Chapter Nine - The Charity

Leora’s attention was glued to the hexagon patterned glass ceiling of the International San Francisco airport. She was so transfixed by it she nearly bumped into Elijah who was ahead of her. He nearly dropped his carryon and knocked over the three luggage he had in tow.

“Whoops,” said Leora.

Elijah turned back. “Keep your eyes forward.”

They were headed for their airplane’s counter to check in Elijah’s luggage and then head to their gate and wait for boarding.

“Hehehe, sorry. I am  just wow right now! I have never been in an airport,” said Leora in awe. She only had one carryon since she didn’t have much stuff to begin with.

A plane flew over them.

“Ah, so excited I get to be on an airplane,” squealed Leora. She raised up her phone and took a picture of another airplane taking off from another gate.

“Weren’t you boxed in with the museum and flown to San Francisco?” said Elijah as he rummaged for their tickets from his skull patterned, black and white fanny pack.

“Nope. Got put into a truck and drove across the country,” said Leora.

They arrived at the counter where Elijah proceeded to check in his luggage. During that time Leora started taking more pictures: Gift store, a weird fantastically dressed couple arguing, a kid with a balloon and so forth. Then her phone had the VIP lounge in view where Josephine was sitting at the bar drinking a bottle of beer.

Josephine turned her body in their direction. She winked at Leora. Then she lifted her beer bottle before taking a long sip.

“I am very surprised Josephine is here before us,” said Leora, frowning.

“Yes, the luggage with Vera X Inc label has perishable items. Yes, I have the medical note and here are the papers,” said  Elijah. He turned back with only his carryon at his side. “Josephine...yes, she’s surprisingly punctual. What is she doing in the VIP lounge?”

Leora shrugged. “Is there a reason she shouldn’t be there?”

“VIP is for first class or business class,” said Elijah.

Leora squinted her eyes and shook her head. “Not following.”

Elijah rubbed his eyes. “For someone who spends so much time watching Kim Kardashian—ah, forget it. The higher the class the better the seats, better services and actual food to eat.” He took out his tickets and pursed his lips. “Zea is a cheapskate. She stuck us in the economy class...in the aisle seats too. I knew I should have bought our tickets and not let her buy it for us.”

“Now boarding Gate 21 in fifteen minutes,” said a voice booming from the intercoms.

“And that’s our gate. Let’s go before we missed it,” said Elijah bitterly.

They headed to their gate and lined up with the rest of the to-be-passengers. They waited fifteen minutes. Then the first class and business class ticket holders boarded with Josephine coming in at the last minute to Elijah’s displeasure. Leora had no idea why Elijah was moody until she boarded the plane and sat in her seat. They were in the middle of the aisle. A crying baby at Leora’s side and a snoring smelly man on Elijah’s side.

Leora said two words before the airplane took off:

“Fuck Zea.”

***

“Fuck Zea again,” said Leora. Her eyes were bleary and dry from a lack of sleep. Her body ached, especially her butt. “Why do they make the seats so bad?” she whined.

“Because they can,” said Elijah tiredly. He blew into some tissue paper. He was not sick, but he could still smell that man’s odor in his nostrils and he was trying to get rid of it.

They waited at the curve outside of the London airport under the afternoon sun. Elijah’s luggage had already arrived at the hotel, which was what the receptionist said when they went to claim them. They were then given a note that told them to wait here.

Zea had gotten them a cab, but it was late. So now they were stuck in a sea of people passing them by.

Elijah blew his nose again. “Oh man, I can’t get that smell out of my nose! Hey, I am going to go to the bathroom and wash my face. Watch my stuff,” he said. He already started leaving.

“What? What if the ride comes now?” lamented Leora. She took the handle of Elijah’s carryon and pulled it closer to her.

“Tell them to wait and if they charge, make them charge double for Zea!” yelled Elijah before making his way back into the airport.

Leora stood awkwardly at the curb. Wave after wave of people coming and going. She wasn’t sure if Elijah would be able to make it back. She looked at her phone and frowned. She had no service and Zea told them they should take out their sims card or they could be charged thousands of dollars.

“She better give us sim like she promised,” Leora muttered. So far, their trip seems so poor? She had thought House Eagle was much more capable of more considering all the expensive paintings and antiques, and not to mention their headquarters was a literal fucking multi-million mansion.

Josephine slipped out of the sea of people and stood right next to Leora.

“Want to hitch a ride with mine?” said Josephine.

Leora promptly took a step away from Josephine, dragging both hers and Elijah’s carryon with her. “Zea said she got a ride for us, hmph,” she said, turning her head away.

“Oh what? Are you mad at me?” said Josephine. “That’s cute.”

Leora crossed her arms. “Yes.”

“Look, if it makes you feel better, I didn’t know you were a vampire when I asked you out.” Josephine shrugged. “You don’t see vampires running around in the daytime.”

“You could’ve told me your real name,” said Leora. “You could’ve not knocked me out, not kidnap me and just asked.”

“I saved your ass from Elizabeth. She was going to fuck you up and not in the fun way,” said Josephine.

Leora turned to Josephine. “And?”

“Saved you with Zea,” smiled Josephine. She inched closer to Leora.

“That’s bullshit. Zea would not harm me,” said Leora. “She’s nice.” And the first vampire who was nice to her so far.

“Alright, yeah, I give you that. She’s a little too gung-ho ‘for my people’.” Josephine shook her head. “But I go in style.” She pointed at a luxury car parked near them on the curb. “What do you say, you and me? Ditch the witch to get on whatever ride Zea got coming.”

Leora narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “What’s your game with me?” She was ready at the drop of a hat to scream for help should Josephine try to knock her out again.

Josephine put her hands into her nylon jacket. The sleeves were rolled up and three arrows that match her hair side-shave ran down her left forearm. “Well, if you remember where we left off on our date before that asshole vampire interrupted us—which by the way, for the record, you should’ve let me kick his ass—you wanted us to spend some quality time.” She bit her lower lips and wiggled her eyebrows.

Leora pursed her lips. She leaned in, which surprised Josephine. She motioned the taller woman to hunch down, which Josephine did. She whispered into Josephine’s ear, “Let me tell you something. I was never going to bang you, okay?”

Josephine busted out laughing. “What? I wanted to watch Netflix,” she said.

Leora was straight faced. “No, you weren’t and keep your hands off of me or else,” she warned.

“Whoa,  now. I am respectful.” Josephine put her hands up. She took a step back.

“Good. Now leave me alone,” glared Leora.

“Alright but I just have one question for you. Do you trust Zea all the way?” asked Josephine playfully.

“Of course. Do you?” Leora was now suspicious.

“We will see when we get there,” said Josephine.

“And what’s going on here?” said Elijah, slipping himself between Josephine and Leora.

