story was found dead a week later. They listed his
death as heart failure. Apparently there wasn’t a mark on his body. Perhaps it
was natural causes; I just thought it was a bit of a coincidence. Another thing
about this gang, they have no internet footprint…at least, not on the web that
we can see.”

Javier and Cassia stood together bent over the
newspaper cuttings. Javier pointed to the tattoo and murmured quietly;

“It’s the obsidian dagger. I have seen one and this is
an accurate depiction. And this death? Could be natural causes or…”

“Could be death from an Empath’s energy blast.”
finished Cassia.

“I may be old but I’m not bloody deaf! What is this
dagger and what is an empath energy blast?” Harry’s irritated voice cut in.

Javier looked up;

“I’m sorry, the less you know the better…and safer.
Can you show us the location on an A-Z? I want to scout it out.”

“What? I can’t go sleuthing dressed like this.”
exclaimed Cassia, “Can we go back to Bloomsbury first so I can change?”

“You’re not sleuthing Cass. I want to take a quick
look. I’d rather you stayed here but I’d probably have to knock you out first.
You can stay in the car while I take a look.”

Javier reverted quickly to their old language as he
added rapidly;

“Need I remind you of your oath?  I do not want to
have to worry about you. This is just an initial reconnoitre so I can report
back.”

“Oh, do not be so pompous. I will transport you and
sit in the vehicle like a good girl but only because I am in stupid shoes and a
vintage Schiaparelli.” Cassia hissed, really, the old language was useless when
trying to deliver pithy retorts.

“What language is that? Are you two speaking in old
Norse?” Harry asked, sounding even more irritated.

Javier smiled apologetically;

“I am sorry. It is the old language of our kind. It
bears many similarities to old Norse but I have to say that no Human has ever
noticed that before. We and our close cousins were people of the North before
we left our ancestral lands.”

“Your close cousins being the other lot…did you call
them empaths? This is where that article says is their headquarters.” Harry
pointed the place out on the street map while Javier transferred the address
into his phone.

“Yes, they are called Empaths Harry and you don’t want
to meet any of them though the odds are you may have done so already and just
not known it.” Cassia said as they headed for the door.

She hugged Harry and stepped out into the corridor as
he called Javier back;

“Will we meet again Javier of Seville?” he asked.

“I do not know, Harry Marshal.” answered Javier. Now
was the time to wipe the Human’s memories; only the thought of the risk held
him back. Even the possibility of destroying such a fine mind appalled him.

“Keep her safe. Sometimes she needs protecting from
herself. She can be brave to the point of recklessness.”

“I’ll protect her, do not worry.” They shook hands and
Javier watched as Harry gazed fondly at Cassia talking quietly with Walt. There
was no doubt in Javier’s mind, the Human was, and probably always had been, in
love with Cassia Mathrafal.

CHAPTER 9

“They have dogs. Rottweilers.” Cassia murmured as they
sat in the car halfway down the street from a set of large industrial gates
that were the entrance to a metal fenced compound.

The night was dark and they had deliberately parked
away from streetlights but that was no obstacle for their exceptional night
vision.

Javier finished sending a text then turned up the
collar and lapels of his jacket so the white of his shirt wouldn’t show and
pulled out his gun. There were figures moving about behind the gates, he could
see them clearly.

“I’m going to have a closer look from the roof of
their building. Stay here and do not move from the car. Try not to draw
attention to yourself.”

Cassia rolled her eyes at him. “I’ve probably had more
experience of surveillance than you have Javier. Now, buildings like that often
have a skylight and sometimes they have pipework that carries sound like a
dream…in case you’re interested.”

He gave a low chuckle then eased silently out of the
car and into the deep shadows. Cassia looked up expectantly and saw a shift in
the darkness on the warehouse roof. A second later Javier’s tall figure was
walking round the edge of the roof with catlike grace. They would see him!
Cassia felt a stab of alarm then calmed herself down; the Humans did not have
even a quarter of a Vampire’s night vision and, secondly, as she knew only too
well from her clandestine activities, they rarely looked up. No, the only
danger to Javier was if there were Empaths present; there was a risk that they
would sense him.

He had kept Harry at a distance but they had liked
each other and for some reason she was pleased about that. She squinted up at
the roof. Now he was moving across it until he disappeared behind a small
structure. He had behaved very oddly back at her place and it was nothing to do
with bad food. When he had finally come out of the bathroom he had avoided her
eyes, his face had been pale and tense and his usually untidy hair had looked
even more messed up. Whatever demons were plaguing him had been quickly brought
under control though. Where was he now? Cassia glanced at her watch; twenty
minutes. Anxiously she scanned the rooftop; he could take care of himself, why
should she worry?  She had heard no shouts or, worse, gun shots. She realized
she was leaning forward gripping the steering wheel tightly as she stared
fixedly at the roof. Ten more minutes passed. That was it, if he wasn’t back in
five minutes she was following him up there; just in case.

