Raven's Watch: Secrets Of The Blud Diary

Chapter Six: Raven's Watch

A tapestry of stars shimmered in the darkening sky as the sedan hummed its way towards the gates of Raven's Watch headquarters. The air grew heavy with a familiar tension, one Nathan hadn’t felt in nearly a year since he last set foot here. Despite the time that had passed, nothing had changed; the foreboding atmosphere was the same as ever.

The gate loomed ahead—stark and unadorned, flanked by a small security station fortified with an electric fence and an array of CCTV cameras. It was a fortress designed to guard secrets best left in the shadows. Four heavily armed guards, clad in military-grade uniforms, approached the slowing sedan. Their rifles were held with a precision that spoke of rigorous training. One of them, a tall man with a stern face partially hidden behind tinted spectacles, raised a gloved hand to signal the vehicle to halt.

Nathan couldn't suppress a shiver as his eyes followed one of the guards, who paced past his window like a lion circling its prey. The man's eyes were sharp, scrutinizing every detail even behind the dark lenses.

“The atmosphere here still gives me goosebumps,” Nathan muttered, the tension knotting in his shoulders.

Ford chuckled, a low, knowing sound. “Can’t blame you. It takes a lot to keep what we know under wraps.” He lowered his window just as one of the guards approached, the barrel of his rifle gleaming under the security lights.

The guard, silent and expressionless, reached into a pocket on his vest and pulled out a thin slip of red paper. Without a word, he handed it to Ford with the mechanical precision of someone who had performed the gesture countless times.

Ford, with the practiced ease of routine, pressed his thumb against the paper. A soft golden glow radiated from its surface, and moments later, his name materialized in a flowing, italic script. The text shimmered briefly, as though alive, before settling into place. He passed the paper to the driver, who repeated the process before handing it to Nathan.

Nathan accepted the slip, his curiosity instantly piqued. The deep crimson surface, reminiscent of blood, held a faint sheen under the gate’s lights. He ran a finger across it, noting its unusual texture—smooth in most places but with faint ridges that felt almost organic. This was something new, something he didn’t recall from his last visit to Raven’s Watch. It was yet another example of the organization’s constant innovations in magical technology.

Setting aside his musings, Nathan pressed his thumb against the paper. A sharp, unexpected jolt of electricity shot through his hand, making him flinch. He hissed under his breath, shaking his hand as if to dispel the sensation.

Before his eyes, his name began to appear on the paper, as though an invisible hand were etching it in elegant, golden strokes. It joined the names of Ford and the driver, glowing faintly before fading into the surface. Nathan flipped the slip over, inspecting it closely. The sensation of the paper, combined with the magic it held, sent a chill of intrigue up his spine.

“When you think you’ve seen it all,” he muttered to himself, turning the paper over once more, “the world slaps you in the face with something new.”

He tapped Jenny lightly on the shoulder, her soft snores a contrast to the tension outside. She stirred slightly but remained asleep, her head tilting against the car window.

“We had an incident last year,” Ford said suddenly, his tone low and edged with unease. His gaze remained fixed ahead, but Nathan caught the grim undertone in his voice. “Something headquarters wants to ensure never happens again.”

Nathan turned to him, brows furrowing, but Ford offered no further explanation. The weight of his words lingered in the air. Sensing the older man’s reluctance to elaborate, Nathan simply nodded, his thoughts already racing with questions.