“I was telling her to get lost. Our ride is here,” said Leora. She chinned at a homely, black little buggy pulling up in front of them.

The buggy car rolled down its driver windows. A wrinkly faced man with an eyepatch, and a cigarette in his mouth looked at them. “Hey, you two Leora and Elijah?” he said with a scratchy, French accented voice. He let out a puff of smoke.

“Yes,” said Leora slowly.

Elijah just didn’t care at this point. He was ready to get to the hotel and sleep. “C’mon,” he said tiredly.

They entered the buggy and left, leaving Josephine waving at them.

“She is so fucking weird. Why is she waving at us since going to the same place,” said Elijah as he looked back.

“I dunno. Maybe she thinks that’s how you make friends,” mumbled Leora as she dozed off, the flight of the trip finally taking a toll on her.

***

When Leora and Elijah arrived, they were surprised at one thing and half-surprised on another thing based on their trip so far. The first was that Josephine was already there, standing next to the curb when they parked. The second was that the building was a piece of shit.

“This is our hotel?” Leora got out of the cab with her carryon and then followed by Elijah.

The cab sped away with a screech like it was getting away from a haunted house.

“Yep,” said Elijah. He looked over at Josephine. “How did you get here so fast?”

“I’ve lived here for a bit for work,” said Josephine in an exaggerated British accent. “So I know all the shortcuts.”

Leora noticed Josephine had zero luggage or carryon. “Where’s your stuff?” she asked.

“Buying what I need on the go. Easier that way,” winked Josephine.

“Smart,” said Elijah. “How much money did you make from the painting you stole from her?”

Josephine only smiled as she moved to the entrance. “C’mon, let’s not let our uptight vampire wait too long.”

Josephine led them into the building. The insides weren’t that much better than the outside. There was peeling yellow wallpaper, dusty, a weird musty smell and buckets all around to catch droplets of water falling from the brown stained ceiling.

The hotel receptionist was an old woman who could barely see them. She gave them the keys and told them to head to room 406. They proceeded but opted to take the stairs rather than the elevator, not taking the chance considering the state of the rest of the hotel.

When they reached their hotel room, before Josephine could open it, the door swung open.

“Get in fast,” hurried Zea.

They entered, and the door was promptly closed behind.

Zea sat at a desk with an open laptop and a lit lamp—the sole dedicated light source in the room. The windows were covered by heavy, long black curtains that blocked out the sunlight. In the corner was a small refrigerator with empty blood bags stacked neatly on top and lined against them were all of Elijah’s luggage and one other. There was also only one queen sized bed despite the size of the room.

“And did everyone have a safe trip?” asked Zea. She was wearing the same outfit when they last saw her, minus her sword. “The bathroom is over there next to the door labeled W.C. if anyone needed to use it.”

“Safe yes. Shitty why?” said Elijah and quickly made his way to the bed and plopped on it.

“My apologies, I didn’t want the chance that you and Leora would bump into other guests along the way,” said Zea.

“Okay, kinda makes sense,” said Elijah, but he didn’t believe it and leaned more like Zea didn’t want to spend more than she needed. “But why continue it with this crap of a hotel?” he asked.

Leora wasn’t paying attention. She was staring hard at the bed with a horrible realization. They may all have to sleep in it...at the same time!

Josephine leaned on the wall, completely unperturbed by all of this.

“This place is the closest without getting detected, isn’t it?” asked Josephine. She crossed her arms.

Zea nodded. “And noticed. Those that have decided to attend would be taking up the other more established hotels and making sure everyone in their hotel is not a threat,” she said. She stood up and looked at Leora. “Do you want to sit? I’ll ask the receptionist to give us more chairs later.”

Leora, like a zombie, walked to the chair and sat on it. She looked at the laptop, and saw there was a picture of a map. It had all sorts of squiggles and circles.

“When did you arrive? Cuz it kinda looks like you’ve been here way before we did,” said Josphine. She raised an eyebrow. “Like when we were chatting.”

“What? That was almost like a week ago,” said Elijah. He had laid back on the bed and was looking through his phone. He mumbled something under his breath.

“Ah, your friend is as good as she says,” said Zea. “Yes, I have been here since then. I was scooping the venue for the charity party. The security is much tighter than I anticipated.” She rubbed her eyes. “They have twenty-four hours security.”

“Is it because you bombed a bank and everyone in the city has been looking for you since last month?” said Josephine. “A funny thing to not mention.”

This got Elijah’s attention, and he stopped looking through his phone.

“You’ve done your research.” Zea nodded her head. “Partially but more likely the heavy security is for Kimlee Carter. She will be performing there for the charity.”

“What? No way! I love her Outrageous album that she dropped three weeks ago,” yelp Leora excitedly but then frowned as the conversation continued.

“Your concern is noted, Josephine, but I made it here without being recognized. I know what I am doing,” said Zea. “But let’s go over what we have to do. We go in as reps from the Order. Josephine here will lead us. When we find out the time and location to the actual auction, we leave promptly and return here. If we are split, then make sure you aren’t followed making your way back here. No weapons,” she turned to Elijah,  “and no magic there. Any questions?”

Leora put her hands up as if she had a dire question.

“Yes, Leora,” said Zea.

“Are we all sleeping on the bed?” asked Leora.

“After hearing what I just went over, that is your concern?” Zea rubbed her eyes again. “No, I have sleeping bags.”

“You couldn’t get us different rooms?” said Elijah.

“It’s part of our cover,” Zea snapped. “Just suck it up.”

Elijah rolled his eyes and returned to his phone. “What a cheapo,” he added under his breath.

“I, for one, don’t mind. It’ll be a fun sleepover,” grinned Josephine at Leora.

Before Leora could object, Zea took out from her jacket pockets two sims cards and two credit cards. She offered them to Leora. “And here is something for you two,” she said.

Leora snatched them up. “Yes! I can finally use my phone.”

“The credit cards have a maximum of three thousand each. Don’t max them out,” warned Zea.

“Why would I max them out?” said Leora.

“Because I am betting you lot forgot to pack formal wear for tonight,” said Zea through gritted teeth.

***

 

“How does she know we forgot?” whined Leora.

“She doesn’t think we’re competent,” said Elijah. Then he added spitefully, “I actually didn’t forget but I am going to max the shit out of her credit cards.”

“Or she doesn’t want us around,” said Josephine offhandedly.

“Why?” asked Leora. She was slightly overwhelmed with the clothes in front of her.

Josephine winked at her. “Cuz she’s watching porn,” she chuckled.

Leora wanted to bang her head against a wall while Elijah made a face.

Josephine elbowed Leora. “C’mon, you totally saw it in the browser tabs of her laptop!”

