Yeah, it's been a looooooong time, hasn't it? Sorry for the super long hiatus and wait! I really have a lack of inspiration lately for this story. So I've been rereading some Harry Potter x Twilight crossover stories lately to find my muse!
Chapter Twelve: Some Home Truths
Things in Seattle have been tense enough for the last two years, what with the confusing number of disappearances and deaths. And in recent months, the stress levels of the inhabitants, and especially the police force of Seattle have gone through the roof.
What used to be a bubbly and friendly town that sees life and action at all hours of the day have now been reduced to a ghost town at best—with no one venturing out even in broad daylight. Even the students from Seattle's local high school went straight home after their classes have ended for the day, and did not linger long at any given place.
Not surprising, given the state of affairs in recent months.
Hence, the local police station was full of curiosity when two Nightshades' agents have made a visit, with several of the rank and file officers making excuses to walk past Inspector Leon Rowle's office where he is currently meeting with said agents.
Thus, when the door of the inspector's office swung opened, everyone nearby pretended to be busy with some papers or whatever that was in their hands, even as the inspector showed out the two ladies that have come to see him—and according to the deputy inspector, were also the same two agents that were there that day when they found that body last week.
"That's really all that I know and got." Inspector Leon Rowle was saying, gesturing to the stack of files currently cradled in the arms of the blonde. "I'm sorry that we couldn't be of more assistance."
"No, it's fine." The redhead shook her head. "We'll take over from here. Two of our colleagues from one of the specialised divisions will be here to assist us. Hopefully, this mess will be sorted out within the year."
"Y-Yes." The look on the inspector's face is very telling.
"Like we said, make sure everyone keeps indoors after dark. Even your officers." The blonde warned, and the inspector nodded slowly. "We'll take our leave then. We'll come back or even call if we need anything else. I hope we can count on your cooperation?"
"Yes, of course." Inspector Leon looked shocked that the two agents would think that he wouldn't cooperate with them. He wants this mess over with as much as anyone else. If so that the people of Seattle could walk about without fear again.
The redhead nodded, exchanging looks with her partner. "Then, we'll take our leave. Pleasure speaking with you, Inspector." She inclined her head politely to Inspector Leon, with the blonde beside her doing the same. Both of them then left the office and the station.
"Nightshades' agents, huh?" One of the officers finally deemed it safe to speak, looking at the inspector. "What are they, anyway? I mean, I heard about them. Who wouldn't? A special agency even more renowned and powerful than the CIA and FBI, with backing from the top positions of every country. But why did a case like this bring Nightshades agents here?"
"Look, forget about it." Inspector Leon said sternly. "That goes for all of you too." He added, looking from face to face. "I'm their main liaison at the moment. But if they ask for anything, just cooperate, and don't ask too many questions. And even if people from the top asks for it, don't tell them anything about Nightshades and what they want here."
"Why?"
Inspector Leon sighed, massaging his temples. "I heard of people who have disappeared for trying to find out what Nightshades is," he admitted. "But the truth is that they're highly capable and more efficient than anyone I know. If they're on the case, we might just be able to wrap up this entire mess by Halloween."
XXXXXX
"Morning Dad." Jacob Black greeted even as a bleary and sleepy Billy Black slowly wheeled himself into their small kitchen where he is currently standing at the stove, flipping some bacon and eggs expertly. "Breakfast is ready." He gestured towards the plate set at Billy's usual place at the table—a plate with neatly cut sandwiches with healthy cheese and cabbages, much to Billy's dismay.
"Come on, son, can't I have some bacon and eggs for once?" Billy groaned. "It's fine if I just eat some once in a while, isn't it?"
"Emily would come after me with a pitchfork if I do. And so would Sue." Jacob muttered, placing his own plate at his own seat, giving his father a pointed look. "And I'm not suicidal enough to piss off my alpha's mate or even Sue Clearwater."
Billy only sighed but stared mournfully at his 'healthy breakfast'.
All his little delicacies and enjoyment in life have come to a stop ever since Sue Clearwater had chanced upon his medical records when she had come over to help clean his house as usual. The woman had even made sure to have stern words with Jacob about letting Billy have anything that would cause his cholesterol levels to go up, even going as far as giving his son a list of foods that Billy can have, and that anything not on that list is not to be given to Billy, much to his dismay.
