Marked

Chapter 52: Eyes and Ears

After making sure Thaddeus understood we were not the ones to blame for this attack, Kane decided to let him in. The second the invitation was issued, he was next to Illyra's bed, watching her as she slept, still out from the salve Alejandro administered to help her heal.

"No other survivors?" Thaddeus asked.

"No," Mia said, shaking her head. "I'm so sorry."

Thaddeus let out a long sigh and leaned down, pressing a kiss to Illyra's head before backing out of the room, gesturing for us to follow.

I wasn't normally so easily intimidated, but this was the royal family we were talking about. The royal family who held some of the oldest- if not definitely the oldest- vampires in existence. I didn't even know how many centuries old Thaddeus was, I just knew he was one of the strongest vampires in the world. Strongest and deadliest. And I came from a pack that didn't exactly have the best relationship with vampires.

"Tell me everything that happened," Thaddeus said, turning to Mia. "Every detail. How did you know about the attack?"

"There's a coven not too far from the clan," Mia answered. "They heard screaming and went over there but... By the time they got there, it was basically over. They couldn't stomach it so they called me since I'm over there so much."

"That's it?" Thaddeus frowned. "No, no, no," he said, shaking a finger. "No. There has to be more. I'm going on a hunt tonight and I'm not coming back until my sister's murderer is in worse condition than the bodies it left behind."

"They said it was rogues," I said. "We were attacked by rogues too, right before Mia found out about the clan. But these weren't your average rogues. They were... Evil," I said, shrugging. I couldn't think of another word. "They had no humanity or basic instinct except to kill."

"Rogues," Thaddeus repeated, his brows pulling together. "My sister and cousin can handle rogues."

"They weren't normal rogues," I repeated.

"What did they smell like?" Thaddeus asked.

"Terrible," Dean answered. "Rotten, almost."

"Predominantly dark and wiry fur, a hint of red eyes?" He asked. We nodded. "So they finally made their way over here," he murmured, pacing away and tapping his chin.

"What are they?" Kane asked.

"Well, I don't know an official name, we've just been calling them mutts," he said, turning on his heels, eyes narrowing. "Mutts, vagrants, hellhounds, garbage. Your choice," he said, sliding his hands in his pockets and continuing to pace. "They started showing up in Europe months ago and I have a fairly good idea of where they came from."

"Where?" Mia asked.

"What, do none of you have a guess?" He asked, glancing around the room. No one said anything and he sighed, his eyes landing on me. "Not even you?" He asked, taking a step towards me. "Not even the former Gamma of Blackstone pack, now Luna of Blood Moon pack?" He asked, cocking his head to the side. "Not even the woman who came from a pack who is allegedly planning an attack on The Elders? You have no guess? I heard you were smart, I'm a little disappointed."

Kane issued a warning growl which Thaddues laughed off, turning on his heels and pacing away from us. "Come on, Luna. One guess. I bet you get it right if you think about it real hard."

"The Elders brought them?" I frowned. "From where and why?"

"From where and why," he chuckled, shaking his head and turning again, pacing back towards us, opening up his arms. "Why do you think? You think news that people are upset about The Elders can be whispered around and they aren't going to attempt to silence it? You think it's a coincidence that the clan who has been planning an overthrow years ahead of you is the one that was almost completely eradicated tonight?"