89

89

Ian’s POV

The crescent moon was hanging low in the sky, casting long shadows across the deserted streets as we made our way through the city. The night was quiet, but there was a tension in the air that made my senses sharper, my instincts more alert. I could feel the presence of Jacob and Mike flanking me, their footsteps silent, their expressions grim. We were on a hunt, but this time, our prey wasn’t human.

“We’re getting close,” Mike muttered, his voice barely a whisper.

I nodded, feeling the same pull in my blood. The vampire we were tracking was nearby—close enough for me to sense his aura. He was old, cunning, and powerful enough to mask his presence from most, but not from us. We had been following his trail for hours, through alleyways and abandoned buildings, narrowing the distance until we were nearly upon him.

“Are you sure he’ll talk?” Jacob asked, his tone tinged with skepticism. “Vampires like him don’t usually give up information easily.”

“He’ll talk,” I said, my voice cold and certain. “He doesn’t have a choice.”

The vampire we were after, an old vampire known as Marcellus, had been living in the shadows for centuries. He had a reputation for knowing things—things that most vampires wouldn’t, or couldn’t, know. If anyone had information about the hunters, it would be him. And if he didn’t, well, we would make sure he regretted wasting our time.

The three of us moved swiftly, our steps soundless as we approached the warehouse where Marcellus was hiding. It was an old and worn out structure on the outskirts of the city, long abandoned by humans and now home to something far more dangerous. I could feel the power radiating from within, a dark, pulsing energy that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

“He’s inside,” I said, glancing at Jacob and Mike. “Stay alert. He’s not going to make this easy.”

Jacob gave me a tight nod, his expression hard. “Let’s get this over with.”

We slipped inside the warehouse, our movements swift and calculated. The interior was dimly lit, the only light coming from a few broken windows high above. The air was thick with dust and the scent of decay, a reminder of just how old this place was. But underneath it all, I could smell him—Marcellus, lurking in the shadows, waiting.

“Welcome, Ian,” a voice echoed from the darkness, smooth and mocking. “It’s been a long time.”

I tensed, my eyes scanning the shadows until they locked onto a figure emerging from the far side of the room. Marcellus looked the same as he had the last time I’d seen him, centuries ago. Tall and lean, with pale skin and eyes that glowed faintly in the darkness. He moved with a predatory grace, a smug smile playing on his lips as he regarded us.

“I knew you’d come,” he said, stopping a few feet away. “I could feel your presence miles away. It’s hard to miss the king of the vampires when he’s hunting for you.”

“This isn’t a social visit,” I replied, my voice flat. “We need information, and you’re going to give it to us.”

Marcellus’s smile widened, his fangs gleaming in the dim light. “Information, is it? And what makes you think I have what you’re looking for?”

“You know everything that happens in this city,” Mike said, stepping forward, his eyes locked on Marcellus. “You have contacts, spies, eyes, and ears everywhere. If anyone knows about the hunters, it’s you.”

Marcellus tilted his head, considering us with a look of mild interest. “Ah, the hunters. I was wondering when you’d come to me about them. Nasty business, isn’t it? All those poor vampires getting slaughtered.”

“Cut the crap,” Jacob growled, his patience wearing thin. “We don’t have time for games. What do you know?”

Marcellus’s smile faded, replaced by a look of irritation. “Careful, boy,” he said, his tone darkening. “You may be Ian’s brother, but that doesn’t mean I’ll tolerate your insolence.”

I stepped between them, my gaze locked on Marcellus. “We didn’t come here to fight,” I said calmly. “But if you don’t start talking, that’s exactly what’s going to happen.”

For a moment, Marcellus just stared at me, his expression unreadable. Then, with a sigh, he shrugged. “Very well. I suppose it’s in my best interest to cooperate. After all, if the hunters keep up their little crusade, it won’t be long before they come for me as well.”

He turned away, gesturing for us to follow him deeper into the warehouse. We exchanged a glance, then followed him through the maze of rusted machinery and crumbling walls until we reached what looked like a makeshift office. Marcellus took a seat behind a battered desk, while the three of us remained standing, our eyes never leaving him.

“I’ll tell you what I know,” Marcellus said, leaning back in his chair. “But understand this—I’m not doing this out of the kindness of my heart. I expect something in return.”

“You’re in no position to make demands,” I said, my voice cold. “Just talk.”

Marcellus smirked but didn’t argue. “Fine. The hunters—there’s more to them than meets the eye. They’re not just a group of overzealous humans with a vendetta. They’re organized, well-funded, and they have a leader—someone who knows our kind better than most.”

“Who?” Mike asked, his tone sharp.

“That’s the thing,” Marcellus replied, his expression darkening. “I don’t know who they are. But I’ve heard whispers—rumors of a vampire who turned against their own kind, leading the hunters in their crusade.”

“A vampire?” Jacob echoed, disbelief coloring his voice. “Why the hell would a vampire want to kill their own?”

“Revenge, perhaps,” Marcellus said with a shrug. “Or maybe they see themselves as some kind of savior, ridding the world of what they’ve become. Who knows? But what I do know is that they’re dangerous—more dangerous than any hunters we’ve faced before.”

“Where are they based?” I asked, needing something more concrete. “Where can we find them?”

Marcellus hesitated, as if weighing his options. Then, with a sigh, he reached into a drawer and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper, sliding it across the desk to me. “This is the last known location of one of their safe houses,” he said. “It’s not much, but it’s a start.”

I took the paper, my eyes scanning the address written on it. It was on the outskirts of the city, in an area we rarely ventured into. The perfect place for a group of hunters to hide out.

“This better not be a trap,” Jacob warned, his eyes narrowing at Marcellus.

Marcellus chuckled, shaking his head. “Believe me, I have no interest in setting a trap for you. I value my life far too much. Besides, if the hunters are dealt with, it only benefits me.”

“We’ll see about that,” I said, pocketing the paper. “But if we find out you’ve been lying, you won’t live long enough to regret it.”

Marcellus raised his hands in a mock gesture of surrender. “I’ve given you what you wanted. Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to get back to my business.”

Without another word, we turned and left the warehouse, the cold night air hitting us as we stepped outside. I could feel the tension still thrumming in my veins.

“That was almost too easy,” Jacob muttered, glancing at me. Gods. I thought I was the only one who felt that way. “You think he’s telling the truth?”

“He’s too scared not to,” I replied, my mind already turning over the information we’d just received. “But we’ll proceed with caution. If this is a trap, we’ll be ready for it.”

Mike nodded in agreement. “We should scout the location before we make any moves. See what we’re up against.”

“Agreed,” I said, my thoughts racing. “We’ll head out tomorrow night. For now, we need to prepare.”

As we made our way back to the car, I couldn’t shake the feeling that things were about to get much more complicated. The idea of a vampire leading the hunters was troubling, to say the least. It meant we were up against someone who knew our strengths, our weaknesses—someone who could anticipate our moves.

But it also meant they were just as vulnerable as we were. And that gave us an advantage.

“We’ll end this,” I said, my voice firm. “No matter what it takes.”

Jacob and Mike both nodded, their expressions grim. We were in this together, and we could not stop until the threat was eliminated.

As I drove back to the house, I couldn’t help but think of Sophia, of the danger she was in simply by existing in a world that hated what she had become. I had to protect her, no matter the cost.

And if that meant taking down every last hunter in this city, so be it.

The night was far from over, and the real battle was just beginning. I would kill every single one of them before touch a hair on her head.