Autumn drove a matte black all-terrain vehicle with tinted windows, heavy-duty tires, and a diverse assortment of military-related stickers on the back bumper. A spare tire was mounted to the back door. Through the rear windshield, he could see duffel bags and what looked like the outline of a rifle in the trunk.

Gulping, he cautiously approached the vehicle.

Just looking at it reminded him of the Arkangels. It even had their logo painted on one of the side doors. He rolled his eyes. Had the truck been fitted with a mounted turret gun on the roof, he wouldn't have batted an eye.

He didn't have a choice, though. Sneering, he climbed into the backseat and sulked out the window. Dorian got in beside him while Imogen took shotgun. Once they were all buckled in, Autumn turned the radio to a classic rock station and drove them out of Halifax.

Sebastian watched as the setting around them blurred. It gradually shifted from decrepit brownstone buildings intermixed with tall office buildings to colorful townhouses that reminded him of the structures in Amsterdam.

They passed through by a wharf that looked like it still belonged in the 1700s. Seafoam sprayed from where the tide hit the grey bricks serving as a barrier between them and the coast. As they drove across a bridge, he noticed all the boats crossing the water around them. He couldn't help but be impressed.

Even without magic, the Ordinaires were capable of creating incredible things. Unfortunately, that was where his praise for them ended. Too much of what they had done to his people over history overshadowed the good they did—which wasn't much in comparison.

They were the reason why his father and the Order were so hellbent on returning the world to how it used to be. The only difference was Thorian wanted to replace Ordinaire supremacy with magician supremacy. He didn't want peace. He didn't want to coexist.

He wanted to eradicate them. Entirely and completely.

It was a sentiment too many magicians could be swayed into getting on board with. That was why he was so dangerous. Not because of his magic or his magical enhancements. Not because of the Obscurio, which gifted him with more dark magic than anyone could have hoped for.

His unbridled influence is what made him the most powerful man on the planet.

"Where's your headquarters at?" Dorian asked. He had his head sticking out the window like a dog. Sebastian even swore he saw his tongue hanging out of his mouth.

"You are such a dog."

Dorian retracted his head to glare at him. "Ruff."

"They're cute," Autumn said from the front seat. She peered at Imogen with a smile on her face. "Where'd you find them at?"

"Well, Sebastian kind of found me."

He rolled his eyes. "I don't exactly remember it happening that way."

"You still haven't told me who you are, you know," Autumn pointed out.

"And it'll stay that way."

The hunter scoffed. "Look, if I'm going to vouch for you when we get to headquarters, you're going to have to help me out. I can't just walk two outsiders and a—" She stopped.

Imogen pursed her lips. "And a what?"

"Nevermind." Autumn turned off the road and onto a dirt path diverting into the trees lining the lonely road in the outskirts of the Canadian province. "We're almost here. Get ready."

Sebastian glanced at Imogen. She looked like she wanted to continue questioning her cousin about what she was going to say. He was a bit curious himself. Whatever she almost let slip was something she didn't want them hearing.

He looked out the front windshield as the truck rolled to a stop. A buzzing chainlink fence—manned by two armed guards dressed head-to-toe in dark blue uniforms with the Arkangel logo on their right breast pockets—stood a few yards ahead of them. They wielded rifles while swords were strapped to their backs.

"Stay here," Autumn said as she hopped out of the truck. She strolled over to the guards and pulled a badge out of her pocket. One of them examined her credentials before nodding at her. They exchanged a few words; Autumn gestured back at her vehicle and Sebastian squinted at her.

What's she saying?

The guard rubbed their chin, a hint of hesitation on their face. Autumn continued speaking. Eventually, the second guard brought a walkie-talkie to their mouth and spoke into it. Seconds later, the mechanized gate slowly opened with a slow, grating noise that filled the evening air.

Autumn returned to her vehicle. "They're letting us in."

"Uh, yeah," Sebastian said. "We can see that."

"When we get inside the compound," she said, "don't say anything. Don't touch anything. Don't look at anyone. I'll handle all the talking until you get to Jocasta. Until then, just...follow my lead, alright?"

"Don't tell us what to do."