"Come on, cheer up, Dad. Once your cholesterol levels come down as well as your sugar levels, you can have good food again." Jacob tried to cheer his father up. "I'll even take you to that restaurant that you like in Forks."
Billy perked.
From his last visit with his doctor who is remarkably pleased with his progress, the doctor had even said that if Billy continues this way, he might not have to continue his diet for long. And honestly, seeing Harry die of a heart attack is enough to shock Billy into not taking his health for granted. Sure, Harry's death is partially due to that leech that had almost attacked Charlie; but it is also attributed to his poor health.
"I guess." Billy grumbled even as he picked up his sandwich, watching his son mournfully even as Jacob happily tucked into his breakfast of bacon and eggs. What wouldn't Billy give to have some pancakes or even bacon now?
"By the way, Dad, shouldn't you open that soon?" Jacob asked in between bites of his breakfast, gesturing towards the side of their table where there is a stack of newspapers. "It came a few days ago when you were out at the doctor. I thought you would have seen it by now."
"What?" Billy was confused, following his son's finger only to see a letter being seated atop of the piles of newspapers—something that he honestly hadn't seen. "A letter? Pass that over, Jake."
Jacob handed his father the letter wordlessly, and Billy Black's eyes widened with shock when he recognised the emblem of the crescent moon with swords in the background on the cream coloured paper of the envelope; with the same symbol also being used as the seal. The words Tribal Chief, Billy Black was written across it.
No address was written. And then again, from what Billy knew about them, they don't need an address to make sure their letters were delivered to the right person.
With shaking fingers, he opened the envelope carefully, missing his son's concerned look even as he slipped out the letter within, and read the contents carefully. Billy's eyes opened with shock.
"Shit!" He cussed loudly, causing Jacob to jump about a foot in the air; with the young man now looking at his father as if wondering if he should call for a doctor. "Jake, what date is it today?!"
"H-Huh? September 16." Jacob answered, confused, even as he looked at the wall calendar in a corner.
"Go to the forest! Now!" Billy pushed the letter that he was reading into a confused Jacob's hands. "We're expecting some visitors today. But the pack doesn't know that! Go to the forest and stop them from attacking! Now!"
Paul Lahote is bored even as he ran his usual patrol along the borders of the reservation, feeling the familiar feel of the earth beneath his four paws as he ran along the borders in his wolf form. He can vaguely feel the rest of his pack via the pack bonds, and even the constant commentary kept up by Quil and Embry who were also on patrol—but on the other side.
That is one setback of being in a wolf pack. There are literally no secrets to be kept at all. Hence why it caused Sam quite the embarrassment whenever he shifted after he had alone times with Emily, and the entire pack could see it in his memories.
It came to such a point that Leah would refuse border patrol on the days when Sam could rest and even after. The older pack members who were there during the fallout that is Sam imprinting on Emily when he was still dating Leah understood and said nothing.
Seriously, who could blame Leah for becoming this bitter when she is forced to face her former lover day in and day out and see how happy he is with his imprinted aka Leah's cousin?
A vaguely familiar scent then reached Paul, and he growled, feeling his hackles raise.
A leech!
All Quileute wolves would know the scent of a vampire by heart the moment they shifted, since it's the Cold Ones whom they were fighting against. The only exceptions were the Cullen coven, and even then, they are not permitted onto Quileute land.
I'm going ahead! Their scent is strongest near where I am! Paul yipped excitedly as he bounded through the woods, racing as quickly as his four paws could carry him, with the scent growing stronger as he did so.
Paul, wait up!
Don't go alone!
Paul!
Paul ignored the cries and warnings of his pack mates, even as he raced through the woods, finally emerging onto the border lines between the reservation and Forks. And then, there he saw it. Three lone figures approaching their border line.
The lone female had a strange scent, as is the dark haired male next to her. And something about them both told Paul that they are not to be messed with. But it's the tall muscular guy with the honey-blonde hair that set Paul's hackles raising.
A leech!
Paul snarled, leaping at the leech with his jaws barred and ready to rip him to shreds the way they did with the various leeches that have thought it a good idea to pass through their land.
