Chapter 27

       After returning to Missoula Jay fell into a whirl of activities. Every day she woke up at down for her usual training. She ran for an hour, then she exercised at home, took a hot shower to relax, drank a cup of her favorite coffee and went to college. For the whole day she concentrated on classes, lectures, tests, exams, and then she drove straight to her brothers’ place. They cooked dinner together, talk, laughed and joked. Then they moved to the living room, where they drank beer over the notes and graphs they have made.

-       There must be some pattern. – Christian said, hanging a large map of the US on the wall.

       After few meetings they agreed, that they need to look at the issue from the geographical point of view.

-       Let’s mark all the places with names and dates first. – Jay proposed. – Maybe this will bring us closer to the mechanism of their actions.

-       Hope it will. – Said Carter. – If they work in a total chaos, we may never find them.

-       Don’t be pessimist. – Jess smiled at him. – It doesn’t suit you.

       Carter responded to that biting comment by throwing a pillow directly into his brother’s face. Fortunately, their quarrels were never serious. They never took nasty words to heart, as in fact, it was only a way to ease the atmosphere and cheer up. Like every siblings, they liked to truant each other.

       For a while they worked in silence, focused. Jay wrote down all the data on sticky notes, which Christian put on the map one by one. They’d checked the press releases and police reports, comparing them with business trips of the hunters, who had died during last twenty years. There was a lot of it, but the hunters were very efficient. When they started to stand out of the crowd too much, they were sentenced to death.

       They didn’t receive any specific pattern. It seemed that the murderers managed to track down the targets and liquidate them. They had to attack suddenly, or make plans from a considerable distance. The hunters were too vigilant to surprise them. If the enemy lurked near them, he would definitely have been detected. They had to take into consideration leaks as well. They also didn’t exclude that assassins might have informers among ordinary people.

-       Most of the hunters lived in rather small towns. – Jess pointed out.

-       They rarely chose bigger town for their home. – Jay caught to that. – And if, they decided to live in the suburbs. Quiet, peaceful settlements where you don’t have many neighbors and everyone knows each other.

-       They didn’t hide. – Said Carter. – And at least not very well.

-       Maybe, they didn’t think they should? – She thought about it deeper. – Think! You have family, ordinary work, normal house. You pretend to be someone you’re not, and you’re doing it well enough, that even close relatives don’t suspect anything.

-       They felt confident. – Jess agreed. – They saw no danger.

-       But they had to be known in the Dark Abyss. – She continued. – Or they left something behind. Some sign, smell. Trace of energy, which could led the murderer to them.

-       It’s possible. – Christian nodded. – Thanks to it assassins could tracked them down.

-       That bothers me too. – She said suddenly.

-       What? – Jess asked.

-       Grandma said that mum wanted to develop her gift. That she wanted to become something more than hunter. – She explained. – She used the word assassin. Meanwhile, Robins’ words clearly state that assassins are soldiers of The Vampires’ Great Council.

-       Maybe the Coalition has its counterpart? – Christian suggested.

-       Can be. – She decided to push this issue aside for a while. – What exactly do we know about The Great Council and The Shadow Coalition? – She changed the subject.

-       We don’t know how long The Great Council of Dark Abyss exists, but we know that The Shadow Coalition was formed in sixteen twenty-eight in Baltimore. – Carter started to sum up.

-       The founders were Darius – vampire, and Marcus – werewolf. – Jess ended. – Gradually, more and more vampires and different groups of shape-shifters joined The Coalition.

-       In sixteen seventy-six, the first witches under Isabelle Callahan joined The Coalition. – Jay made up. – The agreement was signed up in Atlanta.

-       About the same time the hunters appeared. – Christian added. – Some of them were already known witch hunters, but the accumulation of supernatural power caused it, that people with extraordinary abilities begun to come to this world. Their task was to hunt not only witches, but vampires and shape-shifters as well.

-       You’ve forgotten about demons. – Carter replied with a sneer.

