Chapter 201: Making Preparations

Helena stood there with gritted teeth as the Countess made her proclamation.If she had no other choice, she wouldn't be here right now. Yuri was currently the only way to get what she wanted. The moment she found another way, she'll cut herself off from the woman's plans.

Yuri paused, turning back to look at the assembled vampires.

"Before we continue, I would like to introduce you all to the head of my first coven." She raised her voice slightly. "Enter." Searᴄh the Novёlƒire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

The door opened and a man strode inside.

He was tall and had a broad frame. He was as handsome as every other vampire and had a square jaw. He wore a necklace that projected a transparent barrier in front of him, dispersing the light of the sun and shrouded him in the darkness that came from a lack of light.

He grinned vindictively at Helena as he walked in. He stopped a few feet away from the throne, bowing deeply.

"I am honored by your grace, my lady." He spoke, his deep voice rumbling in the room.

"Welcome, Thor Odinson."

Ezra's eyes rose on his forehead. Wasn't this the third coven that was in the Silent Hand? The one Helena had taken care of herself?

Had Thor been Yuri's person from the beginning or had Yuri claimed him later in her need for subjects.

Wait a minute. Hadn't the Odinson coven been chased out of the city?

"Thor will be joining the meeting as the representative of the Odinson coven just as Ezra is the representative of the Mattens."

"In light of that," she turned to Helena, "return every one of his assets back to him, Helena."

Helena stood there, watching Yuri coldly.

"Do you understand?"

After a moment, Helena answered. "Yes. I do."

"Good." Yuri nodded. "First City is now in the state of calm that comes before the storm. With Itachi watching the city like a hawk, no one is willing to make the first move but the moment he looks away, all will begin."

"Be alert." She commanded. "Be watchful. Alliances are being made in the shadows right now. Make alliances of your own and stand strong. A war is on our doorstep."

"Yes, my lady." They all echoed.

"Captain Helena, you have a report to make, don't you?"

Helena stood, staring at Yuri. "Yes, I do."

"In the last few days, there have been an increase in the amount of missing people reports in Westside. Normally, this would not raise any eyebrows. However, one of my peacekeepers has also gone missing, indicating the possibility of this being the work of a vampire."

Yuri leaned back in her seat in thought. "Does this missing vampire have any information that could impact your organization negatively?"

"No." Helena answered. "The missing vampire isn't one of my right hands."

"That's good." Yuri said. "Look into the disappearances. It could either be a vampire from this city or one from outside."

"If it's one from outside, find out every single thing about who he is and what he can do. See if we can sway whoever it is to our side. We must be prepared for every eventuality."

Helena nodded. She knew Yuri couldn't afford to be picky with who fought with her. Of course, Helena would be reaching out to this individual for her own purposes too.

Her eyes flicked to Ezra. She knew what she saw at the Ascension well and will do her best to get to the bottom of it.

"I want you all to be prepared. The storm will begin at any moment." Yuri said. "Dismissed."

Lady Amara gave a small bow and after receiving a nod, teleported from the shadow of the pillar in which she stood.

Ezra and Thor gave slight bows of their own before leaving through the door.

Helena stood, watching and waiting. When the door finally shut behind the two vampires, Yuri spoke.

"Helena." She sighed. "Why? Why did you go that far?"

Helena watched her coldly from where she stood. "And what was I supposed to do? Wait and watch?"

"You could've trusted me." Yuri answered. "However, the time for trust is long passed. You want Westside, don't you?"

Helena stood there, not saying anything in response.

"Fight with me and I'll make sure Westside is yours." Yuri leaned forward, baring her teeth. "Betray me once more and I'll make sure to tear your heart out and crush it in my hands."

Helena nodded. All she wanted was the county. The moment it was hers, there would be a reckoning.

And she would crush Yuri into the ground with her peacekeepers on her side.

Just you watch, bitch. I'll drag you kicking and screaming from that throne with my own hands.

**********

Natalia sat on the familiar wooden throne in the same room.

But this time, there were two things missing.

First was Griffin. Her sweet Griffin who should be the one sitting on the throne and not her.

Her heart aches constantly at his absence. What she wouldn't do to have him alive before her.

Her mind went to the things she would do to Ezra when she gets her hands on him. No matter how much she fantasized, it always seemed as too little suffering compared to what she was going through.

The second thing missing from the room was X, the betrayer. Her hands clenched on the arm rest of the throne at the thought of the vampire running around with Griffin's face.

The door to the room opened and one of her sister-wives walked in, still dressed in her dark mourning dress just like she was.

"He's here, Natalia."

"Good." Natalia nodded, feeling her vitality stir slightly. She didn't dare hope but this could be it. The way to get Griffin back to her. "Send him in."

Her sister-wife nodded and left the room.

In a minute, the man entered, followed by a vampire in the customary white uniform of the peacekeepers. The peacekeeper was pristine except for an empty hole where her heart should be.

Natalia almost stood from her throne but forced herself to sit.

The man had brought a dead vampire back to life!

"My lady." The man swept into a bow, his cloak hiding his features from view.

"Welcome," Natalia said, "Necromancer."