Chapter 10 : Cult Activity

Things were going to escalate quickly, I felt, and I needed to find out more before I got myself killed.

I stared at myself in the mirror, wincing at the ever-darkening circles under my eyes. Ever since I heard about the Cult of Ares, my mind has been clouded. I played my cards right and didn't appear suspicious to Misty, at least as far as I knew. We'd fucked a few times over the past few days, and she always treated me with respect. I couldn't tell if it was all an act, or if she just didn't know about the cult.

Who knew? I had no idea what was in that box, either. Perhaps a human skull? Cults did things like that, and if this one was a vampire cult aggressive to humans, it may be the case there. Nicholas hung out with her a lot, so I suspected he played some part in the cult. My heart clenched at that idea. He was actually quite caring. He spent plenty of time on aftercare and ensuring I was alright.

Well, I wasn't going to accomplish anything by just sitting here in my room. I looked over to my window, approaching the curtains. My eyes fixed on the light fading in the sky, which was painted with hues of gold and orange. The sun sank beneath the horizon, indicating nightfall.

The vampires would be distracted, the mansion would be more dangerous, and I would be on the hunt. If only I was a vampire hunter, maybe I could be a bit better prepared.

Oh well. I didn't want to kill anyone unless they threatened me or people I cared about so that would have been off the table anyway.

I closed the curtains, stretched, and sighed. My body was exhausted from being pleasured by the vampires so much, but nothing could be done about that. I asked for a few days' rest starting yesterday due to the strain, which was being respected. Something I'd undoubtedly have to break if I got caught tonight. I'd work on preventing this, at least, with my alchemical salve, which I applied to my skin right now.

Was there some sort of bracelet I could get if I ever ran into this in the future?

'Oh goodness, I hope this won't become a regular thing,' I thought. I couldn't help but chuckle at the idea of me being an undercover investigator against vampires. I supposed it was on the table if I dropped the dream of becoming a radiologist. However, given all of my schooling was in the latter, that was my safest bet.

The vampires may have caught on already and were pretending, after all. I hoped I was as good as I thought I was, though.

After hesitation and heavy debate back and forth with myself in my head, I slipped into the halls. At this point, I recognized the route to the restricted rooms, so that was where I headed. I arrived at the locked door of the first one, which had a sign on it saying 'do not enter'.

Right, like I'd listen to that.

I reached into the pocket of my shirt and took out my lockpick kit, but then hesitated. Barging in would be the dumbest thing to do, so I turned my head and pressed my ear against the wood of the door to listen.

A minute of pure silence. If someone was in there, they'd be reading a book or sleeping. Hopefully not actively looking at the door. I was screwed if the door creaked, too, but I was on limited time and could only work on preventing so many factors.

I opened my kit and took the tools out, working on the lock. I'd studied the instructions of this kit a bit and practiced on my door prior to coming to this mansion for the lottery win, but it admittedly still took me a good five minutes.

My heart was pounding by the time I heard the tiny click. Inwardly cheering, I slipped the kit back into my pocket and put my hand on the door handle. After steeling myself, I entered the room and looked around, my breathing heavy.

Thank goodness for this salve also masking sound, because otherwise, the entire mansion would probably be able to hear my racing heart.

Thankfully, no one was in there. The room was large, with regular furniture such as leather couches and some loveseats. A wooden desk was haphazardly shoved into the corner, and on it were some stacked papers. I didn't notice anything unusual otherwise, so I headed to check out what the papers could say. I crept up and peered over them, realizing it was a news clipping from vampire-specific papers.

'A lab with the latest data on curing 'The Vicious' has been wiped out by the Cult of Ares. Their classic sigil was left on-scene as if taunting the greater vampire community trying to find a solution to overdrinking,' I read.

In the next moment, I nearly jumped out of my skin at the sound of loud laughter down the hallway.

Shit.

I quickly made my way out of the room and closed the door, ensuring it was locked behind me so no one would suspect sleuthing from a member of the mansion. I turned my head to look down the hallway to see familiar dark curls bouncing as someone turned into a room.

Misty hadn't seen me, and I was thanking my lucky stars for that. However, now I could possibly get some information on that end, so I resolved to move closer.