-       We’ve got a gap. – Jess pointed out. – We don’t know when hunters’ blood was mixed up with witches’ blood.

-       Of course we know. – Jay walked to the family tree. – Isa was pregnant when she came to Purple Creek. She told everyone that her husband died, but she used her maiden name – Callahan. Her daughter, Belle, was using this name as well.

-       What does it prove? – Carter asked.

-       I’ve checked the parish chronicles. – She said with scoff. – She baptized her child and gave the father’s name. – She made an appropriate pause. – It was David Sandoval.

       How good it was, that she thought about it during her last visit to Purple Creek. She managed to get the access to the church’s archives. Fortunately, the present pastor moved with the times, and he entered all data into computer. Thanks to it she found all the information she was interested in.

-       So Bell was the first witch in whose veins the hunters’ blood flew as well. – Jess said to confirm.

-       Exactly. – Jay continued. – In every generation the hunter’s blood has become more and more active. And when it was mixed up with shape-shifters’ blood, it took control completely.

-       But it hasn’t drowned the Callahans’ magic. – Christian cut in.

-       It hasn’t. – She nodded. – Isabelle’s genes are too strong. – She gave him a slight smile. – What’s crucial, over the years many hunters turned to The Coalition, uniting against The Great Council. Though, many still defended mankind from preternatural creatures.

-       The Coalition was a strictly closed organization, until the nineteen fifty-ninth when the law on the granting the civil rights to preternatural beings was passed. – Christian continued. – Of course, it didn’t give them all the privileges. Penalties for criminals with abilities were much stricter. Even the death penalty when using magic for minor offences. However, this doesn’t change the fact that society hasn’t fully accepted the situation. Some still reject existence of the Dark World and The Coalition as well. But it’s not surprising if majority of the supernatural beings still hide.

-       Both fronts grew in strength and there was a risk that it would turn against ordinary citizens. – Added Jay. – Better option was to join forces with The Coalition. Hunters were too few to protect the innocent mankind, and alliance obliged Shadow Warriors to defend everyone. And of course, humans became another link against The Great Council, putting it in the minority and balancing forces.

-       Hunters were already dangerous before, but acting alone they didn’t pose a greater threat.  – Jess took the topic. – But when they joined their forces with The Coalition, they gave The Great Council an excuse to sentence them to death.

-       They’d become a target, which was much easier to eliminate than a vampire or a shape-shifter. – Carter added.

-       We still don’t have any pattern. – Jay said finally, looking at the map. – I bet a hundred that the Dark Soldiers were getting an order, when one of the Hunters stood out of the crowd and only then did they act. All the families we’ve visited confirmed that before death their relatives spent more and more time in tours, delegations, grouping. – While saying the last words, she raised her hands and waved her fingers quoting. – They had a lot of work to do and they were good at it. No wonder that The Council felt threatened and stated to give death sentences.

-       Christmas is in a week. – Carter reminded. – We need to take all the materials home. Twins and Daniel would never forgive us if we won’t share our discoveries with them. Besides, Sean may be interested as well.

-       He belonged to The Coalition too. – Jay pointed out. – Maybe he still has some connections? Or some info about cases the hunters worked on. Unfortunately, we can’t go to the police and ask about murders made by preternatural creature, where the justice’s been passed without the uniformed services.

-       And if we would turn to Special Forces? – Suggested Carter.

-       You mean Paranormal Investigation Teams? – Jay followed up. – It’s quite a good idea. But let’s leave it for plan ‘B’. Honestly, I don’t understand why those sections don’t cooperate with The Coalition.

-       It’s still too early. – Christian said. – People belong to The Coalition, but an ordinary man doesn’t have the foggiest idea about what’s going on. They live in the belief that we’re one big freaking happy family. PITs are a closed clique. Like CIA. But I suppose that they’ll become a legal tool of The Coalition. Soon.

       Their reflections were interrupted by the phone’s ring. Jay recognized the melody and rushed to the table, where her cell laid. Her quick reaction didn’t allow Christian sitting next to it, to read who called their sister. After catching the phone, Jay went to the kitchen to pick it up.

