Dark Moon Rising

Chapter Twenty-Five: Tactical Considerations

Argus's Point of View

It was well past midnight when I finally closed the file that my adoptive father had given me. I'm glad I read it first, as I didn't realize just how much information Lucius had about the Dark Moon Pack. He knew Jo Armstrong was there and had information about her abilities and lineage. It's no wonder the Collective wanted her; to harness her powers would make her the ultimate weapon. The fact that she was expecting twins, who would likely inherit her power, made her capture even more significant.

What frightened me the most was that Lucius knew that Seraphina was there and that she was using the name Crypta. He also had information about her best friends, Rogue and Adrian. He knew that Adrian was the founder of the Byte Club. It was Lucius who had ordered the hit on Adrian, which I found out only moments before an attempt on his life was made. Selene had rescued Adrian at the last moment, just as the bomb I had set to detonate to destroy any information linking him to my sister was set off.

Lucius didn't realize what I had learned from Seraphina's shared information. There were two possible candidates for his son - Felix or Eyrx. According to my notes, both were the same age and had grown up without their mothers. I would have more clarity once I arrived there. One thing was for sure: I would protect Lucius's son from his father. I wouldn't let that monster anywhere near him.

There was something special about the land on which the Dark Moon pack was located. The Collective had been interested in it since its inception. It was never explicitly stated in the file, but it was something that pharmaceutical companies could profit from. Perhaps the developers were nothing more than a front for something else. I wish I had taken more biology courses when I was in university. At the time, I couldn't deviate from Lucius's plan for me. My life and Seraphina's depended on it.

I looked at the list of names I had put together. Lucius had stressed the importance of discretion, confidentiality, and prompt action for this mission. He emphasized that I should pick people with whom I had closely collaborated, trusted, and had a good rapport. If Lucius didn't fully trust me, he would deploy a monitoring team to report to him. I had to assemble a team that could provide support, defend themselves in case of an attack, and have a strong fighting spirit. It would be advantageous if the chosen team members were familiar with my needs as a vampire.

I tapped my pen against the pad of paper and sighed in frustration. I was tired, and the names were blurring together. Lucius had given me twenty-four hours. I looked at my watch. Four hours had gone by. I could afford to sleep for a few hours before making my final selection. I gathered my belongings and returned home to my apartment.

After a few short hours of dreamless sleep, I showered and dressed quickly, intending to return to my office immediately. I froze when I saw Selene sitting at my kitchen table, sipping from a coffee mug. A platter of scrambled eggs, bacon, hash browns, sausage, and toast awaited me at my usual seat.

"Olivia sent this back with me for you. I like her. She's a sweet woman. I told her I needed breakfast for a handsome young man with a big decision. I only had to promise to bring back the plate," Selene chuckled.

"Who is Olivia exactly?" I asked, confused.

"The head omega in the Dark Moon pack and the mate of one of my most devoted followers, Percival. I made the coffee, though," chirped the Moon Goddess.

The coffee was brewed to perfection, but I'd expected nothing less from the powerful entity who had become a close friend. I noticed hints of caramel, offering a smooth sweetness that balanced out the strong coffee base. Dark chocolate notes also brought out flavors of cocoa powder with a hint of espresso-like bitterness, creating a satisfying contrast to the sweeter caramel elements.

"Selene, this coffee is amazing!" I raved as she smiled graciously at me.

"Good, I'm glad you like it. Now eat! Olivia is an amazing cook, one that you will appreciate once you are a member of the Dark Moon pack," the Moon Goddess grinned.

Indulging in my meal, I couldn't help but release a pleased sigh of satisfaction. The scrambled eggs were light and flavorful, the hash browns crunchy, and the sausage and bacon contributed rich and smoky tastes. Even the toast was a delightful addition to the meal.

"I understand why you are struggling with the names you've listed. They are all reliable and unlikely to betray you. Their loyalty lies with you and not with the Collective. But you must be very careful in choosing who to involve, Argus. This is a test of your loyalty to Lucius and your dedication to the Collective. You will need to have some of his key players accompany you," Selene sighed.

"If I do that, I'll put Jo, Seraphina, Rogue, and Adrian in danger. I'm still trying to comprehend how Lucius obtained the information he has. There must be a mole in the Shifting Circle to know all of this," I replied.

"Will you be the main point of contact for this mission?" the Moon Goddess inquired.

"Yes, why?" I asked, curious as to why she was asking me this.

"Because if it truly is you, then these are the operatives who must accompany you. Do not worry about those who aspire to move up in the Collective. They won't make it through the magical shield. But the others, loyal to you, will," the Moon Goddess declared in an ominous voice.

"That means only three of us will cross the barrier," I gasped.

"Do you think you will return to the Collective after this?" Selene replied, fixing me with an intent look.

"No, but what will happen to those with me?" I asked.

"The ones who make it through the magical barrier will join the Dark Moon pack. Jo and Eyrx will deal with the ones who don't. You will not be privy to that, though," the Moon Goddess shared.

I wish I could have brought more to offer them a way out of the Collective. However, the Moon Goddess was correct in her assessment of the situation. I will need to be strategic to survive this mission. The two Selene had chosen were good souls who deserved a fresh start.

"I'll pour you another cup of coffee, and then you need to go and pack up what you need for the mission. But be sure to include whatever you must take when you leave because you will not return to the Collective," Selene said.

The Moon Goddess unexpectedly started to wash my dishes.

"What? It would be rude to return a dirty plate to Olivia," the Moon Goddess rolled her eyes.

I just nodded, mentally noting this as something I never thought I would witness in my lifetime.