CHAPTER 41
Iliana Dimitri, also known as Rachel Hugh; a Shadow pack spy trapped in the Silver Creek with three of her comrades murdered from the cause of bring found out by the Silver Creek. Thanks to her affiliation with the Silver Creek alpha, Alexander Robinson, as his fake mate, she was able to maneuver being discovered or worse, death. The longer she stayed the more she falls victim to a strange power that goes off at anytime. According to research done by Alexander himself, it is a power that conducts the currents of time. It casts it’s shadow on anyone at any given time. It’s pattern is unknown. Recently, there have been no records of the power.
As Iliana planned her escape, she discovered that her escape plan was a little too flawed. She also discovered that there was more to know about the Silver Creek. Her plan to abscond was eliminated. After she heard from a masked man –a shadow pack member she first encountered– that there is a library beneath the catacombs, she incubates a new plan to discover more and more about the Silver Creek.
A little while after, Iliana tried getting information from Rajesh, but her multiple attempts failed. However, with Erik Robinson–Alexander’s brother– now on her side, she pled with him to use his gift on Rajesh—his gift to make one speak against their will. Erik strongly disagreed, but having heard Alexander’s plea, Erik’s heart was softened and he agreed to do it.
Now, Erik, Iliana and Alexander sat in wait for the dark hours at High and Lows.
“How long will you be in there for?” Erik asked.
“About two hours. It should be enough time for me to read through and get what I need.” Iliana replied.
“I’ll make sure we only spend two hours in there. Erik, you will set a timer on your phone and I will too. When it’s past two hours and fifteen minutes, if I don’t give you a call, then come for us. If you can’t come for us, use the dissonance. I’ll hear you.”
“Okay—” Erik seized as he saw Sophia walking towards them.
“Erik, can I talk to you, please?”
“Sophia,” Alexander looked at her. “Did you not see we were talking? Have you gone blind now? I haven’t plucked out your eyes yet which means…you can still see.”
“I apologize for barging in on your conversation but I really need to talk to Erik.”
“Alexander, it’s fine.” Erik said as he stood from the stool and escorted Sophia out.
Outside…
“What is it?” Erik asked.
“What’s the report of your mission?”
“It doesn’t concern you.”
Sophia rose her brow. “It doesn’t? Need I remind you that this mission is for the good of this pack– of this town and here you are…bonding?”
“What’s it to you?”
“Erik, this isn’t about me. I—have you used your gifts on her yet?”
“No.”
“Why not, Erik?!” Sophia scolded. “Haven’t you had enough time to get through to her soul? What are you doin—”
“Sophia.” Erik’s tone shifted. Sophia looked him in the eye. “You have spewed too much. Don’t make me remind you of your position in this pack.” Sophia shook her head.
“Alexander gave me a warning. He told me never to keep an eye on her again. That is why I am depending on you.”
“Does Rajesh know?”
“He doesn’t. Not yet.”
“Don’t tell him anything yet. Don’t tell David either.”
“Tell me what?” David walked into light.
“David!” Sophia was startled. “Where did you come from?”
“From the lab. We finished what we had going on, so I thought I could just cool off here.”
“Oh.”
“I heard my name. What are we telling me?”
“I-It’s nothing.” Sophia stuttered.
David walked to Sophia and lifted her chin with his fingers. Her head was tiled upwards and her eyes were fixed on David’s. “Oh, Sophia, you are so cute when you lie. Speak the truth.”
“I-I was told to keep an eye on Rachel.”
“And…?”
“David, that’s enough.” Alexander was out of the bar with Iliana besides him.
David let Sophia go and set his gaze on his brother. “Alexander, what a coincidence. I was thinking of you on my way here.”
“Sophia, are you alright?” Iliana walked to Sophia.
“Y-yes.” Sophia stuttered.
“Alexander,” David stepped closer to Alexander. “My little brother, how are you?”
“I’m fine.”
“Of course you would be, after causing a mess.”