The leech only looked at Paul with an almost bored look. Then, faster than Paul could react and blink, he slammed Paul down to the forest bed with one hand, gripping Paul's neck with his vampire strength to prevent his escape—and yet, never truly hurting him.
Paul cried out with pain. But yet, no matter how hard he tried to struggle, he couldn't free himself.
Paul!
Are you okay, bro?
Hang on, we're on our way!
Right on cue, Seth, Quil and Embry and even Sam approached from all directions just then, snarling at the three strangers. And especially at the leech who currently had Paul pinned to the ground.
"Dear me…" The lone female amongst the group sighed before she looked at the snarling humongous wolves—not one trace of apprehension visible on her face at all. She then snapped her fingers.
Snap.
The sound echoed around the forest before there was a shift in the wind. Then out of nowhere, bright blue chains appeared in a flash of bright light—briefly illuminating the dark forest, and wrapping itself around the four wolves who have arrived to aid Paul.
All four wolves were thus pulled down to the forest bed by gravity, being held in place by those chains.
Is this…magic…?! Sam's panicked voice echoed through the pack bonds. Then… They must be…
"Calm down. We're not here to hurt you. Though that will change if you continue trying to attack us." The dark haired male's voice broke through their thoughts. Red eyes narrowed at the struggling Sam—the largest wolf of the lot. "Are you ready to listen now?"
"I'm going to assume that your tribal chief had yet to inform you that we're coming, or I will take this as a sign of attack." The petite redhead amongst their midst—the only female stated, narrowing her eyes first at Paul who is still being pinned to the ground, and then back to the other wolves. She pulled out something from her coat pocket, holding it up. All wolves present noted a vaguely familiar symbol just then on the black identification card—a symbol that Billy Black had made sure all reservation wolves recognise on sight. "We're from Nightshades. Now, I'm going to let you up, and you are going to transform back. All of you. And if any of you so much as bare your fangs at us, I am going to make it so you can't transform into your wolf form for a month."
"Hey! Stop! Stop! Hold! Don't attack them!"
Before anyone could respond to her words, Jacob Black came tearing into the forest clearing, eyes wide and wild and clutching some sort of letter in his hands. From how heavily he is panting and breathing, it is apparent that he had ran all the way here. Probably even from the reservation itself since today is Jacob's rest day.
Jake!
Jacob!
"Sam! Paul! Embry! Quil! Seth! Stop!" Jacob managed to wheeze out. "They're expected guests! They're from Nightshades!" If wolves could pale, the lot of them could have managed it right there; especially Paul who looked ready to faint. The first thing that they were told by the tribal elders right after they have shifted is about a certain organisation that is essentially the police force of the Downworld – the non-humans. Jacob coughed and wheezed, turning towards the three, and bowing to them. "I'm so sorry! Dad only opened the letter this morning! We didn't know that you were coming!"
The redhead looked none too forgiving. "That's not our problem. We sent that letter three days ago," she said severely. "I'll let this slide just this once. But the next time you try to attack us, we won't be so forgiving." She warned, and Jacob nodded vigorously. She turned towards the blonde. "Jasper, let him up."
The blonde—Jasper, gave a light grunt as he got to his feet, releasing his hold on Paul at the same time. Paul huffed and wheezed in his wolf form even as he backed away as far from the trio as he could, almost hiding behind Jacob's legs—though he'll deny it to his dying breath if asked.
The chains binding the other four wolves dissolved with a sound like shattering glass at the same time, freeing them.
"Jacob Black, I assume?" The dark haired young man questioned Jacob who nodded slowly. "Good. As you know by now, we're from Nightshades." He gestured towards himself and the two with him. "Can you lead us to your chief?"
Jacob swallowed nervously and nodded. "O-Of course. H-He's awaiting your arrival."
…Did Jacob's voice just squeak?
The redhead's face was unsmiling, as is the leech—the blonde next to her. "I see. As you might have scented, two of us are vampires. I trust that won't be a problem?"
Her tone of voice told all present that if there are any problems, the pack won't be living long enough to say it.
"O-Of course not!" Jacob almost stumbled over his words, giving Paul a glare to ensure he wouldn't even dream of putting up protests. "I'll show you the way. T-The rest of the pack will join us once they're in human form. W-Will that be an issue?"
