chapter 3 war fare

/West pov/

I found my self in a crowded city.

Filled with tall buildings reaching up to the sky.

Vechiles moving everywhere. The people around were much.

I couldn't help myself. I could hear my heart beating in my chest and they was this taste in my mouth.

I was hungry but what i wanted was not food.

I watched people passing by the road from where i hid in an alley way.

It was covered with shades from the buildings around.

For some reason, i couldn't enter the sun.

It burnt my skin.

The sun would kill me if i stepped into it.

From the moment i had escaped from the building which i found myself in a coffin and the strangers within.

Everything was strange.

I didnt remember anything since waking up from the coffin.

I didnt know who i was. It was as if i had no memory of myself.

Nor the place i was.

My body was some what strange. I felt power. Strength flowing through my veins. I could hear the hearts of others beating as well. I could smell them from afar and the more i looked at them, the more my hunger increased.

I needed to feed on blood to make it go away. Something within me wanted to and i was finding it hard to resist.

I was trapped for now. There would be no futher movement for me inside the sun which was beginning to shine from the sky.

I had gone through the night.resisting what ever drew me toward blood.

I couldn't quite picture myself drinking blood from peoples body. What had i turned to?

What was happeninig?

I was confused and hungry. I had explored the city upon escaping. It was huge. Especially the woods. The high pitched sound i was getting from everything made my ear drums throb hard. I felt like i was going crazy.

The sun had come in the morning. I couldnt hide in the woods cause of it and i had found myself hididng from the sun. Away from people.

I looked at my hands while standing.

It was clear i was not a human being anymore. Someone had done something to me.

The first peeple that came to my mind where the strangers from the building.

It was a mansion.

That was the only memory i had since waking up from the coven.

I suspected that i had been inside there for a long time. Everything about this city. It was shocking and hard to comprehend.

Was this my home. I didnt even know who and what i was.

I was starting to go crazy as i stood there. I needed to attend to the hunger soon as possible or i might die.

Starvation would kill me if the sun didnt kill me first.

The time was 9:30 and nicole and her brothers were in the room where the coffin was located in the mansion.

They were both seated expect nicole.

"We need to find him."

"My locations spell didnt work on him and i dont know why."

"Its like something is interfering."

"I think someone is behind this."

"And who would that be?

Asked austin.

Clever seemed to be in toughts. He'd drank the blood yesterday night after much pain he had to endure.

Nicole knew he didnt like this.

It had changed him totally. He'd complained of not being able to use magic any more and she'd explained that, that was one of the side effects of being a night creature.

" i dont want this."he'd said.

"You should have left me alone from the start."

He was right. She knew but then, she didnt give them of a chance to choose.

She simply did what had to be done.

Now their junior brother was missing and could not be found.

Nicole was worried.

His transition period had began and he needed blood to complete it else he dies quickly.

Something was wrong some where.

He'd tried to attack them. This ment that he didnt remember who they were.

It couldnt be beacuse of the OD.

Then what? She didnt know.

She expected to find him as soon as possible.

"I need both of your help."

"Clever, i cant do this alone."

"Where could he be now?

"i tought you guys searched for him through the night."

"We did but couldnt find him."

"We need to keep searching else something bad will happen and that cannot happen."

"Ever."

"Well that sums it up,we'll split up."

"Since your tracking spell cant work and i cant do magic no more."

"We'll just have to find him."

"Agreed."said austin.

"We'll split up."

"I'll hold on to his ring, if any of you find him, then give me a call."

"Ill do the same."

Clever suddenly ran out from the room with a superhuman speed and so did austin.

Nicole shook in her head in annoyance before walking toward the door.

Her brother couldn't go missing. Not on her watch. She'd yet to deliver the od stone to the witches of astra.

She couldn't. She'd been occupied through the night. Austin searched for him tol but could not find him. They were running out of time.

Mr black was at his office. He'd spoken with his wife jasmine. He wad concermef about their where about and safety.

They were home. His daughter, caro had stayed at home.

Alongside her mother.

Their family was being targeted. This was too good to ignore.

They were all put on top security. Caro just gained admission into a university in the city. One their family owned but she wouldnt be going yet till her protection and safety was sure.

It wasnt safe. A meeting had been callef after the burial. He was called but had refused to attend.

