Chapter 15
Things were at a breaking point in a lot of ways.
People were waiting to see what we did next with the moves made against our vendors.
Others knew we were distracted with reorganizing and how many demons we rescued.
The meeting with those ancients went well and it was clear that they now knew they didn’t want to fuck with us.
But they didn’t think we were the future and impressive enough to make it.
All except that woman. She was smart and understood the reality of things.
So as much as I knew it was a risk, it was time for part two that Mason had already gotten started on. I walked into Sebastian’s house where the angels were waiting along with Kyle, Kyria, Mason, and Tracey. I told them what I’d done, what was next, and asked for their help.
But basically, I was doing it with or without them.
“This is risky,” Kyria sighed when I was done.
“Yes,” I admitted, shrugging when the range of expressions was less than positive.
“But we’re there and it’s time to stop playing so much defense.
It will hit the pride of a lot, but we already are.
So time to show the right people how easy certain things are for us so at least they know we’re impressive and this isn’t a failed experiment. That is the goal.”
“Not the only one, but it has to be the main one to make progress with so many circling you,” Sebastian agreed as he looked over several things.
“There is no ‘putting this back in the box’ so to speak. Only idiots think they have a chance of making things go back to the way things were. ISLE alone has new leadership, and even taking out Director Stevens won’t change that. ”
No, because Dylan and those after him would take up the mast and make sure Phillip would be the martyr needed. They believed in the good of ISLE with their souls not just a mission. They wanted ISLE to be the beacon it should be.
“I agree, but by checking the councils and getting their people in line by impressing the people they’re scared of, you risk other scarier people coming out and now becoming threats,” Kyria whispered.
“Yes.” Again I shrugged. “But we risk that now. Ancients are cautious. Those demons were rash and…” I sighed.
“I don’t know. I’m the last person to ask about mental health.
Probably thought if they got first crack at us they could take over.
That Bella chick wanted to be Natalia. I saw it.
She’d always wanted that spot in life and—”
“Pride gets them every time,” Tracey chuckled, giving me a wink. It was a line we shared over and over again. Most demons even.
And Mason did not like that we had something to share like that.
Not. One. Bit.
Which was actually pretty damn sexy that he valued me enough to be possessive. He wasn’t jealous because that’d involve blame or acting like I’d done something wrong.
No, and he wasn’t even feeling that. But he did make it clear that I sat by him, not Tracey.
Fine by me.
After outlining a bit of what Mason already had, people realized it wasn’t just to put on a show or potentially poke some dangerous people… But we could do some real good. They were on board then.
First, Kyria got someone trusted to take over for me at the club undercover.
It only worked because of the stupid policy that we just had to get our shifts covered.
We worked out that she needed money to get away from her abusive ex-boyfriend and I was setting her up with a new gig, but she wanted to pay for her own ticket.
So I was letting her cover for Maya for a week and I could be back with my hot British lover.
Done and done. She wanted all of the shifts and would take all the lap dances…
And get all the dirt she possibly could.
We also had people hitting up the salon.
It was what was needed while security was scanning footage and more.
Plus it was also smart since the archangel had found me there for a “talk,” Dylan also. Which I hadn’t really even told anyone about.
From there, Mason, Tracey, and I dug into every corner of the dark web we could for what we wanted.
Kyle and his best team used their laptops and backup equipment for a second home base at one of my private residences once we looped in Lewis that we needed logistics help.
It might be smart to keep this part going, and I knew Kyle was on the same page as me on that.
Something for another day, but Lewis didn’t want to know because he wanted plausible deniability.
Fair enough.
The twins realized something was going on too. At first, they thought I was brushing them off because they wanted to talk business with me as if I was sending the message they had gone over a line using our relationship selfishly.
Except then they’d gone to the angels to talk to them and found them a bit squirrely and suddenly super busy and focused.
