“Whatever happens, we’ll make sure you’re safe. That’s all that matters. You’ll be safe and she’ll be gone.”
“But with a mole on the inside, how can we plan anything successfully?” It seemed like a stupid idea. Planning anything, not that I had a clue of what was being planned, while we knew someone could sneak out and run and tell Audrey everything seemed like a total waste of time.
“We still have the upper hand in being able to destroy her, Ariya. Let us worry about the details. You just remember to listen to us, which will be hard enough to accomplish with you,” Nick touched my shoulder as he spoke and smiled.
“Yes, sir,” I teased back.
Turning my gaze out the window, I watched the descending darkness of the night cloak our surroundings and us, I’m sure, as well. The ride was quiet. Everyone seemed lost in their own thoughts. James and Nick were most likely considering different strategies and Riley was fast asleep with his headphones on. I smiled, thinking that he could hopefully soon be able to move on with his life. Caroline’s thoughts, I’m sure, were consumed with worry about me, and how she and I could successfully hide our mission from the boys. As for me, I was merely wondering how it would end.
It was ending, after all. My whole life and all of my heart-wrenching decisions about James meant nothing really since none of it mattered. I wouldn’t survive my final face-off with Audrey. Whenever that was, it would be the end for me. It could be a week from now or many months from now. As much as I preferred a few more months to spend with the people I loved, I wondered how much damage Audrey could do in that amount of time. The safest thing for everyone, especially my friends and family, was for me to promptly dispatch her. Permanently.
After another fifteen minutes, the car slowed. “We’re here,” James announced before getting out and walking to my side of the car. He opened the door gracefully, offering his hand and helping me out.
My eyes hadn’t fully adjusted to the blackness and I grabbed onto his hand. I felt his body moving closer to mine before his lips touched my forehead and he directed my body toward where he wanted me to walk. His hand remained in mine.
My eyes began to slowly adjust until I could take in more of my surroundings. There wasn’t much to take in though, just an abandoned building directly in front of me. It seemed to be a barn of some sort.
James pulled one side of the double doors back and it made a dull, scratching noise against the cement surface below. I shuffled inside, going past him and heard the door close behind us. More rustling and dull noises sounded around me before I finally saw a light. James managed to open a creaky door built right into the floor and the light from below shone up to where we were standing.
“Here we are,” he announced as he propped the door open. “Close it behind you, Nick.”
Nick nodded and the entire group of us descended down the flight of stairs. I walked into what looked like a massive fallout shelter. A group of men sat around the space. There was a small table, but most were sitting separately in random areas on the sides, having separate conversations, and seemingly waiting for something. Maybe us.
I noticed Marik and Lukas standing away from most of the others, in their own conversation.
“Where are we?” I asked, leaning back towards James.
“This was built near your home in case of emergency situations for Protectors. The group that was invited here is sort of a vampire council. They make up the highest form of law and order that exists for our kind. They have to be consulted before any major decisions are enacted that could affect anyone beyond the Protectors, and those we endeavor to protect.”
“I thought your family was in charge of everything,” I said, surprised at the amount of people collected here.
“Over time, we developed a democracy, I guess. While we are strictly in charge of the Protectors, there are other vampires that roam the world, as you’ve seen. We all have to abide by some sort of universal law to keep things safe. At least, the civil ones of our species do. Not many wanted to take the word of a rumored magical bloodline as law,” he smirked in conclusion.
“How often have you all come together like this?” I asked, still amazed at how little I knew about James’s bizarre world.
“Once. The night after your grandmother was killed,” he stated firmly, as if to end the discussion. Maybe I’d hear more about that later. Then again, maybe not.
“Why are they all gathered here now then?” I persisted.
“I called for this meeting, Ariya. It’s the only logical next step. We’re must discuss the prospect of going to war.”
“War?” I repeated, shocked. My response elicited Marik’s attention.
“James. Nicholas. Caroline,” Marik said, welcoming each of the Protectors. “Ariya,” he nodded to me a moment later before his eyes passed over Riley without even a cordial hello.
I turned away, trying to ignore him. My mind was still reeling from everything with my dad. I couldn’t quite process anything that was Marik-related yet. Including my hatred towards him.
“James, you assembled all of us for this meeting. What could possibly be so critical that we all needed to meet here?” Lukas’s voice echoed in the room and Marik focused his laser-like stare directly on James.
This must’ve looked bad to the rest of the group: James having information that Marik wasn’t aware of. Lukas’s tone was sure and cocky, as if James couldn’t possibly have obtained any information worthwhile or important enough to warrant a meeting like this. The look on Marik’s face was not as confident as Lukas. He obviously knew we were withholding information. Something big too. He just didn’t know what.
Oh, boy, here we go. I gulped.