It was pointless. He'd tought he had job to do as a senior police officer in the city and interfering with political games with his family wasnt going to make his job ang easier.

He did not regreat going to the funeral.

He didnt have it in him to.

A phone call had come from their mothers assistant who worked as an assistant for his mother who was a congress woman.

Share holder in the gland company.

The rest of his brothers had decided that he step up as the next mayor of the city. He couldn't believe his ears this morning. Since then, he had been in his office. Having cold feet.

He was going to be the most important person in the city.

This would draw the their enemies to him and his family would be a target.

It had already been decided and news of it had began to spread throuhh the city.

The chief of mecury lines police department had ordered him to resign from his position and become mayor at once.

It was as if he was dreaming. He didnt want this at all.

His case was to be handled by jean stacy from now on.

And she was already on the move.

This was it. A new life and identity. His family had forced this on him.

Politices wasnt his thing.

Mr black couldnt see himself refusing this position. It was non negoatioable to begin with.

They were ready to excort him to the mayor mansion at east coast avenue block.

He would take from his late brother.

Now, he would be fully involved with the enemies that wanted to take his family out.

The mafia organization called x. The witches who still remained in the city.

It was a cold bloody war and as mayor, he was to lead his family to victory.

This was his mansion now.

He looked at his watch. The time was 11:37am.

He was in a confused state while seated on the chair.

He wad needed urgently by the poeple of the city.

Soon,all the power would be his and his position as mayor gave him the will to decide how to use it.

He'd received a call from becky, a local voodoo priestess. One he was familar with.

She had reported that the killing was done by a witch.

In the city.

She'd traced the source of magic to a coven. Called astra.

They were different from other witches. They operated with dark magic.

She was sure they were responsible for most of the cruel deaths that have been happening in the city for years now.

She didn't know where they were exactally but she told him that they were in avenue block.

Their dark precence was clearly felt by her.

That was a start for him.

Mr black was ready to act on this information. His family hunters had been searching for witches in the city for centuries now. This coven would be next to be destoryed.

He'd thanked her and paid for her services too.

He'd cleared his office. His things were in a box. He suddenly stood up and picked the box.

A knock sounded on his door.

"Hello sir, its me sam."

"Come in."

The door opened and sam came in, looking at him with a nervous countenence.

"You're gonna be mayor soon sir."

"I came to see you for the last time."

"Yes."

"A new senior officer will be taking my place."

"You will be working together with her on the muder case."

"Understood sir."

He replied.

"Come give me a hand,i need to be going."

Sam went forward to where he stood and picked the box up.

They both began to walk out of the office.

"Here." He handed his registeration letter to him.

"Deliver this to the chief for me."

He said.

"Thank you."

"Not at all sir."

"Its my duty."replied sam.

" soon, we'll all be working for you,including the chief himself."

The news of the newly apponited mayor had spread through the city and beyond the city and beyond its boundries.

Mr black gland was to take over as mayor of mecury lines.

It was finally official and the mafia orginization called x had planned their next move.

He was their next target.all eyes were on him now.

They had planted men on roof tops.

Snippers. To take him out before he reached the mayor mansion.

This was war against the gland family, who were already in protection.

The hit was to be made never the less.

Their boss had given the order and it was to be carried out by his hitters.

The location was on top notch security.

Military soilders lingered with their trucks. They had snippers of their own too. Just in case. Noting was to go wrong. Mr black. The newly elected mayor was on his way and going to occupy his position as acting mayor.

They wanted him dead before he reached the manison.

Mr black,on the other hand had sent the information about astra to his brother.

Shepard. He was in charge of the black opp operation in hunting and killing witches. A clean check was to be carried out on west avenue. They were looking for the witches and their coven.

Their main objective was to kill all memebers on sight.

They were already on the move.

17 black vans were deployed out into west avenue and becky accompaned them.

Apart from being a priestess.she was a healer and seer.

One who could sense energy and precence of supernatural beings in the city. It was easier if she gave directions and orders to the men.

Mr shepard accompained his men too. He had sworn to kill them all.

The time was 12:30pm when the convey following mr black reached the first part of east coast avenue block.

His car was bullet proofed. Made with solid metal.

They had passed by the 33th road.

All fiften cars.

Military jeeps.

"Mayor position confirmed." Said a snipper from on top of a building roof.

