Chapter 49: Chapter 49

Chapter 23

Standing in the middle of a lightly lit room as if I belonged there, I listened attentively to my surroundings. Vampires do not typically call upon wolf elders for no reason, however I was not going to let myself be caught off guard and trapped either. Vampires are known for their trickery and cunningness.

“Elder Selene I didn’t think you would actually come. Thank you for your presence at such short notice.” I heard a voice say in a corner’s darkness.

“Then why did you beckon for me? It is not routine for the knight crawlers to look to wolf Elders for assistance.” I spoke with the confidence I wasn’t a hundred percent sure I had.

“There is a war coming. As I am sure you are fully aware of?” speaking matter-of-factly as he stepped into the dim light so I could see him. It was Vampire Elder Keenan. He was the oldest known living vampire and with that age came the gift of sight to those who are deemed worthy of it.

I nodded my confirmation of his words as he continued. “I am not sure how much of vampire culture you are aware of Elder Selene.” he spoke softly and moved with an elegant delicacy. “But, I am the oldest of the vampires as I am sure you are aware of.” He placed emphasis on the word ‘are’ before pausing.

“I am aware, Elder Keenan, that you are the oldest of your kind. Yes… my knowledge of your culture however is… how should I say? Varied if you will.” he nodded slightly as a small smile crept on his face. He didn’t come off creepy, but rather charming in a dark mysterious manner.

He was a tall rather very handsome man with dark features that were accented around his jawline and cheekbones. For a vampire he was very distinguished and refined in appearance. He held a dominant demeanor that demanded respect and authority oozed off him. Although, being in his presence I could feel his gentler father figure aura as well which I am sure comes with the Elder. He still was not a man to be reckoned with I’m sure.

“Well then, let me help you with some of that… varied knowledge.” he said as he came closer. With the flicker of his hand the dim lights illuminated more brightly and there before us was now a little table with chairs.

“Impressive Elder Keenan. Thank you.” I said as he motioned for me to sit gesturing with his hand and nodded at my compliment.

“As you know we stay out of werewolf business as we expect others to do the same for us.” he started and I nodded again of my understanding. “As the eldest vampire I was given the gift of sight about three or four centuries ago when I reached the age of elder. I normally only received sight of things to come for the vampires and them alone. To help guide the young and foolish with… various things…” he said nonchalantly, waving his hand in the air like it was an open subject without providing explicit details.

“However recently, while in my last meditation trance, I received foreknowledge of things to come for all supernaturals, not just vampires.” he stated, stopping while lightly drumming his fingertips on the table top. My interest peaked at his later comment, ‘... for all supernaturals, not just vampires.’

“What exactly did you see that would concern you enough to seek my presence, Elder Keenan?” now more intrigued as to where this conversation was heading and he planned on helping.

“I saw a great war approaching. The Queen and King of all lycans were at the center with a power source like no other.” pausing briefly to examine his own words before continuing. “Then I saw… no! I felt a power shift that hasn’t been established in many centuries.” my eyes widened slightly at the mention of the power source which I quickly covered, but not before he noticed.

“So Elder Selene. You know which power source I am referring to then?” he spoke softly but his voice was laced with mild concern and intrigue.

“Yes Elder Keenan as a matter of fact I do know what source you are referring to. But please…” beckoning him with my hand to continue for full revelation of his sight of things to come. “... continue with what you were saying.” with a slight nod and smile and did.

“The Queen and King will employ and disperse supernaturals of all sorts. Somehow they will gain an army that supperceeds any I’ve seen before.”

“Rogue supernaturals.” I interrupted him in complete understanding now of what happened within the dragon shifters kingdom.

“Hmmm… that’s a great point. I did not think of the image being of rogues but I believe you could be right.” he stated in his own revelation starting to piece together some of his vision making it make more sense to him. He stood and walked slowly behind his chair before stopping.

“The dragon shifters were attacked by rogues… and not just wolves. But their own kind.” I shared some of what I knew given the consistency with what we already know.

“So, it has started then.” holding onto the back of his chair squeezing it before turning and walking back around it to sit down.

“Tell me Elder Keenan, what else did you see? What of this… power source?” needing more information from him about this battle we’ve been preparing for. Still unsure if I completely trust him just yet.

