Lauren Dane - Wild Darkness

HE tasted magick. Magick and blood rushed over his skin and through his system. His beast surged forward as he caught a human male by the back of the neck and threw him up against a nearby fence.

His beast raged within, aching to be let free. Ached to rip those who dared harm his protected to small pieces.

These humans had thrown firebombs into a community center that had been full of Others at the time. The parking lot had been full. Children had been playing on the field out back.

If it hadnt been for Clan Gennesseewhod posted guards whod noted the behavior of those humans whod attacked themtheyd have been worse off. Fortunately, theyd acted immediately and evacuated.

His fist made contact with a mans face, satisfaction roaring through Faine as the human crumpled to the ground.

The air was filled with the stench of the fuel used in the firebombs. With sweat and fear. His beast loved the latter.

Most of the humans were down, but what caught his attention was her.

She strode through the melee like a Valkyrie. Her magick sang with each step she took. Men fell all around her as she managed to use her fists and her power to push them back. Her face was a mask of fury and vengeance.

He blew out a breath as he took her in from head to toe. Helena Jaansen was magnificent.

She was totally focused as they fought the humans for a few minutes more before the threat they posed had been thoroughly dealt with. The police had not shown up yet, though some ambulances had arrived and those whod escaped the building when it had been firebombed were being treated out of the fray.

He watched her hungrily as things wound down, and when it was over she put her fingers to her lips and whistled loudly. Her men and women froze, turning their attention to her.

I want a team working immediately to gather evidence. Get the kits from the van. John and Evan, I want everything on video. The police will arrive shortly. Do not impede them, but do not cede ground either.

There was absolutely no doubt who was in charge and her people responded quickly and efficiently.

Ill keep an eye on these humans.

Helena looked to Faine. Thank you. Feel free to break something if they try to escape. She turned away, issuing orders as she went.

The police rolled up seconds later, exiting their cars with their weapons drawn.

Helena approached them, her hands up. Nice timing. The people responsible for trying to kill a community center full of people are all there. She indicated where theyd taken prisoners. Subdued and bound until you arrived.

On the ground! one of the officers screamed.

Helena looked at them and then at the people theyd apprehended lined up at her feet. My hands are up and my identification is in my back pocket. I am not going to get on the ground.

We will shoot you if you dont comply.

One of her brows rose slowly. You can try. Or you can do your job and deal with this situation you avoided until you figured it was over. Like cowards hung in the air, unspoken, but not unheard. Magick crackled from her body as she spooled energy from the earth beneath her, from the air all around her.

She kept her hands up, but also her feet. Theres video of the attack. Weve got a backup, just in case it gets lost. Youre free to look at it. My people are guarding the room where the monitors are. Its in a relatively unscathed part of the building. Back door, up the stairs to your left. They know youre on the way, but they will continue to monitor as you watch. Well wait right here with our hands up while you do.

You dont give the orders here. The cop who stepped forward sneered. She was unmoved.

Officer She leaned forward slightly, reading his name tag. Officer Franklin. Im Helena Jaansen, and as youre too late on the scene of an assault called in twenty minutes ago, let me catch you up to speed. Im not giving orders. Im letting you know how it is. You can either protect us all, as is your job, or you can refuse. In either case, I will protect my people. And you wont stop me from protecting children from these thugs. I have no desire to make this into an issue. But should you . . . She shrugged. Im not a defenseless four-year-old just trying to jump rope. I can fight back.

The tension built up in the air all around her. And all around the witches who stood near her. Theyd taken enough abuse and would endure no more. If the cop didnt figure that out, if he decided to ignore it and push his luck, Faine knew what would happen. And whod still be walking when it was all over.

Another law enforcement guy came up through the crowd. Stand down, officers, he called out.

Franklin looked back, clearly intending to countermand, but when he saw the blue windbreaker and the big, yellow FBI letters, he stopped. This is out of your jurisdiction.

You can put your hands down, the FBI guy told Helena. She did, but she kept her body at attention. Firebombs are actually firmly in our jurisdiction. Especially when its connected to a nationwide crime syndicate aimed at a certain group of citizens. Thats right smack dab in our wheelhouse. He held out his identification to underline that.

One of Helenas brows rose again and Faine wanted to put his lips on it. So often she kept her features impassive, but she had a rogue eyebrow that said what she so rarely did out loud.

FBI guy looked back to Helena. You were saying there was video of the event?

Marian? One of Helenas people approached slowly, keeping her hands in plain sight. Can you show Agent . . .

Im Gil Anderson. Head of the new Cross Species Task Force.

The what? Officer Franklin and Helena said this in unison.

We set up this week.

Okay then. Marian, please show the agent up to the room with the monitors. Helena turned back to Anderson. We have backups of the video, by the way. I was just telling Officer Franklin this.

You dont trust us to be fair? Anderson asked this after one of his agents went with Marian.

Experience has taught us to be cautious about human motivations. I dont know you one way or the other. But I do know such evidence has been lost more than once since this mess started. And that makes me careful. Careful keeps people alive.

Anderson nodded. Fair enough. Officer Franklin, please take the humans on the ground into custody. My people will conduct interviews at the station.

Thwarted, Officer Franklin put his hands on his hips. You cant just jump in the middle of this!

I can. And I am. So, please get these men and women cuffed. Read them their rights and throw them in cells. Separately, please. Anderson turned back to Helena. Id like to interview you and your people as well.

Fine.

Faine took up a spot next to her. She didnt seem to mind, but Anderson did. He looked Faine up and down, a frown on his face. Too bad.

Helena watched them begin to process the humans and turned back to Anderson. If any of these assholes gets lost on the way to the station, Im going to be vexed, Agent.

That would make two of us. Look, Id prefer if we could start off on the right foot. I am here to help.

Youll have to excuse my pessimism, Agent Anderson. Months of constant harassment, attacks, death and threats have left me less than trusting, even when someone claims they want to help.

Agent Anderson blew out a breath. I understand that. I truly do. But this task force is in place to try and stop all that.

She nodded. Im Helena Jaansen. I work for Clan Gennessee.

Anderson looked up into Faines face. Faine Leviathan. I work for her.

Faine caught the ghost of a smile flitting over her lips. Just a brief flash before it was gone.