Part 2 (1/2)

Malcolm s.n.a.t.c.hes his arm out of my hand.

”What the h.e.l.l are you doing?”

”Don't give up hope,” I beg him. ”And stop being Lucifer's henchman. It's killing your soul.”

”You're rather impertinent for a human,” Malcolm says, eyeing me like I'm a curiosity.

”So I've been told.”

”You still haven't answered my question,” Malcolm says tersely. ”Why are you so interested in this girl from your Earth?”

I look over at Mason because I know he isn't going to like what I'm about to do. Mason gives an imperceptible shake of his head warning me not to tell Malcolm the truth.

But I know I have to tell Malcolm what's happened to his son. It might be one of the stupidest things I've ever done in my life but I can't, in good conscience, let him live with his doubt.

”She's important to me because she's my sister,” I say.

Malcolm grabs the tops of my arms with both of his large hands and squeezes. I see Mason about to pounce on Malcolm and I furiously shake my head at him. Reluctantly he stops, trusting me to know what I am doing.

”What happened to my son?” Malcolm demands, his face so close to mine I can feel his warm breath on my face.

”He didn't give me any choice,” I say, wanting to make sure Malcolm understands why I did what I did. ”I had to kill him to protect myself.”

Malcolm squeezes my arms so tightly I fear he might pinch them off. Suddenly, he pushes me away from him, but I know he didn't use his full strength because my back doesn't break when I slam against the far wall.

Instantly, Mason is at my side helping me get back on my feet.

”Are you all right?” He asks worriedly, looking me up and down to check for injuries.

”I'm fine,” I say, kneeling to the floor for a moment to fetch my sword.

”Is that what you used?” Malcolm asks, staring at the flaming sword in my hand.

”Yes. He lunged at me and impaled himself on its blade.” I say, not wanting to elaborate any further on the death of Malcolm's son.

Malcolm closes his eyes and is silent for a long while before I see a twin trail of tears course from the corners of his eyes and down the sides of his face.

”So he didn't bite you?” Malcolm questions, his eyes still closed, voice quavering slightly. ”He never tasted your blood?”

”No. He didn't taste human blood. And, if it's any consolation, I don't think he suffered. He died instantly.”

Malcolm nods that he heard my words but doesn't make a reply.

I look up at Mason for rea.s.surance that I made the right decision in telling Malcolm about his son's fate. Mason caresses the side of my face and nods, silently telling me that against his better judgment I did the right thing.

”Thank you,” Malcolm whispers. ”Thank you for killing him before he lost his soul.”

Malcolm suddenly opens his eyes wide like someone just hit him in the gut.

”You need to leave. He's coming.”

”Who's coming?” Mason asks.

”Lucifer. I told him I would interrogate you for information about your world. If he finds you here Samyaza, he will kill you without blinking an eye, and I don't have to tell you what he will do to her.”

”Where is my sister?” I demand, not wanting to leave before I have the information I need.

”Run!” Malcolm shouts.

Mason phases us to the sidewalk outside the building.

”d.a.m.n it!” I scream at Mason. ”Why did you do that? He's the only one who knows where Faison is!”

The people pa.s.sing by us openly gape at me. I'm not sure if it's the flaming sword I'm holding or my public display of annoyance with Mason that's drawing their attention, probably a little of both.

”Jess, we've got to go,” Mason says urgently, grabbing me by the arm and pulling me down the sidewalk to get lost in the crowd of people around us.

”No, we have to go back!” I say stubbornly, ripping my arm out of his hold and turning around, determined to get the information I need from Malcolm.

Mason grabs me around the waist and pulls my back roughly against his chest.

”Jess, listen to me,” he whispers desperately in my ear. ”Now is not the time. Lucifer will kill me and torture you. We will get the information another way.”

I know in my heart Mason's right, but I'm hard-headed and leaving the one person who knows where Faison is goes against every fiber in my being. I take in a deep breath trying to let Mason's reasoning clear my head.

My body relaxes and Mason lets me go because he knows I won't try to run back into the building. My sword loses its flame just as I lose my will to fight. I turn around to face Mason while sheathing my sword.

”What do we do now?” I ask.

Unfortunately, the answer to that question ends up not being our decision.

A black van comes to a screeching halt beside the sidewalk were standing on. Two men dressed in black with ski masks covering their faces jump out and grab me. Before Mason can attack them, a man I recognize phases in beside Mason, grabs his arm and phases him away.

The two hooded men pull me towards the van easily because they are way stronger than I am. But, that's no surprise to me since I see the blue auras surrounding them marking them as Watchers. Unceremoniously, they dump a struggling me inside the van, jump in and close the sliding door behind them.

”Go!” The one crouched directly in front of me yells to the driver.

The van's wheels squeal as the driver hits the accelerator and we're off like a shot down the street.

I don't know what the h.e.l.l is happening but I do know one thing.

Brand has Mason.

Chapter 3.

Before I know it, one of the men in ski masks pulls my plasma pistol out of its holster on my thigh. The other reaches towards me like he's going to try to pull my sword out of its sheath but I kick him in the groin before he has a chance. With a howl of pain, he doubles over clutching his family jewels.