Secret Bloodline

Island

Camila rushes into the ballroom and quickly makes her way to the others.

"Camila! Are you okay?" Zayn asks worriedly.

"What happened in there?" Lauren grips Camila's arms.

"Deets!" Dinah says.

"We don't have time... He... The... Order of Dawn... They," Camila rambles.

"Camila, slow down! Catch your breath," Shawn says.

Camila fumbles to take out the Eye of Bathory and shoves it at Lauren.

"You got it," Zayn says.

"I knew you could do it," Lauren smiles.

"What about Dracula?" Shawn asks.

"That's what I'm trying to tell you! While I was in his room, I saw this walkie-talkie and a voice talking about troops moving into position. They mentioned Lauren and Zayn by name. Guys... Vlad is working for the Order of Dawn," Camila informs.

"No..." Zayn trails off.

"That bastard," Lauren scowls.

"That's how he's evaded being captured for so long. By cooperating with the enemy," Zayn's face hardens.

"Selling out just enough of his kind to keep stalking free," Shawn says.

"This party... It could be a trap," Lauren says.

"Which means we have to get the hell out of here," Dinah says.

"When I did my research on the castle, I saw an old system of tunnels beneath the grounds. It should lead to the city," Lauren explains.

"Then let's get moving before Dracula realizes the Eye of Bathory is gone," Dinah says.

They all sneak out of the ballroom and onto the castle grounds as Zayn signals all of them to duck behind a hedge.

Peering around the hedge, Camila sees a dozen soldiers in familiar Order of Dawn armor advancing on the castle.

"Perimeter check clear," A male says.

"There's so many of them," Camila whispers.

"Look," Zayn whispers.

He points at a man leading the troops who is tall and handsome, dressed in a fine suit, as he stalks up to the castle, fixing his tie.

"That's him. The leader of the Order of Dawn himself," Zayn scowls.

"Xeno," Lauren whispers.

"Wow, he's hot," Dinah whispers

Zayn clenches and unclenches his fists, glaring at Xeno and the soldiers as Lauren puts a hand on his arm.

"We could kill him now. Cut off the head of the Order of Dawn," Zayn whispers.

"And the hydra will grow another. Besides, we can't take them all on. We need to escape with the Eye of Bathory," Lauren whispers.

"What about the other vampires in there?" Shawn whispers.

"They couldn't take them without compromising the mission. This is a small strike team... They're just here for us," Lauren whispers.

Zayn wavers a moment, his shoulders stiff and rigid.

"Fine," Zayn whispers.

"Where's the entrance to the tunnels?" Shawn whispers.

"You see that fountain? It's just past it," Lauren whispers.