Blood in the water

CHAPTER 11 - SCHIŢĂ

— Alina — Ganya calmly put her hand over the other woman's arm on the table as the they sat around the table in the conference room. — We need a plan.

Alina took a beat before replying. Ganya always did this to her with her look. The piercing hazel eyes of her ex-girlfriend immediately made her think twice about acting out of spite. She steadied her voice, but maintained her firmness.

— We have a plan. You and Dagon know where they are, and you said it yourself that you could only get Manish because it was just the two of you. This time, we all go there. We go there and we kill them.

— Sweetie, sure we have all kinds of powers, but still, it's not that simple — Cairo tried to be patient.

— No, maybe it is — Alina turned to the woman. — Because what are we doing right now? We're hiding here, we're using all of our resources to keep them from finding us. Resources that cost time, energy, health even. Then one of us slips away for a second and we're killed, and beaten, and tortured. I'm saying that's enough.

— We all know the threat they are — Dagon chimed in. — But they're also really powerful and resourceful.

— So are we! And if we don't declare war, we're gonna keep losing.

— I agree — Cece spoke for the first time.

— Finally, someone — Alina breathed out in relief.

— I agree that we wish they'd all go away — her friend replied. — But you're in the heat of the moment, Ali.

— I've been in the heat of the moment for twenty-five years, cause that's how long they've been hurting me for — she arched a sarcastic grin.

— We should do something, yes — Dagon agreed. — But think calmly and act wisely.

— So everyone agrees that we attack the pack that Ganya and Dagon found? — the woman inquired, seeing all heads nod.

— We have to come up with something that's effective, but that doesn't jeopardize our current safety — Cece pointed out. — A combination of our powers, a division of teams focused on each task...

— And a plan to rescue their other victims — Dagon remembered.

— Let's meet again tomorrow morning — Cairo suggested. — You need rest, Alina. You haven't even eaten. And Sorin's looking for you, by the way.

— Right — she pinched the bridge of her nose.

After they all walked out of the room, Alina made her way downstairs and found Sorin just walking in from the garden.

— Hey — he ran to her and put both hands over her arms, leaving her to wish it was a hug. — Are you okay? I was worried about you.

Alina was about to nod in agreement, but once she looked him in the eye, she couldn't lie. She wasn't okay, for many different reasons.

— I'm sorry I left without saying anything — she uttered, refraining from an actual answer.

— No, it's okay, don't worry about it. I understand, your friend was in danger. Or your... — It was like he was waiting for her to complete the sentence. — I don't know.

Alina swallowed hard once more. She never considered lying to him, or omitting anything about Manish. But with the same intensity, she didn't want to hurt him. He'd been hurt enough.

— He was my boyfriend. And then one day, we were attacked. They shot him and knocked me out. And then I woke up in the castle.

— And you didn't see him again? — he asked, and she shook her head no, letting a tear fall.