There were dozens of strip centers and shopping areas near Blue Ridge and Independence, Missouri, suburbs of Kansas City, and these particular Vampires loved to hit them after closing to feast on late night employees who were locking up or shoppers taking their time getting back to their cars. But they had a tip that the twins would likely be hanging out at Blue Ridge Crossing that evening, so the team assembled there at ten o’clock, which was early for them, but they had to accommodate the Vampires’ schedule.
Most of the team had ridden together in an Enclave after a brief meeting to go over the plan for the operation, but Cadence rode her bike instead, not wanting to sit in a vehicle for even a few minutes with her beloved and pretend for her friends and colleagues like nothing was wrong, particularly since they had taken along a new Hunter and Guardian who would be there only to observe. It was standard protocol that new team members went on a series of observations before they actually became involved in a hunt, though Cadence’s observation had lasted less than twenty minutes before she inserted herself into the hunt. She couldn’t help but think about that night as she sat at a red light near the mall. That had been the night she’d taken out Henry, and the night that Sam threatened to kill her for doing so, which had gotten Elliott entangled in a trap that was meant for her.
She arrived first and pulled into a spot around the back of the building where Aaron had instructed her to meet them. A few minutes later, he pulled in. She noticed immediately that Ashley Stone, a beautiful new Hunter, was sitting in the passenger seat next to him—Cadence’s seat--and while she’d always liked the girl, now she suddenly wanted to tear every strand of that flowing blonde hair from her head, especially when she noticed they were both laughing as they got out of the vehicle.
“Hey,” Aurora called as she clambered out of the back, her legs so long it was hard for her to sit back there. “How was the ride?”
Cadence just shrugged. “You’re the tallest. Why didn’t you sit up front?”
“Oh, Ashley called shotgun,” she replied nonchalantly. “Bringing Ash and Mickey along was a good idea. They’re both just about ready to go.”
Mickey Tuck was a Guardian, and though he was short, he was all muscle. He wasn’t as fast as Cadence would have liked, but he was powerful and a good shot. He was standing behind the SUV along with Ashley listening to Aaron point out a few things about the plan that they might need to know, especially since neither of them would be armed.
“What’s with the face?” Aurora asked, moving so that she was standing in Cadence’s line of sight.
“Nothing,” Cadence said, shaking her head to clear her thoughts.
“Uh huh,” Aurora replied in a knowing voice. “Come on, girl. Focus. We’ve got bloodsuckers to kill.”
“Right,” Cadence said, finally turning around. Hannah and Jamie were over on the side of the building where they could see the front, their gestures indicating they were talking about obstructions, so Cadence walked over to join them, Aurora lagging behind her, checking out the location.
“Are they here yet?” Hannah asked her as she approached. Everyone knew that Cadence would sense the Vampires long before any of them actually saw the bloodsuckers.
“Not yet,” Cadence replied.
“Aaron wanted us to split up and come in from opposite sides of the parking lot. So I guess Aurora and Jamie will head over there and find a secluded spot in those trees,” Hannah said as Aurora walked up behind Cadence.
Cadence had her arms crossed and simply shrugged, causing Hannah to look at her questioningly for a moment before she continued. “And there’s a nice copse of trees on this side that you and Aaron can use if that works for you.”
“’Kay.”
Hannah’s expression shifted to concern. “Cadence, is everything all right?”
She could feel Hannah attempting to use her abilities to influence emotions to calm her down, and she looked her in the eyes and simply said, “Don’t.”
“It’s fine,” Jamie interjected. “Just a difference of opinions.”
“All right, then,” Hannah said, but her face showed she wasn’t particularly convinced. She had strawberry blonde hair, and though she appeared to be in her mid-thirties, Cadence knew she had to be significantly older. “Well, I’m going to take position on the roof with the two observers. You sure you’re okay, Cadence?”
“Just peachy,” Cadence said, forcing the sappiest smile she could muster on her face, leaving Hannah shaking her head and wondering what in the world was the matter.
“So… I’m guessing there was no sway?” Jamie asked, taking a step toward her.
“You don’t even know,” Cadence replied, surveying the parking lot. It appeared from their position that most of the spots were empty. She knew they’d need to get into position soon, but Aaron was still intensely discussing something with the new observers. They were hanging on his every word—especially that pretty blonde one.
“What am I missing?” Aurora asked. “Is something going on?”
“We just had an argument,” Cadence replied, attempting to brush it off. She couldn’t tell Aurora the truth; the fewer people who knew there was a possibility that Elliott might be able to come back the better. That would leave less explaining to do if her plan didn’t work.
“Must have been a doozy,” her friend replied.
Cadence just shook her head. “Well, I don’t know what the king of the world is talking about over there, but I’m going to get in position. I would suggest you both do the same.”
“Right,” Aurora nodded. “I’m basically letting you run with this one. I’ll just cut them off if they catch wind and take off.”
“They won’t,” Cadence assured her as she and Jamie took off in a blur to gain their positions without being detected by anyone passing by. Cadence was in less of a hurry, though she probably should have been more cautious. If any of the employees or shoppers noticed a woman dressed almost entirely in tight black leather, armed with a Glock, wandering around in the parking lot, they’d likely call the cops. It was dark, though, and she avoided the lights of the parking lot as she made her way to the copse of trees Hannah had pointed out.
