Scarlet Assassin (9 page)

“Exactly.”

“Because he wants you to take the job, that’s why.” AJ said, stating what she saw was the obvious answer. “He has to know that you want De Marcus. Would you have taken the job if it was someone else?”

“Probably not. I told him the last time I did work for him not to call me, ever.”

“Hmm, so he tells you it’s De Marcus ’cause he knows you wouldn’t do the job otherwise. I’d say he’s pretty smart. He knows you won’t work for him and he knows he needs someone good, very good and you’re the only one who can get ’em.”

“Maybe.”

“Who better to hire than someone who has an axe to grind? Revenge is always a great incentive. If you won’t take the job I’ll do it. I want De Marcus dead, period.”

“You paid me to kill him and I’m going to kill him, so stop with the bullshit. Besides, you have Clarissa to worry about.”

“When do you meet with Ian?” AJ knew that she wanted to be there when Selene met with Ian. Selene was right, it could be a set up. They couldn’t be too careful.

“Thursday, six p.m..”

“I should be back from the coven by then and maybe you won’t have to meet with Ian.”

“What? Wait, you’re not going to the coven. I don’t trust Van der Plume.”

“I’m going and you aren’t going to stop me. I want to look at that little worm’s face and confront him. He needs to know who he’s fucking with.” AJ’s voice filled with hatred. “I’m tired of the coven’s bullshit. They’re antiquated fucks that need to die. They’re the whole reason De Marcus is alive and we’re watching over our shoulder every second of the day. Clarissa deserves a life without wondering if De Marcus is going to pop in when he feels like it and fuck with us. I want answers.”

“I don’t like this, AJ.”

“I didn’t ask you if you liked this. I just told you I want answers. I don’t need your blessing to go to the coven, Selene.”

“No, you’re a big girl all right. Big enough to fuck shit up and get your ass in a sling.”

“I’m not asking you to bail me out. I don’t plan on pissing anyone off, I just want De Marcus and some answers.”

“Does Clarissa know you’re going to the coven?”

“No, and she isn’t going to find out, is she?” AJ walked to her desk and sat down. “I’m leaving in the morning and I’ll be back in time for dinner. She’ll never even know I was gone.”

Chapter Eleven

Clarissa had been running errands all day before her night class. Dry cleaning, getting her car washed and shopping almost made her feel like a normal human being. Almost. She hadn’t spoken to AJ all day and wouldn’t see her until late tonight after class. Their jobs had been one compromise they had made to each other.
Keep some facsimile of normalcy, even if someone was out to kill you, who else has to live like that?
Clarissa wondered. Clarissa parked her car in her usual spot, right under the lamppost, the light illuminating her car. Safety. AJ drilled it into her head constantly. She arrived early enough to park close to her office and classrooms. The parking garage was not an option. She hated the enclosed space and when she had used the garage before it had resulted in flashback to her former life with De Marcus. So, no garage, no flashbacks. Checking her phone one last time before turning it to silent, she noticed a message from AJ.

Ms. Du Monte, your presence is requested for a lovely dinner, fireside at 6 p.m. Please be prompt as the owner hates to wait to see you.

Love isn’t a word spoken between two people, it’s the realization that you couldn’t survive without them. See you at six.

AJ

Clarissa smiled at the text and sent a quick response back.

Dinner with the most enchanting woman I know sounds wonderful. See you at six.

Love

C

AJ had a way with flowery language. She always had, even when they first met.

A long determined hand reached out as Clarissa sat down. “Pardon me. I don’t believe we have met yet? My name is Alexandra Locke, and you are?” The last word hung on a perfect French accent. 

Clarissa stood quickly as though she were meeting the King of France. “My apologies, Madam Locke, my name is Clarissa Dumonte. It’s my pleasure of course to meet you.” 

“I don’t know why it would be your pleasure, my dear, but it is kind of you to say.” Chuckling, Alexandra guided Clarissa back into her seat. “Please sit down. People might think that I am someone special and wonder why you stood so quickly. Please,” Alexandra said, as Clarissa watched her glance around the room, obviously uncomfortable with Clarissa’s response. 

