Amara – Reunion

Author's note: this is from Seraphina's point of view

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I engraved into my mind Aldus's lecture about sticking to my promises.

When I look at my personality, I don't have much going in my favor. I don't want to lose my credibility. 

I keep telling myself that Sanya died, and I am Seraphina. This is my chance to start anew, to become whoever I want to be, and I want to be worthy of the identity Aldus gave me.

Aldus's daughter is strong, powerful, and she doesn't go back on her word. 

I want Aldus to be proud of me. I crave his approval. After all, he gave me so much; a life (literally), safety, comfort, an abundance of knowledge, and his guidance. The least I can do is to take it seriously.

I agreed to dinner with Lazarus in exchange for spending a few hours with Alex and I need to stick to it, even if I don't like it.

This trip to investigate the incident with rogues will postpone my date with Lazarus.

Part of me hoped that Lazarus will be distracted enough to forget about it. I'm not avoiding it. I will just not bring it up. 

If the deal is to spend time with Alex, I wouldn't mind.

Aldus explained to me that Alex is Lazarus, and Lazarus is Alex. They are two minds in one body (that can have two forms), and they are completely aware of each other and can't be separated.

When Aldus talks about it, it sounds logical and I get it. However, when I see the big furry creature wagging his tail while looking at me with those adorable yellow eyes, I don't see Lazarus. I see… Alex.

It seems that I have in-built affection toward dogs (and wolves) and when I see a furry animal I can't help but swoon. Ah, dogs are my weakness!

That is one more thing I need to adapt to; werewolves are part human and I shouldn't be cuddly with the wolf if I don't want to do the same with his human half.

"Is she coming with us?", Lazarus asked with disapproval in his voice when he saw me coming down the stairs with a carry-on.

"Yes.", Aldus said.

"You know that this is dangerous."

"She is determined.", Aldus responded.

Lazarus frowned. "Determined to get killed?"

I snorted. "I am right here, you know."

Lazarus turned to face me in slow motion. "You should stay back. This is not a place for…"

"A sheltered princess?", I interrupted Lazarus.

He rolled his eyes. "For a reckless girl who can't take care of herself."

I narrowed my eyes at Lazarus. "How do you know that I can't take care of myself?"

He sneered. "What can you do? You will be a hindrance."

I didn't know if Lazarus was looking down on me, or just trying to get me to stay back, or maybe he is always so overbearing, but I was determined to go. "I thought that you want to spend time with me. Since that is not the case, maybe we should forget about the date. After all, I don't want to force you to spend an evening with a reckless girl who is a hindrance."

I heard Aldus chuckle on the side.

Lazarus was outraged. It seems he is not used to being challenged. "Those are not the same."

"Aren't they?" I smiled smugly. Serina scores!

I saw that Mitch was waiting for us by the car, and I made my way toward him.

"It won't be pretty!", Lazarus spoke while walking after me. "There will be blood and guts everywhere!"

I controlled myself not to respond. It's not like Lazarus can stop me, anyway. Aldus said that it's OK for me to tag along and that's final.

I knew this will not be a picnic, and I might see some gruesome things, but I need to face the reality even if it's not pretty.

I got in the car, and I shimmied into the back seat.

Lazarus wanted to sit next to me, and Aldus blocked him.

"You sit in front…", Aldus said icily.

Lazarus was not happy, but he obeyed.

I appreciated the fact that Aldus spared me from sitting next to Lazarus.

After a ten-minute ride, the car came to a stop.

There was a two-story high building where Mitch parked the car after we alighted.

I observed the interior of the big modern garage with slick gray walls and various tools.

"Let's go!", Aldus's call pulled me out of my stupor and I realized that he and Lazarus are heading toward the helicopter that was on one of the three helipads next to the garage.

"Is this yours?", I asked Aldus.

"Lazarus's.", Aldus responded. "My security system doesn't allow for anyone to fly in the property, so the aircraft stays here, and he takes the car for the last stretch."

"I see…", I murmured.

"We have a helicopter as well.", Aldus said before adding, "More than one."

I liked that he said WE have a helicopter. He always reminds me that we are family.

Mitch stayed with the car and based on the windows on the upper floor, I guessed that rooms are there. Bedrooms possibly.

Lazarus piloted the helicopter and after about half an hour ride, we landed on a clearing.

I didn't see much because it was after sunset, but we were in a wooded area.

"Leave bags here…", Lazarus advised and led the way. Aldus and I followed.

I wished that I packed a glowstick, a flashlight, a torch, or anything that can create some light. It was difficult to walk without seeing where I'm about to step. It reminded me of the Misty Forest whose floor was covered with a layer of fog, but here everything was dark.

It took my eyes a few minutes to adjust to the darkness. The rays from the full moon which sneaked through tree canopies lit up the ground just enough for me not to stumble as I walked.

A few minutes later, the rays of light that made their way through the foliage, indicated that we are nearing our destination.

Before I could see what's behind the final bush, I was hit with a heavy metallic smell. Blood. It lingered in the air and my stomach churned.

I glanced at Lazarus's and Aldus's backs and I wondered how are they faring, considering that their sense of scent is much stronger. Maybe they are used to it.

"Hoh…", a barely audible whimper escaped my lips when I saw a campsite that looked like a crime scene from horror movies.

In the middle of a small clearing was a campfire leftover, surrounded by rocks to contain the flames. My eyes moved to observe tarp shreds, utensils, a shoe… the ground had black patches and I knew that was because the soil was soaked in blood.

Several people were there, talking to Lazarus and Aldus and I was not sure if they are talking in low voices or if I'm so distraught that I can't hear them.

I swallowed softly and I walked toward them while trying not to step on something that doesn't belong in the forest.

"Four of them…", one of the men said, obviously the leader of the group. "Two men and two women… we have their IDs… There is no vehicle in the vicinity, so they hiked quite a distance to reach here… when we found them, their hearts and livers were missing, ripped out of their bodies. Other injuries were due to a fight… They didn't stand a chance. It happened fast... We bagged them and are waiting for you to check before we dispose of the bodies…"

I listened in silence while trying not to visualize bodies with missing organs and broken limbs.

"There is no need for us to check.", Aldus said and stepped to the side.

Aldus closed his eyes and a second later gestured toward his right. He turned toward me. "This is your last chance to change your mind. You can return with these men."

"I'm going with you.", I said with all the confidence I could muster. It would be foolish to go back now.

Aldus nodded. "Stay close."

Aldus went first and I was right after him. Lazarus was last.

I glanced to the back and asked Lazarus, "Your men are not coming?"

"They are humans."

I took that as a 'no'. He probably thinks of them as hindrances.

Aldus told me that Lazarus's power is comparable to the one Alpha has. Lazarus could have his own pack, yet he chooses to be a loner. I wondered, why is that? It's obvious that Lazarus looks down on humans, why doesn't he have a pack? Werewolves could patrol his territory and prevent these attacks. Also, Alex would not be lonely. Maybe Lazarus is fine on his own, but Alex enjoys company.

I reminded myself to focus on the task at hand. Four people died and we are hiking through the forest in the middle of the night while searching for perpetrators.

After about a dozen steps, Aldus stopped again for a second, and then his pace increased. 

"How come you didn't inspect the bodies for clues?", I asked Aldus while doing my best not to stumble.

"We are going after the killers and can't afford delays. If they reach a city, we will lose them.", Aldus explained.

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