A hand gently tapped her shoulder, and Rosa's eyes snapped open to see the motor way had been replaced with the HQ's car park. Thankfully all the sleep that had eluded, decided to return in full force on their drive home. Refreshed, Rosa gave her body a big stretch and followed Louie out the car.
The air was surprisingly warm, well at least compared to where they'd just been. Rosa wondered if it was a result of the runes that decorated the perimeter of the car park. She glanced around detecting the dozens of runes, seals and wards carved into stone and bark. It was strange, before today she'd never noticed them but now it as if her vision had awakened. In fact it was like she could almost sense them, knowing where they were before her eyes did. She'd have to see if she could now spot any at Louie's house, when they got home.
They made their way inside the HQ and instantly Rosa felt that something was off. Everyone seemed … excited. Ecstatic even. Confused, Rosa glanced up at Louie for answers but, from his creased and wary expression, she quickly gathered he was just as baffled as her.
"Lyn!" Louie called out as they darted across the lobby. The black-haired officer turned to them, a wide grin glued to her face. "What's happening?" Louie questioned, glancing around the lobby his confusion at everyone's joy almost turning to disturbance. Rosa held back a chuckle at his expression, it was as if he thought everyone had been possessed.
'Wait … had they?' Rosa felt her body tense slightly. 'Are demons and spirits real?'
"Zack's here," Lyn told them happily. "The commander's office."
Louie eyes shot wide. For the first time Rosa witnessed shock take over him. It looked strange, almost unnatural like such a thing shouldn't be possible for him. Instantly Louie darted off down the long hall toward Ruthor's office, forcing Rosa into a sprint to keep up.
"Wait up," Rosa muttered, as she reached his side. She still had to maintain a slight run to keep up. "Who's Zack?"
"Zack Griffin," Louie said, his pace not slowing down for a moment. "He's an old friend."
'Zack Griffin. Isn't that the name Sam mentioned?' Rosa wondered. 'The supposed living legend.'
They reached Ruthor's office and, as always, Louie went straight in, not bothering to knock. Rosa slid in behind him, instantly seeing the commander, her sister, Audrey and even Sam, who was standing beside her own elder sister, like a statue, she was dressed in her full officer uniform. Despite only being a day after the incident she looked significantly better, only a slight exhaustion lingering behind her eyes. She glanced over at Rosa flashing her a quick smile before returning to being a statue. Rosa noticed everyone's attention was focused on the corner of the room. She turned to see a stranger.
'So that's Zack Griffin.'
Standing against the wall was, a man in a black uniform not to different from the officer's except slightly grander and more decorated. His face quickly gripped her attention. He was a handsome man, who like Louie looked to be in his early twenties. Unruly, thick strands of hair sat on his head, a bright blonde that burned like the sun. However, what captured her vision the most was his eyes. They were beautiful … angelic even. Two orbs of glowing gold that radiated pure warmth and power. They were the complete opposite of Louie's fear striking, icy blue.
Louie strolled across the room and a smile formed on Zack's face as he left the wall. The two hunters clasped their hands together and pulled each other into a small embrace. It resembled a bond between brothers.
Zack was slightly taller and broader than Louie and his frame possessed a touch more bulk than Louie's more athletic build.
"How long's it been?" Zack asked, his voice was light and friendly.
"Four years," Louie replied.
Zack's brows shot high, and he chuckled in what Rosa could only imagine was disbelief. "Hell, I hadn't realised it'd been that long."
Louie shrugged. "We've all been busy."
"Speaking of busy, I've been filled in. You went to see the Covenant?" Zack asked.
Louie nodded.
"What did they say?" Audrey joined the conversation wandering closer.
As her sister left her side, Rosa noticed Sam slowly shuffle over towards her. There was now a sparkle in her eyes, Rosa guessed she was thrilled being in the same room as her two heroes.
"They gave me the name," Louie announced. "But I'll warn you now. Its name is cursed, it knows whoever speaks its title."
