5. Remina

The air in Lucius"s abandoned apartment felt heavy with neglect. The dust particles suspended in the dim light drift aimlessly. It had an eerie, deserted feel, and the once-glorious space now bore the signs of disuse and decay.

As I stepped further into the vampire"s lair, a faint, lingering scent of blood wafted through the air. I couldn"t shake the feeling of intrusion that gnawed at me as I rifled through Lucius"s belongings, my fingers lightly grazing over dusty surfaces.

Polished hardwood floors reflected the ample space, while large panoramic windows framed a view of the vampire sector. Minimalist artwork adorned the walls, offering a glimpse into Lucian"s refined taste. Plush, velvet accent chairs and strategically placed potted plants added luxurious touches.

My gaze landed on an old notepad resting atop a rickety wooden desk. It was a plain, nondescript item, but it drew my attention. With a confident hand, I picked up the notepad and carefully flipped through the pages, revealing nothing more than faded lines.

Frustration welled up inside me. Lucius hadn't left behind an easy trail to follow. But something in the pit of my stomach told me that I couldn"t afford to give up, not now. I would find him.

As I continued to flip through the notepad, I noticed a page near the end with faint, barely legible impressions on it. Someone had been heavy-handed when they had pressed into the pages, leaving a subtle imprint on the page beneath.

My heart quickened with hope as I reached for a nearby pencil, its eraser long worn down. With meticulous care, I began to rub the pencil over the faint impressions on the page, slowly revealing the hidden text.

The address that emerged was nothing more than a fragment, a hint of something more substantial. But it was enough to spark recognition.

The letters on the page formed a street address in the human town Banngard just outside the city. I had once ventured there during my work for the Order. A wave of unease washed over me as I considered the implications.

Why would Lucius have an address from the human town? Supes were permitted into the human cities with a pass, but they were rarely seen in the smaller towns. The permit Lucius was originally given to leave the compound before turning rogue had been for the city, not for Banngard. The only reason I could imagine him not disclosing his intended address for his pass was if he were hiding something significant that would be frowned upon.

With the address clutched in my hand, I contemplated my next steps. I needed to follow this fragile thread of information, to trace it to its source. Lucius was dangerous, and his motives remained unknown. I couldn"t let him slip through my fingers, not when he was a threat to the community.

I walked down the uneven pathways back toward the shifter sector and the sunlight filtered through the dense canopy of trees, casting dappled shadows on the ground. The sounds of leaves rustling and the distant chatter of shifters going about their business created a symphony of wilderness within the confines of the compound.

I had come back to the shifter sector to collect supplies and weapons before heading to the address I found in the notebook. My solitary nature often clashed with the way the supernatural world operated, where alliances and packs were paramount. But I had learned to rely on myself and was more than happy with my own company.

I made my way back to Gi-Gi"s apartment where I packed my weapons and supplies meticulously, ensuring everything was in its proper place and easily accessible. Each blade and vial held the potential for life or death, and I couldn"t afford any mistakes.

I had finished packing when a knock on the door echoed through the room. My senses tingled with alertness, and I slowly rose to my feet, a blade concealed in my hand.

The door swung open, and there he was—Slade, with his brooding presence and a look of determination on his face. I resented his intrusion into my carefully crafted plans.

Slade embodies a rugged charm that is both primal and captivating. His attire, a simple ensemble of a worn leather jacket over a dark shirt, complements the strength of his muscular frame. Slade"s dark brown hair, tousled and windswept, adds to his untamed allure, framing a face chiseled with determination. His golden amber eyes hold a predatory glint, a reminder of the primal instincts that lie beneath the surface.

He glanced at the assortment of weapons spread out on the table, a mixture of admiration and concern in his amber eyes. "Are you preparing for a war, Remina?"

I sighed, placing the blade back into its sheath. "Not a war, Slade. Just a normal day in my line of work. I've got a lead on the rogue."

Slade folded his arms, his tone firm. "You"re not going alone. Gi-Gi asked me to keep an eye on you, and I promised her I would."

I gritted my teeth, frustration welling up inside me. "I don"t need supervision. I can take care of myself."

Slade"s eyes flashed with exasperation. "This isn"t about supervision, Remina. It"s about safety. This world can be a dangerous place, even for someone like you. Gi-Gi worries about you, and I don't want my sister to worry about anything."

I couldn"t deny the genuine concern in his voice, and a part of me begrudgingly appreciated it. I didn"t want Gi-Gi to worry about me either. But my independence was a core part of my identity, and I wasn"t about to relinquish it easily. "I appreciate the sentiment, but I"ve always worked alone. I won't change that now. Gi-Gi has nothing to worry about."

Slade"s expression softened, and he took a step closer. "I don"t want to go with you, Remina, but I will, for Gi-Gi"s sake. We both care about her, and she"s asked me to keep you safe. Just let me come with you. It will be over before we know it and I won"t get in your way."

Reluctantly, I conceded. "Fine, you can come. But you better keep your word, Slade."

A faint, wry smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "Of course."

The tension that had filled the room slowly ebbed away, leaving behind a sense of unease and a fragile truce. Slade and I would never see eye to eye unless it came to Gi-Gi.

Slade and I had reached the address in Banngard, a small human town on the outskirts of the city. It was a decrepit street with sagging, weather-worn houses, each one bearing the scars of years of neglect. As we approached our destination, the ominous atmosphere seemed to intensify. The air grew heavy, and the distant hum of human activity faded away.