Imogen shot him a scathing look before nodding at her cousin. "You don't have to worry about us. Right, Sebastian?" Her words were pointed like sharpened spears. Grumbling under his breath, he folded his arms and slouched into his seat.

"Just make sure your goons are on their best behavior and we'll be fine."

She looked at the magician through her rearview mirror. "I don't like you."

"The feeling's mutual."

"Alright, everyone," Imogen interrupted. "Enough bickering. We're on the same side here."

Not exactly.

Sebastian kept his comments to himself, though. For now.

Exhaling heavily, Autumn tightened her grip around her steering wheel. Her knuckles turned white as she stared straight ahead. "If this backfires on me, I will make you all sorry."

Sebastian held back a laugh. Dorian covered his smirk with his hand. Autumn frowned at them both.

"What?"

"Nothing," Sebastian lied.

"It's just..." Dorian snickered. "Your accent when you say 'sorry'. It's hilarious."

Imogen sent them both an exasperated glance while shaking her head. "You're insufferable."

"Not my fault you Canadians talk funny," Sebastian mumbled.

Autumn squinted at him. "Where are you from then? You don't have an American accent and you're definitely not from Canada."

He bit the inside of his cheek. "Romania."

She nodded slowly. "Yeah, you look like it." Her eyes widened. He noticed her looking at the mark in his palm. Swallowing hard, he closed his hand into a fist. "You know, I've heard about some stuff that comes out of Romania..."

"You have?" He shrugged nonchalantly. "It's a pretty boring country..."

"Boring isn't exactly the word I'd use."

"Oh, look! We're here!" Imogen announced abruptly.

Autumn parked her car in a grass lot with other armored vehicles like hers and cut the engine. Before getting out, she turned in her seat to look at the two young men in the back. They both stared back at her, eyebrows raised.

"Do not cause any trouble," Autumn hissed. "I mean it. I only agreed to bring you here is because you claim the world is at stake. Also, Imogen's my cousin and she's vouching for you." She pointed at them both. "I know her. But you two? I don't know you. If you cause any problems, and I mean any, I will not hesitate—"

Dorian snorted. "You won't hesitate to do what?"

The girl's face flushed. Scowling, she shook her head and left the truck, slamming the door behind her. Dorian grinned triumphantly. Sebastian allowed a small smile onto his lips.

Maybe he's not so bad after all.

"Come on," she ordered. "Let's go."

Sebastian and his friends exited the vehicle as well, joining Autumn outside.

His eyes widened as he took in the sight before him.

"Welcome to The Ark," Autumn said. "Come on. This way."

The Arkangel's base was much different from the image he constructed in his head. The electrified fence they passed through to get inside wrapped around the entire perimeter of the spacious compound. Large tents the size of small houses and temporary modular buildings were placed around the trimmed grass. Several metal behemoths resembling cellphone towers stretched for the clouds; a labyrinth of black wires stretched from various points, connecting to different buildings. Rectangular panels were built near the very top, resting just below the waving flags at the pinnacle of the towers.

Sebastian frowned as he followed behind Autumn and Imogen. Dorian lagged a few steps behind, his head on a swivel and his shoulders raised in anticipation. He looked like a dog on the lookout for an enemy.

"You Ordinaires and your tech," Dorian said. "I'll never understand it."

Autumn tilted her head at him. "Excuse me?"

Clearing his throat, he averted his eyes. "Nothing."

"That's what I thought."

Autumn continued leading them through the massive campground. A mix of people dressed like her and the guards outside milled about the place. They all had their eyes on the newcomers moving past them.

Sebastian kept his attention on the massive building up ahead.

The multi-storied structure seemed to be in the direct center of the entire compound. A few windows decorated the walls, which were covered with metal plates and various Arkangel motifs. Banners dropped down from the ceiling, which sported a few satellite dishes.

Another pair of guards stood at the foot of the stairs leading up to the building's platform. Like the ones at the front, they held high-tech rifles. The Arkangel on the right had a glowing hatchet in his grip while his partner opted for a spear with similar enchantments protecting the metal.

