Chapter 11

Dante's POV

We were resting under a tree near the hotel, Sophie and Lok were sitting on the ground, the woman and I were leaning against the trunk of the tree and Cherit was hiding between Lok's tails. It seems that he likes to hide there, luckily to be white camouflaged well.

-Then you are Zhalia Moon, the new lone wolf of the Foundation.- I declared, staring at her. -I've heard about you.

-And you're Dante Vale, the number one agent of the Foundation. And of course, everyone has heard about you.

-Zhalia, then you work for the Foundation?

Lok asked looking at her curiously, it seemed that Zhalia had caught his attention, but I still do not know if that is good or bad. Sophie, on the other hand, looked at her with suspicion, and that was definitely bad.

-Lower contract, just like Dante.

-Thanks for the help. You are a very strong seeker.

I was in town for a mission and I heard rumours that the Organization had infiltrated your hotel.

Zhalia looked at the boys, I suppose that the unusual aspect of Lok, that and how novice she is, will have already caught her attention. Then she looked at Sophie, both shared a murderess look.

-You did us well.

Cherit said breaking the tension of the environment, which only I had noticed, Lok was too busy looking at a butterfly. Zhalia shrugged.

-I hope you were not waiting to be rescued. In this world you have to take care of yourself.

Zhalia looked at Lok, who shrugged a little and looked away.

-We could have handled it. In that case we would not have to pay for the arrangement of the windows.

Apart from the view and let the girls understand each other, I was worried, after a few seconds I felt watched, I looked down and caught Lok's eyes, it seemed that he was reading me, or rather trying. Seeing my student's concern, I shared my thoughts.

-It bothers me that the Organization has entered our hotel. Could they have spies in the foundation?

-Of course I could!- Zhalia answered. -Have not you heard the rumours about Professor?

-Professor, who is that?- Lok asked innocently.

-The leader of the Organization. Possibly the most dangerous man on Earth.-Explain.

-It is one of the most powerful seekers in the world-Zhalia continued- His collection of amulets, ancient artefacts and magic items is the largest in history. Manipulates the heads of state, along with their own men, with the ability to control minds.

-Is that a power? I've never heard of magic capable of doing that.- Sophie asked.

-It is not there. Also, a man like him is sure to be behind Will's amulet

I answered. Look at Lok, Sophie's question seemed strange to me that he did not do it. Lok looked at the ground with a sad look and ears drooping backwards.

-Lok ...

The girls and Cherit looked at Lok, Sophie and Cherit with concern and Zhalia with curiosity.

-You said collection...

Lok looked at me with fear in his eyes, it took him a second to understand why he was scared. How had it not occurred to me? If what Lok thought was true, he was in great danger.

-It can not be true?. Dante-Sophie looked at me pleadingly.

-It's possible ...- I murmured.

Lok looked at the ground again, Sophie put a hand on her shoulder and Cherit looked at Lok with great sorrow.

-What's wrong?- Zhalia asked.

-Nothing.

Lok answered sharply, I was very surprised because it is not normal in his personality.

-Don't you think, puppy, you should tell me. After all, I saved you.

-You do not think it's your business, witch.

Lok said really edge, looking at Zhalia as if she were a prey and a predator and showing fangs in the form of threat.

Zhalia opened her eyes a lot, Cherit had his mouth open, Sophie did not believe it and I, I was hallucinated, my jaw was broken. Where was the adorable little fox that liked to get the ball thrown at him?

After a second Lok resumed his composure, relaxed a little, crossed his arms and leaned back on the tree, looked back at the ground and moved his wings so that they formed a barrier isolating him from everyone.

-I'm sorry, I've passed. Just ... Let it be.

After that we said goodbye to Zhalia and we went to a safe house of the Huntik Foundation. Sophie had a bit of trouble, but she got Lok to play with her and get a little excited. While Cherit, Sophie and Lok played, although the game did not last for half an hour, I contacted a friend of the Foundation to get some information.

