Chapter 21 #3
Tyr's lips curved into an amused smile as he watched the chaos unfolding outside. "I'm going to have to agree with that," he admitted.
Beth pressed closer to Tyr as another man jerked his rifle up, stumbling backward. His finger squeezed the trigger, and Beth's heart lurched—but instead of the expected gunshot, a powerful stream of water burst from the barrel, arcing through the air like a super-soaker.
The man's eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at his weapon, now transformed into something more suited for a pool party than an attack. Water continued spraying everywhere, soaking his tactical vest and boots.
A piercing scream cut through the chaos. Beth's attention snapped to one of the men near the trucks as he dropped his rifle, clutching his hands. The weapon clattered to the pavement, its metal surface glowing an angry cherry-red in the darkness.
"What the—" Another man yelped, frantically trying to maintain his grip on his own rifle. But Beth could see the metal beginning to shimmer with heat. One by one, the weapons grew too hot to hold, forcing their owners to release them or risk severe burns.
The parking lot filled with the sound of metal hitting concrete as rifles dropped, accompanied by pained curses and shouts as the men waved their scorched fingers in the air. Some blew on their hands while others stuck their fingers in their mouths, trying to cool the burns.
"My hands!" one of them wailed, his tough-guy facade crumbling as he hopped from foot to foot. "They're burning!"
Beth felt Tyr's silent laughter vibrating against her back as they watched the scene unfold.
From here, she could see Jacinth's satisfied smirk as the Djinn observed her handiwork.
The ancient being's dark eyes sparkled with mischief while beside her, Arthur maintained his serene expression, though Beth caught the slight upturn at the corners of his mouth.
Beth leaned back against Tyr's solid chest, watching the chaos unfold outside. She'd bet everything she owned Arthur had heated those weapons—it matched his precise, practical style perfectly. The pool noodles though? That had Jacinth written all over it.
"Uh oh." Tyr's arms tightened around her waist.
"What?" Beth scanned the scene, trying to spot what had caught his attention.
"Over by the truck on the left."
Beth's gaze snapped to the indicated vehicle. In the headlights' glare, she caught the distinctive flare of a lighter. Her breath caught as a makeshift projectile sailed through the air—a Molotov cocktail, its burning rag trailing fire as it arced toward the clinic.
Her fingers dug into Tyr's forearms as she watched the flaming bottle approach. Just before it hit the barrier, the cocktail's trajectory suddenly reversed. The bottle hung suspended in midair above the attackers' heads for one perfect moment before exploding.
Instead of fire and glass, a shower of rainbow glitter and confetti rained down on the men. The colorful paper pieces settled in their hair, stuck to their tactical gear, and coated their already-soaked clothing in a layer of sparkles that caught the headlights like tiny stars.
Beth burst out laughing, unable to contain her mirth at the sight of these would-be tough guys covered head to toe in glitter.
Through the window, she could see Tamera doubled over, back in human form and clutching her sides as she laughed.
Liam's massive white form shook with canine chuckles, his tongue lolling out in a doggy grin.
Outside, Jacinth wiped tears of mirth from her eyes, while beside her, Arthur's weathered features creased in quiet amusement as he watched their attackers try futilely to brush the sparkles from their clothes.
"I think," Beth managed between giggles, "this might be the best night ever."
Beth's laughter died in her throat as primordial magic crackled through the air.
Even through the protective barrier around the clinic, she felt the crushing presence of something ancient and vast. Close to the surface, Whisper's ears swept back and she howled in dismay.
A blinding flash of blue-white light illuminated the clinic's entrance, and Kieran materialized beside Jacinth like a force of nature taking physical form.
His pure white hair gleamed in the headlights, a stark contrast to his black linen clothing and severe expression.
Tyr's arms tightened fractionally around her waist. Even vampires treated the ancient Djinn prince with cautious respect, and Beth understood why. Raw power radiated from his tall frame, and his glacier blue eyes held the weight of millennia as he fixed Jacinth with a stern look.
"Jacinth," Kieran's deep voice carried easily across the parking lot. "What have I told you?"
Jacinth's expression transformed into one of exaggerated innocence, though her dark eyes still sparkled with barely contained mischief. She clasped her hands behind her back, looking for all the world like a schoolgirl caught passing notes in class.
"Not to play with my food?" she offered sweetly.
Beth pressed her lips together, fighting back another giggle at Jacinth's impish response. The ancient Djinn might be one of the most powerful beings she'd ever encountered, but she still managed to make everything feel like a game.
Kieran released a deep, weary sigh as he turned his attention to the glitter-covered attackers. His icy blue gaze swept over the scene - the scattered pool noodles, the men still nursing burned hands, and the rainbow sparkles catching the light everywhere.
Tyr pulled her closer as Kieran's voice thundered across the parking lot, the sound seeming to shake the very air around them.
"SILENCE!"
The effect was instantaneous. Every attacker froze mid-motion, their mouths hanging open as they turned toward the ancient Djinn prince. Beth watched in fascination as several tried to speak, their jaws working soundlessly. No words emerged - not even whispers.
Kieran's frosty eyes blazed with cold fire as he addressed the now-silent mob. "You will return to your vehicles. You will leave this place. And you will never return." His voice carried absolute authority, brooking no argument.
At Kieran's slight nod, Arthur stepped forward to stand beside him. The two Djinn moved in perfect synchronization, their hands weaving intricate patterns through the air. Power crackled between them, making Beth's skin tingle even through the protective barrier around the clinic.
Beth's breath caught as she watched the attackers' expressions go blank. As one, they turned and walked to their vehicles with mechanical precision. No shouting, no resistance - they simply climbed into their trucks and drove away, leaving only tire tracks and scattered pool noodles behind.
