Page 6 of My Salvation
“Do I need to be verified too?”
Coop snarled. “I’d like to see someone try.”
“Down, big guy, I’m just saying, I’m the only woman here…” She smiled, then reached for the door. “What an amazing day!”
“Hey!” All five of her Vanguard friends protested at once.
Luca followed her out of the van.
“Fuck! Another squad just showed up, Cam!” a frazzled-looking warrior said, talking into his earpiece. “It’s like something got fumigated, and Vanguard are coming out of the woodwork.”
“Asshole!” another warrior called out, smiling.
The man turned to her, then broke out into a huge smile. “Hello, darlin'. How can I help you?”
She jerked her thumb toward where Coop now stood directly behind her. “I’m with this particular group of Neanderthals.”
The man looked them over and sighed. “This is going to take forever.”
Cas grinned evilly, then reached for the bullhorn at his waist. He was all smiles as she played with his belt disconnecting the device. But when she brought it to her lips, he frowned in concern.
Climbing on top of the van, she ignored Reston complaining about dents.
“Hello, gentlemen,” she began. Immediately nearly a hundred handsome warriors were turning and smiling at her.
“I believe you all are here to get verified.”
“Yeah!” many yelled back.
“Wouldn’t it go faster if you all stripped your shirts off and killed anyone with a red tattoo?” she asked.
There was silence then the men began pulling off their shirts.
“Cassandra Vi’Illiya, you are going to hell,” Reston chided.
Pulling the bullhorn away from her face, she blew kisses at him. “Pass me my Diet Coke and Doritos bag.”
Grumbling, he passed her the snacks and she passed him the bullhorn to return to the now gob-smacked warrior trying to organize things. “Better strip, darlin’. You’re falling behind,” she said, laughing.
“Godsdammit all, Cassie,” he scowled, then pulled off his own shirt.
“Like I said, what an amazing day.” She popped a chip into her mouth and watched the chaos created by so many men flexing for no damn good reason.
*****
Even with her helpfulness, it still took close to two hours to get everyone verified. It did go by faster as the men laughed and took turns posing for her. She would clap and whistle, and the vile lime-green color of fear began to fade from the warriors' auras. She was introduced to the Monroe squad who were equal parts amused and flabbergasted at her assistance.
Eventually, everyone was checked, and en masse, they headed toward the portal.
“How long has it been for you, Cas?” Luca asked.
“Since mother and father faded. Too much reminded me of them,” she said quietly.
“You have a place to go?” Reston asked.
She nodded. “I actually own a huge estate. I was going to offer up rooms to the Vanguard,” she said, pointing to the men around them.
Cam grabbed her shoulder. “Are you serious?” he asked, with a hope-filled expression.