Chapter 179: Stolen Away

Helena took a moment to look over her gathered officer. Target sat, ready as always. The others were in various states of readiness, some relaxed and others coiled like a spring.

The vehicle swayed as they moved closer to their target. The gathered officers all wore nondescript dark clothing which allowed them to blend with the night. Today's mission was very important to her so she had handpicked the most loyal of her peacekeepers.

"Officers." Helena spoke and in an instant, all eyes were on her. "The mission is simple. We'll be attacking Griffin's sanctuary."

She could see the message sink in and the unease in their eyes at the prospect of attacking a Count's home territory. She hadn't informed them of the mission before now. She trusted her officers, but precautions were necessary to keep things secret.

"Fortunately, Griffin is not in the sanctuary and he has taken most of his forces along with him."

And with that, most of the tension in the vehicle eased. She allowed herself a small smile at that.

"Our target is a coven imprisoned in the lower levels of the sanctuary. Fortunately, we have information on the routes we can take and the level of resistance we can expect. This mission is already in our hands."

"However, that does not mean we should lower our guards. Griffin will try to use the resonant vitality to find us. So, in order to not leave an imprint on the vitality in the sanctuary, we would not be using our abilities. Understood?"

"Yes Captain!"

She gave them a sharp nod. "Very well."

As if on cue, the van stopped and the driver banged on the divider to signal that they've arrived at their destination.

The door was opened and she filed out with her officers, everyone's mask already on.

They were in the underground parking space of the hotel which was Griffin's sanctuary. After a look around to orient herself, she began leading the way. From this point on, there would be no conversation.

Helena navigated the parking lot, leading them to a door hidden at a dark corner. She raised a hand and her officers stopped, alert. With her hand she gave the signal.

Break. Quiet.

Two officers gave a sharp nod and stepped forward. They stood on either side of the door, placed their hands on it and gave a heavy push. With a muffled sound, the door and its frame jerked out of the wall.

The two officers hoisted the door and placed it leaning on one wall. Now, the road was clear.

Helena nodded to them and signaled everyone.

Two, with me. Two vanguards. Two rearguards. Vampires ahead.

In an instant, the formation was ready. They began moving.

At the next junction, it took her vanguard just a second to incapacitate the two guards silently. The guards had been guarding a thick door she knew her officers won't be able to break down.

Luckily, she knew how to get past this place. As she knocked in the pattern that served as a password to the guards on the other side, she had to wonder how Ezra got all this information. But right now, it didn't matter. She was close to getting the key she needed.

As the door opened, she lashed out, killing the guard who opened the door. Her officers dashed in, subduing the others.

When that was done, they entered the cells and retrieved the members of the Maguire covens. The vampires displayed signs of torture and had no drop of blood nor vitality within them. They were much closer to corpses than undead.

Securing their objectives, they retraced their path back to their van. After settling in, they banged the divider and the driver drove off.

After an hour of driving and taking circuitous routes, the van finally stopped. Helena stepped out with her officers, dragging the Maguires with them. This was where they would be teleporting from.

"Ahem." Someone cleared their throat and Helena spun around to see the Arbiter standing there.

"My lady." Helena gave a slight bow in order to hide her surprise. What was the bitch doing here? How did she get the location of this place?

Her officers fell to their knees in respect around her.

"Helena." The Arbiter stepped forward, walking slowly. "Let me be the first to say congratulations and extend my thanks for helping me retrieve my loyal agents."

Huh?! Helena blinked. The Maguires served the Arbiter? That was not possible. So, what was the Arbiter playing at?

"The Maguires have been loyal agents helping me look after my interests in Southside." The Arbiter smiled, a cold thing. "Unfortunately, Griffin got to them."

Helena watched the Arbiter silently with narrowed eyes.

"Since I am still an Arbiter and a neutral judicial official, I cannot act on my own accord and reveal my hand. Your timely rescue has helped me a lot."

"In light of this," the Arbiter smiled, "I will be taking them off your hands."

Helena began gritting her teeth to hide her anger.

So, that's how it is. The Arbiter had fabricated the excuse that the Maguires were her agents in order to steal them from her. "My lady?" She asked, her tone giving a warning signal.

"Don't worry. You'll be richly compensated for your efforts." The Arbiter ignored the signal, waving airily. "And with that, I'll be taking them off your hands."

Without waiting for a response, the Arbiter stepped forward, and tapped the Maguires one after the other, each one disappearing with a tap. Probably hidden in the Arbiter's pocket dimension.

"Keep up the good work, Helena." With that, the Arbiter disappeared.

With the Arbiter gone, Helena let her rage loose. She roared her fury into the sky. Her officers stayed in their kneeling position, none of them daring to raise their heads.

The Arbiter had stolen the key from her. Her key to the Ascension well. This was not the end of it. She'll get that key one way or another.

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