Chapter 48 CHAPTER 48
The floors were polished black, and the chandelier up above sparkled with warm lighting that filled the entrance.
A large desk made of pure oak wood was on the side and a pretty lady was seated there, typing away at a computer.
I stepped out of the elevator and I was shocked by a growl from my left.
A screech escaped me as wolves almost as tall as me bared their teeth.
"Show your card," Uncle John instructed and I fumbled into my jean pocket with shaky hands until I got it out and held it, far away from them.
My hand was literally on my face, I'm sure they can see it, they're werewolves.
Their growls died down but my heart didn't stop beating erratically.
I followed my guardian towards the desk but my eyes kept darting back to the enhanced beasts guarding the entrance.
I looked around to see that there were more on every door, two guarding each but four at the main entrance by the elevator.
"We're here for her tests," Uncle John's voice made me turn back to the present and I forced my racing heart to calm down.
Despite the wolf in me, I still scared easily.
"Is she..." The lady asked, her soft eyes widening.
"I don't know what you mean Miss."
"Never mind," she smiled, showing a dimple on her rosy cheeks. "I was told to expect someone special today but give me your hand dear."
I did and she put it on a part of the desk I realised was coloured obsidian.
The screen on her left lit up and she let me go.
Suddenly, a door on the left opened and a tall man wearing oversized trousers but tightly fitted suit walked out.
"Sera Voss?"
"Yes?"
"I'm Councilman Ferdinand and I'm the head of the Tennessee Council branch. We've been expecting you," he smiled, "come this way."
I looked between my uncle and the man. He had a head full of dark hair and his fingers had rings on all of them.
Didn't look very councilmanly to me but I walked like I was expected to.
"Mr John, kindly stay with me," the receptionist said, making me turn with her words, "she'll join you soon."
What?
"Ma'am, I'm not going in there without him," I said, my voice stronger than I felt.
The wolf by the door marked meeting room growled and I rolled my eyes at it.
"Miss, your uncle doesn't have any business with your mission. Come along so we can get this wrapped up quickly," the man said but I shook my head and planted my feet deeper into the ground.
"No sir. He comes with."
"Hmm, they sent us a stubborn one."
His eyes changed colour as he communicated with someone for a bit.
"Fine, he can come with. Let's get this done with, we have bigger things to attend to."
"You shouldn't provoke them like that," Uncle John said in my head.
"But you said they won't hurt me."
"Yes but only if you don't provoke them."
Oh.
The door opened again and I walked in after the man.
When he stepped away, I was shocked to see a gathering of fifteen men and two women.
This is where he wanted me to walk in, alone?
"Everyone, welcome our dawnbringer. The one destined to blot away the dangers of the night," Mr Ferdinand announced and everyone got up, smiling at me.
What the hell?
"Uncle, what does he mean by that? Am I to join some vigilante group?"
"Let's take things one step at a time, Sera. Go, the continental head, Alpha Bauer, is waiting for you."
I saw the man, shorter than most in the room but I could feel power oozing from his gaze.
I swallowed and then forced my feet to move.
When I got there, he pulled out the seat nearest to him for me to sit down.
My uncle sat at the very end but it was still better than him staying with the receptionist.
"We've waited for a long time for you, Miss Sera."
"I apologise, I had to go to school," I said, immediately feeling bad for keeping everyone waiting.
"Oh we're not talking about today," a lady with red hair packed in a messy bun said with a smile. "Our ancestors, at least four generations back, have been waiting."
Somebody help me close my mouth.
"Alpha Stephanie is right," the man to my right continued. "We're lucky you came in our generation but the wait is not over yet. I hear you're half-blooded."
"Yes, whatever that means," I muttered the second part under my breath.
"We have to take out that factor as soon as possible so you can begin your training."
"Sorry, I don't really understand."
"All in due time Miss. Our secrets cannot be fully revealed to a half-blood."
Ouch.
"Do you know what you have to do to become a full-blooded wolf?" Alpha Stephanie asked me.
She wasn't smiling anymore.
"Nobody would tell me. They said you guys would though."
She exchanged a look I've come to recognise with these people with the continent coordinator.
"Edward, take her to the cells."
"Why? What did I do?"
Chuckles came from almost everybody in the meeting room
"Nothing my dear. We simply want you to see the disease we're trying to root out. You will join us afterwards for further instructions."
I got up and two members stood up and I headed outside with them.
We passed through the third door on the left that led to an old corridor, nothing like the glamorous interior of the other side.
We kept walking until we stopped by some iron bars.
The two men stepped back for me to pass.
I was confused but I've not been harmed so far so I did.
A shriek came from the darkness before me and I nearly jumped into Mr Edward's arms.
"They can't hurt you, they've been starved and chained."
"What... What is that? I can't see?"
He clapped his hands and light slowly began filling the corridor and what I was realising was a cell.
Inside was a sickly-looking thing folded into itself.
It had hands that it was using as legs and its eyes were sucked inside.
It was like sticks were arranged together and given the ability to move.
And then it inhaled and bared its teeth at me.
I screamed.
"That is a vampire. It's real, true form without all the blood they keep stealing and killing people for."
I didn't wait for him to finish, the creature was stretching his hand towards me and I broke out in a frenzied run.