“So, Mademoiselle Dumonte, please tell me you are not Monsieur De Marcus’s new engagement?”

“Engagement?” Clarissa looked over at the arrogant man Alexandra referred to.

“Yes, engagement. Monsieur De Marcus has quite the reputation as a ladies’ man and you seem rather, well, let us just say you don’t seem to be his usual type.” Alexandra looked directly at Clarissa, making her blush.

“I am sure I don’t know what you mean, Madame Locke but —” 

“Please, call me Alexandra. The other is so formal. Besides, be honest. Monsieur De Marcus is so…well, he is a cad and you don’t seem to be in need of a cad. Am I right?”

AJ had enchanted Clarissa from the start. Her demeanor, her eloquence, and that French accent pulled at Clarissa the moment they met. How far would she fall? She found out later that night when she was alone with AJ on the balcony.

Clarissa leaned back against the bulk of the ornate balustrade and reached behind with her hands, balancing herself. She let her head slowly roll back and took a deep breath. The perfumed scent of wisteria in full bloom hung in the air. It felt good to relax and enjoy the quiet of the evening, even if it was for a short time. Soon, she would be home in bed, wishing she had never accepted her father’s suggestion of a date with Monsieur De Marcus.

“You know, you should be careful out here unprotected, Mademoiselle.”

Clarissa could barely make out the silhouette of a person standing in the shadows. 

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know anyone was out here. I didn’t mean to intrude on your privacy.”

“Please, don’t apologize. I was only enjoying the evening, as you were.” Alexandra moved out of the shadows slowly and stopped next to Clarissa. She was close enough to recognize the perfume, hints of honeysuckle.

“Besides I am sure you must struggle to endure the insufferable condition of your sentence, seated between those remarkable specimens of the male species. You are in need of the quiet more than I.” She turned to go back inside.

“Please, wait. Don’t go…I mean, you don’t have to go in just because I am here. The porch is big enough for two, or more.”    

Clarissa was thankful for the darkness. The blush that seemed to accompany a conversation with Alexandra crept up Clarissa’s neck again. She could feel Alexandra’s eyes on her. The thought made her shiver. Clarissa told herself it was the thought of talking to an unaccompanied woman that made her curious. It was rare in Parisian society that women went to parties unescorted. It was thought to be in bad taste. The idea that a woman was unable to secure a man to escort her meant something was wrong. She should stay home to be thought of as respectable. The fact that Madame Locke did not stay home intrigued Clarissa. At least that’s what she told herself. No, there was something more about Madame Locke, but Clarissa couldn’t quite put her finger on it. The silence between the two was almost deafening as Clarissa was startled back to reality by an owl flying by.

“Ah, we seem to have company.”

Clarissa looked around and didn’t see anyone.

“Excuse me, but I don’t see anyone.”

“The owl. Don’t you hear him?” Leaning in, she whispered into Clarissa’s ear, “There, don’t you hear him?”  Alexandra’s nearness was overwhelming Clarissa and she took a step back, only to be stopped by the balustrade behind her.

“Relax, you aren’t for dinner tonight….” Alexandra continued, “…the mouse, he is dinner.”  

Clarissa felt a wave of calm wash over her as she inhaled Alexandra’s perfume. Relaxing against the bulk of the balcony, she turned to see Alexandra staring at her again. She returned the gaze, determined not to weaken under the intense scrutiny. Her gaze roamed over Alexandra’s face. A smile meandered across Alexandra’s lips. Her teeth oddly reflecting the moon’s light. A tingle ran down her spine as Alexandra ran her tongue along her top lip.

Her mind often relived those early memories, the purest love one could have for another individual, before De Marcus ruined it. Clarissa had resigned herself to the fact that AJ would outlive her once AJ revealed her secret. She just didn’t know the plague would end her young existence so early, that was until De Marcus turned her. She now knew he had done it out of spite and murdered her family, blaming it on a vengeful AJ. He told her that if AJ couldn’t have Clarissa, then AJ would have her family. The heartbreak had been almost insurmountable, but she had resigned herself to her fate and De Marcus’ pervert and evil twists.

