The Terrible Twelve

Chapter 26: Recons and Makeups

Twelve vampires stood in the dark office with the mahogany Phoenix desk although unlike last time, everyone was calm. Ian sat behind his chair while Viridian sat in it. Sophia and Daisy were sitting on the couch as well as Nadia who was sitting in Ivan's lap. Rivka was on the floor, leaning against the bookshelf, and Callum was leaning against the desk shooting soft glances as Isabel who sat on a stool near the only window, which was of course covered. Oliver was laid out on the floor, his arms and legs flung out without a care, and Evangeline sat next to him rubbing circles into his stomach. Luca was sitting in the armchair, his arms crossed across his chest.

Ian cleared his throat, "Unlike last time we will come to a decision about the Jane problem." As it had come to be labeled. Viridians slid a quick glance to Rivka who sat folding paper quietly.

"Now the most important thing we need is information. We need to know if this is really happening and if it is we need to know a time line. Is this years down the road or is it happening this week. While recon is obviously the best plan, I don't want to put Sophia in danger."

"Well I could always help with that." Evangeline spoke up, "You know I've got my radar out for all of you."

"You can do that?" Viridian asked, "keep track of specific people?"

"Oh sure. It's not hard. It's like a feeling in the back of my head that makes me want to look other than just receiving a vision when it comes to me." Evangeline smiled and Viridian nodded impressed.

"That is a possibility but Sophia is in danger regardless. It's a risky situation."

"I'd like to help if I can." Sophia mentioned.

"But unnecessary danger should be avoided." Daisy reminded her, smoothing Sophia's hair behind her head.

"I would agree with that." Ian nodded, "it would be an asset though."

"Does that Jane lady know about what she can do?" Viridian asked.

"I don't know." Sophia realized that it had never come up in conversation but that didn't mean she didn't know about from a different source.

"So that's a risk right off the back." Daisy said.

"What about Evangeline?" Viridian asked. "Could you look for it maybe?"

"I could put some feelers out for it but there's no guarantee that it will come to me." She answered.

"I could also listen outside her house. I could do that for at least 100 meters away." Rivka looked up from her origami.

"Maybe we do both." Viridian suggested. "You could listen and if you hear anything suspicious then you send Sophia in in whatever disguise she thinks will work."

"That sounds like it will work. Although it might take some time to hear anything." Nadia answered. "I think I could possibly get a floor plan of her house or something that we could position you in the right place, or corner or whatever."

"If you could get that Nadia, that would be a big help. It could help later if we need to get in there."

"Where is Jane's house?"

"She moves occasionally when she gets tired of Europe but I think it's somewhere in the outskirts of Scotland." Nadia answered. "It shouldn't be anything to get the information. I know exactly who to contact to." Nadia had pulled out her phone and had started texting someone.

"Good, this is good. I think after we get some certified information we can really start to think about what happens if this spell is real and what it might do to Jane."

"What happens if it is real?" Viridian asked.

Ian winced, "Let's just hope it's not." Ian nodded his head and they all started to shuffle out of his office.

Sophia was on her way out when she turned, forgetting that she had something to tell Ian. "Oh hey I got that book you wanted." She pulled a small leather bound book out of her sweatshirt pocket. "I didn't look through it but it looks like it might have what you need." She smiled and winked at Viridian before leaving.

"What is she talking about?" Viridian was still sitting in Ian's chair and she was craning her neck to look up at him hovering over her.

"I asked her to find a book for me. I think it might have some answers to your power problem." Ian answered. He gently pulled on one of her hands and she got up off his chair. He pulled on her waist after he'd sat down and pulled her back into his lap. "It's a diary of a vampire that I tracked down. I think he might have the same ability that you. Or rather the potential that you have since I don't know if you have it yet."

Ian opened the book and scanned some of the pages. Viridian tried to read the small print but it was all completely foreign to her. "You can read this?"

"Of course."

"What language is it in?"

"Russian. A lot of vampires tend to flock towards darker areas and Russia has a very long and dark winter that vampires find very feasible. They can even go outside during the day there if they avoid the occasional sunny day." Ian explained. "You should ask Ivan about it sometimes. He's seen the most beautiful places in Russia."

"I will. You know this is my first time leaving America. I would love to hear all about his country. I was talking with Sophia and she told me what Ireland was like. I would love to go and visit it sometime."

"After all of this is over I would be so happy to take you. They have beautiful stone bridges and castles bigger than this church with large circular staircase. It's great. There are great green rolling hills that go on forever and more cows than you have in your precious Texas."

"Oh I don't believe that." Viridian laughed.

"In the center of Dublin, they shoot fireworks over the river and it's the most wonderful thing you'll ever see."

Viridian turned in his lap and kissed him with all of her heart. "I can't wait to see it."

"And you're sure?" Evangeline had a concerned look on her way face as she searched Rivka's for any answers.

Rivka nodded her head, "I'm positive."

Nadia sighed, exhausted, and nodded her head. "Alright let's head back to base camp."

The three girls walked back to their hidden car in silence. They'd been in Scotland for three days hoping that Rivka could take hear something worth listening to and they just had. Rivka had been listening to a boring conversation about color pallets and what not until Jane Lindy had received a call and luckily Rivka had heard every word of it.

They climbed into the car and Rivka dialed Ian's number, "Hey yea we're on our way back. It's not good. We'll explain when we get there. Yea ok bye." Rivka hung up and lay back against the chair.

"They're not going to like this."