"No, of course not." The redhead was smiling; but her green eyes are colder than the worst winters in Forks, with her smile even more so. "It'll make things easier for me as well. Lead the way, Heir Black."
Paul gulped, even as he exchanged looks with the rest of the pack, and even Jake who is still in human form. Even without the pack bonds, he knew that the same thing is running through all their minds just then.
'We're doomed.'
XXXXXX
Krista Potter was not amused in the least when she finally heard everything that she wanted to know from Billy Black and even Sam Uley.
Currently, they are all gathered in the house belonging to Sam Uley and Emily—seeing as it's the only place large enough in the entire reservation to hold the entire pack as well as the tribal chief and the three Nightshades agents.
The pack wolves who were all in human form were undeniably very nervous and cautious. They could feel that ominous aura practically pouring from those three even from a mile away, and knew that they aren't beings whom anyone would want to mess with.
And if two of them are Enforcers, it really made a lot of sense.
Even that blonde isn't someone to be messed with, judging by those scars visible on his arms.
Every single Quileute wolf was filled in on the workings of the Downworld as well as all their laws and regulations the moment that they have phased. It wasn't just the pack's own history and laws that they were filled in on, and expected to know. The first thing that all the wolves have learned was the truth behind Nightshades, as well as the pact that their own ancestors have made with Nightshades centuries ago, and even what that organisation had represented to the Downworld, and what they actually do.
To the humans of the surface world, Nightshades is a mysterious organization similar to the FBI or even the CIA that only tackles tricky and strange cases. To the Downworld, they are rather similar to the police force that keeps their world and the inhabitants a secret, and that the inhabitants of the Downworld don't go about making a show of themselves. They also hunt down the outlaws and 'takes care' of any humans that unfortunately stumbles upon the secret of their existence.
Sam had felt rather queasy to the stomach when he had heard that bit, as he is pretty sure he knew just what sad fate had befallen upon the poor soul who had stumbled upon their secret. And while it might be cruel and probably harsh, Sam knew that they have good reasons for doing so. The same reason why the tribe leaders were rather adamant that they do not go about telling their families about their secret unless they're one of the tribe elders. After all, how do you explain to your parents or your family that you're a wolf?
Nightshades had very strict laws about that, Billy Black had told them at that time, and they are not one to show any mercy.
Nightshades have few laws, but they enforced them with great ferocity. If you ever committed a crime, and a Nightshades' agent showed up, you are better off just surrendering to them. And if it's one of their Enforcers, drop on all fours and beg for mercy.
You might just survive if they happened to be feeling particularly merciful that day.
From what Billy had told them during one of those importune history lessons, the existence of Nightshades had preceded most tribes and countries. They have an existence longer than most beings that most even believed that they have existed since the start of the world.
They were from a very cruel and ruthless time when the saying of survival of the fittest took on an entirely different meaning. And if the existences of some of their current practices predates back to those ancient times, one can just imagine just how cruel and diabolical that the old system had been.
And the mere fact that not one but two Enforcers have shown up right now when they normally never showed themselves have sent shivers down the spines of every single person present. Especially with the fact that apparently, the Enforcer in charge of the surrounding areas which includes the reservation is clearly not impressed with them.
"Let me get this straight." Krista Potter growled after listening to Billy Black and even Sam Uley as well as the other pack wolves as they explained their 'duties' and what they've been doing thus far, "you hunt vampires that stepped foot on your land…even the nomads who maybe just happened to be passing through and probably hadn't hurt anyone on your land yet?!"
"W-Well, from our experience, most leeches don't just leave without killing a few—"
"Say 'leech' to my face one more time, and I'll show you what a 'leech' can do." Jasper Whitlock interrupted, pissed.
"A-As I was saying, most vampires don't just leave without killing a few people." Billy hastily explained before any of the wolves could protest. "They came onto our land! What are we supposed to do?"
"Fair enough. Let's put that aside for now." Krista has a very unimpressed look on her face that told everyone present that she'll be addressing that issue soon enough. "Now, I had a highly informative meeting with the Cullen coven three days ago before I came down here." Everyone present winced as Krista slammed one hand down onto the table that they were all gathered at. "What is this that I hear about you letting a human know about the Downworld, and you didn't see it fit to let us know?"