“We’ve ignored the wolves long enough. As many of you have most likely already heard, they’re willingly and openly attacking innocent lives. Our laws are clear about this crime and we are bound and determined to seek fair punishment and retribution.” James’s voice remained even and his face was devoid of emotion. I had no idea how he could manage to remain so composed while virtually raising the option of an actual war. What could a war between supernatural beings even look like?
“Yes, James. We are currently gathering evidence from the victim and the crime scene at the home to identify and track the wolves responsible for this heinous offense. We fully intend to hold them accountable, and more specifically, identify the wolf that actually was responsible for the bite. We will seek the prescribed punishment to its fullest and harshest extent,” Marik said, trying to calm the others into thinking everything was under control.
“How did the wolf get past our Protectors? Does it concern no one that highly trained Protectors were so easily defeated without any signs of a struggle?” James demanded.
“Highly trained,” Marik scoffed. “They were all a bit young, even if they were well trained,” Marik replied, trying to diminish James’s comment as if it weren’t important.
“Youth had nothing to do with their ability. The wolves, and the intentional lack of any prints left behind, create a problem. Our most highly trained Protectors would have surely struggled and still, most likely been unsuccessful.”
“That’s your opinion, James. Not a fact.”
“Sir, it’s not. If it had been you…”
“And why wasn’t it me, James? Why weren’t Lukas and myself present, as we normally are? Hmm? Shall we discuss that topic with the council?”
There was rustling and shifting around as the other members in the room watched the argument, uncomfortably.
“No?” Marik paused. “I’ll tell them. Because you broke all protocol and ran off on a mission not assigned to you by me, or any of the Protectors for that matter. A mission that not only ended up putting our own in grievous danger, but one that yielded absolutely nothing relevant. You took a Protectee out of the country, ceasing all communications with base, and subjected many more people to danger than necessary. Your reckless actions are the primary reason the victim got injured. Your actions ar
e also the sole reason our brothers were killed.” Marik sternly pointed a finger at James to make his point.
“My actions are also the reason we will have a significant edge in this war,” James replied, maintaining his composure and unblemished dignity. Not even for a moment did he show any disrespect or take Marik’s bait by losing his temper.
“War? There is no war. You must be under some kind of delusion that these attacks of late are the direct result of an evil force. It’s merely the result of rogue wolves who will be tracked down and properly handled. Whether it concerns us or not, declaring war isn’t an option.” Marik’s composure began to falter and his voice sounded more like that of a scolding father than an unbiased leader.
“Marik, let him speak,” a white-haired gentlemen interjected forcibly as he emerged from a dark corner and addressed Marik. The entire atmosphere shifted. Whoever this vampire might have been, his very presence was commanding. All of the vampires and Protectors in the room lowered their eyes and no one dared to look directly at this man. It was either a reaction from fear or respect. I wasn’t quite sure which one.
Caroline leaned over and whispered in my ear, “That’s Roland. He’s basically a renowned judge in our world. His decision on disputes is final and ranks above even Marik’s. However, there has never been a reason for him to give a decision involving Protectors before.” She pulled away from my ear quickly and I realized the others probably heard what she said. She trained her eyes on the ground in front of her.
“Thank you, sir.” James acknowledged Roland with a small bow before continuing. “As many of you know, the Protectee, Ariya Adams, was recently kidnapped. There have been many incidents in which the wolves managed to get close to her. Emma, a previous Protectee, was working with them and after some coaxing, she leaked the intel regarding the person from whom she received her orders.”
James paused and looked over to where Caroline, Nick, Riley and I were sitting. I nearly held my breath. We were getting so close to the heart of the problem. The Protectors didn’t have any answers about the attacks. James did, however, and the recognition on the faces of those in the room was becoming more than just apparent, even to me. They knew something was about to unfold before them, something that wouldn’t be expected.
“What Emma divulged was nearly impossible to believe so we decided to try to find the answers by ourselves. We didn’t work fast enough before Ariya was kidnapped and although we managed to get the help we required in order to get her back, what Emma said was confirmed.” James paused again, his composure broken as he struggled to explain the rest. I stared right at him and he turned to meet my eyes. He addressed the room while watching me, hopefully gaining the strength I was trying to telepathically send him. I couldn’t imagine how he felt saying this in front of Marik.
“The wolves are not operating as a unit within themselves. They are operating exclusively under the direction, approval and will of Audrey Rymer.”
Marik’s face hardened. Loud murmurs and rumblings began throughout the small space below the abandoned barn.
“Audrey isn’t human,” James continued. “We have since learned that Ivan Ylva was murdered by Audrey in a desperate effort to gain his power. She has been planning this for quite some time and has become more powerful than you can imagine. She has one goal: to abduct Ariya and exploit her to gain domination of not just Protectors, but the greater world as well. She is psychopathically delusional and very dangerous.”
“How could she do that?”
“When would she have been able to…?”
“How do you know this information? It’s utterly impossible.” A variety of vampires began chiming in and dozens of questions were being voiced from all over the room.
