Chapter 201 - Long tooth of the law (1/2)

CHAPTER 108: Long tooth of the law

Arei pushed Jos protectively behind him, squeezing her hand tightly. He kept his attention trained on the large crowd gathered outside the Embassy doors, filling the entire circular drive and many of the common areas. ”What is going on?” He called back to Peg and Andy who were following close behind. They had met for an early breakfast with the hope that the distraction of friends would encourage Jos to do more than pick at her meal, but it had not.

Peg's eyes searched the crowds. ”It looks like a protest of sorts.” He said pointing to the backs of several signs held high over the heads of the crowd.

As Arei neared the front of the crowd a familiar purple head came into view. ”Raven?!” The words had no sooner left his lips before Jos was pushing past him.

”Raven! Is Isha with you?” Jos flung her arms around the fairy's neck as she searched the crowd closest to them for other familiar faces.

Raven chuckled as she handed the sign to Arei and squeezed Jos tight. ”No, she wasn't able to sneak away as easily.” She sent a hateful look toward the Embassy. ”These bastards aren't letting the public inside today OR me for some reason,” She shrugged and shot a thumb over her shoulder to the man standing beside her. ”When this crazy bastard mentioned holding a protest, I was down.”

”Dad?!” Peg asked in surprise as the man in question turned toward their small group and smiled as he pulled his hat off.

Arei's brows furrowed as he looked from the stranger's face before finally examining the sign in his hand. It read 'Release the Kraken'. Arei's eyes widened, ”Is this the wisest thing to do right now?” He shot his disapproving gaze from Raven to his father. ”Don't you have more important things to do than lead a protest?”

The man came over and clasped a hand on Arei's shoulder. ”Something more important than cause a stir for these bastards to deal with? Nope...” He shrugged. ”Besides I have to show my support of my new court member somehow.” He winked at Jos. ”And look I didn't forget you either.” He flipped the sign in his hand toward Shelly. It read 'Justice for Princess Boosilis'.

”Father, I'm not sure it's wise to advertise who she is exactly.” He studied the signs. ”Plus, I'm not sure they are the most tactfully worded either.”

Poseidon shrugged. ”What's the worst that could happen? If they turn a head or two then good. It will make it harder for our dear corrupt council members to perform shady dealings and acts.” No sooner had Poseidon finished his speech, a reporter and her one-man crew bustled through the crowd toward them.

”You are here for the trials today? Please, can you tell us what you predict for the outcome today?” The reporter asked, pressing her microphone toward the small group.

Arei pushed the mic away and pulled Jos back against him. ”No comment.” He replied as he began pushing them forward.

”Then this must be the Joslyn Decker?” The reporter's vulturous attention moved to Shelly. ”And this must be the Rachelle Boosilis?!” She pressed the mic toward the wolf. ”What do you have to say about these trials? Is it true you were involved in the deaths of Xavier and Dante DeMarco?”

Arei snarled nastily at the woman as he pushed past her. ”I said, no comment.”

”Joslyn is it true you seduced first Prince Russell Boosilis then Xavier DeMarco before moving on to one of Poseidon's sons.” The reporter continued as she forced the mic in front of Jos.

Arei turned a heated glare to the woman. ”Apparently you do not realize the company you are in.” He growled. ”I assure you there has been no seduction of any kind here. Jos is not the villain here,” A wicked smile curved his lips. ”But I'm not afraid to be if you don't stop harassing my party.”

The woman's eyes lit up. ”Does that mean you are the son in question? Could you please state your name for the-”

Arei grabbed the mic and crushed it in his hand before letting its pieces drop to the floor. ”I sometimes regret my oath not to hit women.”

Peg walked past Arei, one sleeve already rolled up as he worked on the other. The burned-on bolt Zeus had branded him with the day he left his court was now exposed on his upper forearm. ”It's a damn good thing I never took such an oath.” He stood intimidatingly tall over the woman and her camera guy. When they both began stepping back, Peg smiled menacingly. ”That's what I thought.” He turned and took Andy's hand and nodded toward the rest of their group. ”Shall we?” He nodded back to Raven and Poseidon who were both smiling from ear to ear.

Jos shook her head, ”It's like being in a 1920's gangster movie with you guys.

”Oh no, they are at least ten times worse!” Andy joked as she held her I.D. badge up for the guards standing at the front gate.

All the happy voices beside her died off as the wide double doors leading into the courts opened up. Jos froze dead in her tracks. When her lack of movement tugged on Arei's hand and caused Andy to bump into her back, she shot a nervous look to Shelly. The wolf was also frozen in place, her eyes trained on the same profile as Jos.

Arei's brows furrowed as he followed both Jos and Shelly's gaze through the courtroom, landing on a tall woman. ”What is it?” He asked.

Jos swallowed hard past the lump forming in her throat. ”T...that is the woman who led the attack against us on the beach that day.”

Arei turned his attention back to the woman. She stood with Marcus and a few other high-ranking vampires he recognized from his work with the vamps in the U.S. ”That's her? Are you sure?” He whispered. When Jos only nodded, her worried eyes still trained on the woman, he turned to Peg. ”Stay close.” He leaned toward Andy. ”Take Shelly back to our room and call Father.” He nodded toward the woman Jos had implied. ”That woman is the one who attacked Jos and the wolves on the beach a month or so back.”

Andy nodded a quick yes as she turned from the doorway already lifting her cell phone to her ear. Shelly whimpered and brushed her cheek against Jos's leg. Jos bent and stroked the wolf's head. ”It's alright, I'll be ok. I'd much rather know without a doubt that you're safe.” She smiled weakly down at Shelly as she shrugged. ”Don't worry about me, I'm the bigger monster after all...”

Arei tightened his grip on her hand as he leaned closer to her. ”You are no monster, and I promise, that bitch will have to climb over my dead body before she hurts either of you again!” He bent farther and patted Shelly's head. ”This is no time to be stubborn. Thank of your baby. Go back to the room and wait with Andy and dad.”

Shelly nodded reluctantly and turned to follow Andy who had already walked into the main lobby of the Embassy that separated the hotel from the business wings. Andy hung up as Shelly approached, sending Shelly a reassuring smile. ”Poseidon is already waiting in the room and he brought you a surprise. Come on, trust me you don't want to leave him unsupervised for long.”