Chapter Eleven.
Jess/Loch Ness Monster
There was an easy solution to Mitch’s problem: take him and Diar back to Bran Castle.
He and Diarmad should both be safe there.
Well, at least from the Hunters. Or there was Refuge.
But she’d have to leave her family behind and join them there.
Bran Castle was her home, and Jess was loath to leave it.
She and Mitch spent a week together. The small spark they both felt grew stronger daily.
But Jess wasn’t ready to mate, even if Mitch wanted a relationship.
Until she told him everything, they couldn’t sleep together.
For all Jess was aware, Mitch might walk away.
For now, they were learning about each other’s likes and dislikes.
She knew Mitch was curious about her secrets, but he didn’t pry or push.
Today, she was spending a day at the castle while Mitch attended some important meetings. It was weird not to be with him, and Jess was pouting as it was dreary outside and she couldn’t swim.
“How’s things?” Killian/Phantom asked as he sat beside her in the great hall.
“Okay. Is my relationship common knowledge?”
“One of us falling for a Hunter—and royalty at that?” Killian replied, amused.
“Yup, I guess the Weidemans rank up there, don’t they?”
“Yup. Be careful, Jess. Although Mitch was tested, he could be damn good at what he does. Any sign of trouble, run, and always carry a mirror. You understand we only need a sliver to teleport,” Killian said.
“Yeah, I know, Kill.” Jess sat up straight as Lilith mind-spoke them.
“Everyone, come to the great hall,” she ordered.
Jess and Killian exchanged a glance and then headed swiftly towards the castle. What had gone wrong now?
◆◆◆
To Jess’s surprise, Tisiphone, Hydra, and Griffin were there waiting in their human forms. None of them had taken shifter names yet, so we referred to them by their monster form.
“What’s up?” Killian insisted on seeing that everyone was present.
“Has anyone heard from Gargoyle?” Tisiphone asked.
“No. He’s been dead for over a century,” Valdimir replied.
“Then why has he been contacting me?” Tisiphone requested.
Exclamations came from all directions.
“Wait, you’re saying Gargoyle’s alive? Where the hell is he? We’ll go get him,” Jase demanded, stepping forward with Leon at his side. Jess agreed wholeheartedly.
“That would be great if we knew where Gargoyle was hiding,” Griffin said, appearing upset.
“What?” Maeve asked.
“Gargoyle is only speaking to Tisiphone and won’t tell her where he is. Although Gargoyle states he’s highly entertained,” Hydra explained.
Jess frowned; that sounded just like Gargoyle. Make contact and refuse to elaborate on his whereabouts.
“That’s damn helpful!” Killian snapped.
“Gargoyle always did things his own way,” Liadun murmured.
Jess couldn’t disagree.
“Is he captive?” Bronwen/Phoenix asked with a shudder. She had been one of those whom Emmaline had rescued from a Hunter’s centre.
“Gargoyle says he doesn’t think they know what they’ve got, but he can break free at any time. Foolish creature states that the drama he is watching is better than daytime entertainment.” Tisiphone sighed.
“Where the flaming hell is he?” Leon snapped.
“Well, we wondered if you might have a clue?” Hydra inquired.
Jess felt her stomach twist. No, Gargoyle couldn’t be.
“Do you know of any Hunter disturbances happening?” Griffin inquired. Everyone turned to Jess.
“Jess?” Tisiphone asked, surprised.
“I’m in love with a guy called Mitch. His family, who are estranged, happen to be Weidemans.” Jess winced and waited for the eruption.
“You’re dating a Hunter!” Griffin exploded. “And you’re allowing her?”
“Oh, we tortured Mitch for three days before letting him date Jess,” Jase said blithely.
Hydra looked at them all as if they had lost their minds, which they possibly had.
“Will someone explain what is going on? It seems we might have missed a few things,” Tisiphone ordered.
They all chipped in to narrate the story, and Jess sat back and watched the three shifters from Refuge.
While on the same side, they’d gone in a different direction from those at Bran Castle.
Tisiphone was clearly their leader; those here had a board that voted.
Jess could tell that Tisiphone was unamused.
“You won’t object if we send Chimera in to check him out. After all, you all had your turn,” Griffin challenged.
“Actually, I do mind,” Jess spoke up. “Are you saying you doubt us?”
“Jess, I don’t trust Weidemans.”
“Mitch goes by the name McQuoid. He finds being called Weideman offensive,” Jess said.
“And I find his entire family insulting,” Griffin snarled.
“As do we, but several here tested Mitch and his only concern was to protect me,” Jess retorted.
“That can be faked,” Griffin shot back.
“Then come with me and see him,” Jess challenged. “And I mean meet, not grill.”
Griffin swapped glances with Tisiphone, who nodded. “Fine.”
Mitch
“Hi, baby,” he greeted Jess with a kiss as she beamed up at him. She appeared perfectly relaxed despite the man sitting beside her.