“We have been researching and…”
“How long have you known?” Marik’s voice boomed across the room.
James’s head bowed for a minute; perhaps he was feeling the weight of his news and what it must have been doing to Marik. As many issues as I had with Marik, I couldn’t imagine what this news must have been like for him.
“We’ve known since Emma died.” Nick responded this time, stepping forward, perhaps in an effort to show James some support. Up until then, it seemed like James was running against all of them.
“How much grief could we have prevented if you had only been honest with us, James?” Marik’s tone was cold and calculating. Once again, he was trying to turn James’s actions into wrongdoings, at least, in the eyes of the council.
“Nothing. We could have prevented nothing! We know what we have to do in order to defeat her, but it means war. There is no other option. Audrey plans to annihilate us. All of us. There isn’t anything we can do to stop that. What we can do is be ready for her. But first, we must be unified,” James begged the council.
“How can you stop her now? If she’s become so powerful? If she has the powers of Ivan, she will be virtually indestructible.” A vampire I hadn’t recognized inquired.
“Leave that to us and trust us. We can accomplish this task.” James commanded the room now, and he began his pitch to allow only Nick and him to control what would happen next.
“You’re asking us to put a lot of faith in someone who has been wild and unruly in the past, James Rymer. This is unprecedented! Asking us to just sit back and let you do whatever you like, despite former accusations that would have dire consequences on us all, is a difficult thing to request of any of us,“ Roland replied.
“With all due respect, sir, I don’t trust anyone outside of those four in the corner. I won’t risk Ariya’s life by letting a group of vampires who haven’t seen battle or defensive actions in years feel better about their decision to trust me, when they should have trusted me already.” James finally made eye contact with Roland and the old man watched him closely, taking in the moment.
“You can’t expect me to allow you to operate without prior knowledge of what your plan is. That’s not how we’ve been set up to function. Whatever your issues are with trusting the rest of the group, you’ll have to put them aside, if only temporarily,” Marik said.
It sounded almost as though he felt defeated, and sad maybe. His tone wasn’t harsh or scolding as it was earlier. Perhaps he realized how hard this was on James. That would indirectly imply he had a heart though and most of my interactions with him said otherwise. Plus, he could still be our traitor.
“Sir, I cannot put her in danger or take any chances. I can’t,” James’s eyes and body language revealed to everyone in the room what he meant. He couldn’t lose me. He was standing up to the entire organization for me!
Marik’s features remained stoic as he spoke, “James, a word please. Excuse me, gentlemen.”
I doubt it was good for James to basically admit any feelings for me. Yet he didn’t announce too much, although the tone of the conversation made it clear that he was more than just a Protector to me.
James and Marik stood in a far corner as the other vampires began speaking and stirring. Whispering amongst each other, they were all shaking their heads. Roland remained seated overseeing the crowd’s response. His eyes traveled from where I was sitting over to Marik and James, and then he glanced at the rest of the room. His wrinkled hands stayed folded in front of his face. He looked like a painting, sitting so still and unmoving.
Marik and James finished their conversation, causing the group to rustle back into place and quiet down.
“James has convinced me that the new course of action he suggests is the best one to take at this time in order to ensure the continued safety of Ariya, and the bloodline. As a result, I must stand beside him and agree that a war is inevitable. Audrey Rymer knows more about this organization and our laws than anyone else and she will use that to her own advantage. I feel that we need to prepare immediately for the possibility that she will attack and soon. We must be ready.” Marik’s speech was short and his eyes rested on Roland the entire time.
“As you wish,” Roland nodded without givin
g it more than a moment’s thought. It seemed strange that a man so full of questions only moments ago suddenly agreed to go to war with no real evidence being presented. He rose from his seated position. “Proceed as you must. But no one should be asked to assist who does not willingly volunteer to risk their lives. At this time, it seems to be an issue that stems from your bloodlines. It may not, however, actually extend to the rest of us.”
His graceful form moved from where he was seated over to the exit. All the vampires rose up on their feet, heads bowed, and were silent as he left and disappeared above ground.
The moment he was gone, the collective buzz started up again. The voices were overwhelming. Everyone kept trying to talk over the other without listening to what each other was saying. James walked over and leaned down, whispering something to Caroline. His eyes met mine as Caroline rose, taking my arm in hers.
“Ariya, Riley, let’s go upstairs for a little bit.”
We exited the war room, for lack of a better term, and Caroline closed the door behind us.
“Will they be very long?” I asked.
“Perhaps. James won’t keep you out here for too long. He and Nick are extremely convincing and experienced in these situations. The two of them are also very respected as far as their skills and strategy go. Their opinions will be valued for the fight.” She glanced back towards the door and spoke with unmasked pride in her voice about Nick. I smiled.
“Maybe since Marik is on James’s side now, things will be easier.”
“That wasn’t what I expected. I’m not sure what James could have said to convince him of anything,” Caroline responded thoughtfully.
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