Immortals (ON HOLD)

Chapter 18

Dimitri

            I couldn’t act like the thought of Ariel going to school tomorrow didn’t bother me. Not only was she still human, and would have no idea how to defend herself against a hungry vampire, but she was the future of the Guardians, and I thought sending her straight into the fire was a big mistake. Of course, Emrick thought she was being noble and brave, and wouldn’t fight her on it. Hell, I wouldn’t even fight her on it, although I did think about giving her a heavy dose of tranquilizer that would knock her out all day… I was at headquarters shortly, and parked my car behind Scarlet’s aquamarine 2010 Lotus Evora. Sometimes, I thought she cared about that car more than us. I was eager to hear if she and Chris had any news tracking the vampires, and quickly made my way to the main hall. Chris, Kat and Scarlet were sitting by the fire, and nodded to me as I walked in.

I sat beside Kat, leaning forward. “Got anything?” I asked, searching Scarlet’s face. She sighed, which told me she had nothing definitive. “We tracked them. We ended up at Ariel’s school. We even followed their scent into the woods, but then it just…I dunno, fades off.” Scarlet nodded tightly at Chris’ explanation, and I knew it was killing her to admit it. “I don’t understand. Even I can’t track them!! Vampires don’t just fucking disappear!! They have to go somewhere!” She shouted, slamming her fist on the end table beside her. She tore a hole through it, and shook the splinters from her hand stubbornly. I was surprised Emrick hadn’t come to give us a pep talk, but tuned back in when Kat spoke. “Hey. Maybe tomorrow, the vampires might approach Ariel. Ya’ know, to make contact. That might give us an edge…we can tell her to talk with them, and even hang out!” My eyes widened, but Scarlet looked thoughtful.

“Hey, yeah! We’ll get her to ask them to meet with her later, and boom! We’ll have ‘em!” Chris burst, an excited smile playing across his lips. Scarlet nodded, looking more optimistic than I’ve seen her in a while. I shook my head, clenching my fists. “Are you all crazy?!?! You think Ariel’s just going to listen to whatever you say?! Besides, what the hell would you have done if you were asked to do this before you were an Immortal??” “Calm down, D. This is the only way,” Scarlet murmured. Kat nodded. “I have to agree. We can’t track them, so luring them out is our only option.” “She’ll be pissed about being bait, but really…she’d rather do this than have her family hurt,” Chris sided, and I wanted to hit them all. “Everything will be fine. We won’t send her in there defenseless,” Scarlet said with a smirk, pulling two stakes out from behind her back. I shook my head, rolling my eyes. “You really want me to give these to her?? She could just as easily turn around and try to stake me…” “Well, it’s a good thing you aren’t a vampire,” Scarlet muttered, and at that moment, I almost wished I was so I wouldn’t have to live through tomorrow, and they could just shove a wooden pike through my heart.