Sam looked as if he wanted to groan. He knew that this issue is going to bite them in the ass sooner or later. He had worried for months ever since he'd learned that Bella knew about them. But as Nightshades never appeared, he had let down his guard. Now, it is apparent that the Enforcer in charge of the lands around here knew everything, and she is pissed!
A buzzing within Ethan's coat caught his attention, and he pulled out his phone, stepping away to answer it, but still able to hear the entire 'conversation' or rather, lecture that Krista is giving.
"Sue?" Ethan spoke into the receiver the moment that he answered his phone.
"Hey. Are you and Krista in Forks already?" The melodious voice of his mate echoed down the line.
"We're in La Push actually." Ethan corrected, exchanging looks with Jasper who could hear every word of the phone call. The blonde only raised an eyebrow who nodded, leaning against the side of the doorway as he watched over his mate. From the look on Jasper's face as he watched Krista going to town on the wolf pack, Ethan is relatively certain that it might be better off for him if he has his own room tonight and put up a lot of silencing spells. Something tells him that Jasper and Krista might just be practicing making babies tonight. "Along with Jasper. We got permission to bring him along, as we are dealing with a newborn army. And Jasper is the most experienced with newborn armies that I know of."
"Oh. And from the sounds of it, I imagine that Krista isn't too pleased with the wolf shifters." Susan sounded amused, able to catch snippets of the lecture even through a phone.
"Yeah. She's giving them the dressing down of their lives. I doubt that she's going to leave them to their own devices after this. And this after we found out about the mess that the Cullen coven had created. She's going to be in a real bad mood for days."
"Oh dear. I'll order a chocolate cake and some parfaits for her then when we meet up." Susan said. "I can't imagine that whatever I have to report will put her in a better mood. We'll meet at the café near the hostel that you're currently at?"
"Yeah, sounds good. I'll let you know when we leave La Push?" Ethan said absently.
"Sure. No worries about making it in time. Hannah and I were just leaving Seattle. We'll meet you in say, about three hours?"
"Sure."
"See you." Click.
"—and just because I don't show myself doesn't mean that I haven't been keeping tabs on everything that you've been doing!" Even sharp tongued Leah has nothing to say in the fact of Krista's ferocity. "We respected your right to self-govern yourself from the agreement that your ancestors made with us centuries ago! We kept to our side of the agreement. So you have no right to breach it, if not break it entirely!"
"Wait. What?" Sam was taken aback. When did they break it?
"One of the main points of the pact and agreement that Nightshades made with the successor of Taha Aki centuries ago when the tribe first crossed paths with a vampire and found the magic within them to become shifters is to respect and abide by Nightshades' laws." Ethan interrupted as he stepped back within the sitting room after finishing up his phone call with Susan. "You see, the Wiccan Council at that time didn't like the idea of a group of Downworlders running around wild and doing whatever they wanted. And yet, as they hadn't broken any of our laws yet, they have no valid reason to charge them. So an agreement and pact was made with the Quileute tribe. The Quileute tribe would be free to self-govern as long as they respect our laws and ways and agree to fall under the guardianship of Nightshades. We will ensure that you will not be driven from your land by the whites. And in return, you will follow the laws of the Downworld. Amongst that agreement is also a clause that you would not fall to hatred and discriminate a species which you did. All of you know this. I know for a fact that once someone becomes a wolf shifter, you are briefed and taught about Downworld laws."
Leah scoffed, bringing attention to her, trying to sound braver than she felt. "Of course you would defend those blood sucking monsters," she scoffed. "You're one of them—"
Her words were cut off when the blonde vampire moved faster than thought possible, grabbing her by the throat and pinning her to her chair. Leah was petrified as she stared straight at those murderous red eyes that were impassive just a moment ago.
"Say what you want about me. But you insult my mate again, and I'll bury you so deep in the ground that it will take you an entire century to dig yourself out." Jasper growled.
Krista sighed, reaching over and tapping Jasper on the shoulder. "Jazz, cool it," she murmured. "It's fine."
"Leah, you too. Keep your trap shut." Sam warned, even as Jasper released his hold on Leah, with the latter coughing and massaging her throat, glaring at Jasper with hatred.
