The leader didn’t respond, though his eyes moved to his injured comrades before he forced a step back.
“Just a message. We didn’t come for a full fight.” The leader said.
Aiden took a step forward and kissed his teeth out of annoyance. “Message received. Now get out.”
“We will see each other again,” the leader hissed at them. “This isn’t over.”
After he was done, he told his other standing comrades to help the injured ones, and they left in the blink of an eye.
“The Vampires are planning something,” Aiden stated. “I am not certain how we should follow up with this warning of theirs.”
“Let’s just head back to the Pack, we can discuss more about this tomorrow,” Aiden suggested after thinking it through, and the rest agreed, taking their bloody selves back home.
Kira stood beside the bed, her back to the door when Bryan and Aiden walked in. She was focused on the stack of documents in her hands, taking it very seriously. She flipped through the pages, deep in thought, as she spoke over her shoulder, knowing it was them.
“While you were out, we had a minor issue with some rogue activity near the border, but it has been handled. It’s not much of a big deal,” She informed them, her tone calm and concentrated. “And the rogue activity was related to the dead rogue that was hung outside the border seeing as the body disappeared, I’m sure you might have noticed that while coming in. I had one of the warriors fill me in on the plans you guys had, so that’s the most important thing that has happened today. In conclusion, that rogue was not alone that night, somewhere close by.”
She shifted slightly, still not turning around, continuing to fill them in. “And the supplies we have been waiting for arrived early, so I, personally, checked them and took care of the distribution myself. I also had some guidance from Mom. Everything went smoothly.”
“That’s good.” Bryan said, his voice being the first to break the silence. “You did well.” His tone was easy, though there was a slight strain beneath it.
“Yeah, sounds like you handled it perfectly. I’m proud of you,” Aiden chimed in.
Kira smiled to herself at their words, feeling happy and proud of herself for doing an impressive job, before she finally decided to turn around.
“So, how was your hang-out with Ryk-” But the moment she turned while asking about it, she paused and her breath caught in her throat.
Kira’s smile vanished the instant she laid eyes on them. Bryan was standing there, soaked with blood, his face, skin, lips, everywhere. Aiden was even much better, although he had a few bloodstains and a gash that she noticed on his side where he had been stabbed.
“What the hell happened?!” She gasped, rushing over to them in a panic. “This was not the sight I expected to see when you return.”
Bryan held up his hands quickly, trying to calm her down. “This is not my blood, don’t worry,” he said with a smirk, acting normal, as if he had not just walked in looking like he had been through a massacre.
“Same here,” Aiden added, waving his hand dismissively. “Except for the part where I got stabbed. I’m fine, though, this is nothing.” he shrugged.
“Let me see,” Kira muttered, not having any of it as she stepped closer to Aiden.
Her eyes were glued to the spot where he had been stabbed, blood still sleeping through his shirt.
“Kira, it’s fine.” Aiden sighed, already knowing what was coming. “It didn’t go too deep, and it’s already healing.”
“Sit down,” she ordered, not convinced, her voice leaving no room for argument.
“You better sit your ass down, brother,” Bryan said to Aiden while laughing softly.
Aiden reluctantly sat down on the edge of the bed, pulling up his shirt to reveal the wound. “See, it’s fine.”
But still Kira knelt in front of him, her hands gentle as she examined the injury. Blood was clotted around the jagged edges of the cut, but true to his word, it was indeed beginning to heal.
Still, she frowned. “You are healing, but it could have been worse,” she murmured, the worry evident in her tone.
“But it wasn’t. I’m fine, Love,” Aiden reassured her with a smile.
Once satisfied that Aiden was okay, Kira stood up and turned to Bryan. She crossed her arms and gave him a pointed look. “I don’t even want to ask why you are drenched in blood. It’s pretty obvious, just go and wash up, now.”
“You sure you don’t like me like this?” Bryan raised an eyebrow teasingly and grinning despite the situation.
“Bryan, seriously,” she snapped, but was still concerned.
“Alright, relax baby,” he chuckled softly before turning to head toward the bathroom.
Aiden smiled warmly at her and reached out to squeeze her hand. “You worry too much.”
“Someone has to,” she replied softly and returned the smile. “Are you going to tell me what happened now?”
Aiden got up, not wanting to get the bed stained, and answered her question. “Just one word,” he said, “Vampires!”
“Vampires?” Kira asked, shocked. “Vampire in New Orleans? I haven’t heard anything about them for like years. So, like they are back and the first thing they did was to attack you guys? They did attack you guys first, right?”
“Yes.” Aiden nodded, “Saying they wanted to drop a message.”
“What message?” Kira asked, wanting to know more about the situation at hand.
“We don’t know for sure. Maybe wanting to rule or something, but it was not clear,” Aiden answered while ruffling his hair calmly. “All we know for now, is the Vampires are back and as for what they are planning, peace or war? We don’t have a clue, for now.”
“I think they are letting us know that they are back because they intend to want to take over and when I say take over, I mean rule like you just mentioned or challenge to a throne, those kinds of stuff.” Kira stated after some pondering, “That is what I think, though.”
“You might be right,” Bryan said as he stepped out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his waist while he dried his hair. “Because they just kept going on about territory, that and that. But for now, let’s just see, I’m sure we will figure it out.”
“Of course.” Kira nodded, before taking her attention from Bryan back to Aiden. “Alright, Aiden, your turn.”
Aiden turned and looked at her, his gaze meeting hers, confusion written all over his face, as he asked, “My turn for what?”