Mel followed me downstairs, finding the basement still in complete disarray. Shadows clung to the corners, and a heavy metal door from one of the cells lay on the floor, twisted from its hinges.

"It looks like that cell was not strong enough to contain you. Doesn't look like Lisa has come down here yet." Mel said.

"The structural damage upstairs was quite extensive. I was surprised to find all the windows replaced when I returned. I'm sure Lisa will get to this soon enough. There's a room I want to show you. You might recognize some of the people in it. Is just past this hallway."

We walked towards the door leading to the gathering room. The gate to the estate and some doors in the house have a crest carved in the center, two wolves intertwined, etched in the middle of a circle of fire. "I wish I knew what all these emblems mean," I said, running my fingers gently over the carefully crafted design.

Mel stepped closer, glancing at the emblem on the door. "I've seen similar symbols in the archives of the Hunter's Clan. Each of the founding families has a distinct emblem. The intertwined wolves within the flames? That's unique to the Reinharts. The fire likely represents loyalty and strength, and the two wolves... perhaps the family's dual nature."

We entered the room, glancing at the four portraits displayed on the walls. Each figure was portrayed in a distinct style, their unique attire and expressions capturing the essence of their personalities and the authority they exuded. All of them were unfamiliar to me, with the exception of one in particular—my mother's.

"We have a room like this at the Hunter's estate. These four people were the original leaders of Adams Town, each representing a different clan. Ready for your history lesson?" Mel asked.

I nodded, glancing back at my mother's portrait. With all the evidence in front of me, it will be absurd to reject, that the woman in the portrait in front of me is my mother. The mystery surrounding her life becomes more intriguing than ever before. The resemblance is undeniable.

"Can you tell me anything about my mother, Helena?"

Mel's eyes widened slightly, as I shared the information. "That explains many things. "What I know of Helena Reinhart is mostly pieced together from old texts. But... I can tell you this: Helena was known as a fierce strategist, someone who held the respect and, in many cases, the fear of the other clan leaders. She was one of the few with primal blood—a born werewolf with an unusual level of control over her transformations. That's rare, even for purebloods."

She walked towards my mother's portrait and stood next to me. "Helena Reinhart was known for her ambition to integrate the werewolves into Adam's Town society. She believed in educating her people and guiding them to coexist as part of a civilized community. Her efforts were groundbreaking. Chief Harrow took her proposal to the Royal Vampires, gaining their reluctant approval, which led to the creation of the Black Lotus clan."

I listened intently to Mel's words, absorbing every detail of my mother's leadership within the werewolf clan. It's a side of her that I never knew, a part of her life that was hidden from me until now.

"But not everything was the way we know it today. Adams Town was forged by the blood of many, in a war that is enforced every century. The tensions between clans began with a single death: the assassination of the first-born vampire, Lucious Scarlet, known in ancient scriptures as 'The Miracle Child.' This child was born to a human mother and an elder vampire, a birth regarded as miraculous—a promise that could change the future of their race."

"The first-born vampire? So, Adams Town has vampires as well?"

Mel nodded. "Are you scared yet? Adams Town's vampires aren't what you'd expect. They're not like the bloodthirsty monsters you see in horror movies. While they do rely on human blood to survive, they've developed practices that set them apart from the common vampire."

"They don't kill their victims?"

"I'm not entirely sure—they're a highly secretive clan. But from what I know, they don't hunt recklessly in the night; it's a practice they consider barbaric. Instead, they operate with restraint, developing ways to secure nourishment without sacrificing human lives. Your presence in this town will be met with a lot of challenges, especially with the Royal Vampires. The first-born vampire child was killed by werewolves."

"Wonderful. It's good to know I've arrived in a town where I'll be considered the most hated resident."

"We don't know that for certain. Your mother held considerable influence within the Scarlet Enclave. Her alliances may work in your favor."

"So, Lucious's death... you're saying it sparked the clan wars?"

"It was the initial factor. Werewolves were known to ambush the transit roads in the northern forests. The vampires had a small settlement there called Adams Point—a post they used primarily for the slave trade. One night, a vampire convoy traveling through was attacked by werewolves, and in the chaos, Lucious was killed. He was only eight years old when it happened."

"And after that, the vampires declared war on the werewolves?"

"Exactly. They vowed vengeance, recruiting every hunter they could find to kill any werewolf on sight. It was during this time that the Hunter clan was officially born. Skilled hunters from across the world came to Adams Town, joining the organized search, and many settled here permanently. The formation of the clans led to a power imbalance. Soon, outsiders like the warlocks arrived, bringing their arcane knowledge, potions, and rituals, tipping the scales in favor of those who could pay for their expertise. Adams Town began to thrive, attracting a population boom that exposed its secrets to the outside world. Fearing exposure, the vampires created a 'participation rule'—every clan would be required to join the century-old war that would determine who would lead the town for the next hundred years."

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

"That's ridiculous," I said, staring at a small stand holding a book. "And what's with the old book?"

"The Accords. It's a collection of laws and agreements established by the clans after the last war ended. It outlines the rights and responsibilities of each clan, the rules for interactions, and the consequences for breaking the peace."

I opened the book, flipping through its brittle pages. "Rules of Rights?"

"The Rules of Rights are specific rules for each clan. After the war, the leaders of the four clans came together to negotiate a truce and establish a new order. They realized that continuing the cycle of violence would only lead to further destruction. Each clan contributed to the creation of the new rules, called the Rules of Rights. The Hunter clan emerged victorious at the end of the last war, being recognized as the governing faction of Adams Town for the next 100 years."

