Chapter Eight

"Hey, their girl" Carol greeted cheerfully, bumping Meliora by the waist

"Hey C"

"So who's excited to meet the kings, I know I am" Carol raised her hands, giggling like a pre-schooler.

Meliora chuckled at her friend, "Well seems someone is more interested in meeting the kings than the mission"

"Who wouldn't want to meet hot and powerful Kings who know, maybe I will become a Queen"

"And I thought I was the delusional one," Meliora said rolling her eyes and pulling her friend into the elevator.

"I read an article on King Ravi, King Diego, and his twin" Carol said dreamily, she dug out her phone from her bag to show Meliora the article "They are ripped everywhere, literally ripped", "See," she said pushing the phone in Meliora's face. On the screen were three men, two looked the same except for their eye color and the other different. Meliora inwardly scoffed, she knew everything about them but she couldn't let Carol know.

"Wow, that is the vampire, Lycan king, and his brother!" she pretentiously exclaimed

"Yip, I have no idea why they Lycans are secretive, only high council and elite leaders about knowing them"

-If only you knew that I have known them for centuries, little one, Meliora thought. Carol kept scrolling down the pictures for the uninterested Meliora to see.

"Just can't wait to meet them," Carol said hugging her phone. Melora rolled her eyes behind her friend as they stepped out. "Seriously, girl, don't you have feelings?" Carol turned to ask her friend as she kept on walking. Meliora raised an eyebrow at her. "I mean, I am gushing at three male cuties and you are being indifferent! you've never seemed to date or like guys!"

Meliora huffed, she had never dated in her life, especially after the stories her aunt told her about her father and other males. Besides Wendy was a strict lady, who never tolerated nonsense. "You've ever met my aunt?"

Carol nodded in silent understanding. "Strict one, huh?"

Meliora smiled then changed the topic, "You think the council will permit me to work with you?"

"Why won't they?"

"I am human!" Meliora replied even though it was a lie.

"Seriously, I won't have asked you to help if you were good, c'mon, you are the Directorate of Operations in the CIA, plus you are one of the humans that know about our existence"

"And you think they will consider that?" She really was hoping they will let her on this mission, she had to protect her aunt.

"Nope," Carol said flipping her hair, "But they will consider your ability to pull off a good plan" she concluded winking. Meliora smiled at her friend, Carol who was a great friend, but she couldn't risk telling her, her secret.

Knock! The sound brought Meliora to the present as Carol knocked on the large glass panel doors to which Zack granted them permission.

"General" Carol saluted greeting Zack. Meliora nodded her head giving him a casual salute as she sat down.

Zack was a 39-year-old werewolf Lieutenant and also Carol's uncle. He was good lucking with his gelled sideway blonde hair, dull grey eyes, gold tan skin, chiseled jaw, and intimidating height.

"Colonel Kiara, Captain Carol" Zack started, "Hope you are ready for the meeting". Carol nodded her head. "Then we better be going, don't want to waste anyone's time, do we?". He said standing up. Both ladies stood up and made their way to the door while he grabbed his coat. The door automatically locked as they all came out. Taking the private elevator down the parking lot, the group of soldiers going with them were already waiting. Carol wrung her nose and Meliora winked at her, her uncle loved going around with heavy security even though he sometimes didn't need it. After the formal greetings, one of the soldiers opened the door for Zack, Carol got in, then Meliora. The ride to the emperor council was a short one, the driver showed his ID to the Soldiers that were stationed outside and they were allowed entrance. From the tinted glass windows, Meliora looked at the tall building, its glass windows sparked under the sun since it was a restricted area, everyehere was so eerily calm, not even birds could be seen. They were tons of soldiers who looked fierce, no, they were fierce. Meliora sensed that none were human and were a mix of different creatures. It was heavily guarded, with these creatures guarding no one could escape, in fact, it was considered impossible. The car doors were opened and they all stepped down and entered the building. They flashed their ID at the military man standing at the entrance, who jerked his thumb in.

"Hello, Lieutenant" the receptionist greeted Zack who smiled at her, as they made their way to the elevator.

"Lieutenant Zack," Zack called out his name to the guards guarding the conference room once they exited the elevator.

"Colonel Kiara" Meliora introduced.

"Captain Carol" Carol too introduced.

The guard looked at them and demanded their IDs which they gave, he looked at the cards. "You are clear," he said handing them their cards.