We had dinner early and while Lok was still practicing with his powers, without results, Sophie went for a walk; I dedicated myself to contact a certain person.

After dialling the number, it communicated for a while.

-Yes?

-Hello Zhaila, I'm Dante.

-Hello, how did you get my number?

-I have contacts within the Foundation-smiled at your question.

-Are you always begging the numbers of the agents you just met? - She said with a mocking tone.

-Only if I need help. I would like you to help us in the mission.

Zhalia did not respond.

- What about the baby?

-Lok still regrets what happened, he knows he should not act like that.

-I was referring to the Casterwill, but I suppose it's good that I regret it. Although I might pass a bit of the line. By the way, you're not the only one who has done his homework. I have been investigating and there is no creature like Lok, what is it?

-I think this question is better than the answer he. Although I doubt he does, he does not feel comfortable with you.

-And still you want me to help you, interesting. Are you a masochist or something?

-Compare it yourself, the mission is tonight.

-Interesting proposal, but it does not convince me.

- Do you want me to beg you?

-Would not be bad.

-Zhalia, I beg you, I need your help, I can not take care of the Organization alone and keep Lok and Sophie safe.- I said very falsely.

-It is not very credible, but it's worth it. If Grand Dante Vale is so desperate to pretend to beg for help, I guess I cannot refuse. Send me the information by SMS.

-All right. And thanks.

-Aha.

Zhalia hung up, I turned down the phone with a smile of satisfaction that filled my whole face.

When the time came we took our things and prepared ourselves for the mission.

Dante's POV end

Lok's POV

Dante was looking at his Holotomo with Cherit on his shoulder, through the dark streets of Praga; I was behind him and Sophie at the end. We arrived at the entrance of the cemetery.

-All of you, stay together, and remember the plan.

Dante gave Sophie a flashlight, being a fox, my night vision was better than theirs. Together we enter the cemetery.

-According to the legend, Jodis Lore made the Golem come out of the clay of the Vitana River, and then gave it life by writing the word "truth" on his forehead.

Sophie was explaining the legend of the Golem while pointing her flashlight at everything that moved or that she thought was moving. I looked around looking at the graves.

-It's hard to believe all this. It is in the middle of the city.

-That's why all the graves are stacked on top of each other, there's no space.

Sophie kept moving her flashlight, jumping a little when she illuminated the figure of Zhalia leaning against a tombstone.

-And there will be enough space for more if you're not careful

Zhalia commented with a mocking tone, Sophie narrowed her eyes.

-Zhalia, are you spying on us?

Dante put a hand on Sophie's shoulder.

-Quiet, I asked him to come, it's okay.

-What?!

Zhalia approached us gracefully, I kept silent and avoided looking her in the face, I was still embarrassed by my behaviour the last time.

-Praga is a hostile place. The operations of the Foundation must remain close.

Sophie pointed the flashlight at Zhalia's face causing her to raise a hand to shield her eyes from the light that blinded her.

-Not so close. What do you think? Lok.

I did not like that Sophie got me into their conversation / discussion. When Zhalia looked at me I could not help but tense, it was true that her help would be good, but I felt uncomfortable by her side.

-I do not know, anyway, she is powerful; with your help we will have more opportunity to find the Amulet of Will and my father.

-Well, you seem calmer, Dante, what have you given him?

Between closed my eyes and glanced at Dante, I did not like this situation; I put instincts to the fullest. Dante giggled.

-Food.

Fulminate Dante with his eyes.

-Why do not we continue? -I said with a lot of disgust.

-I think you're right; this place makes my hair stand on end -Commented Sophie.

-Really?

-Or come Lok !, do not act as if it was not the first time you sneak into a cemetery.

-It is not.

Everyone, including Cherit, looked at me with a strange expression. Zhalia snorted, rolled her eyes and grimaced.

-You must have had an easy life.

At Zhalia's stupid comment I could not contain myself anymore and let out a menacing growl.

- Yes, or what you say, escape hunters, cages and chains, to be exact of everyone, be an orphan and cannot trust anyone because if you do you are dead. Easy peasy. I do not know who is worse, if the vampire or the witch.