He spoke into his radio while holding a camera. His gun was at his side.

"Roger that."

A voice responded.

"Hows it looking over there."

"They just came into avenue block."

All eyes were on their vechiles.

"Any signs of enemies?

"none."

"The coast is clear."said the snipper as he observed the road.

He was still looking when a a bullet found its way to his head.

He fell down to the ground.

His radio suddenly came on.

"Report back alpha 1,whats your status?

"Alpha 1 come in."

There was no response.

The radio went back off.

The fiften vechiles had just passed by 33th road and was moving ahead the straight road in full speed.

From the right, a huge tractor came and hit the last two jeeps out of position.

They crashed sideway and crashed into other vechiles.

"I repeat,they are under attack." Another snipper reported from a different roof top..

"They are under attack."

He Said again and focused his eye on his gun. It was pointed at the truck which had started following the jeeps.

The tractor was hitting the jeeps which were at the back.

He made to fire but was shot in the head by another snipper close by.

The man fell down with his radio by his side.

"Alpha 1 and 4 is down."

"Be adviced,some one is taking you all out one by one."

A voice warned the snippers.it was from the military base.

It was from their command unit."

"Unit 5."

The military jeeps were being attacked by snippers who belonged to their enemies.

From every corner.

They approached the second half of the east coast,passing by the round abouts where the state prison and assylum where built.

Close to each other.

Just as they were about to take another turn.

Another huge vehicle ran into one of the jeeps at the beginning.

The first vechile driver had been killed and his vechile had stopped moving.

The 13 jeeps remaning followed on their course to the mayor mansion which was just straight ahead.

Mr gland was in one of the jeeps.

They quickly began to fire rocket lunchers at the jeeps.

Taking some of them out of line from the road.

The snippers up on the roof tops were being taken out one by one.

They were in a panic when they spotted armed men at the ground with explosives.

"Make sure the mayor gets to his mansion."

"Send extra team into that area now."

A voice yelled into the radios of the men who were protecting the mayor.

The jeep had reduced. They were 10 now and they had reached the mansion.

They were awaited by military soilders, already waiting to cover them while the men inside the ca deliver the mayor into the mansion.

Enemy snippers were detected easily. helicopters had been sent from unit 5.

With snippers on them.

They were killed quickly.

Mr black came down from one of the jeeps.

The military men at his side covered him and the gate of the mansion was quickly opened.

"Get him insdie now."

Yelled one of the soilders.

They were two helicopters currently in the air. With snippers on them.

They did their jobs accuratly. Taking out enemy snippers on top of roof tops. This side of the city had become a war zone in a matter of minutes.

Mr black was safely excorted into the white mansion.

It was well fortified. Well guarded.

"I want them dead."

He said upon entering.

Mr black brought out his phone from his pocket and put it in his ear.

"Hows the operatiom going?

He asked while climbing up the stairs.

Inside was beautiful.

The windows were bullet proofed and they were men in suits. Stationed outside at each door in every passage.

They was no way the mansion could be attacked. This was hus strong hold. An impregnable one.

The sun had gone down for a while and this enabled me to sneak into a resturant.

It was close by. There were chairs every where. Tables. It was filled with customers eating their meal.

The ringing sound in my ear had stopped now.

There was still the hunger that threatened to shut down my body.

They was a seprate passage from the hall where chairs were arranged with tables.

Away from where the staffs of the resturant kept their foods.

I quickly walked straight. Avioding the people that was walking toward the exit door. From the rest rooms which was clearly written on top of the doors.i went into one of them. This was for the men.

They were people inside. Washing their hands inside sinks.

The toilets were covered and spaced from each other.

All having doors. This place was well lit with white lights.

I was having an headache. I slowly walked toward one of the toilet doors and rested my hands on it.

Breathing in and out. Something was eating my body from within.

I could tell beacuse my body was weakinig. I was losing strength fast.

"Are you alright? Asked a teenager. Like myself. He carried a hand bag and was staring at me in an alkward way.

"I am, just fuck off will you? I yelled.

"okay, damn."

"You dont have to be rude dude."he said and walked away. He was white in complexion. I watched him leave.

I was busy staring at his neck.

I could almost picture myself on his neck. Draining the blood out of his body.

I removed my attention from him, suddenly realizing that my fangs had come out.

