Two nights later, I had watched as the American coven house had filled up once more with people. Three squadrons had come down from Seattle and another was en route from overseas to help double-up the amount of forces under the council leadership. My brother, mother, and I had moved into the downstairs library after dinner, trying to keep one another entertained as we tried to grasp some semblance of a normal life.

But I found myself thinking back to the sights of the ruined outpost frequently.

Three people were brought back alive from the ruins. Their injuries had been severe according to Avalon, but Nathaniel Bartholomeu and my mother had been able to make them comfortable. Now the three soldiers rested down the hall in the infirmary. He promised me that, with a little vampire blood and some sleep, they would be back to normal. I hoped the British elder wasn't simply trying to placate my worries.

I finished making a move on the chessboard between Avalon and I, placing a knight into a different grid so his bishop couldn't take it out. I paused when the doors opened and our father walked through to join us. At his shoulder, a tall man with reddish-brown hair, a thick beard, and a mustache followed. He was dressed in an expensive-looking suit but lacked a tie. I frowned slightly, not familiar with the stranger.

"Eris," Father spoke, gesturing me to come.

I glanced quickly to my mother as she got up from her seat on the couch by the fireplace. She smiled and advanced towards them quickly.

"Good to see you again, Thaddeus," she said in greeting as she and the stranger embraced. He was gentle with her, patting the back of her shoulder as they hugged before pulling away. "It's been ages, it seems like."

"At least fifteen years," the man answered with a grin. His voice was deep and calming. "I just arrived from Italy about an hour ago. Good to see you doing well."

"Very," Mother said before turning to look at me with a smile. "May I present our children, Eris and Avalon," she added, gesturing to Avalon and I as we came forward.

I curtsied slightly in the same moment that Avalon bowed his head.

"This is Lord Thaddeus Maldeas," our mother introduced before Dad could. "He's Grand Elder Seren's progeny. He oversees our safety from Italy."

"Greetings, sir," Avalon and I said in the same breath. We'd been raised with strict British aristocracy, thanks to our mother.

"Seren and I thought it might be fitting to bring Thaddeus on board as an extra set of eyes," Father said calmly. "We need more experienced hands now that we're seeing some movement by the Moon Worshippers. Couldn't hurt to have someone else around that we trust, and who's such a high member of the government."

My mother sighed and nodded in agreement, still smiling. "I wouldn't trust anyone else."

"Neither would I," he agreed, grinning.

"Thank you for having me," Thaddeus Maldeas answered them. He clapped my father on the shoulder. "This would be the only assignment I'd take that's away from the Capitol."

I smiled in my most professional grin as I took his thick hand into my smaller one. We shook hands and I tried to remain firm. "Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lord Maldeas."

"It is wonderful to meet you, Lady Eris. We've been waiting for you for a long time," he answered, grinning with paternal friendliness. "And I look forward to the coming challenge of securing your place in the Capitol with the High Council."

"Thank you... Then I promise to try not to disappoint," I said with another smile.

"And I'll be certain you're prepared in every way," the man stated. He broke his gaze from mine to turn to my brother. "You must be the Prodigy."

"Yes, sir," my brother responded, pushing forward to shake his hand. "Thank you for coming. I'm grateful for all the support you've given my division. We couldn't have done half of our work without your patronage and funding. It's nice to finally meet you in-person."

"And the Capitol is grateful for your gifts, Master Scholar," Lord Maldeas replied.

I glanced at my brother, wondering how he seemed to know everyone in our new world. I hadn't ever realized there was more to his role beyond the simple academics of paranormal witchcraft and medical studies.

Lord Maldeas's eyes traveled to me, his smile relaxing to something less than pure humor and more professional. Like Grand Elder Seren, I couldn't detect any malice or annoyance towards us. He was genuine.

"Thaddeus has one of the best records in our history," my father said, nodding. "Eris, I'd like to have Thaddeus take over your tutoring on the coven and your nightly training routine."

"Of course," I answered slowly. "I'd be happy to learn from another elder."

"Excellent. Then let's head down to the gym," Dad said with another nod. "Why don't both of you go upstairs and change?"

