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Chapter 8

  • And so, the Lockwood's annual party came to an abrupt terrific end. One could start with the police circling about the bloody scenery or the blaring tone and lights of several ambulance vehicles. Perhaps one could start with the bodies itself. Some had their hearts ripped out of their chest, others had obvious bite marks across their necks. But the main worries were the identities of these people killed. Dan and his clique alongside security guards.
  • Bella would have assumed Arthur did the killings but he was with her during the ugly incident. And for the first time, she chose to believe his words. Whoever was doing this meant more harm than Arthur.
  • "Bella Cosgrove." A tall heavily built man uttered beside her. His appearance formal and in harmony with his dark clothing. It wasn't far-fetched this man was a bodyguard.  "Mr. Lockwood requests of your presence. Please follow me."
  • She nodded and was about to depart from the ugly scenery until Arthur held her abruptly. Grinning sinisterly and curling his arm around her shoulders like they were a couple.
  • "I'm coming along." He clearly voiced but the guard frowned. She tried to wriggle from his cold touch but his grasp were dominating.
  • "Mr. Lockwood only request of Miss Bella and not you. Kindly step away or I'll use force." The guard voiced his hands gently trailing the outline of his hips. Where Bella presumed a pistol would be fixated. 
  • "You heard him, Arthur. Please don't make a scene." She whispered enough for him to hear but his smile only deepened. He sauntered close to the guard.
  • "Shut your trashy mouth and escort us to Mr. Lockwood now." He ordered in a low tone while the guard simply nodded. Following Arthur's instructions like one that is charmed. And indeed he was!, The same way he ordered her teacher.
  • "Shall we?" Arthur turned to her with a grin. She puzzled what kind of special abilities he possessed, that made the guard resign to silence and do Arthur's biddings. Nevertheless, she followed the guard with Arthur by her side.
  • Bella watched in amazement as the twin doors revealed three powerful people seated round table under the golden lights. Their discussion so deep and concerning. Mr. Conway, Mrs. Geraldton and Mr. Lockwood himself.
  • "It is evident tonight that these deaths are the work of the supernatural! And we won't stand to watch Innocent people of Covington get killed. I believe Sheriff Cosgrove was a victim of these monsters. And whoever is doing this is waging war that we cannot remain quiet any longer!" Mr. Conway blared in the large room dimly lit and filled with several antiques. Antiques she didn't quite understand. The skulls for example, which had a canine longer than usual. Then there were several daggers of different heights and indescribable writings inscribed on it. Books too, ranging from tiny to bulky sizes. All of them finely arranged on large shelves rooted to the wall.
  • "Mr. Lockwood, Miss Bella is here." The guard muttered causing silence to dawn in the room. Their eyes widened the next second that came.
  • "Arthur!" Mrs. Geraldton blared, rising to her stance furiously. Bella glanced between the old woman and smiley Arthur.
  • "Have you no fear that you're in the midst of experienced hunters?" Mr. Conway blared with evident disgust. Bella frowned, her heart pacing above normal from the drama Arthur would create. One thing he hated was threats.
  • Arthur smirked circling about the room in a nonchalant mannerism.
  • "Actually, you all should be scared." He paused his lips and in a sharp second, the Vampire had appeared at Mr. Conway's face.
  • "You know me, Conway. Don't dare me." He scorned in an icy tone Bella had already grown accustomed too.
  • "You shouldn't be here." Mr. Lockwood voiced in a reserved tone. "This meeting is meant only for humans who keeps Covington safe."
  • Bella watched Arthur's monstrous face grimace into a grin. He walked away from terrified Conway to Mrs. Geraldton.
  • "Exactly," he lowered Mrs. Geraldton to her seat back. "Which is why I'm here."
  • "You're the problem of Covington. You should be cast out!" Mrs. Geraldton muttered with her teeth gritted and her fist curled.
