"Isadore is very interested in our plan to free William. She asked to come with us and offered herself as a guinea pig. I was inclined to say no but she argued enough to convince me otherwise. I think she wants to meet Corvinus as well." Lucian was the one who finally broke the silence.
"Are you sure it's safe to involve her Lucian? She hasn't fought in a very long time." Raze sounded doubtful but as beta it was his duty to worry about the safety of the pack. He was responsible for security measures and Isadore would require the same level of consideration as Lucian.
"Don't be absurd, Raze. She's been fighting every minute of her life. Not every struggle has to be physical. And I want my Lycans to be the majority at the fortress so the more the better. I'd bring even more of us if I thought Corvinus would agree to it."
Lucian wasn't looking at either of them but instead kept his eyes trained on the road leading up to the building. Singe knew exactly what his alpha meant. Isadore was in charge of the main Sanctuary. She was responsible for not only the lives of the Lycans there but those in every Sanctuary. It was a struggle for her not to be out in the field taking on the vampires personally.
Just as Singe sometimes felt inadequate even though his scientific abilities were useful to the Pack, Isadore likely felt useless for staying on the sidelines even though her role was just as important. The next generation of Lycans needed to be protected and they needed planning to keep them safe and discipline to keep them in line so they wouldn't reveal their presence through some foolish mistake.
Isadore was alpha enough to act as the leader to the "civilian" population of Lycans in a way that Lucian often couldn't because his mind and purpose was focused on his master plan to end the war. To some Lycans in countries that were farther away or more remote from the war, Lucian was almost regarded as more of a legend than a real being but Isadore made her presence known through the warriors she trained and the influence she had over the younger generations.
There were females who fought with the other operatives but they were far fewer in numbers than the males. Modern humans might see Lycan society as sexist but in fact, there were no rules restricting a female from fighting except when she was pregnant or nursing. It was simply easier for Lucian to recruit new Lycans from among disillusioned men and females who had been raised in the Sanctuaries and likely never left them were less inclined to want to go out and fight.
That was true of some males too and there were other roles for them as well. Lucian didn't want anyone by his side who didn't want to be there. Although, the females sometimes made better operatives because the vampires were more used to looking for scruffy men rather than women.
They had been waiting nearly thirty minutes before Raze spotted the small car approaching up the hill. He loped down to meet it just to make sure it was really Isadore and not an intruder while Lucian and Singe stayed behind to wait for them. When Raze opened the gate and waved the car through, they knew it was safe and came forward.
Two women emerged from the car, each with a bag under their arm. Lycans learned to travel light and there was no other luggage with them. Singe was startled to see that the other woman was Greta but from the determined look on her face, she was here to see her husband and no one had better be foolish enough to try and stop her.
"Lucian." Both women bowed their heads briefly to their alpha but Greta's eyes were already on the doorway hoping for a glimpse of the mate she hadn't seen in two decades.
"Isadore. Greta. You may go in if you want. I'm sure Anton will be happy to see you." Greta took off like a shot and was gone through the doorway without a word.
"I hope this isn't a problem. I told her Anton had been freed and she insisted on coming along. I didn't see any reason to refuse her."
"No. I'm glad she came. Anton still has some adjusting to do and seeing her again should help. Why don't we go inside and meet the others?"
"How many vampires do I have to put up with while I'm here?" Isadore was sniffing the air and wrinkling her noise in distaste at the heavy scent of vampires over laden with the tracks of multiple Lycans.
"There are currently five in the building as well as Michael who is a hybrid like me. Marcus is out at the moment. There are also six humans including Alexander Corvinus in the building. I expect you'll be at least polite since I don't expect you to be friendly."
"I won't kill them or provoke a fight but I think that may be the extant of my politeness." Lucian actually chuckled at the comment and indicated for her to go inside. Singe bowed his head as she passed but she merely smiled at him. Her thoughts were elsewhere as she mentally prepared herself for meeting with Bloods in a peaceful manner.
Lucian led the way as the three of them escorted her to the meeting room. It was empty except for Tanis who had a particularly old book out on the table and was studying the tiny, cramped script that filled its pages. He looked up as they came in and then put his head down and ignored them all. Obviously, he was still holding a grudge, one he was going to have to get over if he wanted any part in this historic gathering.
