Blood Ties

35

Cadence caught it swiftly from the couch and angled it back to Erisa in question. "What's this for?"

You couldn't mistake the searing determination fuelling those icy eyes and Cadence would be a fool to ruin it for her. It was perseverance that Erisa plucked up from the trenches of past hopelessness and despair.

"Get your ass up," Erisa hollered, twirling an arrow between her fingers and a crafty grin tugged at her lips. "We gotta train."

——

Cadence and Rexton couldn't linger any longer and departed from Frankie's cabin as soon as they filled their stomachs with the roast he prepared in the late afternoon for dinner.

After hours of training, draped in sweat and skin burnt by the sun, Erisa still continued practicing with a bow and arrow.

Previously, her aim was atrocious and concentrated with so much thought the aiming looked thoughtless. Now, it was direct and mighty. Targeting it exactly where she wanted.

The Jaeger family were much better with knowledge and books — their brain overruling their brawn.

Rexton and Frankie got along better than Cadence expected, the hybrid divulging information about vampires and the first lycans from the original Fenris pack that wasn't written in a blotchy and stained paper.

From where it stood, Cadence believed a part of Frankie didn't mind the Fenris hybrid and valued his knowledge.

But as Lycus blew up Cadence's phone continuously throughout the day, she decided then, after toying with the Alpha to get a rise out of him, it was time to depart.

Cadence was hellbent on having their new plan executed and a possible execution on Cole's part if it all came into play. Erisa, Rexton and reluctantly, Frankie agreed on the plan of kidnapping Cole.

It could be done so simply, seamlessly even, but Cadence had a few people to persuade.

Cadence and Rexton crossed the highway, heading closer to Lycus's territory and weaved through the towering grass that brushed against them in the crisp breeze.

"Aren't you two a cute couple," a voice chimed behind them like a squawking crow.

At the same time, they whipped around and a flare up of annoyance passed through Cadence's heart.

"What do you want, Alexene?" Cadence spat, releasing the handle of her sword, but still wanting to use it on the vampire.

Alexene's blood-red eyes gleamed against the moonlight and she strolled up to them, tucking her dainty hands into her long travelling coat. "I am here to report to Rexton that I have spoken to a few vampires and they haven't the faintest idea who Cole is."

Rexton shortly nodded. "It makes sense, some vampires prefer to keep to themselves."

Alexene passed them and tapped her chin in thought. "But why would one be in Cole's home? It makes no sense."

"I've realised." Rexton huffed and then smiled at Alexene. "Thank you for looking."

Alexene mirrored the same face and they looked more connected than Cadence and the hybrid was bound to be.

"There is without a doubt Cole would be in contact with this vampire, he would have invited them into his home." Alexene clucked her tongue.

Why would he? Cadence pondered, her head hurting even trying to come up with a logical answer. But it was Cole, there was nothing remotely reasonable about him. He was insane, no doubt about it, but why the relation to a vampire? How did he even know of them?