  • "Don't be such a mood, Love." Arthur muttered close to her ear. "Aren't you glad that you finally get to meet your long time boyfriend?"
  • "I curse the day I met you!" The old woman glared but Arthur didn't waver.
  • "I'm sure if you recall our passionate sex and love, you wouldn't say that." Arthur chuckled before returning to Bella.
  • "I'm sorry, Mr. Lockwood. But I don't understand what's going on here." Bella voiced in a shaky tune.
  • "Oh you will, soon." Arthur interjected causing another wave of hostilities from the others. "This are the idiotic and delusional Supernatural hunters of Covington. Mrs. Geraldton, my old time girlfriend, who deals with hunting Witches. Mr. Lockwood, the idiot who preys on Werewolves. Mr. Conway, a bastard and a fool who hunts Vampires." Bella watched confusingly as Arthur gestured towards each respective identities with derogatory remarks. From the way he spoke, she could tell Arthur has had a long history with them. Which led her to another puzzle. How old was Arthur?
  • "The last but not the least, Sheriff Cosgrove." He muttered in a more reserved tone and his eyes purely fixated to hers. Her heart started to pick pace again, wondering what Arthur had to say about her mother.
  • "The most dangerous Hunter in the whole of Covington. She specializes in all kinds." Bella tried to breathe but failed horribly. The fact that this new revelations were hitting at once, shocked her to the marrows. Up until now, she had thought these dignitaries were just filthily rich people. Then came silence which reigned for minutes until Mr. Lockwood's voice picked on a concerned note.
  • "These mysterious killings and Sheriff Cosgrove disappearance, are any of them your doing?"
  • Bella studied Arthur's countenance closely while he faced Lockwood.
  • "None." He affirmed.
  • "Liar!" She pitched but he shrugged her off in the most nonchalant way possible.
  • "Don't mind the dumb girl." He said. "But one thing I do know, whoever is doing this is up to no good."
  • "Your kinds are always up to no good." Bella flared again causing Arthur to flinch, his teeth gritting and his face displaying discomfort.
  • "One more word and I'll rip your throat."
  • "What history have you with this girl? Arthur." Mrs. Geraldton interjected. Bella almost answered but she feared what Arthur might do.
  • "I happened to save her from a useless Werewolf who almost ripped her apart." Arthur smirked. "Ungrateful soul." He eyed Bella off.
  • "First you hang around with my daughter now it's the daughter of Cosgrove." Mr. Lockwood remarked disappointedly.
  • "You can't blame my charms. Girls love me." Arthur sarcastically toned while Bella rolled her eyes.
  • "Forget your useless charms and let's discuss on the main issue here." Mr. Conway interjected with a frown. "People are dying, Cosgrove is missing and rumours have begun flying about."
  • "And if things get out of control," Mrs. Geraldton paused her lips. "Nicodemus will come."
  • Another wave of silence dawned on the room. Bella wondered why that name alone instilled fear into them. Even almighty Arthur froze. She dared to ask but soon decided against it. She didn't want to be tossed into another world of shocking revelations or Arthur's threats.
  • "But how do we go about this......for we know not who's behind this. Is it the Vampires, the Wolves or the Witches?" Mr. Lockwood interjected.
  • "It is very simple." Mrs. Geraldton answered. "This is the work of a Vampire."
  • "We cannot be too sure!" Mr. Conway answered.
  • "This murders define the nature of Vampires. The bite, decapitation of heads, ripping out of hearts......it is definitely a Vampire." She affirmed.
  • "Have you forgotten the ripping out of body parts?.......my ears have been filled with Wolf howls recently." Mr. Lockwood addressed.
  • "Are you saying it's the Werewolves?" Conway asked.
  • "No." He pursed his lip
  • "I am saying this might be the work of both!" Lockwood answered.
  • "If this hypothesis is true then this city is in grave danger. We have to commence operation on subduing this creatures. Even if it means killing them." Mrs. Geraldton added.
  • Lockwood raised an eyebrow.
