CHAPTER 15 #2
I think of Evan and Haden when they were accidentally turned by my brother.
How they were disoriented, confused, but never exhibited the mechanical movements that Max showed.
They were protective of me almost immediately, however, similar to how Saul had always been in his own, aggressive way.
What if that was because of the sire bond too?
Or am I just searching for patterns where none exist?
Lexa interrupts my thoughts. “Something on your mind, Rosen?”
“I think the only way to find out,” I say, my mind already going into action mode, “is to capture her. We have to capture their sire.”
Lexa’s gaze intensifies, unspoken agreement passing between us.
“That’s what I’m thinking too,” she says, nodding slowly. “We get our information straight from the source.”
Lieutenant Whitlock clears his throat, his eyes narrowing. “With all due respect, Captain, how do we seize a vampire of her caliber? The risk is substantial. People could die.” He looks around the room, to no one in particular. “Many already have not too long ago.”
Silence falls at his statement. He’s talking about the squad that was deployed to assist me in the trade. About Mira and Henry, amongst a dozen others.
“She wasn’t the one that killed them,” I say, staring blankly ahead. “The Ravens did.”
The air is heavy with the weight of risk for what’s to come.
That’s the thing with plans. They can be so perfectly thought out, with backup and fail-safes for every possible scenario that could go wrong, and still, there’s always the unknown. The variables that can’t be accounted for. The way things can slip from your control, fast.
No matter how much preparation you put in, once you’re in the field, you’re playing a game where the rules can change on a whim.
Rhodes leans forward then, exchanging assuring glances with her field team.
“We’ve been monitoring vampire activity in the abandoned industrial zone.
There’s an old water treatment plant there which we suspect is being used as a meeting point.
The location’s isolated, hidden behind rusted machinery and overgrown structures, far from the usual surveillance.
It’s the ideal spot for vampires, really, dark and forgotten by most. The old pipes beneath the facility seem to run deep, creating a network of tunnels, perfect for moving unseen.
But they know it well, so we’ll have to be careful. ”
I scan the faces in the room, each one focused, knowing how high the stakes are. Everyone here knows that entering vampire territory is like stepping into a game where the rules are written by monsters. One wrong move, and it’s not just a fight—it’s a death sentence.
“You can use me as bait,” I say, conjuring up a plan. “My presence will draw her out, as it has before, and you’ll be waiting to step in when she does.”
Lieutenant Whitlock rhythmically taps his stylus against the table, considering my suggestion. “That could work, but we absolutely need contingencies for every possible failure.”
Lexa nods, tapping her tablet to bring up a three-dimensional map of the water treatment plant.
“The facility has three main entrances and several maintenance shafts. We’ll establish perimeters here, here, and here.
” Her finger points to key points around the building.
“And one more here, just in case. If the Ravens interfere like last time, we abort and regroup.” Her gaze flicks to me. “No heroics. No exceptions.”
Wei speaks up for the first time. “What if her tracker goes offline again? We shouldn’t rely solely on technology.”
Dr. Davis strokes his beard thoughtfully. “We could implement a redundant tracking system. Something that doesn’t rely on standard frequencies. Perhaps something biological.”
I shift uncomfortably in my seat. “Biological?”
“Nothing invasive,” he assures me. “A microscopic bioluminescent marker in your bloodstream. It will make you visible to our specialized scanners, and we won’t have to rely on signals that can be jammed or intercepted.”
“Like glowing in the dark,” Martinez adds with a smile.
“Essentially, yes,” Dr. Davis confirms. “The only downside is that it has a short lifespan.”
“How long would it stay in my system?” I ask.
“Twenty-four hours, give or take. It’s completely harmless and will be naturally processed by your liver.”
“I don’t like the idea of being a walking glow stick,” I admit, “but I can see the tactical advantage. Let’s do it.”
Dr. Song, a petite woman with short auburn hair and intense focus in her eyes, rises from her seat.
“Great. Now, with that out of the way,” she says, pulling a metallic case from beneath the table and placing it in the center with deliberate care.
Her fingers glide over a biometric lock, causing it to click open with a faint hiss.
“This is a prototype I’ve been developing based on the data collected from the recent mass turnings. ”
The case opens to reveal what looks like a silver baton, about the length of my forearm.
With a gracious flick of her wrist, the baton extends, revealing intricate circuitry running along its surface like veins.
“I call it the Disruptor,” Dr. Song explains, her voice taking on the edge of someone who has spent countless hours perfecting something revolutionary.
“It emits an electromagnetic frequency that interferes with the neural pathways vampires use to communicate telepathically.”
“Vampires don’t communicate telepathically,” I say, frowning.
“Not consciously, no, but research suggests the sire bond operates on a very similar principle—a subtle oscillation that resonates between maker and made,” Dr. Song explains.
I lean forward, suddenly very much intrigued. “You mean it could free Max from her control?”
Her face remains impassive. “Only temporarily. For any permanent solution, we would need this mission to be successful.”
“That could prove useful when we close in on Wraith,” Wei says. “Saves us the time of slicing through hordes of her minions.”
“What if it doesn’t work?” Lexa asks, her face revealing nothing of her thoughts.
“Then we’re no worse off than we are now,” Dr. Song answers, “and we’ll have valuable data for the next iteration.”
“Thank you, Dr. Song,” Lexa says before shifting her focus back to the group.
“Alright. The first phase of Operation Wraith: Capture is simple: Seraph presents herself as vulnerable, the sire appears, and the team closes in. The second phase is critical: secure the sire, including any significant followers, neutralize threats, and extract allies without casualties. We do not engage the Ravens unless absolutely unavoidable. Everyone clear?”
We all nod, studying the schematics projected onto the table, faces stern and determined.
Lexa stands, signaling the end of the meeting before turning to me. “Seraph, a word in private.”
As the others file out, I remain seated. Once we’re alone, she drops her professional mask, her shoulders relaxing slightly.
“Listen carefully.” She sits down next to me. “If the Ravens show up again, I want you to abort immediately. Don’t wait for my signal. Don’t try to complete the mission. Just get out.”
“I know.”
“And I know you, Seraph.” A hint of the old Lexa shows through, the one who trained alongside me all those years ago, and the one who knows my dark side a little too well.
“You’ll push yourself too far, take unnecessary risks.
And I—” She stops herself, composing her features. “This mission requires you alive.”
“Fine,” I concede, though reluctance colors my tone. “I won’t let any personal vendettas cloud my judgment.”
She nods, and we hook pinkies, sealing the promise.