Intrigue

Chapter 5

Intrigue

~ 3 Months Ago ~

Spencer had thought it was Merizion League. Humans who contracted their services. To vampires. For a hefty price.

At first glance. He’d thought so. But the Merizion League wore battle helmets.

This sentry? On the porch?

Wore Owl Eyes. Goggles. An exact match to Becca’s. 

Spencer hid himself. Behind the corner of the house. Checked his Blood Link once more.

He concentrated on it. As powerfully as he could. There was always a risk. Doing so might alert those he was trying to sense.

But this seemed like a suitable gamble. With a Sentinel on the porch.

Spencer felt it. The Blood Pulse of each vampire. Those within the house were strong. Healthy.

Whoever was in there was not in danger. They were calm. Which made the Sentinel on the porch even more puzzling.

Spencer felt a squeeze. On his upper arm. He looked over. To Becca.

She put up her free hand. Palm to the sky. A signal clearly asking for news.

Spencer shook his head. Put his finger to his lips. Leaned toward Becca. Motioned with his chin.

She hesitated. Then obliged. Turned her head.

Spencer put his mouth to her exposed ear. His lips touched her skin. Whispered. As quietly as he could.

“There’s a Sentinel standing guard on the porch.”

Becca whipped her head around. Stared. At Spencer. Puzzled.

He nodded. Gravely. Not a joke. Not at all.

She tilted her head. Spencer lost most of her facial expression. With that goofy-looking eyewear on her head.

But it was clear. She was surprised. Confused.

Spencer motioned with his hands. Shooed her back. She retreated. A few feet. Quickly. Quietly.

He followed. Leaned in. Again. His mouth all but engulfed her ear. Once more.

“Take a look for yourself,” he whispered. “But, whatever you do, don’t give us away. We’re supposed to be the only ones here, right?”

Becca nodded. Affirmation. Agreement.

Spencer stepped away from the house. She slunk down the side. To the corner.

She peaked around. For what Spencer considered too long. Looking for too long was bound to lead to detection. This close.

Becca pulled her head all the way back. Behind the corner. Finally.

She stood. Thinking. For several long moments.

She turned. To Spencer. Pointed to the other end of the house. Made a motion. Indicated around the corner. 

They made their way back down the house. Around the corner. Stealthily.

It was darker here. No ambient light. From the yard.

Not that it mattered. With his vampire vision. Her Owl Eyes.

They got the entire house-length away. From the Elfain guard. On the porch. Spencer fixed Becca with a hard look.

“What the hell?” he demanded.

A tight whisper. 

“I don’t know,” Becca answered.

Matching volume. Tone.

“I got my directive from Commander Smithfield, himself.”

“And he didn’t say anything about another group of Sentinels?”

“No, but I mean…” Becca trailed off. 

“What?” Spencer demanded.

Again.

It was getting tough. Keeping this conversation to a whisper. Yet they did it.

“Why is she standing guard?” Becca elaborated. “And why didn’t we hear or see the signs of a fight?”

“Why were we the only two given this assignment?” Spencer asked.

Becca regarded him. A long pause. It was impossible to tell what was going on in her mind. Since her eyes were covered with those goggles. As well as half of her upper face. 

“I was told the Quorum had only just found out about this residence,” she answered. “And that, since it was an abandoned Overseer’s house, reconnaissance was all which was needed.”

“And the Quorum only just found out about it?” Spencer reiterated. 

“As far as I was told,” Becca answered. “And I’ve never been given false information.” 

“Then why the Sentinel?”

“Exactly,” Becca agreed. 

Spencer heard the front door to the house. Open. Heard footsteps thud. On the wooden planks of the porch.

Boots. Big Clunky.

He held his finger to his lips. With one hand. Made a calming motion. With his other hand.

Spencer concentrated. Tried to hear. What was being said.

“Then, we want everything moved to the barn, where it will be incinerated,” came a voice.

Male. Deep. Resonate. In the middle of giving parting instructions. Or demands.

“By morning.”

“Yes, we understand,” came another voice.

Deep also. Yet different. There was a softness. Contrasted with the first speaker’s voice.

“And you’ll relocate us?”

“You won’t have to worry about Sentinel hunting raids by tomorrow night,” Speaker One replied. “Our agreement stands.”

“Our agreement stands,” repeated the second voice.

Spencer heard several footsteps. Cross the porch. Crunch the gravel. Of the driveway.

Car doors opened. Shut. Vehicles started. Headlights lit up the night.

No vampires departed. Not according to the Blood Pulse. Must’ve been Sentinels. Driving away.

He heard the front door. Swing shut. No lock engaged.

Becca squeezed Spencer’s upper arm again. He could barely make out her raised eyebrows. Behind her Owl Eyes.

She mouthed “well?” at him. He leaned forward. Whispered.

“Sounds like the Sentinels are gone. We should still sneak over there like the guard still is here.”

Becca nodded. Leaned into Spencer’s ear.

“What were they talking about? I heard voices, but I know you could hear their conversation.”

“Honestly, I don’t understand it. Something about relocation. And an agreement,” Spencer answered. 

A whisper.

“I think we should take them out, all but whoever’s voice matches what I heard. Then we can ask them, ourselves.”

“Well, I was given orders to secure this place,” Becca whispered.

Spencer nodded. Motioned with his arm. For Becca to go ahead. She did.

They made their way back. Down the side of the house. Silently. Stealthily.

She poked her head around the corner. Drew it back. At once.

She turned. Looked at Spencer. Motioned with her head. Her mouth was a tight line.

Spencer remained still. Stared at her. Blankly.

Becca suppressed a sigh. Aggressively pointed to herself. Then around the corner. 

Spencer understood. The Sentinel guard was still there.

He could take care of this. Take care of her. He could do it quickly. With minimal fuss.

But Becca wouldn’t like it.

He motioned. For her to lean close. His tongue nearly entered her ear canal. His mouth was so close.

And the whisper was low. Spencer doubted she would hear him. He proceeded anyway.

“I can take care of her. But it’ll be permanent.”