  • "Killing these creatures is a tough task on it's own. Blindfolding the human community is another problem because we can't just go about killing and citizens won't get suspicious." He explained. "I suggest we take the easy route out."
  • "And that is?" Geraldton asked.
  • "We shall spread Garlic, Wolfsbane and Witch Hazel into the town's water system and every other public service shall be laced with this. Guards shall be on ground to monitor any negative reactions" Mr. Conway stated.
  • "I don't see this way any effective to our problems..." Mrs. Geraldton was cut off from her say from the heavy sigh Lockwood interjected with.
  • "Our duty as the predatory families is to maintain balance, peace and order between the communities. For decades now, Covington has known peace. One of us is missing, we can't afford to take rash decisions. It will further heighten our problems."
  • "So you all in the infinity of your wisdom have created a flawless solution eh?" Arthur suddenly pitched with heavy dose of sarcasm. They all muted, glaring at him.
  • "What do you propose? Vamp." Conway retorted.
  • "Before you start raiding war on innocent creatures, I suggest we do this the old fashioned way." Bella watched Arthur fold his arms with a stern expression
  • "And that is?" Geraldton asked with squinted eyes.
  • "Investigation. If you all partner up with me, we can find this murderer faster and safer." Arthur answered. "Just like old times."
  • "Partnership?" Lockwood laughed mockingly. "With you?" His laughter intensified.
  • "Alright then, have it your way. But when Nicodemus comes, don't come begging." Arthur smiled and opted to take his leave.
  • "Fine!" Mrs. Geraldton blared making Arthur halt abruptly. "Let's do this your way but if this fails.."
  • "Don't threaten me, love." Arthur abruptly cut in. "I never fail. You know better."
  • "One more thing," Mr. Conway uttered. "Who's going to take custody of Bella? Cos she's not safe either."
  • Bella noticed the hesitation that set in on their faces. She didn't blame them as it was a decision that required critical thinking. Out of the blue, Arthur volunteered. The magnitude of shock that overwhelmed her ceased her breaths once again.
  • "She stays with me." He said.
  • "No way, you're a Vampire. Who knows when your blood lust overtakes your senses." Mr. Conway vehemently disagreed.
  • "Like you said, she's in danger. And I'm sure there are already too much for you all to handle. Protecting her isn't in your capabilities." Arthur assured.
  • "She stays with me." Mrs. Geraldton answered. "Putting her in your custody is like giving a deer to a lion."
  • "I very much know how to control my bloodlust. If you aren't convinced then let's us a take a blood oath orchestrated by a Witch." Arthur argued.
  • "It's my life we're talking about here!" Bella suddenly yelled making them resign to silence. The thought of living with Arthur, a Vampire. Terrified her to the core. The last time she had vexed him, he almost killed her. With certainty, she knew there would be no holding back if such happens again. Besides, wasn't he the same person that asked her to stay away from him? Why was he suddenly interested in helping her?. She shove all those disturbing questions away and courageously faced them.
  • "I don't understand all of these drama ongoing here but I do know something. I have the right to choose for myself." She muttered, purposely glaring at Arthur who reiterated in the same mannerism.
  • "So who will it be dummy?" Arthur sighed, rolling his eyes alongside.
  • She took a proper glimpse of their impatient faces before letting the word roll out.
  • "Nobody."
  • "I thought you were a little smarter than this." Arthur scowled. "Your premature death shall be so euphoric!" He yelled in a grand gesture before exiting the room.
  • "Are you sure about this?" Mr. Lockwood asked in a concerned tone. She simply nodded when in fact, her insides were storming with uncertainties.
  • "It's your choice, just stay out of trouble." Mr. Conway shrugged. "We'll be keeping tabs on you and also, this discussion held here should be kept a secret."
  • "You may leave." Mrs. Geraldton ordered. Bella nodded yet again before phasing through the door. While she still tried to process everything,she wondered if her decision was the right choice.