Chapter 9: The Aftermath

News of the explosion traveled fast.

By morning, it was everywhere.

The news channels called it a "terrorist attack."

The Inquisition called it a "gas leak."

But the underworld knew the truth.

Someone had hit Kaelen. Hard.

And they had walked away.

In the Haven, the mood was electric.

The wolves weren't scared anymore.

They were excited.

For years, they had hidden behind their walls.

Now, they had struck back.

And they knew who was responsible.

The Glitch.

Arielle sat in the mess hall.

She was eating breakfast.

Bacon. Eggs. Toast.

Normal food felt weird after eating magic.

But she needed to keep up appearances.

Sera sat next to her.

The golden wolf was in human form now.

She was a cute girl, maybe sixteen.

She ate like a starving animal.

"Slow down," Arielle laughed.

"Nobody is going to steal your food."

Sera swallowed a whole sausage.

"Habit," she mumbled.

"Omegas eat fast or don't eat at all."

Arielle’s smile faded.

She pushed her plate toward Sera.

"Have mine."

"I'm not hungry."

The double doors swung open.

Lycian walked in.

The chatter in the hall died instantly.

Every wolf stood up.

Respect.

Lycian waved a hand. "Sit."

He walked straight to Arielle's table.

He looked tired. But focused.

"We have a problem," he said.

"Good morning to you too," Arielle replied.

"What kind of problem?"

"The diplomatic kind."

"Kaelen is calling for a Summit."

"He wants to talk."

Arielle raised an eyebrow.

"Talk?"

"After we blew up his toys?"

"That sounds like a trap."

"It is a trap," Lycian agreed.

"But if I refuse, he declares open war."

"He will claim I am a rogue state."

"He will bring the full might of the Inquisition down on us."

"Tanks. Bombers. The works."

"I can't fight a national army."

"So I have to go."

Arielle leaned back.

"Where is the Summit?"

"Neutral ground," Lycian said.

"The Crimson Hotel."

"Vampire territory."

Arielle’s eyes lit up.

"Vampires?"

"I've never met a vampire."

"Are they sparkly?"

Lycian scoffed.

"They are leeches in suits."

"They run the banks. The casinos. The politics."

"They hate wolves."

"But they hate the Inquisition more."

"That's why they host the Summit."

"I'm coming with you," Arielle said.

Lycian shook his head.

"No."

"Kaelen knows you exist now."

"If he sees you, he will demand your head."

"I can't protect you in Vampire territory."

"Their rules are strict."

"No violence inside the hotel."

Arielle smirked.

"I don't need violence."

"I need a vacation."

"Besides, you need a bodyguard."

"A secret one."

"I can shapeshift, remember?"

Lycian paused.

"You can?"

"I didn't know that."

"Well, not physically," Arielle admitted.

"But I can bend light."

"I can look like anyone."

"I can be your secretary."

"Your plus-one."

"Your pet."

Lycian considered it.

He looked at her black eye.

"Can you hide that?"

Arielle closed her eyes.

She focused on the Void.

She pulled it back. Deep inside.

She opened her eyes.

Both were brown. Warm. Human.

"See?" she said.

"Just a normal girl."

Lycian sighed.

"Fine."

"But you follow my lead."

"Vampires are tricky."

"They don't fight with claws."

"They fight with contracts."

"Do not sign anything."

"Do not drink anything red."

"And for god's sake, do not eat the host."

The Crimson Hotel was in the city center.

It was a skyscraper of black glass.

Expensive cars lined the driveway.

Lycian’s convoy pulled up.

Black SUVs. Armored.

Lycian stepped out in a suit.

Charcoal grey. Tailored.

He looked devastatingly handsome.

Arielle stepped out behind him.

She wore a simple black dress.

Glasses. Hair in a bun.

She looked like a boring assistant.

Perfect cover.

A doorman bowed.

He was pale. Very pale.

"Welcome, King Lycian."

"The Master is expecting you in the Penthouse."

They took the elevator.

The music was classical.

The ride was smooth.

"Nervous?" Lycian asked quietly.

"No," Arielle whispered.

"Hungry."

"There is so much magic here."

"Ancient magic."

