Against All Odds [Kaliss 3]

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 1

“We’re here,” Jael stated as he stopped the SUV in front of the gates of Heskel Coven.

Orion turned around, looking at Sabien and Strife. “We can’t take the defensiveness and anxiety level of those within there as all wrongdoing. Just the fact that many of the Re’s Imperial Guard walking through the doors is going to do that.”

“Not to mention the new Regal to the Re,” Jael stated with a smirk.

Orion turned to Jael, replying, “True.”

Turning back to Sabien, Orion said, “I don’t want you or Strife to say a word. I will do all the talking.”

Nodding, Sabien replied, “I understand.”

“Good. Oh, and mate of mine, that includes you,” Orion said with a laugh.

Jael laughed at the pure innocent look on the smaller man’s face as he said, “Why, sexy man, I have no idea what you’re talking about. I will be like a little church mouse.”

The laughter grew, and Jael was powerless to hold it back. Orion and a couple of the guards inside the SUV seemed to have the same issue.

Nelson crossed his arms and pushed out his bottom lip in a pout. “You guys are just mean.”

Orion turned back to face front, saying, “We are realistic, but I love you all the same.”

Jael pressed the code into the gate security system that Ezra had given him before they had left Kaliss. The Re was required access to all coven houses, so when the code didn’t work, Jael turned to Orion. “We have a problem.”

“What is it?” Orion asked.

“The gate won’t open,” Jael stated.

Orion raised a brow, asking, “Are you sure you put in the right access code?”

Nodding, Jael replied, “I did it twice and it still won’t open.”

Orion stated, “Press in the numbers 8652828.”

Jael did as he was ordered and was surprised when the gate opened.

“I was in charge of all the new security systems for all our covens when they were installed. I made sure there was an override to every locking mechanism in case of an invasion to the coven houses. I knew we would need a way inside,” Orion explained.

“Damn that was smart.,” Strife said, sounding impressed.

Nelson quickly said, “My mate is a very smart man.”

They were a half mile from the coven house when Orion said, “Stop here.”

Jael followed his orders, glancing in his rear-view mirror at Sabien. The man had not said a word since they had got on the plane and Jael was confused. He had to know. Sabien had to know what he himself had figured out within moments of walking into Sabien’s meeting with Ezra for the first time. Yet, he refused to look at Jael, let alone acknowledge the fact that they were mates.

Sabien hadn’t even flinched when Jael made a point of getting close to him. It was confusing and if Jael was honest, a bit hurtful.

“Jael!” Orion said pulling the man from his thoughts.

Jael turned and could see the baffled look on Orion’s face. “Sorry, Orion. I was thinking about why the Scion would change his code to the gate and not inform the Re.”

“It could be because he just forgot, or it could be because he was trying to keep us out for nefarious reasons. That’s what we are here to figure out,” Orion stated, stepping out of the SUV.

“We walk from here.”

“What? Why?” Strife asked getting out of the vehicle.

Orion turned to Strife. “Because I want these people to know we are here on official business and feel intimidated by our presence. It will put people on notice that they better not f**k with us and also many of your weaker men, possibly working with Heskel, will say things, because of the fear and power our Imperial Guards brings with their appearance.”

“And again, having the Regal to the Re present will do that all in itself,” Jael muttered once more.

The other SUVs stopped behind their vehicle and the men gathered and went into military formation. Jael turned to his men. “Attention!”

Every member stood tall, bringing their feet together and weapons out in front.

“Right shoulder… arms!” Jael shouted out.

Every member snapped their weapon with both hands and moved them to their right shoulders.

Orion stepped forward, inspecting the Imperial Guards, then nodded to Jael who called out.

“Parade rest!”

All the guards brought their left legs up to hip height then brought them down exactly twelve inches apart on the inside of their heels. To watch something like this was beautiful… to be in charge of all these men was humbling, and Jael felt a sense of pride rush through him, as he always did when commanding his army.

Orion walked left, then right, saying, “As you all know we are here by order of the Re. Our job is to ensure the safety of every resident of this coven. Each of you has already been given your orders on what is expected of you and how to conduct yourselves during this process. It is going to be a shock to every member of this coven when we walk in there. Some will be scared, some will be confused, and many may be angry. Do not… I repeat, do not allow your emotions to rule your actions. Yes, some people in there may be trying to kill our Re and take his place, but we are here to make sure that doesn’t happen. We have no real proof… yet. Therefore, every man, woman and child in this coven is considered innocent until proven guilty. Do you understand what it is I’m telling you?”

“Yes sir!” The guards shouted in unison.

Nodding, Orion said, “Good.” Turning to Jael, Orion asked, “Who is going to guard the Coven Regal?”

“I have six guards for his detainment, sir,” Jael answered.

“Good, and what about the Dires?” Orion asked.

Jael stated, “Two guards inside and two guards outside.”

“I don’t want any of these men kept together for any reason. I want them in separate rooms and not their own. Each man’s personal quarters will be inspected, and I don’t want them having any chance of destroying any possible evidence of being a traitor to our Re,” Orion explained.

“Yes sir,” Jael formally answered.

Orion turned to the men behind him. “Strife, you and Nelson are to go directly to the Scion’s office and then to the Dires’ offices. I want anything and everything you can find on what might be going on here. Sabien, I want you and Jael to go to those starvation cells you spoke of. If you find any coven members in there, I want them brought up, given food and/or blood. I want the coven doctor to look them over and see if there is any other assistance they may need.”

Orion turned and started for the main coven house. “Let’s do this.”

