Reapers - Master of Souls (Reapers Chronicles Book III)

30 - Requirements (1 of 3)

If I told you what I was,

Would you turn your back on me?

And if I seem dangerous,

Would you be scared?
 

30 - Requirements

"I don't get it," I told Mei as we suited up for the mission.

She paused from tying her hair in front of the mirror to look at me, not saying anything.

With a huff, I picked one of the matching black Nysmic jackets Vladimir had provided. The only positive thing about this mission was that I got to wear pants. Somehow, the masters realized--finally--that gowns and suits were a thing of the past, not to mention, inconvenient in combat. Among the group, Belial was the only one who didn't want to give up her robes. No one dared argue.

"Why would Vincent and Alex go by themselves?" I asked pointedly. "And where?"

Again, Mei didn't say a word. Although, the remorse in her feline eyes told me two things: one, Vincent didn't want me to know and two, I think I knew why. I just hoped I was wrong.

As soon as we were both ready, we headed to the parking lot. The boys waited for us beside the black Rubicon. Vincent and Alex had taken the red one.

Vladimir gestured for everyone to huddle, a pensive look about him. He drew a map and flattened it over the vehicle's hood.

"Kyo-nii, you will be taking Belial and Aramis with you," he instructed. "And the Jeep. Use this route." He ran an index finger along the main road leading to the school. "It's safest. They won't be expecting you to use such an obvious entry. Once you reach the hospital, Archie will Link to you for further instructions."

Kyoshiro raised a brow. Despite his nonchalant expression, I could sense something dangerous and dark emanate from him.

"Wherever Irvine is, that's where I'll be," he said, pulling his gloves on.

Pursing his lips, Vladimir threw his older brother a frown. "We make plans for a reason, Kyo-nii: that is, to follow them."

"I promised Eun Jae and Yuki a jar of fireflies when I return to Halo. I never break a promise." His tone couldn't be more casual, but he wasn't joking.

Letting loose a sigh of retreat, Vladimir went back to business. "Cairo, Mei and Amyr, you're with me."

A tiny yapping sound interrupted him. Byron Flynn's head popped out from the inner pocket of Vladimir's jacket, a low vibrating sound curling his lips.

Lifting his brows, the boy pushed the puppy back in. "Yes, I haven't forgot about you, Flynn. We'll draught from the northwest entrance so that we can anticipate the enemies--assuming they have more tricks up their sleeve--from all directions. Archie spotted Sharifa here--" he pointed a finger on the cemetery behind the hospital.

"It has to be a cemetery," Amyr groaned. "They couldn't have asked to meet us at McDonald's?"

Vladimir didn't seem to mind the interruption. "We don't exactly know where Irvine is or if he's even here, but we are not going to take chances this time. Our goal is to get the Grimoire. Once it's in our possession, fall back and regroup straightaway."

"What about Vincent and Alex?" I asked when no one was obviously going to.

With Vladimir's face becoming blank, the others dropped their gazes. "They... will rendezvous with us once they are done."