Chapter 70 : The Gathering

The night was dark and humid. Rakiza's group took up positions at Theo's cabin's three exits. Rakiza at the front door, Lupe at the kitchen door, and Chin in Theo's room. They all pointed their weapons at the designated opening.
Chin's hand trembled with fear because this was the first time she would be involved in an unnatural fight against immortals. Lupe was also in the kitchen, aiming his crossbow with poisoned spikes at the door. Rakiza's gaze was fixed on the entrance door, where she was aiming her knapsack sprayer with wolfsbane poisoned water.
They heard a car door open but couldn't see who was approaching. The cottage was too dark for them to see, and the unexpected visitors had parked in an out-of-the-way location. All they could think about was shooting whoever forced their way in through the doors.
Rakiza was determined to eliminate the adversaries. Her desire for vengeance for her mother's transformation into a vampire pushed her adrenaline to take revenge on the vampires, excluding Nikolas. He had put his life in danger for her, which distinguished him.
Rakiza's pulse pumped faster as the steps came in, and the adrenaline rush took over. She squeezed the sprayer's trigger valve as she aimed it at the door.
Excitement and a little fear overtook her as she waited for the visitors to force the door open. The steps then came to a halt for a few moments as the door knob was shaken, followed by a soft knocking with the familiar voice.
"Is there anyone inside?" The deep voice of Theo filled the air.
Rakiza's body trembled with relief as she rushed to the door, her shaken feelings transformed into excitement. And there he was, right in front of her. Theo Monsanto stood there with a firm smile on his face and a tightened jaw of excitement. Rakiza then threw herself into Theo's arms.
She was unaware that someone was watching them, Ajella, who was standing directly behind Theo, with Lupe and Chin appearing at Rakiza's back, looking at the two embracing.
Theo pressed his lips against Rakiza's, full of longing and unbelieving relief at the prospect of losing her. And Rakiza was completely submissive to Theo's grip on her body. "I thought I lost you," Theo said as he continued to kiss her. Ajella, unable to bear the scene in front of her, took a step back and vanished into the dark forest.
Rakiza and Theo had returned to reality after their heartfelt reunion and had become aware of the eyes staring at them.
Chin laughed. "Oh my, that was romantic.”
But Lupe was a bit distant. "We need to prepare for the rescue," he said, his eyes disapprovingly looking at Theo. And Rakiza senses Lupe's hostility right away. As Nikolas's servant, he is more than devoted.
"It's good to see you, Rakiza." Theo whispered, "I've been wondering what happened to you in the hands of our adversaries. They are merciless vampires who have been trained to kill without hesitation. "
"Not all of them are heartless," Lupe observed.
Rakiza tried to change the subject, saying, "Okay, since you're here, we need your ideas and strategy for rescue."
"And who are we going to save?" Theo asked Rakiza.
Rakiza stated emphatically, "Nikolas Augustus."
"No! " Theo was opposed. "We're not going to save a vampire prince." And why do we have to save him? Angela, he's one of the adversaries. And rescuing an enemy is a no-go for me. "
"I'd be dead by now if it hadn't been for him," Rakiza said.
"What do you mean?" Theo asked, turning to look at her with astonishment.
Rakiza continued, "He risked his life to snatch me from my own people in order to save me from death. Nikolas rescued me before my last drop of blood sucked. Because of me, he was now charged with treason. And he's going to be hanged the night after tomorrow. "
And we must save him. But I understand if you're not going to assist us, "Rakiza stated.
Theo remained silent as he moved his gaze to the dark woods. He began to speak after a few moments. "Hundreds of my people had been slaughtered by vampires, and I vowed to kill whoever came first." There are no exceptions to that pledge. It's difficult to imagine how they slaughtered men and women, children and the elderly, fighters and non-fighters. It was a bloodbath. "Many packs were devastated by the loss of loved ones," he gritted. "And the mutilation of children's bodies by vampires was a barbaric act."
