Selena
Despite my burning curiosity, Varick had insisted we round up the rest of our group before divulging a single detail from his talk with Mercy.
I piggy-backed Thames to the large food hall, helping her onto a seat beside mine whilst Varick fetched the other Vs. There were other groups dotted around the room on circular tables, but no Vampires. I supposed they didn't need to come here.
Jameson arrived before I could go in search of him, with Nadine at his side, looking weary. Apart from the circles under Jameson's eyes, he looked his usual self, soon dropping into the seat beside mine with a plate of food bigger than his head.
Nadine sipped on a glass of orange juice, keeping close to his side.
“Varick told me what happened,” I said in a low voice, resting my hand on Jameson's arm beneath the table.
Jameson offered me a grim look, nodding as he speared a sausage with his fork. “What ya gonna do, eh?” He ate it in two short bites.
“How can you eat?” Nadine hissed at him. He shrugged off her fingers which were digging into his bicep.
“I'm hungry,” he answered and she sighed, looking down into her juice like it held all the answers she longed for.
“I'm sorry.” I leant forward to catch her eye. “Nadine, isn't it?”
She nodded, giving me a ghost of a smile.
Varick stepped into the room with Kodiak, Kite and Cass flanking him and my heart flipped over. Jameson placed his fork down mid-bite - which seemed like a big deal when it came to him.
Cass's eyes widened to saucers, but she never slowed down, dropping smoothly into the seat opposite him. Kodiak, Kite and Varick filled the remaining chairs. They looked like four perfect statues brought to life, each movement so delicate and refined.
“You're here,” Cass addressed Jameson, her tone casual.
He lifted his discarded fork to his mouth and ate the contents, dropping his eyes. “Ya-huh,” he managed around the food.
“Thought you were given orders not to be here,” she teased and I kicked her harshly under the table. Being a V, she didn't react, but her eyes slid to mine, her brows knitting together in a question. Hadn't Varick tipped her off about what had happened?
“What?” she mouthed as Jameson continued to eat. Nadine suddenly burst into tears. Kite wrinkled her nose.
Jameson wordlessly dropped an arm around her shoulders whilst continuing to eat with his free hand.
I shifted awkwardly, looking to Varick for help, but he seemed deep in thought.
“How are you?” Kodiak suddenly cut through the silence, evidently not aware of what was going on. He leant past Cass, looking directly at Thames.
She raised her brows in surprise, nodding as she quickly swallowed the cereal in her mouth. “Fine. Except, you know, I can't walk. So there's that.”
“Yes,” Kodiak said, his voice grave. “There is that.”
“We need to talk about the Helsings,” Varick changed the subject. He leant in closer, lowering his tone. “Specifically, we need to talk about Mercy.”
“What do you mean?” Jameson looked up.
“Mercy's here, Brendan has her locked in the basement,” I filled him in.
Jameson stilled for several seconds before continuing to eat as if the news hadn't affected him.
“How's the little brat doing?” Kite asked, her eyes flashing with delight.
“Brendan's treating her better than the Helsings would treat us,” Varick answered.
“You went to see her?” Cass asked.
Varick gave her a grave look as he nodded. “She told me her parents are attending another game...this week. It's being held in their honour.”
My heart plummeted. “Another game? Where? Who's holding it?” I demanded, unable to get the questions out fast enough.
“I don't know,” Varick growled. “But I think your father does.”
“Why wouldn't he tell us?” I hissed.
“Who cares where it is?” Thames said.
“Because if we know where they are we can...” I struggled to finish that sentence.
“You can what?” Kite laughed. “Show up at the game and shoot them?”
“Well why not?” I snapped. “We can find a way in-”
“That'd be suicide,” Jameson pointed his fork at me.
“Not if we were careful,” I insisted, looking to Cass for back-up.
She frowned. “We need to find out more.”
“Yes,” Varick sounded exasperated. “No one's doing anything until we have more details.”
Silence fell at the table and I rose to my feet.
“Where are you going?” Varick stood.
“To talk to my father.”
His jaw ticked, then he nodded, gesturing for me to lead the way. I practically jogged from the hall and Varick took the lead as he used his sense of smell to locate my father.
We soon arrived in a narrow corridor and Varick pointed to a door. “He's in there.”
I remembered to knock at the last second.
“Come in,” Brendan called.
I stepped into a large office of cherry-oak wood and deep, magenta carpet. Brendan was perched against a desk with Nirena before him. They gazed at us expectantly and I quickly composed myself. “When were you going to tell us about the game the Helsings are attending?”
Brendan's face paled and Nirena slowly unfolded her arms, looking to him for direction. From her expression, it was obvious she knew about this too.
“Well?” I pressed.
“Who told you?” Brendan stood up straighter.
“It doesn't matter. Were you ever planning on telling me?” I demanded.
Brendan's guilty expression gave me my answer.
“Why did you keep this a secret?” Varick stepped in.
Brendan's eyes fell on me. “To protect you.”
My heart tugged a fraction.
“You have already been through so much, Selena,” he continued. “And I have seen the fire in you that would have you go after the Helsings. And I cannot let you do it.”
“That isn't your decision to make,” I snapped. I took a breath, attempting to soften my tone before continuing, “Please, Brendan. If you know more about this game, you need to tell us.”
I felt Varick's eyes on me, but didn't turn my gaze from Brendan.
“Brendan has spies amongst the game spectators,” Nirena answered when my father didn't. “He sets them up to be invited to all the Hunter events.”
“Nirena,” Brendan hissed.
“There is no point keeping this from them now,” she said.
Silence stretched through the air for a moment.
“Alright,” Brendan sighed, giving in. “Well...what Nirena said is true. I started using spies a few years back to reach out to Immortals. Able to smuggle the odd one from the games. They're not always like the Helsings' games. They're not so heavily guarded.”
I nodded, waiting for him to elaborate.
He moved around his desk, his brows drawn together as he opened a drawer, extracting something from it. “Those of my men who are still undercover have received a new invitation.” Brendan walked to me, slow and defeated as he handed me a cream card, embossed with golden lettering. My eyes dropped to the words written on it.
You are formally invited to the Hunters Festival.
Held in the name of the Helsing family for both Hunter and man alike, to show our support for their recent loss.
The event will last three days with games held in their honour like nothing you have ever seen before.
RSVP in the usual way.
Location will arrive one day before your departure.
I fought the urge to crush the invite in my fist. “Who is this from?”
“A wealthy Hunter named Rockley Jones,” Brendan said as I passed the invite to Varick. “He has held games nearly as long as the Helsings have.”
“But they are not quite so civilised,” Nirena added.
“And the Helsings' games are civilised?” Varick snarled.
Nirena quickly shook her head. “Not at all. But believe me, I've heard the stories, Varick.” Terror blazed in her eyes. “Peeling the skin from living Vs. Burning women in fine dresses whilst the spectators warm their hands on the flames. Rockley has a certain type of clientele. But if he is inviting all the Hunters to his event then-”
“Then we have an opportunity,” I cut her off, turning to Varick, excitement and fear darting through my veins. All the Hunters gathering in one place, making themselves the most appealing target I ever could have imagined. “We have to be there. We can finish them.” I gripped his arm and he gazed at me, looking uncertain.
Varick turned to Brendan, his eyes dark. “When does the game start?”
“The day after tomorrow,” he breathed and my heart raced.
“Can you get us in?” I asked, desperate.
Slowly, Brendan nodded. “Yes...but it won't be easy.”