Page 21 of Blood Match
Bullshit!
I push the thought away. Fear is a luxury I can’t afford, not with Lucien’s plans looming on the horizon, threatening to unbalance the tenuous relationship we have with humans.
But the fear persists, a nagging whisper in the back of my mind. What if this is just the beginning? What if the voice comes back? What if it gets worse?
What if I’m going mad?
I turn away from my reflection, shaking the uncertainty away. I need answers. I need to understand what’s happening to me. But where do I even begin? Who can I trust with this information? Marcus, certainly. But beyond him?
“Darick?” As if my thoughts have conjured him up, my friend emerges from the shadows.
I turn to face Marcus, his expression grim. The urgency in his eyes tells me this isn’t a social call.
“What is it?” I ask, my voice low and tense.
Marcus glances around, ensuring we’re alone before speaking. “I’ve been digging into Lucien’s activities, as you asked. Darick, it’s worse than we thought.”
The chill that touches me is colder than the night air. “Tell me.”
“He’s planning an attack. Tonight.”
“Tonight?” I can’t keep the surprise out of my voice. I’ve expected this, but not so soon. Then again, it shouldn’t surprise me. If Lucien was ready to raise his plans at our Assembly, he must have been planning this for a while.
“Yes.” Marcus nods. “On a gathering of witches – some sort of spiritual ritual.”
“Fuck,” I hiss. This is exactly what I’ve been afraid of. Lucien’s always been ruthless, but this? A brazen attack on a large group? This is going to draw the worst kind of attention. “How sure are you about this?”
Marcus’s jaw tightens. “Very. My source is reliable, and the intel checks out. Lucien’s gathered his most loyal followers. They’re armed and ready.”
My mind races as I decide what needs to be done. “We can’t let this happen, Marcus. If Lucien attacks a witch gathering, it’ll spark a conflict we might not be able to contain.”
“I know,” Marcus says, his eyes following my restless movement. “That’s why I came to you immediately. We need to act fast.”
I stop, turning to face him. “What else do you know? Where is this gathering taking place?”
Marcus pulls out his phone, opening up an app. “Here,” he says, pointing to a map on the screen. It shows a nearby forest. “It’s a sacred grove the witches use for ceremonies. My source couldn’t give me specifics on the event, but apparently, it’s significant. There will be a lot of witches there.”
I study the location. I know the area – an old, dense part of the forest, perfect for secretive gatherings. And for ambushes. The thought makes my blood boil.
“How long do we have?” I ask, already formulating a plan.
“Not long. An hour, maybe two at most.” Marcus’s voice is tight with tension.
I straighten up, decision made. “We need to move now. Gather a small team – our best warriors. We don’t have time to put together a large enough contingent to match Lucien’s numbers, but we can outmaneuver him.”
Marcus nods, already turning to leave. “I’ll assemble the team. Meet you out front in ten minutes.”
As he disappears into the darkness, I take a deep breath, centering myself. The tranquility of the garden feels like a distant memory now. War is coming, and I’m about to throw myself right into the middle of it.
I rush back to the mansion, my mind racing. Weapons, strategy, potential outcomes – a thousand thoughts clamor for attention. But beneath it all, a singular purpose drives me forward: we must stop Lucien.
In my chambers, I quickly change into dark, flexible clothing suitable for combat. I strap on my weapons – a combination of ancient and modern, much like myself – then I make my way quickly out of the building.
I meet Marcus and our team in the courtyard. Five of our best fighters, each looking prepared and determined.
Good.
We’ll need every ounce of skill and determination tonight.