BLOODBOUND II

𝟏𝟎

The group stand in Prague airport where Kamilah has just revealed that in order to get the Eye of Bathory, they'll have to go to Dracula's castle.

Amy: Please tell me this is a joke...

Kamilah: Amy, when have I ever told a joke?

Lily: I can vouch for that. I've been with her for days; the woman has no sense of humor. She's being one hundred percent for real.

Amy: Dracula? Dracula is real.

Adrian: Unfortunately for all of us.

Kamilah and Adrian exchange a weary glance.

Kamilah: We can talk about this later. In a less public location.

Jax: Yeah, Dracula can wait. How's New York? What's happened since we've been gone?

Kamilah: Thing's escalated quickly, but thankfully we're still holding our own for now. Most of the Clan vampires were safely evacuated. They're taking refuge in other cities across America.

Adrian: My Clan?

Kamilah: Most are evacuated, but some stayed to fight, loyal to you.

Adrian takes a deep breath and nods.

Jax: What about the Shadow Den? We got them out, right?

Lily: Jax, loads of folks in the Shadow Den stayed behind to fight, too. They're safe, don't worry, rather don't worry too much.

Jax: I wanted them to evacuate.

Kamilah: And they wanted to fight for their home. You of all people should respect that.

Jax: I do.

Amy: Why didn't they just run for the hills? I would have.

Kamilah: A few simply didn't want to leave. Others wanted to help take a stand against Gaius, and some, not a lot, but a few have taken Gaius's side.

Jax: Anyone from the Shadow Den?

Lily: No, our people are still loyal. As are Adrian's and Kamilah's.

They're mostly from Priya and Lester's Clans. Most of The Baron's as well.

Amy: Traitors.

The group head towards the exit, glancing around nervously, looking for anyone who might work for the Order.

Adrian: So, have you secured us a safe house here?

Kamilah: Please, Adrian. There's a reason I have an office in every major city.

They climb into a cab, which whisks them away into the city.

Soon, Kamilah leads them into her Prague office, where everyone takes a seat as Adrian recounts everything that happened in Paris.

As he mentions what happened to Serafine, his eyes flare with rage.

Kamilah: Adrian, I'm sorry.

She walks over to him and puts an arm around his shoulders.

Kamilah: I know you two were close.

Adrian: It's not just that. It's how they took her from me, how I failed her.

Kamilah: It wasn't your fault. The Order is incredibly effective at what they do.

Adrian: That doesn't change the fact that they have her.

Kamilah: I know. We'll do whatever is in our power to get her back, I swear it.

He nods wearily and Amy clasps her hands tighter together as she watches the expression on his face, remembering his rage at the club the night before.