Sebastian seethed at the sight of the weapons. They looked just like vayrirs, but he knew they weren't. They were something else—something far more sinister and unnatural. He could feel his temperature rising by the second. He bit down on his lip to keep from yelling.

The Arkangels collected eldricite just like magicians. But, unlike their magical counterparts, they used the sacred ore for destruction and murder.

How they managed to find and cultivate it into weapons, he never knew.

All he knew was it was a direct act of disrespect and violence on their community.

Clenching his fists, he glared at the guards. Despite his feelings on their weapons and how they obtained them, he knew they were what they needed to defeat the Order. Besides other magicians, which they were in short supply of, the Arkangels were the only other group of people who could stand up to casters. Their wicked arsenal of cursed blades was what they needed to take down his father.

The enemy of his enemy was his friend.

That is until they ultimately became his enemy again.

"What's this place?" Dorian asked.

"Central headquarters of all Arkangel operations," Autumn answered. "We call it The Ark."

"The Ark, huh?" Imogen snickered. "Original."

"I didn't come up with it," Autumn replied with a shrug. She brought them up to the gate in front of the main building. The guards promptly stopped them before they could get any further.

"Who are they?" one of the guards asked, their gloved hand gripping the handle of a glowing hatchet. The blade was silver, but Sebastian could see flecks of eldricite embedded into the metal. He squinted at the weapon, not paying any mind to the person holding it. "And what are they doing here, Autumn?"

"I didn't know we were taking in strays," another guard quipped. They eyed the group speculatively. Once their eyes reached Dorian, they frowned. "Why doesn't he have a shirt on?"

"Why does every care about me not wearing a shirt?"

The guard pursed their lips. "Weirdo."

"Right back at you."

Autumn stepped forward. "They need to see Jocasta. It's important."

Both guards froze.

One of them narrowed their gaze at Imogen. "Wait a minute..." Their eyes widened. "That's Jason's daughter, isn't it?!"

Their comrade nodded. "Yeah, I think you're right. Isabella, or something like that."

"Imogen," she corrected. "And yeah. Jason Blackwell is my dad."

The guard scratched their beard, brows knit tightly. "Er, no offense, but what are you doing here? We were told you weren't affiliated with your father anymore. Nor us."

"Yeah, well, things change. I'd love to catch up, but I need to speak with your leader. Like Autumn said, it's important."

"Speak with her about what?"

"We can't just let you in," the other Arkangel told her.

Sebastian stomped up to the guard. "You can and you will. Right now. We don't have any time to waste."

"Oh yeah, Pretty Boy? Why don't you make us?"

"Don't tempt me."

Autumn buried her face in her hands. "I said don't cause any trouble!"

Both guards converged on the boy, their weapons aimed at his chest. He retreated, eyes focusing on the blades pointed at him. Dorian flinched, his red eyes gleaming as he snarled at the sentries. His fangs protruded from his mouth. Everyone stopped.

Sebastian cursed.

Uh-oh.

Autumn spun around to gawk at her cousin. "He's a werewolf?!"

"He is? I hadn't noticed..."

"You brought a wolf into our camp?" one of the guards shouted. Nearby, more Arkangels gravitated over to them with their weapons. Soon, a dozen rifles, spears, and swords were being directed toward them.

Sebastian, Imogen, and Dorian were forced together, their backs touching as they formed a tight circle. The three of them raised their hands; it was clear this was a fight they couldn't win. Besides, taking on a dozen Arkangels in their own home wasn't smart. Especially if they were going to ask them for their help later on.

Autumn tilted her head at the group. "Alright, Imogen. I'm going to ask you again. Who are these people?" She paused. "Who are you?"

"Sebastian Thauvin," Sebastian answered, his voice tight as the tip of the spear lingering a few inches away from his face. "House Tenebris." He flashed the violet mark burning with vitalae in his palm. "Nice to meet you."

"Dorian Redfang." The werewolf growled.

"So, a magician and a Redfang." Autumn shook her head. "I can't believe this. How did you even get involved with them?"

Imogen sighed. "It's a long story. But please trust me. We're on a mission and we need to speak with your leader."

"I'm sorry, but I can't let you do that."

