Chapter 3 UNCOVERING HIS ORIGIN

Then he stuck the knife into the stomach of the dead hit man, the knife sunk in without the least bit of resistance. Then began to carve. Rose forced herself not to look away, although fearing what would come next. These were her enemies, so she didn't care about anything such as desecrating their corpses, they'd have done worse to her had she been captured in their stead. But as a supernatural, they'd been taught their whole lives that enforcers were their enemies. Enforcers were their boogie men. Some called them vampires. Not men, not supernaturals.

Something in between and yet worse at the same time. Even worse were the rumors that they fed on supernatural flesh and blood. Was that what Damian was doing now? She clenched her fists and forced herself to remain still. But what if he went into a blood frenzy and came after her next?

Before she could protest any further, Damian placed both hands in the cut and forced the stomach open, and despite herself, Rose looked away feeling queasy. Then Damian stuck his hand into the man's open stomach and pulled out an...wait what was that? In Damian's hand was not an organ like Rose expected. It was a mechanical device with gears and cranks-nothing of a make Rose had ever seen before.

"What is that?"

"A simulacrum."

"Simu-what?"

"Brief explanation. Foreign tech."

"Foreign as in Russia? China?"

"Foreign as in not from here. This universe."

Damian got to his feet and pulled out a flip phone, took a couple of photos, and sent the images to the Bureau. He didn't have the time or the equipment to capture the vestiges of magic properly and imprint it on record. So for now it would be easier to simply send the images to the Bureau to swoop in and not only clean up the scene but to continue the investigation. Of course, Damian knew the overseers at the Bureau would find a way to pin this on him and attempt to demote him afterward for negligence, getting his subordinates killed and prioritizing others - others being Rose - as opposed to his duties not that they would succeed, but when did it ever stop them from trying.

"C'mon." He said. "We better get out of here before they show up. We're officially being hunted by the Black Rose," Damian finished grimly.

Rose's eyes widened. "The Black Rose? My cousin's personal hit squad?!" She exclaimed, shocked. "This is worse than I thought. We need to move quickly."

They ran back to the car, Damian jumping in the driver's side, as Rose jumped into the passenger seat. He revved up the vehicle and they sped off from the area.

As they moved down the dark highway, Rose's mind whirled with questions. How had her cousin Ryan managed to take control of the family so quickly? And what exactly was that strange device Damian had pulled from the assassin's body?

"So what now?" she asked. "We still need to get to the Jade Marchioness, but the Black Rose will be expecting that."

Damian nodded. "You're right. We need to throw them off our trail somehow." He stopped talking, then slyly smiled and asked, "How do you feel about a little misdirection?"

Rose raised an eyebrow. "I'm listening."

"We split up," Damian explained. "I'll head towards the Jade Marchioness's territory, making sure to leave an obvious trail. Meanwhile, you circle around and approach from an unexpected direction. We'll rendezvous at a predetermined location."

Rose considered the plan. It was risky, but it just might work. "Alright," she agreed. "But how will we stay in contact?"

Damian reached into his pocket and pulled out two small devices. "Secure comms," he said, handing one to Rose. "Untraceable and undetectable by normal means. We'll use these to coordinate."

As they hashed out the plan, the car suddenly lurched forward. Rose looked in the rearview mirror to see a sleek black vehicle gaining on them rapidly.

"We've got company!" she shouted.

Damian cursed under his breath. "Hang on!" He pressed down on the accelerator, weaving through traffic as their pursuer closed in.

Rose leaned out the window, daggers in hand. As the black vehicle caught up close to their side, she got a view of the driver – a young lady redhead wearing a cruel smile. The top of the black car was pulled open, and out came a man holding what looked like a high-tech rocket launcher.

"Duck!" Rose yelled, pulling herself back inside just as the rocket whizzed past where her head had just been. The missile hit a rundown building at the turn, blowing it up.

Damian swerved hard, nearly sending them into a spin. "We can't outrun them in this piece of junk," he growled. "We need to even the odds."

He reached into his pocket space, rummaging for a moment before pulling out what looked like a small metal sphere. "Rose, take the wheel!"

They executed a flawless switch, Rose sliding into the driver's seat as Damian clambered into the back. He rolled down the window and took aim with the sphere.

"What is that thing?" Rose called over her shoulder.