“Eww, I don’t even want to know,” said Elijah. His phone buzzed, and he looked at it momentarily.

“No and you’re just saying that to be provocative,” said Leora.

They were standing in front of clothes that were propped outside of a store. Conveniently next to the hotel was a small, posh shopping area. They only had a few hours before they had to go back to the decrepit hotel, get ready, likely go over the plan again and off they go.

“You two get whatever. I am going to buy me some fucking food to eat,” said Elijah.

“Don’t leave her with me!” pleaded Leora.

“You’re fine. Scream if she tries to pull something,” said Elijah. He wavered his hands around him. There were blotches of people, not as much as in the airport, but there were enough where they would notice if there was a scene. “Someone will hear you.”

“Oh, c’mon! I am not a predator,” said Josephine, annoyed.

“Wait! At least give me my…credit card,” said Leora, crestfallen.

Elijah had already left, scurrying past a couple.

“I’ll buy and you don’t have to pay me back,” said Josephine.

Leora hissed at her. “I’ll pay you back.”

“You keep grudges for a long time, don’t cha?” said Josephine. She moved to a clothing rack and carelessly went through them like she was turning the pages of a book she was bored with.

“So what?” said Leora, who went to the opposite side of the rack. She started examining a white lace dress.

“Well, I just find it useless to have grudges if you don’t try to find closure,” said Josephine. She stopped and looked up at Leora. “I’m sorry for kidnapping you and knocking you out.”

“And being a creep on our date,” added Leora.

“I was drunk—fine. I am sorry for that too,” said Josephine. “Feel better?”

Leora shrugged. “Kinda.” She moved to examine a blue dress. “Do you keep grudges?” She hadn’t expected that question to be more than a casual and natural continuation, but she saw hate flashed through Josephine’s eyes.

“Depends,” said Josephine quietly.

Before Leora could ask what that meant, Josephine switched topics. “How’s your parents?”

“Uhh, I don’t know. I haven’t spoken to my mother in a really long time,” said Leora. “I miss her.”

“Gotcha. What about your father?” said Josephine.

“Don’t have one,” said Leora.

“Ah, sorry to hear about that,” said Josephine.

“What about you?” said Leora, slightly smiling.

“They’re both dead. Mom died from cancer and pops suicide,” said Josephine.

Leora puffed her cheeks like a chipmunk and her eyes were wide. She didn't know what to say or react to that. So she just stood there frozen.

“Not one after another if that’s what you’re thinking. My mom died when I was seven and pops when I was nineteen. It’s been long enough and I am mostly over it. Relax,” chuckled Josephine. “ Have you found something yet?”

Leora looked at the price tag of the blue dress she was looking at and felt like her eyes wanted to jump out of her sockets. “This is two thousand?” she yelped.

“These are the bargains and a little outdated.” Josephine looked up at a display where there was a pair of mannequins. Her eyes sparkled. “Let’s try those out!”

***

Zea adjusted her fake glasses in the mirror of the limousine. She felt weird looking at herself sporting black eyes from colored contacts she had put on earlier. However, her hair, now black and gelled back, was nostalgic for her.

“Robert and the team are very close with an antidote to the vampire poison,” said Elizabeth’s voice from a phone lying on the seat next to Zea. “We get this right and the EC won’t be able to use it to control us.”

“Good,” said Zea. “What about the remaining cells that are confirmed alive?”

“They are well and taking extra precautions,” said Elizabeth. “Enjoying your break?”

“If you mean watching those two,” Zea adjusted the long lapels of her coat, “It’s fine. Leora took a two week vacation from her work. She’s more or less in her apartment watching tv all day. The renegade is stalking her as usual.”

“Really? She took a two week vacation just to watch tv all day? She is unbelievable,” said Elizabeth.

“She’s just enjoying her eternal life. We got to make sure the EC never gets their hands on her,” said Zea. The EC would cut up Leora, disregarding her life, just to find out how she was sunproof. She picked up her phone. “And that other mole?”

“An enigma. One of our research team went missing,” said Elizabeth. “I just can’t pinpoint a pattern.”

“I see. Keep an eye on the research team’s communications,” said Zea. “Is there anything else?”

“Be safe,” said Elizabeth.

“You too. Over and out,” said Zea, and then ended the call. She waited a few minutes before dialing another number.

“Hello Hottie,” said Josephine from Zea’s phone. “You back?”

After the three returned to the hotel, it had just dipped into night allowing Zea to go out and finish the rest of the preparations.

“With our ride. Elijah shouldn’t complain about this. Are you and the others ready?” asked Zea. She then heard Leora shouting something in the background, followed by a crashing sound. Then a series of beeps and boops. “I am not going to ask what’s going on. Just meet me in the front of the hotel.”

“You think you can turn around? Or maybe self blindfold yourself?” asked Josephine.

“Why?” asked Zea suspiciously.

“C’mon, you’re no fun! A little surprise,” said Josephine.

“I am not doing it. Just come out,” said Zea.

“Look, I know you want to show up on time but that is problematic. You want believability then we come in at least twenty minutes late,” said Josephine. “The Order is always fashionably late.”

“I know you’re saying that out of your ass,” said Zea. “Now you lot get down here.” She was grinding her teeth.

“Fine, party pooper,” said Josephine and hung up.

If their kind had a god, she prayed to them that they don’t screw up tonight. Taking a long breath, she got out of the limousine. She waited for a few minutes before three figures, from tallest to shortest covered in what looked like their room’s bed sheets ripped into three pieces, were led by the hotel receptionist. They seriously looked like three ghosts led by a classic looking witch.

Zea was at a loss for words and not in a good way.

“Hi there, Ms. Hastings,” croaked the receptionists. “I put the cost for the sheets on your tab already. Have fun at your costume party!”

The receptionist went back into the hotel.

“What the fuck?” said Zea.

“Hey you didn’t want to turn around,” said the tallest and sounded like Josephine.

“I was roped into this. I think it’s stupid,” said the middle, which was obviously Elijah.

“This is fun!” The shortest was definitely Leora.

“This is ridiculous! Take off those sheets and get in!” Zea felt like she was going to have an aneurysm.

“Of course but on the count of three,” said Josephine.

“Is that when three is said or right afterwards?” asked Leora.

“One, two, three!” shouted Josephine. “Tada!”

Josephine and Elijah pulled off their sheets. Josephine was sporting a white tuxedo like blazer with matching wide dress pants. Elijah was sporting a classic tuxedo but also had skull pins with emerald eyes on the collar of his dress shirt.

“Wait, I am still confused,” said Leora. Her sheet was still over her.

“Whoa, you are hot damn level,” said Josephine, gawking.

“You look like a completely different person,” said Elijah, squinting his eyes. “Huh, Your eyebrows finally match with your hair color too.”