"What just happened?" Beth turned in Tyr's arms, staring up at him in bewilderment. "How did they just... leave like that?"
Tyr's brow furrowed as he watched the taillights disappear down the drive. "I don't know," he admitted, his arms tightening fractionally around her waist. "Djinn magic is... complex. Even after centuries, I've never fully understood its limits."
Beth turned as Kieran strode into the clinic, his silvery hair gleaming in the fluorescent lights. The others filed in behind him, Jacinth still radiating mischievous energy while Arthur maintained his usual serene expression.
Beth let out a shaky breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. Around her, she could see the same relief on everyone's faces - the immediate danger had passed. A collective sigh of relief went up.
"I've removed all memory of tonight's events from their minds," Kieran announced, his gaze sweeping over the gathered group. "They'll remember only finding the clinic locked and dark, and deciding to leave."
"Nor will they be able to find their way back here," he continued, his deep voice resonating through the lobby. "Even with GPS coordinates, the clinic will remain hidden from them."
Jacinth bounced on her toes, dark eyes sparkling with barely contained glee. Her lips curved into an impish smile that made Beth instantly suspicious.
Kieran released a long-suffering sigh as he caught Jacinth's expression. The grave atmosphere in the room eased as everyone recognized that look.
"What now?" he asked, his tone carrying centuries of weary experience with her antics.
"Well..." Jacinth clasped her hands behind her back, the very picture of exaggerated innocence. "I might have added a teensy little something as a goodbye present."
Kieran pinched the bridge of his nose between elegant fingers. "What did you do?"
Jacinth's grin widened. "I magicked a bunch of shrimp into their trucks' ventilation systems."
Tyr burst out laughing. "That's pure evil," he managed between chuckles.
Pure glee filled Beth as she imagined the smell that would soon permeate those vehicles. No amount of air freshener would cover that up!
"Plus they still had the confetti and glitter on them," Jacinth said with a merry wink.
Beth leaned back against Tyr's chest as Antonio swept into the clinic, his elegant movements a stark contrast to Dimitri's more aggressive stride. Tobi bounded in behind them, practically vibrating with excitement.
"That was amazing!" Tobi's eyes sparkled with barely contained glee. "Did you see their faces when the guns started spraying water?"
Antonio's lips curved into a slight smile as he brushed an imaginary speck of dust from his impeccable silk sleeve. "I particularly enjoyed the pool noodles. Most... creative."
"The confetti was a nice touch," Dimitri added, his caramel skin gleaming in the fluorescent lights. "Though I must admit, the superheated weapons were my favorite."
Tyr laughed. "The way they dropped those rifles, hopping around and blowing on their fingers..." He shook his head, still chuckling. "Priceless."
"And then the Molotov cocktail!" Tobi bounced on his toes, reminding Beth strongly of an excited puppy. "The way it just hung there before exploding into glitter? Pure genius!"
"Indeed." Antonio's cultured voice carried dry amusement. "Though perhaps next time we might consider a less... flamboyant approach?"
"Where's the fun in that?" Tobi protested, earning an exasperated look from his sire.
Antonio inclined his head toward Kieran in respect, his movements carrying centuries of practiced grace. "I suspect we have you to thank for their peaceful departure, Prince Kieran?"
"A simple memory modification." Kieran shrugged. "They'll remember only finding an empty clinic. Nor will they be able to find it again, should they seek to return."
Jacinth bounced forward, dark eyes sparkling. "Time to go! Arthur promised to help me practice some new spells." She grabbed Arthur's arm, and they vanished in a flash of blue light.
Kieran shook his head, a fond smile touching his severe features before he too disappeared.
"We should return to our patrols," Antonio announced, his cultured voice carrying quiet authority. He turned to Dimitri. "Make sure no one harmed Kazakis Restaurant, although no one was there this time of night."
Dimitri nodded, and the two vampires slipped out into the darkness.
"I should head home too." Tamera gathered her purse from behind the reception desk. "Early shift tomorrow."
"I'll walk you to your car." Tobi stepped forward. "Then I'll do a sweep out front, make sure none of those idiots are lurking around. I mean, just in case."
Hugging Tamera tightly, Beth turned back to the scattered files on her desk, knowing she still had work to finish. Tyr's cool presence remained close behind her as she began organizing the chaos.
"I need to complete Mrs. Harrison's charts," Liam called as he walked back toward his office.
"Take your time." Tyr's voice carried quiet certainty. "I'm not going anywhere."
Beth turned toward the reception desk, intending to organize the scattered files, but her hands trembled as she reached for the papers. The adrenaline crash hit her suddenly, leaving her legs wobbly and her breathing shallow. She gripped the edge of the desk to steady herself.
"Hey." Tyr's cool fingers encircled her wrist, his voice gentle. "Sit down before you fall down."
She sank into the reception chair, the reality of what had just happened washing over her in waves. They'd faced men with guns—men who'd talked about hurting them as casually as discussing the weather. The memory of their cruel laughter made her stomach clench.
"I thought I was fine," she whispered, staring at her trembling hands.
"It's okay." Tyr crouched before her, his eyes steady on hers. "You're allowed to not be fine for a while."
He brushed a strand of hair from her face, his touch achingly tender. "The files can wait until tomorrow."
"But—"
"I'm not going anywhere," he repeated, his voice carrying quiet certainty. "Not tonight. I'm not leaving you alone."
Beth leaned forward until her forehead rested against his shoulder, drawing comfort from his solid presence as the night's events caught up with her. Right now, she was simply grateful for his strength.