Chapter 14
snapping open as I felt something gigantic and slobbery bathing my face. Goliath’s hellhound tongue was relentless, and I couldn’t help but laugh despite the situation. As I came to my senses, I realized the pain that had been consuming me was gone. Muggs, my Druid progeny, was hovering over me with concern etched on his blind face, while Sebastian stood nearby, arms folded.
“Christ, Goliath, you trying to drown me?” I grumbled, pushing the massive beast away gently. “Okay, okay, I’m awake.”
Muggs tilted his head, his sightless eyes searching for mine. “How are you feeling, Mercy?”
“Like I just got smacked with a two-by-four, but the pain is gone,” I admitted, sitting up slowly. “I assume it was your magic that dealt with the wolf bites?”
Muggs nodded. “And the other thing...”
“Give her a moment,” Sebastian interjected, reaching out to take my hand and help me up. It was then that I realized we were in Donnie’s basement of all places. The familiar smell of stale Doritos and Mountain Dew filled the air. Donnie himself was sitting in his gaming chair, complete with headset, making it appear as if he’d just paused one of his games. Despite the crumbs littering his shirt, he looked genuinely concerned.
“Take all the time you need,” Muggs said softly, giving my shoulder a reassuring squeeze.
“Thanks,” I sighed, attempting to collect my thoughts amidst the chaos. My mind was racing, trying to make sense of what had happened and how I’d ended up here. I could still feel Calivion’s influence lurking in the periphery of my consciousness, waiting for a chance to push me into darkness once more. But for now, at least, it seemed subdued.
“You must be hungry,” Sebastian said. “You were ravenous before, barely holding on, and now after all those bites, being staked...”
I tilted my head, recalling the blood I’d consumed in... heaven? I wasn’t hungry at all. “I can’t explain it, exactly, but where I went. Well, I think it took care of that. For now, at least.”
Muggs cleared his throat. “And... what about, you know, the other thing?”
“The other thing... you mean... my propensity for murder and mayhem?” I asked, trying to keep the bitterness out of my voice.
Muggs nodded solemnly. I sighed, running a hand through my disheveled hair. “Oblivion has been influencing me, pulling my strings. But that’s no excuse. The whole situation with Ladinas and Alice came out of left field, and I acted like a child.”
“Everyone makes mistakes,” Muggs murmured, his blind gaze filled with empathy that I didn’t deserve.
“Speaking of which,” I said, forcing a weak smile, “how are Mel and Clarissa doing?”
“Lost without their sire,” Muggs replied, gripping my hand. “I can’t speak for everyone, but I know they miss you. We all do.”
My chest tightened at the thought of the bewildered fledglings I’d left behind. I knew it wasn’t fair to them, but with Oblivion’s influence hanging over me, I couldn’t risk putting them in danger. There was no telling what I might do as long as Calivion continued to manipulate me.
“What about Clarissa?” I asked, concern bleeding into my voice. “She was struggling with her cravings when I last saw her.”
“Ramon and Adam are with her,” Muggs explained. “As long as they’re nearby, she seems to be fine. But a young vampire needs her sire.”
“True,” I agreed, my heart heavy with guilt. “But until I can figure out how to keep Oblivion at bay, it’s too dangerous for me to be around them.”
“Then we’ll help you find a way,” Sebastian declared, his grip on my hand tightening reassuringly. “That’s what I promised you, and I still intend to save you.”
“Thanks, Sebastian,” I said softly, touched by his unwavering support. “But I can’t go home with you guys just yet. There’s a bigger problem in Farmington, and I need the team to help me stop it.”
Muggs furrowed his brow. “Sebastian mentioned something about a werewolf issue?”
“More like a conclave.” My voice grew dark as I recalled the ominous gathering. “Dozens of packs, all converging on the area for some reason. Whatever they’re up to, it can’t be good.”
“Shit,” Sebastian muttered, pulling out his phone and checking the time. “If the wolves are planning something, it’ll start soon. Tonight is the last night of the full moon. That means the shit is going to hit the fan in less than an hour.”
“Wait, how long was I out?” I asked, alarmed at the thought of having lost precious time.
“Almost a whole day,” Sebastian confirmed, his expression grim.
“Damn it,” I cursed under my breath. Time was running out, and the pressure to act weighed heavily on me. But I couldn’t let fear or guilt cloud my judgment—not with so much at stake.
“Alright,” I said, straightening out my top to cover the hole left from Sebastian’s stake. Like, did he really need to fuck up my clothes? “We need to gather the team. Sebastian and Donnie are tough, but they can’t possibly defend this city against hundreds of werewolves. I need to speak to Ladinas and get everyone on board.”
“Agreed,” Muggs replied, spinning his staff overhead as he prepared to forge a portal back to the Vampire Underground.
“Wait,” Sebastian said, grabbing my arm. “I’m coming with you.”
“Is that wise?” I raised an eyebrow. “A hunter walking into a den of vampires?”
“Wouldn’t be the first time,” he replied with a wry grin. “But I also know you’ll have to face some difficult shit with your ex, and I want to be there just in case you need support. Or in case that dragon exploits your emotions.”
“Fine, but we better hurry,” I conceded, knowing that having Sebastian by my side would give me the strength I needed to confront Ladinas—and Oblivion. Even if it was going to make things awkward as hell. I mean, my old team already didn’t trust me. What would they think about me bringing a hunter—sorry, a sentinel—into the Underground?
“I’ll be here!” Donnie confirmed. “Going to try to squeeze in a raid or two.”
Sebastian cleared his throat. “Or, perhaps, you could get ready for the fight. Less than an hour, Donnie. That’s how long we have before the sun sets and the moon rises. You need to be ready for one hell of a fight.”
Donnie sighed, stood up, and dusted the crumbs off of his shirt. “Fine. You’re worse than my mom, you know that?”
Muggs tilted his head. “How old is he, anyway?”
“I’m thirty!” Donnie interjected.
“And you’re living with your mother?” Muggs’ furrowed brow reflected his confusion.
“He’s a millennial,” I laughed, slapping Muggs on the back. “What do you expect?”
“Ahh,” Muggs nodded his head. “That makes sense, then.”
Sebastian gazed at Muggs’ portal—a green tornado spinning around all the shit that was scattered around Donnie’s mother’s basement. “How does this thing work, exactly?”
I winked at Sebastian. “Click your heels together three times. Remember, there’s no place like home.”
Sebastian cocked his head. “That doesn’t track. That’s how you leave Oz. The tornado is what takes you there.”
“Right,” I nodded. “I was just giving you shit. Step inside the portal and Muggs’ magic will do the rest. Be careful, though. Travel by druid portal sometimes comes with the urge to hurl.”