*Allies

Too many things never happen at once. Life and death are always about timing, and it seems the clock had struck for me.

No matter how much I try. I can't ignore the latest events. Crimson appears under siege. Since the Colosseum incident, the Hawks have been everywhere, undercover amongst the civilians they watch.

I feel under custody, but it's how it has always been. This feeling is exactly what many Strigoi denounce and has extremists like Magnus gain followers for his revolution.

How can entities as powerful as us be tributors of the weak?

Everything about humans is ephemeral. Yet they're the ones in control. Some say that science gives them an advantage, but all species show submissiveness when facing humans.

Why?

No one can explain. Some say we're no different from animals in a zoo.

"Adonis."

"Søren."

Animals, if some look down on Strigoi, none can say they are as loathed as werewolves.

"Why have you summoned me?"

Adonis chuckles as he comes out of the shadows to stand beside me on the cliff, "You have such a way with words; get with the era, Soren. I just gave you a call."

"I don't call howling at the top of your lungs on Mount Redemption a call," I reply.

Adonis smiles, all teeth glistening in the moonlight. How I envy their whiteness, I bet he has never had to sit in a dentist's chair. The thought flusters me as he speaks, and his lateral incisor sparkles in the dark like a diamond, "it was the safest way. It's the only thing the Hawks don't understand. Things are getting complicated, Søren."

"For whom?"

"Don't pretend you don't know. Strigois are disappearing, and wolves are dying.

Hawks infest the city. Something is drawing every varmint to Crimson. I feel it on the ground, in the soil. Something has awakened."

Adonis is right; I have had the same feeling ever since I met Inna. Inna has always been here. Yet no one ever noticed her presence. Now that I know she exists, I can't help but desire to feast on her blood. I, who has resisted and fasted for decades, am drooling for her blood. All who meet her have a physical response, and now there's this fairy.

"Søren, did you hear me?" Adonis says and recalls me to the sound of my rumbling stomach.

"Yes, you were saying you lost six of your pack here, and Pricolicis are appearing."

Just as we have Repugnants, vârcolac have Pricolicis, undead werewolves souls unable to gain human form. Violent, they only live to kill. They had since disappeared.

"I fear someone is conjuring them."

"Adonis, be mindful of your words.

"What? It has been over a century since Pricolicis were exterminated. Our treaty with the Union Nations demands that we exterminate Pricolicis. We know now it has never been a natural phenomenon and that vrăjitorie is behind it."

"Are you trying to tell me it's a conspiracy?"

"Think about it, Søren. We chose to maintain our natural form. We live in forests and wildlife parks away from cities. Yet Pricolicis are mulitpling. Governments have tightened the laws on our circulation. We must wear tags like dogs and obtain permission to enter cities. They killed twelve of my fellows in New York. The Hawks say they had no choice as they were identified as dangerous and tagless, but witnesses say none even had the time to show their papers." The police say they resembled suspects they searched for and happened to be in a neighborhood where people reported incidents. Søren, we aren't thieves though we scavenge. There is nothing humans have that we envy except their alcohol, perhaps," Adonis says with regret.

Adonis is honest, and I know he tells the truth as he doesn't shut his mind to my reading. Werewolves are known for their love of alcohol, but they live within their pack. They no longer mix blood with humans. Half-bloods are forbidden species and are killed at birth. Vârcolacs have no interest in other species. Still, they are constantly pursued and bullied. They never retaliate, though more powerful than many.

"Søren, we must find out who is manipulating the governments into thinking we are a threat. I know it doesn't concern you, but history has shown us that once one is a target, a chain of events follows where all species become imperiled."

Again I am forced to admit Adonis is correct; too many times, we Strigoi looked the other way. We watched species disappear one after the other until it was our turn. Only then did we react, but we could not expect support after having rejoiced to see others perish. Hence, I had to make a decision that changed the course of Strigoi's existence.

"Adonis, I don't have more information about this than you. Concerning our losses, we have a potential culprit."

Adonis raises a brow," who is it?"

"A fairy."

The cooing of owls far off can be heard, and Adonis chuckles once more, scaring the little creatures of the woods, "A fairy, please, Søren, what type of folklore story are you telling? We all know fairies are extinct since the second world war."

"I know it sounds farfetched, but it's the truth. I saw it."

Adonis crosses his arms, "And you didn't kill it. You know it's a threat; you should report it to the Hawks."

"It's classified as endangered."

"So you're just going to let go on a rampage. One is enough, Søren. One fairy is enough to cause downfall. At least it's not an elf."

How odd it is elves and fairies are loathed in our realms while humans adore them. They love their likeness and find them endearing. Some even vow cults and modify their appearances to have their ears or eyes. Humans don't know how destructive those species were, how they wove the ties of hatred that rattle among us.

"You know your enemy; destroy it before it does you, my friend."

Adonis is not a man of violence. It's the first time I hear him pronounce such words.

"Stop it; you sound like my brother."

Adonis takes a deep breath, "what if he's right? Have you ever asked yourself that question? Look at us; we cannot take action to protect our nations. We have no lands or territories. We count on humans to procure what we need. We have given up on our instincts and freedom for what? To be shot down like criminals and parked in remote areas without resources. Do you know that some of mine have lost their ability to hunt? Eating vegetables has made us weak; some even lose their fangs."

All fair in love and war, there is some justice in this world. At least I am not the only one losing my bite. My childish thought has no time to make me giggle as I hurry to respond, "Adonis, do not be fooled by Magnus. He is like a baby still teething but seeking to bite a rhino. What will become of this world if all allow themselves to follow their instincts?"

Adonis shrugs, "Humans would lose their supremacy, and we shall be free from their tyranny."

"He has approached you, hasn't he?"

I recognize my brother's signature in the pattern of words.

"Yes, I must admit your brother is quite convincing."

"Please, do not let yourself go to Magnus fantasy. Don't you find it strange that he appears now when your nation interrogates itself on its existence?"

Are you saying Magnus is behind this?"

"No, but I find the situation quite accommodating for the man who prays for a revolution."

"I want my packs to thrive and live freely. I am exhausted by the efforts and sacrifices. I fear I have taken my equals to their doom by trying to maintain a semblance of peace."

"Adonis-."

"Don't tell me you don't feel that way too right now."

Adonis has talent; it consists of constantly hitting the bullseye. Though I hear him, a part of me refuses to concede the reasoning. Yet something tells me that I may not have the choice.