Forty eight

OLAMIDE

"Look out!" I screamed, pushing Sofiane back at the last moment. I knew Jason could be murderous and having a brutal temper was one thing but what ran through Jason's mind was murderous intent. The man in front of me had become a merciless psycho.

Sofiane fell into the pit and the unsteady earth collapsed on him. Jason's claws retracted at the last minute but he couldn't stop his march of insanity. His body crushed mine and sent me flying. I tasted blood in the corners of my mouth as my back hit my brother's grave piece, my sight went hazy. I saw Jason revert to his human form and rush to my aid. My back burned and I could swear I had broken a rib. It was practically impossible for me to stand to my feet or even focus.

"Are you alright?" Jason asked, cupping my face. He was clearly worried. "You're bleeding badly." He said, right before he reached for my hand. I watched dutifully as he flicked the ring on my finger and almost instantly, my strength returned. I don't know if he was expecting me to thank him for whatever voodoo trick he just performed but the only thing that ran through my mind was rage. I remembered our first night in the hotel. Jason had asked all those questions about my brother and his mind was riddled with stuff about vampires. He knew something about my brother and he had chosen to keep me in the dark. "You're okay now," He assured and that hit all the wrong buttons.

I swung my fist at him —aiming at his abdomen. Although he jerked away, he only managed to dull the impact of my swing. It still connected hard with his abdomen, making him instinctively bend over as the breath whooshed out of him. I swung again but Jason was ready this time around. He caught my punch and pulled me close. Are you fucking crazy?" He shrieked. "I saved your life and this is how you thank me?"

"Save me from what?" I sneered. "I've discovered your lies, Jason. What do you know about my brother?"

My response made Jason turn in the direction of Sofiane. He had dug himself out already and began to undress, ready to go at Jason just as the latter had done earlier. "What lies is Sofiane feeding you with? Do you forget so soon that he tried to kill you?"

"Enough with gaslighting." I retorted sharply. "This has absolutely nothing to do with Sofiane. You knew my brother was a vampire and you kept that hidden from me. Was that why you asked for my forgiveness last night? So you could feel less guilty about the evil you did?"

Jason's thoughts were easy to read. He was confused and no part of him implied that he could be lying. "What are you ranting about?"

Was I wrong, I wondered. No... Jason was just better at masking the truth. I refused to buy into his antics this time. "Why then were you digging into my brother's existence? What were your deal with vampires and you asking for forgiveness after your alleged pack meeting?"

"About your brother, I have no idea why Devin was digging into your family but he did. My deal with vampires was because one went after my brother and I asked for your forgiveness last night because... Wait... What has any of these got to do with your brother?"

That night, I had assumed vampires became the subject matter because they somehow had a hand in my brother's demise. Jason had brushed it off further strengthening my suspicions but right now, I was torn. Perhaps he knew nothing. No matter how good he was at lying or masking his emotions, there was no way his mask could be without cracks. Whatever shield I held up against Jason's mind-reading faltered and I fed him my secrets.

"You think your brother is a vampire?"

"I know he is," I muttered, breaking free from his grasp.

Jason stole a look at Sofiane who refused to let his guard down then back at me. He had the answer to why I was here but that didn't completely end his doubt. Sofiane was here and that brought up many questions. "Then why is Sofiane here?" He said.

I swallowed knowing Candice's existence needed to be kept a secret. I was afraid Sofiane would blurt out something rash to hurt Jason in the worst possible way but strange enough, he kept his cool. I suspected it was all in a bid to keep his mate safe. I wasn't even sure if that act of small mercy made me safer or more afraid than I have ever been. Putting up the mental block again, I weighed my odds. If I told Jason the truth, there was the possibility that his rage and hate for the being I shared a body with would outweigh the mate bond and I would end up dead. I tried to rack up a lie but nothing seemed to be forthcoming and the ones that did come to mind would never be believable. So I played my safest card.

"He apologized," I muttered. As I predetermined, Jason did not buy it one bit but his scrutiny turned away from me to Sofiane.

"You tried to murder Axel to apologize to my mate? I find that hard to believe Sofiane. Especially when it happens a day after I mark my mate."

"Because a certain someone gave me a reality check. I don't care if you believe it or not Jason but you know damn well that if I wanted Olamide dead, you would be too late to save her."

"What happened to your revenge then? I remember you swore to make me suffer a fate worse than death. Are you backing out now?"

"Of course not," Sofiane snickered as he proceeded to wear the clothes he had formerly removed. "I just won't be using your mate to make that happen." Sofiane reached a hand into his pocket and pulled out a syringe of some sort which he tossed in the direction of Jason.

"For Axel, I assume," Jason said as he caught the syringe.

Sofiane tsked and made his way out of the cemetery. He had handled that smoothly, leaving Jason to worry more about him than me. He had also given me the information I needed as he conversed with Jason. I now had information on how to get across to the vampires and figure out something about my brother's sire and location. My ticket in was David Blossom.