Imogen blanched. Sebastian's heart stopped.

"What do you mean?"

Autumn turned her back, her head hanging slightly. "Guards," she said, "take them away."

As the Arkangels moved in to grab them, Sebastian summoned his vayrir—an amethyst dagger with an obsidian hilt. He waved it before him, warding off his would-be captors. Dorian immediately shifted into his wolf form and gnashed his teeth in the air, keeping any converging Arkangels at bay. Beside them, Imogen reluctantly unsheathed her white dagger.

"Please," she said, her voice wobbling. "We don't want to fight. We just want to speak to—"

"Everyone, settle down," a voice from the top of the building's stairs commanded. Everyone stopped to look at the speaker.

Sebastian craned his neck to get a look at them.

An older woman of average height with hair the color of mercury styled into a pixie-cut made her way down the steps in dramatic fashion. She wasn't dressed like the other Arkangels. The woman wore a maroon coat with a gold, decorative shoulder pad dangling with loose threads. Multi-colored pins were attached to the pocket of her jacket.

Everyone had their eyes trained on her. As she got closer, she ordered the Arkangels to lower their weapons. They did as they were told.

Sebastian blinked at her.

"You're the leader of the Arkangels?"

He hadn't been expecting that. Not at all.

"That would be me," the woman said. She stopped in front of him, her dark eyes full of curiosity. "Jocasta. A pleasure to meet you." She took a look at the mark in his hand. "Magnificient."

He snatched his hand away from her view.

Jocasta's gaze drifted past him. "Autumn, care to explain?"

The girl stuttered, her face red and wet with sweat. "Um, I got a call. From Imogen. You know, Jason Blackwell's daughter? Yeah, well, it was really random, and I didn't know what it was about, but she said she needed to meet. When I met up with her, she told me she needed to speak with you. Apparently, it's super important." When she finished, she took a few deep breaths.

The Arkangels were frozen like statues as they waited for their leader to resume speaking.

Sebastian kept his grip firm around the hilt of his vayrir. He squinted at the woman.

"A bit of advice, Autumn," Jocasta began.

"Yes, ma'am?"

"Do not bring strangers within our walls again."

"But—"

"Am I clear?"

The girl nodded. "Yes, ma'am."

The woman shifted her eyes to Imogen. "It's been quite a while." Her smile faded. A sneer took its place. "You look just like your mother."

Imogen placed her hands on her hips. "Excuse me?"

"Oh, nothing," she replied. Holding her hands behind her back, she began pacing in front of the three intruders. "This is quite the surprise, I must say. A magician, a werewolf, and a halfling show up to my base, of all places. I'm assuming you knew the risk you were taking coming here, so this must be important." She paused. "Or you all are incredibly stupid."

Dorian growled at her.

She grinned at him. "Feisty little wolf." Her blue eyes flashed with malice. "I've killed wolves bigger than you before breakfast."

His upper lip curled, revealing his razor-sharp teeth. Jocasta rolled her eyes before lazily flicking a hand toward a guard.

"Let them through. I would like to speak with them."

The guard stiffened. "But, ma'am, they're—"

"I said let them through."

Gulping, they nodded and barked at the other Arkangels to make way for their visitors. They obliged, parting around them like the sea.

Sebastian released his vayrir. It vanished back into the mark in his palm in a rush of purple light. Dorian shifted out of his wolf form, rolling his shoulders and snarling at the guards as he went past them. Imogen sheathed her dagger and followed.

"That was weird," she whispered to Sebastian.

"Yeah," he said. "It was."

Dorian glanced over his shoulder. The guards all had their intense stares on them as they were about to step foot inside the building. "I have a bad feeling about this."

"Me too," Imogen admitted.

"That makes three of us," Sebastian added.

Something swam around the pit of his stomach. And they weren't butterflies.

"Come along," the woman said from the top of the stairs. "I'm assuming we have much to discuss."

#

The inside of the Ark was interesting, to say the least.

More Arkangels were packed into the lobby of the building. Most were sat around tables equipped with bulky laptops and surveillance equipment. Others were convened around a massive, three-screen display of the entire world. It reminded Sebastian of the Great Map—if the Great Map was significantly less magical and spectacular.