-       I bet a hundred that’s her guy! – Jess challenged.

-       Jay doesn’t have a boyfriend! – Carter stopped him.

-       I wouldn’t swear blind. – Christian added. – She behaves strangely for quite a long time. She’s secretive, always in a rush and keeps an eye on the conversations not to fall on some topics.

-       She covers up. – Jess said. – She’s hidden behind some shields and doesn’t let us in. We don’t know what she thinks and feels. We even don’t know her mood until she snorts or chides one of us.

-       Be quiet! – Christian waved his hand. – Maybe we’ll hear something?

-       It’s scurvy, but the end justifies the means. – Carter summed up and he became silent as his brothers.

       Meanwhile in the kitchen, Jay was having a conversation with Bryan. Since the weekend they had spent together, she tried to avoid him, and after returning from Monterey she was selling him different excuses. Always busy, constantly in a hurry. She apologized and promised that they would meet the other day, and then she managed to find a way to escape.

       Because that was how she looked at it. As at continuous escape. She hurled insults at herself, that she is a coward and demanded herself to face it, but she was afraid she could say or do something that would hurt Bryan. And she didn’t want it.

-       I know. – She defended herself against another reproaches. – But I’ve really been overworked lately.

-       Jay, it’s Christmas next week. – He was trying to persuade her. – We’ll go home, and probably meet at the party organized by my parents. And I’ll have to pretend that you’re my sister’s friend. Which you are, so don’t try to trip me up on my words. – He forestalled her comment. – I won’t stand the fact, that you’re close and I can’t even touch you.

-       It’s not to be discussed on the phone. – She said in a painful voice. She understood Bryan’s frustration very well. She couldn’t stand it too.

-       Then meet me finally! Stop avoiding me, Jaysabel! – He used her full name, which meant his nerves are finished. – I miss you.

       She went silent. She was not ready for such a confession. Of course she missed Bryan too. But his voice sounded so serious.

       So final.

-       I miss you too. – Surprised she noticed, that she said it out loud. She wanted to withdraw, but it was too late.

-       Come to me tonight! – He tried to forge while the iron was still hot. – Dave already left home for Christmas. Tell Mel, you’re going to stay with your brothers’.

-       I’ll think about it. – She was trying to leave the door open.

-       Don’t try to weasel out again. – He was mad, thou he still controlled himself.

-       Don’t get me wrong, but….

-       You know what?! – He interrupted her suddenly. – Do as you like! But be kind enough and let me know when you’ll make some fucking decision!

       She stood speechless, with the phone still at her ear. Only after tens of seconds she realized, that all she could hear was a deaf sound.

       ‘He hanged up!’ She thought, panicked. She felt fear dangle her. She hurt him. She did something she was defending herself from so hard. She led him by the nose. She gave him hope.

       Hope for what? For a happy, long, successful relationship?

-       Damn it! – She swore under her breath.

-       Maybe you should meet this guy before he’ll let out from longing.

       She turned to these words and met Jason’s amused eyes, he leaned nonchalantly against the door frame.

-       Very funny! – She snorted.

-       You don’t have to hide him from us. – Carter butted in, passing his brother on the threshold. He walked to the table and sat on a chair. – We won’t make any harm to him.

       She grimaced at these words and shook her head in disbelief. Though, they were aware that she was able to take care of herself, their pride didn’t let them show it. They were her brothers and considered themselves obliged to defend her honor and virtue. ‘A bit too late for that!’ She thought sarcastically.

-       Okay! We promise we won’t beat him too much. – Jess winked at her.

-       After such statement you won’t meet him before you’re eighty. – She snapped back rapidly. – Once you’ll use walking frames and won’t be able to catch up even a crawling baby, then I’ll consider if I should introduce you! – She said angrily. – Of course, you’d see him from a distance, through armored glass.

-       You really think we would kick his ass? – Christian asked, walking in and heading for the coffee machine.

