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here's ch37 things are gonna start speeding up so just wanted to give you guys a heads up. This is an Evie and Mattie chapter because its been a while since these tow had at it with each other.
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When looking for a secret base of a supernatural rebellion Mattie didn't think it would be all that hard but this was the runt she was dealing with and if there was one thing she was good at it was hiding. Lilith used to have the blonde hide things all over the world for her vaults, so why would she have any trouble hiding a group of supernatural fugitives?
At first Mattie tried following their scents only to find that they all ended at the forests edge which was pretty smart. The forest had a constant breeze going as the winds carried over the mountains into the valley that was Silas covering their tracks that way. The next attempt would be to follow them directly which turned out successful otherwise she wouldn't be getting stared down by a couple of nymphs and shapeshifter's.
They should know better than to try and lose her in the forest, she might not be much of a nature girl but Matska Belmonde was born for speed. She followed her prey through the forest to one of the caverns along the edge of campus. It was a good spot because it was hard for humans to reach and with the more magically inclined supernaturals on the runts side they were able to put in an alarm system which was why they were all trying to 'scare' her off right now.
They would have been more menacing if she couldn't smell their fear. It was easy to put on a brave face but it took centuries to gain full control of your senses.
"Oh stop your glaring already I'm not going anywhere" Mattie rolled her eyes as their glares intensified but she finally got someone to step forward, a shifter by the look of it.
"Why are you here?"
"Isn't it obvious? I want to speak with the runt"
"Who?" did they really not know who they were following?
"The tiny blonde you all seem to follow"
"Don't you dare call our Alpha a runt!" Snarled one of the shifters snapping his jaws, as if his fangs could really do that much damage to her.
"Alpha? I don't know what you're deluding yourself to but the runt isn't exactly alpha material" The runt might be clan regent but she wasn't ready to be a leader yet. This whole rebellion was more of a child's game than an actual test of leadership but Evangeline stepped up and that must count for something besides her do-gooder attitude.
"Look are you gonna step aside or do I need to convince you?" Mattie was done playing games she needed to speak with the runt now.
"Causing trouble already Matska?" Looking over her shoulder Mattie found just the brat she was looking for.
Evangeline was looking far more intimidating than her fellow supernaturals. Her hair was braided showing how much longer it had grown since they'd last seen each other, which didn't feel like a week ago. On her hip was that damn sword with the grip redone and Mattie didn't really know whether to laugh or feel some semblance of respect.
"When am I not runt?"
The blonde didn't bother reacting, knowing it would only goad the elder vampire into another round of petty jabs.
"Go back to the others and assure them that everyone's alright while I handle Matska"
The others seemed hesitant to leave their leader but followed her orders glaring at Mattie as they made their way into the cavern. It was closed off to humans because of more than the treacherous hike to get up there but the drop was certainly a health risk.
Once the toy soldiers were out of ear shot blonde gave Mattie her full attention.
"So what is it you wanted to talk about?"
"Something very delicate that isn't meant for any curious listeners"
The runt's pale blue eyes bored into her and Mattie almost felt a shiver try to take hold of her but she squashed it down. Just because Lilith might be back didn't mean she had to be intimidated by the runt. Her sire and sibling might have similar eyes but she wouldn't let the tiny blonde get the better of her.
"Alright" The runt shocked her at how casual she sounded.
"Alright?"
"I'm not going to fight you on this but I also know you're not going to tell anyone about the base" Evie explained as they walked through the mouth of the cavern.
"What makes you think I won't?"
"Oh that that thing called common sense and the secrecy spell I had all the mages place on the entrance of the cave"
"You clever brat"
"I try" Evie shrugged before stepping off the edge into the dark abyss.
Mattie rolled her eyes before following the blonde.
The drop was nothing to them as their bodies gained speed. Mattie loved stuff like this because the avian in her used to make ridiculous nose dives in the mountains all the time. Her favorite place to fly was Peru because from a great distance the natives mistook her for a condor or vulture and not a giant raven which was nice.