An elevator near the back of the main room led up to the other floors. Jocasta headed the group as they wove through the beehive of Arkangels working tirelessly around them. Unlike those outside, they didn't seem to be warriors. A few of them looked like they had never even picked up a weapon before.

Sebastian scratched the top of his head. "What are they doing?"

"Scouting," Jocasta answered. "It's how we keep tabs on your kind."

He nodded slowly. "I see."

"Impressed?"

"Not exactly."

She huffed. "Tough crowd." Upon arriving at the elevator, she pressed the 'up' button and waited for the glass doors to slide open. Seconds later, their lift arrived and they stepped inside.

An old pop song played through the tinny speaker in the ceiling. Sebastian stuffed his hands into his pockets and stared down at his shoes. Suddenly, they were the most fascinating things he had ever seen. Imogen and Dorian both looked equally uncomfortable.

In front of them, Jocasta hummed along to the song playing.

A ding sounded, announcing their arrival to the fourth floor of The Ark. Jocasta exited the elevator. Sebastian and his group followed behind.

Soon, they reached the woman's office.

The walls were painted the same navy blue as everything else Sebastian had seen within their base. Portraits of men and women in hunter's gear decorated them. Glass displays holding more tainted weapons and pieces of gold armor were placed about the woman's office. A mahogany desk sat in the center of the wide, black rug on the floor. A stuffed wolf's head laid lifeless at the end of the expensive-looking fur.

Dorian scowled at it.

"You don't like?" Jocasta gazed fondly at the hide on the ground. "I caught this one myself." She rolled up the sleeve of her coat, revealing a white jagged scar streaking down her forearm. "Nasty little mutt. Nearly took my arm off."

"It should have finished the job."

She wagged a finger at him. "I like you." The woman took a seat at her desk while the trio stood before her. Clasping her hands in her lap, she leaned back and nodded slowly. "To what do I owe the pleasure of this meeting?"

Imogen stepped forward. "There's a war going on. A war between the magicians—"

"Oh, I know that," Jocasta interrupted with a flippant flick of her hand. "My scouts in Central Africa told me something was likely occurring in your hidden city after their post was hit by Redfangs, Nightlings, and a few magicians."

Sebastian turned to Dorian, silently asking his question.

The wolf nodded. "They captured our group while we were traveling to Vashara." He cut his crimson eyes to Jocasta. "And we didn't hit your post. It was self-defense after you captured half our group."

"Semantics," Jocasta said dismissively. "Anyways, I've got a vague sense of what's going on with your people," she continued. "I've instructed my hunters to stay out of the way. Eventually, you magicians will tear yourselves apart, leaving us to pick up the pieces. You're practically doing our job for us."

"This war won't stop if our side loses."

"Excuse me?"

Sebastian laughed, almost surprised at her ignorance. Then he remembered she was an Ordinaire—even the Arkangels didn't fully know what was going on in the shadows of their world.

"The Order of the Black Lotus won't simply stop after the Eldenarian Council is toppled," he explained. "They'll come after you. Your people. Once they take you down, they'll go after the whole world."

Jocasta pursed her lips. "Order of the Black Lotus?"

He facepalmed. "They're a group of very dangerous dark magicians who have been collecting the Eldenarian Artifacts for the past decade. They've already got five out of the seven."

Her expression hardened.

"Not to mention the undead army," Imogen said under her breath.

Jocasta shifted in her seat. Worry lines set in along her pale skin. "Surely this is some kind of ploy—"

"I didn't even want to come to you," Sebastian told her. "But we need your help, as much as I hate the Arkangels. If my father manages to defeat us, he won't stop until every Ordinaire on the planet has been exterminated."

"Your father?"

"Nevermind that." He rolled his eyes. "What's important is us striking an alliance to take them down. If we want any shot at defeating them, we'll have to work together."

"An alliance, eh?" Jocasta rubbed her chin. "What makes you think my people will want to work with yours? You do know that we're natural enemies, right?"