I started adjusting my teeth which were growing in my mouth.

The rest room appeared to be empty. I had watched everyone leave while giving side glances.

"Are you okay lad?asked a voice.

I looked up to see a middle aged white man with plaited hair,like that of a woman staring at me.

He had a scar on his face.

My fangs were still out and i noticed that my eyes had also changed. I could feel it cause i could see quite clearly.

"Dont come any closer." I yelled.

"You need blood, dont you?

He asked.

I was panting now.

It was getting hard to breath.

"i cant help you with what you're going through."

He seemed to be observing me.

"What you looking at?

"What do you want?

" am creature just like you but different."

"Why would you help me? I asked.

Suddenly giving in to the pain.

I couldn't hold it any longer any longer."

I stumbled and fell down.

My eyes were spinning.

"I can tell you havent fed yet."he said from where he stood. I couldn't see him well. My eyes were closing by themselves.

"Calm down boy."

"Relax." He said while coming closer.

Everything went black.

Nicole had not heard from her brothers yet. She'd searched the city. There was no sign of west. Her spells wasnt working either.

He wasnt supposed to wake up now.

None of them were supposed to wake up before herself.

It was all the witches fault.

They had breached into their mansion and had kidnapped her brother.

No doubt this was also their doing.

She was already on her way there.

The cab which carried her dropped her off at thr church building.

Holy mass. The name was clearly written on the sign board and they appeared to be people inside today.

It was crowded.

"That would be five dollars."

Said the driver.

She picked her purse and gave it to him and then coming down. Luckily for her,the kendrick family weren't poor.

They had wealth.a lot of it.

Passed down through centuries along with their mansion. Stored in banks and safety deposit.

Mecury lines was a city under the country, orlorn.

It was built undet the gland family and it operated under the country currencry. Orlorn dollar.like the rest of the cities in orlorn.

Each cities had congressmen, politicians.

Only mecury lines was built and established to be ruled by them.

A city ruled by mayors.

Powers was given to them since the 16th century and they had done quite wonderful things with their power.

Like hunting and killing witches.burning covens all through the cities.

Influencing leaders of orlorn to change traditions and cultures. It all started with the gland family here at mecury lines.she wanted them dead by any means possible. She'd slept for centuries now. Keeping her life force with magic. Dark magic.

She'd outlived lots of witches who had come and gone since the 19th century when her mother was alive but also killed during those periods.

She gussed that this morden present members of astra wasnt as old as herself. She didnt really know any of them.

Nicole stared at the building sensing the aura coming coming from within. It was powerful and evil.

They was darkness hovering within those halls down the stairs.

She couldnt understand why they set it up here.

In a church building. It was absurd and risky.

She looked around,everything was going smoothly.

Vechiles and people passing by.

No one would notice expect for people like herself who was born with magical abilities. She had not forgotten what the hunters did back then.

Lead by priests from the churchs,their unholy praticies were forbidden as such.

They were hunted, trailed, burnt.

She slowly began to calm herself by slowing her breathing before walking to the stairs which led to the porch.

There, two women who appeared to be standing.awaiting visitors wellcomed her with smiles.

"Please go in."

"You'll wellcome."

Nicole stared at them. Suspicous as she passed by. It was indeed filled up. Each wooden long chairs arranged in three different lines.

They were all upstanding.singing praises to their God.

They all looked like ardent belivers of their faith.

Devoted. Nicole was starting to if members of astra was missed up with these group. She was confused as to what was happening in this building and futher more, she didnt have time.

On the altar was man dressed in purple garment and women and girls dressed in white where below the altar. Singing too.

At the right corner at the end of the wall was the door whichnled down the stairs.

Nicole walked toward the last line of chairs which were arranged.

She stood there, among the people at the last chair.

Her focus was at the door she needed to get in there quickly.

The last time she'd gone there. She didnt see any of their faces clearly.

How could she tell if memebers of astra were among this congregation.

It was impossible.

She was not comfortable standing with tge crowd.

She wanted to leave but decided aginst it.

She needed to see the woman who was in charge. She had her suspicion that she was involved with the delima that they were currently facing with west.

They were the only ones she could think of.

Nicole was still staring the door when a grouo of men came in. Armed with guns.dressed in black,with black helmets too.

She was tensed and so were the people in the church.