Isadore merely sneered slightly. She wasn't impressed by the vampire historian. He was the first vampire she'd seen in person in over two hundred years but he wasn't much of a physical threat. Lucian sent Raze to bring the others back here for another talk. Singe was going to be glad when the talking was over and he actually had the chance to be helpful by beginning his study of William.
It took a while for everyone to trickle in and Lucian waited until they were all present before beginning introductions. Singe watched Isadore's face as each member of the expedition came in. She smiled at each of the Lycans but her face went blank as Erika, Selene, and Michael entered. Michael seemed to interest her but only slightly. As a hybrid, his scent was unique and he was different than Lucian who smelled more of Lycans with an overtone of vampire so she obviously had some interest in the young man who had allowed them to finally create a hybrid.
When Corvinus and his guards entered, her expression changed to one of fascination briefly before she schooled her features into neutrality. Corvinus didn't seem all that interested in her as he took a seat again. He looked bored. Singe had seen a similar expression on Lucian's face when he was waiting to hear the results of a particular endeavor. It meant he was waiting to start the next stage but couldn't act without confirmation of success or failure.
It was interesting that Corvinus seemed impatient to start helping William when his son had been imprisoned for so many centuries. A few more days or weeks of captivity wouldn't matter now. Anton and Greta walked in, wrapped around each other like they couldn't bear to let go. Anton looked dazed as they took a seat on the bench against the wall where they could remain together.
"I would like to introduce Isadore and this is Anton's wife Greta. Isadore will be joining our little expedition." Lucian introduced everyone very briefly and Corvinus's soldiers were referred to merely as his men rather than getting individual names. They didn't look put out by this.
"I'm glad you're here so we can finally get under way. I don't imagine that finding a cure will happen over night but the quicker we get there the better."
"Treatment might be a better word than 'cure.' You know we can't promise anything." Lucian reminded him.
"Yes, I know but I have confidence that modern science will be able to do what any numbers of witch doctors, shamans, and quacks have not." Corvinus raised an eyebrow at Singe's startled expression. "I did tell you all that I tried to help both my sons, did I not? I've gone all over the world investigating possible cures even when they supposedly involved something as ludicrous as magic. I should have known that the only possible answer for their affliction is science."
"We'll see. Are you still planning on leaving tonight?"
"Yes. I have helicopters standing by that will bring us straight to the prison. Unless you have more visitors arriving or some objection?"
"No. Tonight will be fine."
"Then if there's nothing else, we'll see you tonight." Corvinus stood up and left rather abruptly followed by his soldiers. Apparently, the immortal didn't want to spend any more time with them then he had to.
"Lucian, I'd like to come along. I've spent enough time apart from my husband. Do you think Corvinus will mind one more?" It would have been rude for Greta to ask in front of Corvinus as it would have put Lucian on the spot but now that he had made his abrupt withdrawal, she felt free to speak her mind.
"I don't see why not as long as there's room." Lucian sounded pleased with himself. His Lycans were going to be the majority by far at the prison which was exactly the way he wanted it.
"Thank you, Lucian." Anton said. He kept looking at his wife as though she might disappear if he turned away. Although, going to a prison in the middle of nowhere to try and contain a powerful, dangerous beast didn't sound particularly conducive to marital bliss.
The day seemed to fly by for Singe. He busied himself packing up his few belongings again and reading through several of Tanis's books for any reference he could find to William or the prison. Lucian sent Dmitri and Karl out for supplies both for the fortress and the prison. Corvinus might have planned out the scientific aspects of the supplies but he probably underestimated the amount of food this many Lycans were going to need.
By the time the sun began to set, there was a palpable air of purpose in the air. Everyone was excited and on edge and it made the Lycans especially tense. The supplies were already packed into the three trucks that would carry the assorted team members to a private airport where they would be loaded onto the helicopters. Apparently, Corvinus had upped the amount of copters to four in order to accommodate all of them and the supplies. He didn't seem to care that Greta was coming along as well and was clearly preoccupied as they all gathered in the courtyard to say their goodbyes.
Dmitri, Bela, and Stan were staying at the fortress along with Miller. If Tanis was upset to have his home taken over by armed men, he wisely kept his opinion to himself. There wasn't much of a good-bye as they'd already received their instructions. Lucian shook Dmitri's hand and then they all got into their respective vehicles and pulled away.