"But we don't have to be," Imogen told her. "After you help us win this war, the fighting between magicians and hunters can end."

The woman snorted. "Wishful thinking. The Arkangels and magicians have been at war for centuries." She squinted at the girl. "I can see why your father kept you away from us. You're too much like your mother."

She grimaced. "Don't speak about her. Especially after what you did."

"What I did?" Jocasta feigned ignorance. "Don't blame me! Blame your father. We told him not to get involved with a magician. His stupidity and stubbornness got that woman killed."

Imogen stomped up to her desk, her hand gripping the hilt of her dagger. With her jaw clenched, she pointed threateningly at Jocasta. "I won't tell you again."

Imogen..." Sebastian warned.

She nodded and dropped her hand.

The woman held her hands up innocently. "Alright, calm down." Her face softened. "If it helps any, it wasn't our intention to kill her. Not really. Had your father not defected from the group, we would've never had to go after you and your mother."

"Defected?"

Sebastian gave the woman a confused glance. "You had a hunter defect?"

He had been under the impression Arkangels were bound to their coalition for life, similar to how Shades were obligated to serve the Order of the Black Lotus until their deaths. Glancing at Imogen, he could see her forehead creased and her eyes slightly crossed as she tried to work through what Jocasta said about her father.

"Unfortunately, yes," she answered. "It doesn't happen often. Matter of fact, Jason is the only hunter I've had the displeasure of witnessing leave the group of his own accord. He was quite a high-ranking Arkangel as well. Once he ran off with that woman after he got her pregnant, we couldn't allow the risk of him giving away our secrets to other magicians. Our safety comes first. I'm sure you can understand."

Sebastian nodded.

He did. His father would have done the same. In fact, the man already had.

Imogen, on the other hand, didn't look impressed with the woman's explanation.

"Look, are you going to help us or not?" she asked, her words soaked with annoyance. "We're wasting time that could be spent fortifying our defenses."

Jocasta took a moment before responding. She peered at the three people before her with her calculating eyes.

"It was very brave of you to come here," she finally said. "Very brave. I commend you for your courage. I'm not sure how many people would've walked right into the lair of their enemy, fully knowing the consequences of that action."

Sebastian arched an eyebrow at her. He didn't like where she was going with that.

"Alright," the woman continued. "I'll make you a deal."

"A deal?" He shook his head. "No, we need a confirmation."

"Seeing as I don't fully trust you," Jocasta said, "I'll need something from you first. After all, you're coming to me for help. Not the other way around."

Sebastian threw his hands up. "The world is literally in the balance and you're being petty!"

"I'm not being petty! Just...safe." The woman rose from her chair. A smile grew along her lips. The trio all frowned at her simultaneously.

"Like I said earlier," Dorian began, "I've got a bad feeling about this."

"Yeah, yeah," Sebastian grumbled.

Jocasta clapped her hands together. "My hunters have been dealing with a...situation nearby. A pesky, little creature that has been terrorizing the wildlife in the area. Quite frankly, it's not only disturbing the ecosystem, but it's also disturbing the peace. We haven't been able to figure out how to get the best of it; our weapons are quite useless."

"What are you asking us to do?" Imogen inquired, her tone uncertain.

"And what kind of creature are we talking about?" Dorian asked.

"You'll find out soon enough," Jocasta answered. "If you take care of this problem for us, we can further discuss an alliance between our groups to combat this threat you speak of."

Sebastian blanched. He faced his companions, who each look equally apprehensive about their task.

"So?" Jocasta said. "Do we have a deal?"

Imogen shrugged. Dorian did the same. Both of them looked to Sebastian for guidance.

"Why're you looking at me?"

"I dunno," Dorian replied. "I'm obviously not in charge here." He gestured at Imogen with his head. "And I doubt she is either."

She scoffed at him.

Nodding, Sebastian realized the werewolf was right. He was in charge of their mission.

If this was the only way to secure the Arkangel's help, then so be it. Besides, the creature in question couldn't have been too difficult to handle. It was probably a gryphon or a gargoyle messing with the local fauna.

Exhaling, he faced Jocasta. He extended a hand toward her. She took it with a grin.

"Deal."