"The building itself is a spell."

The elevator dinged.

The doors opened.

The Penthouse was opulent.

Velvet drapes. Gold chandeliers.

And Kaelen was there.

Sitting on a leather sofa.

Sipping tea.

He looked older than Arielle remembered.

The scar on his eye was angry red.

Behind him stood Damian.

Her murderer.

Her fiancé.

Seeing him made Arielle’s blood boil.

The Void surged.

Kill him, it whispered.

Rip his throat out.

Arielle clenched her fists.

Not yet, she told the monster.

Wait.

"Lycian," Kaelen said smoothly.

He didn't stand up.

"You look well."

"For a terrorist."

Lycian sat opposite him.

He didn't touch the tea.

"Self-defense, Kaelen."

"You built an armory on my border."

"I dismantled it."

"Zoning violation."

Damian stepped forward.

He looked furious.

"You killed sixty men!"

"You destroyed billions in assets!"

"You are a rabid dog that needs to be put down!"

Lycian ignored him.

He looked only at Kaelen.

"Control your pup, Inquisitor."

"Or I will."

Kaelen raised a hand.

Damian shut up instantly.

"We are not here to argue about the past," Kaelen said.

"We are here to discuss the future."

"The Blood Eclipse is coming."

"In three months."

"The veil will be thin."

"Monsters will rise."

"We need unity."

"Join the Coalition, Lycian."

"Submit your pack to my command."

"And I will forgive your... indiscretion."

Lycian laughed.

"Submit?"

"I am a King."

"I do not kneel."

"Especially not to a man who sacrifices children."

Kaelen’s eyes narrowed.

"You speak of things you do not understand."

"Sacrifices are necessary."

"Order requires blood."

"Speaking of blood..."

Kaelen looked at Arielle.

Standing quietly in the corner.

Holding a clipboard.

"Who is this?"

"I haven't seen her before."

"New assistant?"

Lycian didn't blink.

"Yes."

"Her name is Ana."

Kaelen studied her.

His gaze felt like slimy fingers on her skin.

He was a powerful mage.

He could sense magic.

Arielle held her breath.

She tightened her mental shields.

I am boring, she projected.

I am human.

I am nothing.

Kaelen frowned.

He sensed nothing.

Just a girl.

"She smells... plain," he muttered.

"Very well."

"Lycian, my offer stands."

"Join us."

"Or be crushed."

"I have a new weapon."

"Something ancient."

"Something unstoppable."

"I found it in the Void Chasm."

Arielle’s heart skipped a beat.

He found something else?

Or was he bluffing?

"Show me," Lycian challenged.

Kaelen smiled.

"Not yet."

"At the Eclipse."

"But be warned."

"The North will burn first."

The meeting was over.

Threat delivered.

Lycian stood up.

"We are done here."

"Come, Ana."

They walked to the elevator.

Damian watched them go.

His eyes locked on Arielle.

Recognition flickered in his gaze.

Not of her face.

But of her walk.

Her posture.

He knew that walk.

He had watched it walk down the aisle.

Arielle felt his stare.

She turned slightly.

She let her glasses slip down her nose.

She winked.

Just for a fraction of a second, she let her left eye turn black.

Damian gasped.

He stumbled back, knocking over a vase.

CRASH.

"Damian?" Kaelen asked. "What is it?"

"Her..." Damian stammered.

"It's her!"

"The Lamb!"

The elevator doors closed.

Arielle smiled.

"Did you see his face?" she whispered to Lycian.

Lycian hit the lobby button.

"You provoked him."

"That was dangerous."

"That was fun," Arielle corrected.

"Now he knows I'm alive."

"He will be paranoid."

"He will make mistakes."

"And when he does..."

"I'll be there."

Lycian loosened his tie.

"You play a dangerous game, Glitch."

"But I admit..."

"I like your style."

"Let's go home."

"We have a war to prepare for."

As the elevator descended, Arielle felt the building hum again.

The vampire magic.

It wasn't hostile.

It was curious.

It liked her Void.

Join us, the building whispered.

We are hungry too.

Arielle patted the wall.

"Maybe later," she whispered back.

"First, I have a wolf to kill."