As I flipped through the pages, searching for any mention of my mother's involvement in the last war, I realized there was nothing recorded about her. "There's nothing here about my mother's participation in the creation of these rules."

"The Black Lotus clan was formally recognized only after the resolution of the last war, on November 1st, 1924. At the time, the only factions fighting for control over Adams Town were the Hunter clan, the Warlocks of the trade, and the Scarlet Clan. The werewolves' role in the war wasn't officially acknowledged, but their presence was felt strongly during the conflict."

She walked around the room, stopping in front of the portrait of the lady wearing a red dress. The woman in the painting exudes a certain regal charm and an enigmatic presence.

"This is Eleanor Scarlet, an elder vampire and one of Adams Town's original founders. Known for her sharp intellect, she wielded significant influence within the vampire clans. Rumor has it that, during the last war, she forged a secret alliance with the hunters. But nothing was ever confirmed."

Mel moved to the next portrait, a man in full armor, gripping a sword with a commanding expression. His posture was proud, his gaze intense, as though he were sizing up whoever looked at him.

"Robert Harrow, the current leader of the Hunter clan and the governor of Adams Town. He also leads the enforcement team. Then there's Talos Windsor, High Warlock of the Trade Clan." She nodded toward a portrait of a man in robes, with a calculated expression and an aura of authority. "Nothing leaves this town without his consent—not even servants. His clan maintains the balance, ensuring Adams Town stays hidden from the outside world."

The mystery surrounding my mother's death deepens, and I can't shake the feeling that there are many missing pieces to this puzzle. If someone had a motive to kill her and claim leadership of the Black Lotus Clan, they would have likely made a move by now. Yet, we arrived to find an empty house, no signs of another leader or power struggle.

I turned my attention to the entry book. As I flipped through the pages, the absence of my father's name grew more unsettling. This book was old, recording decades of comings and goings at the estate—yet there was no mention of him. And if what Mel had said about the werewolf clan's integration in 1924 was accurate, then it would make my mother over a hundred years old, an idea that didn't fit with anything I had previously known about her.

"Didn't you say that the integration of the werewolf clan happened November 1st, 1924?"

She nodded. "That's what we learned in school."

"That's impossible. That will make my mother over one hundred years old."

The conversation with Annie from this morning came to mind. She had mentioned that her family had served the Reinhart estate for generations, and I wondered what knowledge Annie's mother might hold about the Reinharts' history. Perhaps she could fill in the gaps, the secrets that seemed so carefully guarded over the years.

"Sorry, Mel," I said, closing the book with a sigh. "I think our history lesson has come to an end."

Mel stared at me, disappointed. "Just make sure you know your shit when Harrow comes knocking on your door," she said, walking away.

As she reached the doorway, she glanced back. "Behave, puppy. And don't forget, I'll be in training for a couple of weeks."

I watch her leave, leaving me alone in the gathering room. The deeper I delved into the Reinhart family’s history, the more I sensed the unspoken tensions between the hunters and the werewolf clan. Mel’s insights had been invaluable, but there was still something missing, a piece of my mother’s life that seemed deliberately buried. I couldn’t ignore the possibility that, as we continued unearthing these secrets, the truths we uncovered might ultimately drive us apart.

As I turned to leave, my foot accidentally nudged the wooden stand, causing it to tip over with a soft thud. I hurried to retrieve the fallen book and right the stand, relieved to find neither was damaged. But as I bent down, my attention caught on something hidden beneath the base of the stand—a round tile, partially embedded in the floor. The tile bore a familiar emblem: two entwined wolves encircled by flames, the unmistakable crest of the Black Lotus Clan, the same symbol that adorned the gates and doors of the estate.

I pressed down on the tile, as a faint sound of turning gears echoed from behind my mother’s portrait. Intrigued, I removed the portrait from the wall, revealing a small crack in the plaster—a hidden compartment, concealed within the wall.

Slowly, I chipped away the cracked plaster, exposing a hidden hatch. Embedded within the wall lay a black box, bearing the same familiar emblem of entwined wolves surrounded by a circle of flames.

I lifted the lid of the box to reveal its contents: a bundle of documents, their edges worn and yellowed by time, lying atop a gleaming golden dagger and a small vial of dark, viscous liquid. The black substance swirled subtly within the vial, its misty aura drawing my gaze.

The top paper caught my eye—a transfer of assets confirming that my mother was the sole owner of the Reinhart estate. As I continued sorting through the documents, most appeared to be mundane records, some estate details, and others administrative. But then I came across one that stood out, its title neatly written in elegant script.

"Certificate of Birthright."

The birth certificate left me confused. Helena Reinhart was listed as my mother, but the field for my father remained blank. My name appeared on the certificate, tying me directly to her legacy. I folded the paper and slid it into my pocket. Among the documents, I learned she had amassed a substantial fortune through strategic real estate holdings and various business interests, all managed under the Scarlet Trust of Adams Town.

Gathering the papers, I left the gathering room, hoping to catch Mel. But by the time I reached the receiving room, she was already gone. Instead, I found Annie, dusting the vases with a contented smile.

"I need your help, Annie." I said, catching her attention. She looked up, setting her cleaning cloth aside and coming over.

"Yes, my Lord, is there something you need?"

"You said your family has served the Reinhart estate for decades."

"That is correct, sir."

"I need to know who from your family served this house twenty years ago, it's very important."

"That will be my mother, sir."

"Can you set up a meeting with her?"

Annie's smile widened, and her eyes shone with excitement. "She will be honored to answer your call, my lord."