Singe stared out the window at the dark woods as they headed for the airport. While he felt a certain amount of nervousness over the many unknowns they were heading into, he couldn't help but feel a growing sense of excitement as well. Studying and possibly helping William might just be the culmination of his life's work, even more so than creating the three hybrids.
William was the oldest of the Lycans, the ancestor of all of them. Not only would it be extremely revealing and fascinating to study his biology but Singe's findings might lead to benefits for his people. From what he'd read, William was stronger and faster than modern Lycans. What if that strength and speed could be transferred to other Lycans without the unfortunate side effect of lapsing into an animalistic mindset? It would give the Lycans a huge advantage over the vampires.
It wasn't that Singe doubted Lucian's ability to make peace. His alpha was the most intelligent, charismatic, and forceful person he'd ever met. If there was any way to end the war, Lucian would find it no matter what methods he had to employ.
It was just that he himself didn't trust the vampires in the long term and any thing that benefited his kind had to be considered a positive. Even if their respective leaders declared an end to hostilities, there was still a long history of hatred between the two groups and there were plenty of scores that still needed to be settled. There would probably still be skirmishes now and then and who could say whether any negotiated truce would last for eternity or merely a couple of centuries?
Whatever happened, Singe's loyalty was to the Pack. He didn't consider it treasonous to want to protect his fellow Lycans. Lucian would probably approve if the scientist had ever voiced his opinion out loud. It was all a matter of keeping the upper hand even in secret.
The ride to the airport near the docks didn't take very long. By the time they emerged from the car, Corvinus and his men along with a small army of others were moving the supplies into one of the Lynx helicopters that were standing by for the flight to William's prison.
The Lycans, vampires, and hybrids moved towards the copters aware that many of Corvinus's soldiers were carefully watching them with their weapons at the ready. They obviously were not taking the immortal creatures lightly despite their leader's supposed alliance. It was a sound tactic and more proof that Corvinus's men shouldn't be underestimated despite being mere humans.
It felt odd to Singe to be this close to so many humans. He rarely left his lab and other than test subjects; it had been decades since he'd been in the presence of crowds of humans. Still, while he kept an eye on them the same as the others, he didn't feel all that threatened. If Corvinus wanted them dead then it would have happened by now and none of these men and women would open fire without good cause.
Of course, if Marcus chose this moment to come swooping down from the skies then there was always the chance of conflict. The thought made him cast a wary glance upwards but there was no sign of the hybrid. Some of the soldiers were looking upward too. Obviously they were aware of the possibility of attack from above.
The air smelled of oil and metal mixed with the hint of salt air from the nearby docks. It was unlikely that the Lycans would be able to smell an intruder approaching unless the wind was in their favor. It wasn't just Marcus they had to worry about. There was always the slight possibility that there were vampires in the area. The covens were supposed to be on lockdown but there could be a patrol who hadn't received the call to return yet or even one on their way back who decided to investigate the commotion occurring at such an odd hour.
Still, Corvinus had managed to evade detection all this time so he obviously knew what he was doing. Singe climbed into the copter behind Raze with a sense of relief. He didn't mind flying and could tolerate it more than some of the older Lycans who saw it as unnatural. Which was rather amusing coming from beings that could shapeshift. Also, Lycans tended to dislike small, closed-in spaces where their wolf might feel trapped but that was a feeling that could be ignored for the relatively short ride to Romania.
Singe would just be happier when they were in the air and especially when they landed. The urge to examine William and start studying his unique genetic qualities was growing with every step forward. It felt good to actually be doing something and to have a plan rather than just moving from place to place while the situation kept changing around them.
They would likely be at the prison for quite some time and all his attention would be focused on the problem at hand. He could forget all the power plays and the fear of discovery and just worry about unraveling the mystery of his Lycan ancestors. Lucian and Raze would probably have to remind him to eat and rest as he tended to get obsessive when he was tackling a new puzzle.
The blades began to whirl once everyone was secure and in short order they lifted off. Lucian, Raze, and Isadore were in the copter with him and Isadore seemed nervous. He doubted she had ever flown before. She had her eyes closed and was taking small, slow breaths as she tried to control the feeling of panic. Without a word, Lucian took her hand in his and squeezed it which made her smile slightly without opening her eyes.
