They rose the next evening just after the sun set and began preparations for their journey. Cole dressed in clothes Joseph provided for her. They were very similar to what she wore on stage; long pants, a white blouse, a dark corset, and a cloak. The main differences were in the material the clothes were made of, the length of the cloak, and the numerous . The fabric was light weight but incredibly sturdy, and cloak only went down to her waist.
What is this?
Something your brother and I have been working on. It won't prevent major injures, mostly just small knives and light acids. It can hold off vampire blood for a little bit, but you have to wash it off quickly.
Did you make some for the others?
Yes, but only under shirts and pants. I am leaving your brother to make more for the remaining Carpathians that are here. Cole marveled at the fabric. She reached with her gift to one of her knives. She made it slash at her clothes and was surprised when she felt the impact, but there was no mark in her skin or the cloth.
This is amazing love.
I only provided the material. Your brother was the brain behind it.
So this is natural fabric? Cole couldn't have hid her admiration even if she had wanted to.
Yes. Cole glanced at Joseph and found he was dressed in an ancient look black and red cloak that was straight out of an old Dracula film.
No. She felt Joseph's laughter wash through her mind.
I want to suck your blood my dear. Cole smacked him and he fell back into the bed laughing like a hyena. Cole rolled her eyes and called her weapons to her. Before she could slip them into the loops in her clothes Gale walked into the room. In his hands were several small objects.
"Good you haven't left yet." He set down all but one of the items he carried. He held out the first to Cole. She glanced at the object. It was a simple looking pipe, about her forearm's length and only two inches in diameter. When she took it she almost dropped it. It was cold to the touch and much heavier than it appeared.
"What is it?" Gale smiled.
"Give it a wave." Cole did as her brother bid and flicked her wrist. The pipe slid out about two feet on either side. Cole twirled the weapon experimentally. She twisted the weapon this way and that before stopping in a guard position. Nodding approvingly to her brother.
"This is brilliant Gale." He beamed with pride and rubbed the back of his head.
"Ivory had a few ideas, even gave me advice for a metal that you can shift with that wouldn't lose its strength. Only down side is it's heavier than the staffs you are used to." He then twisted the ends of the middle section and the staff shrank down to the original size. Then he pulled a leather pouch with straps on it out of his coat pocket. "This should help." Then he went back to the desk and pulled several disk shaped objects. "Careful, they are sharp." Cole turned the disks over. They were made from a similar metal as the staff, so it wasn't reflective. The edges went all the way around and they were razor sharp. "You can stand on them and use them as a weapon."
Cole made a two of the disks chase each other around the room. Then they raced into her hand. Again Cole and Joseph nodded approvingly. Finally Gale picked up to the vile and handed it to Cole.
"My crowning jewel." Cole eyed the pink colored liquid.
"Dare I ask, what is it?" Gale pulled out the stopper which was also an eyedropper.
"You just put a little bit on your tongue." Joseph shifted uncomfortably at this Steeping closer to Cole.
"Is it safe." Gale glared at the implications.
"Yes, the draw backs start if you take too much too often. You only want one drop when you are exhausted. Then you can't have another for several days." Cole thought about this and wondered out loud,
"What happens if someone has another drop?"
"Depends, at best you would be very sore when it wears off, worst case scenario you are paralyzed for a days." Cole eyed her brother suspiciously.
"What do you mean a few days?" Gale cringed and muttered
"Just over a week." Cole's eyes widened visibly.
"Gale!" He held up hands.
"Just don't take too much. But this really isn't for you anyway." Cole looked at her brother curiously. "The hunters aren't being fed well. They will be exhausted and weak." He held up the vile. "This will help since you and Joseph can't carry all five of them. Especially since you are going to be traveling a good distance." Cole scrubbed a hand across her eyes. Now that he mentioned it she knew that she would not be able to provide blood for all the hunters, she and Joseph wouldn't be able to carry of all hunters, so this did solve that problem. But she was still nervous about giving a untested drug to the weakened hunters.
"Alright." Gale pulled out another pouch. This one was reinforced with metal and cushions. It also had straps to hold it in place. Cole took it and strapped it to her upper arm. The disks went to her hip and the staff was strapped to her right thigh. "Is that all?" Gale nodded then noted a few of her weapons. He quickly swiped them and set them aside.
"Those aren't all natural materials. Which means you won't be able to become mist with them." Cole groaned seeing her Chinese hooked blades in the pile.
You still have an arsenal. Joseph's teasing voice echoed in her mind. Cole sent him pouting.
I love those, though. He chuckled at her. They left the bedroom and went up into the kitchen where their sisters were eating dinner. Each girl had a small backpack hanging off the back of their chairs.
"Are you guys ready?" They bobbed their heads and shoveled the last of their food into their mouths. When they jumped up to run to the door Cole raised her eyebrows at her sisters. She gestured at their plates. They groaned, but turned back and cleaned their dishes. It was that moment that Ben came into the kitchen. He made a rumbling noise. Cole bent down at his level and patted his head. "No I didn't forget about you, big boy. You will go with Maria and Sarah. You'll be good right?" she scratched him under his chin and he made a chuffing sound. Cole glanced at Joseph.
Your uncle and aunt will be able to take Ben too right?
Yeah. Cole narrowed her eyes at Joseph
You didn't tell them?
I want to see the look on their face.
Ben is a tiger! He needs care, grant it Maria and Sarah can take care of him, but that is not a surprise you spring on your family. Joseph chuckled darkly.
It will be fine.