“Although the Queen herself showed herself powerful, I saw there was another hiding in the mist with an aura unexplainable. Possibly more than one… however, that was not completely clear you see as the power itself started to blur between multiple ‘someone’s.’ It was them who held the greatest power of those with the largest auras. ” nodding my head for him to continue. He stood again with a slight pace while speaking.

“From what I have seen, it seems as though this power may be used as a defensive weapon, in addition to a protective one.” This last bit of information intrigued me dearly. I wonder what Timber and her mate have been or will be up to knowing this piece of information. I wonder if it could be shared with other supernaturals coming to help?

“Are you aware of Lycan history, Elder Keenan?” I asked before providing my own information to him. He nodded before telling me of his knowledge.

“There have been rumors of Royals who hold the power of the elements. It has been said that only chosen Royals were given this to protect their species. It has also been told that their mates can be chosen since once mated they become an automatic Alpha to help protect and be of equal status. I am assuming since the mate becomes an Alpha then this power is given only to your females?” he says the last part more as a question for clarification.

“Well. You know quite a bit about us, now don’t you?” smiling at him sitting comfortably in my chair. He smiled sly like back and nodded.

“Were you able to see the outcome of this impending war?” I asked shifting myself frontward leaning on my hands propped on the small table, wanting to know if there was something else we needed to know about it before it came.

“I am sorry Elder Selene, however this was not revealed.” a hint of sadness shone in his eyes before it left. “Only that it will be something that every supernatural community will need to prepare and make strong alliances for. I saw many lives lost and destruction, but also unity.”

“I can tell you, Elder Keenan, that there is a great power being trained and perfected right now as we speak from a lost Royal whom we thought was dead.” with a tilt of his head an eyebrow lifted slightly in curiosity. “She is the twin sister of the Queen of the Lycans, who until recently everyone, including the Queen, didn't know existed. Our Queen does, yes, have one of the elemental ‘gifts’ as we like to call them, but…”

“So it is true, the rumors? Your kind does possess the ability to connect with the elements?” interrupting at the epiphany that everything he was taught could indeed be true.

“Yes.” I clarified his statement before he continued.

“And what of the lost Royal? Does she possess them as well since she is her twin?” coming back around his chair having a seat in anticipation of my next comment.

“Yes she does as well.” nodding at my verbal response.

“She is our chosen Royal to be more precise.” I tried to provide him with more clarification.

“What does that mean? Chosen?” he questioned. Apparently his knowledge of our history is not as vast as I thought. Still deciding if I could trust him I continued to explain it to him simply.

“It means she can harness and control all the elements, not just her own. Her boys have also been chosen, however, due to their young age will not be able to access all of them as easily as their mother. We have been preparing for this impending war for months now. My sister Elder Maira has been to see other supernatural communities to gain their allegiance as well. The chosen Royal knows she can access all the elemental gifts and has been training to manipulate and apply their energies with perfection. The boys have also been learning how to fully develop their own gifts.” filling him in with what we have prepared ourselves with so far.

“So, that leaves you Elder Keenan. What are your plans? Are you going to join us in this war you’ve seen as an alliance?” pausing briefly as I stood from my seating position and walked around the chair before stopping and turning to face him again. “Or? Are you going to be against us?” I asked rather plainly, wanting to get straight to the point.

“After the vision I have seen Elder Selene the Vampire community will indeed be fighting in collaboration with the Lycans. That is why, after all, I brought you here.” he said, eyes twinkly while he smiled at me.

“Then why didn’t you say that in the beginning?” I questioned as I walked back around the chair and sat down again.

“I needed to make sure we were going to be on the same page first. I didn’t want to start a war if one wasn’t already known, you see.” tilting his head slightly to the left as he continued to smile at me. After a few moments of silence he stood up reaching out his hand for me to take.

“Well then. I believe we have a new alliance for this impending war.” I smiled back as I grabbed his hand allowing him to help me stand to my feet. “We will be seeing each other again soon I'm sure. If there are any new developments on your end, I would hope for your reaching out?” I said while fixing my coat as I prepared to leave.

“As will you, I presume?” he agreed while giving a curt nod to me. I gave one back before snapping my fingers and leaving the nightcrawlers for home.