Firefight in Darkness (13 page)

-Dante

P.S. – the necklace was your grandmother’s, a Fire Dryad heirloom. I know you will look radiant when you wear it.

Later, it would occur to her just how eerie his words were. But until then, she could feel nothing but fury.

“He’s playing a goddamn game with us.” She tossed the letter to Jax, covering her face in her hands and trying to breathe.

Connection, hmmph! Just who did he think he was? And giving her some necklace that had been her whore grandmother’s? Was that just some ploy of his to win her sympathy or something? Well, he obviously thought he knew her better than he actually did, because knowing what the necklace was only made it revolting to her, not priceless.

Irritated, she picked up the necklace to look at it again, eyeing it now with disdain instead of admiration. It really wasn’t all that pretty, now that she really looked. The stone had a couple of nicks on it, and looked faded from time. It was just junk, that was all.

She impulsively wrapped it up in her napkin and shoved it aside so she wouldn’t have to look at it any longer.

Looking at Jax, she watched him pore over the letter, devouring every word like it was scripture or something. Because she didn’t consider Dante’s writing to be anything more than bullshit, she felt annoyed that he was taking it so seriously. When he finished, he set the letter aside, leaned back in his chair, and reached for his beer.

“Phoenix.” He said suddenly as he took a swig from the bottle.

“Phoenix, what?”

“That’s where he’s going. Phoenix, Arizona.”

Annoyed with him for no real reason in particular, she felt her temper flaring. “And how do you know that? He might just be screwing with us.”

“Doubtful.” Sipping again, he continued to watch her. “Looks like he wants you, after all.”

“If he wanted me, he would just come and get me. I don’t understand why he’s trying to get us to play this stupid game.”

“Because it amuses him.” Considering, he picked up the letter and read it over again. “He’s like a cat who’s got a mouse. He’s going to play with you before he destroys you, all for the fun of it.”

“That’s all very cute, but why do you think he’s going to this Phoenix place?”

“I don’t know about you, but the only bird of fire I know of is the phoenix, and there just so happens to be a city named that within driving distance, which would be why he said to follow the highway.”

Pursing her lips, she resigned that his logic made sense. “So you think we should go along with this?”

“Unless you have a better idea.” He drawled, smirking at her. Suddenly, his cell phone began to ring beside him. He glanced briefly at the caller ID before answering it with a grin. “You’re never gonna guess what I just found out.”

“
Dante’s in Phoenix
.
”
Rian’s voice came through the phone in his matter of fact tone.

Jax frowned. “Now how the hell did you figure that out, son?”

“
You’re not the only one with connections. My grandfather on my father’s side retired down there, and I asked him awhile ago to keep an eye out. Turns out he spotted Dante about an hour ago at a convenience store on Van Buren street right by the airport. He would have tailed him, but Dante got in a Mercedes and drove off, and my grandfather had walked there
.
”

“Well, shit.” Pleased, Jax winked at Blythe. “Blythe just received a letter from our demon, leading us on some wild goose chase to Arizona.”

“
Looks like you’re going to Phoenix, buddy.”

“Looks like it. I’ll keep you posted.” Hanging up the phone, he focused his attention back on Blythe. “Go on upstairs and get your stuff. We should be able to make it to Phoenix in about five hours.”

“So Dante’s really in Phoenix, huh?” Hearing the confirmation from Rian regarding Dante’s whereabouts perked her up a bit. Maybe this was for real, after all. “Lucky guess on your part, cowboy.”

He grinned at her, the thrill of the hunt back in his system. He had a wicked gleam in his eyes as he spoke.

“Girl, lucky might as well be my middle name.”

♦ ♦ ♦

Despite the adrenaline she had felt upon leaving Los Angeles, by the time the drive was done she had fallen fast asleep in the passenger seat of his car.

Jax couldn’t help but watch her for a moment as he pulled into the hotel parking lot and turned off the ignition. She was curled up into the corner with her head resting on her arms and her legs tucked up against her chest, her breathing slow and steady.

