I tried to get through the rest of the day as normally as possible, but the entire time, my mind was on that note. I needed to see what they had to say. Except they wanted me to come alone.
As I walked toward Julian’s apartment I wondered over what to do. How was I supposed to do that without my two protectors trying to come with me?
“Hey,” I said to Julian, setting my bag down on the island later that day after class. “I’m going to head to my parents. Talk to my dad about my powers.”
He looked up from his computer. “Do you want me to come with you?”
“No, no.” I waved him off. “I’m going to ride my bike. No need for an escort. I think I can make it there and back without dying.”
Julian watched me for a long moment before nodding. “Alright. Text me when you get there and back.”
“Yes, dad.” I grinned, stepping up to him and shyly kissing his cheek.
“Hey.” He caught my hand. “You disappeared this morning.”
“Oh.” I flushed. “I wanted to get a head start on class.”
“And wanted to avoid the what are we question.”
Chewing on my lower lip, I ducked my head. “Maybe.”
“It’s okay, Jack.” Julian tilted my chin up. “We can be whatever you want, take it as slow as you want.”
My face softened. “I know. It’s just... complicated.”
Julian leaned forward and pressed a chaste kiss to my lips. “It always is.”
Without another word, I grabbed my helmet and left the apartment, his words making me feel even more guilty for lying to him.
However, this was something I could handle alone. It was a quick trip into town and if it turned out to be nothing then they didn’t get all hyped up for nothing. And if it was a trick at least I kept Julian and Tate out of the line of fire.
I drove my motorcycle out of the academy gates and on the road, pulling the destination into my phone’s GPS.
When I pulled up to it a half hour later, I frowned. This couldn’t be right.
Glancing down at my phone, I realized this rundown house was indeed the location. Turning off my bike, I grabbed my knives out of my saddlebags before slowly making my way up to the house. There weren’t any lights on in the house and no sign of anyone having been there recently.
I couldn’t smell anyone waiting in the shadows nor hear any heartbeats.
Maybe they weren’t here yet?
I glanced at the time and saw that it was already five after. Pursing my lips, I went to the front door. I reached out and tried the handle.
It turned. Well, either someone was here or no one cared enough to keep this place locked up.
I stepped carefully into the house, using my phone light to see where I was going. There was furniture from the previous residents, but they were worn and dirty. A few more turns around the living area didn’t reveal anything new.
“Hello?” I called out, hoping the person was further in the house and just hadn’t heard me arrive. “It’s Jack. You left a note for me.”
There was a creak on the wood floors and a shuffling of clothing. I spun around, using my light to find the noise. Finally it landed on a dark figure.
“Hello? You said you had information for me. About my family’s enemies?”
Someone snickered.
“Oh, yes we know all about them. And they want to thank you for making this soeasyfor them,” a voice I didn’t recognize answered, and then a light flicked on.
I was surrounded. Eight people stood in around me, all wearing masks. I sniffed the air but couldn’t catch anything. I had no idea if they were human, witch, vampire, or shifter.