"If this is about Bella, she's known about us for two years now, and nothing happened."
"You know, that is the same argument that the Cullen coven pulled with us three days ago." Krista interrupted, her lips quirking with amusement with seeing how offended Jacob Black looks, "and I'll repeat what I said to them three days ago. I don't give a damn that she's kept your secret for the two years that she'd known. She's human. She is not part of the Downworld and does not serve Sin City. By law, you are obliged to inform us of this. By the fact that you did not, you are putting the entire Downworld at risk! It only takes one human in the know. Just one. And there will be a repeat of the Salem Witch Hunts which would be ten times worst as humans now actually have the technology to kill us!"
There was deathly silence.
"I-It's just…" Billy's hands were shaking. "S-She's my best friend's daughter. She's all that Charlie has left. It'll kill him if anything happens to Bella…"
Ethan shook his head. "That doesn't excuse it," he said. "From our experience, humans are a greedy and fearful lot. They fear things they don't understand. We have our own run-ins with Isabella Swan. And we also have our own people keeping an eye on everything that had happened since she'd shown up. Everything that had happened here… It all links back to her, doesn't it?"
"What are you going to do to her?" Jacob asked, fearful.
"For now, nothing." Krista gave Jacob an unimpressed look. "Our main priority right now is the newborn vampire army currently in Seattle. Once we've settled that, then I will address this problem. I gave the Cullen coven time until we've handled this situation to come to a decision about what to do with Isabella Swan—turn her or kill her. I don't care which. If they can't decide, I will hurl them all in front of the Wiccan Council. And trust me on this, the Wiccan Council won't go easy on them. Laws about exposure are absolute."
"No exceptions can be made." Jasper interrupted, seeing Jacob about to open his mouth. "And if you try to do something stupid like try to hide her, we'll charge you with the same crime. You might want to use the brains that you're born with instead of your lower brain."
There were light snickers around the room, even as Jacob blushed.
"Until that happens, will you give your word that you won't hurt Bella?" Billy asked desperately. He might not like the girl, but he doesn't want to see her hurt or killed.
"You have my word." Krista promised. "But I'll also be addressing your own current tribal laws and revising it. I find it's a big issue if we have humans knowing about the Downworld. Even if they're your mates. But you have my word that we will not hurt anyone until we come to an agreement. Unless they breach those laws first."
Billy inclined his head. That is as good as he is going to get from them, he knew.
"…Thank you."
XXXXXX
Krista felt her headache growing worse even as they sat in one of those cubicle booths in the café not far from the hostel that they have been staying in throughout the duration of this assignment. With how small Forks is, they don't get many tourists; and thus, they only have this one hostel unless they want to camp out.
Susan Bones and Hannah Abbott were already waiting for them when Krista, Jasper and Ethan have returned to Forks from La Push, with Krista being in a really bad mood. The meeting with the Cullens have placed her in a bad mood as it is three days ago. The meeting with the wolves had only worsened that mood.
Seriously, what is wrong with all these morons?! They do all this because of one silly human girl?
Jasper frowned even as he listened to what Susan and Hannah have to tell them from their visit to the local police headquarters at Seattle when they visited the inspector investigating the missing cases.
"So the first to go missing is this guy?" Jasper asked, looking at Susan and Hannah who both nodded. None of them were worried about being overheard thanks to a silencing ward that they've put up the moment they've sat down and have their orders delivered to them.
As one, five pairs of eyes looked at the photo of a young man with dark brown hair and a black jacket. Hannah nodded, tapping her index finger against the photo. "Riley Biers, born and bred in Forks," she rattled off the information that they have gathered. "Student Council President of '04 of Forks High School. He was attending Oregon University as a freshman when he was reported missing by his roommate and even his lecturers when he didn't show up for a week. That was two years ago."
"And since then, we have quite a series of disappearances." Susan added. "Whoever is behind this newborn army is careful. As the disappearances were spread out over the course of months. At least until this year. It is like whoever is behind it doesn't care whether they caught Nightshades' notice or not. And not to mention the alarming number of killings for the last couple of months meant that a newborn army is definitely in the works somewhere in Seattle."
Ethan sighed. "Who's the latest disappearance?" He wanted to know.
