Protector

Chapter XXI

"C-Christian—" Static filtered between the name, disrupting our comfortable silence.

The Beast and I exchanged wary glances, ripping the backpack open, extending the satellite phone's antenna, and tuning the frequency.

"John?" I called out. Static. "John, are you there? It's Jasmine." I called out again, sparing Christian a worried gaze when static was everything we heard.

"Something's wrong. He wouldn't reach out unless it was important." Christian growled.

I didn't respond, my gaze fixed on the phone.

Static greeted our keen ears, our eyes gluing to the phone with growing anticipation.

". . . rap. . .version . . ." Chopped words filtered through the phone, indistinguishable with the heavy static between us.

"John, what's wrong? What are you saying?" Christian growled.

I resisted the urge to crush the phone in impatience and anxiety.

Something's wrong. I just know it. I hissed, my mind swirling with possibilities as we waited for the former Hunter to respond.

"It's a trap. Going to your family was a diversion for his real target," John's voice filtered through the static. "The cabin. His target is—"

Christian and I cringed as an explosion and static assaulted our ears.

"John? John, are you there?" I growled, my voice growing anxious when he failed to answer.

I spared Christian a glance, my eyes screaming my despair as I fought back the rising panic trying to constrict my lungs. "W-We need to go back. W-We we—"

The Beast took hold of my shoulders, flashing me his glowing amber eyes. I sucked in a sharp breath, bright ocean-colored eyes flashing red before returning to their cool hue. "Jazz, Jazz, look at me. You need to breathe, okay? Breathe."

I gasped for breath when my airways opened again. "We have to . . . to go back. We can't leave him vulnerable anymore, Chris," I bit my lip as panic started gripping my lungs again, "I don't know what I'll do if I lose John for real this time."

"What about your family?" Christian asked.

I froze, swallowing hard. I dared to look in the direction of the house. I shut my eyes before sighing. "They've survived this long without me. Whether I stay or leave won't make a difference."

The Beast failed to respond, opting to nod. He gave me a small wry grin. "Let's go."

We retreated far into the woods enclosing the district. I shed my human skin for fur without hesitation. The transition was a flurry of pops, crunching and reassembling, the sensation dulled in my desperation to ensure John's safety.

Shooting into the sky, Christian's weight pressed against me as he braced against the force of the wind.

Please be okay please be okay. God, please. My anxious thoughts hammered in my head. I had claws and fangs and I could do nothing except literally fly to him, hoping to the entity above that John didn't become another victim in Ghost's sickening games. It was all I could do, as infuriating as it was.

Seeing the trees of the preserve come into view, I let loose a low bark. We're nearing the preserve. Hold on tight, we're about to land.

Christian's grip on my fur tightened, pressing his head against the nape of my neck. I stilled my wings, landing in a small clearing. The Beast waited until I had reverted into my daemon form to tug me toward the waterfall.

The trees whizzed past us. We made a beeline for John's temporary bunker. My heart hammered in my chest to the point where I thought it was going to burst.

I was flooded with confusion and relief when the cabin was untouched. What about the explosion on the satellite phone?

"John!" I shouted, panting as my eyes became glued to the cabin. "John! It's us!"

The cabin door opened, revealing a puzzled and untouched John. His eyebrows knitted together upon seeing us, a frown marring his features. "Malen'kiy Volk? Christian?" (Little Wolf)

He crossed the mountain ash barrier, barely able to keep himself upright when I launched myself into his arms. "Woah, Malen'kiy Volk," The human exclaimed, chuckling. His amusement disappeared when he saw my tears. His face flew up to meet Christian's relieved one before turning back to me. "What's wrong? Why are you crying?" (Little Wolf)

"We . . . we thought you were hurt. Y-You radioed us when we were at my family's house." I hiccupped, letting the human wipe away my tears. I leaned into his hand, relieved. "We h-heard an explosion and rushed back here."

John tensed under my grip, causing me to cautiously pull away from his hold. "John? John, what's wrong?" The rising panic I thought I wouldn't feel again returned, my anxiety escalating when I inhaled the fear and spiraling confusion coming off the former Hunter. "John, talk to us." I pleaded.

The former Hunter blinked, his gaze focusing as he met our panicked and attentive eyes. "Malen'kiy Volk, I never radioed you guys in." (Little Wolf)

~~~

A/N: That marks the end of Chapter 21. Hope you guys enjoyed it!

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