"EMP grenade," Damian replied with a grin. "Let's see how well their fancy car runs without electronics."

He threw the grenade precisely at the vehicle. It struck the hood of the black vehicle and with a bright flash, it exploded loudly. The black car's headlights flickered off as the car, with a smoking hood, slowed to a stop, with the driver and passenger knocked out.

Rose pumped her fists as she laughed in relief. "Nice shot. But I don't think we've seen the last of Black Rose tonight."

In what seemed like a reaction to what she said, a loud roar echoed through the air. Rose glanced upwards to see a modern helicopter coming down from the sky, shining a searchlight on the road.

Damian muttered, "You're kidding right?"

The helicopter began firing, filling the road with a barrage of bullets. Rose's extraordinary reflexes were tested as she manoeuvered through the rain of projectiles, causing the car's body to tremble with every close call.

"We have to leave this freeway!" she yelled.

Damian scanned their surroundings, searching for an escape route. His eyes lit up as he spotted a narrow service road branching off into dense forest. "There! Take that turn!"

Rose wrenched the wheel hard, tires screeching as they careened onto the smaller road. The helicopter descended further into the forest, with tree branches flashing by the windows and the searchlight flickering through the canopy above.

The bumpy landscape posed a risk of breaking the car, yet Rose maintained steady pressure on the gas pedal. Just when it seemed they might have lost their aerial pursuer, a massive fallen tree loomed in their headlights.

"Brace yourself!" Rose yelled, yanking the emergency brake and sending the car into a controlled spin. They came to a halt just inches away from the obstacle.

The only sound breaking the silence was their breathes hitching in their attempt to calm it forcefully. Next, the menacing noise of the helicopter increased in volume again.

Damian said somberly, already getting out of the car, "We leg it from this point". He continued, "We need to find cover before that thing gets to us first."

Rushing through thorny bushes, clothes getting caught by thorns and branches, they headed further into the woods. The helicopter's searchlight meandered from side to side, seeking them out.

After what felt like hours of running, they finally paused to catch their breath in a small clearing. Rose leaned against a tree, her enhanced senses on high alert for any sign of pursuit.

"I think we lost them," she whispered. "For now, at least."

Damian nodded, his face streaked with dirt and sweat. "We should keep moving. Find somewhere to hole up until morning."

As they prepared to set off again, a twig snapped somewhere in the darkness. Rose whirled, daggers flashing into her hands as Damian drew his sword from the umbrella.

A figure melted out of the shadows – a woman with long silver hair and eyes that seemed to glow in the moonlight. She held up her hands in a gesture of peace.

"Peace, children of the night," she said, her voice melodious and otherworldly. "I mean you no harm."

Rose's eyes widened in recognition. "Luna?" she breathed. "Is it really you?"

The woman – Luna – smiled warmly. "It's good to see you again, little wolf. Though I wish the circumstances were better." Her gaze shifted to Damian, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "And who might your companion be?"

Before either of them could respond, the sound of the helicopter returned, growing louder by the second.

Luna's expression hardened. "Come," she said urgently. "My sanctuary is not far. We can speak safely there."

With no other choice, Rose and Damian followed the mysterious woman deeper into the forest. As they walked, the very air around them seemed to shimmer and twist. Rose felt a familiar tingle of magic wash over her skin.

"We're crossing a threshold," she murmured to Damian. "Stay close."

They emerged into another clearing, but this one was unlike anything Damian had ever seen. Ethereal flowers glowed with soft inner light, illuminating a serene pond at the center. A simple wooden cottage stood at the water's edge, smoke curling from its chimney.

Luna let them in, closing the door behind them. As soon as it shut, the sounds of the forest and the pursuing helicopter vanished completely.

"Welcome to my humble little lair," Luna said with a slight bow and chuckled. "You're safe here. The wards will keep out any unwanted visitors."

Rose sagged with relief, the heart pumping of their flight finally catching up to her. "Thank you, Luna. I didn't expect to see you again so soon."

Luna's expression turned somber. "I felt the disturbance in the weave of magic. The death of a powerful werewolf... your mother." She placed a comforting hand on Rose's shoulder. "I'm so sorry, child."

Damian watched the exchange with interest. "I take it you two know each other?"

