chapter 102 : The abandoned church

As the grand estate loomed in the distance, Lauren returned after a brief delay, greeted by Ariana's inquiry of her prolonged absence upon her arrival. "A minor inconvenience hindered my return. But without further delay, let us commence," Lauren declared, her tone resolute as the quartet made their way back into the sanctuary of the Benneth witches.

Settling into a circular formation upon the cool, tiled floor of the dimly lit room, a tranquil ambiance enveloped the gathering. A ray of sunlight, like a celestial messenger, filtered through the open window, casting a radiant glow onto the heart of the sanctuary where Lauren took her place at the center, the city map and the cherished yellow tie laid out before her, each item holding its own significance in the ritual ahead.

"We now require your blood, as a connection to the one we seek," Venessa announced, deftly drawing a small incision on Lauren's hand with a delicate blade, a ritualistic act that elicited a collective yet subdued gasp of surprise from the witch siblings.

To their amazement, Lauren's reaction to the symbolic offering of blood was met with an air of nonchalance by Venessa, who elucidated, "A century of existence and mastery in the craft renders me impervious to the effects of blood." Her words, steeped in wisdom and experience, dissolved any inklings of concern that lingered unspoken among the witches gathered in the dimly illuminated space.

With the tie clasped firmly in her grasp, a droplet of blood fell delicately onto the heart of the city map, marking the initiation of their mystical communion. The quartet closed their eyes in unison, their hands intertwined as they delved into the depths of incantations and spells that resonated through the hallowed grounds of the sanctuary.

Hues of magic danced in the heavy air, the flames of the candles leaping skyward to a height of nearly six feet, mirroring the intensity of the potent energies summoned forth by the witches' collaborative invocation. The room pulsed with a palpable energy as their incantations wove a tapestry of mystic resonance, each word a thread binding them closer to the elusive goal of their search.

After a span of fifteen mesmerizing minutes, a profound stillness descended upon the sanctuary, punctuated by the extinguishing and reignition of the candle flames without any physical prompt—a signal that their mystical endeavor had borne fruit, marking a pivotal turn in their quest for the sought-after presence of the Director.

As their eyes fluttered open, the trio beheld a mesmerizing sight—the blood on the map had shifted of its own accord, gliding towards a remote location on the outskirts of the city before coming to an abrupt halt.

"This marks his current whereabouts," Venessa declared, her finger tracing the path of the blood pool to its resting place on the map. In a determined stride, Lauren rose from her seat, a sense of urgency propelling her towards the sanctuary's exit with purposeful swiftness.

"I can transport you there through the portal," Venessa offered, her voice laced with a blend of assurance and readiness. "It would expedite our journey and ensure swift rescue, should you wish to proceed," she proposed, highlighting the advantages of their mystical means of travel. Yet Lauren, ever mindful of the risks involved, expressed her reservations, citing their civilian status and the need to inform her team of the unfolding developments.

"We are not aware of the potential dangers that lie ahead. Moreover, as civilians, your presence at the scene could raise complications. I must notify my team of our findings; they have tirelessly labored with no tangible outcome thus far," Lauren articulated, her tone a blend of caution and resolve as she prepared to depart the estate, with her companions trailing behind her.

In a hushed and urgent tone, Lauren relayed crucial information over the phone to one of her fellow agents stationed at the office. "I have successfully pinpointed the Director's location and transmitted the coordinates to you. Mobilize all available units immediately," she instructed, her voice carrying a weight of determination and resolve.

Seeking clarity on the next course of action, the voice on the other end inquired, "What are our orders for engagement?" Without a moment's hesitation, Lauren issued a directive with unwavering authority, "No one aside from the Director is to be granted leniency. Is that clear?" The confirmation was swift and resolute, "Understood, captain," before the call was abruptly terminated, leaving a palpable sense of purpose in its wake as preparations for the impending operation surged forward.

"Keep a vigilant watch over the map for any signs of movement," Lauren instructed the girls before entering her awaiting vehicle and embarking on her swift departure.

Venessa's suggestion to involve Damien, evoked a firm response from Lauren, "No. This task is mine to bear. I shall see it through to its conclusion and secure the Director's safe return," she resolved, the unwavering determination evident in her voice as she drove off into the enveloping shadows of dusk, a solitary figure committed to fulfilling her mission.

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In the cloak of twilight, Lauren and her elite team orchestrated their rendezvous, parking their vehicles discreetly a few strides away from the targeted building. With calculated precision, they abandoned the comfort of their vehicles and advanced on foot towards the looming structure, their hands deftly clutching assault rifles and Glocks, poised for swift action.

The encroaching darkness of the evening shrouded their movements, veiling their approach as they drew closer to the weathered facade of the abandoned church. Harnessing the obscurity of the hour as their ally, Lauren deftly signaled her team, orchestrating their strategic positioning with a nuanced hand gesture that segmented them into three distinct groups, each awaiting their appointed role in the impending operation.

Taking lead of the initial surge, Lauren's group navigated through the threshold of the edifice, plunging into the murky depths of the interior. With the aid of night vision apparatus that illuminated the shadows with an ethereal glow, they discerned subtle movements in the distance and caught wind of faint murmurs, signaling the proximity of their elusive targets.

In an unsuspecting turn of events, the clandestine partnership between Apex and the agency bore fruit in the form of specialized ammunition tailored explicitly for encounters with vampires—a fact shrouded in secrecy from the prying eyes of humanity. As the shadows of the abandoned church cloaked the impending showdown, Lauren's poised finger pulled the trigger, unleashing a precise shot towards an unsuspecting vampire.

The suppressed gunshot, muffled by the silencer affixed to her weapon, sliced through the eerie silence of the church, its impact concealed from the unassuming vampires. Unaware of the peril that lurked in their midst, one of their own fell victim to the precision of Lauren's marksmanship, a covert strike that heralded the inevitability of a brewing conflict—a clash between light and darkness on the brink of revelation.

As they stealthily infiltrated the vast expanse of the empty church, a chilling scene unfurled before their eyes—the vampires, cloaked in shadows, had gathered in a gruesome feast, sating their dark hunger upon the lifeless forms of hapless human victims.

"What the hell" A stifled curse escaped one of the agents, a telltale sign of their presence that reverberated through the desolate church, shattering the silence that hung heavy in the air.

With a swift turn of their predatory gazes, the vampires locked eyes with the intruding agents, their primal instincts honed in on the intruders. Yet, before they could pounce upon their unsuspecting prey, a second group of agents emerged from the shadows, armed with bullets infused with potent vervain—each shot a lethal silvered answer to the ethereal threat that loomed before them. The crystalline clarity of their aim found its mark, piercing through undead flesh with precision, disrupting the unholy feast that had transpired in the dimly lit sanctuary.