"Thanks" Zack appreciated tucking the card in the back of his jeans. They walked further close to the door which opened immediately. Meliora cast a glance at the few seated people inside and quietly sat down while Carol and Zack sat among the werewolves which were all Alph's and some Luna's. Carol's dad was present since he was the alpha of the Blackwood pack to which Carol was the only heir. After a few minutes, other high elites members trooped in, each had a different aura and Meliora had to bare her neck as a sign of respect, which was frustrating and caused her neck to ache badly. The Vampires occupied the left side of the huge conference table while Lycans and other werewolves occupied the right side, the were two reserved seats in front for both Kings and another beside the left side for the Vampire second in command and the right side for the Lycan's brother.

ouch! Meliora squealed lightly as she rubbed her aching neck, she rolled her neck from side to side to relieve some stress and tension. Someone was talking but she didn't pay attention, then all of a sudden the room froze up, everywhere and everyone went still and quiet. She could feel two particular strong auras that were rivaling each other from the outside but none of it affected her. The doors were yet to be opened but everyone's head was bowed including her's, she hated this, their aura didn't affect her one bit but she still had to bow to avoid suspicion.

The door flew open and The Kings stepped in with Damien, the Lycan King's brother, and Kyle, Ravi's second in command, the room was quiet and no one lifted their heads until the royals were seated.

"Your highnesses" Porco greeted, he might be a Vampire but that didn't stop his respect from extending to the Lycan King. The Vampires and Lycans have been on the same power level for centuries and no matter how hard they tried they were still stuck in the same rank. Both kingdoms were ageless, immortal, strong, savages feared, and incredibly powerful. When Ravi ordered everyone to sit down, Meliora spared them a glance. Aunt Wendy had shown her their images from the crystal ball, but nothing could beat reality. Carol wasn't wrong, they were smoking hot. Ravi had disheveled silver black hair, his bright amber eyes were soo gorgeous and luminous that she was sure it could light the darkest places on earth. His skin which was pale enhanced his gorgeous figure with his ripped body, he wore a casual t-shirt and jeans which hugged him perfectly and boy was he intimidatingly tall. He had a piercing on his right ear and a golden chain that adorned his neck with an emerald stud. Tearing her eyes from the amazingly gorgeous Vampire to the Lycan, she couldn't tell who was more handsome, Diego had long wavy raven hair which he tied at his nape but left some strands to fall on his face and cover part of his left eye, his eyes were a bright turquoise (which tilted more to green) with specks of gold and silver, she was sure that one could see his eyes clearly in the darkest dark, he had a dark complexion which suited him perfectly and his ripped body which hugged the white shirt that was opened at the chest, his black jacket hung loosely from his right shoulder and it didn't seem to be slipping. He too had a piercing on his right ear and three serialized golden chains with diamonds on them on his neck.

Meliora glanced at Carol who was practically drooling, she turned her attention back to Damien who looked exactly like his elder twin brother except that, his eyes were bright silver, his raven hair flowed down his face and hid part of his eyes, his complexion was so much like his brother's and his Suit hugged him so tight, that it might have torn apart, he was inked up and had some silver rings on his right fingers, silver piercing on both ears and a bright silver necklace. He seemed to like silver a lot and it suited him. Looking at the royals, one would think that they were some mafia leaders sitting and not royals. They were too composed, calm, powerful, and handsome.

"Your highnesses" Zack greeted with his head bowed, "I am Lieutenant Zack and this is Captain Carol" he introduced pointing at Carol "and Colonel Kiara" he concluded pointing in Kiara's direction. Immediately all eyes were on Meliora but she was unnerved a bit, she couldn't thank Wendy enough for the human charm, which hid her aura and made her appear human to them. They were all scrutinizing her even the royals.

"So what is the human's role in all this?" an elderly Lycan asked.

"She will assist Captain Carol in the plan and operations" Zack replied.

"A human huh?", an elderly Vampire asked "This mission isn't for a pesky human man not to talk about a girl," he said rubbing his chin. "How old are you?" he asked Meliora

" 26" she answered, it was a lie but she couldn't tell them she was 499 years old and will turn 500 in November.

"You won't be dealing with human soldiers" the first elderly Lycan stated.

"Yes, we are talking about werewolves, Lycans, Vampires," another vampire said.

"I know" she responded calmly.