“What mess?” Erik asked.
“He didn’t tell you?” David scoffed. “Well, there’s no need to revisit the past. It’s forgotten now. I did not come here to decrease my mental energy even further on meaningless chatters. I came here to enjoy myself. Sophia…” David’s eyes captured Sophia’s again “Come join me.”
Sophia walked to David who made way for her to go into the bar.
“Enjoy the rest of your night, brothers.” David closed the door of the bar.
“Alexander, what was Erik talking about when he said you caused a mess?”
“I’ll tell you as we go. Let’s go get that key.”
It was a long walk to Rajesh’s main laboratory but they arrived. Alexander stopped on his tracks first and took a deep breath. He did not perceive Rajesh near them. It was their perfect chance to go into the lab and steal the key.
“I’ll go.” Alexander volunteered. “Erik and Rachel you two stay out her on the look out.”
Alexander walked in.
“So, Rachel, how’s the night?”
“It’s not bad. I like this night. The moon is perfect as always and I am…happy.” Iliana smiled
“I also like this night. I, too, am happy. It’s been a while since I felt this way.”
“What way?”
“Seen.”
“I don’t know what that feels like.”
“Why not? You are the mate of the strongest alph—” Erik stopped. He perceived something— the strong smell of alcohol. There was only one person that could carry that smell around without showing any signs of it. “Shit!” He exclaimed as he pulled out his phone and sent multiple texts to Alexander. “Rajesh is coming.”
“Should we stay or should we hide?” Iliana asked.
“Act natural.”
Rajesh was in sight steadily approaching the vicinity of his laboratory. Erik and Iliana were as though they were having a deep conversation and never took sight of him.
“Erik? Rachel?”
“Rajesh, here you are.” Erik acted surprised.
“Do you want something?” Rajesh furrowed his brows.
“We wanted to see if you would be interested in having a drink with us.”
“Thank you, but I’m calling it a night. I’m exhausted.” Rajesh walked into the building.
Iliana widened her eyes at Erik as Erik look confused.
“Both of you should go get some sleep.” Rajesh said before closing the door.
“Alexander’s still in the building.” Iliana yelled in a whisper.
“I know. I wonder if—”
“Don’t worry I’m here.” Alexander came from the back into sight. “There was a back door. I used it. Let’s get out of here.”
“Did you get the key?”
Alexander revealed a golden key in his palms. “I pray.”
“What will Rajesh do if he finds out that this key is missing?” Iliana worriedly asked.
“Don’t worry about that. Let’s go.”
The three of them headed to the forest and hastily before Rajesh or anyone could spot them. The arrived at the descending entrance of the catacombs…
“Erik, put the timer on. I’ll have mine on as well. If we’re not out in two hours and fifteen minutes—”
“I’ll come get you.”
“Yes.”
“Thank you, Erik.” Iliana expressed her gratitude.
“I hope you find what you’re looking for.”
“I hope so too.”
“Come, Rachel.”
Alexander and Iliana descended into the catacombs. It was cold, airy and dusty. They began their walk into the maze of the catacombs. Alexander felt different being in there. There was something different about being in there. They walked steadily. It dawned in them that they had no direction of the library’s location so they tried to find anything that would lead them to the lower part of the catacombs. The arrived at a descending staircase arranged in a spiral. Steadily, they descended. They arrived at the floor level, but found nothing there. It was as though they had met a dead end. Alexander had a thought.
“What’s that password you retrieved from Rajesh?”
Iliana spoke the uncommon language and suddenly, brick by brick, the wall separated. A metal door was revealed.
“How lucky.” Alexander walked to the metal door and inserted the key in the keyhole. He turned the key and the door partly opened, releasing a brief gust of wind. Alexander pushed the door open. The entered a passage; there was a way out at the other side The door was closed.
“I’m excited but I have a bad feeling.” Iliana stated.
“Let’s go.”
Alexander led the way. They arrived at the end of the passage and their eyes were widened.
“Woah.”