CHAPTER 4 - The Detectives

"ALEXIS Mar’tine

The third victim this month.

The first one, found beside a ravine naked, sliced open from the neck to her privates.

The second one, found inside the garbage dump, had her eyes and mouth sewn shut. Both limbs are intertwined with silver barbed wire laced with wolfsbane.

Now, this. Alexis was found bolted upside down in a tree. Her eyes were wide open. Shocked. Frightened. In rage. What did she see as she took her last breath?"

These are the questions keeping Alpha Qillalon wide awake. He’s the one who found all of those victims while patrolling the premises. He touched the scar on his head as if digging for an answer to his questions.

*

CONCURRENTLY, Emily, Jolly, and Evie are walking home with other Omegas when they smell blood —human blood on the way back to the barracks. All are on high alert. Emily took her phone out and opened an app that would send a signal to the Manor security system that would create a report and summon the nearest Delta around.

Seconds after the report was received, Alpha Qillalon personally took it and checked the location. When he got there, he found a human male, unconscious. He checked the man’s body for any wounds and found a bite mark near his left arm just an inch above the pulse. Which is already healing. "Did the Omega killer do this? He asks himself.

He tried to smell the scent of the perpetrator but could only get a faint smell, too subtle, and unable to register it. It made his brows furrow. He scoffed, "Another mystery." He mumbled under his breath. He then summoned his Beta to send the man home.

*

At ten o’clock in the evening, Elder Mauritius summoned all five Alphas in his study to finally address the issue. "Who is killing the Omegas?"

Mauritius, in his 70s, still carries the aura of a strong, dominating male persona. Even with his gray hair, wrinkled hands, and face, he still holds the strongest and highest position in Citadel Manor. Everyone bows to him, listens to him, and agrees with him.

"I called you all here today. Finally, address the issue of the killings that have been happening around us. It was brought to my attention that the killer might be one of our own."

The Alphas gave glances at one another. Then Zane says, "How sure are we that it’s one of us?"

"We aren’t. But the fact that all the killings are done within the borders of the manor says otherwise. For that reason, I called someone to investigate to eliminate all biases. You might have heard them before. They are the best in the industry. No bullshit type of people."

"Does that mean the efforts I’ve put in have gone to waste?" Qillalon asks.

"Of course not. They will need all the help they can get, and I think you are the best person to assist them, Qilli."

"Who are these people, Elder?" Cain asks.

"Velmont Cavanaugh and Gertrude Fallis," he responded.

"The witch and the hunter," Mercimer mumbles.

"Blast from the past." Hercule thought to himself.

"When will they arrive?" Zane asks.

"Tomorrow at dawn."

With that, the meeting concluded.

*

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MEANWHILE, Vesper stood still at the highest peak of the hill, a few meters away from the Manor and the barracks. Having the perfect vantage point to see the whole area, the perfect place to observe and watch for an impending attack. The wild wind of the night paired with the cold gaze glancing at every corner possible sends a melancholy vibe to an already sorrowful night.

Vesper held the talisman her friend gave to her and began to speak, "I arrived at the Manor thinking I could prevent another death from happening, but I came late and they killed another one. I was meters away, I should have heard her screams or smelt her blood. I could have saved her." She mumbled under her breath, her face filled with sorrow.

Soon a female voice consoled her, "Don't blame yourself, Vesper. We'll get these bastards and when we do I'll let you do anything to them." 

Vesper sighs, "Easy for you to say because you are not here." She commented.

"Don't fret! We'll see each other soon." The voice uttered.

Their conversation soon ended when Vesper saw Alpha Qillalon and his pack starting their routine of scouring the place, leaving no stone unturned. Feeling a burning gaze in his direction, Alpha Qillalon stared at the hill but saw nothing. Vesper vanished from the area as if she was never there.

*

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By eleven in the evening, the final roll call was made. This time all the Omegas are present and Gamma Sevy heaves a sigh of relief. He made sure to call the main building to give them an update.

*

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*

By Dawn, a black car entered the manor. The driver got off and opened the passenger side door and two individuals got out and stood in front of the main building while the driver took their luggage out of the car trunk.

Velmont Cavanaugh, standing at a towering height of 6 '5. He is a human but ages slower than others. It’s a thing in their bloodline, as the legend says that one of his ancestors made a deal with a goddess to protect the night creatures against the Blood Hunters and protect ordinary humans from rogue creatures. His face resembles a man in his late 30s. Dark hair, clean-cut, clean-shaven, dark brown eyes, and a physique that could make Roman statues look like they were made by toddlers. In reality, he is 83. A decade older than Mauritius.

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Gertrude Fallis, the witch. One of the strongest and oldest members of the Coven of Magic. She has long brown hair, and blue eyes that look like they could see your soul. Her skin is brown, the same color as her hair. In human eyes, she looks like a woman in her late 20s but in reality, she’s in her 70s. She uses magic to slow her age and hide her scent, and her identity.

Soon, the main door opened. Alpha Qillalon stood at the door with his Beta France and his Gamma Leonel behind him. They stared at each other as if sizing up one another’s presence. Shortly after, Alpha Qillalon let them in and was ushered to their rooms located on the third floor.

After they set in, Alpha Qillalon wasted no time and briefed them regarding the issue. He shared all the information he knew about the victims. Their friends, last whereabouts, last meals, last people they spoke to, and how he found them.

Velmont took the documents he provided and arranged them on a board with timelines, commonalities, and differences. Narrowing down how the killer picks its prey and for what purpose are these victims left like trash.

Shortly, they started with the first victim.