Paths Crossed

Chapter 2

This chapter might not make it too clear who our lovely Aria will end up with but I like giving a girl options. :p Hope you enjoy and as always reviews are so appreciated!

Chapter 2

Conversation in the SUV stopped abruptly when Shane cursed and slammed on the brakes, the tires screaming to stop on the dark pavement. The image of a woman in a white blouse and black skirt appeared starkly in the headlights only to disappear with a sickening thud.

Everything seemed to freeze for a second and then the vehicle doors were thrown open. Brass and Ascension made it around the front first, dropping to their knees beside the still female form. The other males crowded around, looking down at the woman in worry.

The woman moaned softly as Brass quickly checked her over for serious injuries. Finding nothing life threatening, Ascension leaned forward, helping Brass lay the woman out flat on the pavement illuminated by the SUV headlights.

The human woman lay still, dark hair straying across her face. Her clothing was disheveled and torn in ways that the impact with the vehicle didn't explain. When Ascension reached out and slowly stroked her hair back he revealed a split lip and a cheek reddened with a hand print.

Ascension growled, drawing Brass's attention.

When the male caught sight of the damage he growled as well. "Someone struck her."

Both males crouched over her fallen body, protective instincts raging, and scanned the vicinity. The others dispersed, circling the SUV to see if they could spot anything. Nothing seemed out of place. The streets were lined with parked cars and the buildings were mostly darkened store fronts. A few feet away a large shoulder bag lay on the ground, it's contents spilling out on the street.

"I don't see anything but I smell human males nearby." Ascension grumbled softly. "We need to get her out of here."

Brass nodded. "We should call an ambulance. I don't like the idea of us transporting her to the hospital ourselves. She may have internal injuries."

Ascension was about to argue when Zest yelled from behind the SUV. "A news fan just turned the corner and they are coming our way!"

"Shit!" Brass cursed, digging a hand into his long hair in frustration and mussing it from it's ponytail.

Ascension didn't wait for Brass to make up his mind. He slid his arms beneath the female and, with the help of Wager who steadied him, got to his feet. Without a word, he carried the woman around the vehicle and climbed into his seat in the middle row. He settled the small female as best as he could on his lap, letting her dark head rest against his shoulder as he held her tight.

The other males piled in and Brass came around, urging a shaken Shane into the passenger seat so he could drive. The doors slammed shut and the SUV was off, it's pace calm as if nothing had happened.

"We need to get her medical assistance." Brass said from the front seat, not taking his eyes off the road.

"Why don't we take her to Medical at Homeland? They could handle whatever she needs there." Ascension pointed out, staring down at the bruised beauty in his arms.

Brass ground his teeth together and was about to shoot the idea down when Wager spoke up from the back seat. "Do you really want to drop off a battered female to the hospital with a news van trailing us? It won't look good no matter how Justice tries to spin it."

Brass growled, defeated by such sound logic. "All right, let's head home."

Ascension wasn't sure why but the tightness that had been gathering in his chest since he'd seen this woman in the headlights, a look of horror on her face, loosened and he took a deep breath. The air that filled his lungs was full of the aroma of warm woman and the distinct scent of her blood.