Just Another Job

Finished

Wow, it's been awhile. I think you guys will like this chapter! Probably only one more to go after this. )':

I almost ran down the hallway toward the door that Harting had disappeared into. My pace slowed when I passed two of the hooded goons, but they had no way of recognizing me under this mask, so they paid me no attention. 

I opened the door and stepped inside, trying to act like I had seen the real goons act. Six hooded guards stood along the back wall in case Harting should need help. I stood to the side like Ian had instructed me, though it was hard not to leap in and snap Harting's neck. Jasper was still chained to the chair, gagged and silent. It was barely discernable, but his hands were shaking despite the chains looped around his wrists. Whatever had been injected into his system back in the other room was really taking a toll on him. Harting had his back turned to us, facing a table laid with many medical instruments. 

"You would be amazed at how much money people will pay for a captured shifter," Harting continued, making it obvious that I had walked in on the middle of a one-sided conversation. He turned around, holding a long razor casually in his hand. 

"I consider myself a bit of a sadist," Harting admitted. He stopped in front of Jasper, looking thoughtfully at the razor in his hand. 

"And when I have the opportunity to have my way with someone who possesses incredible healing abilities, it is too tempting to pass by." 

He drew the razor down Jasper's face, following the natural contour of his cheekbone. A dripping red slice was left, slowly trickling blood off of Jasper's jaw and onto his jacket. Jasper's teeth were clenched as his hands trembled more noticeably, but he didn't make a sound. I was immensely proud of his control. Hang on, just a bit longer. Had Ian and Dak run into complications when freeing Jo? 

Harting trailed his finger down the fresh cut, collecting the blood. Jasper never took his black eyes off of him. 

"You may be wondering why this hasn't begun healing yet," Harting commented. "That syringe I had you injected with contained a silver colloid, which explains the severe pain that is wracking your body. Also, it drastically reduces your abilities, such as strength and healing." 

He whisked a hankerchief out of his breast pocket and twisted it around his bloodied finger. 

"I am considering taking a bit of it with me when I visit Cassandra and the little one," he said nonchalantly. He looked down and met Jasper's alarmed stare. "No loose ends." 

Before I could react, Jasper lunged forward, breaking the chains on his wrists. Harting stumbled backwards, almost falling as my brother reached for his throat. 

"Get him off of me!" Harting yelled. I hesitated for a split second, options racing through my head at lightning speed. I could let Jasper kill Harting, but then I would have to deal with the six men behind me, and I didn't like those odds, especially since they could possibly be shifters. And while I fighting them, one would surely activate some kind of alarm. No, I had to wait for Ian and Dak to bring Jo and help me. 

 As the closest, I leaped forward, laying my hands on Jasper's shoulders and yanking him back, grunting at the effort. He fought against me, straining against my grip. Though he was severely weakened, he was still putting up a tough fight. Gritting my teeth, I wrapped my arm around his neck, pressing my forearm hard against his throat and pulling back, choking him. Jasper growled deep in his chest as he was dragged away from Harting, his hands still reaching for him. He ripped the gag out of his mouth and jabbed an elbow into my side. I grunted, wrenching his black head back before he could bite me. His adrenaline spent, his body sagged against me, trembling violently from the silver colloid racing through his veins. I wrestled him into his chair, forcing myself to chain him up again. His head hung down low as he breathed heavily, looking utterly defeated.