“Okay, sorry, I messed up you guys,” said Leora as she pulled down her sheet finally. She wore a lavender dress accentuated with a gold necklace and earrings. “Wow, you’re beautiful. I mean you already were, but this is beautiful handsome.”

Zea didn’t say anything for a moment before clearing her throat.

“Get in the limo,” said Zea quietly. She opened the door.

Josephine winking at Zea went in, followed by Elijah and then Leora. Zea entered last, closing the door behind her.  The limo pulled away from the curb.

Inside, Zea sat opposite from the three. Josephine started searching through the cubbies between the seats for something to drink, Leora looking all around like—which was probably true—her first time in a limousine and Elijah going through his phone impassively. Zea felt her head was going to explode.

“Remember we go in and out. Don’t make a scene.” She looked at Josephine. “Especially you. Just get us through. Once we’re in, do nothing. Don’t even speak to anyone unless you have to.”

“Oh c’mon, Kimlee Carter is there!” whined Josephine. She found a can of soda.

“Yes,” said Leora, clapping her hands excitedly.

“I am going to be by the food bar,” said Elijah, still looking through his phone.

Zea closed her eyes momentarily, took a big breath, and spoke as calmly as she could. “We just need to know when and where the auction will be. There’s going to be others who would not hesitate to lessen the competition.”

Josephine opened her soda, took a sip and spread her legs. “Sounds easy enough,” she said.

Elijah not breaking his attention from his phone said, “We know who’s on the guest list? I’d like to know who I should avoid.”

Zea wavered her hand. “It doesn’t matter.”

They stopped momentarily, presumably at a stoplight, before continuing.

“Sweet cheeks, it’s not a bad thing to admit to not know.” Josephine smiled wickedly at Zea. “Telera cracked the guest list. There’s a bunch of humanitarians, a few D-listed celebs, philanthropists but she was able to cross reference and find out that there are some witch covens, some were packs, a few vampire reps from various houses. Of course we’re on there, well our fake names are.”

The muscles around Zea’s jaw tightened. “I thank your friend.” She looked away in deep thought.

Then the limousine stopped and parked at the curb. Across the sidewalk from the curb was an opened iron gate flanked by iron bars that were heavily wrapped with vines and well-trimmed hedges. Running from the gate all the way into an arbor and finally ending at a small stage was a red carpet. White tables, some with buffet trays, poked out the peripheral of topiaries and light stands that dotted the arbor.

Already people in tuxedos and glitzy dresses were there. An upbeat jazzy music can be heard over the small rumbling of voices and clings of wine glasses. Servers can be seen walking around in the arbor with trays of drinks and appetizers.

The limousine’s intercom spoke in a scruffy voice of someone that smoked one too many cigarettes. “We’re here.” The doors of the limousine unlocked with a quiet click.

Zea looked at Josephine and handed an egg shell colored card. “Lead the way.”

Josephine took it. “Alright,” she turned to Leora, “wanna be my temp date?”

Leora opened her mouth, but Zea cut in.

“Do it, don’t argue. We need to get inside,” said Zea.

Leora sighed. “Fine.”

Josephine hooked her arms around Leora’s. “Let’s go.”

They exited the limousine with Josephine leading and Leora at her side. Zea and Elijah followed behind. They approached the iron gate and were stopped by two guards dressed in black.

Josephine smiled at them. “We’re on the guests list. Maxine of the Order.” She offered her invite card.

One of the guards looked at, took it and then spoke into their walkie talkie. A barely perceptible gargle responded. Then they went with their metal detector wands over them. Once done, the guard handed the card back to Josephine.

“We were expecting the Order to come a little later,” said the guard.

Josephine glanced at Zea with an I-told-you-so face. “Yes, usually we do, but we had someone who was a little too excited to be here,” she smiled at the guard.

Zea arched an eyebrow despite her stoic face.

The guard cracked a smile. “Who wouldn’t? Kimlee Carter,” they said with a low whistle. “Who would’ve thought she was as good at singing as she was with her acting.”

“Yes! Me too,” said Leora excitedly.

“Damn right. Especially after she nearly died from a drug overdose. Thank god, she survived and got help,” gossiped the guard.

Zea’s eyes lit up with alarm. She took a step forward, took Leora by her other arm and pulled the shorter vampire from Josephine as they walked past the guards. “C’mon darling, let’s go meet Kimlee,” she said through gritted teeth.

“Yup, so excited,” said Josephine quickly and followed after Leora and Zea.

“Have fun,” said the guard after them.

Elijah strode on by the guards. “I am with them,” he said as he passed them. They nodded in acknowledgement.

Josephine caught up with Zea and Leora. “Hey, now don’t date steal like that,” she said at Zea. ”Not that I don’t mind,” she winked as if she was thinking something very perverted.

Zea pursed her lips. She said once again in the most calm manner she could barely muster, “Our cover was nearly blown.” She then glared down at Leora who shied away in embarrassment. “You too talk to no one.” She looked around and spotted Elijah, probably the only one who was taking it seriously, right by the buffet tables. “Tell Elijah that as well.” She let go of Leora.

“Oh c’mon, you can’t expect us to not talk to no one?” whined Josephine.

“Then talk among yourselves. I am going to find the info we need and we’re out of here immediately when I do,” said Zea.

Zea went off, zig zagging through crowds of people, toward a door that was slightly obscured by vines and hedges.

“She needs a girlfriend,” said Josephine, watching Zea slipped into the door. Her eyes went up to a sign above the door that read: restroom.  “That is the only logical explanation why she has such a stick up her ass.”

“Well, I did nearly blew our cover,” said Leora quietly.

“No, you didn’t. Actually, Zea nearly fucking did.” Josephine shook her head. She looked back at the guards. They were joking with each other. They seemed too relaxed for the supposed high security Zea said this charity has.

Leora scrunched up her eyebrows. “Not following.”

“Nothing. Let’s have some fun. Kimlee?” Josephine offered an elbow for Leora to hook again.

Leora looked at the restroom that Zea had gone into. “Sure.” She put an arm around Josephine’s offered elbow.

“Don’t worry. I am sure she can handle herself in there,” assured Josphine offhandedly.

Josephine led Leora to the stage just as a woman about Leora’s height wearing a sparkling suit and glitter bombed black hair walked up onto the stage.

***

 

Elijah read the text. He had been reading it over and over since they landed in London: “I’m sorry.”

That was all Marcus texted him.

Two words. Just two words and it was enough for Elijah to obsess over what the fuck it meant.

I should text back, ‘Fuck you, asshole. And by the way, Leora is NOT my girlfriend. I just said that cuz Thompson was being a jerkface.’ Nah, that’s too long. ‘Fuck you.’ That’s short and simple. But is that enough? thought Elijah. He looked up and over to see a small crowd gathering in front of the stage. Unsurprisingly, Leora and Josephine were in the front.

