Chapter 8

"Lady Cassandra was worried there may be an issue with your device so she had me bring you a back up device just in case. you can also wear this one on your wrist, just place the ear piece behind your ear as usual.

Since we are under oath not to approach the vicinity of your home and had no other way to reach you as your father is clearly indisposed we could only wait for you on the nearby buildings until you came out. 

Jeremy's team is about 250 meters outside the location your father is being held. we sent one of our humans to try and negotiate with them but he was turned away being told it was none of our vampire business to meddle in what they do."

After finding an abandoned ally the boys climbed onto the backs of two largest vampires in the group and were lifted to the rooftops where the group moved at astonishing speeds to the outskirts of the city. 

Alexiels fears were spot on, but the situation was not fairing very well. There was no telling the condition his father was actually in, all they knew was that at around noon while he was making his delivery rounds a group of therianthropes caught him off guard, taking him and his truck with them outside of the vampires influence of power. 

Although the days of living in the broom closet had long passed, the social order of supernatural beings still had very deep roots that had to be observed by all parties involved. Most groups had their own territories, where they influenced everything from the lesser groups to the commerce. 

It's not unusual for two groups of the same or even different types to go to war with each other. At times like this, bodies literally pile into mounds.

Since the exposure of supernatural beings during the uprising of the mutants, national governments have all acted according to their own views in how they treated these mythical beings. 

Here in the United States, many groups have applied to be recognized by human laws and have a certain degree of recognition for their agency. 

 Therianthropes which are the various kinds of Were animals - wolves, leopards, rats, ect all exist to one extent or another. Vampires, Faery, Mere people also exist. 

Some of these beings were citizens of their respective nations before they were turned, while others were wholly born of another race. 

Of course there is still great political and philosophical debate on how such beings should be handled. there is no shortage of short sighted, xenophobic, greedy individual that have called for a new round of witch hunts to free our people from the fear of such beings. 

Of course many other greedy people see this as an opportunity to achieve immortality, riches, or any number of selfish goals. in the land where money rules everything it was easy to take genicide off the table in the face of a few billion dollar donations from various groups.

Now that doesn't necessarily afford these groups protections and rights, that's a whole different fee and topic for another day. 

Here in the state of Delaware the leading supernatural group was vampires, with a few coven of witches not far behind. Most therianthrope groups either worked for, or outright belonged to one of these groups. 

no packs were large enough to establish a domain with their own power, at least that's what it seemed like on the surface. 

As the group quickly approached an overgrowth forest a few dilapidated factory buildings could be seen with bonfires in the surroundings.

looking down from the nearby trees a group of about 60 werewolves in human form or wolf form could be seen patrolling the grounds.

Matthew's group had finally been able to bring the boys to meet up with Jeremy's team and they were sharing any information they had.

"We've been cautious enough to keep down wind but it's most likely they already know we are in the vicinity after our attempts to make contact earlier.

The poor guy had part of his throat ripped out when he was thrown back into the forest. We were lucky enough to retrieve his body in time but they had definitely used him as bait to try and lure us out.

They were shouting obscenities into the forest for us to hear, among their demands"

Jeremy was a tall broad shoulder vampire with skin the color of jam, he always had a very broad smile on his face and loved to flash his teeth about. 

with everyone together they had about 30 vampires, and even though it wouldn't be hard for a well aged vampire, one that is at least 200 years old to take on about two therianthropes. any more than that then the odds could go either way. 

Unfortunately this group of vampires had a mix of younger vampires between the ages of 50-150 with Jeremy and Matthew being the oldest at somewhere over 300 years old. 

Jeremy also explained there should be another group of elite werewolves inside the building that were presiding over Karlito so their numbers could well be over 80. 

"We've already informed our Lady, another two teams should be on their way but we still don't know the exact nature of their hostility. 

We have reason to believe it has something to do with the young master and his blood ability. They have said that they are only allowing you to be the one to do the negotiations with them. 

lucky for us no outsiders know your identity. They most likely killed your father as he is the only known proxy to have direct affiliation with you."

listening to Jeremy, Matthew grew visibly furious!

"Damn them! they're trying to smoke you out! They want to know our secrets! These filthy vermin! I can't wait to bathe in their blood. Wait until our elite force makes a move! they'll be sorry they crawled out of whatever hole birthed them! 

