"You know this is stupid right?"
Aries said once again as we made our way towards the police station on foot.
"You didn't have to come." I mutter shoving my hands into my coat pockets.
"Oh you know I had too. If I didn't then you would stay out all night and miss our first day of school tomorrow."
"You're serious about this school thing, huh."
Who knew?
I saw him shrug from the corner of my eye.
"I like feeling normal Mira. It's fun to do teenage things like go to the movies or hang out."
I winced. At both the name and whatever he is complaining about. The only person who used that nickname is gone.
"I'm not stopping you from doing those things."
He sighed. "So why are we breaking into the police department?"
"They have files I need. Some lazy ass has them documented in the online inventory but hasn't uploaded the actual files."
"Ah, the hard life of a professional hacker." He snickered.
"Ass." I laugh too. He's funny.
As the twins continued on their way, bickering and whatnot, they didn't happen to notice that they were being watched.
"Quinn! I found her! I found the Reaper!"
Cheered the newest fledgling.
If someone were to look into the trees off to the side of the main road they would see a girl no older than 10 with large pig tails jumping up and down on a not so sturdy tree branch.
She spoke out loud, still not comprehending that the link that connected everyone in the nest together was completely through telepathy so she had no reason speaking out especially when she needed to stay quiet unless she wanted to lose her head to the Reaper.
"That's great Asami. Good job."
Quinn's congratulated her. But something was off.
"Are you okay Quinn?" She asked frowning. This wasn't the Quinn she's use to. He's too nice.
"I am perfectly fine Asami. Why don't you return now, I have a reward for your hard work."
Her frown deepened. Something was seriously not okay. Quinn never offered rewards.
"And Asami."
"Yes?"
"Get the others after your done and meet back here ASAP. I have a surprise."
Asami saluted even though she wasn't standing in front of him.
"Yes sir."
Quinn's head snapped back.
"You're going to pay Djamphir!" He hissed. His pearly whites lengthening. His red eyes glowed in the dark space.
"How dare you use me? What sorcery was that! Tell me!" Quinn Struggled against the silver shackles.
Male laughter echoed throughout the condemned underground parking complex.
"It's just a small talent I perfected through the years." Mathias grinned reaching into his coats inside pocket and produced silver and steel alloy knuckles.
"We have a few minutes before the others arrive."
Quinn hissed again. "So why don't you tell me about the Reaper?"
"Quinn!" Asami yelled jogging down the stairs to the lower levels in which they called home.
"Why are you worried Asami?" Travis laughed. "You are overreacting. Quinn's fiiine."
Asami pouted. "You didn't hear him." More laughter. "Guys I'm serious!" She stomped her foot.
Selena and Fiona awed in the back. "So cuuute!"
The older vampires stayed silent, watching the young ones. A female with long matted hair and grey eyes sniffed the air and growled in disbelief. Then turned to her young ward.
"John, report to her majesty. The whiny one is onto something. This stinks of a set up." Ophelia commanded her fledgling. The boy nodded. Yes milady.
"Are you all stupid?" Asami sighed. "Whatever. Quinn still called so we have to answer."
Half of the nest entered the debris of a level cave in.
The older vampires waited. "Are you certain it was smart to send John?" Lucas asked. Ophelia looked from the other vampire back to the entrance. "Yes. Besides that boy is useless in a fight."
And I don't want him to die here. She thought to herself.
Vincent snorted. "How do you know there is going to be a fight?"
She glared at him. "You doubt me?"
Because she knew this scent. Sure it's been years but time has not erased his smell of death and decay. Nor has she forgotten what he had done all those years ago.
"Quiiiiiiinn!" They heard Asami scream. There were other shouts and screams emanating from inside but they all ended in silence. Ophelia could smell the corroding blood of those who had just fallen.
"Told you." Ophelia grinned cracking her neck. She has looked forward to this fight for decades.
Footsteps echoed towards the hole from the inside.
"Attack." Ophelia laughed shooting towards the entrance. The others followed her in.
But none came out.
"Ophelia you have looked better." The Djamphir raised the vampires chin with the flat part of the blade. The vampire chuckled then chocked on blood. "Can't say the same for you. That powder shit you used blinded me." She wiped her mouth with the stump were her hand use to be.
"Tell me one thing before I die? What happened to those people in Roanoke?"
"They weren't people anymore. Just like you aren't."
"Please! Tell me about my little girl!" Ophelia coughed. "Did she meet the sun with everyone else?"
"Goodbye Ophelia."
She raised her head baring her fangs.
"Bastard! In the next life we shall meet again and I shall have revenge."
The blade was removed from her throat.
"Not likely."
He swung. Her head detached from her neck rolling away already turning to dust. That just showed how long she has walked the earth in that damned state.
He sighed sheathing the blade on the straps crisscrossing his chest. Then he walked out from the darkness into the light.
That sucker gave him what he suspected was everything he needed to know.
But Mathias couldn't understand how a hunter's child could attract so much of the Council's attention. Or why Reynard thinks it concerns him.