Undercity: Manifest

Chapter Sixteen

Zach, Dante, Payden and Marcus sat in Marcus' office all facing the monitor holding Val's image. The conference call had been on-going for over an hour as they all shared their updates on the dark magic situation. Dante had been back for two days, leaving the final murder to be resolved by the local Mystics. 

'Little is known about the methods used by The Advisories.' Payden's voice carried across the room. 'Given that most members were eliminated by the Coven following the trials, a lot of the information was lost. Any records, grimoires, or tomes they found were destroyed in a bid to keep anyone from repeating what they did.' 

'So, whoever is doing this, is likely an original member?' Zach asked, as he looked across to Val for confirmation. She was the oldest witch he knew and the most likely to have an answer.' 

'It's possible.' Val confirmed from the monitor. 'We know they weren't all killed, but it's been centuries since anything like this has happened, it was assumed they gave up following Hecate's punishment. Not to mention their powers were weakened as a result, making it close to impossible to channel enough magic to do it.' 

Marcus turned to Dante. 'From what Rue told you, could the three dead humans have been failed experiments?' 

'It seems that way. The shifter identified a faint shifter scent on all of them. It fits that someone would kill them to cover their tracks, making it look like a human crime, when their experiment failed.' 

Zach took in the reactions of everyone. 'There have been increased reports of missing humans from across all four districts. Mostly from the homeless community or people with little to no family.' 

'People who won't be missed,' Dante provided. 'Both vamps Rue handed over were branded. They refused to comment on the murders and are being held awaiting the next initiation event.' He changed the subject. Zach could tell he was ready for the meeting to be over and eager to leave.

Zach was also wanting to leave. He had taken over Sadie's training whilst Dante was away. Now Dante was back, Marcus had decided that Zach would continue to train her magic alongside Dante's combat lessons. Sadie was due to arrive to meet Zach for her next lesson in half an hours' time which he was looking forward to. They had developed a close friendship since their first session, and he enjoyed her company. All awkwardness forgotten with the unspoken agreement never to speak about their non-moment.

His wandering thoughts were shattered by the announcement of his name. 

'Zach.' Marcus' voice was stern. 'I need you to monitor their performance at the next initiation event. See how they perform and report back if there is anything unusual about them.' Zach confirmed he had understood his assignment. 'Dante, I want you based at the station looking into the disappearances.' 

Dante's official job was as a detective, really, he was an enforcer for the Coven, so Zach understood why Marcus made this decision. He also knew that Dante hated working at the station and that made him smile to himself. 

Marcus gave his final directive to Payden instructing her to keep looking into dark magic practices. 

Meeting over, they all rose to leave. Val interrupted them. 'Payden, I have sent you a file from the Spanish Coven. Look it over, but I think it holds the answers you have been looking for to help Sadie.' 

Everybody felt the shift in the room when Val ended her video link, not waiting for Payden to speak. They had all grown close to Sadie in their own way. Dante kept his distance, but Zach could tell he respected her, and for Dante, that was all that mattered. 

Payden didn't need to ask before Marcus nodded to his computer giving her permission to check the file. She clicked the keys and silently took in the information. Her hands hovered over the keyboard as she held her breath.