She looked so innocent while she slept that it took him off guard to see it. That sharp, foxy face seemed soft and childlike when it wasn’t lit up with that vixen grin of hers or fired up with her quick temper. A face like that could be misleading to a man who didn’t know better, he mused. Good thing he did know better, and knowing better kept his priorities from wandering into dangerous territory.

Not only was she six years younger than him, but she was one of Thea’s prized Dryads and therefore extraordinarily important to the world as a whole. And that fact put him in an awfully shitty position, as he was the one now entrusted to protect her. And despite how fervently she denied it, she was vulnerable here, and she was constantly in danger. Though he knew for damn sure that she would put up a hell of a fight if given the chance.

He nudged her softly, his own exhaustion wearing down on him so his eyes felt heavy and his mind numb from hours of staring at nothing but dark, empty highway. When her eyes fluttered open and met his, her lips curved into a soft, sleepy smile.

“God, you’re handsome.” She mused, still half asleep. She could see his face, half bathed in the yellow light of the hotel, stubble shadowing the hollows of his cheeks and his chin. He looked dark, dangerous, and much, much too sexy for his own good. Her eyes fell closed again as she felt herself drifting back to sleep.

The husky, throaty way the words had poured out of her mouth had him straining against his own self control. Mentally slapping himself in the face, he sat up straight and nudged her again.

“Wake up, we’re here.” He pushed open the car door and climbed out, stretching his legs momentarily before reaching in the back for his duffle bag, trying hard not to look at her again.

“Mmm.” Stretching her arms up over her head, she yawned deeply and slowly unfolded herself out of the car. “What time is it?”

“One in the morning.” He slung his bag over his shoulder and tossed her hers before locking up the car. “We’ll go inside and get a few hours sleep. I’ll come wake you up at six.”

Too tired to complain, she followed him into the hotel so he could get the keys to their rooms. He did all the talking while she nearly fell asleep again at the lobby counter, her eyes drooping against her will.

He grabbed her arm, much gentler this time, cupping his hand under her elbow to keep her going as he headed down the outdoor corridor toward their rooms. He slid the keycard in himself and propped open the door for her.

“Goodnight, Blythe.” He muttered as she slid out of his grasp and stepped forward into the room.

She dropped her bag just inside the door and turned, facing him before he could walk away.

“Jax?”

He didn’t say anything as he turned and watched her, the dim glow of the outside lights highlighting the angles of his face. Because she could see he was as exhausted as she, if not more so, she decided against what she was going to say. He didn’t need to know that while she had been sleeping on the drive over, she’d done nothing but dream of him. Besides, she wasn’t sure she was even ready to think about just how badly that complicated everything.

“Thank you for driving.” With a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes, she backed into the room and shut the door behind her, trapping herself in darkness.

♦ ♦ ♦

“You can’t keep leaving me out of the loop. Whether you like it or not, I’m a part of this and I should get to go wherever you go.”

“This is about your safety, and as your temporary guardian I don’t feel it is in your best interest to go along.”

They were both standing on opposite sides of the car, currently parked outside the store of Jax’s only demon contact in Phoenix. The sun had barely been up two hours, and already it was rapidly nearing ninety degrees.

“Bull.” Indignant, Blythe tossed back her hair and stared him down. “I think you just want to maintain some semblance of this being your solo gig.”

Because it was close to being the truth, Jax merely shrugged. “I’m sure you’d rather take on this expedition solo too, sweetheart.”

“Awe, but then I’d lose out on all the fun bickering we do.” She smiled at him, a teasing light coming into her eyes. “C’mon, cowboy. Let me come play with you in the big boy leagues.”

Despite knowing it would probably be a big mistake, he sighed and gestured for her to follow him.

“Fine. Come along now, we don’t have all day.”

She bit back a triumphant grin as she followed him towards the store.

He pulled open the glass fronted door and motioned for her to enter in front of him, his eyes immediately scanning the dimly lit room full of display cases housing hunting and fishing gear. She kept close to him, which he appreciated, as he could only do so much to protect her if his demon contact decided to attack. The last thing he needed was for her to go wandering around out of sight.

As they approached the long, glass counter, a man stepped out from the back room. His polite smile faded the moment he saw Jax, a tinge of fear replacing it.