Rose nodded. "Luna was my mother's mentor. She taught us both how to navigate the Wolf Dream." She turned back to the silver-haired woman. "Luna, this is Damian. He's... well, it's complicated."

"An Enforcer," Luna said, her gaze sharp as she studied Damian. "How curious. I never thought I'd see the day when a child of the moon would willingly work with one of your kind."

Damian shifted uncomfortably under her scrutiny. "Desperate times call for desperate measures, ma'am. We have a common enemy."

Luna's eyebrow arched. "Oh? And who might that be?"

Rose and Damian took turns explaining the situation – the disappearance of the clan patriarchs, Ryan's power craze, and the strange device they'd discovered in the assassin's body. Luna listened seriously, her expression distorted to a scowl at each revelation.

When they finished, she was silent for a long moment. "This is graver than I feared," she said at last. "The balance between worlds is shifting, and not for the better."

"Between worlds?" Rose asked, leaning forward. "What do you mean?"

Luna sighed heavily. "There is much you don't know, child. Truths that have been hidden for centuries." She stood, moving to a bookshelf laden with ancient tomes. "Perhaps it's time you learned the true history of our kind."

She selected a massive leather-bound volume, its cover adorned with intricate silver runes. As she set it on the table before them, the air in the room seemed to thicken with potent magic.

"Long ago," Luna began, her voice taking on a rhythmic, storyteller's cadence, "there were not two worlds, but one. A realm where magic flowed as freely as water, where gods and monsters walked among mortals."

She opened the book, revealing illustrations of fantastic creatures and epic battles. "But there were those who sought to control this power, to bend it to their will. A great war erupted, threatening to tear reality itself apart."

Rose and Damian leaned closer, captivated by the tale and the shifting images in the book.

"To save what remained, a group of the most powerful beings – your ancestors among them – made a terrible sacrifice. They split the world in two, creating a barrier between the realm of magic and a new world where it would be scarce."

Luna's fingers traced a diagram showing two spheres, connected by a thin bridge. "But the separation could never be complete. Fragments of the old world remained, your clans among them. And the barrier itself required constant maintenance."

Realization dawned in Rose's eyes. "The Patriarchs... that's where they've gone, isn't it? To repair the barrier?"

Luna nodded gravely. "Every few centuries, when the stars align, a group must journey to the nexus between worlds to reinforce the divide. It is a perilous task, for the other side hungers to be whole once more."

Damian frowned. "But if that's the case, why would Ryan try to seize power now? Surely he knows how important the Patriarchs' mission is."

"Unless," Rose said slowly, a chill running down her spine, "he wants the barrier to fail."

Luna's expression darkened. "It would seem your cousin has been seduced by promises of power from the other side. If he succeeds in weakening the barrier, our world would be flooded with wild magic... and the horrors that dwell in the spaces between realities."

"We can't let that happen," Rose said firmly, her hands clenched into fists. "We have to stop Ryan and find a way to help the Patriarchs complete their task."

Damian nodded in agreement. "But how? We're outnumbered and on the run. And we still don't know the full extent of Ryan's resources."

Luna closed the ancient tome, a determined glint in her eye. "I may be able to help with that. There's an artifact, hidden away ages ago, that could turn the tide in your favor. The Moonstone."

Rose's eyes widened. "I thought that was just a legend."

"Oh, it's quite real," Luna assured her. "And its power could be the key to thwarting Ryan's plans. But retrieving it won't be easy."

"When is it ever?" Damian muttered.

Luna smiled wryly. "Indeed. The Moonstone is hidden in a place between places, a pocket dimension accessible only under specific circumstances. You'll need to reach the heart of the Whispering Glade during the new moon, three nights from now."

She moved to a trunk in the corner of the room, rummaging inside before producing a small, intricately carved box. "This will guide you to the entrance," she explained, handing it to Rose. "But be warned – the trials within the Glade are designed to test more than just your strength and skill. They will probe the very depths of your soul."

Rose accepted the box reverently. "Thank you, Luna. For everything."

The silver-haired woman's expression softened. "You've grown so much, little wolf. Your mother would be proud." She turned to Damian. "And you, Enforcer. I sense a destiny intertwined with Rose's. Guard her well, but do not underestimate her strength."

Damian nodded solemnly. "I won't. You have my word."

