Mist (Book Three of the Royals Trilogy)

Chapter Eight

BLAIR

Hearing my father's voice sent a wave of relief through me. In all honesty, I had been very scared for him, I had started to think he had gotten into trouble or had gotten caught by the Hunters who were here a couple of hours ago. 

"I really tried getting to the restaurant. I was just about to go in when I recognized a couple of Elda's followers at the reception. I knew I couldn't stay if I didn't want to blow my cover. I'm guessing this conversation is secure?" Hunter Liam asked quickly before he said anything else. 

"Yes, no one can listen in," Mark assured confidently. 

My father cleared his throat, "very well. Is everyone there?"

"If by everyone you mean, Sky, Mark, Melissa, Gideon and I, yes, we're all here," I said trying to sound humorous. 

"Alright then. Where to begin? Melissa and Gideon weren't in the plane with us when we came to the conclusion of Elda's plan so I'll start there. I'm sure the others have filled you in so I'll make this quick and I'd like to address Gideon directly. Gideon, I've known you since you were small, and I am aware Elda has worked hard to raise you in her image. But you're not her. I noticed that since you were a child. You don't possess your mother's ambition and thirst for power, you're noble and fair. I understand it is hard to hear all this about your mother but I know somewhere deep inside you know it is true. You've worked by her side for years and yet, you don't know her, not completely. 

On the other hand, I have known her since we were children. Your mother even invited me to join her cause when we were paired up to have Blair. That's when she told me the truth and she asked me to join her. She said she would send me on a mission to collect an artifact she needed for a special ritual. At first, I thought it was some kind of protective ritual to make Hunters stronger and more successful in the field, so I agreed. After a couple of years, I started to realize my mistake. Elda had become... intense. She demanded results, she ordered us on secret missions to get her the objects she needed for the ritual, in exchange, she gave us her word to give us what we wished for once her mission was fulfilled.

One day I decided to ask her what were the final results of her mission and what would she obtain at the end. That's when Elda told me about the Book of Shadows, the Dragon Eye Stones, or as some call them, Dragon Stones, the most powerful supernatural beings, the materialized heart of an ancient God or Goddess and the heart of a Chase. Those are the ingredients needed to march into the Temple of the Supernatural and come out a divine being, a being more powerful than any supernatural creature of our time." 

As my father was explaining all this to Gideon and Melissa, I watched my brother closely. He was rigid and had his arms crossed in front of his chest but the thoughtful expression on his face made me see he was listening intently. He was really trying to understand the situation. I knew this was hard for him, all his life all he had wanted was our mother's approval and 'till this day, he still hadn't obtained it, not fully. 

"Do you believe us?" Mark asked cautiously. I was guessing he was debating in his mind what would happen if Gideon refused to help us. It would certainly make things harder for us and it would also be a risk if he decided to tell or confront Elda about what was discussed here. 

"I understand where you're coming from and I'll admit, there are things I don't understand about my mother, there are things I cannot make excuses for and they certainly could be linked to this. I believe Elda has other plans, I know she's cruel and tough sometimes but I am sure she's not fully evil," Gideon said slowly, he was avoiding eye contact with each of us. 

Melissa had rested a supportive hand on his shoulder, which made me stiffen. It was still unusual seeing them so close and yet, they denied they had something between them. It made me a bit sad but happy at the same time because once I was gone, my brother would need someone to be there for him, someone to support him and I was sure Melissa would be the perfect person to accomplish that. Maybe their friendship would bloom into something more, like what Skylar had with Mark and I hoped someday, one Hunter or Huntress decided to change the laws and accept love for our kind as well.

 "I will side with you, on the condition that Elda isn't killed, maybe we could get the Elder Council to exile her," Gideon said sternly as he looked at each one of us. 

Mark, Skylar and I shared a look and then nodded. "We will try and make sure she isn't dead once all of this is over," Skylar said confidently. 

I couldn't help but smile, she had grown so much since Gideon and I had brought her here. The leader buried deep inside of her had bloomed like a flower and it was glowing. I could see why others respected her so much and looked up to her. She didn't mind fighting against the odds or leading, she was very direct and honest with what she wanted and she never gave up. I had to make sure she made it out through this. She deserved one happy life after all the pain she had been through for years. 

That's why I didn't tell her about the last thing I had heard her mumble in her sleep. I was sure she had said something about being in the realm of the dead, a heaven. She had said she had finally found peace after her death. 

But the future wasn't written on stone, and if we had a chance of stopping Elda and at the same time live to see another day, I'll take it. 

I shook my head and turned my attention back to my brother who was nodding his head in agreement. "I'm in. What's the plan?" Gideon asked and his expression quickly changed to intent concentration and logical thinking. 

Mark smiled, "right now it is our job to keep an eye on the head of every supernatural creature, they're going to be targeted. We know that Elda already has the King of Vampires and the Queen of Shadows. We can't let her capture the others. Secondly, we need to find the materialized heart, we know she has is but we need to look for it. The book of Shadows too. Skylar must be accompanied at all times, Elda needs her."

"What about the Dragon Stones and the Temple?" Melissa asked with a raised eyebrow. 

"The Temple is an unknown location, not even Elda knows where it is and even if she wanted to get inside, she wouldn't be able to, not without help, because she's not a supernatural. The Dragon Stones, on the other hand, is what Hunter Liam is taking care of, he knows where they are and once we get to them we must destroy them," he continued and near the end my father's voice stepped in. 