Everyone stopped what they were doing and focused on the men as they came in.

Her heart was beating fast.

As suspected, she knew they were here to hunt the witches down the stairs.

They was no other reason why they would come here.

"Everyone stoo what you're doing."

"This building is to be searched."

"We have a search warrent from the present mayor."

Said one of the men.who appeared to be in front.

He had his helmet on too.

They all did.

None of their faces could be seen.

"Every one,get out now."

He yelled.

They obeyed and started moving out one by one.

While the men moved into the building.

Nicole was hesitant at first but then she didnt want to be caught by this men.

After all, she was a witch and she knew without a doubt that they were hunters from the gland family.

She followed the crowd in going out of the building.

The men had began to search the place.

The witches down the stairs would be killed if theh were caught.

She was starting to consider herself lucky. A woman who was by herside came close and held her hands and then huged her before whispering into her ears.

She quickly disengaged and followed the crowds who was walking by the road side at the right direction.

Nicole took the left direction and began to hurry away from the church.

The members of astra had moved away from that location.

The women had said. Theg would be missing at the woods.

At west avenue, in the night.

She didnt have that patience to wait.

She needed to find her junior brother as soon as possible.

She brought out her new cell phone and dailed her brothers cell phones.

"Austin, clever."

"Have you seen him yet?

She asked.

"Nope."

"We havent."

They both replied.

"What about you?

Asked clever.

"no." She said.

"We need to find him, before something or someone gets to him."

"What about the witches?

"Their current location just got raided by hunters."

"They are still hunting our kind till now."

"You better be careful."

"Both of you."

"What about west?

Asked austin.

Nicole paused for a while.clearly confused.

She didnt know where esle to check.what else to do.

Her tracking spell on him wasnt working at all.something was interfering with the link.

Something was wrong somewhere and she couldnt quite put it together.

West could be in trouble right now and they was noting she could do to find him in this big city.

I tasted it in my mouth before knowing what it was.

My body wanted more of it. Some one was feeding me with blood. I opened my eyes to see the same man standing near myself.

My back was rested on a wall and i was sitting on the ground. In a building i didnt recognize.

Outside, i could see trees through the window.

The ground was wooden. I could feel it with my hands.

The man stood up, leaving the bag of blood in my mouth.

"See, i told you i could help."he said and shifted backwards.

There was a bag on the floor and inside it was filled with blood.

I quickly finished the blood and threw the empty satchet away and then picked another.

I began to drink it in a hungry like manner.

I finsihed it and picked another.

"Slow down tiger, its not going any where."

There were furnitures in the house. The living room was just at the left and i was at an empty spaced room.

There was no light in the building.

It was clear that the power was out or the building had none.

I wasnt bothered beacuse i was busy drinking blood.

This was my fifth bag of blood.

"Thank you." I said.

"Not at all."

"Just helping a fellow like yourself out is no big deal, besides now you owe me."

"I know." I Responded.

"So whats your name?

I looked at him while drinking the sixth bag of blood.

"I dont know who i am or what i am."

"Or where i came from as a matter of fact."

"I woke up in a coffin."

The man was listening with keen intreast. However, a look of suprise appeared on his face when i mentioned the word coffin.

"Am guessing you're not from this time, are you?

"Like i said, i dont even know who i am."

"Yes,thats true."

"Well,my name is lorenzo."

"Lorenzo skywalker."

I nodded and threw the bag of blood away.

"So what,are you like me or what?

"How did you know i needed blood?

"Beacuse you are a vampire, thats what creatures like you need to survive."

"I was suprised to see you fighting the urge to feed."

"Vampires i know would have killed a human and start drinking their blood."

"Why didnt you?

"Cause i."

I paused and began to think it through.

"I didnt want to."

"I couldnt."

"Well, you would have, eventually."

"Am in your debt, mr lorenzo."

"I know that."

"I dont remember anything before this." I said.

Looking at myself as i held the bag of blood.

He was right. I tought i would have fed on people if he did not show up.

I recalled that i had fainted. The hunger was too much.

"Its your choice of course."

"Vampires need to drink blood in other to stay alive."

"From humans or without humans."

"You'll have to choose eventually."ā

I smiled and nodded.

"This is stupid." I said.

"It isnt."

"So what are you exactly?

