Vampire Emeritus (Part #3) ✔

Chapter 14: Trouble in Paradise

My body went into the hyper-alert mode, as well as my mind. Ian heard the conversation through the phone and pushed himself off the table, looking like he was ready to kick some ass.

I pushed the door to the armoury and looked through the rows of weapons.

"They wouldn't come unarmed." Ian said, no signs of distress in his voice.

"No, but I'm pretty sure we have more weapons right now." I grabbed a couple of guns and stuffed them under my cardigan.

The biggest problem was, with all the plotting and scheming, no one actually taught me how to shoot.

"They know where we live." I mumbled, allowing myself a moment of utter panic as I threw the weapons at Ian. "You should stay here."

Ian eyed me, "I'm going to pretend you didn't just say this."

"Seriously." Once I stopped to look at him, I left panic jolting through my limbs, urging me to move. "They're probably looking for you."

"Well, they're going to find me." Ian cocked the shotgun.

"Wait, wait." I tried to ignore how hot he was holding a weapon. "You said yourself it's dangerous to lose Vilmus's trust, because of all the vamps giving you information. Are you sure you want to gamble that trust away right now?"

Ian stopped in his tracks, "I can't let you handle them alone."

My own level-headedness surprised me. I took in a deep breath and assessed our situation. Thomas managed to call me and tell me they arrived, which meant they walked through the front door. If they wanted to kill us, they'd attack in silence, or during night, or they'd at least be more subtle about it.

"Stay here." I said. "Go through the weapons and find something deadly."

Ian hesitated, "How will I know if you need me?"

I took out my phone and called him, "You'll hear."

Ian left the call on and nodded, "Alright, go. But if I hear anything amiss, I'm coming out. I don't give a shit about Vilmus's trust."

"We can't rush into this." I reminded him. "I'm sure they're reasonable men."

Ian narrowed his eyes, "Do you have wooden bullets?"

"What do you think?"

Ian offered a small smile, "Go."

With three guns stuffed in my pants and two in my hands, I left Ian in the basement. There were weapons upstairs because vamplings trained with them, but the most lethal we had was still beneath the ground.

I've decided to take the calculated risk. Vilmus had an agenda, there was a reason he was here, which meant he was somewhat rational. He would want us to stay out of his business.

By the time I've reached the backyard where the vamplings trained, tension and heat completely engulfed the air. June sun seared through the stone. Panic-caused droplets of sweat formed on my forehead. I peered through the terrace door, assessing the situation.

"Chloe..." Caiden appeared by my side, still in the house. "What's-"

"Stay inside." I commanded. "Go to the basement."

Caiden's concerned gaze searched my face, but I put a finger on my lips. The cultists might hear us if we say anything.

Caiden understood and nodded.

I glanced outside. Vamplings gathered around Thomas and William, turned in the same direction. They had a few rifles and some stakes, but their faces held no confidence. I couldn't see the cultists unless I walked out.