That was all behind her now and she could move on with her life with AJ. She would sleep easier when De Marcus was caught, but she felt completely safe with AJ and the men she hired to keep her that way. Suddenly, her skin tingled. Standing up straight she looked around and saw one of AJ’s hired guns. They locked eyes and he nodded at her.
Hmmm, must be him
, she thought bending over to grab her backpack and briefcase. Keeping with their own kind kept questions to a minimum if something out of the ordinary happened. The threat of death from an elder was a powerful incentive to keep their charge well taken care of—the money didn’t hurt either.

She said hello to nearly every student in her major during the short walk to the office. When she finally reached her office she tossed her stuff on her couch and plopped down in her chair. The day had barely started and she was already tired. The end of the semester would be a godsend. Her skin prickled again. Something wasn’t right.

A knock on her open door made her jump. “Hello, sorry I didn’t mean to scare you. I just wanted to come by and introduce myself. I’m taking Carol’s classes over for the rest of the semester. My name’s Marshall.”

The young man stuck his hand out and smiled at Clarissa.

****

AJ grabbed her carry-on and set it by the door. She hadn’t told Clarissa where she was going when Clarissa left for school today. She’d thought better of it. She didn’t want her to worry and Selene could be wrong about Butch. She was sure when she met with him he would see reason. De Marcus was a blight on the coven and a cancer needed to be removed before it grew out of control. All she wanted to do was protect what was hers, Clarissa.

She’d be gone and back before Clarissa got home and none the wiser. The intercom buzzed, alerting her that her ride had arrived. Her private jet stood ready and another car waited at the other end. Up, down and back again. Easy enough. At least she hoped it would be that easy.

AJ filled the two-hour flight with paperwork that had gone begging for far too long. Her assistant had been on her to replace Kevin - her right hand man, but AJ just couldn’t do it. His treachery devastated her. He had been with her almost two decades. He had buried himself so deep into her world that she had no idea he was the mole working for De Marcus. Finding him dead at his own hand had taken what little joy AJ would have gotten out of killing the rat.

“Ms. Locke, we’re arriving so if you’ll buckle up and stow your things we’ll be landing shortly.”

“Thank you.”

AJ could feel herself amping up for the impending meeting with Gaylord, or Butch, as he supposedly wanted to be addressed.
Pompous ass
. If things went well she would leave knowing where De Marcus was and with the blessing of the coven to eliminate the pain in the ass.

The plane finally coasted to a stop. She pulled on her leather jacket, her stiletto firmly tucked in the inner pocket, grabbed her briefcase and cell phone, and disembarked. A four-wheel drive waited for her at the bottom of the staircase. Tucked away in the most remote location she’d ever seen sat
nothing
, if you didn’t know what you were looking for. Buried deep into the mountain, the coven had carved out a very nice existence for their members. Stately, ornate and opulent, were all words that would barely describe the interior, because there was no exterior except a mountain. The old military bunker had been picked up when the government dumped excess property. No one the wiser, Butch had put the bid in under a dummy corporation and bam, the coven had a new pristine home far from the reach of the very government that wanted them dead. It was dark, remote and amazing. She wished she’d thought of it. Maybe at some point she would pick one up.

The world was spinning off its axis. The financial crisis was hitting both home and abroad, the job market and the next looming communicable disease was just around the corner. She suspected it wouldn’t be long before the government took control of the world’s resources. They were already reading emails, cell phone conversations, accessing bank records and even home computers. They had their hands on too much personal information, so putting together a war on vampires would be easy. Thanks to the way the coven was running its business, they were giving the government plenty of reasons to put out a war on vampires. They’d assimilated into higher levels of government: local, federal and the military, but it would be a civil war of epic proportions. The coven knew that and assumed the odds were weighted heavily in their favor, the endless life and all. Without humans, and her research, they’d eventually starve to death. It might take half a century, but it would happen. As for making a move on her research, the coven knew little about what she did. She had complete autonomy. She’d had a benevolent master who’d set her free when he’d died. She was one of the lucky ones. Now she wanted to give Clarissa that same opportunity. Killing De Marcus would do that.