25. Chapter 25 The Council Summons

Chapter 25: The Council Summons

ALEXEI

I haven't heard from Evelyn since her last text. She told me about the body at the coven and how Karla is missing. The sense of unease gnaws at me. I pull out my phone and send her another text:

Call me.

I tuck the phone back into my pocket and head to my sister Ana's place. As one of the original vampires, her advice and insight are invaluable, especially now.

Ana opens the door, her eyes immediately searching my face. "What's wrong, Alexei?"

"Evelyn's been having visions," I say, stepping inside. "Now there's a body at the coven and Karla is missing."

Ana's expression hardens. "Cassandra?"

"Most likely." I sink into a chair, running a hand through my hair. "I can't wait for all this to be over."

She sits across from me, her gaze steady. "We will end this, Alexei. But we need to be careful. Cassandra is more dangerous than we anticipated."

My phone buzzes. I glance at the screen and see a text from one of the council elders, asking to meet. "I need to go. One of the elders wants to speak with me."

Ana nods. "Be careful. And come back soon. We need to stay united."

"I will." I give her a brief hug and leave, driving down to the council hall.

I arrive at the council hall, my mind still buzzing with worry about Evelyn. The heavy wooden doors creak open as I push them, revealing Council Elder Marlowe waiting inside. But he isn't alone. Strange people stand behind him, their eyes cold and assessing.

"Alexei," Marlowe greets me, his voice deceptively calm. "Thank you for coming."

"Of course, Marlowe," I reply, stepping inside despite the uneasy feeling gnawing at me. "What's this about?"

"We need to discuss the current situation in Harmony Grove," he says, motioning for me to sit. "How are things progressing?"

I sit down, trying to mask my discomfort. "We're working on it. Evelyn and I are doing everything we can to maintain order and find Cassandra."

Marlowe nods slowly, his eyes never leaving mine. "You and Evelyn have been quite the team, haven't you? Running Harmony Grove like a family business."

I blink, taken aback by the sudden shift in tone. "What do you mean by that?"

He leans forward, his expression hardening. "I mean, it's time for a change. We're done taking orders from you."

The realization hits me like a punch to the gut. This is a trap. I glance around, but there's no way to warn anyone. No escape.

Before I can react, I feel a sharp pain in my neck. Someone stabs me from behind with what feels like a needle. My body goes numb, instantly paralyzed.

Marlowe's face twists into a cruel smile. "Now it's time to talk, Alexei."

I struggle to move, but my limbs refuse to cooperate. "What... what is this?"

"This," Marlowe says, gesturing to the strangers behind him, "is the beginning of a new order. One where you and your ilk no longer hold sway."

One of the strangers steps forward, his eyes gleaming with malice. "You've been in power for too long, Alexei. It's time for fresh blood."

"You won't get away with this," I manage to say through gritted teeth.

Marlowe chuckles. "I think we already have. While you're incapacitated, we'll be taking control. And there's nothing you can do to stop us."

I fight the paralysis, rage building inside me. "Evelyn..."

"She'll be dealt with," Marlowe says dismissively. "Just like you."

The room spins as the injection takes full effect. My vision blurs, and I struggle to stay conscious. "This isn't over," I whisper.

"Oh, but it is," Marlowe says, his voice fading as darkness claims me. "For you, at least."

I wake up with a start, now tied to a chair. My muscles ache, and my vision is blurry. I struggle against the ropes, but they hold firm. Elder Marlowe stands in front of me, a twisted smile on his face.

"What do you truly want, Marlowe?" I ask, my voice rough.

He chuckles, the sound cold and menacing. "I'm bringing down Harmony Grove, Alexei. Your reign ends now."

"You're mad," I say, glaring at him. "Evelyn and Ana will come looking for me. You won't get away with this."

"Evelyn is already taken care of," he says, waving his hand dismissively. "And Ana is next. You aren't escaping this time."

My heart races, fear clawing at my insides. "What did you do to Evelyn?"

He leans in close, his eyes gleaming with malice. "She's in no position to help you. And once Ana is dealt with, there will be no one left to stop me."

"Why, Marlowe? Why turn against your own people?"

"Power," he says simply. "I'm tired of living in your shadow, Alexei. Tired of taking orders. It's time for a new order."

"You're willing to destroy everything we've built for your own gain?" I ask, incredulously.

"Everything must change," he replies. "And change always comes with sacrifice."

The room is quiet except for the sound of my labored breathing. I need to find a way out of this. I need to warn Ana and save Evelyn.

"What's your endgame, Marlowe?" I ask, trying to buy time. "What do you gain from all this chaos?"

He smiles, a chilling sight. "Harmony Grove will be mine. And with it, all the power that comes from ruling the supernaturals and the humans alike."

"You're delusional," I say. "You think you can control all that power?"

"I've planned this for years," he says. "I've studied. I've prepared. And now, it's time to execute the plan."

I can feel my strength slowly returning, the effects of the injection wearing off. I need to keep him talking, keep him distracted.

"You're forgetting one thing, Marlowe," I say, my voice steady. "The people of Harmony Grove won't stand for this. They'll fight back."

"They won't have a choice," he replies. "Once you and your sister are out of the way, they'll have no one to rally behind."

"You underestimate them," I say. "They're stronger than you think."

He laughs again, a cruel sound. "We'll see about that, won't we?"

I feel a surge of hope as the feeling returns to my limbs. I test the ropes again, feeling them give just a little. I need to keep him distracted a bit longer.

"What about the council?" I ask. "Do they support your plan?"

"The council will fall in line," he says confidently. "They know what's good for them."

"You're making a mistake, Marlowe," I say. "This won't end the way you think it will."

"It's already begun," he replies. "There's no turning back now."

I feel the ropes loosen slightly. Just a bit more time.

"You're right about one thing," I say. "There's no turning back. But not for the reasons you think."

"What do you mean?" he asks, suspicion in his eyes.

I smile, a small, defiant gesture. "You've underestimated me, Marlowe. And you've underestimated Evelyn and Ana."

Before he can react, I break free from the ropes and lunge at him, my vampire strength returning in full force. He stumbles back, surprise and anger flashing across his face.

"You'll pay for that," he snarls, reaching for a weapon.

But I'm faster. I knock him to the ground, my fangs bared. "This is for Evelyn," I growl, my anger fueling my strength.

He struggles beneath me, but I don't relent. "You think you can stop me?" he spits. "It's too late."

"Maybe," I say, my voice cold. "But I'm going to try."

With a final, powerful blow, I render him unconscious. I stand, breathing heavily, my mind racing. I need to find Evelyn and Ana. I need to end this.

Whatever he injected me with is still coursing through me, but I needed to find them fast and get them to safety.