So they couldn’t help as much as they wanted, but one of them came with me several times as backup and to read the room. It was nice to have the safety net, but I’d long since learned how to handle a lot on my own.
Then again, I’d also messed up a lot, so I was too smart to let my pride get the better of me when so much was at stake. Yeah, so I took the backup.
It tickled them both though to be on that side of things and the rush of going undercover. There were a few different hot quickies and kinky encounters where the adrenaline and rush were riding us.
Fun times.
Not even a week later and I was honestly impressed with how much we all accomplished. The stage was set well and I knew I was going to get spanked, but I was damn sure it was worth it.
“Part two of the education,” that same female ancient leader teased as I walked in.
“Yes, but this time I’m doing it as Jasmine Stewart, private citizen, not councilwoman or VP of Heavenly Entertainment,” I told everyone there firmly. I gestured to the other demons. “They had no part in this. I did this.”
She studied me. “Not alone.”
“No, none of us survive alone,” I agreed.
“I had help and I would never take the credit of others.” I waited until she nodded, seeing the way others deferred to her.
“The desires and emotions last time made me shift gears, so if this offends pride, that wasn’t the intent, but it seemed a show was needed. ”
“Jasmine, for fuck’s sake,” Ally growled under her breath.
Yeah, all the other ancient demons were there. Of course, they were when they knew I was up to trouble.
I was glad though because it wasn’t just Ricco’s ancient leader friends this time, but they brought friends they clearly trusted as well. There were four times as many.
Plus the others I invited. Including ISLE leadership, not just Director Stevens. Several were there from the vampire council including Gavin. Dozens from other councils… Who probably realized not to bring their electronics around me this time.
But they weren’t surprised the other ancients were of their species. From what I was getting, they thought those they feared were going to handle the “situation” of us for them.
Fools.
At least Mason was as paranoid as I was and had made hundreds of those translator bracelets now for us to use when needed.
The woman slowly nodded deciding to explain it for others.
“The impression you left was good and most of us agreed we were wrong about the situation of demons and your new council. And while we would not want to challenge you, we would not want to engage in this war you have coming. It’s benefitted Rome, but it cannot all of us. ”
“That was the impression I got, yes,” I said easily.
“So business as usual for the ancients and their groups the councils won’t touch.
Also, that none of you thought we could really split our focus to get our people out with the war you see and that is the opinion they planned to say.
Basically, don’t come at us, but we wouldn’t be a worry if left alone. ”
“And you think you can change that opinion?” she asked, her tone curious.
“Not of everyone. Not everyone can see the truth no matter what’s right in their faces.” I winked at Ally. “Pride gets them every time.”
“I’m still beating your ass for this,” she grumbled, sighing when I snorted. “Fine, all six of us will try.”
“We’ll still lose, she’s getting so fucking good,” Elijah bitched.
I sighed. “I apologized. Repeatedly.”
He ground his jaw. “You were barely paying attention, bored, and almost ripped off my damn arms, Jasmine.” He snorted at what he was reading off the room. “Yes, I have my pride too, but I am being honest. She is a machine that trains and trains and—try for yourself and eat your humble pie.”
“Another day. I already want to show off,” I reminded him. I decided to focus on the woman, glancing over at Kyle and nodding before meeting her curious gaze. “But you made another decision.”
“I did,” she purred. “I know the winning horse when I see it, if you forgive the implied insult. I’m not insulting you, young one. Not ever.”
“None taken, and forgive my turn of phrase in saying that I believe in rewarding good behavior. Because your desires to warn your friends were apparent and that’s helpful to me and mine.”
“No offense taken and I love presents,” she chuckled lightly, understanding the game.
I went over to the table and grabbed the first file.
“Your people have a problem with some very well-connected humans who know how to play the game. Criminals who blame you for everything and have the right backing and enough knowledge to be dangerous. Everything from collection rackets to drugs and weapons.”
“Yes, they are thorns we can’t ever seem to clip,” she said quietly, her mood instantly changing.