Kimlee Carter in her glittery outfit and dusted hair took the mic.

A blearing high pitched sound came out from the speakers and had some people covering their ears in pain. Kimlee wildly moved her mic in an attempt to silence it. Finally it stopped when someone, a really tall person in a dark suit with dark red hair and wearing thick sunglasses, ran up onto the stage and did something to the cords.

“So sorry everyone!” said Kimlee into the mic. She laughed nervously. “A little technical difficulty. Ah, thank you, Mondo, my trusty lawyer slash head of my bodyguard security slash assistant slash agent slash--”

“You’re embarrassing me! Lay off the pinot noir,” shouted Mondo from the back of the stage.

“Whoopsie, I think I had one-to-many drinks.” Kimlee pantomime she was drinking a whole bottle of wine. Then waved a hand in front of her face in further embarrassment when nobody laughed. She cleared her throat. “Just kidding! Everyone let’s give Mondo their applause for saving our ears from me!”

People laughed like they finally got the joke and applause, cheering on Mondo. Some people were shouting ‘I love you, Kimlee!’. Others were screaming ‘We stan Kimlee!’.

“I love you all,” said Kimlee over the crowd. “Before we start, I’d like to take the opportunity to thank the CWFA organization for their continued fight to bring clean water to everyone. Nobody should suffer or die from lack of clean water,” She pointed her arm at a table in the far right of the room. A group of men and women with varying degrees of grey hair sat there with smiling faces. “Let’s give applause to Jean Luc, Amaratte Jordan and David Wong!”

Another applause which was now accompanied by some whistling and fist pumping.

Elijah’s eyes narrowed. Not at the table Kimlee was pointing at. He was looking at the table next to them. He could see the unmistaken aura flowing over them.

Magic wasn’t simply just reciting memorized words, hexes, creating pacts, drawing glyphs from their grimoire, rituals, etc. All magic, in the simplest form, was based on the channeling of feelings down the astral lines—invisible lines that threaded in everything and everyone. Their scholars have yet to discover the origins of these lines, but it didn’t matter. Usage of these lines, driven by their emotions, was the crux of all witchcraft if not all magic in their world.

There were three individuals at that table: a woman and two men. They looked over to Elijah and nodded in acknowledgement of his presence. Elijah kept his cool and looked away, guessing this was how witches in the Order acted when seeing other witches.

“I would also like to thank them for giving me the opportunity to perform here tonight,” said Kimlee. She got teary eyed. She inhaled deeply, fighting back emotions that wanted to burst out of her eyes.

The crowd quietened down to a low murmur.

“For a long time I was in a dark place. I was so stressed—from my career, friends, family, fame. It was getting too much. I did every drug imaginable to cope with it all,” she paused to make another inhale and continued with a slight quiver, “I almost died.”

There was a moment of silence.

“I saw that light that some people talk about. The light of some angel or spirit guiding me somewhere. I somehow knew that if I followed it, that my life would be over. No return, but I would be in a better place. I didn’t want that. I couldn’t leave just yet. I had one more thing—one last dream—to do before I could go.”

Kimlee looked around. Everyone was holding their breath, completely engrossed with her words. Even Elijah who did not notice a dark haired man, clean cut with a five-o’clock shadow along his jaw and carrying a cane, where the head was in the shape of a ram, stood next to him.

“I couldn’t leave until I had my last dream. The light then spoke to me.” She placed a hand over her chest. “Spoke in my heart. It asked: What is the dream?” Then she started to sing, “If it’s the last thing I do on Earth, I want to sing~”

The music rolled in and people, recognizing the melody, started to sing along with Kimlee and dancing.

Elijah tapped his feet to the song. He didn’t like this genre of music, but Kimlee’s song was very catchy! He started to hum when he felt the hug and a breath at his ear. He froze.

He didn’t need to see. Elijah knew by scent alone because it was his favorite cologne to wear, a mixture of roses and ash. Hammer. He was here too.

“Sing from the mountains to the sea, the sky~,” Hammer whispered in a creepy, out of tune sing-a-long. Each beat he wavered and moved Elijah with him.

Elijah could feel the man’s stubbles brushed against his cheek. “Let me go,” he snarled despite his heart thumping hard. He had to fake it. He can’t let his fear of Hammer be on display.

“As you wish,” said Hammer as he released Elijah and straightened his coat. “Fancy meeting you here. Well, it has been a long while.”

Elijah turned around. He glared at Hammer. After all these years, his former mentor was still the same. He even looked the same. “I am on a job,” said Elijah.

“Ah, I see. Alone?” Hammer arched an eyebrow.

“Doesn’t concern you. Why are you here?” Elijah was already channeling his anger down the astral lines passing by his fingertips.  As far as he knew, Hammer wouldn’t have a use nor interest in a vampire-ending spell unless his former mentor now hated all vampires.

“I wouldn’t do that unless you want innocents,” Hammer waved his cane to the crowd, “hurt.” Then looked over the table that Elijah looked at earlier. The three witches were already up with hands going for their grimoires. “Can you see them?”

Elijah was confused at first. Then he saw eyes locked on him among some of the guests as well as the servers. His guts was telling him they were witches but he couldn’t see their astral lines that should be going into and around them. He let his channeling die out which prompted the three witches to sit back down.

“One of the things I love about the covens in Europe is that they are so innovative. They have this interesting way of covering their astral lines,” said Hammer. He chuckled. “Can’t blame them. They do have the Order in their backyards—a bunch of weirdos.”

Elijah was in a bit of a shock. He didn’t think that was even doable.

Hammer, smirking, continued. “There’s more outside but they’re across the streets on the rooftops. Distance specialists. They didn’t want to get in the way of the council vampires roaming around the perimeter with the security guards,” he said. Then he added as he moved to pick up an appetizer from the table. “Who would’ve thought vampires and witches working together? What a crazy time it is!”

“Yeah, crazy like trying to take over a country,” accused Elijah.

“Is that what they told you?” Hammer took a bite from his appetizer. “Oh my, I have to say, these covens hire some spectacular chefs.”

“You mean I saw. Pretty much everything was recorded of your attempt,” said Elijah. Indeed, as part of witches’ education in his coven, they learned of Hammer’s failed coupe. He crossed his arms across his chest. “Why did you do it?”

Hammer finished his appetizer and took up a napkin. He wiped his mouth. “You wouldn’t understand but I will say it, nevertheless. Survival.”

“Survival of what?” Elijah didn’t believe this was Hammer’s real reason for causing all those deaths and destruction was something other than a play at world domination.