She gasped and jumped as the passenger door opened and
Javier slid silently into the seat beside her.

“What the hell were you doing for so long? I was just
about to go after you.” Cassia hissed furiously; “It’s nothing to smile about
Javier of Seville.”

He was giving her his dazzling film star smile and her
heart was doing all kinds of crazy things.

“You were worried about me. Admit it. I’m glad you
didn’t come after me though as I ordered you to stay in the car.”

“You can’t give me orders.”

“Oh, but I can bonita. I think LaSalle’s exact words
were…you report to Javier…that means I’m in charge. Drive off slowly, we’ll go
back to your place. Then we’ll shift back to the Island so I can make my
report.”

Cassia eased the car away, speeding up only when they
were out of sight of the building all the while muttering to herself furiously
in Welsh.

“I can’t understand a word you’re saying Cass but I’m
sure it’s not complementary. Before we head back to the Island would you like
us to shift by yours and Flavia’s home and pick up some clothes? You might feel
a little more in control if you have your own things round you.”

Oh, why did he have to be so reasonable and so
thoughtful? She’d been calling him all kinds of names. Cassia cast a quick
sideways glance at Javier and flushed in the darkness; he was watching her.

“That’s very thoughtful of you. Are you sure it is not
too inconvenient?” she reverted to extreme formality.

“Not at all. You were right about that rooftop by the
way. I watched them through the skylight and was able to listen in to their
conversation.  There were ten Humans there tonight but I suspect from what I
heard that they number around twenty. They are awaiting orders from someone
they referred to as Dion.”

“Dion,” said Cassia, “An Empath name. An Empath behind
the scenes pulling their strings. No surprises there then. What do you think
the great Chronus is going to say about that?”

Javier sat lost in thought as they sped through
London’s streets on the way back to Bloomsbury;

“The name rings a bell. I just can’t think where from.
You know Cass, Chronus is alright; he is on our side. You should give him a
break. Your sister certainly likes him; they never stopped talking to each
other over dinner.”

That was obviously the wrong thing to say judging by
the way Cassia put her foot down on the accelerator and practically threw the
car round corners. As they screeched to a halt in front of her garage Javier
felt quite lucky to be alive.

An hour later Cassia descended the staircase of the
elegant Georgian country house she shared with Flavia and put two suitcases
down on the floor. She had changed out of her evening dress into more practical
clothes but Javier found himself hoping she had packed it in one of those
cases.

He saw it the very split second she crossed in front
of one of the tall windows to re-arm the security system. A small red dot
centred on her head; the mark of a laser from a sniper’s rifle. Javier hurled
himself at Cassia and brought her crashing to the floor, tucking her against
his body for protection. Almost simultaneously there was a loud crack and the
glass in the window shattered.

“Stay down! Keep right down on the floor.” Javier
pressed her body down then rolled onto his back and shot out the lights.

“Shift out now, get back to your place and wait for
me.” he said urgently.

“No, not going without you.” Cassia gasped, her eyes
wide with shock;

“Cassia, get out of here now!”

“No, I’m not leaving you alone. We go together.”

Javier stared in exasperation then pushed her flat
against the floor and edged towards the broken window.

“I’ll be right back. Don’t move, keep your head down.”
he said tersely; Cassia nodded, her face white but alert.

Cautiously Javier peered into the darkness. He saw
them immediately; the one with the sniper’s rifle was scanning the house. His
friend was moving round to the back, gun in hand. Pulling out his knife he
shifted out into the garden and materialized silently behind the sniper. Here
was the bastard who had tried to kill Cassia. With one practised move his left
arm locked round the man’s head whilst his right hand stabbed him through the
heart with deadly precision. Dropping the body gently to the ground Javier sped
round to the back in a blur of speed.

The second assailant was at the back door and was
about to attempt to shoot out the lock. Stealthily Javier stepped up behind him
and screwed the barrel of his gun into the man’s neck;

“Drop it now.” he ordered softly; the man dropped his
gun to the ground.

“Turn around slowly.” The man turned, he was tall and
heavily built.

“Oh my god, you’re one of them.” he said, his eyes
almost bulging with horror.

Javier smiled coldly, aware that he was showing white
razor sharp canines fully descended. “Who sent you?” he asked as fear flared in
the man’s eyes;

“Please don’t take my blood. Don’t bite me.” the Human
whimpered, mesmerized.

