The elite wolves continued the approach, their attitudes rather lackadaisical in the knowledge that their prey was many times weaker, such easy pickings for even the slowest of them. The human had already run out the door and was out of sight but the wolves remained unbothered. They ran side by side, chatting and joking like they were out for a stroll in the park. What they hadn't counted on as they exited the building was a volatile bowling ball named Gavin, who with one powerful tackle, sent the four wolves tumbling to the ground just like bowling pins.

Gavin had the element of surprise, which he took full advantage of, beating all but one of the wolves unconscious in a matter of minutes. The terrified wolf that remained struggled in vain to hop away on his one unbroken foot, but found himself dangling in mid air a second later. Gavin easily held the shorter man up by the collar of his shirt

"What the hell do you think you're doing, Summers?" The wolf yelled, in a mix of pain, fear and anger, having finally recognised his opponent.

"I could say the same to you too, Benji. Killing humans is a crime."

"I doubt I'll need to worry about that, not when that asshole was Lannetta Bloodreign's supplier." The injured wolf snarled without a hint of repentence, "The only one in trouble here is you, Summers. You've interfered with a highly classified operation. Now let go you moron, make yourself useful and catch the other human for interrogation!"

In response, Gavin punched the wolf so hard, several teeth were sent flying. He dropped the unconscious man on the ground like a bag of trash before hurrying over to the car, where Hailey and Aidan were crouched behind. Gavin effortlessly lifted the keg of blood into the boot, slamming it shut. 'We need to go. Now."

The humans didn't need telling twice. Both rushed in and buckled their seatbelts as Gavin made to turn the car back the way they came. What all three hadn't noticed was the shadowy figure creeping closer, doing an excellent job of staying hidden. The elite squad spotter had fallen back to rummage through the dead dealer's pockets, which turned out to be a blessing for her since Gavin hadn't noticed her hidden behind a pillar. She wisely kept out of sight till the very last moment. As the car pulled away, she lurched forward just far enough to throw a small tracker tag at the bumper, where it adhered firmly.

The car picked up speed and headed away, its driver and passengers unaware they were now being tracked. The elite squad spotter heaved a sigh of relief at not being detected, before heading back to her injured comrades, phone in hand and rapidly dialling a number. "Indigo Squad Two to HQ. We have a serious problem."

**

"Mr Miller, do you know why I'm here?" Emilia asked the leader of the Enlighteners in her trademark frosty demeanour which she pulled off to perfection after years of practice.

She was not in the mood to beat around the bush and hoped the man in front of her wasn't one to hedge his answers either. She was in luck. The red haired witch genially replied to Emilia, "Please, call me John. And yes, I know you're here because you want answers the Committee doesn't want you to know."

Emilia's eyes narrowed, "Or that the Committee doesn't know themselves."

The man had the audacity to give her a condescending smirk, "Highly unlikely. But that's besides the point." Emilia coldly stared him down, but he remained unperturbed, instead saying, "A little bird told me that you have formed an alliance of sorts. Witches. Wolves," he paused before adding, "vampires."

Emilia cooly raised an arched eyebrow, "What makes you think I have anything to do with vampires?"

"Oh, let's not waste time pretending, Emilia. You and your travel group were at a home owned by a mystery person who had tinted windows and blackout blinds installed over what must be the most scenic views of the city. People pay a fortune for those glorious, towering frame windows, yet who else would have it all covered up but sun hating vampires, hmm?"

Emilia chose not to refute, instead steering the conversation in another direction, "Do you know what we want to know?"

"I'll hazard a guess it has to do with the events pertaining to Lucius Bloodreign and Nina Forst. The true events, that is. Not the watered down hogwash the Committee spews."

Emilia's greyish-blue eyes widened a fraction, which was enough to tell John that he had guessed right. "Alright, tell us," she said, pursing her full lips.

"I will, once you've gathered everyone in your little aliance here."

Emilia's eyes flashed in irritation, "No. I will not risk it." Obviously, she was very much against congregating in a stranger's basement.

John merely gave a shrug. "Then you shall not have it. These are my terms. Either I show a representative of each race the evidence, or I show nothing."

Was this annoying man for real? She spared a quick glance at Samaira who was also quietly frowning. Turning back to him, Emilia fiercely studied John while he cheerily stood before her.

Having lived for centuries, and as the daughter of a Committee leader, it was second nature to have developed a knack for judging the trustworthiness of others but in this instance she found herself struggling with the man in front of her. It was like trying to decipher Mona Lisa's smile; was it genuine or forced? Happy or sad? Mysterious? Aloof? Who knew? Similarly, in the case of John, he seemed neither friend nor foe. But did this mean she could trust him?

The smiling man's gaze was unflinching as he awaited her decision. In the end, she decided to trust her basal instincts and grudgingly replied, "Fine."

**

Andy and Brandon had their backs pressed against the brick wall of the alleyway they were hiding in. Both were out of breath, having been on the run for at least an hour, weaving in and out of parks, golf courses, supermarkets, gift stores and alleyways to get away from werewolf security. After all that, they somehow managed to end up in an alleyway not far from where Lannetta's borrowed Ford Ranger was parked, but perilously close to the building with the vault, a mere two blocks away. Joe was likely prowling the perimeter, just waiting to beat them both to a pulp.

Just then, and in a very timely fashion, a message came through on their group chat. It was Gavin, sounding pissed off.

Wolves, dump your phones. We've been made.

Ten seconds later, Emilia's excellently timed text came through along with a random address. Everyone get over here, she demanded. Andy could imagine the haughty look on her face as she typed the message.

The two wolves looked at each other before simultaneously pulverising their phones, littering the alleyway with tiny pieces of metal and plastic before hopping into the truck and driving to the given address.

At the same time that the wolves destroyed their phones, Lannetta flung hers onto an empty armchair. "Look at her, handing out shitty orders like she's the queen of the show," the vampire angrily groused.

Maxim walked over to rub a comforting hand along her arm, "I know you don't like her-"

"Now that's an understatement-"

"-but she may have found something important that will help us, so could you try to be civil to her?"

She twirled to face Maxim with her hands on her hips, "What's that supposed to mean?! I am being very much civil to her, in fact I am being more civil than I need to be, and you can't convince me otherwise!" With a huff, Lannetta stalked off to her room, leaving Maxim staring after her in consternation.