Kierra

"Can we get back to the matters at hand? I want to get Downtown at some point."

The man nods and sits back in his chair while Xavier leans against some boxes with his arms crossed.

"The man, his name on the documents I've found, is Frank Mallory. On paper, he's a respected accountant. But I've found multiple money trails that go to him from offshore accounts. I'm not sure how he's connected to the flesh ring yet, but I'll find it."

Xavier starts swearing at the mention of 'flesh ring', can't say I blame him, and in knowing his military background, he's probably come across it or similar before. I keep my eyes on Benjamin's shoulder.

"Bastion mentioned that this man had wanted to buy him from Fred many times but was refused. Instead only loaned to him for periods of time."

I have to close my eyes as both rage and tears fill me. I will very much indeed enjoy meeting this man and spending a little time with him myself. Xavier had walked away, his swearing leading to a quiet rage.

Opening my eyes, I motion for Benji to continue, but the worse had yet to come.

"Kie, I found trails to you through James. I was able to get into his and Fred's emails and accounts, these two weren't very smart. The plans for you and your sister are all laid out in their letters to someone else, to capture and auction off."

My skin goes cold as my heart stutters. I can't look at either of them as I get off the desk, turning away from them both and ignoring the emotions I'd seen fly across the Vampire's face and eyes.

"Go on."

My voice is low but hard. An end cannot come fast enough for all this. Even from the grave, mine and Bastion's demons hound us.

"Not only were there emails between them, but to others that also have similar jobs as they had. I would love to go after them myself, but I've been ordered not to interfere. Much like the Packs and Clans of animals around here, there is a lead Vampire. He has ordered all of us to stay away from this."

My arms cross, held tight against me, insides feeling hollow.

"You can't do anything, but I can."

It comes out before I really think about it, but it feels right. If no other will take hold of the problem, then I will. This, I am more than willing to shoulder.

Never considered myself bloodthirsty before, but right now I'm glad I have an animal within me to help me along, to give me a way to handle the horrors that seem to be following my life lately. I turn and look at him, then to Xavier. I don't see refusal on either of their faces, a little concern maybe, but that's all.

"You may not be able to help physically, but if you think you're good enough to strike at them financially through electronic means without being found, then that in itself would be a blow. You're not so much interfering as just redirecting. Even if it's pumping all that money into your leader's pocket. Can't do it too fast, small amounts here and there. After I deal with them, it's not like the dead need money so it can be sent out wherever."

That's seriously splitting hairs, I know.

Already making plans for this, my heart speeds up. Nothing can be done until after I find my sister, but it can be planned now. I direct my eyes right to Benjamin's.

"Just be aware, that if I find out your leader is telling you not to interfere because he's part of it... I won't stop just because he's an important Vampire."

My eyes are yellow as I stare him down. I know what I just did was extremely foolish, but I mean every word. He looks back at me, just as focused as he measures my conviction. It takes him a few minutes of giving me a look, but he does incline his head to me.

With what I just said, I could have very well just signed my death warrant, and they are more than welcome to it, AFTER I find and make my sister safe, and give Bastion a stable home with Ava. I think Xavier had picked up on my thoughts, as I feel his instant refusal.

My eyes go to him, conviction firm within me. He wants to argue with me over something, but not in front of current company.

"Let me plan things out a bit better while you get more information on this Frank, or as much as you can and still be following your given orders. If possible, the reason why around my home seems to be a deadzone, and I know I'm already asking much of you, but I have one more thing I need help with."

His brow raises, and I know I'm pushing my luck.

"Do you know anyone, Vamp or otherwise that... can dispose of bodies?"

Both eyebrows shoot up as he looks at me.

"Piling up bodies already?"

I shake my head.

"I told you of the torture box my neighbors have. There are still bodies and... pieces, down there. I can't let it be left like that. I will pay them for any service rendered."

Benjamin looks over me again, trying to see if I'm joking or not. I motion to Xavier, who accounts for what I'm saying. The silent man eventually nods.

"For stuff like that, there is a 'clean-up' crew, yes. Especially if you're right and that area is somehow involved. I'll get a hold of them for you."

I give him my thanks, but notice he didn't mention payment.

"What do I need to pay for this to be done?"

He shakes his head, looking tired as he leans his elbows on his desk.

"You don't have to pay anything, I will pay for it."

"No. There's no reason for you to do that, I will give payment. You're already doing so much for me, you don't have to do this to."

He lifts his head and smiles at me, eyes shadowed. Something is going on that I'm not understanding, but for the life of me, I don't know what.

"I don't have to, no. I want to. There has been lots of talk lately about big changes coming, that one of Silver will really shake things up. I believe you are that Silver."

I scowl as I remember the homeless man that said much the same.

"Who is saying this? I was told of this already, but who was the first to say it?"

"That, I don't know, it's the gossip going around amongst all the communities here. Just my having knowledge of who you are right now is dangerous, as there are those who look forward to change and others who will fight and kill to keep things the same."

He pauses a moment before continuing with a smirk.

"Funny part here is you're just being yourself, stirring things up and causing all sorts of hell. That was part of you before even becoming what you are now. It is that part, I think, that everyone loves about you."

