The smoke that puffed out of his mouth cleared and his face was visible behind the stick of cigarette he had in his mouth. He removed his hat and placed it on his office table, sitting up to look at the boy they brought in. He had light brown hair and took his father's green eyes. How Zeidan had been stupid enough to believe this was his child still amused him. Luana stood behind him, arms folded and Reyns sat down on a chair across the room, ruminating on what to do.

"We must let him suffer." Reyns blurted out after a moment of silence.

"This is stupid." Shelbrooke spat, crushing the cigarette and dumping it in the ashtray. 

"Why?" Luana asked.

"Why didn't you kidnap Lyne's daughter instead of him?" He asked, looking from his man to Luana who rolled her eyes.

"Lyne."

"Yes, Lyne." Reyns chipped in.

"She is one hell of a trouble and I'm not ready to fall into one of her..."

"To hell with you both!" Shelbrooke thundered, standing up from his chair.

"To hell with you and your lackadaisical plans. I'm tired of playing games. I'm tired of sitting down, doing nothing when the Onyx is still there."

"So, you wanna get it with force?" Luana asked.

"I will if I can."

"But you can't." She said, lips grim.

"Yet." He tilted his head. "I will make sure I find a way."

"According to history, you will have to see the originator of the Onyx before you can change anything about it. It was easy to pass the Onyx from the ancient Vampires to the Surface Vampires because the originator wanted it to be used for something good. Turns out the King of Vampire City then was good and so he benefited from it. If you want to take it forcefully, find an ancient Vampire."

Shelbrooke huffed and then burst into laughter, filling the room with his loud voice. "Did you hear that?!" He laughed again.

"Meet the ancient Vampires." He kept laughing while Luana grabbed Gabe's hands and pulled him to the entrance.

"You know what? Do you think you can fight this alone? Go on. Raise an army and attack Vampire City. I won't be there to console you, mind you."

With that, she took Gabe out of the room and went out into the vast night.

"I think she is right," Reyns spoke up.

"Of course she is. She is the mother of your child after all." He mocked, picking a pen and twirling it between his fingers.

"No, not that. It's just...we are indeed tired of waiting. I mean, look at the Werecats. Most of them are tired of waiting. We have spent thousands of money on resources to fight and even wasted lives that we don't even care about the welfare of the people. They are weary in heart and they need to be listed too."

Reyns said, sitting up.

Shelbrooke stopped swirling the pen and he dropped it, standing up to go sit beside Reyns.

"Boy, I don't care. I've been waiting for years and I'm also weary. It won't hurt if they try it too. But this time, I'm striking. Enough of these games. You all have to find a way to return Gabe to Vampire City. That's where he belongs."

"Gabe belongs to me!" Reyns snapped at him and his eyes narrowed. 

"Really? How much do you love him?" 

"One hundred percent."

"Then do as I say and return him. We are going by our previous plan. Nothing is changing."

"Gabe can't survive alone in that city. When the war breaks out..."

"He will be safe."

"How do you know?"

"Because I have eyes and feet." As the sun diminished totally in the sky, bringing on the darkness of night, Reyns could see his eyes glimmer with evil thoughts.

Shelbrooke always had evil thoughts. But who are the eyes and feet? Hadn't Chloe died from a certain ninja she used to work with? Who else was in the palace?

★★★★★★★★★★

The chilly breeze bit Lyne's skin as she stood in the middle of the field, shouting Gabe's name, hoping for him to show up but he never did. She was tempted to shift into her furry self for warmth's sake. The stars were coming out in the sky and her heart was in her mouth as she looked around for Gabe. 

She had been in the room when Zeidan rushed in announcing Gabe was missing. She had sprung up from the bed, extremely worried for the boy but mostly because she knew Aurora was previously with him. Before she learned that Aurora was safe in the hands of Amber. Immediately, she grabbed a cloak and a gown and set to go outside. 

It's been an hour since they began looking for him and search parties were organized to go out to look for him. Many Vampires refused to join in the search because he was Luana's son. Some even went as far as hoping he'll never be found. She swallowed as she unmounted her horse and went on feet to the narrow pathway that seemed dark. She could hear the branches rustling and she moved near it, hoping it was Gabe who had somehow been caught there. For a while, the rustling became intense and she kept looking until something jumped out and she felt someone roll her over, away from whatever jumped out. Turns out, it was a black figure.

Lyne stood up, breathless and the one who had saved her life was Zeidan. Looking deeply at the person with the black cloak that wasn't facing them, she wondered who it may be. The one who had kidnapped Gabe?

"Who are you?"

She asked but he or she was silent. Zeidan came closer.

"What are you doing here? You better speak or you will be executed for either trespassing or other crimes. It's an order."

He thundered but the person remained on the spot and she shared a look with Zeidan. What could be happening?

"Hello?"

Finally, he turned, removing the cloth concealing his face, his eyes filled with tears. 

"Dean?"

He nodded, sniffling in the process.

"Yes, your Highness."

"What are you doing here? I thought Dad took you all away."

"You know him?" Zeidan asked behind her and she nodded.

"Used to be one of the soldiers my Father gave to you. He is Hudson's brother."

"Oh. I'm sorry."

"Sorry can't solve this. I bet I had been too late because I had vowed to kill Luana's son. But she has probably taken him away."

Lyne shook her head.

"I don't understand. You want to take revenge?"

"I want to destroy Luana."

"Well, this isn't the way to go about it." Zeidan calmed.

"Then, what is the way?!" He yelled.

"Arresting her and attaining justice." He replied while her heart fell at the way he looked. He had made up his mind. She could see his hand holding on to the sword tightly.

"No. You lot didn't think about justice when you were getting married!" 

"I didn't marry Luana. She simply gave me a child."

Dean laughed as if mocking him. "Indeed. Gave you a child. And you believe the child is yours?"

"Then whose child is it?"

Dean moved closer, drawing his sword. "By the time I kill him, you will see the real father." And he ran into the darkness again.