Jake frowned. “Are you saying you were told beforehand about the exact location and security?”
“Why is this ruby so special?” Jazz countered with her question. “Why was someone willing to pay so much for it?”
“I am the one asking the questions,” Jake said, narrowing his eyes.
“I answered your question, now you answer mine,” Jazz said with a smirk. “Plus, what could be the harm in telling me? I am your prisoner. I won’t go around spreading it.”
Jake frowned, considering it. Finally, he said, “It’s the fire ruby. It’s the only gemstone that can produce a fire that is strong enough to melt the metal of Alor.”
“So that is your secret,” Jazz said. “I had heard that the Akai clan had some secret of handling the metal that no one knew. No wonder he wanted to pay so much for it. If he managed to get it, he could use it to create the strongest weapons ever known.”
“Exactly,” Jake said. “Now, tell me. Who is he?”
“That I can’t tell you,” Jazz said, shaking her head.
Jake raised an eyebrow. “You said that someone hired you and yet you refuse to provide a name. What evidence do I have that you are telling the truth? You could be lying, pretending not to know what the ruby does, and trying to steal it for yourself.”
Jazz scoffed. “Please. I have better things to do than steal a ruby and try and make weapons. I would have stolen a fucking diamond and sold it for a ton of money.”
“Nevertheless, I have your word for it. I have no proof that you aren’t lying,” Jake said.
“Then why are you here asking me? If you won’t believe what I am saying, then why bother?” Jazz asked.
Jake didn’t reply, he just leaned back against the wall with his arms crossed across his chest.
“Ohh,” Jazz said, realization dawning on her. “Because just in case I am telling the truth, you want to make sure that the person doesn’t make another attempt.”
“Give me a name,” Jake said, his voice stern.
“I already told you-.” Jazz started to say but at that moment the door opened.
“Sir,” the guard said. “Another thief! The ruby!”
Jake threw one last gaze at Jazz and then ran out.
Chapter 7
Jake
Jake shifted into a bear as he ran outside, his soldiers following him. He could see that Lawrance, Jalai, and his other squadron leaders were already waiting for him.
“Hunt him!” Jake snarled, and they all instantly bounded away. They ran throughout into the main courtyard of the Akai mansion, using their sense of smell to follow the thief.
He saw Lawrance projecting his fog of darkness as Bane, one of his trusted soldiers, started to use his tracking skills.
“Kai!” Jake snarled. “Ensure all exits are sealed!”
“Yes, master!” Kai said, running off.
“I have him,” Bane said. “He is in the ancient tunnels! He is trying to escape underground!”
With a thunderous roar, Jake started running towards the ancient tunnels, his powerful legs carrying him swiftly across the distance. His soldiers followed him close by and as he entered the area, he saw that some of his soldiers had already surrounded the thief.
Jalai roared behind him before jumping on to the thief. What happened next was so fast that Jake almost didn’t see it. A beam of red light shot out of the thief’s hands and hit Jalai square in the chest.
“A magician!” Lawrance growled. “He is a magician!”
Jake knew that he had to act very carefully. Magicians were capable of long range fighting, which was a very strong advantage against a bear shifter. The shifters relied on close-range combat and a magician never let anyone get close enough to land a blow on him.