“Jackson Murphy.” The man managed, wiping his suddenly damp hands on his khaki pants before reaching out to shake Jax’s hand. “Long time no see.”

Blythe eyed the man curiously. He was tall and slender, with a nerdy looking face and dark hair combed over to one side. His eyes had a panicked look to them, which made him look completely out of place around all the testosterone infused hunting gear.

Suddenly, as if an electric shock had pulsed through his body, his bony back seemed to cringe as he turned to face her, his nostrils flaring and his eyes wide with revulsion. A low hissing sound escaped from somewhere deep in his throat.

Jax stepped in front of her, his hands held out peacefully. “Lenny, you need to calm down. She’s with me.”

“A Dryad. A Dryad is in my store.” Lenny’s hands clenched together anxiously as he backed away from them, bumping into the wall behind him.

“You and I both know this isn’t the first time, Lenny.” Jax tucked his hands into his jean pockets, a grin playing over his face. “Brock’s one of your best customers.”

“I don’t know nothing about that.” Lenny choked out, looking timid and scared again. “Must be someone else your thinking of.”

“Are you really lying to me now, son?” It wasn’t said in a threatening way, but Blythe could hear the authority in it. Apparently the demon could too.

“Alright, fine. Maybe one time I did business with him. I don’t want no trouble.”

“Good, neither do I.” Jax grinned again and pulled out his phone, taking a moment to bring up an image before showing it to Lenny. “You seen this fellow around here lately?”

Lenny’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he stared at the picture. “Maybe.”

“Why don’t you come on over here and get yourself a better look.” Waving him over, Jax held the phone out so Lenny could look closer.

“Nope, ain’t seen him.”

Blythe watched as Jax took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. Then he was suddenly grasping Lenny’s shirt front and dragging him halfway over the counter.

“I thought we were past the lying bullshit, Lenny.” Jax grunted, bringing Lenny’s terrified face close to his. “Now I want the truth. Have you seen this fellow around here, or not? He’s half demon, half Dryad. I know you can tell the difference.”

“Yes, yes, he was here last night.” Lenny stammered, shaking head to toe as Jax released him.

“Did he buy anything?”

“Just a demon blade, is all.” Lenny fingered the collar around his polo shirt, fighting to get his breathing steady. “I didn’t want to sell it to him, on account of his tainted blood and all, but he paid double for it. In cash.” He shrugged defensively. “I run a business, after all.”

“Did he say where he was heading?”

“No, didn’t say much of anything, really. He was driving a silver Mercedes Benz, though. Acted all high and mighty like he was hot shit.”

“Nevada plates?”

“Nah, Arizona plates. Probably stolen, I imagine.”

“Interesting.” Jax paused as he considered this new piece of information. So Dante had switched license plates on the stolen Mercedes…smart move, as he was a cop magnet with that stolen car.

“So you sell demon weapons?” Blythe asked curiously, unable to resist. After all, this was a whole new world to her, and she was especially interested because apparently her father was a customer here.

Lenny’s head whipped around at her voice, his face tightening with barely restrained fury. At first he looked like he wasn’t going to answer her, but then his eyes suddenly narrowed to slits and he stepped towards her.

“Who wants to know?” He spat, eyeing her with disdain.

Her temper sparked as she instinctively straightened up to her full height, a meager five foot four compared to his towering six foot two. But the attitude she exuded made her seem much more intimidating then she actually was.

“I happen to be Brock’s daughter. You know what they always say, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Maybe I would like to purchase something from you.”

His face softened a bit as he considered, but his eyes never left hers. “Brock’s daughter, huh?”

“That’s right. Now what can you offer me?”

He smiled then, and she saw a brief, momentary flash of red in his eyes that caught her off guard. His nerdy demeanor hid it well, but she knew in that moment that the demon inside was as wicked as any.

“Come on back, I’ll show you around.”

An hour later, they walked out of the store, Jax looking more than a little frustrated and Blythe patting the new semi automatic pistol tucked into the holster on her waist, a brand new carton of ammo in her purse.