Chapter 71 - Unveiling the Enemy

Violet.

I stared numbly at the steaming mug of coffee in front of me, unable to bring myself to take a sip. The atmosphere in Mildred's cozy little shop felt off… wrong even. Among the delicious pastries and out-of-this-world coffee, we should be happy, discussing school, love… hell, even the weather, not that we were going to war with an enemy no one had much info about.

Javid cleared his throat, drawing my attention. "I'll be keeping an open mind-link with David so we can exchange what's happening in our respective meetings," he said.

David had stayed at the care center, monitoring Paul's condition and planning an attack with the elders.

"Alastair Carmichael is on board and he is asking other smaller packs to join us, with the idea that we will help them inf the need ever arises."

I was thankful for their help, we needed all we could get, but did anyone do anything out of the kindness of their hearts?

My gaze drifted around the table, taking in the tense expressions on everyone's faces. Kiki and Fergus huddled together, their usual bubbly demeanor replaced by solemn silence. Fergus kept his arm protectively around Kiki, his jaw clenched tight. Even Jasmine, who normally exuded confidence, seemed subdued, her eyes downcast. Marla and Lorraine were much better, they shredded napkins until they were mere pieces.

"This is really happening, isn't it?" Samuel's voice broke the stillness, saying what everyone was thinking. "We're actually going to war."

A collective shudder rippled through the group at his words. War. The very idea knotted my stomach. Just a few weeks ago, my biggest concern had been passing my classes and avoiding Jasmine's taunts in the hallway. Now, we were preparing to face an enemy that had already proven its brutality.

"We don't have a choice," Lorraine spoke up, her tone grim. "If we don't stop Tabor and his followers, more innocent lives will be lost."

"She's right," Javid agreed, his gaze locking with mine. "We have to fight. For Paul, for the pack, for everyone they've hurt."

I swallowed hard, giving a small nod. Javid's words struck home. This was bigger than any of us – it was about protecting those we loved, and the world we called home.

"I'm ready," I said, my voice steadier than I'd expected. "Whatever it takes."

One by one, the others echoed my sentiment, their expressions hardening with resolve. We might have been an unlikely group, brought together by circumstance and fate, but in that moment, we were united by a common purpose.

Mildred cleared her throat. "Samuel and I have gleaned a bit of information on Tabor Viers. Sam, you want to go first?"

Samuel instantly started fidgeting, his eyes darting nervously around the room like a trapped mouse. They landed on me for a brief second before flitting away again. This wasn't the first time he'd been staring at me lately, and I had a feeling it wouldn't be the last. But there wasn't a hint of flirtation in his gaze, just a weird, coiled tension like he was bursting to tell me something. I crossed my arms and made a mental note to corner him after this whole thing was over. There was no way I was leaving without figuring out what his deal was.

"Well," Samuel started, his voice wavering slightly. "From what I've gathered, Tabor belongs to a high society coven of powerful warlocks back in my hometown." He paused, glancing at me again. This time, I caught the furtive look, and my brow furrowed in confusion.

"Go on," Mildred urged, oblivious to Samuel's odd behavior.

He swallowed hard. "The warlocks there, they love their gossip, but when I asked about Tabor, they all clammed up. Only one friend dared to say that Tabor was someone I didn't want to get involved with." Another fleeting look in my direction, and I felt Javid tense beside me. "I asked if he would help us. One person with all that power couldn't be good for his group."

Samuel fell silent and looked at his hand.

"What happened when you asked if he'd help take Tabor down?" Jasmine prodded, her voice sharp.

Samuel lifted his gaze. "He ended the link immediately. I couldn't get him back after that."

An uneasy silence settled over the group. Mildred cleared her throat, drawing our attention.

"From my research, it seems Tabor is a rising, powerful warlock who feeds on the darkest of covens, enlisting their aid to take over all magical communities and unite them under his rule." Her expression was grave. "He's not just stopping at witches and warlocks, either. I've uncovered information about dark fae, vampires, and even a few shifters – werewolves and dragons – joining his ranks."

A collective murmur rippled through the group. I felt Javid's hand find mine under the table, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"The guys who attacked me were definitely part of a motorcycle gang," he spoke up. "My old tutor, Marco, is looking into it, but it's starting to add— Wait a second, David is telling me something."

Javid's brow furrowed in concentration. from his expression, the mind-link between him and David was an intense exchange of information.

Something was going down.

"David says the hooded figure who attacked us revealed himself right before… uh, hirting Violet." Javid relayed, his voice taut. "He thinks he recognized the guy, but he's not entirely sure."

A hush fell over our group as we waited with bated breath. Kiki clutched Fergus's hand, her eyes wide with worry.

"It was Bart Rivers," Javid continued, his tone laced with disbelief. "The kid David had a confrontation with years ago in school."

"That little shrimp?" Fergus scoffed. "I could knock him over with a feather."

"Perhaps he's changed, Fergie," Kiki said. "Your Mom showed me pictures of you in 5th grade and you were a little-bitty thing."

Fergus flexed his bicep, making an impressive bulge. "Not anymore" he growled.

Kiki's eyes glowed and she snuggled closer to his side.

"But David's not sure why Bart would want to hurt us," Javid went on. "The beat down he gave him back then wouldn't warrant such a reaction, would it?"

A heavy silence lingered as we processed this revelation. My mind raced, trying to piece together the connection.

"What did Bart look like?" I found myself asking. "How is David describing him?"

Javid's eyes met mine, and I saw a flicker of understanding pass between us. He proceeded to recount David's recollection – a scrawny kid with pure white hair, fishy lips and a hooked nose that had taken over most of his narrow face.

As the details washed over me, my breath caught in my throat. That was him – the tall, pale figure from my vision, the one Jasmine's cousin Samuel had identified as Tabor Viers. Except in my dream, he'd been ghostly pale with bright red lips the color of fresh blood.

"That's him," I blurted out, my voice trembling slightly. "The guy from my vision, the one Samuel said was Tabor Viers."