Chapter 7

Zayde's Point of View Jack, Scott and I got to the Green Valley Pack territory about four hours ago. They were the first pack on the list that we had to visit. Green Valley is one of the packs that were attacked and managed to capture two vampires. After going around the pack to see the damage and a brief discussion with the Alpha, Derek, we were currently being escorted to where the vampires are being held. The Green Valley guard, Jessie, leads us to the pack cells, and takes us down to the basement where the vampires are being held. Along the way we greet the guards, who get increasingly more the lower we go. As soon as we reach the steps to the basement, the sickening sweet scent that always accompanies the vampires reaches us, making my stomach churn. I don't think I'll ever get used to this awful smell. As we step into the dimly lit basement, my eyes immediately land on the two bloodied vampires, chained in silver to the floor and wall. They both snarl at us as soon as we step inside, and I arch my brow at them. "We've tried different methods to get them to cooperate, but as you can see, they are still as defiant as ever, and we've gotten nowhere." Jessie says, nodding his head in their direction. "Well, well... two bloodsuckers, gift-wrapped by the Green Valley wolves. Not exactly the army of the damned I was expecting. And look, we’ve got ourselves a rare sight, both leeches are still breathing after the attack. What do you think guys? How did they get themselves captured?" I say mockingly as I circle the vampires before looking at Jack and Scott. "Honestly, I think the vampires are getting sloppier and more stupid with each attack." Jack says, smirking and the two vampires hiss at him, trying to lunge, but the chains pull them back. "So fiesty... Even after being here for a while. I'm surprised. Usually you are a lot less tough when you're not able to leap out of the shadows and bite throats." I murmur, coming to stand in front of them. "Let’s make this simple. You talk, I walk. You stall, and I let Jack have a bit of fun." One of the vampires spits on my shoes as he glares at me. "You're waisting your breath dog. We don't know anything and even if we did, we wouldn't tell you. They've been trying for days, with no success... Why would you be any different? We don't speak to mutts. And fear doesn't work on us. You'll have to do better." I arch my brow again before bending down and wiping the spit from my shoe. "Oh, but you should be scared of us... If you knew who we were you wouldn't be this stupid. And unfortunately for you, I need answers soon. So time is not on your side. We know your clan is near the eastern ridge. We just don’t know exactly where you are, or who's pulling the strings. And that's where you come in. You are going to tell me what I want to know." Vampire number two grins at me, shaking his head. "It doesn’t make a difference who you are. You still won't get anything from us. Besides... You don't know anything. If you did, you wouldn’t have come here asking us these questions. You have no idea what or who you are dealing with." I step closer to him. "You're right. I don't, but since you seem to know so much, why don't you enlighten me? Tell me, who's leading your little rebellion? Who is arrogant enough to send you two grunts into wolf territory? And where is he held up?" My eyes glow as I stare at both of them, my aura wrapping around them. Vampire number one swallows nervously, flinching a little. "Looks like we have a winner. He flinched. He knows something." Scott says, stepping closer, and I turn my attention to the first vampire. "Tell me what you know. Now." Vampire number one flinches again and vampire number two snarls at him. "Shut up. Don't say a f*****g word." Jack steps closer, pulling out a silver blade. A strong scent of vervain accompanies it and the vampire flinches again, trying to pull away from the knives reach as Jack steps up close to him. "Just give us his name and location.. Just one name, and we'll kill you quickly. Maybe even before the vervain does." He says, plunging the knife into the vampire's stomach, making him groan in pain before he pulls it out again and stabs the knife into his thigh. The vampire hisses and Jack smirks at him. "Give us a name..." He says, twisting the knife. "I don't know who the leader is. But I can tell you who we report to. His name is Lucien. He’s one of the trusted. He's a relic." "There it is. Now, was that so hard? Honestly, he caved pretty easily. If this is Lucien’s elite, he’s going to be really disappointed." Jack smirks, stepping back from the vampire. The other vampire hisses, and tries to reach for vampire number one. "Shut the f**k up you i***t!" He snarles, baring his fangs at the other vampire. I frown, ignoring him, putting my full attention on the first one that gave us the information. "What does that mean? What is a relic?" "He's from one of the old bloodlines. And he hates werewolves." He says, and I smile, nodding my head slowly. "Good... Now we’re getting somewhere. Where is he?" He hesitates, his eyes glancing at his wounds that are starting to sizzle, letting out smoke. "If I tell you, will you kill me quickly?" I shrug. "Sure, but only if you tell me something useful." "He is near Black Hollow. The ruins near the river. But we're only one of the factions. There are more." "Where?" He shakes his head. "I don't know. They don't share that information with us." I slowly nod my head. "Well, thank you. That is useful. It seems Lucien just made it to the top of my list." I say as I turn to look at Jack and Scott. "We should let the council know. They need to send out scouts to survey the area, to see if he was telling us the truth. Jessie and Jack make sure these two stay locked up tight." They all nod at me and I turn to leave with Scott flanking me. "Hey! Wait! You said you'd kill me." The vampire's panicked voice yells from behind me, stopping me in my tracks. I slowly turn around to look at him. "I told you what you wanted to know. Now kill me." He hisses, his voice laced with pain. I stare at him for a few seconds before I nod my head and turn back to leave. "Fine, Jack, take care of it. Kill him before the vervain completely burns his insides. Make sure the other one suffers though. You don't get rewarded for being unforthcoming." Scott and I quickly make our way back to the pack house, meeting Alpha in his office. "Did you manage to get something out of them?" He asks as soon as I step inside and I nod. "We did. Jack used a vervain knife and one of them gave us a name and location." I make my way to the wall behind his desk with a map on it, my eyes searching for Black Hollow. "So what now?" "We have the council send out scouts to the area, to make sure the information is correct." "And if it is and he's there? Do you want us to attack?" Scott asks, and I turn back to look at him and Derek. "No... I'm sure he is expecting retaliation. We won't give him that. I want him cut off. We will surround the hallow, and we will continue to survey them. We'll get rid of every scout and group of his that leaves the compound. We'll make him paranoid, make him worry about when we are coming for him. And then, when he finally breaks and makes a mistake, we attack. I check my watch. "We have to head out soon. We still have another pack to get to before nightfall. Scott, go grab Jack and meet me at the truck. I need to call the council first and make sure they send out scouts." Scott nods and leaves the room and I turn to look at Derek. "You are sure everything you need is on the list you game me?" He nods his head. "Yes, everything is there." "Good. I'll make sure supplies and funds are sent to you for repairs. Let me know if you need anything else." I say, holding out my hand. Derek takes it, giving a quick shake. "I will, thank you Zayde." I give him a quick smile before stepping out of his office and making my way outside. On my way out, I grab my phone from my back pocket and quickly place a call to the council to get things into place as soon as possible. This was the first real lead we've had in months. I'm not letting it slip through our fingers.