Hammer shrugged. “Everything,” he said simply.

Elijah wasn’t falling for Hammer’s cryptic answers. For all he knew, Hammer was trying to mess with him. “Cut the bullshit. You sent those wassins after me a few months ago.”

“I don’t know why I would,” said Hammer, blinking innocently.

“Vengeance or perhaps because you’re afraid of me—I, the one-in-a-thousand,” said Elijah.

“What?” Hammer bowled over in laughter, clinging onto the buffet table’s edge. “I have no, hah, no!” He caught himself, wiped a tear before straightening his coat once more. “I actually have no ill will toward your coven anymore. I am actually thankful. Hadn’t I gotten exiled I would have been stuck believing all that crap that was taught. I have no reason to kill you and, if I had any desire, certainly not because you’re the one-in-a-thousand.”

He has to be lying, thought Elijah.

“Do you believe that, Elijah, that you’re the one-in-a-thousand?” asked Hammer.

More bullshit. “I am what I am, Hammer Aries,” said Elijah, with extra emphasis on ‘Aries.’

“That you are,” whistled Hammer. He turned to the gate as a group of men and women approached the guards. “To answer your previous question. I am here just to watch this farce. You as the one-in-a-thousand should know that spell is impossible. Vampires don’t have the same kinds of astral lines among themselves to permit wide exploitation. These witches, everyone here, are just wasting time.”

“They all got cursed with sunlight,” said Elijah matter-of-factly.

“Or they came into existence like that regardless of what that scholar said,” retorted Hammer. “Or maybe the Order is right, but I am not in the mood to make arguments over something that doesn’t matter in the end.”

Elijah shrugged. Vampires don’t walk in sunlight and yet Leora is over there as walking proof, he thought.

 

“I am bored. Seems like this was a waste of time,” yawned Hammer. He took Elijah’s hand and clasped with his. “Promise me that you will put yourself before all others.”

“Don’t pretend like you still care,” snapped Elijah. Whatever fear he had of Hammer disappeared for this instant.

“I am sorry,” said Hammer. He let go.

“Fuck off,” said Elijah.

Hammer nodded sadly and walked off. He passed by the group of men and women who came earlier and now they were arguing with the guards. When he finally went out of sight, Elijah realized that Hammer had given him a folded paper. It read:

Don’t trust the vampire named Zea.

Elijah had to stuff the paper into his pockets quickly when a guard approached him.

“Hey, you’re with the Order? Those folks over there are saying they’re from the Order too,” said the guard.

***

Zea finally started to walk down the hallway after standing still for a while and carefully listened for anything near—a heartbeat, a breath, a footstep or even a cough. It was eerily quiet, save for the music humming in the background, in this part of the building that could only be accessed by an obscured door near the restrooms.

She wished she had her drone. In fact, she wished she had her usual equipment, but she was short on time and didn’t want to raise suspicion. They would have made this much easier and she wouldn't have to rely on those three.

She went to a door but stopped when a gruffy man that looked way too muscular for his tuxedo with every seam looking like they would burst open, came out. She sized him up. If she had to fight him, she can strike at his vital spots before he could transform.

“Jack of the ThunderStar Pack,” he slurred.  He let out a hand for her to shake.

Zea was impassive.

“Stuck up vampires,” sneered Jack. He then hooked a thumb at the door behind him that was still swinging. “Your companions are about to rip that guy’s throat in there. You should go, hic, in and stop them.”

Zea remained impassive.

Jack, growling, warbled down the same way she came. When Jack was out of sight, she opened the door and entered. The moment the door shut behind her a body fell. His head smashed in.

A vampire was cowering before a man who looked to be in his forties. The man wore a tumeric colored robe like a monk over a silk white suit and his long mohawk black hair was neatly tied behind his head.

“Please don’t hurt me,” begged the vampire.

Standing next to the man was a slender vampire with a wicked widow peak of white hair. “Take it as a warning. The Council will not tolerate House Fremonte’s aggression here. Have Master Fremonte write to the Council his grievousness,” said the vampire in a nasal fashion. He then turned to the human in the tumeric robe. “I do apologize, Mr. Kenra. I will make sure there will be no further trouble with you.”

Kenra nodded.

The surviving representative of House Fremonte took up his partner and quickly left, passing Zea.

Kenra turned and walked out of the through another door.

“That goes for you too,” said the nasal speaking vampire. He wiggled a finger at her. “No trouble. I don’t want to lose face with the Sister of Dawns and the wrath of the Council if I can’t keep us vampires here civilized as we promised.”

Zea nodded.

“Good. Enjoy the party. The blood is quite fresh,” smiled the nasal speaking vampire.

Zea went through the door, following Kenra. Once inside it was far more glitzy than it was outside. The floors, walls and even the ceiling were covered in gold. Gorgeous crown mouldings and gold covered plaster facing lined over the walls and the ceiling. There was a long clothed table with delectable food, rare wines and, as her nose picked up, punch bowls of blood.

There were people—vampires, werewolves and witches conversing but there was a way in their hand movements, body positions and even their voices showed there was an air of caution and mistrust of each other. She didn’t care for that. Her objective was to find when and where the auction was going to be and get out.

The Sisters of Dawn couldn’t make it anymore obvious. She noted there was activity at a door that had a carving of the sun on the farside to the left of the room. She could see people, one at a time, scurrying in and out. There was probably some sort of magic on that door that would only allow one person in.

She casually walked to the door, taking a glass of blood in her hand along the way to blend in. Then she momentarily went to stand by a group of people and pretended she was interested in their conversations. Unintentionally, she listened to them.

“I don’t understand the point of vampires here,” one of them said. “They can’t even be at the auction.”

“I know but they are one of the sponsors for this,” someone whispered. “Something is up. That’s why we were sent--”

“Keep quiet. There’s a vamp next to us.”

The group eyed Zea warily before one of them muttered something under their breath, and then there was nothing more she could hear from them. Taking it as a cue for her to move on, she continued to the door. Along the way she passed Kenra whom she saw moments ago conversing with someone. He eyed her with a look of recognition.

Zea ignored him. She didn’t want to strike a conversation with him and engaged on a topic that most likely involved whatever issue he and House Fremonte had. She quietly slipped into the door when a witch came out, cutting out a werewolf that was too slow to reach the door.

She found herself in a small room, barely bigger than the W.C. at her hotel. The walls were covered in black velvet cloth, giving the room the same atmosphere as a cheap fortune telling room. The small desk had a woman draped from head to toe in white sitting behind it. In the middle of the desk was a basket, and it held a stack of business sized cards.

Zea approached the desk.

“Do I just take one?” she asked, not sure why such an elaboration or, compared to the outside, lack of.

The woman nodded.

