Chapter 23: F*ck around 2 (Jasmine and Julie)

(Pov Jasmine)

May 19th 2026. 07.25 Pm

“So, how are things going with that throuple of yours?” Julie tilted her head as she looked over at her from the other end of the couch. 

It wasn’t a question she wanted to answer. It was almost a little embarrassing the way Julie framed it. Like she was dating two high schoolers. Which was NOT the case; she was dating one eighteen-year-old, who just so happened to also be dating another eighteen-year-old. The fact that both were high schoolers was incidental. 

It was also something she had only recently told Julie about. As in two hours ago. She had given her a look that screamed almost judgmental curiosity at the time. Though looking at her now, time seemed to have tempered the judgment. Thank the gods, she didn't want to talk about it before putting Sam to bed.

“It's not technically a throuple. I am not dating Chloe. We are just kinda… dating the same person.” It felt weak, though it was technically true. 

“Uh-huh.” Julie's eyebrow rose slowly. “And how's that working out for the three of you?”

If she thought about it, Jason did seem… happier wasn't the right word for it. Less worried, perhaps. Though that might come from his family's economic situation improving. And Sophia actually getting the opportunity he had wanted her to have. Chloe seemed less aggressive, certainly; there hadn't been a repeat of the event at the cafe the first time they met. Unless she was misreading the situation, they were even beginning to get along.

Her more possessive side also had to admit that someone being around who held some deeper obligation to him did help. She did worry; there wasn't any way she couldn't. The thralls were usually given a lot of things: emergency money, backup phones, emergency call buttons, and so on to help them should something happen. And due to how new the relationship was and the current circumstances, Jason hadn't gotten his yet. She had been nagging William about it for weeks now.

Jasmine's eyebrows furrowed. “Good, I think. No major problems yet. But the situation is new, so that will change. There's always something; at least that's what the others always say.”

“What do you mean by the others? The other…” She didn't finish the sentence, but Jasmine knew she meant the other noctians or clan members. It applied equally in both cases, so it didn't really matter.

“Yeah, there aren't that many guys, so it's a rather…”

Her phone vibrated hard enough that it started moving around on the table, emitting a shrieking, piercing sound. It took her a split second to recognize it. When she did, she could feel her heart drop into her stomach. 

That tone would only sound if Jason had pressed the panic button on the pendant she gave him and hadn't pressed the cancellation button within five seconds. It meant he likely hadn't done so by accident. 

“What the fuck was that?!” Julie said, staring in mild shock at the phone.

Jasmine grabbed the phone. No text, and no calls. She couldn't contact him either. She didn't know the situation there; doing so might very well put him in more danger than he already was. Her grip on her phone tightened. It was what she had feared since Sophia's little experiment now come to life rather than remaining as a figment of her imagination. Worst of all, Jason was supposed to be home with only Chloe being there for a home date. Neither of them could fight, nor should they. Though it wasn’t beyond imagining that one of them might be rash enough to try. 

“Jason pressed the panic button.” Her tone was flat. She was already navigating to the app where she could see the GPS tracker that the button activated. 

It took a second before Julie said anything. “Fuck, where are we going?”

Jasmine slowly looked up at her secretary, her friend. She had told her about the button and about the situation with Jason, beyond just him being her boyfriend. Including the situation with Sophia. At the time, Julie had said she would come along if need be. Jasmine hadn't believed her at the time.

“We? You're coming along?” She said incredulously.

Julie nodded. “Sure am. Jason's a great kid. He is great with Sam, a real godsend. I am not leaving him hanging, and I am not letting you run into an unknown situation alone.”

“What about Sam?”

Julie waved her hand dismissively, though the gesture carried a certain heaviness. A weight that made the motion seem theatrical, put on for show rather than actually felt. “He's a heavy sleeper; he won't be up until morning… Even if he is, it won't be the first time I have had to…” She tapered off towards the end. Though Jasmine understood what she meant.

“Are you sure?” 

It took a second before she spoke, her jaw tense. “Yes, I am sure. Though I do wish we had some firepower?”

—--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Pov Julie)

May 19th 2026. 07.40 Pm

Julie gaped as she stared at the removed false bottoms of the chests Jasmine kept in the basement. It was impressive, really. Her boss owned a great many things she really shouldn't. Or rather, legally shouldn't.