"Actually, that's another thing I wanted to discuss. I got in touch with my contacts and went looking for the stones where I had last seen them and... they're gone. Not a single stone was left behind. It was like they disappeared because there's no sign of them being moved, at least not physically, they couldn't have just taken the building without anyone seeing it," my father clearly sounded frustrated. I could understand, he felt as if he had let us down, he believed he was failing. 

"How many Dragon Stones were there?" Gideon asked curiously.

Hunter Liam stayed silent as he recalled the memory, "Last time I was at that warehouse, I'd say, almost a ton but I'm sure she recollected more throughout the years."

Gideon shook his head and sighed, "I never knew she had a warehouse or a storage unit so I don't think I'm much help."

"Not to worry, Gideon, I'll make sure to find them. In the meantime, keep your eyes open and try to find the other objects. The faster we move, the better chances we have."

From the corner of my eye, I saw Skylar tense and her eyes widened. "Wait, don't go just yet, Hunter Liam. I just remembered there was something else I was going to mention at this meeting." All eyes turned to Skylar who was sitting uncomfortably on her chair. 

"Yesterday, I went to see my sister. As all of you know, I was denied access but, I found something else while I was on the test floor. Devion was being taken to a secure room, he was unconscious and badly beaten up. Whatever they're doing to him, they're probably doing to the rest of the supernatural," Skylar said nervously. 

Gideon looked shocked, "that can't be right. Torture goes against what we stand for, our laws. Besides, if it's happening at camp, we would know." 

Skylar raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms in front of her chest, "well I'm not lying. I know what I saw, Gideon. Not to mention that Elda has pledged loyalty of many Hunters and Huntresses, who's to say she doesn't have some of the Council of Elders on her side?"

Gideon stayed quiet, he knew he'd been beat. 

Hunter Liam cleared his throat on the other side of the call before speaking, "I think you should keep an eye on the supernatural creatures. Especially the important ones. Also, I'd recommend you talking to Dalia, the witch."

Everyone nodded their head in agreement, that had already been discussed by Mark, Skylar and I. 

"There's also another thing. After leaving the hospital, I went for a walk and I saw something in the forest," Skylar said slowly, making a small pause of hesitation, "there was this... floating bulb of light. It was just floating there, as if waiting for me to follow it." 

I glanced at Mark, he had his forehead scrunched up together, I was guessing Skylar hadn't told him this at their date the day before. 

"I followed it and tried to touch it but as soon as my hand grazed the orb, energy cursed through me and I remember falling. But after that, everything is hazy, I woke up on the ground hours later, but I couldn't remember anything. Not only that but Blair was telling me this morning that I have nightmares every night which I find odd because I can't remember those either. At first I thought they were just caused by stress but now that I remembered that orb, I don't know what to believe," Skylar finished with a shrug and a sly sigh. 

Everyone remained quiet for a minute. "Interesting. You're right, I think there's something else at play here. I suggest you go to the Cave of Answers, talk to your Spirit Guide, clear your mind. You've been there before, correct?" My father said calmly. 

My partner and I shared a look and she responded, "yes, I've been there before." 

"Good, they'll give you the answers you need. Now, I really must go, I have to get back," he stopped talking for a second but then his voice returned softer, "Blair, are you listening?" 

I let out a chuckle, "yes father."

"Alright, if anything happens, anything at all that you feel is fishy. Contact me, you know how. Take care guys and good luck," was the last thing he said before we heard the beep of the call ending. 

It was then that the waiter came to our table, "I was going to come by earlier but I saw you were having a very serious conversation. May I interest you in some dessert?" 

My stomach clenched up and the last thing that I wanted to do was eat some more. Thankfully, everyone shook their heads and Mark smiled at the waiter, "not tonight. But if you could bring us the check we'd appreciate it." 

The waiter smiled and disappeared only to return a couple of moments later with the leather case. After paying, we headed out of the restaurant, as we passed by, the other people there gave us obnoxios stares. It made me uncomfortable, I had never been belittled by a normal human, was that normal?

To my relief, the uncomfortableness faded as soon as we walked out the door. We looked at our surroundings, looking for any sign of the other Hunters but the hall was deserted and we got into the elevator, this time, without stops. 

The parking lot was much less crowded now that it was starting to get late. We walked calmly to the van, going over all the events of that night. 

This time, Gideon wanted to drive and I let Melissa go with him. I wasn't going to stand in the way of their relationship. I would support my brother no matter what. 

On the other hand, that meant I had to ride in the back with the more official lovebirds. I could tell my partner was exhausted, as soon as we were in the van she rested her head on Mark's shoulder and closed her eyes. Mark looked at her in awe and with so much brightness in his eyes. He gently placed a kiss on her changing dark hair. 

"You are a cute couple," I whispered. Mark turned to face me and smiled. Skylar had dozed off and her breathing filled the space between us. 

"I have never felt like this for anyone," he confessed sheepishly and I gave him an understanding smile. 

"That's... I guess that must feel magical," I said, truthfully I didn't know what I was supposed to say. "Do you think we'll make it out of this? I mean, all of us," I whispered a couple of seconds later. 

My half-brother tensed, "I hope we do, because I really want to see where this takes us." 

I nodded my head and let out a sigh. I was happy for them and I hoped I would get my happy ending too. I rested my head on the thin metal wall of the van an closed my eyes and let blackness consume me.