Well, maybe that was untrue because Archibald didn’t think Jasper would beat the shit out of people before even talking to them, but still.They shared something unexpected, and he wanted to see where that something went.
The only way to do that was to ensure that Kester wouldn’t hurt Jasper.
“You fit, though,” Braith commanded.“I think he’s good for you.He could do better, but I guess he’s decided to settle, which is a good thing for you.”
Archibald kicked Braith under the table.“You’re not wrong,” he admitted.He knew that Jasper could have anyone else he wanted, but for some reason, he wanted Archibald, and Archibald would cling to that.
“He’s going to the bathroom,” Braith said, interrupting their conversation.
Archibald started to get up from his seat to follow, but Braith caught his arm.He wasn’t watching Jasper.His attention was on something a little further away.Archibald’s stomach dropped when he saw what had Braith so interested.
Kester was here.
Part of Archibald was relieved.It was why they were doing this.They needed Kester to be present if they wanted to kill him.Having him here meant that Jasper was in danger, though, which wasn’t something Archibald appreciated.
“This ends tonight,” he said.
Braith nodded and got up.Instead of following Jasper, they kept their attention on Kester.It wasn’t a surprise to see that Kester was following Jasper.
They’d talked about this.They couldn’t do this in the club, not even in the bathroom.They couldn’t risk getting anyone else involved, especially when there were so many humans in the club.
They had a plan.Jasper would slip into the hallway, but instead of stopping at the bathroom, he’d continue and sneak out of the back door.It was something people did often when they wanted to smoke or to have some privacy.What better place to do that than the back alley?
Jasper didn’t even get to the hallway.They should have known that Kester would be prepared, but even though they knew he was smart, Archibald was surprised when Kester grabbed a woman.She screamed, but it still took the people around her several moments to realize that something was happening.Most only did when Kester slit her throat and her blood spattered on them.
Archibald swore.People started screaming and running, creating chaos that no one could afford.Archibald was sure Kester was going to take advantage of it—it was the reason he’d created it.
Archibald couldn’t allow him to.
* * * *
JASPER SHOULD’VE EXPECTEDsomething like that from Kester, but he hadn’t thought that the monster wanted to get people’s attention.
He’d been wrong.
Kester dropped the woman he’d just killed.Her body slumped on the floor, but no one tried to check whether or not she was still breathing—although it might be because she was obviously dead.People were screaming and running, bumping into each other as they tried to get as far away from Kester as possible.A woman fell and screamed loudly when Kerry helped her to her feet.
Jasper understood.He wanted to run, too, even though using himself as bait had been his idea.Part of him knew that Kester was a predator and that he was in danger, and that part didn’t want to be anywhere near the monster.
But Jasper wasn’t going anywhere.They needed to put a stop to Kester’s rampage, and they would do so today.Jasper wasn’t sure how exactly yet, but they’d find a way.They couldn’t afford not to.
“Jasper?”Archie called out as he reached Jasper’s side.
He touched Jasper’s arm, but Jasper couldn’t look away from Kester.For some reason, the monster was watching him andsmiling.He wasn’t trying to run.He wasn’t grabbing anyone else.He was just staring.
“I’m fine,” Jasper promised.
“He didn’t hurt you?”
Jasper shook his head.He wasn’t the one who’d been hurt.
It wasn’t the first time he saw a monster kill a human—far from it.It definitely wasn’t the first time he had to deal with death.That didn’t make it any easier.Kester had killed that woman as if she was nothing—as if she didn’t matter.To him, she didn’t, but she probably had a family who would be destroyed by what had happened tonight.
It was Jasper’s failure.He should’ve stopped Kester sooner.He’d done what he could to make that happen, but Kester was too powerful, ruthless, and smart.
That was why Jasper had wanted to be bait.It was why Jasper was here tonight.He may not be a hunter anymore, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t protect the people who needed him.
“We have to help these people,” Jasper said, never looking away from Kester.