“Hey,” Jess smiled shyly and motioned to the guy next to her. “This is a friend of mine. Griff, this is my Mitch.”
“Hey Griff, is everything okay?” Mitch checked Jess over again, now searching for injuries.
“Fine, Griff was just visiting and thought he’d surprise me.”
“Cool. Are you planning to join us for dinner? You’re most welcome to,” Mitch said, grabbing a chair next to Jess and sitting down.
“If you don’t mind,” Griff replied.
“Not a problem,” Mitch replied. There was something off with Griff. He seemed unfriendly, and Mitch picked up a strong sense of dislike emanating from him. Mitch slipped a hand over to Jess and squeezed, and she grinned. Griff, however, glared.
The waitress came over, and they placed their drink orders.
“So, Jess tells me you’re a Weideman,” Griff stated, and Mitch snorted. Ah, that was where his enmity stemmed from.
“Then Jess told you wrong,” Mitch retorted, and Jess smiled.
“You’re not from a line of murdering assholes?” Griff pushed.
“No, that part is true,” Mitch replied, and Jess giggled.
Griff scowled. “You playing games, fuckwit?”
“No, you are. I’m a McQuoid, not a Weideman. You’re aware of that and are trying to push my buttons. It won’t work because I don’t care what accusations are thrown at me. They’re irrelevant. I may have been born into the Weideman line, but I’m a McQuoid through and through,” Mitch replied calmly.
Mitch reached out with his senses and realised Griff was more than he appeared. He racked his brain and stiffened as a realisation came over him. Well, now, this was interesting. He eyed Jess, who was frowning at Griff.
“You’re a murderer,” Griff accused.
The waitress approached, and Mitch smiled as she placed their drinks down and took their meal orders. Once she left, Mitch held Griff’s gaze.
“Yes. I murdered two Murtairs who were sent to kill me. Anyone who tries to harm Jess or me would be treated the same way. I’m not afraid of killing and won’t hold back,” Mitch warned Griff.
“Is that a threat?” Griff demanded, amusement in his voice.
“A promise.”
Griff laughed and then levelled his gaze at Mitch. Mitch sensed it was meant to be threatening, but he wasn’t intimidated.
“You’re not a concern,” Griff retorted. It was meant to be an insult.
Mitch went with his gut feeling and leaned closer.
“Neither are you to me… Griffin,” he hissed, and Griff stiffened. “Yeah, I thought so.”
“Jess, we’re leaving,” Griff ordered.
“No, you’re not. Not with Jess. Just because I know what you are doesn’t mean I’m a threat, although it’s very interesting,” Mitch drawled as his brain raced ahead.
“What is?” Griff ground out.
“That you’re able to assume human form. Is that a glamour? If so, it’s brilliant,” Mitch mused.
Jess was tense beside him. “What will you do with this information?” she whispered.
“Nothing, baby. Griff’s being protected like the rest of your friends.” Even as he said it, Mitch felt the words were wrong. Why would so many of the Legendary Shifters, as they called themselves, be so concerned with one human woman?
Disbelief washed over him. They wouldn’t be. Which meant Jess was more than a normal person. He gazed at Jess as she stared at her hands. Jess recognised what was dawning on him and tried to avoid his gaze.
Mitch reached out and cupped her chin, turning her to face him. “Don’t hide from me, Jess,” he ordered.
“Take your hand off her,” Griff snarled.
Mitch spared him a glance and then stiffened.
In the next moment, he shoved Jess backwards, and her chair rocked before falling over with her. Seconds later, he leapt over the table and took Griff down. Griff reacted by throwing a punch. Mitch accepted the blow as he rolled Griff to one side.
Griff tensed for a fight, but loud shots rang out. Mitch pushed off him and crawled over to Jess, who was regarding him with wide eyes. He covered her body with his as he flipped the table to use as a barrier, as screams erupted from frightened diners.
“My car is parked out back. We’re heading for that,” he murmured distracted, to Jess, who nodded.
“Griff?” she cried as more bullets hit close by.
“I’m here. We’re trapped. The asshole set us up!” Griff yelled.
“The fuck I did. We’re going for my car. You can either remain here and face the firing squad or join us,” Mitch snapped. “Jess, stay low and stick with me, okay? Don’t poke your head up.”
“Who are they shooting at?” Jess demanded.
“Me,” Mitch replied grimly. “That fucking psycho out there is Clifton, Alexander’s brother, and he’s just signed his warrant. Damn fool, they haven’t learned a single thing. Babe, we can stay and chit-chat until a bullet finds us or get the hell out of here.”
“Right,” Jess ordered. “Trust me.”
Jess/Loch Ness Monster
She was going to take a chance. Jess whipped the small, compact mirror out of her pocket and opened it.
“Mary Worth, Mary Worth, Mary Worth,” Jess called.