Zea pressed her lips momentarily before reaching over with her free arm. She stopped when the woman held her hand just above the stack of cards. There was a warm feeling emanating from the woman’s hand.

“You,” said the woman hoarsely. She looked up at Zea. “was the vampire that was there when Idina died.”

Zea’s hand started to burn. She didn’t flinch. Instead she looked straight into the woman’s eyes that was filled with hate for her. “I’m sorry,” she said before splashing the woman with her glass of blood in the face.

The woman quickly used her sleeves to wipe the blood out of her eyes. When she finally could see, Zea was gone.

***

Josephine was dancing with Leora. She was surprised that the small vampire could keep up with her. “Hey, you’re pretty good,” she said, moving with Leora.

“It’s the music,” said Leora and moved around to the other side of Josephine. “And lots of practice with the mop. You’re okay.”

“Okay? C’mon, watch this,” said Josephine. She slid her feet back one at a time, alternating, until she made a diamond pattern around Leora. She ended with a slick twirl and hands on her hips right on the ending note of the current song. “Impress?” She cocked an eyebrow.

Leora chuckled. “Yeah. But I am not sleeping with you.”

Josephine made a sour face, like she had been punched in the gut.

“Because you need to know me first,” continued Leora. She hesitated. “And I need to know you.”

Josephine nodded. “I’ll take that.” Her eyes lowered. “But you admit, I am hot and we would make really good looking babies?” she grinned.

Leora was about to answer when Elijah, followed by a guard, pushed through the crowds of people dancing to them. The music started to slow down.

“J—Maxine, umm, there are some companions of ours at the gate,” said Elijah, his eyes wide with alarm.

“A man named Jociam says they lost their invite. When I told them you were here, he demanded to speak with you,” said the guard to Josephine.

Josephine eyebrows went up. Leora looked at her with panic.

“Yes, Jociam, um, I told him I lost it getting here. Thought I left at our hotel but it turned out I dropped in the limo. I thought I texted him that,” said Josephine who nodded to Leora and then at Elijah. She chuckled. “So I think our friends seem to have not gotten that text.” She smiled at the guard. “Let me sort it out.”

Before she left, she looked over to Elijah.  “Why don’t you text our other friend and let her know the rest of our companions are here.”

Josephine then followed the guard to the front, leaving Elijah and Leora.

“We got to leave,” said Elijah.

“Why? We haven’t found where and when the auction is,” said Leora.

“I don’t care.” He recalled Hammer’s words and note. He wasn’t sure if the exiled witch was trying to mess with his head. Then he remembered the witches and the vampires Hammer mentioned surrounding the place. If Josephine decided to fight her Order, all hell would break loose and nobody had their weapons because Zea told them not to bring it. Kind of like a trap...Whatever. It’s not a priority right now. He had to get to Josephine first and texting gambled that the hunter would not read it until too late. “I gotta get to Josephine. Can you text Zea?”

Leora shook her head. “I sort of forgot my phone?” She smiled widely.

“Why do you do that at the most critical moment?” said Elijah.

“Bad luck?” said Leora meekly. “It’s bulky! I don’t like carrying it around and I was saving for an iPhone,” she said defensively.

“Oh for the love of the Horned God! Okay, take my phone. Don’t go through it,” warned Elijah as he unlocked his phone and handed it to Leora. “After you text her, just leave.”

“But--” started Leora.

“Just leave,” said Elijah.

“Okay, okay,” said Leora. “Regroup at the hotel.”

Elijah nodded before going off to Josephine.

Leora looked around. People were conversing and Kimlee was taking a water break before continuing. She moved to the edge of the dance floor toward the restroom.

She looked at Elijah’s unlocked phone and pulled up the messenger and made a face reading Marcus the Jerkface texting an apology. She started to text Zea when a hand was placed behind her mid upper back. She turned, relieved to see it was Zea.

“I was just texting you,” Leora whispered. She noticed Zea’s hair was back to white. “What happened to your hair?” she asked.

“Alright ladies, gents and everybody else, this is a slow one,” said Kimlee on stage. The singer turned to Mondo who was at a nearby table. She winked at them. “It’s for the lovers!”  A slow song started.

“Dance with me,” said Zea, who was eyeing around warily. She wrapped an arm around Leora’s shoulders.

Leora, confused, nodded. “Okay, but, hey, we have to go--”

“I know. I’m sorry. I kinda set the alarms off,” said Zea in a low voice.

“No, the real Order showed up,” said Leora quickly.

Zea bit her lower lips. Things were getting complicated really fast.

“Where are you taking me?” asked Leora as Zea started to lead them.

“They won’t do anything near Kimlee. I don’t think they want to deal with the death of a celebrity,” said Zea. She wasn’t sure the Sisters of Dawn cared but, with the eyes locking on her, she had to try something to give them pause so she could think about what to do next.

Zea guided Leora to the dance floor toward the stage until they were the closest to Kimlee as possible.

“W-what? Are they going to attack us?” said Leora in a low whisper.

“Yes, if we let them. By any chance you know the waltz?” Zea pulled Leora closer to the point where a tendril of her hair brushed against Leora’s eartips.

Leora felt her cheeks and back neck burned even if she didn’t want them too.

“I’ll take that as a no. Just try to follow me and not step on my toes too much,” said Zea. She took one of Leora’s hands into her hers and with her other hand she put it behind Leora’s waist. “Sorry, I don’t mean it but I have to sell it. People are watching.” She caught a few people whispering and looking over to them.

“What happened to your hand?” asked Leora. Feeling the blisters and cracking skin. Also there was a faint smell of burnt skin.

“I had a run in with a witch,” said Zea and then moved them into a slow waltz, pulling Leora in a slow arc. From her new angle, she could see Josephine in the distance talking to a group of people with Elijah by her. “But I have the info.”

They twirled around. Zea caught sight of a server coming out from a tent with a tray of appetizers. She recalled the event catered by a third party and in her prior swooping a week ago, she observed a catering truck would come by through another gate. Could that be a way out?

“Do the other two know to leave?” asked Zea.

“Yeah, I think,” said Leora. “Elijah said to leave after I texted you.”

“Good boy. He has his mother’s wit,” said Zea. She twirled Leora around and then embraced the shorter vampire in a way that it looked like they were about to kiss. She whispered into Leora’s ear. “We’re going to leave. Follow me closely.”

Leora gulped and nodded.

They waltzed around and moved toward the tent. Leora stepped on Zea’s toes a few times. She flinched on the last toe step, feeling like she had punched into something with her heel.

“Sorry, sorry,” apologized Leora.

“It’s fine. Keep moving,” said Zea.

Bodies moved to them. Some of them holding grimoires. Others had the red glint of their eyes and slight poking of their fangs.

