Chapter 123

Almara’s Pov

No one dares to answer the question. We all share the same expression on our face, wonder at what comes next.

“No matter.” Says the rower. “I think I know the answer.”

“We’re not who you think you are.” Robert says, rising on his feet though keeping his knees bent as to not rock the boat too much.

“Don’t try to fool me.” The rower exclaims with a sudden flair of his arms, moving much more swiftly and comfortably on this boat than any of us could. Now standing facing us for the first time since we begun this journey, he takes a good hard look at each of us. Contempt growing with each passing gaze.

Though the same can be said for us. The more he looks at us as though we’re the scum of the earth, the more I realize how ridiculous of us to be cowering at his recognition of who we are. He should be trembling at who we are.

This shift in dynamics is subtle, but the rest of the pack picks up on this realization without a word passing between us, as if getting whiff of a smell and identifying the source. If the vampire picks up on our more confident stance, he doesn’t show it.

“So, what are you going to do about it?” Roman asks as if egging on the rower to give us his worst, while at the same time sounding as though he’s got better things to do today- which isn’t entirely false.

The rower mumbles something to himself, but I can’t make out what. It sounds as though he’s speaking in Latin. His voice is gurgled and the words blend into one another. Just then, I hear Bess respond in the same language.

“You know what he’s saying?” I ask in shock.

“It’s an archaic poem about strife, written by a nobleman form when my mother was a young girl.” Bess replies as if the rower should have no business repeating such words. It’s that moment, I get a glimpse of understanding how old the rower truly is- though he doesn’t look it.

The rower doesn’t respond, instead he raises his communication device to his ear and powers it on. First there’s only a static then we hear the voice of the dispatcher respond.

“What’d you uncover, Jafe?” The dispatcher says clearly through the muffled airwaves. Just then Roman springs forward and rips the phone-like device from his hand. Jafe is quick to react as he pushes Roman back harder than we all anticipated.

The canoe violently rocks, yet neither Jafe or Roman lose their footing. The rest of us grip to the sides of the boat as if that’ll be enough to prevent us from capsizing. Roman manages to take phone-like device and chuck it overboard, landing with a splash some feet away.

Jafe has his arm wrapped around Roman’s neck, keeping him close by. He Bares his fangs and a releases a harsh hiss as he brings his mouth closer to Roman. Roman takes his free hands and violently pushes away Jafes head with enough force that would easily kill any other being.

He uses his other hand to push Jafe away from him. Jafe stumbles back, catching himself at the stool he stood on. Robert gets to his feet and comes between the two.

“Enough.” He holds his palms out with Roman and Jafe on either end. The irony dawns on me, Robert being a hybrid of these two beats, he himself constantly at war with conflicting desires now attempting to cease fire.

Finally both parties settle enough that the canoe regains it’s balance. Robert lowers his arms and straightens himself out.

“Are you to coward to deal with us yourself? You prefer to have your back up for protection?” Roman says, almost laughing.

“It would appear you prefer it that way, former Alpha.” Jafe says Roman’s title as if it were an insult.

“Perhaps we can make a deal.” Robert interjects quickly incase another fight breaks out and the canoe tips.

Jafe is the first to laugh, his voice a screech like that of a youthful bat. “I would never work with wolves.” He practically spits out the words.

Robert looks at Roman for some help. Roman snarls at Robert, but yields to his request. “If you continue us on our journey, I’ll see to it that your wants are fulfilled.” Even if our races weren’t enemies, Roman makes no attempt at sounding like he’ll make good on his promise.

“Oh, but imagine the goods that will be rewarded to me by the Council, members of my own kind, when I turn you in.” Jafe’s eyes practically glisten as though some fresh blood had spilt in front of him and he was told to feast.

“It’ll be nothing compared to what I can give.” Roman says, this time defending more his honor and ability to produce goods than his desire in working out a deal.

A loud ring erupts from my backpack, echoing down the tunnels. It’s my cell phone. I scramble to answer it, knowing it’s Arthur. We said we would call should only an emergency take place.

“If you answer it, any deal made is off.” Jafe says. “If I can’t contact my people, then the same rules apply for you.” It hadn’t occurred to me he was sincerely considering Roman’s words. Then again, vampires are the opens who betray their own, not wolves. Robert probably knows this best and is why he suggested a deal be made in the first place.

I’m not surprised by the look on Roman’s face that tells me to take one for the team, but I am taken back by Bess expression that tells me to do the same. She knows how much not answering this call will stress me. She smiles softly as if trying to tell me she knows this too.

Out of respect for Bess, I listen to her. I end the call and tuck it in my bag. My heart sinking just as my knees do. Though my legs rest on the seat beneath me, my heart keeps falling.

“Where we’re we?” I hear Jafe say, though I no longer care what happens any more. For all we know, Arthur was calling to tell me his end has come- and I missed it.

“What would you like?” Roman says.

Jafe’s lips crack as his grin spreads ear to ear, revealing jagged teeth. “Blood, but of course.” He says as if beholding fine jewels.

“Fine.” Roman says, clearly willing to give in to whatever as long as it moves us onto phase three.

“You haven’t heard my terms, ex Alpha.” Jafe says, rubbing his hands together, enjoying the seemingly apparent power he has. Roman’s knuckles tighten as his sides, giving off a pop as he releases his grip.

“Which are?” He asks through gritted teeth.

“Fresh blood from younglings.” Jafe says clearly excited by the thought. I scoff at his demands, thinking Roman, having some morality as we are on a quest to rescue his son, would also object.

“Deal.” Roman says, thinking no more of it. Jafe tosses his back and lets out a cackle.

“Then to the Council we go.” He says in a sing-song kind of way that makes my skin crawl. I can’t believe we made a deal with a low-life, blood-sucking vampire.

Jafe turns back around and picks up the paddles, humming as we flow back down stream. Bess coughs and something about it captures my attention. She passes something shiny to Roman who nods with understanding.

“Jafe, one more thing.” Roman says.

“Yes.” Jafe replies with delight. He turns around and that’s when Roman rams the shiny object into Jafes chest. Jafe’s eyes widen with confusion and then roll to the side. Roman yanks the object out and pushes him overboard.

Jafe remains bobbing on the surface until it eventually begins to sink. Roman throws what I can now see is a metallic spear-like object and tosses it into the water. He takes hold of the paddle and begins to steer us away.

“There was never going to be a deal.” He says, keeping his eyes ahead while Robert and I remain in stunned silence. I look at Bess to see she’s smiling, and now I understand why her hand was in the water. She must’ve been cut off a piece of the motor with her claw.

I let out a sigh. Phase two also went not according to the plan.