514 CHPT 514: Flee

"S-….S-s-sooooo, d-do you t-hink….hehe— your b-buddy S-Samuel is -d-dead?"

Prof. Alvis was bizarre at best. But that question was odd— even for him. He knew the two didn't get along. So much so he felt comfortable laughing at the question…..? Not out of humor. He could smell excitement as clear as day. But not for Samuels death.

The question was one that fell beneath the tidal wave of tertiary questions about Claude's abilities and the story behind unlocking each one used in the last event. Eventually he just told him he had to leave and the sweating fear bomb of a human being relented.

It was all so weird. But speaking with Isaac so loosely about…. "not being a WereWolf", the truth and what it meant to them both must've left him on edge.

And if that didn't, then it was definitely coming face to face with a Hero he'd read about for multiple iterations since he was eight. He begged his father to bring home documents on when he'd met up with The Nine. The Lion. And he couldn't say a word. Just smile and leave.

And finally, if it wasn't that— somehow, then it was defintely what was to come.

The very thing that put his pack leading protective instincts on overdrive and had him changing up the groups positioning as they headed to Ruponts home. The home of Vampires.

A virus of a building, feeding off Ra Stadiums architecture and growing from it like a deadly cyst. Fitting. Dark. Soundless. It almost looked abandoned.

"Why are we waiting?" Maris asked from beside him.

"Scenting. Sensing. It's all part of the game." Cassidy explained to Maris.

"Why only him? Are you all not the same?" Maris asked.

"No. We can't see with plants or hear danger with Banshee magic or... you get the point. I take note of our surroundings in other ways."

"Like what?"

Cassidy smiled, "A magician never tells…."

"There's... three WereWolves in the building." Claude said stiffly.

Ursula nodded, "I smelled Wolf but I wasn't sure. Why WereWolf?"

"They're tangier smelling…. More human emotion. Less fur. Skin. And it's an afterscent. The first scent is metal. Weapons."

Cassidy rolled his shoulders, "My people, huh? Whatever happens I'm ready, I'll tell you that much." Cassidy pulled a Autobow bolt out of his quiver and spit shined it.

"Ok. We know the Vampires are more or less split into two factions. Separatists and …. Mergist? Ruponts worked with the Lupines of Romulus. Having a WereWolf in his building isn't all that crazy. But the music….."

"They're strong?" Ursula confirmed. Deaths Ambience wasn't an ability she owned— but sometimes she could almost hear it through her mental connection to Claude.

He nodded. "Let's go."

Ursula grabbed his arm, "Here." She held out one of her axes. "You don't go in there without a weapon."

He'd almost forgotten he lost his fighting Jack. His hands still shook from the memory. Not because he was afraid. He should've been afraid. But—

"Keep yours. Thank you for reminding me, though."

Two wooden spikes exploded from the ground. Claude grabbed the ends and snapped them off, placing the wooden short spears in the sheaths at his hips.

They moved soon after. Approaching the metal door, followed by the long silent hallway in a rush to get to work. What exactly work entailed was a mystery they all were ready— if only a bit apprehensive, to uncover.

Claude spoke through the mind to Cassidy and Ursula. Making them guard the rear as he took up the front. Maris watched them shift positioning soundlessly in the dark hallway.

By the time they reached the door they were in full on security mode. The air was cold and windy. Dotted with drawn in wild magic that sparkled in the darkness like dust reflecting imaginary sunlight.

Claude didn't knock this time. He wouldn't play Ruponts silly games. He had what he wanted. They'd work on his terms— and most importantly, Maris' terms.

The door opened before they even came to a stop. Nobody held it there, as if magically hands pulled it open for them.

Everyone occupied one end of the room. A room changed— adjusted for a meeting clearly.

The tables and bar areas were empty. They all occupied the far wall with the doors closed at their backs. The windows were open, allowing sunlight to come in. Causing the golden rays to blend with the blue waters visible through their glass floor.

