Blind To Reality

12- Missing

Cian P.O.V

"You can't keep ignoring that nest just because of what happened to Ashe," Jeffery was trying unsuccessfully to get me to sign the various documents building up for that nest. "They won't get any of the allotted supplies without your signature. Do you really want to have a nest full of hungry wampyrkos in the territory?"

I couldn't suppress the snort, my watery emotions floating to the top momentarily, "They won't starve. I know better than anyone how much money and supplies they've been hoarding for years now."

Jeffery rolled his eyes, "At least look at these documents. They have nothing to do with monetary values or support. Aside from the disputes, there's a few worrying events that have surfaced."

My interest was just barely perceptible piqued, "And what events are those?"

"Read for yourself. I'm not going to do all your work for you."

"True. You still haven't gotten down how to forge my signature yet."

Jeffery glowered, mouth puckering in distaste. "Just read the damn things."

He smashed the folders into my chest, turned on his heel, flipping his hair and brusquely leaving the room. I was sure if he could, he would have slammed the- a door slammed from somewhere above.

I took a breath, releasing a short sigh before focusing on the slightly crinkled documents. It didn't take long to get the gist of what those documents detailed. I leaned back, fingers rubbing along the junction between the bridge of my nose and forehead before leaning forward once more and pulling my phone to me.

It rang several times before the phone finally connected, the sound of shifting, juggling and clinking as it fell before scraping when it t was finally held aloft once more, "Mmmhm....?"

"Gale, Cian."

"Hmmhm?" The sound of rhythmic tapping could be heard. "...Hey."

"I'll be quick, you didn't do anything more to those kids that you had pack up.... His things?"

"What, you think I have something to do with a couple kids running off for a bit probably just blowing off steam somewhere?" The tapping abruptly jolted, followed by the rapid tapping of one button.

Tapping started up once more, "You don't seem surprised... Gale."

The tapping stopped, "...They've been labeled as missing? I only harassed them a little for messing with the kid's stuff. Like I have the time, being behind on my chapters, to chase after a couple kids that already quake in their boots at the thought of me."

The typing picked up, seeming forced to my ears, "Picking on them is one thing, but I know how you can get so I don't down they have several wounds to lick somewhere. I'm just disconcerted by your apathy towards them."

A sigh filtered over the phone, the tapping slowing but not stopping, "It's not that I'm not surprised, but more that... I don't care. They were dicks until someone bigger than them took notice and slapped them around a bit."

"No doubt that they deserved being knocked down a couple rungs," Listening to this, I couldn't help but silently agree. Except for the fact that this was part of my responsibilities, I wouldn't have cared much either but, since it was, I couldn't do nothing, "Okay, got it. Luck with the writing."

"Bastard Cian, you know that saying that is bad luck!" A bang could be heard on the other end. "Damn, what was I writing? Shit, all this is a copy of our conver-"

I hung up, lips lifted in an amused curl.

It didn't take long for it to fall once more, though. I rifled through the documents for that shitty nest, denying much of the resources and only approving the bare minimum.

Once done, I focused once more on the documents containing the more unsavory events that have recently come to pass. Two missing kids. One dead Alpha. New Alpha. Problems with Werlykos running rampant lately. Drugs. Guns. Munitions. Several odd deaths, all of which were technically natural... Kids shirking their education.

These were all separate events, but an uncanny feeling of connection threaded through it all. There was no such thing as coincidence. What was really worrying was what wasn't documented. Whatever was here in the light, much worse were in the dark.

And Ashe was in the midst of all that coal black pitch, a smudge of bright in all that swampy tar, I just knew it. Whoever had him knew and choreographed everything that has happened and only was everything that will happen... And by the time I even find out, he's already several steps ahead... But how?

How else? My mind prodded. You have a leak, of course. Probably more than one.

My jaw creaked, knuckles cracking and white from being clenched. And you can't even do anything, because they're to smart to get caught.

Too smart to get caught, unless they really wanted to. Too smart unless they wanted someone to know what they did. Smart enough not to lie. Smart enough not to be even indirectly connected unless they wanted to.

I went through the motions, calling people that should be called, setting up meetings and tightening the reigns in certain regions. But, I wasn't being obtuse. I knew that most of these people could be paid off or blackmailed, the same as I was able to do.

The same as I was able to do... Huh? Maybe I should? Maybe I should. Maybe I will. What a waste it was, but at least it would be one less leash that they could hold.

I should also kill those that can't be held in hand, those small rats that nibble here and there for bits of food and free shows.

I realized just how complacent I had been before all this happened. I was the one who had let the wolves step right through the door and, if not for Ashe, I was sure I would have continued not to notice or take care.

Deaths would have just been deaths. Drugs and such? I wouldn't have cared much so long as my profits and clans weren't affected.

I had kept my world so small, and now I was paying the price. I had thought I was this big leader that knew of all the things in the dark, but I actually hadn't even scratched the surface. What was in the dark was nothing compared to what was well hidden behind it. And what of the monsters that walked in the light?

I had overlooked so many things, but now my eyes were open. I saw much more now. I saw so much more now. And I was going to take back what's mine and more. I was going to cut out eat cancerous tumor and let the blood pool for all to see, and kill all the flies that decide to gather. Kill all the rats that look for a nibble. Kill all the maggots and clear out the rot. It won't look pretty by the end, but it will finally fucking be clean when I'm done with it.

There were several people and places- almost too many to know what to do with. I needed more manpower. I needed to turn players on each other and feed the interest of the rats. And I needed to use those people that were betraying me.

But what I really needed to do right now was admit these harsh truths to myself- accept it and move on. Even if they were later found to be innocent, I would apologize later when everything was finally done.

I had to test each of my people, even those I believed I could trust. But I knew enough for right now. I knew what to do for now. The puzzle already had a piece added, a large piece that explained so much if it were true in any form because-

I never told Gale that the kids were missing.