Page 4 of The Blood Deliverance

CHAPTER THREE

When Fane left Hanover’s office he went by the bar but didn’t see James working. He would call him in the morning and invite him for coffee that would be a good start to getting to know one another. He was really excited about this unexpected development in an otherwise mundane assignment.

Finding his beloved had not seriously crossed his mind in a very long time he was a teenager the last time he dreamed about finding the one. A few members of the coven were finding theirs recently which many saw as a good sign for the covens strength and capability. But Fate was very selective and fickle and could wait centuries before bestowing her special gift.

Fane was floored when he was overtaken by the smell of orchids and then gobsmacked when he lay eyes on James Whitlock. The man was beautiful beyond expectations and their connection was immediate. The love making in the back hall was the most magnificent moment of his life so far. He also knew that there were many more magnificent pleasures to come now that his beloved had entered his life.

The others had used a glamour a loosening of reserve and an opening of the mind to the supernatural when courting theirhuman beloveds. Fane was considering its use depending upon James’ current understanding of the paranormal world. Victor had not need it when courting Jaden since the man had full knowledge the supernatural.

Fane made a call to Ethan their information specialist and asked for a background on James Whitlock. He wasn’t happy or satisfied with his job and Fane wanted to know why he stayed. He then called Drakon and asked for a meeting and let him know that he’d found his beloved at the Falcon Nest and that he was one of the human bartenders.

“I’m happy for you Fane humans make lovely partners in life. Their emotional capacity will amaze you.” Drakon commented and Fane appreciated his words. “Let’s meet in Conall’s office he wants to be kept abreast of all dealings with Hanover. I’m thinking he may want to take the Falcon Nest rather than play around with any competing business nonsense.” Drakon added.

“I think a takeover, or a takedown might be best. The whole place feels like a mirage to me.” He closed the call and headed back to the Coven house. He felt a sense of concern wash over him and it was a feeling he was not familiar with; it felt like anxiety.

After considering it for several minutes, he realized that he was getting this tension and concern from his beloved. James was passing it to him through their fledgling connection. It was something he felt from James upon first meeting him, so he was confused as to whether it was an immediate issue or something that was a constant with James. He would pay attention and reach out periodically through the night to see if it escalated.

Both Drakon and Master Rose were present when he arrived, and they both congratulated him on finding his chosen one and were further intrigued by the fact that he was the talented bartender and the supposed draw at the Falcon Nest.

“The bartenders are the primary reason for the interest, but I believe the massive interest is being boosted by magic. It was entertaining and fun but grew tiring and repetitious after an hour or so like all performances.” Fane began his report.

“What did you feel within the bar? Were there any markers that would indicate the power of the magic involved?" Master Rose was asking for details so as to be ready when they went after the place because it was certain that, in time, they would be taking the Falcon Nest.

“It was thick and attached itself to the humans. It didn't seem to have an effect on the paranormal present. Jerry Hanover uses jackals for muscle and had at least seven that I saw and probably more.” Fane continued and explained his interaction with Hanover in his office and his obvious fear.

“The customer base is primarily human, and a lot were tourists. The place is nothing like the Blood Rose, although it tries to be edgy with its dark lighting and black furniture. Without the magic he's using, I doubt the bar would be able to support itself for very long. All it has going for it is the theatrics. The drinks are basic, and the booze is low quality.” Fane concluded.

“Nothing good ever comes from flirting with magic. It can’t be trusted, and it always turns on you. I would think Jerry was smarter than to involve himself in such uncertainty.” Drakon commented.

"It's called greed, Drakon, and Jerry has been struck with a terminal case of it.” Master Rose interjected. "Regardless, weneed to put an end to Jerry’s influence. Humans playing with magic is a bad combination." Blunt and to the point, that's what he loved about Master Rose. He never left you wondering.

Fane received the report on James from Ethan while he was still in the meeting with Drakon and Master Rose so shared the information. It was upsetting and slowly left him with a growing desire to tear Hanover apart.

“According to what Ethan found, James is working off a debt. Apparently, his father went through a lengthy illness and unfortunately died a few months ago. James and his mother sold off everything to pay for his treatment, and in the end, she borrowed forty thousand from Hanover." Everyone groaned, knowing that such a sum would never be paid no matter how much money James gave him. The interest would make that debt last a lifetime.

“James is working for peanuts, but it's barely peanuts, actually. He lives in a studio apartment on Lewiston.” Fane didn’t like that area. It wasn't safe, but he understood why his beloved was there. It was cheap, and although rough, it wasn’t as deadly as other areas of town. He planned to get him out of that place as soon as possible.

Fane felt a sudden tightness in his gut, and his heart started to race. Those in the room with him sensed his reaction and approached. "What is it, Fane?" Drakon asked as he reached out and gripped his upper arm to steady him.

“Panic, I think it’s panic. Something I’ve never felt before.” Fane shook himself and coughed, thinking it would right his feelings. But the tightness remained.

“It’s your beloved. You're getting James' emotions. They're flooding you." Master Rose walked up, placed his hand on Fane's shoulder, and read the flow of emotions. "He's introuble, Fane. Go get him and bring him back here. Just take him and apologize later; there’s little time.” The Master’s tone made it clear there was no time to waste, and Fane was out of there in an instant.

James made his way to his apartment, moving a bit faster than usual. He had a nagging feeling that someone was following him, but every time he tried to casually look behind him, he saw nothing. He checked reflections in store windows and saw nothing, but still, the sense of being followed was strong, and he never ignored such strong indications of trouble.

He hurried upstairs and into his apartment locking the door behind him. He had several locks installed when he moved in, and he engaged all of them and pulled a chair over and jammed it under the doorknob. There was something out there and it was watching him.

He resisted looking out the windows and drew the shades and turned out all the lights except for the night light in the living room. After sitting in the dark for a few minutes he realized that it wasn’t working for him and made him more scared so he turned on the lamp by his rocker.

Sitting down on the edge of his bed which was situated in the far corner of the room he stared at the door and listened. If someone broke in, he could get to the bathroom and lock the door and call the police. There was someone in the hall they had heavy steps, and they were not moving fast.

Then there were more it sounded like several people walking the hall and there were only three apartments on this floor. There was never this much activity the other apartments were older people who were in bed by this time. He never knew them to have visitors this late.

He held his breath when all the walking stopped, and there was silence for several minutes. James didn't move and didn't breathe, hoping that the panic in his gut was not a warning of what was coming. Then he saw it. The doorknob started to twist, the lock popped, and then the door burst inward, destroying the remaining locks and crushing the chair.

James leapt from the bed and dove for the bathroom door, but he was too slow a large hand grabbed him by the hair and pulled him backward and flung him against the wall. It hurt like hell and took him a second to roll and sit up. Looking across the room he saw two of Hanover’s bouncers standing there looking like they owned the place.

“Get out!” He shouted hoping that one of his neighbors would hear him and call the police but that was an extreme, long shot. People around here tend to mind their own business. The two men laughed and looked at one another in amusement.

---