As the bottom sped towards them Mattie braced herself relaxing her legs so when they hit her muscles would act on instinct letting her drop before bouncing back up. With a soft thud they both landed on their feet as if it had been a small step instead of a deadly drop.
The first thing Mattie saw was three tunnels but when she took a deep breath she couldn't find any scents to follow.
"Don't bother Matska this isn't the real base"
"More fancy spells runt?"
"Yup"
Evie walked to the middle of their 'landing pad' and waved Mattie over with the crook of her finger. Biting the inside of her cheek Mattie fought the urge to hiss because the runt was taking after their sire in more than just looks now and it was freaking her out. If Lilith were to come back through anyone it would be the runt because of their shared relation right?
"Brace yourself"
"We did just jump down a 60Ft drop"
"Patefacio"
The ground opened up beneath them swallowing them whole. Mattie clenched her hands to keep from screaming as dirt and dust moved around her like a snake. Mattie always hated snakes but this was just weird.
Finally the horror show ended with them standing in the middle of a stone city. Mattie knew Silas had been home to a few civilizations but this was seriously pushing it.
"These are the ghost ruins"
"Are there actual ghosts?" Asked Mattie taking in the other supernaturals as they wandered the stone carved streets.
"No, the people who once lived here disappeared without a trace but their voices still echo throughout the ruins"
"Great"
Evie shrugged off her siblings sarcasm knowing Mattie just wanted to get this over with. It was always pulling teeth with them no matter how old they got.
"Come along Matska"
The runt led her away from the city center through the streets with ease. They had to make a map of Silas one of these days and it would be 3D so they could have all these underground cities in it.
"Tell me runt how did you find out about this place?"
"When Maman first brought me here she wanted me to know all I could about it so she made me read up on Silas and all the surrounding territories and as time went on new discoveries were made so I had to know those too" Evie explained "When some explorers found this place they were too close for comfort so Maman had me confiscate all their findings and block off all the exits"
"I'm guessing they didn't find their way out"
"No" The warning in the blondes voice almost had Mattie biting out an apology and it was pissing her off. Something was going on and she didn't like it. Part of her wondered if it was the new status as Clan Regent finally taking affect or the blonde accepting it but she wouldn't know.
The blonde led her to one of the bigger buildings near the cities edge before it started going into the rock face.
"Here we are"
"Nice base"
"It's not the manor but it serves its purpose" Evie muttered walking past the dark beauty to the large table of books in the middle of the room.
"No one comes here?"
"Not after I claimed it, even if there's an emergency they have other ways of contacting me"
"Doing some light reading between strikes?" Mattie asked eyeing the old books.
"You know looking up runes and marks of evil for Cass because you were too busy doing whatever it is Matska's do"
So Cass hadn't told the runt about her investigation?
"How's that going?"
"I'm off to a good start, using books from the vaults I found that the Baron mixed up his markings and accidently did a good thing, for him anyway" Evie held up a picture of Kirsch.
"From what Wilson had sent me I know that the symbol looks like a V which is why the Baron chose it but it's actually a K from translation"
"A K for what?"
"I don't know, but the effects of the mark grant the person invoking it full obedience, hence why the ZETA's are his puppets and now so are the summers who joined him" Evie explained pushing aside the books so she could see the map of Silas.
"I didn't know the Baron had any idea what those markings could do" Mattie was almost impressed but this was the Baron they were talking about so it wasn't even an almost.
"Neither did I but I gave Kirsch a recipe for easy removal and he redrew it with a sharpie"
"Sharpie?"
"He's a pretty good forger and no one's noticed so I would say he did an exemplary job" Evie wouldn't let Mattie down play Kirsch's ability he had been doing well as their informant and hadn't been caught yet so he was their best bet.
"You're putting your faith in the oversized puppy?"
"I'm putting my faith in Wilson which is more than I can say about you"
"About me? Now why, oh why would I even cross you mind?" Mattie didn't like her tone but she was more than willing to give the blonde a beat down.
