Page 7 of Of Blackened Blood (The Blackened Blade #3)
Luche gives him a curt nod before beginning his report, his eyes trained fully on Creed.
“We were able to find a small symbol tattooed on some of the remains in the corpses. We think they were on only a select two or three of the bodies, and that they may have been the leaders of the attack.”
“Why do you ‘think’ and not know for certain?” Ezra questions, his eyes narrowing at Luche.
“Well ...” Luche flicks his gaze toward Annex and Mallyn briefly before turning back to Ezra. “There was a lot of torn-up remains, not everything was ... salvageable .”
Silence and understanding falls throughout the room as Creed lets out a heavy sigh.
“But from what we found with the type of clothing they were wearing ...” Luche continues. “And the types of supes they had in their groups and among the corpses that were left ... it all seems like it could be that shady group you had your eye on a while ago.”
Creed’s eyes narrow in contemplation as Ezra takes a step toward him.
“What group?” Ezra asks, his brows pinched down as a frown mars his lips. “You were looking into something shady and didn’t even tell me?”
Creed brushes a hand down the side of his neck before meeting Ezra’s eyes.
“A family member of one of our people went missing a while ago. He just up and disappeared without a trace. He was a shifter working at a bar in Lay City and one night just didn’t turn up.
Then another few nights passed, and there was still no word.
And he hasn’t been seen since.” Creed shakes his head.
“It just started as a small favour to one of our people, just looking into it and helping to find some answers from them, a direction to go in. But the further I looked into it, I realised it was bigger than just one supe having gone missing.”
A dark look takes over Creed’s face, with frustration bleeding into his eyes the longer he talks.
“More supes had disappeared in Lay City and the surrounding cities. Not enough in numbers or importance to draw the attention of the Council or clans, but enough for me to see the pattern between them.” He glances to each of us around the room.
“They all were supes, but low in status and weaker in abilities and all between the ages of eighteen and thirty. None of them were a part of a clan or any group and held no high-standing jobs or positions of importance anywhere. They were supes who didn’t have a large social presence and little to no family to contact.
They were vulnerable .” His eyes flicker to the floor, a look of almost guilt or regret sliding across his features.
“And all of them disappeared without a trace; everything they own was left behind, not even a shoe moved out of place or taken from their homes. No money or ransom was asked for either, and there were also no letters of any kind left behind for anyone to find. They were just gone . And nobody else cared to search for them. Or tried to for longer than a day or two. And I think that’s the biggest reason they were targeted. ”
A heavy sigh slips from Creed’s lips, a weary and sombre look taking over his features.
“I wanted to collect more on them before I brought it to the whole group, but ... we’ve not had any traction or new information.
It’s like they have their movements down to a fine art, leaving no trace or footprint behind.
I’ve never seen anything like it before.
And the worst thing is, I can’t figure out how many have been taken over the years, or just how long this has all been going on for.
” His shoulders sink just a fraction before a look of anger and frustration builds in his amber eyes.
“If they’re the ones behind this attack on us, then maybe somewhere in your investigation you found something that was pointed in the right direction?” Ezra surmises as he glances between Creed and Luche. “Who did you have looking into this?”
Creed’s gaze brightens, a slight fire growing in them as he nods at Ezra’s suggestion.
“Only a small handful of select people, the most trustworthy—Luche, Erving, Silas, Miri, and Dall. But only Luche knew the full details. The rest don’t know much.
I just put it out as a few hidden rogues I was personally pissed off at and wanted some private answers and information on them.
I just gave them small bits to look into here and there in between jobs and their normal work. ”
My brows cinch together with Creed’s words as I remember back to the night of the attack and then remember another similar ambush that happened recently.
I look toward Ezra. “Did you ever get any answers about the group that hit Erving’s place? That group also wore black and had a similar vibe like the ones from a few nights ago.”
Creed’s eyes widen a fraction before turning toward Luche.
“Tell Silas to go to Erving’s and get whatever he was working on that night and the weeks prior. I want a full report and every detail about the search after the attack before the night is up.”
Creed looks back at me. “Not a bad lead.”
Not a bad lead? A small scoff leaves my lips. He didn’t have any lead two seconds ago.
“We were short on hands with the clean-up crew due to them being needed for the repairs and spells being placed on the outer wall and fixtures ...” Luche adds, a more serious and focused look in his eyes.
“So there may still be a few weapons and remnants still left around from the attack that’s mixed in with the debris.
I’ll sift through it and see if I can find any other clues and co-ordinate with what was found during the attack on Erving’s place too. ”
Luche turns to leave but Creed stops him.
“I’ll head down as well. The more eyes the better.”
“I’ll join you,” Ezra calls. “Hopefully we can find something new.”
Just as Ezra makes his way past me, I take a step forward to join them.
As they said, the more helping the better. And maybe I can help them find something that was similar to Erving’s attack too. I was there after all.
I take another step and am stopped by two arms latching around my waist, stopping me from moving any further.
“And where do you think you’re going, Red?”
Annex’s words have everyone stopping and turning around to look at me.
“I want to help,” I say, throwing a small glare his way.
“You just woke up,” Mallyn chimes in, sliding his hands from my waist to stand beside me as a frown pulls at his lips.
“And I feel more awake and energised than ever. All the better to help look for clues with fresher eyes.” I take a step forward as Annex chuckles.
“Yeah, we’re not gonna win this one, Mal. Red’s too stubborn.”
“I’m glad that you’re a quick learner.” I try to take another step toward Ezra, but before I can, Annex lifts me off my feet and takes me into his arms. Carrying me as if I were some princess being rescued.
“If I can’t beat you, then I’ll join you, Red.”
Annex ignores my protesting and wriggling and walks straight over to Ezra and Creed. “Lead the way, Captain.”