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Chapter 10

The next two days only saw the increase in tensions for everyone. Josef threw himself into business while keeping one eye on Mick's search for Watts. Mick in turn was hitting dead end after dead end and his patience was stretched to the breaking point. It was like Watts and his group were made of smoke. He had even gone as far as to ask the Cleaners to keep an eye out for the van as they went about their business.

George took the others out to a small canyon on the north side of town, where he had purchased an abandoned stable. The old structure standing on the property was more of a barn with stalls in the back half of the building and a large open area in front. A loft covered the back third with walkways along both sides. In the back was a large door that had been boarded up. A side door and a front entrance were the only other ways to get inside, there were no windows. Inside the front entrance was an office on the left and a stairway to the loft on the other.

In the open area of the barn, Tim and George had built two large wooden tables with kindling stacked under each one. George set down two cans of gasoline and looked at the others gathered around.

"This is perfect," Jonas said with a nasty gleam in his eyes. Slowly turning in place, Jonas surveyed the whole setup. "Well done George."

His cousin beamed in pleasure at the compliment.

"Tim, go to the office and bring out our surprise," he instructed. The boy hurried out and returned shortly, toting a flame thrower. Jonas' eyes became even brighter.

"That is some serious shit," he exhaled. "Oh Georgie, you really have done good."

"Thanks Jonas," George replied with a grin.

"Uncle Jonas, the crossbows are in the office. Should I get a couple of them out for practice? I can help Ralph learn how to shoot them," Tim offered.

"Now that's a plan. Come on Ralph, let's get in some target practice," Jonas challenged and headed for the door.

Later that night with plans finalized, Jonas sat at the window of the hotel looking at the moon. Ralph and Tim slept but George joined him at the window.

"Forty years George. I've had the images of my dad's death playing in my head for forty years," Jonas said quietly, still staring at the sky. "I see Kostan sink his fangs into Dad's throat and drain him. When Dad went limp, Kostan threw him to the ground like he was garbage. They never found his body."

"We'll get him Jonas," George said calmly.

"St. John too. He killed Louis and Mac. Snapped their necks like toothpicks. They were good men. If your dad hadn't pulled me away and rushed me into the truck, I'd be dead too."

"If Dad had just kept his temper and not killed those two people……." George sighed.

"That clerk over-reacted to the blood on Uncle Simon's clothes. He came at us with a bat, your dad just fought back. And that trucker stuck his nose in where it didn't belong," Jonas said with venom in his voice.

"That's all in the past now Jonas. We can't turn back the clock, we can only go forward."

"Oh I plan to go forward cuz. Forward to my revenge," Jonas said with satisfaction. "I have been dreaming of this for forty years."

"Let's get some sleep. We've got a big night tomorrow," George said with a tap on his shoulder. He headed to bed.

The next evening Beth was working to finish up her duties at the magazine. Mick would have preferred her to stay home but the magazine was going to press the next week and she had many loose ends to tie up. A throat being cleared in the doorway caused her to look up from her monitor. John, her assigned shadow was standing there looking apologetic.

"It's getting late Ms. Turner. Mr. St. John asked me not to let you stay too late," he said respectfully.

"I'll be just a minute John," Beth smiled. "I'll meet you in the parking lot."

"I'm sorry Ms. Turner. My instructions are to stay with you every minute," John contradicted her politely. "I'll just wait out here."

"All right," Beth gave in. "One moment."

She finished quickly and joined John in the outer office. Her bag was slung over her shoulder and they went down to the door that led outside. John placed himself between Beth and the door.

"Let me go first Ms Turner," he cautioned as he reached for the doorknob. Beth nodded and let him lead the way out.

The parking area was sparsely occupied at that hour and Beth's car was parked a short distance from the exit. John walked ahead and was suddenly struck by a thick wooden arrow that embedded in his chest. He went down like a felled redwood. Thinking quickly, Beth knew she was closer to her car than the building and dove behind a car parked two spaces from hers. Digging frantically in her bag as she inched towards her car, she finally found her gun and pulled it free. She raised herself up slightly to look around and saw movement by a van parked one row over. She aimed and fired as a young man stepped clear of the side of the van with a crossbow. A wooden stake bounced off the car near her head and Beth quickly sprinted to her vehicle, her keys out of her pocket and clicking the lock open. As she yanked open the door she saw an older man swing a short sword, decapitating John. With a squeak of fear, she slid in, slammed the door and shakily stabbed the key into the ignition. The car rumbled to life and with tears threatening, she roared out of the parking lot. As she drove, she searched her bag with a free hand for her phone. Cursing with frustration when she couldn't find it, Beth decided the best thing to do was try and make her forty five minute drive home go as fast as possible. She was anxious to get back to Mick and warn the others.

Back in the parking lot, George looked up from the dead vampire to his son. He had heard the gunshot and his blood ran cold when he saw Tim on the ground, pressing his hand to his thigh. Beth's shot had gone into his right leg muscle. He was relieved to see that Tim appeared not too seriously hurt.

"Tim, how bad is it?" George asked in concern, hurrying over to him.

"I'll be okay, it hurts like hell. Sorry Dad, she got away," Tim groaned through his gritted teeth. He pulled off his zippered sweatshirt and wrapped it tightly around his leg. "Call Uncle Jonas and warn him she is heading home."

George brought out his phone; looking around the lot to be sure no one was coming. He noticed an object on the ground near the car the Turner woman had hid behind. He went over and discovered a cell phone. He picked it up and quickly called his cousin.

"Jonas, the woman got away. She had a gun and shot Tim."

"Is he okay?"

"He will be. She dropped her phone. I'll call St. John with it, we can still take him," George said urgently.

"Do you think it will still work?"

"Unless she stops to call ahead but I don't think it's likely. He'll have no way of knowing we don't have her," George told him.

"Then do it," Jonas ordered and hung up. He signaled to Ralph, who was waiting across the parking garage.

George scrolled through Beth's phone and found Mick's number. He activated the call.

"Beth," Mick's voice responded warmly. "Almost home?"

"Not Beth, St. John," George said shortly. "We have her and if you want to see him again, you'll do as I say."

"Watts……….. If you harm her, you will die bloody," Mick swore with a growl.

"You'll do as I say," George barked. "I'll text you an address. You come and don't waste time; I know how long it takes to get there." He broke the connection and then typed in a false address. He sent it and then turned to Tim to take a closer look at his leg. He would patch him up quickly and then they had some clean up to handle before heading to the stable in the canyon.

Mick had felt the cold fingers of panic creep up his spine the minute a male voice came from Beth's phone. He got the address text and grabbed his gun, then rushed out of the apartment. He knew he should call Josef but Watts had not given him much time. Saving Beth was paramount and he decided to call from the car. The ride down the elevator was excruciating and his anxiety increased as he went down.

As the doors slid open, Mick was focused on his car, all ready plotting the quickest route to his destination. He would make them pay for taking Beth he promised himself. The scent of two unfamiliar humans registered with him two feet from the Benz. A sharp pain pierced him as a stake buried itself between his shoulder blades. Seconds later a second one hit him from the front as he sank to his knees and he collapsed sideways. His blood stained the cement floor beneath him.

A trap! He had fallen for a classic trap. Now he had failed Beth and most likely committed a fatal mistake. He wondered if he would see Beth before the hunters took their revenge. A pair of dusty boots stopped inches from his face.

"St. John, so nice of you to cooperate. You're not as smart as you think," Jonas gloated as he leaned down and stared into Mick's eyes. "You lose."

End chapter.

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