“Jackie, John,” April began, tears streaming down her face. ”I don’t know what to do. Sam called me when we arrested you. He told me to find out some info for him. I sent him a copy of the police report and I thought that was it. I gave you my number because I was interested… or so I thought…”

“So you just used her? What about sleeping with her? Was that just a part of this plan of theirs? You don’t know how disappointed in you I am with you right now, April.”

“It wasn’t that. I was attracted to her… and that perfect date… she made me feel like I was the most important woman in the world. Besides, when her lover returns, how am I going to compete with her? I’m… only human.”

“How did this start, April? Can you answer that at least?” I asked, softly, taking her trembling hand.

“Sam. He said you’re at the heart of this, Jackie. You’ve crossed him and now he has a score to settle.” She sighed loudly. “I was planning to take Elaine and walk away from all of his, but when I saw Elaine’s body there, exposed, decimated… dead. All I wanted to do was run away.”

“Why didn’t you tell Cassie about Elaine?” Alec asked, munching on a sausage, egg and cheese biscuit. I grabbed one and started eating as well.

“Cassie, a dragon, fears Sam… like ‘fears for her life’ fears him. Who could strike that level of fear in a dragon?”

“An angel,” I growled.

“So your ‘Life-debt’ buddy has his hands in this?” Alec asked, reaching for another biscuit.

“I don’t think Jerome is directly involved. Although he’s feather-winged, I do consider him a friend.”

“Your loss,” Chaz scoffed. “Hey human,” he said, his voice melodic and clear. I watched April freeze, then sway back and forth softly. It’s a rare treat to watch Chaz work like this. Beautiful, yet terrifying.

“Tell us of the assassin, and is he alone?”

Suddenly, the trance that April was in ended. She looked around, lost for a second, then began. “Shaun O’Duffy. He has a shifter group, bears. He asked Sam a few times if he could bring his brethren in on this, but was denied as far as I heard. At this point, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them in all of this at this point.”

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“Bears… it makes sense now,” Chaz growled. You want me to call in the wolves?”

“No. The Angels and old fae created the bears to hunt the wolves…” Alec added.

“So we’re about to face shifters and the big guy himself said that y’all aren’t geared up for shifters…” John rebutted.

“Madrecita? Special delivery from Virgina…. and I'm busted.” Raziel said as he ran into the bar, carrying a wooden box. Emily was behind him as April and John turned towards the noise. Emily was trying to no avail to hide Raze, who was frozen in place.

“Ammo crate?” John said, walking over to him.

“Silver…” I remarked asAlec straightened up the papers. I waved my hands. flaring my arcane, and I suddenly had in my possession John’s Glock, his Baretta and April’s S&W. I dropped them on the table, spitting the magazine out of the Glock first. “Em, close and lock the door. John, get that crate open. I got 9mms, .45s, and .357s. “ I started emptying the magazine in my hand. “Raziel?”

“Yes Madrecita?” he said nervously.

“This bar is Sanctuary. They can do nothing to you here. Now relax and help me reload these guns.” He nodded as Chaz placed my Sig and his Mateba with the others. “You’re arming up too, Chaz?”

“He’s going to need another gun since the human woman is to be using yours.”

“Wait,” April paused, looking at us. “You’re going to fight? We need to get out of here John. What can we do against a pack of shifters? We’re human…”

Alec spoke. “So what if you’re human? I’m not a demon, or a dragon, but this is my family. Cihuacoatl is preparing to risk her life to go against a dragon, and an angel. She’s not only fighting for her life, but everyones. Look around. The little one can’t even fight, but she’s doing what she can… speaking of… what are you doing, Emily?”

She looked up from the table. “I don’t know a lot about guns, but I’m handing them the same size bullets they hand me. I will do what I can for Madrecita.”

“See? Now I know you hate going against your sister, and you are afraid of the angel… but we do what we can do, He walked over to the bar, and opened a concealed door on the front.

“Aah,” I replied. “So that’s where you secured your knives, huh Alec?”

“I said I'd keep them out of unworthy hands,” he remarked, his skin fading to blue. Before anyone could remark, he said, “I need the mana I use for glamor to fight with. Sorry for the appearance.”

“Now, let's get everything locked and loaded,” I said calmly as I placed my Sig and April’s S&W in her hands. “I will make sure that your sister does not die, okay?” She looked up from her hands to my face with tear stained eyes.