-       Probably. – She answered, watching her brother’s cat movements.

-       You’re seventeen and you’ve got more reason than most thirties. – He continued. – I trust you wouldn’t pick up a half dump, who thinks Russia is a small town in Alaska.

-       I haven’t fallen that low yet!

-       Then why don’t you trust us? – Jess was offended.

       His eyes darkened from inhibited anger, and now they had the color of rough waters of the ocean. Carter watched the table top indifferently. His attitude clearly showed that he didn’t care. Though, it could be a fake calm.

       But it was Christian’s eyes that made her feel like a lousy traitor. He looked at her with understanding, but also with sadness. In his dark sapphire eyes she saw regret, that she couldn’t trust them. He didn’t understand why she drifted apart from them. Why she couldn’t talk with them like in the old days?

       They deserved sincerity. For a moment she fought with her pride and guilt. And though, it was hard to admit even in front of herself, she fought also with shame. Even if she had the feeling that it’s too late for it, her brothers deserved trust and truth.

-       It’s Bryan. – She said quietly, looking down. She couldn’t stand that look of intense blue eyes, full of reproaches.

-       Weakfield?! – Jess burst out. – I’ll kill that son of a bitch! – He said before he thought.

-       Jason! – This time she was mad. – And you’re surprised I didn’t tell you?!

-       Did you sleep with him? – He was still steaming.

-       What?! – She couldn’t believe what she heard. – How dare you ask me!? – She was furious.

-       I ask if he dragged you to bed! – The moment he said it, he realized, he should had shut up. ‘Fuck!’ He thought.

-       You’re an asshole! – She hissed, and her eyes flashed lightening.

       She ran out of the kitchen nudging her twin brother. She came to the living room, collected her things, and headed for the exit. Jess was already there, waiting. Carter was leaning against the kitchen door frame and with stoic calmness watched his furious sister. Out of the corner of her eye she saw that Christian didn’t move. He still stood by the kitchen counter, but this time he stubbornly stared at the cup of coffee he held.

-       Come on, Jay! – Jess tried to placate his sister. – Maybe we’ll just break his legs. – He wanted to turn everything into a joke, but when she gave him a hateful look, he decided to launch into a different tone. – You know we’re worrying about you! We don’t want any dumbass to take advantage of you!

-       Thanks a lot, but I can take care of myself! – She said icily. And though she felt guilty straight away, she didn’t take it back. – And Bry isn’t some asshole, who wants to seduce your sister. Besides, who I meet is not your fucking business! – She knew she went too far, but at that moment she didn’t regret her words. – See ya! – Was her parting shot, then she left.

-       Jay! – Jess tried to bring her up to reason once again. – Jay!

       She didn’t turn round. She got into her car and drove off with a squeak of tires. She wanted to get as far from them as possible. ‘Fucking asshole!’ She thought about Jess. At that moment she cursed him for what he said.

-       What have I done?! – Guilt turned into annoyance. – What’s the big deal?!

-       You’ve treated her like a kid, who needs to be told what to do and who can’t judge people and situation properly. – Christian said quietly, entering the hall. – You’ll have to work hard to win her forgiveness. – He added, turned on his heel and went to his room.

-       I really went too far? – He asked Carter who was standing next to him.

-       ‘Did you sleep with him?!’ – He quoted Jess’s words. – There are thoughts you shouldn’t say out loud. – He said calmly. He also was furious with his sister for not saying anything, and he would be glad to have a word with Weakfield, but decided to pass over it. For now. – And yes. You went over the top. But, if it cheers you up, Jay overdid too. – He patted his younger brother on the shoulder and went to the living room to clean up.

       Jason combed his already ruffled hair and sighed heavily. He already felt lame and knew it’s just the beginning. He could still hear Jay’s angry voice in his head. ‘Is her life really not our fucking business?’ He asked himself. He kept promised himself that he would never be an irritating brother, who sticks his nose into sister’s life, and meanwhile, he did something completely opposite. He began to doubt whether he indeed meant only her good.