"I don't know maybe the fact that you helped cause this and haven't done much to help your fellow supernaturals"
"Hey I was getting rid of the humans, clearing the way for them to not only have more class options but use the schools money for what they wanted" The blonde could say what she wanted but Mattie knew it was a good thing to do from an entrepreneurial stand point and the school was going to be shut down anyway so why not get something out of it?
"And creating a huge divide between the two races which is in credibly stupid and dangerous" Of course the runt would bring that up.
"At least I was going through with my obligations, you and Carm have been avoiding it like the plague leaving me to take the fall for everything!"
"We would never go through with any of it and were quite fine with never looking at the stipulations for our inheritance, as far as I'm concerned I don't want any of it!" Evie growled. The blonde leaned on the table trying to keep herself from snapping but they were already too far gone and they both knew it.
"This is why Maman had me come back because she knew you two would be too weak to go through with it and you know what I'm glad I did because you've been helping the bitch reporter turn our sister into a Damn House Cat!"
"Laura has helped sister find more of her old self, if you don't like the changes she's gone through then that's fine but at least I helped"
"Helped? You haven't helped our sister once in the time this whole mess started and now that she's spiraling into another depression I'm the one who has to keep her from getting herself killed because you're too busy playing HERO!" Mattie snarled not bothering to listen to her instincts as they screamed for her to back down. It was too late Evie flipped the table sending books flying and snapping the table itself into pieces.
"Look I am busy helping the supernaturals of the school hide or get out so don't you dare say I'm not doing anything MATSKA, DON'T YOU DARE!" The blonde roared causing dust to fall from the ceiling of the stone house.
Mattie took a hesitant step back as waves of power rolled off the blonde. This was what they wanted, for Evangeline to step up and be the leader a clan regent should be but the girl didn't have the experience nor full focus to do the job all on her own. She could say what she wanted about having to watch camr but there were hundreds of supernaturals falling back on the blonde to help them escape Vudenbergs persecution.
Clenching her hands Evangline forced herself to breath even as Mattie's scent flooded her lungs she forced herself to calm down. Forcing herself to turn her back on Mattie Evie tried to pull herself back together but it seemed impossible the power was too big and too stubborn to go back into its cage. Small bursts of warmth and love came through the bond zapping her anger away. Evie didn't know what she would do without Danny but the world was definitely a safer place with her in it.
"Matska…" After such an intense moment Evie hadn't expected her voice to sound so weak but she was exhausted and she couldn't hold on to her mask any longer. "What I would like you to do is get off my back and try, goddess try to keep sister from getting herself killed because giving vudenberg the monster he wants won't help anyone"
"So you think she's having a temper tantrum?"
"I am not Mother Matska, I know sister would never have a 'silly' temper tantrum, her heart is aching and she's lost without her mate but she can't be around Laura because they're being watched at all times and this bastard won't give any of us a chance to breathe" Shaking her head Evangeline closed her eyes and took a deep exhausted breath her shoulders slumped as she slowly breathed out.
"I can't stand to see anyone hurt especially sister and it kills me that I can't do anything because my instincts are telling me to look after the masses instead of my own sister! I feel sick and worthless for not doing more but I am only one person and even with the others assistance I can't help everyone…."
Looking over her shoulder Evangeline tore into her with her eyes. Those pale blue eyes were once alight with a fierce determination now held pain and confusion. Mattie truly felt sorry for the girl. The call of a regent was impossible not to answer but she desperately needed guidance and she couldn't find it amongst the humans or their fellow supernaturals.
"I ask you Matska as one sister to another keep her safe"
"No need to ask little one"
"I know but he's gunning for her and it's only a matter of time before she snaps" Evie didn't want to ruin this moment by bringing up Mattie's slip. The elder vampire hadn't called her little one in ages and it felt so strange yet…comforting. They had always been at ends with each other for them to share even a moment of understanding was rare but they needed to get passed that defensive edge before they did anything.
