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Perseus chuckled. “Are you offering?” His grin only brightened as all three of my mates growled angrily at the insinuation.
“It was just a joke, wolves, we do not drink wolf blood,” he placated. “We have donors. Our hives care for us. This position is one of honor and we are not forgotten down here.”
“Sorry, it’s just all so new and curiosity got the best of me,” I admitted sheepishly. Who in their right mind wouldn’t be throwing question after question at these guys?! Real life vampires with vast knowledge of, well, everything, weren’t exactly commonplace. A girl has to ask questions as they come to her.
“Well, your questions are welcome, it’s been some time since we’ve had company. You’re welcome to join us here for a few days as we compare information and find you what you need,” Perseus presented as a peace offering.
“We appreciate the cooperation. We’re trying our best out there but our information is limited and the original alpha network is useless,” Callum said, letting some of his frustration fall free as he paced back and forth, hands waving as he spoke.
“That is our doing,” Ophir admitted. “The Grave Pack was getting a bit too out of hand and that was one way we could slow them. Alphas were giving far too much information out there and painting targets on their packs.”
“Then it was for the best,” Leven said. He sounded so disappointed and I couldn’t blame him. Wolves have always been seen as strong protectors, viscous and unyielding. Now we were learning our shortcomings and it was humbling to say the least.
“The Grave Pack is the one behind all this?” I questioned. It was strange to have a name to this ominous monster that’s been looming over us all. “What do you have on them?”
“Just as much as we have on the victims,” Ophir promised. He gestured for us to follow as he left the room and went across the hall. My steps faltered at the doorway and I had to take a bracing breath. My stomach churned with nerves because I knew whatever was pinned to those walls would be something I could never unsee.
“It’s not easy to look at,” Perseus confirmed my fears. “But it will get you closer to your answers.” His voice was soothing but it did little to calm my worries. No pretty words would save us from the horrors we’d be facing soon enough.
Someone’s hand landed on my shoulder, then two more joined. I closed my eyes and drew on their strength, letting it bolster my own. When I felt like I could face it, I finally opened my eyes and followed the vampires inside.
The room was similar to the other, but instead of victims it listed safe houses and packs the Grave Pack had overthrown. It was just as intricate and showed exactly how far their reach extended.
“If you knew where they were and what all they were guilty of, why have you done nothing?” Leven demanded angrily. His fists were clenched and with how the veins in his neck were bulging, he was holding back from lashing out.
Ophir’s calm facade fell away and he turned a deadly glare onto Leven.
“We are bound to these halls and cannot leave. Do not mistake our pledge as Keepers of the Archive as complacency, wolf,” he hissed. Wolf was said like a curse which had all of our hackles rising.
“Leven, these are friends,” I managed to get out and swallow down my own pride. “And I doubt they have done nothing.”
“You are correct,” Perseus said, jumping on the opportunity to smooth things over once more. “We have left hints, coordinates, you name it. But the allies we had are now overtaken, the hives are bound by treaties signed long ago, and the wolves who do know of the vampires are too prideful to ask for help.”
Leven’s anger faded. “Garren has spoken of the same. Apologies. It’s just hard to see our entire fucking species be overthrown by a dictator with a god complex.”
“It started small. Raids and overtaking smaller covens and packs to bolster their power, then the Grave Alpha became hungry for it. It escalated before many noticed. Then he found a coven,” Ophir explained. He picked up a binder from the bookshelf in the corner and opened it on the table for us to see. “The witches of the Easton Coven were some of the strongest in the country. They are descended from the witches of old. Legends were made from their familial lines.”
“How did he crush a coven so strong? That’s one thing that has bugged me endlessly about this whole mess. How did one wolf pack overtake a coven?” I asked. He smiled sadly and I braced myself.
“It only takes one successful infiltration. They were strong but lax in their security. The pack came in with a dark witch’s charms on their side. They took the Coven Mother and her daughters, and that was all it took for the devoted to follow and resist. Some fought but with their leader in danger they went willingly. If you are successful in fighting this, then just know you will have many allies on your side to avoid this in the future.”
“If we are successful then it will be the start of a new era. No more hiding,” Callum said vehemently. “We’ve proven that we are not stronger alone and pride is no way to keep your people safe.”
“Our own kind are just as guilty,” Perseus said sadly. “I hope you are right, my friend.”
“We have work to do,” Ophir said firmly. “We were already three steps ahead of you before you arrived. With extra eyes we can find everything you need. This war ends now. The abductions and death need to stop.”
ChapterThirteen
Vanya
We’d been sharing the archives with the vampires for two days now. Our days are filled with research, our nights full of speculation and the sharing of food and theories. So far we haven’t found anything too earth shattering.
“I’ve got food!” Nyx called out as he walked into the main library. Then his voice changed to hesitant. “And blood.”
The vampires had shown us a separate elevator that was hidden away in the storeroom of a local bookstore. It was their front and run by a fellow vampire. Vince was getting to know us at this point and always sent us back down with blood and supplies for the keepers.
Vince was a breath of fresh air in this city. He was always waiting with a smile and a flirtatious joke when I came up here. After having my nose in a stack of books for hours on end, it was refreshing. I could see why they kept him here. He had the suave, charming side to him with his black combed-back hair, bright, cocky smile, and impeccable style, but power radiated from the man as well.
