The trip to the settlement was quicker than Enid expected. The pack was joined by several women. All spirit born. Not a single man appeared. Enid was exhausted but the realization shocked her awake. Matilda tugged on her arm, Enid lifted it and the girl curled up on her lap. Head on her mother’s chest and was soon deep asleep.

“Nights-Whisper, where are the men?”

The older woman’s face darkened and she shifted her in place uncomfortably. She looked at the fire for a few moments then her wise old brown eyes looked at Enid again.

“We were attacked months ago. All the wolf-born males who survived were taken. The spirit-born men were taken but killed later. We were not sure for what purpose this was done.”

Enid frowned and nodded.

“Who attacked you?”

“Swarms of tainted ones, vampires, she-demons. One in particular was able to make her claws silver. She was bigger than the rest.”

Hazel growled. Enid glanced at her with a quirked eyebrow then turned back to Nights-Whisper.

“Some of the vampires were attacking a nearby human village. My pack went to defend it, the men stayed here to protect our people. We found the dead spirit-born on the way back. Tried to track our attackers but lost the trail. What you see here is who was left alive.”

“I am sorry Nights-Whisper. I am afraid this is all related and I should have been here sooner.”

“What matters is you are here now Slays-Demons. Though what an exhausted mortal, human child, barely named child and a newling godling are going to do against an endless tide of corruption I know not.”

“This form is temporary.”

“You are strange Slays-Demons. The spirits speak as if you birthed them from your own womb. That you have slain countless demons. Destroyed fallen ones. Defeated the great betrayer. They say you are a favored servant of the all-seeing one. Yet all I see and smell before me is a mortal.”

Enid nodded.

“And that is also what our enemies see when they look on me, then when its too late they realize their mistake. Do you know where they are based out of?”

“We have tracked them down. They are near Florence. A massive, fortified building of stone. Hundreds of vampires and demons. That is where our men are. They are still alive. We sent a spy inside, but she was captured. The fallen one keeps her chained to his throne. She was a godling who looks very similar to you, save a streak of grey in her hair. She looked older.”

Enid’s eyes went wide. Hazel who had been stewing in her wolf form and barely paying attention to the conversation looked at her mother and her ears perked up. Enid bit her lip gently she was starting to comprehend where the timeline went off the rails.

“Was her name Eyre per chance?”

“Why yes, yes she was, I would swear she was your mother if I didn’t know better.”

“You’re not wrong. She is my daughter. She wasn’t supposed to be here. She’s still young, barely got her fangs. What was she thinking?”

Enid shook her head.

“No, this is wrong. She shouldn’t be here. This is all wrong. There were never this many vampires in a single location. It’s a breach of all of our laws. The Seers should be all over this.”

“You seem to know more than we do.”

“I am, I was, I trained the vampire law enforcers. I was their chief. I’m not sure how this got past them.”

Enid shook her head.

“She cannot know I am here, or was here. If she somehow finds out just say I’m a double sent by her grandfather… or something. If she lives. If she doesn’t… you will not have to worry about the vampires because all that will be left of that place will be a crater.”

Hazel’s hand was on Enid’s shoulder suddenly. She looked up at her now human daughter.

“Mom, we know she doesn’t die here, this is probably where it happened. You know?”

Enid nodded. Hazel looked still looked a bit off-kilter. Nights-Whisper noticed the interaction and raised an eyebrow.

“Raptors-Sorrow why do you have so much fear in your eyes?”

“My mother’s temper is something to be feared. She has killed cities worth of people at the hint one of her children has been harmed.”

It was Enid’s turn to look up at her daughter with a raised eyebrow. That was a half-truth at best. Not what she was really frightened of, she would need to figure out what was up. She hadn’t seen Hazel like this since just after the bumpy raid on Sir Roland’s keep. Nights-Whisper seemed to buy Hazel’s explanation. She wasn’t completely lying, she was probably quite frightened of what angelic Enid was capable of if her ire was raised. But that wasn’t what this was about. Nights-Whisper nodded.

“You speak the truth, but I do not understand how one teenage human could do such things?”

Hazel rubbed the back of her neck. Enid knew that was one of her many tells which honestly made her gift redundant when her daughter was lying.

“She takes this form because it can do the least harm. She fears her true power so much she forces herself to be human to avoid tragedy. Like one of us refusing the wolf its due. Her true form is both majestic and terrible. She has within her the power of all the stars in the sky.”

Enid stared into the fire and stroked Matilda’s hair absently. The child had started to stir in her sleep. Nights-Whisper looked toward Enid.

“You chose weakness over strength because you fear yourself. I have seen wolf-born do this. It never ends well.”

Enid nodded slowly.