Jael gave his orders once more and they all marched forward. The sun had just gone down and the coven members were only now making their way outside. Every member stopped in their tracks as Jael led his army forward, Orion in the lead. He knew the sight they made was confusing at first, then he saw shock start to settle into the coven members eyes, followed by intense fear. The smell of that fear was almost acrid, the closer they got to the coven house. No one moved, and no one made a sound. Like Orion, Jael and his men continued to look straight ahead. What Jael found fascinating was that Sabien did the same. Whenever Strife went to turn his head, Sabien would redirect him forward.

Sabien was a conundrum. He was supposed to be almost of peasant status and yet, he held himself almost as if he was royalty. Jael had heard the man say he was brought up in foster care within his coven, but he spoke like a nobleman, and right now, he walked as if he had been within the Imperial Guard himself, and Jael knew that not to be true.

Jael was so far into his thoughts, that he almost missed when Orion stopped. Thankfully, he did see and immediately ordered his men to halt.

Orion lifted his hand and rang the bell. The loud buzz announced their arrival and was heard loud and clear, yet no one answered the door. Orion’s anger was almost palatable as he rang the bell for a second time.

Looking around, Jael asked, “Where are the guards?”

“Let’s find out,” Orion snarled as he turned the knob and opened the door.

Orion addressed Jael, “Have your men wait out here for now. You and Nelson come with me.”

“What about Sabien and me?” Strife asked.

“I will have you come in with the guards in a few moments. Until then, stay here,” Orion ordered Walking inside, Jael was amazed at what he saw. Nelson gasped, “This place is disgusting.”

Cracks were all along the walls and flooring, the curtains were dull and thin and looked like they had not been cleaned in too many years to count. The paint was dry and peeling, and the smell of mold filled the room from the obvious leak in the roof. Jael looked at Orion in confusion. “This is the Heskel Coven? Where the hell is everyone?”

A man walked down the stairs, asking, “May I help you?”

Jael stated, “I am Jael Morgan, leader of the Imperial Guard to the Re. This is Orion Leventis, Regal to the Re. We are here on business and wish to speak to your Coven Regal this instant.”

The man’s eyes widened. “You won’t find him here, sir. This is the common quarters.”

“The what?” Jael asked in confusion.

Another man walked down the stairs and joined the first. “What’s going on Manchester?”

“These men say they are here by order of the Re,” Manchester replied anxiously.

“But why did they come here? We’ve done nothing wrong. They should be at the royal house,”

the other man said with a tremor in his voice.

Orion snapped, “Both of you down here now.”

The two men raced down the stairs and stepped in front of Orion. Both bowed their heads, Manchester saying, “Please don’t kill us, sir, Regal. We are just confused and unsure of what it is you want with us.”

Orion sighed, saying, “I am not here to kill anyone. I am here by order of your Re. I must speak with the Coven Regal.”

Manchester looked up, saying, “Like my friend Edward just said, you are looking for the royal house. This is the common quarters.”

Nelson walked to the two men, smiling. “Hi, I’m Nelson, mate to Orion. Can I ask you some questions?”

Orion gave Jael a look and they both smiled. They knew there was no way Nelson would be able to stay silent. However, he seemed to have a calming effect on the two men so they both figured he might get more answers than they would.

“Of course, sir,” Manchester replied.

“Nelson. Everyone calls me Nelson,” Nelson said looking around. “This place is in pretty bad shape. Are you saying there is another coven house? Maybe a newer one?”

Manchester quickly replied, “Sir… I mean Nelson. I don’t know exactly how to answer your question. This is the original coven house, but when Scion Heskel took over, he built another house behind here. He and his guard live there, and the singles of the coven live here. The families are in the homes surrounding.”

“Wait, you’re saying Scion Heskel doesn’t live with his coven members and the new coven house is behind this one?” Nelson asked in surprise.

Shaking his head, Manchester replied, “No s… Nelson. From the day he was appointed, he had us build the other house and like I said, he and his guard live there.”

“But what if the coven was attacked? How can your inner circle and his army fight to protect you if it is behind you?” Jael asked aghast.

“I… I don’t know, sir. I… it is n-not… m-my place… t-to question m-my s-scion,” Manchester stammered.

“Relax, Manchester. We are only trying to understand.” Turning to Jael, Orion quietly asked,

“Why didn’t Sabien tell us this?”

Shaking his head, Jael said, “Shock factor?”

Nelson looked around the room, saying, “Manchester, this place looks like it’s in need of some repair.”

“Yes, sir, but all our coven money goes to maintain the Scion’s home. We make do,” Manchester replied.

“Can one of you please take us to the Scion’s house?” Nelson asked.

Manchester gazed at Edward, both men looked very uncomfortable with the request. Manchester turned back to Nelson. “I will take you, but we are supposed to request a viewing before doing such things.”

Nelson turned, and Jael could see the anger in the his eyes, and Jael knew his friend was getting as pissed as the rest of them. Nelson took a couple of deep breaths, then turned back around with a smile. “We are here by order of the Re himself and as such we do not have to request a viewing. Now can you please show us to the Scion’s home?”

Nodding, tentatively Manchester replied, “Of course.”

Manchester walked out the front door, stopping short and muttering, “Oh my.”

“Don’t be alarmed. This is the Re’s Imperial Guard and they are here to make sure you all are kept safe while we do what we came here to do,” Orion said as calmly as he could.

Manchester turned to see Sabien. He smiled wide and went to the vampire, hugging him closely.

“You are the reason for this, aren’t you?”

“I told you I would bring help, old man,” Sabien replied, awkwardly returning the hug.

Manchester pulled back, saying, “It’s a good thing you did, Sabien. I don’t know what’s going on, but Heskel and his men are preparing for something. Things here have gone from bad to worse.”