Undercity: Manifest

Chapter Twenty-Six

Dante, Zach and Sadie were all sat in the back room of an old warehouse with blacked out windows. The room was one of many situated inside the building by the docks which operated as a home to dozens of vampires. Rue was standing by a rusty metal chair in the back corner. The room was empty with the exception of a few scattered crates, now functioning as seats, and the one chair Rue was leaning over. 

Ben had been sent to escort the vampire back to the Coven with the other officer. Sadie was asked to stay to report what had happened earlier when they arrested him, and now found herself waiting for one of the three men to break the silence. 

Zach cleared his throat. 'What brings you down here Rue?' 

'Rue regarded him for a moment before slowly taking a seat. 'Vampire attacks are becoming more frequent in all Districts.' 

''That's no secret.' Dante supplied. He looked over at Sadie; his eyes were fixed on her neck where she was sure bruises were forming. 

Rue looked mildly amused, it was obvious that he knew Dante well, perhaps not as friends, but they seemed to like each other. The thought helped Sadie relax despite Dante's glaring. 

'Someone is experimenting with dark magic, and it seems they are starting to have some success.' Rue continued. 'I've turned over six vamps in the past month.' He paused as if waiting for a reaction. Dante's eyes were now on him, and Zach was shifting slightly in his chair. 'None of them were branded.' 

'We're aware.' Zach acknowledged. 

Sadie still hadn't spoken. She wasn't entirely sure why she was there. Nobody had asked her about the vampire she fought, and she got the feeling they already knew what they needed to.

'There are rumours.' Rue began, looking at Sadie now. 'That you have been doing some experimenting of your own.' Rue raised an accusing eyebrow at her, and she moved her hand to her necklace feeling uncomfortable again. 

'And where did you hear that?' It was subtle, but there was a hint of annoyance in Dante's tone. 

Rue sucked air in through his teeth. 'I won't reveal my sources. But there are some who question the Coven's involvement. Afterall, it is your kind who are to blame for our current... predicaments.' 

The legs of Dante's chair scraped across the floor screeching as he stood abruptly. Zach shot out a hand and placed it on Dante's arm. Dante shrugged him off but didn't make to move closer to Rue. 

'What exactly are you trying to say Rue?' Dante growled. 

Rue waved an unbothered hand. 'Simply that some of the Made have concerns.' 

'Are you included in that some?' Zach asked. 

It took Rue a moment before he answered, considering his response. 'I think, there isn't much that happens without the Coven knowing about it. That there have been no leads or clues as to who is behind this does raise questions about how they have remained hidden. As for you personally...' He stopped without finishing instead, he linked his fingers together and leaned forward using his elbows on his knees to support him. 

Rue made casual look natural for someone who looked so intimidating. Sadie was fascinated by him. He caught her staring at him, and he offered her a toothy grin making no effort to hide his slightly narrow, elongated canines. Dante was still boiling and made no effort to hide the annoyance which was plastered all over his face. 

'Just spit it our Rue, you clearly know something.' Dante said impatiently. 

'I questioned the vamps before handing them over. They were more animal than human by the time I got to them. Like The First but not complete.'