She was fast and a good fighter, and she had managed to escape by the distraction of werewolves. Keeping my ear to the ground however has always given me the advantage, and I heard long ago that Louis was no longer the top villain in town and that she had taken his place.
“Miss Helsing, do you have any advice to give? This is a difficult time indeed.” Edward spoke up, bringing me back to the meeting at hand.
Angelique and I had only met once before, but she was still a new vampire around that time. I can see what intel I am able to gather and find out what she is planning. I don’t agree with the amount of turnings and murders that are going on within the city, but one of the issues we have to deal with is why RavenBlack is full of runaways, unknowns, and lost souls who are wishing for family, for love, or for connections.
If the vampires have found a method to trap these people into believing they can get all that by being sired and joining their group, then we will also have to deal with that,” I paused watching few members nod and Sofia roll her eyes at me,
“We need to station more of our men within the outer limits of the cities, near the ports, the bus and train stations, and keep an eye on what, or who, is coming in and out of the city. Angelique isn’t the only one keeping an eye on what’s going on.”
Jackson, ever within the know of his bloodline and other associates, was someone who kept his ear to the ground as well. He would listen in on conversations when people didn’t even know he was there, seemingly invisible to most humans and even to the supernatural.
They always suspected something was around or following them, and yet they could never find him. He was the best person to have on your side for illusions, confusing the mind and he also had immense power. It’s why he was able to make his way up the ranks of the clan and become second in command in our magic department.
“We will send out some of our highly trained groups to do as Miss Helsing has suggested, and we shall regroup in a fortnight’s time to report and go from there,” Sophia began to rise from the table before seeing if there were any other subjects that needed discussing, but it was Eric who spoke up, not me.
“I noticed today that many of the newer students don’t know the history of our clan, of Van Helsing and how we came to be. Hayley had to give some of the new recruits a lesson in history this morning, and it worries me that we aren’t producing the same well-trained, rounded troops we’ve had in the past, but rather ones who shoot first and ask questions later. Care to explain why that is, Sophia? Seeing as though you’re the one who has changed the lesson structure and system here.”
I wished I could high five Eric, and watched as everyone turned to look at Sophia, she looked as if she were a deer in headlights. I was enjoying the fact that I hadn’t been the only one to notice this morning that many of the recruits had no idea of our history, their history, and it worried me what else they weren’t being told.
“The recruits are being told of our past but during these difficult times, I thought it was best they concentrate predominantly on their fighting skills first, and the rest would come later.”
She thought that was a satisfying answer at best, and perhaps it would have been, if it weren’t for the fact, I had witnessed the lack of knowledge all the troops seemed to show, including during the lessons I had observed.
“Sophia, in order to become a great warrior, you must also learn about the path you are about to take before a sword is placed in your hands,” I looked at her directly, keeping eye contact with my shoulders straightened,
“That’s how my father taught me, Jackson, Eric, and even yourself. The elders have always made that a part of our code, and for you to disregard it is truly not okay. The old structure and lessons will be brought back within the next two weeks, unless this threat we may be facing is too great, and then the recruits will need more hands-on training immediately.”
Sophia rolled her eyes and huffed at my statement, and I could already see the wheels of her mind turning faster as she tried to come back with something smart or demanding, but instead, she stood up straight and nodded in response.
“As you wish, leader. We will do as you command.”
3
Ileft the manor by taking one of the many cars in the underground garage before dawn, and I was glad to greet my home once again, away from the many eyes of the guards and council members, who were watching my every move. A quick shower and a decent cup of coffee made me feel right as rain, and knowing I had the day to myself was even more exciting.
Heading to the local gym was my first thought once the sun started to rise. Even though I had access to my home gym, there was something freeing about going to the gym and people watching, feeling as if I were a normal person, which of course, would never be the case. I hated knowing I’d never be one of those mundane humans who could walk around without a care in the world and had no idea what went bump in the night while they slept.
Hitting the punch bag with a heavy throw and almost taking it out from the ceiling, I had a few looks and had to remind myself that the extra strength I possessed was not to be shown here.
A normal human I must be. Deciding weights would be a better choice, I began lifting smaller weights first, mainly to do more reps but also to give off that “weak female" vibe.
“I’d hate to be your boyfriend if you can throw a punch like that.” A voice came up from behind me as a guy sat down on the bench and started lifting one of the larger weights.
“Well, lucky for you then that you aren’t.” I joked back. Damn, one of my headphones wasn’t in my ear making people think they could talk to me.
“See this is where the creepy gym guy says, 'hey but I could be, 'I’m smoother than that though.”
“If this is your attempt to hit on me, I’m just going to tell you to stop now before you get ahead of yourself. I’m not interested.”
Swinging around to look at him, I felt my heart skip a little as I was taken aback by his appearance. He had dark black hair and piercing blue eyes that met mine as he gave me a carefree smirk.
Regaining my mind and control, I rolled my eyes and stood from the bench, putting the weights back. Clearly my idea of a gym session was not going to happen today.
“Do I at least get to ask your name?” He asked as I waved over my shoulder and stuck my headphone back in my ear, heading back to the ladies’ changing rooms.
* * *
Feelingmy phone buzz as I rode back to my apartment after my disastrous gym session, I chose to ignore it. It was Jackson, only now realising I wasn’t in my room back at the manor, or perhaps he already knew and was just waiting for me to call him or answer one of his twenty calls. I, of course, knew as soon as I walked through my front door, he’d be sitting there in the kitchen, but I didn’t expect to see Eric as well.