Singe was always fascinated by how different the world looked from this high up. There was little to see at this time of night but they could see lights from the human towns as they passed over them. How small and isolated they all looked even though there were far more of them then any of the vampire or Lycan communities. He didn't miss his life as a human. Both his research and his abilities as a Lycan were far more interesting and useful than anything he'd been able to achieve as a mortal.
The four helicopters flew in a rough line as they passed over the border into Romania. They would land one at a time, unload, and then leave for the next one to arrive. There was only so much room at the site and it would be harder at night so they'd decided this was the best solution even though it meant the first group on the ground would be alone and vulnerable until the second one arrived.
Corvinus had sent in his soldiers first. They would secure the perimeter and make sure the landing was safe for the rest of them. The one that Singe was in would land third after the Lycan soldiers in the second one had established a perimeter of their own. The fourth copter carried Corvinus, Selene, Michael, Erika, and Dr. Jablonksi who would not be allowed to land unless both sets of guards agreed it was safe.
Their aircraft got word that they were approaching the prison. The soldiers had already landed and the second party was setting down now. He stared out the window but all that could be seen of the building was a dark outline that was nearly lost among the dark mountain peaks. The soldiers had made a small ring of flares to make the landing site easier to see but their light revealed nothing of the building itself, only a flat plain of paved stones.
Singe couldn't see the Lycans who had embarked from the second copter but he knew what they would be doing. Half of them would be shifting and loping out past the soldiers to sniff around for danger. The other half would form a smaller ring around the landing site to protect the alphas when they emerged. The second chopper took off and then it was their turn.
He didn't feel nervous at all as the helicopter landed and they piled out of it. The waiting soldiers quickly unloaded the gear from the back and piled it to the side. Singe didn't have time to take note of his surroundings as he was hustled along with the others off the landing pad and out of the way so their transport could depart.
The silence after it left seemed very deep. Everything was still and black around them. Other than the flares, the humans had lights attached to their rifles but they didn't penetrate far into the blackness. Marcus could have been ten feet away and they wouldn't see him. Although, some of the humans were equipped with infrared sensors in their goggles and they didn't seem to be alarmed.
A Lycan in his wolfen form loped over to Lucian and saluted clumsily with one huge, clawed hand. Karl shifted back and crouched naked by the four of them. He looked a little spooked but this place was very strange so far so it wasn't surprising.
"Sir, we haven't seen any sign of Marcus yet. This place smellls like vampires but nothing recent. I think they haven't been here in a very long time. But there's another odor by some of the sealed entrances that isn't like anything I've ever smelled before. It's like a Lycan but different somehow. I can't really describe it."
"That's fine. How many entrances are there?"
"We've found two but they're both sealed. One is a large, double door at the front of the structure and the other is a small recess on the east side with a door that looks like a servant's entrance. Anton and Greta are still scouting out the other side."
"Very well. Tell me if you find anything else." Karl saluted again, shifted effortlessly, and ran on all fours back towards the building. Lucian preferred more formality from his underlings in situations like this where it was important for him to look every bit the leader of an entire population of immortals.
The fourth helicoptor touched down and everyone tensed. If an attack came it would likely be when Corvinus emerged far enough from the rotating blades to be vulnerable. Selene and Michael walked out followed by Alexander and then Erika. The three of them seemed to be acting as a protective guard for the older man. Selene had her gun out and she scanned the darkness as intently as the rest of them.
The Lycans completed the circuit of the building and came back to report that they'd found four entryways in total but all of them seemed to be sealed shut. Three of them were small entrances so it was obvious that the double doors were meant to be the front entrance. They needed to find a way inside before sunrise or the vampires would be in trouble.
Lucian, Raze, and Corvinus examined the massive doors. They were made of thick oak reinforced by iron workings and covered all over with small silver spikes. There were no apparent handles and a strong push by Lucian proved that they were securely fastened as they didn't even move for his considerable strength.
"We could blow them open. My men packed a variety of explosives in their gear." Corvinus suggested.
"We don't know what that might do to the structural integrity of the walls. I think they can be opened from the inside so we just need to figure out how to get someone inside. There may be openings on the roof or perhaps an accessible window."
Singe looked up as many of them did at the suggestion, trying to see the upper heights which were lost in shadows. He thought he was seeing things when one of the shadows moved but then one of the humans gave a low shout as a gargoyle-like shape crawled down the length of the wall. No one moved as it let go and glided down to land near the group. Marcus had finally shown himself and for once he actually looked happy.
"What took you so long?"