“You are Slays-Demons. The spirits tell us that from your womb all wolf-born and spirits were birthed. You are a warrior of legend. You are the first mother. You are stronger than this thing. If you were my pack-sister, I would tell you to enter the spirit realm and consult your patron. But for you I know not what to say because all spirits consider you, their patron. Your children believe in you. It is time you believe in yourself.”

Enid chuckled.

“You are right. I need an adult perspective.”

“You speak strangely, Slays-Demons.”

Enid shook her head.

“You know when you have children and they look at you like you have all the answers but you definitely don’t? You wish you could go ask your parents, or elders, but you’re so old…you’re the elder? That’s what I’m talking about.”

Nights-Whisper laughed.

“Ah, yes. Yes. Well, with respect, you need to be the Elder here, what do we do now Slays-Demons?”

“We need to deal with this as soon as possible. The longer it lasts the more damage is done. Your men are in there, my daughter is in there. We need to kill all of those vampires and demons then level the place.”

Enid glanced around.

“Is there anywhere for Matilda to sleep? We need to plan.”

Nights-Whisper waved to one of the spirit-born women who picked up Matilda and whisked her away to one of the homes. Enid rubbed her face, stood up and started pacing. No coffee meant she would just have to keep moving to stay awake.

“Now, vampires need blood to survive. That many vampires in one spot means they need a lot of blood. Florence is too close and to many attacks, disappearances would draw attention. The church would not ignore that, neither would my father. That means the Seers and Imperial council are not aware of them, that means they are keeping a very low profile. Relatively and they’re using some sort of magic to mask their depredations. They must be getting a steady supply from somewhere. I’m betting Muslim slaves. Trading in non-Christians is alright by under Church, therefore civil law. They must be working with slave-traders. Probably the Venetians, they were quite active in these parts. They had their fingers in a lot of pies… So that is my way in.”

Enid looked at Nights-Whisper.

“Do you have eyes on the keep?”

“Two per week, then we switch. Two spirit-born are watching it now.”

“Have you seen carts of people being hauled there?”

“Yes.”

“Do they have a regular schedule?”

“Yes, every fortnight.”

“Those would be the slaves, their food source.”

Nights-Whisper jumped up, hope entering her face for the first time.

“You are who the spirits say you are, your wisdom! We stop slay these slaves and slavers and we starve them out!”

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“Not quite. They probably have a good stock by now. If they’re not stupid, which they obviously aren’t, they won’t kill if they don’t have too. They could last a decade on six months of slaves. No, I will be using a slave caravan to get inside.”

Nights-Whisper frowned.

“I know I was trying to get you to believe in yourself but as you are, a mortal? A single mortal against a fallen one, countless tainted ones and demons? They will snap you like a twig and you would be shackled chained and imprisoned.”

Helen shook her head.

“No mother. I can’t let you do that. Let me go instead.”

Hazel frowned.

“I hate to agree with fang girl here but no, you’re not going in there alone. Nights-Whisper is right, what if you can’t get the angel out? No you’re too weak like this, too dangerous.”

Enid shook her head.

“That is exactly why it will work!”

“Mom they’ll id you right away.”

“Not if I’m using a holo-web. I can duplicate one of the slaves images take their place when I leave the cell I can use it to go invisible.”

Nights-whisper frowned.

“That still leaves you alone in a building full of powerful enemies.”

Enid patted her pack.

“You don’t know what I have in here, but trust me I can do a lot of damage.”

“Really mom? You have enough stuff in there to take out a castle full of things that are stronger and faster than you.”

Helen shook her head.

“If not, me then send Hazel. She can at least shift.”

Hazel shook her head.

“I am the same as mom, if they see me they’ll know who I am… I met the one with silver claws before.”

Enid looked at Hazel.

“What?”

“Its not a story for now mom.”

“Yea well it is a story for later! But no, I’m going in disguised as a slave. Don’t worry I have a plasma assault rifle trust me they will burn. Not to mention a lot of silver ammo for assault rifles. Silver nitrate explosives… I can take that keep down as a mortal. When is the next shipment of slaves due?”

One of the spirit-born scouts stepped forward.

“Two or three days.”

Enid frowned.

“Is it two, or is it three? This is the part where details are important my friends.”

The youngest wolf-born shifted.

“It is two days, Slays-Demons.”

“Then we have tonight to rest and plan our assault on the keep.”

Nights-whisper crossed her arms but nodded.

“As you say, you are the eldest among the true-named here. We will follow your lead.”

Enid sighed.

“Way to pass the buck old timer. Alright, we need a man on the inside. Or in this case a woman, me. We will attack the slave wagons as humans. They will ‘fend’ us off, in the chaos I will pick the lock to on of the cage-wagons and slip inside. They’ll take me right into the keep, once there I will locate the men. If any can be saved I will set about freeing them. I need to see inside to know where to breach the walls but I can make a big hole. I will do so once I locate Eyre and the men. While I am searching, I will plant charges. You don’t know what that means, translation. The keep will collapse in on itself once they go off. Once all of this is in place I’ll reveal my true face to the demon in charge. I guarantee that will distract him and all of the tainted ones. I will detonate the breaching charges at that point. While I’m doing all of this your team will be killing slave traders. They don’t get out of this unharmed. Then prepare for your attack on the keep.”