“Your blood does not interest me. Who sent you?”
Javier shifted his balance as he watched the Human’s expression grow crafty and
his stance stiffen. Then the Human suddenly whipped out a knife and lunged.
Javier had him on the ground in an instant. Big as the Human was Javier
outclassed him in both strength and experience. Bending down over the man he
gripped his temples then held him down with one arm while he erased all
memories of the last hour then introduced a different scenario into his
consciousness. Quietly he melted into the shadows and watched as the man
lurched to his feet and weaved almost drunkenly through the garden. Minutes
later there was the sound of a powerful motorbike engine roaring away down the
country road. The man would return to his people completely confused; he’d be
lucky if they didn’t kill him thought Javier viciously. He returned quickly to
the dead sniper and emptied his pockets; anything might give them a lead.
Stuffing all the items into his jacket he picked up the rifle then shifted back
into the hallway. Cassia wasn’t where he’d left her.

“Cass! Where are you? You’re safe. Cassia!” he heard
the slight panic in his own voice. Had he missed one? Had one of them come and
grabbed her? Had she left?

Cassia’s voice drifted down to him very quietly from
the staircase.

“I’m here.” She was sitting at the top of the stairs
with an ancient shotgun in her arms aimed steadily at the front door. Javier
went up and sat by her then gently prised the gun from her rigid grasp. He made
it safe then laid it down and reached for her without a word as she turned into
his arms with a gasp. He held her tightly, feeling her body shivering.

“Cassia, do you ever do as you are told?”

“They must have been waiting, watching the house.” she
whispered into his shoulder.

“Yes, I would guess so. They probably think you know
more than you do.”

“You saved me. Have they…have they…?”

“They are gone.” said Javier, no point giving her any
details.

“I can’t seem to stop shivering. I’m sorry.” she said
through chattering teeth.

Javier held her closer and felt her fingers digging
into his back;

“It is just the reaction. Nothing to be sorry about,
it’s normal.” he said softly, “Let’s get back to the Island, you’re safe there.
I’ll arrange for our team to fix your window and check the place over when they
come in to clear things up outside.”

Cassia suddenly pulled away from him, her eyes urgent
and imploring;

“Please don’t tell Flavia about this. She doesn’t need
to know and she would only worry. Promise you won’t tell her.”

“She won’t hear it from me. Now, let’s go.” Her
closeness was disturbing; he needed to keep his distance.

As they each picked up a case and prepared to shift
Javier reached for her and expected the usual reluctance and grumbling but she
just allowed him to pull her close and then, to his complete surprise, laid her
head against him and held onto him tightly with her free arm. Concentrating his
mind Javier rested his cheek against her hair and shut his eyes as they shifted
out in a black vortex.

They stood together for a long moment when they
arrived in front of the chateau before each of them backed away awkwardly,
studiously avoiding any eye contact.

It was a good hour and a half later that Javier headed
down the path that rounded the northern tip of the Island where it faced the
Baie des Anges. He wanted to update Cassia and Rosa had told him she had gone
down to the beach with Beatriz. Stopping for a moment he gazed across the dark
expanse of sea towards the distant twinkling lights of the French Riviera. He
had loved this view ever since he had started living on the Island though, of
course, in the early years there had been fewer lights across the sea.

Turning inland he looked up to where the high thick
walls of the old castle loomed out of the darkness. LaSalle’s ancestor had
started building the place over a thousand years ago and it had been
strengthened further over the centuries. There it stood, defiant against the
world of the Humans; a safe place for their community, hidden in plain sight.

He continued down the path. They had certainly had a
busy night; it had been interesting seeing Cassia in her own environment. He
couldn’t stop thinking about her. She was so prickly and defensive; so fiercely
independent yet, once again, he had spotted her vulnerability hidden under all
that bravado. Was it wrong to keep thinking about her? He kept trying to push
her out of his mind but it wasn’t working.

As he neared the beach he heard voices and loud happy
laughter. That sounded like his Beatriz. Speeding up, he rounded the bend then
stood taking in the scene. Beatriz threw herself into a series of cartwheels
along the sand then turned and called to Cassia who was standing barefoot in
the surf, her trousers rolled up to her knees. He saw that she had unfastened
her hair from that chic chignon and the light sea breeze blew it around her
head in a dark cloud.

“I bet you can’t do that Cassia.” Beatriz sang out;

“What do you bet?”

“One of Madame Lemond’s chocolate eclairs, they’re the
best.”

Javier crossed his arms and watched as Cassia jogged
back to the far side of the beach and limbered up. Then she called out;

“In that case, watch this, my little artist friend.”

She then proceeded to execute a series of graceful
perfect cartwheels all along the edge of the sand until she lost her balance on
the final one and fell over laughing into the surf. Beatriz ran across and
hauled her to her feet as she exclaimed delightedly;