Luna led them to the cottage door. "Dawn approaches. The wards will have confused your pursuers, but it's best if you keep moving. Head east, towards the mountains. You'll find allies there who can shelter you until the new moon."

As they stepped outside, Rose was startled to see that the ethereal glow of the clearing had faded, replaced by the soft light of early morning. Had that much time really passed?

"Remember," Luna called as they prepared to depart, "your strength isn't yours alone. Be your mother's true offspring. There's more to you than you know, and not all us as it seems in the world"

With those cryptic words echoing in their minds, Rose and Damian set off into the misty forest. The path ahead was fraught with danger, but for the first time since her mother's death, Rose felt a glimmer of hope. Whatever challenges awaited them in the Whispering Glade, she was determined to face them head-on.

As they trekked through the dense underbrush, Damian's curiosity got the better of him. "So, this Luna... she seems like quite the powerful ally. Why didn't you mention her before?"

Rose's expression turned pensive. "Luna's... complicated. She's not officially aligned with any clan, and she likes her privacy. I wasn't sure if she'd want to get involved." She glanced at Damian. "Plus, I wasn't entirely sure I could trust you with that information at first."

Damian raised an eyebrow. "And now?"

A small smile tugged at Rose's lips. "Let's just say you're growing on me, Enforcer."

As they continued their journey, the forest gradually thinned, giving way to rocky foothills. By midday, they had begun their ascent into the mountains Luna had mentioned. The higher they climbed, the more Rose felt a familiar tingle of magic in the air.

"We're nearing werewolf territory," she explained to Damian. "Old packs that have lived in these mountains for generations. They're traditionally neutral in clan politics, but they might be willing to shelter us."

Damian nodded, his hand unconsciously moving to the hilt of his concealed sword. "Let's hope they're feeling hospitable. I'd rather not have to fight our way through an entire pack of werewolves."

Rose shot him a wry look. "Relax. As long as you don't make any sudden moves or bare your teeth, they probably won't maul you. Probably."

Before Damian could retort, a low growl echoed from the rocks above them. In an instant, they found themselves surrounded by a group of fierce-looking men and women, their eyes glowing with an inner amber light.

A massive man with a shaggy gray beard stepped forward, his gaze locked on Rose. "You trespass on pack lands, pup. State your business or prepare to face the consequences."

Rose straightened her spine, meeting the alpha's gaze without flinching. "I am Rose Frey, daughter of Selene. We seek sanctuary and the wisdom of the mountain packs."

The alpha's eyes widened slightly at the mention of Selene's name. He studied Rose for a long moment before his gaze shifted to Damian. His nostrils flared. "You bring an Enforcer into our territory? Bold move, girl."

"He's with me," Rose said firmly. "We face a common threat – one that endangers all supernaturals, including the mountain packs."

The alpha considered her words, tension thick in the air. Finally, he nodded. "Very well. You may present your case to the pack council. But be warned – if we detect any hint of deception, neither your lineage nor your... unusual companion will save you."

With that ominous proclamation, they were escorted deeper into the mountains.

As they were led through winding mountain paths, Rose and Damian exchanged wary glances. The pack members surrounded them, their movements fluid and predatory. Eventually, they arrived at a hidden valley nestled between towering peaks. A cluster of rustic cabins and caves dotted the landscape, with a large bonfire pit at the center.

The alpha, who introduced himself as Gregor, called for a council meeting. As night fell, pack members gathered around the roaring fire, their eyes gleaming in the flickering light. Rose and Damian stood before them, acutely aware of the scrutiny they were under.

"Speak, daughter of Selene," Gregor rumbled. "Tell us of this threat you claim endangers us all."

Rose took a deep breath and began to recount their tale – the disappearance of the Patriarchs, Ryan's betrayal, and the looming danger to the barrier between worlds. As she spoke, murmurs of concern rippled through the assembled werewolves.

When she finished, an elderly woman with silver hair spoke up. "These are grave tidings indeed. But what would you have us do? The mountain packs have long stood apart from clan politics."

Rose took a deep breath, steeling herself before addressing the pack council. "We're not asking you to fight our battles," she said, her voice firm despite the tension in the air. "But we need safe passage through your territory and any information you might have about the Whispering Glade. The fate of both our worlds hangs in the balance."

Gregor's eyes narrowed. "The Whispering Glade? That place is forbid.