Chapter 49
RYDEN
“Wow. Chopsticks.” I didn’t know what to say, but grateful, and at the same time confused. “Why chopsticks? Is there a meaning behind it?” It was made of steel with a serpentine design at the handle.
“Silly. It’s Kanzashi.” I still didn’t know what that was.
“A what?”
“A hair accessory. It comes in several varieties. Beautiful,” she said as she examined it. Then she twisted the nob as if she’d seen it before.
I heard a soft click. Then the sharp point popped up, shining against the light.
“Holy shit. A weapon?”
“Yup. I’m pretty sure it’s laced with poison.” She twisted it back, giving me the other one. “One for you, one for me.”
I chuckled as I took it from her. “Do you expect me to grow hair and use it, ladybug?”
“Keep it in your jacket pocket, or your pencil holder on top of your desk. It may come in handy,” she said as she put her Kanzashi back into the box. “You should resume your training with the sword, Alpha.”
“I’ll give Ren a heads-up. Thanks.” I kissed her on the cheek before I got up. “Just for the record, can this kill even werewolves?”
She lifted her gaze. “Yes, Ryden. Are you planning on killing someone?”
“Maybe.” Taking a life was not for fun, but when it came to the people I cared about and my pack, I didn’t give a shit of killing anyone who would harm them. Call me cold-blood killer, but when they crossed the line, they knew there would be great consequences.
Later in the afternoon, Zeph, Reede, Walker, Trent, and Landon met at my office.
“Why are we here, Alpha?” Landon asked as everyone arrived.
“Don’t ask, Landon. Wait until he speaks,” Zeph said as he turned on his Beta role.
“Have any of you heard of werewolves who died in mysterious ways?” I observed everyone, and none of them started speaking. “Boys! Speak up!”
Reede raised his hand. “I did not see the body, but I heard a rumor from a pack in the south, Crescent Moon. Two werewolves have died, but they couldn’t explain it. Remember the black virus? Similar to it. The body turned gray and the eyes seemed hollow. But here’s a thing, I think they might not die in that mysterious death. There was a stab wound behind their heads. What’s going on, Alpha?”
“Not sure yet, but here’s what we should do.” Before I could spread the enhanced image from the drone, there was a knock on the door.
“Expecting someone, Ry?”
“No, Zeph. Check who’s behind the door.”
Zeph went to the door and opened it, then I heard the laugh of my mate and her scent rushed inside. What the hell was she doing here?
“Is there a meeting I missed the memo along the way or I wasn’t intentionally invited?” She didn’t look upset, but she wasn’t happy either.
Dane made a subtle nod to acknowledge me. He was carrying a long duffel bag.
“Come in, Dane.”
“Should I go?” She checked everyone before she arched a brow at me.
“Please, join us, Amelia.” I could feel she wanted to roll her eyes, but then she walked in and locked the door behind her. “What’s going on here? If you want me to leave, I will. It’s fine. Maybe I’m too feminine for the job.”
“Don’t be silly, Amelia.” I blew a breath as I started. “I’ve been thinking, and the reason I didn’t tell you about this is because this is maybe a goose chase.”
“I loved goose chase. Go on. Continue. I’ll just listen,” she said calmly.
Dane came forward as I spread the drone image on the desk. “I know that place.”
“Good. Whatever happens here, whatever we talk about, can’t ever be brought outside. This is confidential or you will be punished,” I specifically told my pack. “Understood?”
They nodded, but still looked confused, except Amelia.
“This is one of Alec Webster’s houses. Starting tonight, we will survey his house. We will observe from the distance and make sure no one sees you or recognizes you or the pack will be in trouble.”
“I want to come with you.”
“Are you sure?” I asked Amelia.
“Yes.”
“Okay. I will divide it into pairs. Zeph and Landon, Trent and Reede, and Walker are with me. You and Dane.” Then I gave them the specific area of the assignment.
“Got it,” she seconded, not questioning me on why we shouldn’t be assigned together.
“Any question?” When they remained silent, I continued, “You will observe what you see, in and out of the gate, anything that seems doesn’t add up. Dane will distribute the equipment you need.”
“Alpha, may I ask?” Trent raised a hand.
“Go ahead.”
“What are we expect to see? I mean I want to know exactly what we’re looking for?”
“There’s a demonic element or demonic entities called legions or wraiths going around killing humans and werewolves in their incorporeal form of smoke.” The moment I mentioned demonic, my pack shared a look, eyes bulging. “If you see one, do not engage unless it’s necessary.”
“Is that what hurt Zeph?” Landon asked.
“Yes.”
“How do we kill it?” Reede asked.
“That’s where Dane comes in.”
Dane dropped his duffel on the desk, distributing goggles and knives. “The demons can’t hide from the infrared goggles at night. These knives are not regular knives. Its blade is plated with an old sword wielded by a Nephilim.”
“A half-angel?” Amelia asked in shock. “Wow. Have you met one?”
“No. It was ages ago.” Dane turned to her. “Just like werewolves, they age slowly, five hundred years old and longer.”
I picked up the knife. There was something carved on the blade that I could not read.
“Any questions?”
“I think I can’t wait to kill one,” Walker said with pride as he picked up a knife.
“Be careful with that. Make sure you won’t get cut or stabbed by that. You won’t heal instantly or worse, it can kill you. It depends on the damage,” Amelia told him, scaring them.
“Thanks for the heads-ups, Luna.” Trent nodded in respect.
“Keep all these here for now. We’ll meet at my house at eight o’clock.”
Everyone left, except Dane, Amelia, and I.
“This is actually a good idea,” she commented. “Tonight would be the twelve nights since London. It should be going for a hunt again.”
“But still a goose chase, Amelia.”
“I know, Alpha. Considering we don’t have a lead, this is our chance to prove his involvement. Still, a long way to go, knowing he has a lot of properties. But I have hopes. Remember when I asked you if you noticed something at the party?”
“Yeah. You didn’t get the chance to tell me about it?”
“Nora was wearing a necklace with an orange-yellow pendant gemstone. Could be Sphalerite. Maybe it can ward off wraiths. Not sure. Could be one of her father’s antique collections. And it’s a rare gemstone.”
“I can ask around if someone has a collection of this gemstone,” Dane suggested, which was a good idea. At this point, we needed any help from friends.
“That would be great, Dane. Thanks.”
“Don’t thank me yet.” He came and shook my hand. “See you both tonight. Amelia.”
At 8:30 pm, we arrived at the sites. Walker and I found a good spot. I brought a binoculars, too.
“How long are we gonna do this?”
“Bored already?” I gave him a side look.
He chuckled. “I felt like I’m one of those badass good guys in the movie.”
“But this isn’t a movie, Walker. You should be very careful.”
“I know, Alpha.”
Three hours later, no movements. Walker started to yawn.
The mansion was silent. I tried to reach out to Amelia through the pack link.
She replied, “The night is still young.”
Until the sun rose up, and we still got nothing. It was a bust, or he knew we were after him.