A Call of Vampires (A Shade of Vampire #51)(42)

It was a beautifully tailored, tight one-piece bodysuit made entirely out of black leather, with soft cotton padding on the inside for my skin to breathe. It covered my arms and legs, and it came with small belts and underlying braces on which I mounted all the protection gear. Each nearly weightless diamond fiber plate was brushed with black crystal powder and protected my shins, calves, arms, forearms, upper back, and chest, with smaller ones for my shoulders, stomach, and lower back. It was a modular system that gave me full mobility without compromising my safety, and I’d spent a couple of nights with Anjani and Corrine to design it and get it produced for all of GASP’s members. I’d had five of these made, with a variety of materials in different colors, each designed for specific weather and terrain conditions. This black one was what I’d casually named “universal”.

I clasped a wide leather belt around my hips, its gold buckle clicking into place. It had eight small pouches sewn onto it, four at the front and four at the back, which I filled with explosive pellets made from concentrated dragon tears, several types of poison, and healing pills. Working with GASP and the Shadian witches had really helped us get the most out of our crystals, herbs, and powders, optimizing the production of powerful poisons and healing potions by mass producing them in pill form.

I mounted my beloved broadsword on the same belt, its bejeweled scabbard glistening under the ceiling lights. It was the one weapon I didn’t wish to change or ever leave behind. My blade had been my loyal companion for so many years. It had endured so many battles, and it had tasted the blood of thousands. We had history, and I loved it to bits. Most importantly, I liked having the prettiest weapon in all of GASP, as no one had thought of mounting priceless jewels on their swords or scabbards. My girl was flashy and deadly, and that was how I wanted her.

“These are for the invisibility spell,” Anjani said, showing me a leather pouch before she placed it on the bench between us, next to my backpack. “Figured it might come in handy.”

“Absolutely! Thank you, Sister.” I smiled and took out two more bodysuits from my locker, folding them neatly and shoving them to the bottom of the same bag. Jovi had brought these backpacks over from Earth, and I was delighted by their durability and waterproof lining. I stuffed the leather pouch on top, along with a few other herbs, powders, and translated swamp witch scrolls for defensive spells.

“I must say, I’m worried, but I’m also confident you’ll pull through.” Anjani sighed, watching as I put several long knives in their leather sheaths inside before I closed the backpack.

“It’ll be fine,” I replied gently, then grinned. “At least we know for a fact that none of those exiled bloodsuckers will try to eat me.”

Jovi chuckled as he pulled a round, carbon fiber-plated shield from the weapons trunk.

“Yeah, I’d be more worried if I were the one trying to kill you, Hansa.” He grinned, handing me the shield. “Take it. Just in case. I don’t think it’ll be the Maras that you’ll need to worry about.”

“Fair enough.” I smirked, pulling my hair up in a ponytail. “I think Field picked me because he wants an extra adult on the team to keep the kids in line… and Jax’s loudmouth brother.”

“I’m guessing he wants you for Harper and Caia in particular, since they’re the least experienced,” Anjani mused.

“Yeah, I wouldn’t count on me being the best babysitter for those two.” I laughed. “They’re both stubborn, fierce, and nearly impossible to keep on a tight leash, anyway. They’re too much like me, in a way. I wouldn’t have the heart to squash that fire.”

“But they’re not the main reason Field put you on the team, of course.” Jovi smirked. “He obviously thinks you could use some time away with Jax. Nothing like a trip to a foreign land to ease tension and encourage meaningful conversation!”

I stilled, realizing that Jovi knew. I’d barely said a word about this to Anjani over the past few months since the war, and I’d only just confided more in Aida the other day. I wasn’t one to share my feelings, in general, but it was becoming increasingly difficult to hold it all in.

I’d felt the chemistry between Jax and me from our first days together in the alliance against Azazel. I’d seen his burning jade eyes settle on mine when no one was watching. I’d heard the tremor in his voice when I was dying from the shifter poison, as he begged me to hold on. There had been something there, and, for the first time in years, especially after we’d destroyed Azazel and I had Izora back, I’d been willing to take a chance on him and open my heart again.

The last time I’d fallen for someone I’d lost him to Azazel. Almus had been my rock, and we’d had a unique connection, but even that paled in comparison to how my body, my very soul, reacted to Jax’s presence. But something had happened after the war, and Jax had put an uncomfortable distance between us, switching from hot to cold so fast that I couldn’t keep up.

His words and actions told me that he didn’t want to be anywhere near me, but his eyes always told me something else entirely. It led to a tension buildup that transpired into snappy exchanges and the occasional stinging clap-back, which Anjani had noticed.

“What do you know about that?” I hissed at Jovi, then glared at my sister, thinking she’d told him. But the innocent shrug she gave me made me think the wolf-boy had picked it up as easily as she had.