Chapter 104 Ch. 74
Ethan was the first person to stand up the moment the clock struck ten. It had been a long day of waiting, planning, and restlessness for him. Now the time to get Zara had finally come.
“Let’s go,” he said immediately, pushing his chair back and reaching for his jacket.
Dylan looked up from the table and nodded, then rose to his feet and motioned for the others to move.
Ethan grabbed his phone, checked it once— somehow wishing he could tell his coach something to keep him at ease about his daughter.
It wasn’t worth the risk.
“What’s that?” Asked Jace, peering over his shoulders.
“Coach,” he said in a hoarse whisper. “Kinda wish we could like fill him in.”
“Yeah no,” Jace said immediately, ans then pushed. “Do you really think he hasn’t got the slightest clue about what his daughter is?”
“He’s human,” Ethan shrugged. “I mean everything about him… scent… uh what else?”
“Yeah sure,” Jace snickered quietly. “Same way you thought your precious little Zee was human.”
“Yeah… cause… I mean she didn’t even know herself.”
“And you think her dad wouldn’t have known?” Jace lifted his eyebrows, strapping a wood piece shaped like a knife to his boot. “And think of it… her mom had the blood yeah, but unless her dad had something in him too… it can’t.”
“Look,” Ethan said with a sigh. “I can’t delve into conspiracies right now. And if he knew something, he’d be doing something because that’s his goddamn daughter.”
“Yeah, sure,” Jace replied with an eye roll.
“What’s the argument about?” Dylan asked, turning to face the boys. He had been on a group call with Ivanna and Marcus to fill them in. Marcus had insisted to come, but Ivanna was against it.
She couldn’t lose him to vampires.
“Nothing,” Ethan said with a tight smile, shoving his phone into his pocket.
He followed his uncle down the hallway and then to the lower level of the house where a few men waited.
Dylan had chosen them carefully. These were men who followed his own orders without questions and who would not linger after the job was done. They were still part of Lorenzo’s clan, which meant they could not really know why Zara truly mattered. If they did, word would get back, and Ethan would lose her before he even reached her.
He had to be careful because these men still had to report to Lorenzo sometimes. They were only more loyal to him.
Dylan stopped near the door. “You all know the rules,” he said, pulling on his gloves. “We go in, look for and get the girl, and we leave.” He turned to Ethan. “You stay close to me cause this…” he pointed between both of them, “will piss off your father.”
“I will,” Ethan said, slipping his jacket on and tightening the strap across his chest. He didn’t mean the words but anything to keep his uncle from nagging him. His hands shook a little, but he forced them to stop.
Dylan had changed from that ruthless rebel since his girlfriend.
It was still strange having his uncle like this.
They stepped outside and headed for the vans. The night air was cool, and it cleared his head just enough to keep him moving. As Ethan reached for the door, footsteps sounded behind them.
“I knew it,” a voice said. “I knew you guys would be here.”
Ethan turned around.
Noah stood a few steps away, breathing hard, a small bag slung over one shoulder. “You didn’t come to school,” Noah continued, stepping closer. “You and Jace. I asked Prunella and she wouldn’t say anything. So I came here around eight… waited outside.”
“You shouldn’t be here,” Ethan said, turning fully toward him. “This isn’t for you. You’re a fucking human.”
“I’m coming with you,” Noah said, lifting his chin. “I already know that much.”
“You’re human,” Ethan deadpanned, his voice rising despite himself. “You can’t be part of this. You’ll get hurt, you don’t have the strength or wit to match any of us— of them! Are you listening to yourself. You could get killed. You think Zara would want that?”
“I won’t get killed,” Noah said, taking another step forward. “I’m not useless. I can… I’ve done my research. I know what weakens vampires… I got it— I’ll make sure you’re not in contact… just them.”
“Research through what?” Jace asked, looking amused. “Fantasy books? The originals? Yo, those aren’t accurate stuff— not everything is true.”
“Yeah, but Prunella is from your clan isn’t she? Hawthorn? Wild rose? The real shit.” He shot back. “I know enough. I know salt and garlic are myths. I know holy water is a fucking myth too— because most priests are unclean.”
“Not good enough.”
“Oh, I forgot the death sentence for unoriginals even with a daylight ring,” Noah grinned, flashing a bottle. “Distilled Aeuthrin. I’ve also got knives in my bag I’ve rinsed with it.”
Everyone froze.
“How’d you get that?” Jace whispered hoarsely, fingers turning on his daylight ring.
Noah smirked. “Determination. She’s my fucking best friend.”
“Seems like you’re in love with her,” Ethan challenged a strange feeling of jealousy washing over him. He’d never had a problem with Noah until now— when he was willing to risk his life for Zara.
He felt… not enough.
They’d know each other for years, he hadn’t.
Dylan glanced between them. “Stay away from the other men when fighting. Keep close to me or Ethan, we are the only ones who’d be unaffected.”
Ethan looked at his uncle. “You’re letting him come?”
“He’s not just tagging along,” Dylan said, opening the back of the van. “He’s useful. I will be draining you and compelling you to forget what you know about killing us after though.”
Ethan hesitated, then nodded once. “Fine,” he said, climbing into the van. “But fucking listen to anything we say.”
“Fine,” Noah huffed, getting in after him.
The drive passed in silence. Ethan sat with his hands clasped together, his knee bouncing as the road stretched on. The closer they got, the bond pulled in his chest.
They stopped a short distance from the compound and finished the rest on foot. Dylan raised his hand, and the group slowed, then spread out. The building ahead was low and wide, lights glowing behind narrow windows.
The first guard barely had time to turn before Dylan was on him. Another rushed forward, and Ethan met him head-on, grabbing his arm and driving the blade into his chest. The body dropped at his feet. More came from the sides. The place was filled with shouts, the sound of bodies hitting the ground, the wet pull of steel being yanked free.
Ethan did not stop. He moved where the noise was loudest, following the pull inside him. Blood stained the floor, smeared the walls, and soaked into his clothes. Someone lunged at him from the side, and Noah slammed into them with one of his poisoned knives before Ethan could react.
“Go,” Noah said, shoving the body away. “I’ve got this.”
Ethan ran.
A scream cut through the noise causing his hearh to jump.
“Zara,” he whispered, and turned down a narrow hall, his boots slipping on the floor.
Another vampire charged at him instantly. They were going to do anything to keep Zara.
The vampires arm was raised, wooden stake aimed straight for his heart. Ethan barely had time to lift his own weapon.
Death was looking him straight in the eye.
Suddenly, the vampire was thrown forward as another blade pierced straight through him, driving him off balance and into the ground.
“No one touches my fucking son,” a familiar voice hissed.