"And I doubt they will want to listen to a human girl strategize and command them on what to do," Porco said, dragging the word girl for emphasis.

"Enough" Diego commanded, sitting out on his chair he resting his chin on both hands, "Kiara right?" he asked, Meliora nodded and he continued, "What are your experiences?"

She knew what he was asking, he wanted to know, if she has ever worked with any creature before, "Well, I have only worked with werewolves, never a vampire or a Lycan or any other"

It was Ravi's turn to ask his question, he too sat out on his chair but placed his right-hand fingers over his mouth and drummed the conference table with his left-hand fingers. " They will follow your order and any of your commands but can you cope, can you handle them?" he asked looking at her. With these two Kings looking at her, she got a little unnerved, she didn't mind their previous gaze but now she did, it seemed like they wanted to pry her soul and find out her secrets.

"Yes, can you? I don't want a helpless female throwing herself at them" Diego said smirking. Meliora frowned hearing that but bit her tongue, that was soo rude, didn't he have manners? If not for her secret life, she would slap him pretty hard, who the hell was he? -To hell with him and his stupid Royalty bullshit, she cursed inwardly.

"I don't throw myself to anyone rather I keep myself and I am not a slut." she said stretching each word in case his ears were blocked with stupidity. The corners of Diego's lip curved upwards, she was a feisty woman, he rested back on his chair and watched this particularly interesting woman. Ravi too was watching her, she was daring and interesting, he wanted to find out more about this beautiful lady that was fuming.

"Sweetheart don't frown much, it ruins the pretty act," Ravi said. The room was silent as no one dared to talk when the Kings were talking. Zack passed her a pity look, being picked on by one king was torture but being picked on by both was a lifetime of torture.

She looked at Ravi, how dare he, pretty act? -Meliora to think you were moments ago checking them out, she thought.

"Fine, I don't want to get on the damsels' nerves anymore," Ravi said smirking, "So. we'll give her a chance to redeem herself, seems fair," he said looking bored.

-Redeem me? seriously are they kidding me?. Meliora really didn't mind strangling them with their expensive chains around their necks.

"Thank you, your highness" Zack appreciated bowing down his neck. Meliora looked at him confusedly, what in the name of blazing sands was he thanking them for? for annoying her or what? She simmered down and cast a glance in Carol's direction, who offered her a worried glance.

"So when do you swing into action?" Damien asked cooly, for a moment Meliora thought him the calm one but remembering his brother's behavior and the whole bad boy attitude she knew he was just being polite though not to her.

"Next week. We have the morning, afternoon, and evening troops that will each patrol, each troop will be training while the others are on patrol. In the last few days, we covered some grounds and marked off homes of suspected witches."

"How many were you able to capture?" Ravi asked

"9"

"9 witches?" Ravi asked

"Yes"

"Not good enough" Diego muttered.

"Yes your highness, but the witches are using different kinds of powers to hide their scent and traces, making it difficult"

"That's why the Lycans are involved, the soldiers will help you sniff out the charms and spells" Damien stated.

"And I am so grateful your highnesses for the assistance" Zack appreciated.

"It's obvious you have the situation under control but we will still keep an eye on the mission, you and her" Diego said pointing at Meliora. "Well that's on the way, moving on to the next agenda" all eyes turned to the werewolves.

-Carol never said anything about this? Meliora silently thought.

"Please, ma'am"

Meliora looked up and saw one of the guards talking to her, "Yes,?"

"It's time to live," he said

She got up and left the room. They had something important to discuss which wasn't for a 'human' to hear. She exited and found the driver waiting for her "I was asked to take you back" he said. She nodded and sat in the back seat of the car.

"Tough day?" the driver asked starting the car, "No matter how powerful we humans are, they never seem pleased, they are the elite creatures and we are the lowest of them all," He said chuckling.

Meliora gave him a tight smile, "Yeah humans and how long have you known about them?"

"Well, it started with my great grandfather, he met them, didn't tell us how"

"How old are you, if you don't mind asking"

"No problem, I am 41"

"Still young" she snorted.

"But still older than you," he said grinning.

She narrowed her eyes at him, "And how old do you think I am?"

"You're in your early or mid-twenties"

"Sure" -not even close. "Meliora" she introduced herself.

"Bryon," he said smiling.

"Nice to meet you, Bryon"

"Pleasure's all mine"

Meliora closed her eyes remembering the morning events.