Chapter 357
Kaelos’ POV
“Finally, you’re here.” Janelle clasped her hands with a relieved sigh when Caroline stepped into my office with Regina leading the way. “We can begin now, right?”
I sat on my seat, my hands poised on the armrests. Odessa stood behind me with her right hand gripping the back of the seat.
As for Luna Queen Janelle and Alpha King Thorian, they both sat in front of my desk, swerving their heads back to stare at the door.
“Wait a minute.” Thorian’s clipped British accent cut through when Regina shut the door behind her and Caroline. “Isn’t that one of Ryker’s minions? What’s she doing here?”
A sigh left my lips as I glanced at Odessa who was quick to play mediator as always. “She’s here to help, Alpha King.”
“Pftt. Help us get killed?” Thorian sneered, standing up.
He turned around to face Regina who stood behind Caroline, a nervous glint in her eyes.
“Honey, that’s enough.” Janelle grabbed her husband’s arm, forcing him to turn his head to her. “Caroline and Odessa can vouch for trusting her. She’s our only shot at finding Ryker’s hideout.”
’Trust would be a stretch Odessa whispered in my mind just then, causing my lips to twitch for a moment.
“Who the hell is Caroline?” Thorian furrowed his brows with confusion, his eyes fleeting through all our faces. Updates are released by ~net
I spoke up this time. “Odessa’s maid, killed by Marcellus. She’s back as a ghost but she can only be seen by magic wielders and silverborns like me and your wife.”
Thorian blinked while the silence in the room stretched thick.
I glanced at Caroline who had her eyes on Regina throughout this ordeal.
Eventually, Thorian gave up, sighing and dropping to his seat. “Let’s just get this over with.”
I nodded in agreement, giving Regina a wave to begin. “Caroline tells us you might have a clue on where Ryker’s base is.”
Regina glanced at Caroline one last time before clearing her throat. She stepped forward with her arms in front of her, her chin raised confidently.
“Yes. I do.” She began. “It’s in Canada, just like the one he took the Vein b
She stopped herself before she could finish that sentence, her black eyes going from Odessa to me.
Then her lips curled into a small smile. “Pardon. I meant Luna Queen Odessa. Ryker’s main hideout is located beneath Mount Logan.”
My brows arched. “I guess he didn’t put much thought into making his main base far away from the last one.”
However, Regina shook her head. “He didn’t make his base there coincidentally. There’s a reason behind it. One that could prove to be his final key in winning this battle.”
My jaw tensed. The air in the room suddenly felt suffocating as all eyes remained glued on the artificial hybrid.
After a few more seconds of silence, Regina continued. “Mount Logan sits at the very heart of the Vein. That region breathes with more chaotic magic from the Vein than anywhere else in the continent.”
A cold shiver crawled down my spine.
I hated how anything Ryker did seemed to strike this odd feeling of fear in me… But I just couldn’t help it. And this was the pinnacle.
“Even a blind man would be able to see he’s planning something.” Janelle blurted just then. “But what?”
All eyes went to Regina again but this time, she shook her head with a defeated sigh. “He never shared much on why he chose that mountain. But the Vein energy there is so powerful that the very foundations of space and time are fragile.”
“Could he getting ready for some kind of ritual?” Thorian thought out loud but it was clear everyone was clueless.
Or so we thought.
“The heart of the Vein.” Odessa muttered, her voice dripping with dread.
I glanced at her as she stepped away from my seat and walked forward, standing in front of the desk. Her violet eyes locked on me.
“What if he plans to unleash the Vein on to the continent?” She asked grimly. “He’s always talked about wanting to bring change. What if that change involves total transformation?”
My fists clenched.
Janelle spoke urgently. “Releasing all the energy from the Vein will be apocalyptic. We aren’t only looking at North America getting tainted. The whole world could collapse… And Ryker will be the one holding the paintbrush.”
Caroline spoke up. “C–Can he really do that without Odessa?”
Odessa whipped her head to her. “What if this is a trap? What if he knows Regina will tell us his location and we’ll be forced to come to him? That way he can… Capture me and use me to complete whatever it is he plans to do.”
It was a lot of “what ifs” flying around and little final decisions being made.
I guess that’s where I’ll come in.
“There’s a simple solution to this.” I got on my feet, watching as they all turned their gazes to me.
Odessa stared at me with curiosity, but there was also hesitation. Like she already knew she wouldn’t like whatever I was about to say next.
“We can all agree that whatever Ryker has coming will be disastrous.” I continued, my tone firm. “We can also agree that we can’t let him get his hands on Odessa again. With all this in mind
I folded my arms in front of my chest. “We’ll plan an attack on this base with all our troops and allies involved. But Odessa will not—”
“You better not say anything about me not following.” She snapped before I could finish, her voice sharper than a blade. “I’m not going to be complacent.”
My chest was heavy but I persisted. “We have no other choice, my love. I—”
“Yes, we do.” She waltzed to me, standing only inches away when she got to me. “I’ll be kept hidden. Maybe… Maybe follow behind one of the—”
“I imagine Ryker will sniff you out the second you step foot in his domain.” Janelle chimed just then. “No offence, but you’re the Vein Born. And if Ryker is so in tune with the very heart of the Vein, there’s no way he’s not sensing you.”
Odessa gawked at Janelle speechlessly, but I could decipher the look in her eyes.
She knew we were right.
“Odessa.” I moved closer, placing my hands on her shoulders.
Her head lowered but she slowly raised it, staring into my eyes.
My face brightened as I continued. “I promised myself I won’t let you fall into Ryker’s claws again. And I’ll stick to that promise.”
I could feel Regina staring at us intently but I didn’t pay any attention to her.
Odessa’s lashes fluttered, her eyes getting wet at the edges. But she didn’t let herself break.
Instead, she spoke with a shaky voice. “If… If you guys go and I feel like anything is wrong for one second, I’ll be opening a portal.”
My smile widened. “Acceptable. I’ll be fine.”
Before anything warmer could happen between us, Thorian cleared his throat.
“Touching and all… But we still need a layout of this base. Entrances, back doors and the likes.”
My eyes flicked to Regina who was quick to speak. “I’ll give all the explanations so we can make a rough map.”
“Perfect.” Odessa turned to face her, tilting her head slightly. “And when you all see Ryker, please… Give him my warmest regards.”
The iciness in her voice made it clear what she meant.
And I was more than ready to burn that traitorous half-brother of mine.