The house we sought stood before us; a humble little weatherboard structure that appeared to have witnessed decades of sorrow. Its once vibrant paint was now faded, and the porch creaked under our weight as we ascended the stairs. Shivers traveled down my spine when I noticed the front door was ajar.

Slade and I exchanged a cautious glance, our heightened senses on alert. The scent of human decay lingered in the air, mingling with the undertone of magic.

"Something isn"t right," I whispered to Slade as we stepped inside the house. The interior was in disarray, furniture overturned, and eerie symbols etched into the floor. There were traces of human witchcraft scattered everywhere, their potency still lingering in the air.

Slade"s brows furrowed; his senses attuned to the surroundings. "This is witchcraft, dark magic. I thought the Order had it outlawed."

I nodded in agreement, my hand subconsciously inching toward one of my concealed weapons. "Yes, and it seems like it"s been recently used. We did, but that doesn't mean some humans slip through the cracks. Their magic isn"t like ours. They can only access small amounts through sacrifices and rituals. It"s not infinite."

We carefully moved deeper into the house, our footsteps echoing in the eerie silence. That"s when we saw her—a lifeless body sprawled on the floor. The victim"s eyes were glassy, and her skin pallid, drained of life. Bite marks marred her neck, a telltale sign of a vampire"s feeding.

My eyes scanned the room, picking up on the subtle details that painted a gruesome picture. The floor was smeared with dried blood, forming sinister patterns. The symbols etched into the walls pulsed with an otherworldly energy, further confirming my suspicions.

"Now what was Lucian doing with a human into witchcraft," I muttered, my thoughts racing.

Slade"s jaw clenched as he surveyed the scene. "Lucius might be involved in darker affairs than we thought."

The room was cloaked in a haunting silence, broken only by the soft murmur of our breaths. Slade and I had meticulously examined the scene, each minute detail etching itself into our minds.

My attention shifted to Slade, who had been eyeing me suspiciously for a while now.

"Remina," he began, his voice low. "What"s your plan here? Find Lucius and then what? Will you give Ryatt a chance to help him, or will you kill him at first sight?"

I met his amber gaze, my own violet eyes unwavering. "I have my orders, Slade. I"m here to bring justice and to keep everyone safe."

He raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Justice? Safe? Last I heard, you were an assassin. It"s well-known exactly what you do for the Order."

I felt his piercing stare as he sized me up, his skepticism never wavering. I could sense the aura of protectiveness around him, the instinct to shield his people from potential threats.

"I am aware of my role," I responded calmly, though my words held an edge. "But all my kills have been while working for the Order, helping to ensure that dangerous rogues like Lucius don"t take innocent lives."

Slade"s expression remained guarded as he regarded me. His caution was unmistakable, and it wasn"t surprising given my history. The tension between us was palpable, an unspoken challenge that hung in the air.

I decided to address his concerns directly. "Look, I know my history doesn"t inspire trust. But my only goal is to protect those who can"t protect themselves."

He didn"t respond immediately, his eyes still locked onto mine. It was as if he was searching for any sign of deception or hidden motives. "Gi-Gi is all the family I have," he finally admitted, his voice softer. "I won"t let anything happen to her, and her being close to you could put her in danger."

I could understand his protectiveness over Gi-Gi. I had seen the bond they shared and was glad for his loyalty to her. I decided to put my cards on the table. "Slade, I won"t put your sister in danger. Gi-Gi is like a sister to me. If there is even a hint of trouble coming for me, I'll leave and take the danger with me."

A sense of cautious acceptance flickered in his gaze. He might not fully trust me, but he understood that I wouldn't willingly put his sister in danger.

I crouched beside the victim, my gloved hands examining her wounds with delicate precision. The body, drained of life, lay still on the floor. It was clear that she had fought for her life before succumbing to the vampire"s deadly bite. Her limbs bore signs of defensive wounds, a testament to her futile struggle.

"There"s a distinct pattern of defensive wounds," I murmured to Slade, indicating the bruised and scratched skin on the victim"s arms. "She put up a fight."

Slade"s sharp gaze lingered on the gruesome scene; his features etched with concern. "Do you think she knew Lucius? Or was this random?"

I nodded in agreement, my thoughts racing as I pieced together the most likely story. "Lucius had her address for a reason. She most likely knew him or at least of him."

My fingers grazed the victim"s hand, and I noticed something unusual—a trace of dried blood and dirt beneath her fingernails. An idea began to form in my mind. I reached for a small kit I had tucked away in my bag and carefully scraped the material from underneath her nails. It was a grim task, but I knew this trace might be the key to tracking Lucius.

Slade watched as I collected the sample, his expression reflecting disgust and unease. "What are you planning to do with that?"

I stowed the blood sample safely in a vial before answering. "I can use this for a tracking spell. If Lucius is still in the area, I might be able to trace his location."

As we concluded our investigation at the crime scene, I was more optimistic that I was getting closer to finding Lucius.

After we had gathered all the necessary information, I reached for my phone and dialed the Order"s number. "This is Remina. I"ve discovered a crime scene in the human town of Banngard and need a clean-up crew dispatched to this location immediately."

The operator on the other end acknowledged my request, promising swift action. As I ended the call, I turned to Slade, who was still deep in thought. "We should get back to Gi-Gi"s place. I"ll need some time to perform the tracking spell, and I can"t afford to waste any more time. I don't want any more bodies turning up."

Slade nodded; his expression still etched with tension. "Let"s hope this leads to Lucius. The sooner we find him, the better."

With our minds made up, we left the chilling scene behind.