"A war, Adrian," He repeated. "We're preparing for a war."

The other members of Dante's pack, about ten or so Hounds, all nodded in unison, affirming their leader's words. I raked a hand through my hair, wondering what could have gone wrong in the week since I had last seen the Heaven Hound that would invoke a war between the species. A war between Heaven and Hell.

An inevitable one no less, but one that I didn't see happening anytime soon. Riggs and his pack must have done something bad to piss off the Angels. In all my years, I've never seen anything happen that would provoke them enough to declare war.

I shook my head, partly in disbelief, and partly because I saw this coming; not a war, but Riggs fucking up so bad, that he'd have everyone going after him. "What happened now? Is war really necessary?"

While Dante began speaking, Eric walked out from behind the pack of Hounds and approached Bill. The two of them spoke quietly. I wanted to listen, but thought it best to pay attention to Dante.

"The Angels think it is. Your little friend committed a crime against us, one that the Authority isn't taking kindly to," He frowned. Bill looked at us.

"The Authority is involved in this?"

"A different kind of Authority," I said. "Hell Hounds have the Elders, and these guys have a counsel of Angels. Now, about this crime," I returned my attention to Dante.

"He's begun killing Hounds. My Hounds," He glared. "We made no attack on him. Simply warned him to leave the area, and that his business is of no concern to us. He may do as he please, so long as he refrains from entering any one of our churches."

"I see you care about the safety of the vampires," I said, annoyed. Dante rolled his eyes. "How many Hounds did he kill?"

"A small pack's worth. About six."

"Six of them?" Delilah asked, mouth agape. "How did you even find this out?"

His lip curled, suddenly becoming enraged. "He sent their body parts back to us with crosses jammed in their mouths."

"Oh, shit," My eyes widened.

"Exactly. We're storming the place in a few hours," Dante informed me. "The only reason we're waiting, is for more Hounds. I suggest in the meantime, you gather more of yours."

"I'll get on that," Delilah said, already punching in what I assume is Micah's number. "We'll bring as many as we can get," She assured him and stepped away from us to talk privately with her partner.

The two vampires approached us. "Why are you waiting so long to take action? Sookie is in there; they may harm her."

"They won't do a thing to her," I told Bill. "They're using her as bait, to force us to make a move."

"To force you, mostly," Dante said. "But, now he's got us along with his own kind fighting against him."

"How unfortunate for him," Eric crossed his arms over his chest. "What part in this do we play?"

I glanced at Dante. "You play no part in this," I said to him. "As a matter of fact, I'm going to have you guarded by Hounds. Neither of you will go anywhere until it is safe for you to do so."

"So we're just going to sit back and wait?" Bill asked. He seemed annoyed at that.

"Precisely. Unless you would like to die," I shrugged.

Delilah's cell phone clapped shut. "I don't think any of them would like to die. The Lamb is on lockdown; all vampires have been brought to the cellar and are being watched. A troop has been summoned and is currently on their way here."

As serious as the situation is, I like this. I feel in power again, finally in control of something after the past few weeks. No longer am I the servant of a vampire, but an Elder Hound in charge of a troop of Hounds set to invade a church. A powerful figure handing out orders, and taking none. My fangs ejected, and the trio all turned their heads toward me.

"Excited?" Delilah asked with a knowing smile.

"More than you know," I replied, sounding more somber than excited. "Finally, I'll get to kill him."

Suddenly, all around us, Hounds appeared, rising from the ground below and manifesting themselves. The ground rumbled violently, the tremor akin to a strong earthquake, and it was a wonder all the glasses Eric had placed on the wall hadn't clattered to the floor and shattered. Dante's Hounds arrived within minutes of my own, and stood at attention, waiting for their leader to give his command.

Through the mass of naked bodies filling the club from wall to wall, I noticed something that didn't belong. Red eyes. I lurched forward, snarling loudly and grabbed the young demons by the throat, one in each hand, and sent them flailing into the wall.

"I hope you plan on paying for that," Eric muttered as the wall cracked and crumbled.

I ignored him and addressed the two Hounds. "What are the two of you doing here?"

"N-nothing," They stammered.

"Nothing?" I asked, squeezing their necks tighter, restricting their airway. "I don't believe you. One chance is all you have to tell me the truth before I end your lives," I leaned in close to them. "And believe me, I won't hesitate to kill you."

"Please, don't," One of them choked, thrashing around under my hold. "We're here to help you."

I turned around to look at Delilah and the other Hounds. All had become silent now, both demon and vampire standing quietly with their eyes trained on me. A Hound, tall, with shaggy, dark black hair and bright yellow eyes cleared his throat.

"These Hounds aren't here to cause trouble, I promise you. I asked them to come."

"You know these two?" I asked.

"Yes. They are hybrids. Just as you are," He said. I quickly turned to face the two red eye's.

"Is this true?"

Both of them, in unison, bore their fangs. Something only a hybrid may do. "My name is Noah, and this," The brown haired boy gestured to the Hound beside him, "is Matthias. You may See us if you wish. But, I promise you we are indeed here to help."

"What is your reason for coming here?" I released my hold on them.

"Riggs and his pack on numerous occasions have tried to have us killed," Matthias said. "Along with many other hybrids."

I felt disgusted by what he told me. "Has he succeeded?"

"No, thankfully. We have all survived. The only problem is," He said quietly, "is so has he."

"He won't be alive for much longer. I can guarantee you that. I will make a great show of his death."

Dante placed a hand on my shoulder as I turned around, leaving the hybrids to return to the pack. He stood beside me and scanned the crowd, once satisfied, he spoke.

"We're ready. We are all here."