Unexpected allies

The four of them spent hours reading the book, Daphne growing paler and paler as they continued to read on on the violence and murders that her family name, her grandparents, her freaking parents, were involved in.

When they finally reached the end of the book, Daphne was trembling and seemed to be paralyzed in shock and disgust and fear.

"Daphne?" Loki said softly. "I'm going to keep the book now, kay?"

Daphne slowly released her grip on the book that she was clutching tightly, nodding.

[The Snakes book is stored into Inventory]

[26 spaces remaining in Inventory]

"Come on," Seraphine said. "We should get to bed. Terrence, Loki,you guys sleep in the next room because you guys are boys. I'll stay with Daphne, okay?"

The next few days, it was extremely difficult for the four of them to face the very-likely killers of Ava. They spent every moment of their free time rereading the notebook for any information they missed, or exploring the manor for any secret places. Nishan and Saltavore has also stopped roaming around, only showing up for meals before locking themselves in their room once again.

It was their last night before they had to return to school, and Loki was currently drinking water to complete his Daily Challenge.

[Daily Challenge 1 completed: +5 Xp]

[465/800 Xp]

Just then, Saltavore and Nishan walked up to him. "Bring us to Daphne," Nishan commanded.

"And I will because...?"

Saltavore groaned. "Please just do it, okay? We need to tell her something important."

Loki was really doubtful, but their expressions seemed genuine and even slightly unnerved. So, while Loki lead the two brothers to Daphne's room, he have her a mental head's up.

'Got it. I'm honestly surprised they said please. I'll let the others know.'

When Loki opened the door to Daphne's room, Daphne nodded at them. "Hey, Loki. Saltavore, Nishan. To what do I owe this pleasure?"

Nishan ignored her sarcasm as he told her, "We need to talk. Privately."

Daphne folded her arms. "Whatever you want to say, you can say it in front of my friends."

"No, we can't!" Saltavore ran his hand through his hand in frustration. "We need to talk to you alone."

"You-" Terrence started furiously. Loki laid a placating hand on Terrence's arm. "Calm down, Terrence. No good exploding at Daphne's cousins." He turned back to the brothers. "We're not leaving."

Nishan scowled in annoyance. "Fine, but you can't tell anyone what we're about to say."

Daphne glared at them. "I'm sure you have a good reason for coming here so late in the night and bossing around my bodyguards, so spill it."

"We need your help," Saltavore blurted out, taking them all by surprise.

"I'm sorry, you need our help?" Seraphine said incredulously.

"Not your help, just Daphne's," Nishan sneered. "About... family matters."

"Family matters?" Loki repeated. "Like how you guys inherit the family's place in The Snakes?"

Saltavore's and Nishan's head whipped towards him. "How do you know that?"

Terrence shrugged. "We started doing our own mini investigation after Ava was found dead. To be honest, Saltavore was our first suspect because he could transform into people through drinking their blood and Ava died of blood loss."

"Do I look like a killer?" Saltavore asked indigantly.

"Do you really want to know the answer to that one?" Seraphine raised an eyebrow.

"Okay, okay, stop," Nishan said, holding up his hand. "How long have you guys known about The Snakes?"

"And why should we tell you?" Daphne glared at them suspiciously. "How do I know that my parents didn't ask you to talk to me to make me a better leader in The Snakes? Or maybe to find out what we know? Oh shit! You know that we know about The Snakes! Just great! Now you're going to tell mine and your parents and get my friends killed and-"

"Woah, woah, okay Daphne, calm down," Loki said, trying to stop Daphne's train of thought. "We're just going stop right there."

Saltavore groaned. "Just hear us out, please?"

Once Daphne had calmed down, Saltavore continued, "Okay, so..."