Chapter 316 - True Colors (1/2)

Russ panted as he forced his body to shift back into human form. ”It's no use. They're using some kind of chemical to mask their scent.”

Ry grunted as he pushed open the thick steel door leading from one of the tunnels. Several of the guards followed behind them dragging their heads in equal frustration. ”Here...” He said slapping Russ in the ċhėst with the clothes he'd discarded earlier.

”You're safe!!!”

Russ had bȧrėly gotten his pants pulled up when the familiar voice and excited words caught him off guard. ”Jos?!” He was more than a little surprised as her body slammed into him in a tight embrace. Some of his frustrations lessened as he returned her hug. ”What are you doing here?” He murmured over the fading beeping of her watch.

”We just got here.” She pushed away from him to examine him. Blood streaked his face, ċhėst, and arms. ”You're not hurt, are you?” She wiped away one of the streaks but didn't find an injury under it.

”No, I'm alright.” His warm smile at seeing her shifted to a frown. ”It's not my blood...” His hand lifted to her tear-streaked face. He ċȧrėssed her damp cheek with the pad of his thumb. Feeling the pull of her curse, he quickly gave himself a mental shake and shifted his gaze away from her worried aqua eyes. He glanced past her to see Arei and Poseidon both approaching Ry. The massive, tattooed man was topless, only wearing loose pajama pants. His eyes widened as he finally took her in as well. ”Are you alright?! What's going on?”

”Someone tried to burn down our house with us in it...” Arei growled.

”You didn't try to put it out with water magic?” Ry asked.

Arei shook his head. ”Didn't have time. By the time Jos's dream woke her up- Wait... your dream it woke us up just in the nick of time... like a warning...” His eyes moved to Poseidon before darting back to Jos. ”I think I know why you can't remember the dreams... I think I know who is behind them...” His eyes moved back to Poseidon. ”The question is why would he be trying to help us... try to help Jos?”

Poseidon stroked his chin thoughtfully. ”Hum... I wonder... unfortunately though, there weren't any warnings here tonight... How bad are things?” He asked.

Russ swallowed hard, emotions building in his throat. Ry stepped forward, patting Russ's shoulder as he did. ”All three girls from the hospital and some of the staff, four of the girls staying here, and a few of their guys are dead. Seven of our guards are injured as were the remaining girls, but they've all shifted and recovered now. We searched the tunnel to no avail. Whoever was behind the attacks knew the palace better than we did, and they were able to use masking chemicals to prevent the wolves from tracking... Based on the targets I'd guess it was-”

”Vampires...” Jos whispered the word, putting together the pieces.

Arei frowned in confusion. ”But why burn down our house?”

Poseidon narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. ”Good question... unless it was either not linked or a distraction from something else...” He clasped Jos and Russ on the back and guided them toward the palace entrance. ”Let's go check on the others before we try to work out this confounding puzzle.”

Poseidon watched as the guards carried out the last of the tiny body bags, his focus returning to the small crawlspace the ȧssassins had used to access the rooms of the second floor. He bent and peeked inside, ignoring the movement around him. ”Hum...” He ġrȯȧnėd thoughtfully as he set back on his heels and stroked his lightly stumbled chin.

”Well? What do you think?” Arei asked, squatting down beside him.

Poseidon let out a heavy sigh. ”I think the best and only way to guarantee these tunnels can't be used like this again would be to flood them... but then it would only open the palace up for other aquatic threats... not to mention it would remove a possible escape route for the nonaquatic occupants of the palace.”

Arei's brows tented thoughtfully. ”What if we only flooded it partially? The kid can swim exceptionally well, so as long as it didn't require too long of a breath-hold...”

”The breath-hold won't be an issue. Let's flood the whole of it.” Ry said walking into the room and interrupting their conversation.

Arei lifted a brow. ”I agree, the kid is a strong swimmer but-”

”He's had Poseidon's kiss.” Ry said flatly.

Poseidon held up his hands. ”Wait I didn't... Oh...” His eyes widened seeing his son in another light, a smirk curved his lips. ”You must have really fallen hard for the kid to give him such a gift.”

Ry shrugged. ”He's under your protection, isn't he? Besides you know how much I hate flying. It was just easier that way.”

Poseidon chuckled. ”Sure, whatever you say son.”

”It is what I say.” Ry bit out.

Russ popped his head into the room. ”Housekeeping is moving the last of everyone on the second floor's belongings now. What do you want to do now?”

”So... flood it all?” Arei asked.

”Flood what?” Russ asked.

”We're going to flood the tunnels and position a more suitable guard within their watery labyrinth.” Poseidon said as he pushed himself up from the floor. ”Where is Joslyn?”

”She's helping with the girls, why?” Russ asked.

”Because she may want to apply for the job. What better monster to keep in your basement than the Kraken.”