Page 48 of Those That Are Lost (Hidden Vampires #2)

AURORA

A rriving on the street of Claire’s parents’ house is the most surreal feeling. The last time I was here it was Hallow’s Eve, eighteen months ago. It was the night I met Ty. I didn’t know I was a vampire, or that I’d been selected to become the mate of the head of the pack here.

And now I was returning to take up that role. Only, it would be with the male that deserved the leadership. Not the sadistic prick that currently held control of this city.

Not that any of the citizens we passed would ever find out what is about to go down.

The control the pack has over the city is purely one only known about to the other vampire groups living in secret.

No, the people of this city would continue blissfully unaware that vampires still stalked their streets, but hopefully Ty and I could provide the safety required, and the food resource to ensure the survival of our species.

The closer we got to Claire’s house, the more my confidence in this hair brained scheme grew.

The familiar streets, the smell of the water nearby, the sounds of patrons chatting at the coffee shop across the street.

This was my city. The normalcy of the day around us felt slightly jarring, the world carrying on as we prepared to start the fight of our lives.

The ferry back to Froan was a strain on all our nerves. Not only did we have to finally dispose of Demetri, but we also had to ensure we went undetected at the docks.

Ty and I had run through scenarios in our minds as we’d showered and dressed in the ensuite together.

Then, we’d woken the others and began the task of folding our hostage like a pretzel into the suitcase we’d acquired.

It had involved breaking a few bones which had made me gag, but I’d needed to do it.

I’d killed accidentally before but never on purpose.

The memories of the body I’d previously disposed of threatened to overwhelm my senses as we worked but Ty reminded me how different these situations were.

Those we were taking out were not innocent.

They were targeting us. It was an us or them situation.

That steeled my resolve and I was able to finish the task without remorse.

We’d all worked in near silence as we’d packed up at Henry’s apartment. Leaving in darkness to catch the dawn boat.

The capital was quiet as we’d made our way to the docks. Early deliveries and a few commuters were the only movement on the streets. Our little group arrived at the water’s edge early so that we could enact part one of our cover.

“Let’s get this over with,” Mitch said as we looked out over the water of the harbour, away from the ferry we’d be boarding soon, to where the dock workers were prepping for the departure.

“I’m sorry about this,” Ty replied.

“Hey, I came up with the cover. Even if I’m slightly regretting that now.” He looked a little queasy. Eyeing Henry and Antares he added, “avoid the eyes please, I really don’t want to heal a ruptured eyeball.”

Antares gave him a head tilt and folded his arms. “I know how to aim a punch.”

“It’s too early for this. Let’s get on with it and we’ll meet you on the boat in thirty,” I instructed.

Ty and I took the suitcase and moved to a secluded area near one of the industrial buildings lining the dock.

‘Ready, Red?’ Ty asked as we unloaded our cargo from the suitcase he’d wheeled here.

‘Hhmmhmm,’ I told him silently, teeth clenched so I didn’t hurl.

Whilst he had several broken bones Demetri still wasn’t dead.

After lengthy discussion, we’d agreed I was to give the final blow.

The easiest way to end a vampire is to decapitate them.

I needed to see just how much strength it took to break a neck, and testing the manoeuvre on an unconscious body was a good test run for carrying it out on a possibly conscious one.

Hopefully Adicious’s neck is the next one under my hands.

Ty moved away to check on the others. I couldn’t see them, tucked into the shadows and out of sight. But I could hear the scuffle taking place between our pack on the docks. Ty turns back to me and nods.

With my hands on either side of Demetri’s head, I concentrated on not dropping him. I inhaled a deep breath before thrusting all my strength into the twisting action Ty had talked me through it but it took two attempts before I heard the crack as his head became disconnected from his spine.

I waited to feel the guilt, the remorse, but none had come. If anything I felt one step closer to being safe. A small bit of relief knowing one of our enemies was gone.

‘We still need to sever the head.’ Ty was back at my side with fangs exposed.

He leant over the body and sliced into the flesh of Demetri’s neck.

There wasn’t much blood considering we’d drained him but some crimson soaked the pavement, and Ty gagged as he made a second bite, slicing deeper. ‘He tastes like decay.’