The door was left somewhat ajar, as the vampires here seemed unconcerned about possible spies. That meant they didn't suspect anything about me yet and trusted each other, I figured.

I peered into the crack, noting that there was another vampire in the room with Misty. He was lanky, with cold crimson eyes that pierced into her when he spoke. His skin was as pale as death, like a classic vampire, and he had slicked-back black hair. There were laceration scars on his face as if he'd been in a pretty bad fight before.

"Oh, calm down, Remus," Misty said to him, giving a light smile. "No one suspects a thing! The little pet here is loyal, quiet, and oh-so-delicious. She is enjoying the luxury life. Sure, she's smart, but I think she turned the smarts off to relax. It's Alexander who's a problem."

Remus let out a low growl, shaking his head. "I had thought we would be able to sway him. He does not seem interested in human safety or their general culture. Surely he would earn the peace and quiet he desires oh so much by taking the pesky humans under control with us. Instead, he actively tries to intercept our plans. I assume you have had no luck with him either?"

"Nope," Misty said, letting out a soft sigh. "Well, maybe he pities the humans, I don't know. The pet here is certainly avoided by him, I think it's because his instincts are so strong. Yet another bloody shame he isn't interested in our work. But actively trying to undermine us? That is much."

"Yes, well, he has no solid proof of our activity, so we need not worry about it being brought up to the Council. As far as they're concerned, we're one big happy vampire family," Remus said, rolling his eyes.

I furrowed my brow. Alexander was working against the cultists? I figured he didn't care one bit. Clearly, there was more to him than his first few impressions on me.

Misty continued the conversation with, "Well, annoying roommates aside, I heard sect 8 had success in bringing down the lab and set back the Council's progress on a cure. Meanwhile, no luck with our training regimen, though we have ways to utilize them in combat like chains on a beast for now. Directing them through actual training would be nice, but they are positively mindless."

"Which makes them perfect weapons of war," Remus muttered. "Given they have our recovery, and can't let pesky morals get in the way or force hesitation, they are a force to be reckoned with. At least the lab aspect is good news. We've been making slow progress, but at least we are moving forward. Though, Misty." I watched him fix his eyes on the vampire woman, causing her to wince and glance down. "Pay attention to the objective and don't get all caught up in the pleasure here. Nicholas may be your childhood friend, but you both have grown up, and he is not one of us."

Misty nodded, rubbing the back of her neck and staring at the ground. She opened her mouth to reply, "I get it. Nick cares too much about the humans to have him fall under Ares's wing. He still has yet to let me even see the Vicious behind his precious door. I think he has wards on it or something. Either way, I don't want to risk pissing him off and being removed from this place before we complete our objective."

"And regarding the pleasure aspect?" Remus growled.

Misty gave a very sheepish grin. "All part of the plan, boss."

There was a hint of a lie in her tone as if whatever she was doing wasn't entirely a ploy. It certainly didn't seem like it when she was pleasuring me. No, the woman was genuine in that aspect, but everything else? Well. Clearly dangerous and planning something horrible for humanity and possibly me. Alexander was right to warn me about them. Even if he did so in a really subtle way.

The two went on to discuss less mind-boggling things such as lunch plans and landscaping, but I tuned them out at that point. I'd confirmed what Alexander said about them, and learned something about 'The Vicious' they were after. Some sort of weapon? A living one, at that. The vampire Council was looking for a 'cure', evidently, meaning there was affliction involved.

Then, finally, Nicholas. He had something to do with a 'Vicious' here and protected wherever that was with magic. I had so many puzzle pieces yet no idea where to put them. This, however, probably related to Lucy, especially given Nicholas was directly linked to her. I narrowed my eyes and turned away from the room.

Now, I needed to find a book on magic, do some research, and figure out how to dispel wards. Or, I could have Nicholas do it for me. Unlikely chance of that happening. The only other option was to ask Alexander for help, and I doubted he'd do so. I placed a hand on my forehead, stuck on how to accomplish, well… anything.

Of course, my thoughts were interrupted when a figure stepped in front of me, one I couldn't see well in the darkness.I was yet again caught out after dark.