“I don’t think I can get us out without a fight,” said Zea. “Leora?”

“Did you set the building on fire?” asked Leora.

Zea turned in the direction of Leora’s gaze. The door to the restroom had some smoke coming out from the bottom. The bodies that were walking to them all rushed to the restroom.

***

“I think headquarters got it all mixed up,” said Josephine. She stilled Elijah who opened his mouth to say something. Her attention was at the bearded man in front of her.

He was an older man with a greying beard, hazel eyes and locks of brown hair that barely touched his broad shoulders. He wore a white suite with gold trimmings.

“Yes, they must have. No matter, we’re all here. Yes?” said Josephine. “Unless there was another objective, Jociam?”

Jociam chuckled. “No. I am glad that at least one of us got here. Granted, we usually come late,” he said.

“I know,” said Josephine while faking a smile.

One of the guards looked at the other before shrugging. “Then welcome to the party!” said the guard to Jociam.

“Thank you,” said Jociam. He looked at Josephine. “Why don’t we have a little chit-chat over there.” He pointed to a spot that was partially excluded by the topiaries. He waved at this entourage to give him some space and privacy.

“Just one moment, please,” said Elijah, smiling at Jociam before pulling Josephine to the side. “Just leave,” he whispered.

“I can’t,” whispered Josephine harshly. “That guy knows me.”

“Fuck,” said Elijah.

“Yeah, fuck. So you just leave. Zea can take care of herself. Leora is the one I am worried about,” said Josephine. She peaked over to Jociam and fake smiled at him again.

“She’s fine. I told her to leave,” said Elijah.

“Oh, I think I forgot my wallet. Why don’t go back to our place and go get it for me, Eddie?” said Josephine out loud.

Elijah hesitated before nodding. He walked past the guards who waved at him. He noted these guards must really love Kimlee Carter or they were incredibly lazy.

Josephine, making sure that when Elijah exited no one from Jociam’s entourage followed. They all were mingling with each other and none of them she recognized. They had to be newly indoctrinated after she had left which was strange in itself. The Order would not send them for this kind of mission, especially fresh off of training.

She walked over to Jociam. When she stopped, she crossed her arms. “I take it this isn’t sanctioned by the uppers?”

“I think you know the answers, Josephine. How are you? Last I saw you was three years ago,” said Jociam.

Josephine nodded. “True. That was before you went awol. Are you back now?”

“Not really. You can’t be angry. I heard you went awol recently as well,” said Jociam.

Josephine nodded. They were both renegades. “That makes sense,” she pointed her chin at Jociam’s entourage, “are they as well?”

“Yes,” said Jociam calmly. “We all have the same goal in mind.”

Josephine squinted her eyes. Not following Jociam’s. “What goal is that?” she asked.

This got Jociam to raise an eyebrow. “To rid the world of vampires. That is why you’re here with that stolen invite, aren’t you?” he said.

Before Josephine could answer, a blaring sound cut through the song. Both her and Jociam turned to the stage where a guard had clumsy climbed onto the stage. The guard was whispering something to Kimlee.

Kimlee then pulled away from the guard, exchanged some words before addressing everybody at the charity. “I have been informed there’s an accident in the restrooms. We need everyone to calmly exit the premise,” she said.

The ground rumbled before the sound. Explosions erupted from the rooftops across the charity. A column of fire burst into the sky where the restrooms were at. Then the bodies fell onto the ground.

People screamed and scrambled to get out of the way. An unfortunate woman had been flattened by a fallen body near Josephine. The half burned face of the body was gaping with fangs and yet managed to say two words before expiring:

“Prince Drake.”

Jociam rushed to the woman and yanked off the body. He pulled the woman onto his shoulders. “Everyone get the innocents out!” he shouted to his people. He turned to Josephine, but she was sprinting into the stampede of people.

Josephine pushed people aside. She had to reach Leora. Right before the bodies started falling out of the sky she saw Leora barely dodged a swipe from a clawed hand. “Get the fuck out of my way!” She pushed off a man who was staggering her way, holding his bleeding neck.

Then she saw Zea grab Leora’s attacker by the neck and slammed him into the ground. Around Zea were a few bodies, still grasping their grimoires. Not far, a few people howled and started to transform.

“Is this part of the plan?” shouted Josphine who had reached Leora.

Zea shook her head. She looked wearily around them. Vampires, werewolves and witches were all fighting vampires wearing black masks. “We’re under attack.”

“Prince Drake rings a bell?” asked Josephine. She wrapped her arm around Leora. The bottom half of Leora’s face was smeared with blood.

“That explains this,” seethed Zea. She gritted her teeth. A group of masked vampires started to move towards them. “Get Leora out of here!”

“I would love to but we’re kind of surrounded,” said Josephine looking at a group of witches and werewolves starting to form a half circle around them. She moved her body to be in between them and Leora. “You carry her since you’re freakishly fast.”

“I can very much handle myself,” said Leora. She took a bite of an attacker, granted Zea did an awesome karate chopping him in the gut first.

“I am not as fast if I am carrying someone,” said Zea and went into a stance, her arms outstretched defensively. “I apologize. That’s not indicative of your weight, Leora.”

“I got that,” said Leora, scratching her head. “But I am not so useless! I can help! I think,” she said.

Zea, ignoring Leora, eyed at the witches and werewolves that Josephine was looking at. “I take those out. Josephine, you deal with those vampires.” She glanced at Leora. “Once we start, just run,” she said. “Get as far as possible. I won’t be far behind you.”

“You two might want to take a step back,” said Josephine, her eyes twinkling. “Gonna call my gun.”

“What do you mean ‘call my gun’?” said Leora before Zea pulled her back by the elbow.

Josephine looked back at Leora and winked. She said one word. “Excalibur.”

A sword soundlessly zipped out of the sky and straight into Josephine’s outstretched hand. Rings of blue light pulsated out of Josephine. Her eyes glowed. “Start running, Leora. Zea already left,” she said. She lifted her sword and it transformed into a gun.

Leora nodded wordlessly and sprinted for the front.

Josephine watched the witches and werewolves fall onto the ground. No doubt Zea took them out as she said she would. However, she noticed that all of them were merely knocked unconscious. Mercy is how you get your ass bitten off, she thought. She looked over at the masked vampires who had stopped moving, growling at her. They were uncertain.

“Too bad, I’m not so nice as her,” she said under her breath. She pointed her gun at the masked vampires. “Say hello to my little friend.”

She fired as many shots as there were masked vampires in front of her field of vision. She did not care to aim. It didn’t matter.

One by one, a bullet piercing into their foreheads. They fell forward, and they weren’t ever going to get back up. Josephine turned, relieved to see Leora followed by Zea exit the front gate.

Chapter 10- The Deception

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