Vampires Among Us [Vampires Among Us 1] (Siren Publishing Classic)

skating across his features. “I did not consent to a divorce, so it is of no value. You are mine to do with as I see fit! Now come, woman!” he snarled, as if he were speaking to a dog.
    “She is not going anywhere with you. She is under our society’s protection. Once they read her mind and saw everything you had put her through, they granted her an immediate divorce. You are not allowed to be near her,” Jennifer stated in an attempt to shift Shawn’s attention off of Erica and back on her. If he came after her, at least she would be somewhat of a fair fight. With Erica, well, she simply didn’t have a chance.
    Help hadn’t arrived yet, and knowing she couldn’t leave things to chance, Erica knew she had to do something. Just the thought of Jennifer having to face Shawn’s wrath alone made Erica’s heart constrict in fear even tighter. Oh sure, Jennifer was a vampire, but Erica didn’t think she was any match against Shawn. She suddenly thought about the cell phone clipped to her belt. Very slowly she moved her hand to her side where the phone was hidden under her shirt. She did this while making certain she stayed behind Jennifer, hoping her movements went unseen. She only had time to hit one button, and then hope and pray that help would arrive, before it was too late.
    As Erica pressed the speaker button, she wondered if she was signing her death sentence. If someone answered on the other end, Shawn would immediately know what she had done. She held her breath, waiting for someone to answer, almost wishing they wouldn’t. She released it a moment later when all was quiet.
    Now she was confused. When Kevin had given the phone to her, he had explained to her it was a direct link to him. However, he had never quite explained exactly how it worked. Maybe the call had to go through the office first. Or maybe, if the entire team was on-site, no one would be available to respond. But then again, wouldn’t Charles be available?
    Perhaps Kevin was in animal form and unable to communicate. Whatever the situation was, her plan had fallen short of its original purpose, and she had no backup plan. At this point, the only communication that could possibly help them was Jennifer’s earpiece, and Erica still had no idea if it was still transmitting. Knowing she was running out of options, Erica could taste true fear and horror in her mouth. Shawn had them cornered, and he knew it. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be standing there with a smirk on his face! Think, Erica, think!
     
    * * * *
     
    The team had just finished handcuffing the drug runners when Jennifer’s conversation with Shawn came across the earpieces. Kevin glanced up to spot Marshall quickly heading his way. A few seconds later his cell phone rang and he knew who it was without even looking at it. Although he was glad to see she had remembered the button on her phone, he knew for her own good he had to ignore the call.
    “Don’t answer that, Kevin!” Marshall warned as he approached, also well aware of who was trying to call him.
    “I know, and so help me, when I get my hands on that bastard, he is going to pay for everything he has ever done!” Kevin spouted off, clearly frustrated.
    “Look, the backup team is on the way. They can handle getting our drug runners down to the office. We need to come up with a plan. No matter what his plan is, Shawn will have to go through us in order to get the girls out of there,” Marshall stated.
    “You’re right. How far out is our backup team?” Kevin responded.
    “They are arriving now,” Marshall stated with a slight grin, as he glanced up and nodded towards an approaching van.
    “Let’s get the team together and come up with a game plan. I want to be inside in three minutes,” Kevin stated. He then spoke in a low tone to Jennifer through the earpiece. “Jen, help is on the way, we need three minutes.”
    As the team gathered together to come up with a game plan, they all were able to hear all communication going on between Jennifer and Shawn. Unfortunately, ten seconds after the team came together, all hell seemed to break loose inside the building. They knew Shawn was attacking Jennifer, obviously tired of playing the waiting game.
    Kevin, Marshall, and Joshua charged into the school all at the same time. Kevin broke off from the group once inside, and the others assumed it was to change forms.
    Marshall and Joshua quickly came upon Jennifer, lying on the floor, bleeding and obviously in a lot of