Rakiza's eyes widened as she heard Theo's speech. She could feel Theo's anguish. She felt Theo's anguish. And she could see the werewolves' pain through Theo's eyes. And she didn't make another convincing statement. "What you've been through is understandable, Theo." And I respected what was on your mind and heart. But I can't let Nikolas die because of me. "I have to save him," she said as she entered the room and sat at the edge of the bed. Tears streamed down her cheeks. She was caught between Theo's agony and Nikolas's possible death.
Chin followed her into the room and shut the door behind her. "I'll do whatever you want. But maybe there's another way to save Nikolas. "
"Tell me whatever comes to mind, Chin," Rakiza said, shaking.
"Perhaps we should report it to the authorities," Chin suggested. "The cops could be a big help in rescuing Nikolas, Rakiza." We have to report a crime."
"And how would we explain this to the cops, Chin?" Rakiza sobbed. "That a vampire was about to be hanged for treason for rescuing an enemy of their people? Do you think they'd believe your complaint? How many of us thought vampires existed in this day and age? There aren't many of us, Chin."
"Yeah, that's tough," Chin said, his sad face frowning.
"All we can do now is devise a plan, a strategy for getting into the area and rescuing Nikolas."
Rakiza was desperate. "We need to think. We need to make a plan. And we have to do it tomorrow in broad daylight. That is the only time we have an advantage over vampires. They slept during the day and awoke at night. We need to get moving right now," she said to Chin. "We need to devise a strategy to save Nikolas."
***
Nikolas's dark room reopened. And Nikolas was sitting in his bed, his face pale from severe anemia and his eyes darkened. Tessa Augustus, her mother, appeared at the door once more and approached him. She was still full of vigor and rage, and General Dracu stood behind her. "Help yourself, Nikolas.
Tessa Augustus grimaced as she drank the blood and begged forgiveness from the people she had betrayed.
Nikolas never looked at his mother. He was staring at the ground.
Tessa Augustus screamed. "You must repent and assist General Draku in recovering Rakiza." Nikolas, it was only you who could save yourself. You are being charged with two crimes. Rakiza's escape was the first crime, and the dangerous werewolf rescue was the second. Some werewolves attacked and successfully extracted the enemy from his dungeon cell. And all of these heinous crimes were directed at you, Nikolas. Please state your case. Make amends, seek forgiveness, and assist our people in regaining access to the cure. "
Nikolas turned to look into his mother's eyes. "You succeeded in removing Maruja from my life a century ago, mother," he said, "but I will never let you kill Rakiza this time."
"Rakiza is not Maruja, Nikolas!" Tessa screamed.
"She is, mother!" Nikolas said grimly. "And she must remember me, remember our past, remember our promised undying love."
"Maruja is our enemy, as is Rakiza, Nikolas!" Tessa was enraged. "Help us find Rakiza."
"Never! You can never touch Rakiza, mother! I'd rather die than watch my own mother murder my only love. "
"So, you'll die for your foolish love of the enemy!"" Tessa screamed angrily, "You're going to be burned the next day, Nikolas." "Think about it," she said before leaving her son in the dark room.
Nikolas had no hope of escaping the gallows, but he was hopeful for Rakiza's safety.
***
Rakiza and Chin, along with Lupe, were uprooting all the wolfsbane plants they could find in Theo's green house as the night grew late. They were getting ready for the first steps of "Operation Nikolas."
They all get some rest after a few hours of preparation in order to be strong enough for their operation. Rakiza was fidgeting on the living room couch.
Lupe insisted on staying in the car, and Chin in one of the bedrooms. Ajella was nowhere to be found, and Theo was also silent in his room.
Rakiza awoke at 6 a.m. And she was startled to see Theo standing by her side of the coach, staring at her. "Good morning," he said, his face warm but without a smile.
"I'm sorry for uprooting all the wolfbanes in your green house," Rakiza said as she took a seat.
"Don't worry, it was planted specifically to kill werewolves and vampires," Theo explained.
"What?" Rakiza smirked.
"And I made powdered wolfsbane to make it easier to use," Theo said as he handed Rakiza the small bottle. "You have to see it for yourself."
"What do you mean?"
"Pour that poison into my hand. And see what happens to me. " Theo looked at Rakiza.