Reminiscence {Book Two of the Vengeance Trilogy}

Chapter Eight: First Day of Bad Guy Boot Camp

Once our discussion was over, Tom and Peter went around introducing me to all of the pack members. Peter, of course, did most of the work and Tom just followed us in silence. There were some faces that were familiar, but most of them were brand new to me. Though Tom wasn't too invested in the introductions, Peter was beyond excited. As hard as I tried, I couldn't manage to figure him out. Most people were miserable when they were turned and it took months for them to even crack a smile. It seemed like Peter was just happy to be here and help.

"So, where is Fianna these days?" I asked as Peter led us downstairs to the basement, where I assumed there was an entrance to the caverns. Deep under the city, there were tunnels that ran as far as the west coast of the country. They were carved out by the first vampires that roamed Ireland. Back in the day, they connected all the different packs in the country, but once Tom and his father took over, all communication was cut off with them. I wouldn't be shocked if they fled because of threats that they had made towards them.

"Fianna is out feeding," Tom told me. "And while we're on the topic, I think it's worth mentioning that I won't force you to naturally feed. I see now why you might have a problem with it."

"Right, but you still do it?"

"Hey, we all have our guilty pleasures."

Yes, and yours happens to involve killing people.

"Okay, and here's the door to the tunnels. You'll want to use this as your main source of travel to avoid being seen," Peter told me as he spun around on his heels and smiled at Tom. It was weird to see Tom receive joy from something other than hurting people, but I was still convinced that it was all an act.

"Well, I'm going to go and tend to a few things. Peter, can you help Danny get settled in? I really want him to feel at home with us," Tom asked and Peter nodded, still wearing that goofy smile of his. Without batting an eye at me, he walked past Peter and exited through the cavern door. Before Peter could start to walk past me, I spoke up, knowing that this was going to be one of the few times where I could talk to him while he was completely alone.

"How well do you think you know Tom?" I asked and Peter stopped and looked at me in confusion. I knew that I had to be careful about what I said around this kid. One wrong word and he would run off and tell Tom all about it. He was loyal to him, but I couldn't help but ask the questions that were lingering in my mind.

"Excuse me?" he replied, confusion blanketing his stare. I folded my arms across my chest as I stared into his eyes. As much as I hated it, I felt bad. I felt as though I was responsible for telling this kid about the monster Tom really was. At the same time, I was hesitant not only because I was on a mission, but because he needed this for the time being. Something that made his life feel as normal as possible. Unfortunately, Tom was the only one giving him that at the moment. It didn't help that Tom was a master manipulator.

"Look, I'm just trying to make sure you're okay. I've known Tom longer than you have and I've seen some of the things he's done. I'm just having some trouble believing that he's turned a new leaf. You seem like a good kid and I don't want to see something happen to you if things go wrong," I told him. I knew that I had to sound sincere, but for once, I felt like I didn't have to try very hard to do so. Still, once I was finished, Peter looked to me as if I had spoken in a different language.

"Thanks...I guess. That's kind of nice, but I have one question for you though," he said and I could already feel my heart pounding so fast that I thought it was going to burst. I fucked up, this was it, he knew that I was here with an ulterior motive. I was done for. I had one chance and I wasted it. "Why do you insist on mocking my height?"

"Wait...wait, what?"

"You do realize I'm twenty-four, right? I'm not exactly a kid," he asked and it was as if a giant weight on my chest had been lifted. If anything, I wanted to mock him more for making my heart almost stop. I tried my best not to let my relief show, but I genuinely thought that I was going to pass out from the stress.