After saying that I left and I entered more into the cemetery, with the eyes of my colleagues nailed to my back.

Lok's POV end

Dante's POV

Lok's comment hurt me a lot, I knew he did not trust me, but he did not trust anyone, that was something else.

-Great, you'll be happy, right?!

Said Sophie very upset and left behind Lok. I shook my head; inviting Zhalia was not a good idea.

- I think you did not give him enough food - Look at Zhalia with anger - Hey, I'm sorry. I did not know anything…

-Yeah..., I do not really either. Lok keeps many secrets; he just wants to protect himself.

We were silent for a few seconds; I broke it because suddenly the bulb went on.

-Zhalia, why did not you get pissed when Lok called you a witch?

- Does it bother you that they call you a vampire?

-What?

-I'm a witch, Dante. I do not know how the boy has known, but it does not matter. Are we looking for the children and finish the trip?

Zhalia passed by me, I stood and watched as she left. Lok knew that Zhalia was a witch, that I was a vampire. How many things does Lok hide?

I went to the team, nobody was very happy and the tension could even be seen physically.

-Look for the tomb of Jodis Lore, the sooner we find it before we finish the mission.

Each one went by his side to look for the grave, we searched for an hour but we did not find it. When I looked up, I saw the girls looking and Lok standing on a grave, sitting on the headstone, arms crossed and looking at the sky. I was about to scold him when Sophie came forward.

-Lok! What are you doing? We have to find the grave.

He looked at us all with a mischievous smile on his face and a funny look.

-I've found him.

-What?! When?- Zhalia asked.

- More than an hour ago. When I get away from you

-And you do not say anything. -Look at Lok very serious and angry

-Re-ven-ge.

We were all surprised by his response; I relaxed a bit and sighed.

-I suppose you were in your right.

-I understand that you avenge them, but why me?! - Sophie asked very offended.

-You did not play with me, as you promised.

I could not help laughing, Lok had a bad temper, and revenge was going on, I would have to keep him from getting mad at me.

Dante's POV end

Lok's POV

When we all relaxed a little, our mission came to a standstill while we were investigating the grave. The grave was normal, there was nothing unusual about it and we did not know what we were looking for.

-It's just a normal inscription.

I cry Sophie very disappointed, Cherit flew from Dante's shoulder to sit on the headstone.

-Lok, was not there something in the newspaper about the Golem?

I nodded and took out the diary from my bag.

-I think so, but I cannot understand it very much. Although I remember a phrase. –"The blood of the Golem"

-The Golem is not flesh and blood, it is made of clay.

Sophie declared, seeming to have understood what had to be done. She took some clay from the side of the grave and spread it across the tombstone.

-Sophie that's not going to do anything.

Sigh Zhalia earning a look from Dante, I got the feeling that Dante was starting to get a little angry with her. Dante approached and whispered in his ear.

-Just look.

- Sure! - Exclaimed - Jodis did not give life to the Golem, he did the word "truth" written on his forehead. Sophie, do you think you can write the symbol of truth in clay?

Sophie nodded a little unsure, with a slightly trembling hand wrote some symbols on the clay. As soon as I finished writing the symbols, the ground beneath Sophie and mine began to tremble. We both got up running when the grave opened. .

The tomb had opened showing a tunnel of stairs. Zhalia looked into the hole with a little envy, I think, she was not very sure, Sophie passed by her with a smile of gigantic satisfaction, then Zhalia passed and then I, Dante was the last, although it took a little.

-Dante, are you coming?

-Right behind you.

Lok's POV end

Dante's POV

Sophie was the first to go down, then Zhalia and then Lok. I looked around a bit insecure, I took out three metal balls from one of my pockets and I dropped them at the entrance to the tomb. Immediately, my watch started to blink.

-Dante, are you coming?

-Right behind you.

Lok had stopped in the middle of the stairs, while the girls had already reached the bottom. It was nice that someone was waiting for me.

Dante's POV end