Jared (The Protectors #2)(53)

Jared cocked his eyebrow as he leaned forward. “Do you really need to ask me that?”

Cheeks flaming Tessa looked away. Maybe that question was better asked when they were alone. Instead of saying anything she just shook her head.

“She’s unblocked.” Adam announced still standing with their grandfather by the door.

Their eyes locked when Tessa brought her hopeful gaze back to his to see a grin spread across his face. “Well?”

“Nothing.” Jared voice had deepened. “Total blank.”

“Usually not something a girl wants to hear.” Tessa replied, but felt her heart skip a beat. If she had a mate Jared would be her only choice.

A loud clatter of a utensil hitting a plate brought everyone’s attention to Sid who was looking at Tessa with a horrified expression. “Umm bro. Don’t kill me, but….” Sid looked at Jared with the same horrified expression.

“Don’t even f*cking say it.” Jared growled pushing angrily away from the table.

Sid shot Tessa a look of disbelief. “Are you sure she’s unblocked.” Sid shot the question to Adam.

Adam didn’t say a word, just nodded.

“She’s a total f*cking blank.” Sid’s words echoed in the totally quite room.

Chapter 22

Jared and Sid practically pulled Duncan’s door off the hinges as they both tried to fit through the door with Tessa being pulled behind them.

“What the hell?” Duncan and Sloan both stood.

Sid just pointed at Tessa, opened his mouth then shut it again.

Sloan took a step forward his eyes on Tessa. “You must be Tessa Pride.” His features softened as he looked at her. “I’m Sloan Murphy.” He inclined his head slightly. “On behalf of the Vampire Council I would like to thank you for giving us the vial. We have our people working on it now.”

“Why wouldn’t you help my brother when I called?” Tessa demanded rudely ignoring his thank you. She knew Sid and Jared had their agenda for being here now, but she had waited a long time to face one of the Council members. “If you would have been a little more understanding you would have had the vial sooner.”

His look of surprise was priceless. “I’m not sure I understand.” He looked at Jared then back to her.

“I called when my brother was first turned after we got away. I ask for help, but the only help the person on the other end wanted to offer was locking my brother up.” Tessa replied anger making her voice tremble.

“Why have I not been informed of this?” Sloan’s angry question was directed toward the warriors in the room.

“That’s what we would like to know.” Duncan replied. “I have been getting text messages from an unknown source. The number cannot be traced because it’s never the same phone number. The last text I received a half an hour ago indicated that we have a traitor in our mist. Whether it’s the council or among the warriors wasn’t clear.” He tossed his phone to Sloan.

The older vampire just stared at the phone his face a mask of irritation and rage. Finally he looked away and back to Tessa. “Ms. Pride I apologize for what has happened and believe me, we will get to the bottom of it. We are here for the protection of not only our own kind, but the human race and we take our job seriously.” Tessa nodded, still weary of her brother’s standing with the Council, but this guy seemed to be on the straight and narrow. “After meeting the warriors I believe that. They have done nothing but help my brother and the others who have been turned.”

He took his gaze from Tessa turning it on Sid and Jared. “Now what is so important you about tore Duncan’s door apart, not to mention dragging this beautiful young woman in here?”

Sid was still pointing. “I can’t read her.” Sid choked out casting a sideways glance at Jared who snarled at him.

Duncan’s head snapped back in shock. “What do you mean you can’t read her?”

“Nothing.” Sid pointed to her head glaring at her. “I mean absolutely nothing.”

Tessa rolled her eyes which caused Sloan to chuckle. He turned to Jared. “And you? Can you read her?”

“No.” Jared hissed his eyes narrowed at Sid. “Absolutely nothing.”

Well, at least Jared didn’t point to her head. “My brother said he unblocked me.” Tessa added as if it would help. She then noticed that both Duncan and Sloan were looking at her with the same horrified expression Sid had in the kitchen.

“You have got to be f*ckin kidding me.” Jared cursed smacking his hand on the wall beside him.

“Thank God! I thought I was literally dead meat.” Sid stepped away to stand beside Duncan and Sloan. All three stood staring at her as if she was some kind of science experiment. “Can she be a mate to more than one vampire?”

“Hell no she can’t!” Jared stepped in front of her bearing his fangs.

Sloan was the first to snap out of it. “Get her brother and Damon in here.” Sloan glared at Jared. “Put them fangs away warrior. No one here is going to touch her.”

“Damn straight.” Jared replied, but then did as told and backed down.

Adam walked in looking at the door dangling on the hinges. “What’s up?” He grinned, then his eyes narrowed at the tension in the room.