Tristan's head was spinning with all this new information he was receiving. he didn't say anything but his breathing was irregular and it was easy to tell he was getting nervous. 

well maybe it was beyond obvious to vampires who were known for their ability to smell the emotions of people.

Although Alexiel was listening he was more focused on trying to sense his fathers condition inside the old factory. 

As his mind touched the dormant blood in his fathers body, he could see many scarlet spots that had no glow to them at all, almost like they were damaged or emptied in some way. 

"I don't think he can hold out much longer. I think his organs are shutting down. I have to go down there and meet them."

"No!"

"Out of the question!"

"Impossible!"

Tristan was the first to sound off, followed by Jeremy, then Matthew. Everyone paused and had a peculiar look towards Tristan. Although they had brought him along, they hadn't thought of him as anything more than a plaything their young master was idling around with in his youth. 

Something or someone that would eventually be lost in the river of time. Not someone who could stand by their side and make decisions. Thankfully no one acted irrationally and immediately went for the kill by ripping him limb from limb to make an example out of him. 

but that didn't stop many of them from fantasizing. Many even started to thrum with power, causing their eyes to glow and their nails to extend.

they could still do their part to intimidate him, at least a little.

But Alexiel would not stand for this, he immediately waved his hand with a stern face showing them all his displeasure.

"Do not lose yourselves. this is my closest person, he is to be protected just as if you are protecting me!

I'm not negotiating with you and the wolves, I'm letting you all know I'm going down there and talking to them. If you are displeased, contact sister Cassandra and tell her the reinforcements should move with haste, or i may not be around to see the sun rise tomorrow!"

That was another issue they all had to be weary of, if the approach of dawn was imminent then the vampires would be putting their lives at risk. This was not a situation they could wait around for and he was not willing to lose his father. 

Tristant even after feeling the threats of the vampires around him still did not back down!

"No, I won't let you go alone. I'll lend you my strength, let me help you get through this!"

Alexiel sighed at this. this friend of his was getting in over his head. but if they were to really be partners going forward. he would need to eventually be exposed to the true terrors of the world. 

"Fine… Tristan, please, give me your strength."

hearing this, Tristan had a huge grin on his perfect face. his body quickly began turning into light and shot into Alexiel!

"""Whoa!!!""" 

all the vampires and even Alexiel himself were blown away by this surprise. Alexiel had only issued a small plea, but it was like pushing open a door without a lock.

The moment Tristan agreed he felt it, like a response to his knock on a door. This fusion was unlike the last, Sovereign did not make a reappearance.

Instead, Alexiel grew to about six feet tall, his tight curls grew out about 5 inches, and his usual stout body became slimer and more streamlined. His amber skin grew darker and had glowing cerulean marks all over his body.

This growth made him explode out of his clothes, luckily vampires are very used to nudity and someone removed their cloak and handed it to him while someone else actually had an extra pair of pants in their bag that could fit.

Alexiel quickly threw everything on and ignored the vampires inquires. he just told them he would explain at a later time. 

Alexiel's new found strength and enhanced abilities allowed him to decened swiftly and land gently. It really felt magical, and he swore he would have to explore the depth of their ability in the future.

He quickly ran through the forest and approached the clearing where the factory was. The wolves however were aware of his approach nearly the moment he landed among the foliage. 

"Oh, who might you be? Don't you know it's dangerous to walk in the forest alone at night. Hehehe, looks like dinner has served itself up boys!"

One of the werewolves with a human shape reproached aloud. Behind Alexiel six fully transformed werewolves had appeared, they had been following his movement through the forest the moment they noticed him. 

"You have my proxy, I'm here to talk. Where is your boss?"

This fusion of theirs gave dominance to alexiel but there was a subtle undertone in his voice that belonged to Tristan. 

Alexiels voice called out into the clearing for all to hear, his eyes glowed a blinding gold. It was like lasers would shoot out of them at any moment causing all the wolves to take a step back. 

GRRR…

Wolves were not fond of being intimidated and returned the favor in kind. right as a few of the inexperienced, or more savaged ones, were ready to lunge out and take a bite at this bastard that dared play hardball with them. 

A resounding whistle rang out. Every single werewolfs stopped in their tracks and lowered their heads. Those with weak wills went as far as laying on all fours and letting their heads touch the ground.

From inside the factory a man in combat boots and fatigues walked forward causing the crowd to part.

"Oh yes what a beautiful aura, I would expect no less from the one who keeps all the vampires in the city in check. please, please come in. we have much to discuss."