After The Awakening | ONC 2023

Chapter Seven

Ray looked around the library with grudging respect. Rows of bookshelves lined the walls, and a staircase led to a second-floor balcony with yet more books. Large diagrams woven into tapestries lined the walls.

'The library is actually the only original part of this building that remains.' Xavier rapped his knuckles against the stone.

'How old is the Bureau?' Ray rotated slowly as she looked up at the mural on the ceiling. Men with swords battled what could only be described as monsters.

Humanoid creatures, but with fangs that fell below their chins, drank the blood from the necks of the fallen. At their heels were black furry animals with snouts dripping with blood and vicious looking teeth that could rip apart bone.

'Vampires and shifters, though shifters are pretty much extinct now,' he explained, noticing her fixation. 'Officially, the Bureau was formed before the First World War, but it's been around for centuries. Some of these books date back to the 13th century.'

'That long?' she whispered.

'It was a secret society dedicated to protecting humanity and keeping the two worlds separate. But the Awakening changed everything. In order for our government to prove they were being proactive, the Bureau was revealed. An elite task force that can neutralise the threat,' he quoted in a pompous voice.

Ray twirled her hand. 'And there aren't any cameras here?'

'The stone is refractive in case of a vampire attack. But it interferes with any recording device, so they could never install security here,' he said.

'And what about your partner? I'm guessing she doesn't know about this?' Ray challenged.

'I trust her,' Xavier defended.

'And that's not what I asked.'

He scowled at her. 'I don't know what you and Mari are involved in. I'd rather not drag Dylan into this until I know.'

Ray watched him before shrugging. 'Okay. So what do we do now?'

'Have you got Mari's letter?'

She lifted the back of her shirt and pulled out the letter where it had been wedged between her trousers and back.

'These clothes aren't the best, but at least they make it easy to hide things.' She smirked.

Xavier took the piece of paper, noting the message Mari had left which looked almost identical to his own. He flicked on his cigar lighter and held the paper over it.

'What the fuck?' Ray blew the lighter out and glared at him.

'I'm not destroying it. There's something on there I need to see.'

'And setting it on fire will help you see it?' she demanded.

'In a way, yes. Some inks only appear when heat is applied.'

Hesitantly, Ray drew back, allowing him to try again, though her eyes bored into him, as if daring him to damage even one word on the letter.

Xavier flicked the lighter on and held it over the page. He waited until a hand written 1 appeared in the top left corner before switching it off.

'What does it mean?' Ray asked as the number faded.

'It means your letter is the first key.'

'But a key to what?'

Xavier unfolded his letter and placed it side by side with Ray's. 

You must be strong for what is about to come.