Where Secrets Lie

Henry was in the conference room, books littered the table but his eyes were glued to his tablet. He looked up for a second as Michael entered the room then turned his attention back to the screen, "Is Kara..." he looked up once more with a mischievous look, "...satisfied?"

"How do you always know?" Michael said picking up one of the open books from the wooden table.

"I was your servant for one hundred years. It's a gift I picked up over the years." He paused, "or is it a curse?"

Michael chuckled, "Well if you would have come any earlier, I swear I would have killed you.

"It's like you don't know me at all." Henry smiled. "I know when you're done."

"Aghhhhh" Michael shook his head fervently to dump those words out of his head, "Let's change the subject." he tossed the book back on the table, "What did you want that couldn't wait two more minutes?"

"I was doing research, and I got an email from the guy Amy got the exploding stakes from. He said the only time it's possible to open the door to Yomi is during a new moon. The new moon is next month," Henry said.

"That just might be enough time to get prepared. Good work, Henry," Michael responded.

"Thanks. I'll also start preparing the weapons and getting the new vampires and servants trained."

"Sounds good. I have to go have a long-overdue conversation with my dad. I'll tell Kara to gather everyone in the observatory to fill them in," Michael said. "Oh and Henry..." He turned back before leaving the room, "Kara is always satisfied."

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Everyone, new and old, had gathered in the observatory for the meeting. Michele approached Kara, "Here," she said, taking Kara's crystal necklace out of her pocket, "I think this belongs to you."

"No, please, keep it," Kara said as she gently closed Michele's fingers around the necklace. "You're going to need it more than me to help you with your magic. Plus, I shamefully admit that it'll look better on you," she finished with a smile.

Michael and Alex walked in together and Kara met them at the door, "Everything good?"

Alex looked at his son, "Yes, everything is great."

"Okay." The background chatter died down and the attention is thrown to Kara, "News?" she asked.

"Yes," Henry said. "They are planning to open Yomi next month during the new moon, and we need to start preparing."

"Those of you who are new to the Caswell Clan are going to have your combat skills tested over the next few weeks. If they are not up to par, you will have to train with Logan," Michael announced. "Those who have passed the test will assist Henry and Alex. Some will go with Henry and prepare the weapons, and some will go with Alex and scout the location."

The new vampires and servants gathered around Logan and then followed him outside to begin their testing.

Kara, Alex, and Alyssa got ready to go scout the battlefield. Everyone else scattered to different places looking for someone to help.

Outside, Logan instructed everyone to get in line. One by one, he sparred with all twenty-six of them. Luckily, there were only ten who did not pass his test. There was one servant, in particular, named Darin, that was exceptional, and apparently had some previous training in Muay Thai. "I can assist you in training the ten who did not pass," he offered.

Logan was pleasantly surprised and more than willing to accept any help in his daunting task. "Thank you. I would appreciate it."

"My idea is to split the group evenly, you can teach the weapons, and I will train in hand-to-hand combat. What do you think?"

Logan found Darin's confidence refreshing, and he gladly agreed.

Darin took his five students and spread them out. He started off by teaching them some basics like proper stance and how to form a fist that will injure your opponent more than it will injure them.

On the other side of the yard, Logan gave out three different types of weapons to each of his students: a stake, a knife, and a sword. He started off with the cutlery. Some received knives and some got swords to train with. After the knives were given out, he brought out the stakes.

Logan showed them what to do with the exploding ones. Their eyes widened and some of the vampires were visibly uneasy at the thought that such weapons exist. "Darin, I think we should switch now," Logan said after about two hours.

Inside the house, Amy helped Henry make new stakes and collect knives. Michele worked on a potion that could be used to stun vampires, while Hannah watched. It was nearly complete when seven people who had just passed Logan's combat test entered, in high spirits.

"Logan instructed us to help you," one of them said.

"Lovely!" Michele said. "Now I can get some help getting the potion finished. I'm going to need about two of you to go collect the box of small glass bottles from the storage closet."

As two of them started to leave, Michele yelled, "And hurry back! I'm going to need you to fill them too."

The preparations for the inevitable battle continued throughout the month. Everyone felt excited and determined to do their best, and before they knew it, the new moon was approaching.