“How will we know when to attack the keep?”

Enid smiled at Nights-Whisper

“You’ll know, trust me.”

Hazel nodded.

“Mom never does anything small when she’s blowing things up.”

“I will ensure those I have freed are near enough that you can get them out easily. Once everyone is safe I will collapse the keep and hopefully make it out in one piece.”

“Mom what you hopefully?”

“The escaping part for me is pretty much a I’ll figure it out as I go plan.”

“That is a terrible plan mom.”

“Look, you know as well as I do the first rule of any operation is no plan survives first contact with the enemy. I don’t have a floor plan; I have no idea about internal security. Basically I’ll have to come up with most of this on the fly. Don’t worry I’ll figure it out. I’m really good at my job.”

“That is the problem mom, you are not expendable, you are the only one of us that isn’t expendable. Send a spirit-born.”

Nights-Whisper held up her hand.

“Slays-Demons and Raptors-Sorrow are the only ones who know how to use these things they speak of. It will need to be one of them and I trust Slays-Demons experience more.”

Hazel opened her mouth the argue but shut it when Nights-Whisper gave her a warning glance. Helen held up her hand.

“You have not spoken yet young one, what do you have to say? Sometimes the young have the most inspired ideas.”

“What if I go in separately as a vampire?”

Enid looked at her and shook her head.

“You are no where near experienced enough. They’ll spot you as an Imperial from a mile away.”

“I’m a rebellious vampire, I’m disenfranchised. Tired of the elders telling me what I can and cannot do. I don’t want to spend eternity as a boot-licker. I show up with a prisoner… maybe Hazel. I tell them the Seers are on their way and are working with the wolf-born they wronged.”

Hazel shook her head vehemently.

“No, no way. I’m not going to let them keep me prisoner again. No, N O!

Enid’s gaze snapped to Hazel again. There was so much she had not figured out from her time at Sir Roland’s keep.

Nightswhisper held up her hand as Enid was about to protest.

“With respect Slays-Demons, her plan has merit, however, Raptors-Sorrow makes a poor prisoner. She is strong, far to powerful for a newling godling to capture. Our youngest wolf-born however could have been subdued by her easily.”

“The same thing applies; They may kill her outright.”

Martina perked up.

“I will go!”

Enid looked at the twelve-year-old.

“You are very brave. I know you want your true name. But suicide missions do not show wisdom, which is part of earning your name.”

She shook her head.

“It is the best way, Slays-Demons. This is the best way then it us who are at risk.”

Nights-whisper held up her hand.

“No Martina, you misunderstand. Both you and Helen will go in, Slays-Demons will also go in. The cubs shall go together. They are young enough the story is believable. Slays-Demosn you will follow your original plan. Three sets of eyes are better then one. And the cubs have no place in direct battle. They are too young and would get in our way. They can assist with the rescue of Eyre and the other prisoners. The rest of us will do as Slays-Demons asks and will kill the slavers to stop their trade and then we will wait for our moment to strike. Once inside Ratpors-Sorrow of the Dark Moon will sneak inside and escort the cubs and Eyre to safety. We will evacuate the men and any slaves we can rescue.”

Enid nodded.

“It is your pack I will not argue further.”

“It would be your right. I am sending both of our children into the lion’s den. You are greatest and eldest among us, by tooth and claw.”

“No, my judgment is clouded in this matter. It always is when my children’s lives are at stake.”

Nights-Whisper frowned.

“Will you keep a clear head if your daughter is suffering?”

“I do not know, but I will have to do my best to do so.”

Nights-Whisper looked to the sky. She raised her hands.

“Spirt of Rome let us fight like the legions of our name’s sake. Fight as one, with a single purpose.”

She looked at those assembled.

“Then it is settled. We attack the slavers in early morning while it is dark, and they rest. We will wound one or two but will allow ourselves to be chased off. Slays-Demons will hide herself amongst the slaves. Tomorrow eve Helen and Martina will enter the keep as vampire with her prisoner, spinning a tale that the Elders of your people are sending wolf-born to slay them, along with a Reaper. What is this reaper named Slays-Demons?”

“Enid Aurelius.”

“Then you shall name her thus. With luck you will be accepted as a fellow vampire and Martina will be sent to our men to be imprisoned, she can warn them of our coming. The plan that Helen will share is that the Reaper and a pack of fifty wolf-born are heading to the keep and plan to attack the front gate. This should allow for maximum weakness in the place we will actually enter by.”

