Chapter 174
AMELIA
The next morning, there had been reports that came overnight of a werewolf attack at the neighboring pack of Nirvana’s grandfather, Case, one in Hawaii, and near the Mexican border.
The New York packs were on high alert for full escalation. My gut told me, the director had been quick to take advantage of the earthquake situation, and his minions had made a quick stop before they moved to either of the two places.
Fury pummeled me. I wanted to do something but one man couldn’t end this atrocity. I mean, woman.
“I know that look.” Ren sighed beside me, his hand on my wrist.
“What look?” I looked at him.
“The blame look on your face, wishing you could have done something.”
“Thanks for talking to me again. I could really use your optimism right now.” I chuckled as I squeezed his hand. “Months ago we were just hunting bad guys, and we did most of it with flying colors. Now we don’t have resources, it feels like we’re allowing the bad guys to get away. Tell me if I’m the only one having this knot in my stomach.”
“You’re not alone, Amelia, but we’re up for the bigger fish.”
“I couldn’t believe he got us all fooled, used us to do his bidding. I’m trained by the best of the best, and I didn’t even doubt his intention for a second.”
“The SEO was a legit organization for a thousand years until the director and his father destroyed everything your father had built— his reputation, his vision, and legacy. I hope there’s still something left to pick up once this is over.”
Talking about legacy, made my anger flare. “How do we even fight against an entity as powerful as him?”
“Trust your instinct.”
I snorted. “Didn’t I just tell you that he got us all fooled? I don’t trust my instinct lately.”
“Then just believe in your father’s good intention towards our people, balancing the existence between human and supernatural world, the good and bad.”
“I just wish he was here to help us, guide us, and show us if we were doing the right thing.”
“I believe he’s done his part enough to win this war. You’re not one of the elementals, but your purpose here is to lead us, Amelia.”
“I do hope, Ren.” I looked between Ryden and Lucius. For the first time, I saw the teamwork between the two. “What’s up with them? What did your air whisperer have gossiped for you?”
“Air whisperer? Do you know how ridiculous that sounds?” He smiled at me, the same smile I used to see when it was just the two of us partners in crime. I missed it.
“Why don’t you pray to Heavenly Wind and let him send us some miracles?”
“Since when did you lose hope, Amelia?” He faced me. “What’s bothering you?”
“I just don’t want people getting hurt anymore. I’m tired of seeing people dying.” I looked at Ryden, his gaze locked with mine. I smiled.
“I think you’re too hard on yourself, taking the blame for the SEO falling into the wrong hands. You’re father could have stopped this, but deep inside you, you know this thing should happen. This fight is destined for you to end. I know there should be sacrifices made to keep the balance between worlds.”
“You guys ready?” Ryden came when Nora and Theia joined us.
“Nope. I don’t wanna die or turned into a mini evil,” Theia said. “I changed my mind. I’m going home.”
I stared at her. “You have the sigil. You won’t turn into one of them.
Then she rolled her eyes. “I’m the only one who has no powers, duh.”
“I don’t have powers like them, too, Theia, but I’m not walking away from this fight.” Lucius smiled at her. “I will have your back.”
“No powers? Look at your biceps, man. And you’re half-witch. You know some tricks.”
“Warlock,” he corrected her. He only received a glare in return. “I’m nothing special, trust me. I’m not immortal, but I will fight until the end because what’s the point of staying alive when someone like the director rules the world? Evil can’t win, Theia.”
I couldn’t help but smile as Lucius even tried convincing my best friend.
“Well, if you say so, but if I die, you bury me next to the weed garden.”
Ren shook his head in amusement. “You can join his pack, Theia. I’m sure he’ll give you a piece of his land, but what about him?” He tipped his chin at Bryan, the Caltech guy.
“Shut up, Ren.”
“We’re ready.” Guston gave us a heads up, carrying one long duffel bag. “Dane, Kailin, and Drak are here.”
“Good. Let’s roll out.” Lucius walked to Drak with two long duffel bags.
“He’s leading us?” I asked Ryden through the pack link. Ren, Nora, and Theia just joined our pack so we had a way of communicating with each other.
“Yes. He’s more experienced than any of us, and he’s the alpha king.”
I raised a brow at him. “You’re okay with this?”
“Yeah. Why not? He’s a good leader. He gained my trust when he brought us to his territory. He saved people’s lives, families, and pups who were sold to the bad guys. How about you? Do you have doubts?” He looked right into my eyes.
“No. I just don’t want you two will have arguments with decision-making.”
“We’re here with one purpose. To defeat that son of a bitch.” He cupped my face and kissed me on the lips. “If I could only send you back to keep you safe, I would have done that a long time ago, but we both know you are the key element of winning this war against Arakiel.”
“Arakiel? Is that his name?” Nora asked.
We turned to her.
“Yeah. Lucius said. The director’s name is Arakiel. Is this name familiar to you?” Ryden asked him.
“He’s one of my father’s major investors. Arakiel Damon.”
“Well, fuck.”
“Even the name suits him,” Theia grunted.
Nora scrolled on her phone and showed us a picture of men attending a major event, including his father. She zoomed it to the man in his fifties with salt and pepper hair. “That’s him.”
“Not the same person I saw. Dane, do you know this guy?” I showed him Arakiel’s old face.
“Yeah. Kiel Damon. Rich guy philanthropist.” Dane nodded. “I shook his hand once at Victor’s house.”
“Son of a bitch. Golf buddies?” Lucius said as he and Guston began distributing weapons and tear gases with Imperium cure.
“Yeah. Why did you ask?” Dane glanced at me.
“The last time I checked he has my father’s face.”
“He wants to convince the entire SEO that he’s the supreme Enoch, just came down to earth.”
“Or destroy my father’s legacy.”
“That too. Considering everyone is already under his influence, they will go to battle with him,” Lucius said, “Let’s go before he moves to another location. I got weapons and tear gases.”
“I can’t kill those people. I know most of them. If I get a chance, I will clear them from the roofied effect and convince them Arakiel is the bad guy.”
Zarah just came out of her portal. “Be careful out there. You’re outnumbered. You may get help from other packs, but you’re fighting against demonic elements.”
“Thank you, Zarah.” Ryden drew a long breath and released it slowly. “Follow his lead. Lucius is taking us down there.”
I hugged Zarah and whispered, “You know what to do if things don’t go as planned.” Then I stepped into the portal.
My heart began to pound. The blazing sun pricked my skin, and I squinted at the beam of light. All I could see was the desert in heat waves from the distance.
“The jacket really helps,” Ryden chuckled as he looked at me. “You stay beside me all the time.”
The rest followed, including Lucius.
“Why are we in the Arizona desert?” Guston asked.
Lucius answered by cutting his palm and casting something in a language foreign to me. After that, he raised his bloody palm in the air.
“Holy shit.” I sucked in a breath and shivered as the cloak was gone and the SEO tower stood tall before us. It was magnificent, reminding me of an ancient church in a famous city in Europe. “I’ve come here for more than a year, but I haven’t seen the real SEO tower from the outside.”
“Me, too,” Ren agreed.
“I did,” Lucius said. “Be careful. There could be traps everywhere. Trust your instinct, and don’t ever hesitate.”