"I am unfamiliar with that term,”
Jared said, shaking his head. “He didn't say anything about
that."
That seemed a little strange. “What about the Sprites sent to kill us?” I asked. “Why would he do that if he needed us for the cloning operation?" "Plans change,” Jared almost spit the words at me. “Perhaps you were to be eliminated, then Chithula changed his mind? I don't know. I was concerned with the bigger picture, not insignificant details." "That insignificant detail almost killed us,” Toby corrected Jared. “Doesn't seem soinsignificant to us." A shadow passed over Jared's face, apparently unappreciative of our line of questioning. I think he wanted to be the hero of the piece and win my undying gratitude, but my instincts were starting to tell me otherwise.
"I want Lucas released into my custody,” I commanded. “He is wanted by the Brimstone Syndicate for his crimes."
"I'm afraid I can't do that, Rose,” Jared answered matter-of-factly. “You have no authority here." "You have no choice in the matter,” I argued. “You are impeding an official investigation and I will be forced to act accordingly."
Jared's eyes washed over black as he chewed on my threat. I started to bite my lip. This wasn't a good tactical situation. We were in a small, concrete room with a Master Vampire, his servant, and only one exit. The odds that a Goblin, a Werewolf unable to transform, and I could take Jared weren't that spectacular. And if we were somehow able to miraculously take down Jared, there was still the matter of the nearly fifty Vampires waiting upstairs for us. I had to choose diplomacy over raw violence. “You said you wanted to help me, right?" The Master Vampire stared at me angrily with his eerie black eyes. He remained silent. "This is how you can help me,” I stated. “Release Lucas to me, and I'll see to it that he's processed at Brimstone.” I waited. As I searched his face for any sign he was buying my story, I felt something heavy materialize on the waistband of my pants. Reaching back, I felt the familiar cold, hard grip of my Beretta. I glanced to Lucas. Sweat was pouring off his face. He was indeed powerful. I returned my attention to Jared while motioning for Toby to move behind me and take the weapon. “This is the right thing to do." "Do you think me a fool?” Jared asked angrily. Master Vampires were the only beings who still used the word “fool.” I don't know, it just sounds dated and cheesy. “That's not what I'm saying, Jared,” I retorted as Toby's fingers brushed against the skin on the small of my back. As he took the pistol, I moved strategically between Jared and Toby to hide it. Our odds had just improved slightly. “There are laws to be followed. He's a wanted criminal and I have a job to do."
Jared took a step toward me.
"Please, let me do my job,” I urged. “Don't make me kill you."
That seemed a little strange. “What about the Sprites sent to kill us?” I asked. “Why would he do that if he needed us for the cloning operation?" "Plans change,” Jared almost spit the words at me. “Perhaps you were to be eliminated, then Chithula changed his mind? I don't know. I was concerned with the bigger picture, not insignificant details." "That insignificant detail almost killed us,” Toby corrected Jared. “Doesn't seem soinsignificant to us." A shadow passed over Jared's face, apparently unappreciative of our line of questioning. I think he wanted to be the hero of the piece and win my undying gratitude, but my instincts were starting to tell me otherwise.
"I want Lucas released into my custody,” I commanded. “He is wanted by the Brimstone Syndicate for his crimes."
"I'm afraid I can't do that, Rose,” Jared answered matter-of-factly. “You have no authority here." "You have no choice in the matter,” I argued. “You are impeding an official investigation and I will be forced to act accordingly."
Jared's eyes washed over black as he chewed on my threat. I started to bite my lip. This wasn't a good tactical situation. We were in a small, concrete room with a Master Vampire, his servant, and only one exit. The odds that a Goblin, a Werewolf unable to transform, and I could take Jared weren't that spectacular. And if we were somehow able to miraculously take down Jared, there was still the matter of the nearly fifty Vampires waiting upstairs for us. I had to choose diplomacy over raw violence. “You said you wanted to help me, right?" The Master Vampire stared at me angrily with his eerie black eyes. He remained silent. "This is how you can help me,” I stated. “Release Lucas to me, and I'll see to it that he's processed at Brimstone.” I waited. As I searched his face for any sign he was buying my story, I felt something heavy materialize on the waistband of my pants. Reaching back, I felt the familiar cold, hard grip of my Beretta. I glanced to Lucas. Sweat was pouring off his face. He was indeed powerful. I returned my attention to Jared while motioning for Toby to move behind me and take the weapon. “This is the right thing to do." "Do you think me a fool?” Jared asked angrily. Master Vampires were the only beings who still used the word “fool.” I don't know, it just sounds dated and cheesy. “That's not what I'm saying, Jared,” I retorted as Toby's fingers brushed against the skin on the small of my back. As he took the pistol, I moved strategically between Jared and Toby to hide it. Our odds had just improved slightly. “There are laws to be followed. He's a wanted criminal and I have a job to do."
Jared took a step toward me.
"Please, let me do my job,” I urged. “Don't make me kill you."