Clearing her throat Mattie stuffed her hands into her coat pockets trying to seem as least threatening as possible.
"I'll do my best to keep her busy but we both know she's gonna want to see her human"
"Maybe we can figure something out with some of the nymphs or even some of the higher level mages? They know more complicated spells but I don't know if they reached human alteration"
"What about some of Maman's old spell books?"
Evie shook her head. "No those are too dangerous even with such a spell there's no telling if it might be permeant or not"
"That doesn't leave us many options"
"We'll think of something" Evie did her best to think of their options but she was so tired. She had been doing double patrols and alternating escape methods for the evacuees and it was really wearing her down. She needed to feed before she left for another patrol crashing with the team.
Evie was about to offer Mattie some blood when her phone went off, buzzing away in her pocket. Rubbing her forehead Evie pulled it out hoping Cass could explain a few things.
"Hello?"
"Evie!" Hearing Kirsch's panicked voice Evie stood up straight all senses on high alert.
"Wilson what is it? whats wrong?"
"I uh, I kinda go a caught-oh Jeez!"
"Wilson!" Evie hated not being there to help him. Her little brother's human limitations wasn't helping her anxiety. Mattie could already feel the power creeping out of its shackles again.
"No worries just a stray arrow"
"Where are you?"
"Trying to-Whoa!-uh get to the Manor but it's kinda far"
"How far away are you?" Evie headed for the door ready to flit to her brother's aid with Mattie hot on her heels. No one else would be able to keep the blonde in line with her protective instincts going haywire like this.
"I'm not too far just across campus I can-" They could hear the phone clatter to the ground and static rung in her ears.
"Kirsch? Wilson? WILSON?" Evie skidded to a stop kicking up clouds of dirt.
"Why am I not surprised that he was the mole?" Theo's voice filtered in through the speaker and Evie growled.
"Because he still has a brain"
"Come on blondie this is Kirsch we're talking about he's never been the sharpest tool in the shed"
"And the fact that you underestimated him only proves what a fool you are"
"Please you're the one trying to play hero and all that did was get Kirsch hurt well he'll be a lot worse than that when we're done with him" Theo taunted.
"You better watch your back Theo"
"Or what? You'll run me through with your sword?"
"No I'll rip your heart right out of your chest and make you watch as I crush it"
Theo scoffed on his end of the line.
"Please you wouldn't hurt a human"
"What makes you think you count as human anymore?" With that Evie crushed her phone throwing the pieces at the nearest building, demolishing it upon contact.
In the blink of an eye she was gone leaving Mattie to panic for all of five seconds before a huge explosion behind her. Spinning around Mattie could barely see the blonde through all the dust but she was there in the distance with her fist buried in the new crater that now adored the cavern wall. When the dust finally cleared she could hear the blondes labored breathing, her shoulders trembled as the power vibrate through her fist and gods did she want to use it…but she couldn't.
If she went after them now they would be ready and she couldn't have that. She needed to keep her head so that no one else got caught in the crossfire and plan this with the others. She was a wolf and they hunted in packs for a reason.
"Matska get your girlfriend on the phone we need to move up some plans"
Mattie gaped in horror as the blonde ripped her arm out of the wall returning to her base. Evie walked passed Mattie, not even feeling the pain as she pulled rock shards out of her hand and forearm.
Her sister was being baited into the Baron's trap and her brother was being used as bait for her own. She would not let this stand and the wolf wouldn't either. They were once again in agreement.
It was time to hunt.
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so that was ch37 things with Evie are super tense right now and Mattie trying to poke around certainly didn't help. Things are about to heat up real fast so somebodies bound to get hurt. I want to show some drastic changes as Evie's role as leader/clan regent comes into play because whether she wants to or not she has that power and it has to be used. Poor Kirsch has been captured and that means they have to play it smart if they're going to rescue him. things are just going to get worse from here so apologies in advance!
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