"That makes no sense, you know that, right?"

He chuckles while holding my hat out to me. Taking it and putting it back on my head, he bows his to me.

"I've never seen you made up like that. It is definitely something to see. Should do it more often."

Upon saying that last part, he smirks again. My face scrunching at him gives him cause to chuckle.

"You better get out of here before Gary sees you."

Nodding, I follow after Xavier as he heads out. Looking back to the male while on the stairs, he's watching me. Can't read his face though. Inclining my head to him, we make it out of the office area without mishap.

The receptionist isn't at the front, don't care to think where she might be as we go through the door. I get two steps out when I hear a sneering cackle off to the side.

"I knew you'd be back. Can't make it without me girl."

I turn, a grin creeping across my face as I see Gary.

Oh look, an outlet, just what I need.

From the corner of my eye, I see Xavier shaking his head and leaning against the jeep, arms crossed as he looks on. Gary must not have gotten a good look at my face at first, for his eyes widen as I turn and look dead at him. The cruel edged grin on my face makes his hazel eyes flick around. I saunter closer to him, his body standing at the corner of the building in his usual smoking spot.

The long coat is still wrapped around me, amazingly. I pull at the single button I did while walking back up the stairs, as well as the loosely wrapped belt, letting the coat fall open. Not very threatening, but it allows air to my hot body, which is all I was going for.

The flicker of lust in his face is sickening. Slipping my hands into my front jeans pockets, I stop within a couple of feet from him, rocking back on my heels.

"Is that why you think I'm here?"

"Of course, why else but to return and beg for me to take you back."

I hear Xavier snicker, Gary does as well as his eyes flick to him then back to me. His gaze then makes the circuit down my body and back up. Claws prick through my pockets into my legs as they lengthen.

"You can beg me. Can be on your knees when you do it, too."

Wow. This man has no self-preservation at all. He'd whispered it to me, but I hear Xavier shift his weight. I have to smirk again as I let my eyes do the same as his had.

All the way down his zipped brown coat, black slacks, flashy new shoes and back up. When I reach his face is when he finally senses something wrong. Must of... Yep, eyes turned yellow. Still follows the movement of my tongue though when it comes out to lick along my bottom lip, face once again flashing to lust.

Un-fucking-believable.

"Oh, I don't think so Mr. Rhodes, not like you have much to beg for anyway. I was so not impressed with your prowess with Ms. Granite, and by her expression, I don't think she was getting anything from it either."

Rocking back and forth on my heels, I watch his face as it goes through a range of emotions.

"You bitch. You will beg me, I've dealt with your damn mouth too much for too long to not get a little of it to put to much better use."

No crotch-grabbing needed to figure out what he's insinuating. I dig my claws deeper into my leg, the pain from it helping me to keep my head. Can't very well gouge out his face for being a pig, no matter how tempting.

"I think it would be a bit too much for you, dear Gary. You can barely handle my mouth to begin with as-is, you wouldn't know what to do with it if given half a chance. I mean, when you were having issues hitting the hole when it was right in front of you, I don't think you have much going for you."

My face splits into another grin as I lift my hand and wave at him with my pinky. His mocha cream-colored skin had been steadily darkening as I spoke, but that last bit really sets him off. A hand raises and comes down in a fist aimed at my face.

The sound of flesh meeting flesh rings in my ears. Gary's arm is extended, fist in front of me and enfolded within another fist. Xavier's face is blank, no strain at all as he holds the other man's hand within his own.

Gary's expression is uncomprehending for a moment, bleeding into surprise then rises to the very tall man in front of him. His face fills with pain and fear as he looks at the two of us. My eyes blazing yellow as his fist is slowly squeezed, an evil smile on my face.

"Now Gary, you weren't about to hit me, were you? I can't tell you how much of a bad idea that would be, and not only for the legal repercussions. You see, Xavier, the very tall gentleman next to you, has become very protective of me, and happens to be very strong."

His mouth opens in a small cry as he furiously shakes his head. Eyes are damn near bulging before I touch Xavier's hand to release him. After pressure like that, having it removed can hurt just as much. Sure enough, he gives out a cry as he pulls it to him and cradles it close.

"Now, if I were you Gary, I'd develop a new way to treat women. You ever talk like that to me again, and it won't be a man you have to worry about."

His eyes are riveted to my hand that touched on Xavier's, claws still extended and tipped in blood. The hazel orbs jump to my face where I give a very sharp toothy grin, mottled skin pales fast before he takes off back into the office building. A hard body pushes me against the wall as I pull everything back, biting my own lip as I chuckle after the scared man.

"That was foolish."

"Yes, but really fun and very satisfying."

Nothing shows on his face, but I feel his laughter in my head, his emotions playing in colors at the back of my brain. Once claws and teeth have receded and my eyes calm to my normal bright green, he lets me away from the wall. Good thing my jeans are black, otherwise I'd have blood to explain.

I know Xavier can smell it, but he says nothing as we get back into my jeep. My control seems to be getting worse, not better. Yet here I am taking on a damn human trafficking ring, or will when I get a direction.