"What is it?" Emma questioned.
"Valdosk," Louie informed.
"Valdosk," Ruthor instantly repeated, catching Rosa off guard.
"Valdosk," Emma said.
"Valdosk," Audrey repeated.
Zack grinned and let out a laugh. "Valdosk," he said, his smile not fading.
A unified front Rosa realised. A pact between hunters. If the vampire lord wished to hunt them he'd have to slaughter them all. Rosa was almost tempted to join in, but the recent memories of the Covenant's fear and Louie's warning stopped her in her tracks.
"I'll have the search begin immediately along orders stating for no one to mention its name without knowing the risk," Ruthor announced. "My best bet, it'll go into hiding now it knows the hunt has begun. Hopefully that should reduce the number of casualties we've been suffering."
"And if it rampages?" Emma asked.
"We kill the bastard where it stands," Ruthor stated his eyes locked onto Louie and Zack.
They nodded in unison.
"I've already told Rosa, but not even you speak that name," Louie said his eyes locked onto Sam.
She quickly nodded.
"My sister's not stupid," Audrey glared at Louie.
"No, but she is brave. And like any hunter, she has no issue putting her life on the line for the sake of the hunt," Louie replied, and Rosa could've sworn Sam blushed.
"So what if she said its name," Zack smiled, "Sam could take the vampire."
There were no mistaking Sam's red cheeks this time. Zack's eyes suddenly locked onto Rosa.
"So I take it your James' daughter Rosa," Zack stated holding out his hand.
Rosa nodded while offering out her own.
"Zack Griffin. It's a pleasure to finally meet you."
"Nice to meet you too," Rosa managed to get out. "I've heard great things about you."
He turned to Louie, "You've been talking about me?" he asked stunned.
"No," Louie responded bluntly, his tone suggesting it was one of the most ridiculous things he'd ever heard. Zack turned back towards Rosa and instantly she was forced to look away from those eyes. This time it was her who blushed. It was strange, they somehow held both unimaginable beauty and power simultaneously.
"Stop it," Louie said.
"What?" Zack asked innocently.
"You know what," Louie growled, and Audrey laughed. Someone flicked the back of Rosa's head, snapping her out her trance. She turned to see Emma grinning. Instantly Rosa's head sunk embarrassed.
"I hate to ruin this reunion, but while were all together there is a second matter we must discuss," Ruthor stated gruffly. Everyone turned to him confused. The commander's usual stone eyes turned empathetic and fell upon Rosa and Emma.
"A date has been declared for your parent's funeral. We travel to Mors Ostium in two weeks."
Over a week later
The week after the meeting passed by so fast, Rosa felt as if it was a blur. A cover story for their parent's death was finally created and commander Ruthor was able to officially take her out of school. Under watchful eyes, Rosa said goodbye to her friends promising to see them soon, which she sincerely hoped would be true. Since then, Emma had been responsible of her education where she'd keep herself busy with work, either at the house or the HQ. And honestly she'd been enjoying it, not only was she becoming more accustomed to the hunters and their HQ, she also only had to learn the fundamental subjects. Plus Sam had been ordered to continue her assignment to watch over her so they'd constantly been able hang out. She even started introducing Rosa to many officers and hunters throughout the HQ, including Lyn and Vanessa who Rosa discovered both went to the academy with Louie. And not just them Audrey, Zack and even Bianca who Rosa also found out is actually Zack's fiancé went to school with Louie. During her time at the HQs, the commander and even Zack had also been making a constant effort to bond with her, although Rosa still hadn't gotten used to being under that golden gaze.
However, that wasn't what had her attention tonight. She back at home and Rosa carefully took her place around the corner of the hall, waiting. Like every night for the past week at the exact same time, Rosa watched as Louie entered the room.
She had no idea what was in there. He locked it in the day and whenever she asked he'd just tell her it was an office.
'Lies.'
