Delinquents Turned Fugitives - Ann Denton Page 0,40

Not the British assholes who backstab you the second you free them," Evan grumbled.

"Agreed," I retorted.

Malcolm huffed and slouched in his seat.

I ignored his pout and said, "Open the laptop back up. We need to check in on what else they're saying."

As soon as the laptop gaped open, the baritone newscaster rang out, "This just in. The vampire release might possibly have been part of a plan to cover up a jewel heist that occurred last night. Sources are saying that several women who attended last night's Unnatural Ball have reported their jewelry stolen. Some of the pieces taken were insured for millions. There is no word from Pinnacle Police yet whether this theft was connected to the vampire rampage that went on, but several attendees have issued statements on social media regarding the connection. We'll keep you updated on this breaking story as we get new details."

Gray and Andros came back in, both carrying plates full of steaming scrambled eggs. They sat down as we all listened.

But there was no mention of Claude. Or the dead Pinnacle guards.

"I'm telling you. They're gonna do a cover up."

Andros swallowed a bite and leaned back in his seat. "Even if there is a cover up, I know those chess pieces. They'll still try to track us down. They're relentless."

I minimized the screen with the video footage and pulled the newscast back up. The feed cut to a shot of two vampires streaking down the street so quickly that their bodies blurred into the night. Behind them, magical law enforcement agents with silver axes, wrote spells that glowed green.

One of the vampires froze on screen, leg lifted, mid-run. Then, one of the black clad agents, Pinnacle badge with its rook, diamond, and light rays gleaming, walked purposefully toward the vamp, tightening his grip on the ax.

The news camera swung away before the agent completed the deed but the thud of the ax hitting its target and a thunk as a head hit the ground left no doubt about what had happened.

The newscaster smoothly continued, "While the majority of the vampires have been captured and euthanized, Pinnacle board member Horatio Martin had this to say about last night’s vampire rampage."

My guys filtered into the room and stood behind me, staring down at the screen as a penguin-shaped man with a roman nose stared into the camera and stated, "Make no mistake. Last night was no accident. The criminals behind this madness are terrorists. They have directly attacked our government and our citizens. No quarter shall be given to those who violate the sanctity of our government."

A whistle erupted behind me. I turned in my chair to glance up at Z, who had come downstairs in his boxers. "Terrorists, huh? That's a little heavier than thieves."

The newscaster regained my attention when he said, "A nation-wide manhunt has commenced for the group responsible for this horrific act. Rebel groups, including the anarchist group SR or Sorceror's Rebellion, are under investigation for potential ties to last night's activity."

The camera angle zoomed out and showed the anchor's co-host, a magical woman in a slick grey dress. "Not a good night to be an Unnatural, that's for certain."

I rolled my eyes at her astute observation. Did the network feed her those shitty lines or did she come up with them herself?

"Definitely not, Julie," the anchor replied, before pulling up a map of Hidden City and the surrounding area.

That was what we most wanted to see. All of us leaned forward, and the tension in the room thickened like frosting.

"Right now, the Pinnacle police force are searching the tri-state area for those who might be responsible for last night’s attack, but coordinated efforts will start nation-wide today."

I savored the delicious flavor of the news ruining the investigation in their desire to get advertisements. They bribed officials and gave out far more information than they should. Including beautiful little sections of the map that had been marked as “cleared.”

Gray's hand reached out and snapped the laptop shut. "That's it. We're moving."

I furrowed my brow. "So soon? I thought you picked this location because it's secure."

"It's secure enough if we're undetected. But obviously, that's not the case," Grayson shook his head. "I need to make a phone call. Everyone get in another nap or pack up or whatever. We're gonna have to move out in two hours."

I rubbed a hand over my face. Welcome to the fugitive life, Hales, I congratulated myself. Ultimately, this shit was my fault. I was the one