Half-Bloods R • 2 : Growing Shadows

C • 8 : Thunder in Storm, Tempest of Seas

"So what exactly can we expect from this meeting?" Christopher nudged Vaelan.

"I only know a small amount of it, Chris, you're just going to have to wait," Vaelan said as the Chimeras sat down at a long black table.

The room was dim, its walls grey and tiled, and its chairs nearly as black as the table.

Vaelan and Demi sat beside each other toward the far end of the table, Elizabeth and Christopher sat across from them. Sitting at the table with them were various people wearing light body armor and looking suspiciously at each other. Along with the group of people were four laptops, three of them at the sides of the table facing toward the other end of the room, while a lone laptop sat at the end of the table facing them all. Villin and an unknown figure sat next to that laptop.

Do they not trust each other? Christopher thought.

Vaelan whispered to the group, "Mind what you say, all Texas Rebel captains and commanders are here, and I assume that man next to Villin is the North American first commander, Vladimir."

"And who would the laptops be?" Christopher asked.

Demi answered in a hushed whisper, "Second commanders in charge of the North, West, Central, and Eastern portions of the U.S. rebellion"-She nodded her head toward a figure sitting with their head buried in their arms-"There's the commander for the South, Vivien."

The Chimeras, a few of the captains, and none of the others all spoke quietly to each other as they waited for the meeting to start. Demi and Elizabeth began silently playing rock paper scissors, while Vaelan lowered his head and closed his eyes, Christopher watched the girls in silence. He could feel eyes burrowing into his head, he looked across the room and saw the red-green eye of Gwindolyn ablaze as she stared at him. She looked away, burning her eye into the skulls of the captains and watching the laptops as her fingers tapped against the table.

"Her trust issues seem to be at a peak today, huh?" Christopher mumbled.

Vaelan opened his mouth to speak but was immediately cut off by Vladimir, his reddish buzz-cut shining in the dark, and thin face scowling.

"Everyone, if you will give me your attention," he spoke in a deep rumbling voice, nowhere near what Christopher expected from the short, thin man, "Through the recent efforts of Vaelan Kemandarro, we have finally retrieved Villin Kemandarro who has brought us valuable information after her two-year retreat," He growled.

Villin stepped up, ready to speak, but Gwindolyn immediately shot up, "Why should we trust the words of a traitor?"

Vaelan tensed but made no immediate movement. Christopher could feel anger pouring out of the Archdevil as Demi rubbed his arm. Christopher couldn't help feeling unnerved, despite having been in the rebellion for so long, few people ever saw Vaelan get truly angry, Christopher had seen his anger once and he wasn't in the mood to see it again.

He saw Demi and Villin also tense at Vaelan's anger as well, though while Villin kept her cool, Demi immediately began trying to calm her demonic lover. It astounded Christopher, how Demi was always supportive of Vaelan despite his aggressive and unemotional nature, yet they cared for each other in a way no one ever would. As for Villin and Vaelan, in the time that Christopher had seen the two together, they were always inseparable, talking quietly to each other or loudly training with each other.

"Because, your supposed traitor has very interesting information to present to us, Gwindolyn. Now then, Villin, continue," a voice spoke through the laptop at the end of the table.

Vaelan groaned, "Never thought I'd hear your voice again, Seijin."

The laptop chuckled, "Well, it has been a while, Prince of the Pride Kingdom. Now then, shall we let your sister speak?"