A hand gently tapped her shoulder, and Rosa’s eyes snapped open to see the motor way had been replaced with the HQ’s car park. Thankfully the sleep that had eluded her this morning returned in full force on their drive home. Refreshed, Rosa gave her body a big stretch and followed Louie out the car.

The air was surprisingly warm, well at least compared to where they just were. Rosa wondered if it was a result of the runes that coated the walls of the car park. She glanced around detecting the dozens of runes carved into stone and bark. It was strange before today she’d never noticed them but now it as if her vision had awakened, in fact it was like she could almost sense them, knowing where they were before her eyes did. She’d have to see if she could now spot any at Louie’s house.

Together they made their way inside the HQ and instantly Rosa felt that something was off. Everyone seemed … excited, ecstatic even. Confused, Rosa glanced up at Louie for answers but from his creased expression she quickly gathered he was just as baffled as her.

“Lyn!” Louie called out as they wandered across the lobby. The black-haired officer turned to them, a wide grin glued to her face. “What’s happening?” Louie questioned, glancing around the lobby his confusion at everyone’s joy almost turning to disturbance. Rosa held back a chuckle at his expression, it was as if he thought everyone had been possessed.

Wait … had they? Rosa felt her body tense slightly. Are demons and spirits real?

“Zack’s here” Lyn told them happily, “the commander’s office”.

Louie eyes went wide, and for first time Rosa witnessed shock take over him. It looked strange. Instantly Louie darted off down the long hall toward Ruthor’s office, forcing Rosa into a run to keep up.

“Wait up” Rosa muttered, as she reached his side. She still had to maintain a slight jog to keep up. “Who’s Zack?” she asked.

“Zack Griffin” Louie said, his pace not slowing down for a moment, “he’s an old friend”.

‘Zack Griffin. Is that the name Sam mentioned?’ Rosa wondered, ‘the living legend’.

They reached Ruthor’s office and Louie went straight in, not bothering to knock. Rosa slid in behind him, instantly seeing the commander, her sister, Audrey and even Sam, who was standing beside her own elder sister like a statue in her full officer uniform. Despite only being a day after the incident she looked significantly better, only a slight exhaustion lingering behind her eyes. She glanced at Rosa as she entered flashing her a quick smile before returning to a statue. Rosa noticed everyone’s attention was focused on the corner of the room. She turned to see a stranger.

‘So that’s Zack Griffin’.

Standing against the wall was, a man in a black uniform not to different from the officer’s except slightly grander and more decorated. His face quickly gripped her attention. He was a handsome man, who like Louie looked to be in his early twenties. Messy, thick strands of hair sat on his head, a bright blonde that burned like the sun. However, what captured her vision the most was his eyes. They were beautiful … angelic. Two orbs of glowing gold that radiated warmth and power. They were the complete opposite of Louie’s fear striking, cold blue.

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Louie strolled across the room and a smile formed on Zack’s face as he left the wall. The two hunters clasped their hands together and pulled each other into a small embrace. It resembled a bond between brothers.

Zack was slightly taller and broader than Louie and his frame possessed a touch more bulk than Louie’s more athletic build.

“How long’s it been?” Zack asked, his voice was light and friendly.

“Four years” Louie replied.

Zack’s eyes widened and he chuckled in what Rosa could only imagine was disbelief. “Hell, I hadn’t realised it had been that long”.

Louie shrugged. “We’ve all been busy”.

“Speaking of busy, I’ve been filled in. You went to see the covenant?” Zack asked.

Louie nodded.

“What did they say?”. Audrey joined the conversation wandering closer.

As her sister left her side, Rosa noticed Sam slowly shuffle towards her. There was now a sparkle in her eyes, Rosa guessed she was thrilled being in the same room as her two heroes.

“They gave me the name” Louie announced, “but I’ll warn you now. Its name is cursed, it knows whoever speaks its title”.

“What is it?” Emma questioned.

“Valdosk” Louie informed.

“Valdosk” Ruthor instantly repeated, catching Rosa off guard.

“Valdosk” Emma said.

“Valdosk” Audrey repeated.

Zack grinned and let out a laugh. “Valdosk” he said, his smile not fading.

A unified front Rosa realised, if the vampire lord wished to butcher them he’d have to slaughter them all. Rosa was almost tempted to join in, but the recent memories of the covenant’s fear and Louie’s warning stopped her in her tracks.

“I’ll have the search begin immediately and orders stated for no one to mention its name outside us five” Ruthor announced, “I predict it’ll go into hiding now it knows the hunt has begun. Hopefully that should reduce the number of casualties we’ve been suffering”.

“And if it rampages?” Emma asked.

“We kill the bastard where it stands” Ruthor stated his eyes locked onto Louie and Zack. They nodded in unison.

“I’ve already told Rosa, but not even you speak that name” Louie said his eyes locked onto Sam. She quickly nodded.

“My sister’s not stupid” Audrey glared at Louie.

“No, but she is brave. And like any hunter has no issue putting her life on the line for the sake of the hunt” Louie replied and Rosa could’ve sworn Sam blushed.

“So what if she said its name” Zack smiled, “Sam could take the vampire”.

There was no mistaking Sam’s red cheeks this time. Zack’s eyes suddenly locked onto Rosa.

“So I take it your James’s daughter, Rosa” Zack stated holding out his hand.

Rosa nodded while offering out her own.

“Zack Griffin. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you”.

“Nice to meet you too” Rosa managed to get out, “I’ve heard great things about you”.

He turned to Louie, “You’ve been talking about me?” he asked stunned.

“No” Louie responded, his tone suggesting it was one of the most ridiculous things he’d ever heard. Zack turned back towards Rosa and instantly she was forced to look away from those eyes. This time it was her who blushed. It was strange, they held both beauty and power simultaneously.

“Stop it” Louie said.

“What?” Zack asked innocently.

“You know what” Louie growled and Audrey laughed. Someone flicked the back of Rosa’s head snapping her out her trance. She turned to see Emma grinning, instantly Rosa’s head sunk embarrassed.

“I hate to ruin this reunion, but while were all together there is a second matter we must discuss” Ruthor stated gruffly. Everyone turned to him confused. The commander’s usual stone eyes turned empathetic and fell upon Rosa and Emma.

“A date has been declared for your parent’s funeral. We travel to Mors Ostium in two weeks”.