She knew his office was downstairs. So that meant only one thing. It was a secret office. The idea, the possibilities thrilled Rosa, and tonight she'd discover the truth. While he was in there he never locked the door, she could burst in at any time and catch him with his guard down. Well, if that was even a possibility for Louie.
"What are you doing?" a voice asked.
Rosa leapt out her skin. Her hand shot up to her mouth to stop herself from screaming. Rosa turned to see her grinning sister.
"Nothing," she snapped, her heart hammering against her chest.
Emma cocked a brow.
"I'm finally going to uncover the truth," Rosa explained.
"What truth?" Emma asked. She glanced around Rosa and at the room. "Hate to ruin the surprise but it's his office."
"His office is downstairs."
"People can have multiple offices Rosa," Emma insisted.
"Yeah, and they can also have secret offices."
"Is that what you think it is?" Emma asked amused. "It doesn't look very secret. The door's in the middle of the hall."
"Hiding in plain sight," Rosa shrugged. "But it doesn't matter because tonight I find out."
"Fine," Emma said.
Emma strolled down the hallway.
"Hey, wait," Rosa called out.
Emma carried on walking. Grumbling beneath her breath, Rosa trailed closely behind. They reached the door, and Emma twisted the handle and let it swing open.
Louie was leaning against a large wooden desk at the room's centre. His gaze left the wall ahead of him and focused on them.
"What?" he asked, completely unfazed by their intrusion.
Emma turned to Rosa.
"Uncovering the mystery of this room," Rosa said.
"It's an office. Like I told you."
"What do you do here?"
"I work," he said bluntly.
"On what?" Emma asked.
Louie's gaze went back to the wall. It had been covered in a large board, which was decorated with files, documents and images, with pins and strings attempting to connect everything. It reminded her of a detective show or film. At the centre was their parents, James and Mary Elacti.
"Woah," Rosa murmured. He'd been working on their case, just like he said he would, and from the looks of it for a while.
"You've been busy," Emma mused, her eyes scanning the board.
"I was," Louie stated.
"What happened?" Rosa asked.
"I got stuck," he admitted sourly.
Emma forced her eyes away from the board and onto Louie. "What about Valdosk?" she asked.
"Your parent's case takes my priority," Louie responded, his gaze never leaving his wall of evidence. "I'll leave Valdosk to Zack."
"Didn't you promise the Covenant you'd kill him?" Rosa asked.
"I promised that the vampire would die," Louie replied. "Nothing more, nothing less."
"You don't think Valdosk is responsible for the death of our parents?" Emma inquired.
"Do you?"
"No," Emma admitted. Rosa noticed a darkness appear in her expression. "Not even a vampire lord could've killed my father so easily, even if he was retired from combat."
"Then we're on the same page," Louie said, gesturing towards the board. "But something wants us to think Valdosk did. The question now, is what?"
"What have you found?" Emma asked while taking a seat upon the desk.
"Nothing I can use," he grumbled. "I have dozens of pieces but no method of putting them together."
"Can we help?" Rosa asked.
Louie shrugged. "If you want to."
"I'll grab some drinks," Emma announced.
"I'll get the snacks," Rosa declared.
Louie sighed and then chuckled as they raced out the room and to the kitchen.
However, even after hours of working and the bonus of Rosa and Emma's enthusiasm, it turned out an extra two brains didn't contribute as much as they wished. Now there were just three people staring blankly at an unchanging board instead of just one. Dozens of possibilities, numerous culprits each more unlikely than the last. Reluctantly they decided to call it a night and Louie locked up the room.
"Don't say a word to anyone about what we're doing," Louie said as they gathered in the hall. Both Emma and Rosa nodded. He went to walk off to his room but hesitated.
"I'm going away for a few days and won't be back until the morning of the funeral. Will you two be okay?" he asked, a strange softness in his icy eyes.
"Where are you going?" Rosa asked, not even registering his question.
"My … talents are needed up north," Louie explained.
"We'll be fine," Emma cut in.
A small smile cracked across his face. "Goodnight," he said and then he disappeared down the hall.