Paradigm Shift

Unwelcome visitors

* * *
Dean

The next day started out uneventfully. Seth told us what Jasmine wanted for breakfast and when she made her way into the kitchen, Roman presented her with a plate of bacon, eggs, and toast. She was quiet as she ate, and all three of us knew why. I had told Roman and Seth about the conversation we'd had on the way back from the restaurant and now Jasmine was upset with us. She didn't like being lied to and she hated that we were keeping secrets from her. She hadn't slept well. I could tell by the tiredness she felt. No doubt, her mind had been busy trying to make sense of everything. Seth placed a cup of tea in front of her and she sighed.

"I know you are annoyed with us" Seth said "and believe me, if we could tell you the truth, we would"

Jasmine ignored him as she continued to eat her breakfast

"Jazz please" Seth pleaded

"Can one of you give me a lift back to my apartment?" Jasmine asked without looking at anyone "I'm going to freshen up then I want to go home"

"You don't have to leave" Seth replied. "You can stay longer if you want"

She finished her tea and stood up before making her way back upstairs.

After cleaning up Roman, Seth and I drank some blood and were deciding who would take Jasmine home when the security system buzzed, alerting us to someone at the front gate. Seth made his way towards the surveillance screen and tried to see who it was.

"Who is it?" Roman asked

"I don't know, the car has tinted windows" Seth explained. "I don't recognise the car either"

"Have you had a vision of anyone visiting us?" I asked.

"No" Seth answered "only that one of Imperium"

"Buzz them in" Roman said. "If it's Imperium, then we follow Frederick's advice and stand our ground"

Seth buzzed them in and the three of us watched as a 1965 Lincoln Continental made its way up the driveway. I instantly felt uneasy and, by the way Roman and Seth also tensed up, they felt it too. I rushed upstairs and Jasmine was just coming out of the guest room, dragging her suitcase behind her.

"You need to get out of here. Now" I warned.

She looked confused. "What are you talking about? That's what I'm trying to do!!"

"Some men have arrived and they're bad news" I explained. "If they know you're here, they could hurt you"

She was stunned, and I grabbed her by the arm and led her downstairs towards the hideout beneath the stairs. She seemed unsure but didn't fight me. Once inside, I turned towards her and gently touched her face. All I could think about was her safety and if these men got the better of us, it could be the last time I ever saw her.

"I'm going to lock you in. Try not to make any noise" I told her. "If they come for you, do whatever they tell you. Don't fight them and they might just spare your life"

She gulped as she realized just how serious the situation was. I turned to leave, but she grabbed my arm. 

She leant towards me and kissed me softly on the lips. "Come back to me Dean"