Claude stepped in, feeling the pressure. The eyes. He let his muscles broaden beneath his armor and give him an inch or two in height and width. It hid Maris and Cassidy who walked behind him. Not that there was a point.

The room was filled with beings capable of echo-location, elemental vision and death sense. Eyes meant nothing here.

Rupont stood at the center— in front of everyone other than his sisters and three he didn't know. Adjua and Abina. They'd changed their hairstyle, losing the curly pigtails and opting for braids into one big bun tied down by jeweled bands. They wore dark make up around the eyes and bright red lipstick. It matched their red form fitting dresses and made them stand out from everyone who wore black.

Aside from the WereWolves. They wore vests. For bullets. He could hear the Velcro straps move as their muscle tensed. Leather spiked leashes guarded their throats. They all were equipped with one sword and one Autobow— like Cassidy.

"[Eye contact, Claude— you're challenging the Alpha!]"

It was too late.

A wolffish growl escaped the women's lips as she split from the men at her back and approached Claude.

He stood tall. He wasn't going to move and expose Maris. But he also couldn't attack— this was his own mistake.

She came so close he could feel her breath. She was tall and thin. Blonde. Long nose. Her eyes matched the color of her hair in those moments.

"[Hold her gaze or she'll kill you…. Or at least try.]" Arne explained.

She continued to growl. Claude didn't even realize he was actually hearing himself until her own lighter sound escaped her throat. Ursula and Cassidy joined in until the floor shook.

She tried to feign fear at not being aware of them, but he smelled it.

They were even on missteps.

She must've caught it because she grabbed her arm and backed away. Never turning away from him.

Maris hid the glow of her hand behind her back. Once it stopped the WereWolf could suddenly move her fingers again.

"Well— that was intense. I'm glad you too could hit it off so well right away haha!" Rupont broke the silence.

"Claude, I'd like you to meet Sloane. She's a relatively new Alpha WereWolf I've known for years. Years before she was Alpha... I remember when I first heard her heartbeat in her mothers wo—"

"Stop it, Rupont." Sloane growled.

Rupont giggled and held a hand up to his face to hide himself pointing at her, "She's in business mode!"

"Aren't you all?" Claude explained.

Rupont looked around as if he forgot before straightening out his blood red suit jacket. "Hell, I guess we are. I bring you my trusted advisory. Eyes and ears of the world. Supporters of the cause. Like Sloane and her pack. Who is it you bring with you?"

"You know who."

Everyone behind him spread out on their side of the floor. He grabbed Maris' arm before she could go too far.

"Maris….. it's good to see you again." Rupont went as serious as death.

Maris looked over them all. "So which one of you is biting me?"

The area silenced.

Rupont broke out into hysterical laughter. "Oh…. So crass. Brilliant."

"We want more information first." Claude cut in.

"Oh of course. We will vet and familiarize the red one thoroughly. And you're welcome to come along the whole way. Well, mostly." Rupont replied.

He didn't like the last part.

"And as a matter of fact, I can answer your question." Rupont addressed Maris, "The ones that will bite you are them."

He pointed to the WereWolves.

Ursula and Cassidy gasped— understanding the process of being changed by a WereWolf was deadly…. But also questioning what Rupont meant.

"You don't look surprised." Rupont said to Claude.

"You were lying when you read that book. I don't know for how much of it. But you were lying. Maris can't be bitten by Vampires or she won't awaken as a Red Queen. She won't bring together the other races. And SkinWalkers aren't really found…. They find you. So you brought along a WereWolf pack you're most familiar with to help you. To listen to you. Which means, the other Vampires fears of complete hybridization are true…."

Sloane glanced at Rupont. Maybe she didn't know. Maybe she was newer as Alpha than even he was. Maybe by saying all that he did he ran the risk of starting another riot.

"Fuck."

Rupont nodded, "Correct and incorrect. Now let's get to work."