"A vampire."

"Nah." He shook his head.

"Am different."

He walked close to me and bent down.

His eyes suddenly glinted blue.

Claws came out fron his fingers. They had grown in size.

"Am a wolf."

"A what now? I asked. Confused.

"Exactly what it is."

"And am not the only one around."

"There are lots of us in this city."

"I control them all."

"You are a leader of a pack?

"A wolf pack."

He stood up and dusted his hands together.

"Yes."

"Why are you helping me?

I asked again.

Knowing who he was made me wonder.

"What!

"you dont the blood no more?

"i guess i should have left you there or kill you."

I stared at him. Fully secrious now.

I threw the 7th bag of bloof away.

The hunger i was feeling had died now.

"Yes, why didnt you kill me."

"Beacuse you are not my enemy."

"You mat be a vampire lad but we are not enemies, are we?

"No." I shook my head after much tought.

"We are not."

"And like i said, now you are indebted to me."

"You'll work with me until we figure out who you are."

"Its hard to believe that you dont know who you are."

"Am not lying."i said.

"I know."

"Good."

"Finnish that up,will you."

"I'll be outside."

"Come out when you're done."

He said and walked away toward the door. I watched him leave. The feeling of being indebted to a stranger was something else but then,he'd saved my life.

What more could i ask for?

I picked another bag of blood and began to drink.

The memories of waking up in a coffin and meeting those people in that building still played in my mind.

They were the only lead i had to finding who i was but then i didnt know who they where.

They could be anything.

Friends or foes.

Just like mr lorenzo here.

I was lucky to have found him in that rest room.

I found myself wondering how he'd bought me here without me getting burnt alive by the sun which was no longer in the sky.

I wondered if he knew if the sun affected me. I needed to tell him. I needed to solution to this.

I didnt understand a thing that was going on in my life right now.

I needed answers more than ever and he was going to help me while i worked for him as agreed.

This was the only way i had tought of in my mind.

Austin and clever had met up at 21avenue. At a garage where vechiles were being washed. Inside two bodies lay on the ground. Close to the vechiles which were parked at the corner.

They had fed on their vicitims.

The bodies appeared not to be moving and bite marks were on their necks.two set of holes.

Austin cleaned his mouth while facing clever.

"This is quite the adjsutment, isnt it?

"I dont like this." Replied clever.

He was focused on the men who lay dead on the floor.

"Once i start drinking on them."

"I cant help but drink till am filled."

"Look around,this is a big city."

"Surly,this guys wont be missed."

"We'll be gone before any one notices."

"This isnt your first kill?is it?

Asked austin.

"It is."he replied.

"We should be killing hunters and looking for our brother."

"We will."

"I plan on killing them all."said austin.

"Now where do we find little west?

"I pray hes not into a deep mess."

"He already is in one."saif clever, who was looking at his enchanted ring.

"He dosnt have one of this."

"Does he?

Austin fumbled his hand in his jean pocket and brought it out.

"Nope."

"He does not."

"I cant do magic no more."said clever.

"Well, that is a shame."replied austin as he walked out from the garage with the ring in hand.

"Magic is a good thing but i kinda prefer this."

He said, looking at his hands.

"I feel amazing."

"Yeah, i bet you do."said clever while coming out.

"I need a way out of this."

"I need a cure."

"An sure you can work that out with our sister nicole."

"But for now,lets focus on finding our little brother."

The city without a sun in the sky displayed itself.

The wind was moving.

Austin inhaled the air into his system.

"Its good to be back."

"Come on, lets get moving clever."

They both began to walk out of the garage compound.

Leaving the two dead bodies inside a building.

The time was 5pm in the evening when nicole got back to the mansion. No one was at home.

She didnt bother calling her brothers.

They were still out looking west who was still missing and without a slight memory of who he was.

She didnt know where else to go check.

The incident at the church left her on her guard.

She was prepared for the hunters and the gland family but first. She needed to meet with the witches of astra.

Only they could provide the answers and help she needed to find her brothers.she blamed them for what was happening.

Deep down, she knew she needed to take over her mothers position as head witch of astra.

It was her birth right.

She looked at the od stone in her hand.

She needed to give this to them by night time.

She needed to find her brothers by any means possible. Before it was too late for him.

So far, the city was not a safe place.

It never had been.