“I can also set up something at the front gate if they are not expecting it they will be cut down without any warning. The noise will draw any other defenders and I can have a secondary to get the first responders, needless to say anyone going inside needs to stay away from there because there is going to be a lot of silver flying everywhere. Well except Helen, she’d heal from it almost immediately. So, if someone does have to go to front gate it needs to be her. Anyway, that should add to the appearance the attack is coming from the front gate because if it works how I expect the gate is going to be shredded.”

“Mom, they will probably bar the doors to a room in the keep that has no windows to wait out the siege.”

“That is what I am planning on, then they’ll be trapped with me for my silver-nitrate gas grenades I have enough that I could fill a good-sized sealed room. Won’t be healthy for me either, but its sure going to make their night worse.”

“If something goes wrong, we can’t rescue you. You will be trapped alone with the demon, not a demon, a fallen one. We’ve never beaten one without your soul blade, and you’re mortal, and if that gas is bad for you too who knows what shape you’ll be in?”

“I have a plan for that too. I have an assault rifle and three magazines full of bullets blessed by a pope.”

“I actually know what that is, and how the hell did you get a pope to agree to that?”

“Long story. And two hand grenades.”

Hazel blinked, remembered a movie from her holo-tablet. Then laughed suddenly. Everyone looked at her. She held her side and fought to stop.

“You actually have holy hand grenades!”

“Yes, why is this funny?”

“I’ll show you the movie later.”

Enid frowned.

“Let’s keep focused on the task at hand.”

Nights-Whisper looked between the two as they bantered then glanced at Helen who shrugged.

“There is no doubt you two are mother and daughter, if I had any to begin with.”

Enid nodded.

“Unlike my immortal daughter and my wolf-born, I am mortal, and I need to rest I was walking all day.”

“We will wake you when it is time.”

Enid pulled out a sleeping bag and snuggled in for sleep. When she woke, she was stiff and found herself not in the sacred space of the Scions of Rome. She was on rocky outcropping with the pack with the exception of Helen and Martina. She was still in her sleeping bag.

“Where am I? Where is Matilda?”

“We’re on the road to Florence and we’re about to attack the slavers mom. Matilda is back with the ones to old to fight. She’s safe. I summoned a spirit to watch over her.”

“You should have woken me earlier I need to get changed. I’m not even going to ask how I got here.”

“Mom, you’re already wearing your armor.”

“I need a disguise; I can’t go in armor.”

“The holo-web will make it look like you’re wearing whatever you program it too..”

“If they grab my arm and are expecting skin they’re going to feel this.”

She pointed to the armor.

“Then don’t let them touch you, if you take that armor off I’m going to shift and pin you down.”

Enid frowned. She pulled out a long-sleeved peasant dress and pulled it over her armor. She clipped the holo-web to her neck. She was about to tap it and Hazel grabbed her arm.

“Mom, can I have my sword please?”

“I suppose.”

Enid pulled the sword out and handed it to Hazel. Hazel took it and strapped it to her back. She tapped the holo-web her image shimmered and vanished. The cloak wasn’t perfect it still shimmered when she moved it would be less noticeable with a human skin on. Nights-whisper’s eyes went wide.

“A mortal who can control the shadows?”

Enid laughed softly.

“No this is just…trick, a human tool like a spoon.”

“It is like no human tool I’ve ever seen. It is impressive but I can see it flicker as you move and breath.”

“It takes time to adapt to me, once it does it will react to my breathing, try to anticipate my movements.”

“Mom, I’ve been thinking, they’ll notice an extra slave.”

“Yes, I think we’re going to have to exchange me for one of the slaves. We can use the holo-web from your sword and make her appear as me and I her so when you carry her away they will think you’re escaping with our wounded.”

“Are you ready, yes I’ll clone appearances when we’re there so it can adapt it to her size.”

The group headed down the hill and slipped into the slaver camp. It would have been easy for them to kill the eight men, but that was not the goal. The fight as it was, started in earnest with Hazel punching one in the face. The camp descended into chaos. Enid used the distraction to slip into the camp unseen. The slaves were starting to stir at the noise by the time Enid had picked the lock. She found a woman about her size and put the holo-web on her and swapped appearances with her. She rolled the slave-woman out the back. To be honest she couldn’t make out her features in the dark. She locked the cage up and by the times the rest of the slaves had reacted the door was closed and locked and she lay where the former slave had. The whole thing took only a few moments. One of the wolf-born snatched the slave and ran off. It took the slavers several minutes to calm down enough count the slaves. She felt a hand shaking her and they sounded young and were speaking in Arabic.

“Mother, wake, did you not see someone tried to rescue us.”

Enid looked up at who was speaking, it was a girl of thirteen, maybe fourteen. Enid had no idea how to respond, she hadn’t taken into consideration the slave would have families in the caravan. So, she just pointed to an open spot. The girl looked disappointed and laid down.