Chapter 159: Don't Help The Enemy

Ezra frowned, a chill running down his spine. "The Ascension Well? I still don't know what it is but I' assuming that's bad news."

X's voice lowered, filled with urgency. "The Ascension Well is incredibly powerful, Ezra. Do you know what it's for?"

"I would know if a certain someone had told me when I asked."

"Listen well, Ezra Matten. The well is used to elevate a vampire from the fourth ring to the fifth ring without the need for excessive vitality. It's a shortcut to immense power."

Ezra's eyes widened, the implications of X's words sinking in. "So, if Olivia used this well..." He trailed off.

"Instant fifth ring vampire. X whispered. "A foot in the big leagues."

Ezra was silent, digesting the information.

"Griffin doesn't need it for himself." X continued. "He who controls the Ascension well, controls the divide between mortality and godhood. He chooses who ascends and who doesn't." S~eaʀᴄh the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"That's why he wants Blackthorne alive." Ezra realized. "Wait a minute. Why would he be searching for it? Isn't he a count? Doesn't he already know where it is?"

"He did." X turned away to look around the office. "But someone moved it. So when he heard that someone in the Silent Hand knew of its location, he decided to capture them, instead."

Ezra tapped his fingers on the table as he thought. "And by capturing the Blackthorne, we're helping him get what he needs to consolidate his power further."

"Exactly," X confirmed. "If Griffin gains control of the well, he could also create more fifth-ring vampires loyal to him, tipping the balance of power decisively in his favor."

Ezra leaned back, his mind racing. This well had to be what Helena was also banking on. Either Helena knew where it was or she was close.

"What exactly is this well?" Ezra asked.

"I don't know." X answered honestly. "All I know is that the well is in Southside and is actually drinkable like a well."

"A well of blood?" Ezra asked.

"I don't think so." X answered. "Going off of the way Griffin speaks of it, I think it's something that humans won't think twice about. Something that looks normal but isn't. Something like actual water."

There was silence in the room.

X leaned forward, his masked face unreadable. "I don't want Griffin to have that kind of power. He's already dangerous enough. If he controls the Ascension Well, no one will be able to stand against him."

Ezra considered X's words carefully. "So, you want us to get to the well before Griffin does?"

"Yes." X nodded. "I need you to find the well and secure it. If you control it, you can prevent Griffin from using it to his advantage. You could also use it to strengthen your own position."

Ezra's thoughts churned with the new information. The Ascension Well could be the key to tipping the scales in their favor, but it was a double-edged sword.

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If they could get Olivia to drink from the well, they'll have half a weapon against Helena and Griffin.

"This changes everything," he muttered. "We need to rethink our strategy."

X stepped back, his voice steady. "You need to act fast. Griffin's already moving to capture the Blackthorne coven. We don't have much time."

Ezra sat back in his chair, thinking through his options.

The room was still, the only sound the quiet hum of the city below as he mulled over his next steps.

Before he could fully formulate a plan, X spoke.

"Ezra," X began, his voice urgent, "Griffin will stop at nothing to get his hands on the Blackthorne coven. You must reach them first."

"And do what?" Ezra asked. "I can't kill them. Even I need the well."

"Why not offer them a deal?" X suggested. "Or even blackmail them? Anything is better thn nothing. You're in the position of power here."

"Meet them discreetly," X urged. "Offer them protection until them new Count comes into power. In return, they must give you the location of the Ascension Well."

Ezra leaned forward, his eyes locked onto X. "And how do you propose we do this without alerting Griffin? You know he's watching our every move."

X's voice lowered, filled with a sense of urgency and desperation. "Why are you acting like you don't already have ways to bypass his watching eyes? You don't trust me?"

"No, I don't." Ezra answered simply.

"Fair." X shrugged. "Either way, you can use trusted intermediaries to set up the meeting."

Ezra's mind immediately went to Lady Amara. This wasn't how what he imagined he'll use the first favor on.

"Ensure that only those you absolutely trust are involved." X was speaking. "This has to be off the radar."

Ezra's raised a hand to cut X off. "Alright. I'll reach out to my most discreet contacts. We'll arrange a secure location for the meeting. Don't worry about this. Go do whatever it is you do when you're not here."

X was silent, his gaze intense. "Understand this, Ezra. I do all this not for you but for myself. Don't be mistakened. I just want Griffin gone as much as you do.

The room was silent as the two men stared hard at each other.

Finally, X broke eye contact.

"The Blackthorne coven is desperate." X spoke. "I'll leak information to them that Griffin wants them alive, but not for their benefit. That way, they'll be looking for any lifeline they can grab."

He turned to look at Ezra again. "Use that desperation. Offer them sanctuary and safety in exchange for the information."

Ezra waved dismissively. "Don't worry. I'll take care of it."

X nodded, stepping back. "Good. Time is of the essence. The longer we wait, the closer Griffin gets to what he wants."

Ezra nodded sharply, hesitated, then called out to X. "Thank you for the warning, X. We'll take it from here."

X's form falshed, and he vanished as abruptly as he had appeared.

Ezra was left alone in his office, thinking on the current situation.

The Ascension Well was a game-changer, and he couldn't afford to let it fall into Griffin's hands.

Ezra reached for his phone, ready to summon Olivia.

They had a new mission. To find and secure the Ascension Well before Griffin could.