A panoply of guns lay spread throughout the chests in front of her, a wide enough selection to make her old armorer blush. She knew that was an overstatement, but it was a surprisingly large arsenal either way.  Most were submachine guns and pistols, a few assault rifles, and a couple of higher-caliber anti-materiel rifles. There was also armor; most of it seemed to be higher-end civilian plate carriers. Not the one she had used in the Marines. But judging by the odd symbols engraved in it…

“How? How did you get your hands on enchanted armor?” She said disbelievingly.

“Same way I got my set. Pick one. You might need it.” Jasmine hadn't looked up from her phone; her fingers had been flying over the screen constantly for the last few minutes. Switching between talking to someone and checking the tracker she had given to Jason.

The answer told her nothing, though it was probably better she didn't know how Jasmine had gotten her hands on kit that was only being given to some special operators in the military when she left active duty. Kit that cost tens of thousands just a few years ago, and doubtlessly that hadn't changed much. That also left the question of Jasmine's armor, which probably cost far more.

She picked up one of the vests that seemed roughly the right size and adjusted it as close to perfect as she could get it in the little time she gave herself. Her trainign took over as soon she grabbed one of the 5.56 ARs, checked the chamber, shouldered it quickly. It sat just as well as the rifles she had used ion the past. She threw the sling over her head. She took four magazines, and as a sidearm, a pistol.  You could aslo never have to many trauma kits so she grabbed the one laying on the shelf next to the chest.

It was very likely they were going to be fighting law enforcement or military. After all, even she had heard the rumors back in her days in active duty that special operators were used to enforce some restrictions on the practice of magic in the United States. 

That meant she might have to shoot former comrades. She didn't like that, but quite frankly Jasmine had ultimately done more for her and Sam than the military or the federal government ever had or even had tried to. She might not like the situation or what it might require of her, but if push came to shove, she would shove. She just dearly wished she would have too.

Which ended her up here, equipping herself to save her vampire employers boyfriend/fiance and his other girlfriend. Which Jasmine also wanted safe if they could manage that.

Looking over, Jasmine was still… Just standing in the doorway on her phone. Julie's eyebrows furrowed.

“Aren't you gonna equip yourself?”

Jasmine glanced up, her eyebrows furrowing slightly in confusion. “No? What's the point? I only really have to worry about close combat, explosives, and flamethrowers. Maybe some anti-materiel guns, but I doubt they brought those along to raid some random teenager. They are less likely to fire most of those weapons into their own people anyway, so close combat is to my benefit. I don't have time to put on my armor, so this is what it's gonna be.”

Really, you're still wearing a god damn blouse and slacks. 

Jasmine glanced back down at her phone. “If that's all, then grab the night vision in the furthest chest and let's go.” She reached for what appeared to be some kind of stab-proof vest that hung hidden next to the door.

As they walked up the stairs, Jasmine spoke with a lighter tone. “I did manage to reach Sky. She's coming over to watch the house and Sam, if he gets up. She will be here in twenty minutes.”

She didn't like leaving Sam alone; in fact, she hated it. But there simply wasn’t time to wait for anyone to get here, and there wasn’t a chance in hell she was letting Jasmine do this alone. Sky coming over at least it eased her worries somewhat. She wished it was someone she trusted personally who could come over, but they were going to rescue the only person fitting that description, so needs must. 

She knew Jasmine had people coming, and not just Sky and her little trio.  Other members of her clan. If anything happened while she was out doing this, then… at least they would get Sam safe.

“Thank you, Jasmine.”

It didn't take long before they were outside; the air was cooler than it had been earlier in the day. The sun hung lower in the sky, though sunset wasn’t for a few hours more. They could see the smaller farm from here, though only the roof. They would need a better vantage point.

“We need to get an overview of the farm.”

“Yeah, we do. They still keep the old orchards cleared; we should be able to find a place to look down on it from there. They have probably avoided the barn that I am renting; too many cameras and it's too far away. They are probably focused on the main barn and the farmhouse. So the perimeter probably starts at the road and then hugs the immediate area. They might have someone up on the orchard, though. Sniper or overwatch, something like that. Assuming these are professionals, of course. But I think that's the most likely scenario, and the best to plan for.”

“Makes sense.” She looked at the cars; none of them were particularly quiet. “Which car are we taking?”

Jasmine winked at her. “That's the neat part, we aren't. Hold on.”

Julie suppressed a squeak as Jasmine picked her up and started running. Shadows seemed to rise in small solid pillars that launched them forward with every step.