Ares by Nikki Hall (best books to read all time TXT) 📕

"Well, I've got a 1998 Camaro," I told him. "I like the Harley better, but if you don't like it, we'll use the car." Sam nodded. "It's not that I don't like the motorcycle," he said. "I'm just not used to one. I've been in the Impala most of my life." I smiled. I knew the feeling. I wasn't used to the car, but it was useful. I chewed my lip for a moment. "Well, if we're going to pose as cops, my dad's old '04 Charger should do better. Most feds use them." His eyebrows shot up. "How many vehicles do you have?" he asked.
"I have a few," I replied, laughing.

Chapter Three

Sam and I pulled up to the coroner's a little after one. In our tailored suits, we really did look like FBI agents, which was a good thing, you know, since that's what we were supposed to be. My ID had a believable name, Danielle Parson. Sam's, however, didn't. He was supposed to be Agent Steven Tyler. Really, do you know how many people know he's the lead singer of Aerosmith? I know I do! "Why are you named after Aerosmith's lead singer?" I asked him as we walked up the steps. Sam laughed. "Ask Dean that one. I'd kill for a name like yours."
"Really? So, if you could have chosen, what would it have been?"
"Probably Stephen Williams or something. I'd still use my initials, though. It makes things easier." I laughed at him. Then, I put my stone-faced demeanor back in place. There was no use in letting my guard down around a guy that I would only be around for a few days tops. I was overreacting more than anything else.
We entered the building and the Resident, I think his name was Jason, met us. "Oh, good, you're here," he said. "Dr. Taylor is waiting for you." We followed him to the morgue and were greeted by a small, thin man with thinning hair and a kind smile.
"Agents Parson and Tyler, it's a pleasure," he said, leading us to one of the "freezers" as they're commonly called. He opened it, and he pulled out the petite blond that was inside.
"Doctor, can you tell us what you've found?" Sam asked.
"Well, it was an animal attack, that much is certain. The only anomaly is that only the heart was missing. I'm not quite sure what that means."
"Have all the victims been like this?" I asked.
"Yes, but I'm not sure how that fits in. What are you suggesting?"
"We think maybe there's a person using an animal to do his killing," Sam said. I liked that explanation. It was simple and human enough to get some serious thought. The doctor thought about that for a moment. "That could actually be the reason," he said. "All the vics were the same height, generally the same body type, and all were blondes."
"Just one other question," I said. "Were they natural blondes? That would narrow our pool a little, I think."
"Yes. None had the tell-tale dye chemicals in their scalps, and none had roots showing," Dr. Taylor said. I nodded and took that down on paper.


We left, and I think we had more questions than answers. Why was Marcus after the blondes? He'd always had a thing for girls with black hair. He was a blond himself. Was it the fact that he'd been slighted by them when he was still human?
Sam saw the thoughts in my eyes. "What are you thinking, Ares?" he asked me. I shook my head. "I'm not sure if Marcus is the one orchestrating this," I said. "If it were, he'd probably go after girls with black hair, like me. And how does he know if they're natural blondes or not? Even I can't smell the difference between natural hair and dyed hair." Sam shook his head. He was just as confused as I was, that much was apparent.
"Maybe they've researched these girls. Two of the three were prostitutes, so maybe he's not as bad as we thought he was." I shook my head. "He is, Sam," I said. "And that's what's making this case so hard. He was my friend, the only one that didn't shy away when he found out what I was. He was a little like you, actually."
"Are you saying you trust me?" By that time, we had reached the car, and I busied myself unlocking the doors and getting in. I didn't want to answer that, because I didn't know the answer. Did I trust Sam? I wasn't sure. I didn't really trust anyone, but Sam was getting me to lower my guard and that worried me.
"I don't know," I said honestly. "I think I do, but I couldn't work with you because of Dean. He hates me."
"No, he just doesn't like to be taken off guard. He was a little shocked that I knew."
"How did you know?" That was my biggest worry. Was I on the List that most Hunters kept?
"I have these visions, and I saw you in one. You told us what you were and Dean tried to kill you. He didn't succeed, but he tried like hell," he said, looking ahead at the road. I was shocked. This was a huge revelation from him, because I didn't think there was a drop of anything supernatural in this guy. That's what I get for thinking,

I thought. His hazel eyes found me. "You hate me now, don't you?" he asked. I shocked myself by laughing. "No," I said, when the fit had subsided. "I'm just a little relieved that we both have something in common. I'm a Skinwalker with strange abilities, and you're a human that has visions. You realize that makes you psychic, right?"
"Yeah, I know." His phone rang, and he picked it up. "Yeah?" He listened for a moment, then said, "OK, we're on our way." He hung up and looked at me. "Dean found Marcus. He's at a warehouse a few miles south of here."
"Good. I have a plan."

Chapter Four

We met at the warehouse, and Dean was sitting in front. Sam and I walked up to him. "Where is he?" I asked.
"He hasn't made it back yet," Dean said. I nodded.
"Do you have any silver chains? I have an idea."
"What?" I sighed. Dean was clueless, so I couldn't blame him; I had only told Sam my plan so far.
"You two hide up in the rafters and I'll lead him right below you. When I say 'you dick,' drop the chains. That'll hold him down long enough for me to get him tied up."
"Why call him a dick, though?" Sam asked.
"He's acting like one." My response was simple and to the point. I was furious with Marcus for what he was doing. There was no excuse for him to be acting this way, werewolf or not. Dean nodded and they grabbed some chains from his trunk. I was glad that, like me, he had the sense to park far enough away that the sight of the cars wouldn't alarm him. In fact, the two of us had chosen a nearby gas station to park at.
"Let's get this over with," I said. Sam looked at me, worry apparent in his eyes. I ignored it, hoping he thought I just didn't notice. Dean gave me a skeptical look. I know what he was thinking. He thought that I would betray them. That I would bring them into the warehouse, and let Marcus attack them. I'm not sure what kind of Hunter he thought I was, but I was ready to prove him wrong.
They moved into position and I waited in front of the place. Soon, I saw Marcus come up to the warehouse. He paused when he saw me, then a sad smile crossed his face. I had almost forgotten how handsome he was. He was six feet or so with curly, blond hair and deep blue eyes. He was one of those guys that wasn't huge because he was fat, he was just well-built. He walked up to me and smiled. "What are you doing here, Ares?" he asked, leading me into the warehouse.
"I think you know why, Marcus," I growled, moving under the Winchesters so that he followed. Soon, he was directly under them. "You've been killing all those girls, and I'm here to kill you."
"How? You can't use silver against me; it'll burn you."
"You're still the same, Marcus. God, you dick!" Just then, the chains dropped on him, and I pulled on some gloves so that I could wrap them around him and a nearby chair. "I have my ways, you know," I snarled. He growled as I kicked him in the gut. "Why are you doing this?" I demanded.
"I'd never tell a traitor like you," he said. I motioned to Dean who drug a silver knife across his arm. He screamed and tried to pull away. It was no use, I'd tied it too tightly. "Answer me!" I said once more.
"I killed them because I felt like it. Natural blondes have this smell, you know? They don't smell like the color-treated shampoo that the others use. They're clean and wonderful. Kind of like you."
I slapped him and nodded at Sam, who then shot Marcus in the heart. I