"Name of Bree Tanner." Hannah handed the folder to Ethan who opened it with a frown. On his side, Krista leaned in to take a closer look, with Jasper peering over her shoulder. "Age fifteen. The person who reported her missing is actually the bakery owner in Seattle who always gave her food. Hence, the police forces at Seattle didn't exactly take it seriously, as the homeless always goes missing apparently."
"A runaway?" Jasper questioned with a raised brow, and Hannah and Susan both nodded. "Easy target for them, then."
"Yeah, and from the number of deaths that have been occurring in the last couple of months…" Krista grimaced, looking through the papers and statistics scattered across the table. "It seems like we'll be dealing with at least twenty newborns. And that is a rough estimation." She sighed, shaking her head. "If it is Victoria behind this, there is no way she can escape judgment. She's been my informant for long enough to know the laws."
"Even if she's doing it because the Cullens are the ones who killed her mate first, things have escalated to such a point that there is no way she can avoid judgment." Ethan agreed. "The Wiccan Council especially will be particularly harsh on her. If she had just approached us or the Wiccan Council when her mate was killed instead of trying to exact her own brand of justice, by law, she would have been allowed to exact her vengeance on them."
"Eye for an eye. Tooth for a tooth." Jasper murmured, and the four agents nodded solemnly. "I can hardly blame her for this, though. Losing a mate… It's a pain that I wouldn't wish on anyone." He looked at Krista.
Ethan sighed, massaging his temples. "Yeah."
A ringing from Krista's phone startled the entire table just then. Frowning, Krista pulled her phone out from her coat pocket, answering it and enabling the video function.
Peter's face appeared on the screen, with his mate, Charlotte beside him.
"Peter?" Jasper grinned at the sight of his brother.
"Hey Major, been awhile." Peter greeted with an easy grin. "We should find time to catch up, but I have an urgent matter to report."
"Yeah, I thought so." Krista nodded carefully. "What is it?"
"Krista, try not to jump to conclusions, okay?" Charlotte added. "Trust me, it took us awhile before we would listen to him too. And when we did, we agreed that it is best that we inform you immediately. It's urgent."
"What's wrong?"
Peter and Charlotte didn't answer. The former gestured for someone off-screen, and when the individual appeared on screen, the four Nightshades agents stiffened whereas Jasper only looked confused—not recognising the man on the phone screen.
"Who?"
"I'll explain later." Ethan mouthed to Jasper over Krista's head.
"Peter, I hope you have a good explanation for this." Krista's voice was like ice. "Especially since you got an Oathbreaker with you."
"Look, I mean no harm. Unlike the rest of my brethren, I bear no grudge against you." The man protested, raising his hands in the universal motion of 'I surrender'. "If anything, you did me a favour. But enough about me. I'll swear a Vow if I have to. I have important information. Information about the other Oathbreakers. And even about the leader of the southern vampire armies that was destroyed over a century ago."
Susan and Hannah exchanged quick glances. "Southern army? That must be Maria." Susan concluded. That particular vampire had been high on the most wanted list of Nightshades for years now, after all. "So she's appeared at last."
For a long while, Krista said nothing as she eyed the man on the screen. His posture and even his eyes told her that he's telling the truth and that he's not lying in the least.
"…Peter. Charlotte. Where are you both right now?"
"Somewhere in California," came the answer.
"I'll arrange for a private jet to pick the three of you up." Krista said at last, exchanging looks with Ethan who nodded. "Something tells me that this is something best said face to face. And I hope for your sake that this isn't some kind of ruse or trap, or you'll be sorry when I get my hands on you." She warned the man on the screen.
"You have my word on this."
"Very well. The earliest that we can arrange for the jet to pick you up is this evening at six." Ethan added, putting his phone away. "We should be able to meet you by tomorrow morning. Is that feasible?"
"Yes. I don't have much to pack anyway."
"Neither do we." Charlotte agreed. "We'll come along as his escorts, Krista. I doubt you want him on his own."
"Yes." Krista nodded, her eyes cold as she gazed at the man in between Peter and Charlotte who looked really uncomfortable. "I hope you have a really good story to tell. But I'll listen to you tomorrow morning. See you in a few hours, Percy Weasley."