We ripped Demetri into several pieces. His limbs were easier to remove with the withered state of his body. We dumped his torso into the water but packed the rest of him back into the suitcase to drop into the ocean at intervals as we crossed the sea.

After murder, sneaking onto the ferry had seemed like a kids game. I don’t think my adrenaline even rose a little.

“He played the part perfectly,” Antares announced as soon as we entered the cabin Mitch had booked.

Mitch was standing at the sink, rinsing a very swollen and split lip. Blood was crusting on his brow too. The other two were sitting on the tiny single bed which took up half the space.

“Gods, did you hold back at all?” I asked, not liking the injuries on him.

Mitch huffed as Antares told me he did.

“And Adicious bought it?” Ty looked at each of them.

“Yep,” Mitch replied, his words slightly garbled as he pressed a cloth to his lip.

“He’s pissed with me, but I can handle it.

I don’t think he cared much for Demetri but it's a huge stab at his pride. He was ranting about sending half the pack here to show the West Scotian pack that his is more powerful.”

“Ha, I’d bring popcorn to that show.” Antares barks a laugh.

Henry glowers at him.

“Anyway, it’s done. We’re all set,” I spoke over them before any real arguing could start.

We managed to fully dispose of Demetri’s body, Ty used his shadows to ensure we kept hidden, as we snuck to the deck at intervals and threw bits of him overboard, the suitcase following him to a watery grave.

The tiny cabin we all shared barely had standing room for the four of us, we rotated between the floor and tiny mattress as the hours had ticked by.

We ran scenario after scenario through, interspersed with Antares ridiculous word games.

Getting off the boat had been a little hairier than getting on. As the coast came into view, Mitch left us to find the communal showers. He had clean clothes and a strong scented body wash, needing to scrub himself of our scents which would no doubt be on him after being in such close proximity.

The boat slowed and eventually docked. Mitch was to make sure he was one of the first passengers off the ferry as at least one of Adicious’s men would be there to greet him.

The rest of us were to stay in our cabin until the very last second to avoid detection.

We waited until the sounds of the rest of passengers dimmed before we slowly made our way along the now empty corridors to the main deck.

As soon as we hit the gangway we were moving to the buildings beyond to give us extra shelter. Henry and Antares flanked us so they could keep a look out and ensure we hadn’t been spotted.

After that it was navigating the city Ty and I both knew extremely well. Every street I recognised, every road as we got closer to our destination filled me with a longing I knew had been there but couldn’t totally appreciate until I had Froan soil back beneath my feet.

This was my homeland. This is what I was going to fight for. Then I was going to make sure those like me, and my mate, were protected within it - from the authorities as well as any corrupt power hungry vampires.

Walking up the steps to Claire’s front porch with my pack at my back I lift the knocker and tap on the burgundy wooden door.

Claire answers immediately and beckons us inside.

She’s practically vibrating with excitement and I am too.

As soon as the door clicks closed, she lets out a squeal and is pulling me into a crushing hug.

I wrap my arms around her slight frame as we bounce together at being reunited.

Talking to her over video chat had been one thing.

I couldn’t contain my happiness at seeing her in the flesh once more .

When we eventually break apart, there are three very bemused looking males staring at us. Claire immediately launches herself at Ty, hugging him nearly as tight. He reciprocates in kind, although a little cautiously.

“I thought you might attack me like Bree did,” he chuckles.

“If Rory hadn’t already explained, I might’ve. We were pretty pissed at you,” Claire scolds my mate as she lets him go.

“Claire, this is Henry Nox.” I introduce her to the male standing next to Ty.

“Nice to meet you,” Henry states, offering a hand to Claire, which she shakes as she takes in his height. At six foot six, he is impressively tall. But against her five foot four frame he’s practically a giant. “Rory’s told us much about you. Thank you for offering your home.”

My best friend blushes as the suave smooth tone to Henry’s voice.

“And I’m Antares. I dropped my family name.” Antares barges in to also shake Claire’s hand. She greets the second male but I notice her eyes flicking back to Henry.

“Good to meet you,” she answers Antares's vigorous shake. “Come on, I’ll show you where you can put your things.”