I nodded in obedience, tucking my hands behind my hips in a tight fist. When Avalon moved forward to the doors, I fell into step behind him. He moved quickly, excitement in his stride. I pressed myself to keep up, coming even with him before we got to the staircase.

"This is so awesome," my brother admitted, a grin painted on his face like he had completely forgotten about the previous nights' events.

"How do you know him?" I asked softly.

Avalon smiled wider. "He's the oldest remaining Winslow fledge, which makes him just shy of a grand elder," he explained, keeping his tone quiet so no one would overhear. "He's one of the top elders amongst the Shadow divisions. He taught Mum everything she knows, and he's funded all of my sector's research for the past few years. He's basically the right hand of the entire High Council."

I glanced up at him as we breached the second floor and turned towards our assigned rooms.

"Trust me, you'll like him," Avalon went on, "I've been dying to meet him myself." When I didn't say anything immediately, he looked down at me again. "I promise, Eris. This is a good thing. You can learn a lot from Lord Maldeas."

I nodded finally as we reached our bedroom doors. When he disappeared into his apartment, I opened my door and headed towards the closet. Contessa had been kind enough to source more clothing for our family after we had arrived, providing an entire wardrobe perfectly tailored to our sizes and needs. I had been shocked to find the selection of attire in my room. Even Dinah had received a proper bed and bowls for her water and kibble.

Finding a set of athletic leggings and sports bra, I quickly changed. I switched my flats for sneakers and then pulled my hair up into a ponytail. But I felt naked in the workout clothing and located a zip-up jacket to cover my torso. After stroking Dinah's silky ears for a moment, I hurried back into the hallway just as Avalon emerged in sweatpants and a t-shirt.

I followed him back down the corridor to the stairs to find Lord Maldeas and our dad waiting for us in the mouth of the West wing.

"There they are," Father said in greeting, gesturing us to come along. Both had lost their jackets, now only in their slacks and dress shirts.

I followed the men towards the gym space again, keeping my sweat-jacket zipped up over my chest. Avalon was going on and on to our new mentor, mentioning words in a language I had never known existed before. Thaddeus Maldeas continued to humor him and went along with his soliloquy, clearly patient with my brother's enthusiasm.

Dad turned to look at me, his arm immediately reaching back for my shoulder. I felt his fingers wrap around to my opposite bicep before he ushered me forward so I could lean against his side for a few paces as we descended the five steps to the entrance of the gym. Perhaps my poker face to cover my nerves wasn't as good as I thought.

Avalon pulled open the door to the large space and held it wide for us to pass through. His grin was wide.

Show-off, I thought, rolling my eyes when he looked at me. I withdrew the need to stick my tongue out at him, simply smirking instead. I wondered who he inherited his theatrical side from, beside our mother. I couldn't ever imagine my father being so goofy.

Thaddeus Maldeas headed over to one side of the gym, Avalon passing us to follow. I immediately noticed the wall of weapons that hung on the far side of the room. Knives, swords, daggers, and scythes all waited untouched, each boasting a wooden tip that promised immortal death to any vampire. I inhaled an uncertain breath, swallowing the knot in my throat.

My brother strolled over to a weight bench and immediately took a seat. The tall Italian turned to face me again with a warm smile. "Let's see what you know so far, young lady. Avalon, why don't you go through the routine?"

Avalon hopped back to his feet and moved onto the blue mat that coated the floor's center. He waved me over with the tips of his fingers, urging me to hurry up.

I sighed and moved forward, still unsure about doing any type of drill trainings in front of a stranger. I had never practiced hand-to-hand combat, beyond watching Dad teach Avalon. I pulled the sleeves of my sweatshirt down around my wrists and came to join him on the mat.

"Set One," Thaddeus said, his voice calm and warm.

I mimicked Avalon's body as the pose came back to mind. My left foot slid back as I brought both hands up into gentle fists in front of my chest, my elbows bent defensively. I moved forward in reverse of our first move, extending my left fist and swung my right foot through the follow-up. My right hand shot out in a jab at the same time as Avalon.

"Good. Set Two."

I pushed my weight back onto my left foot and shot my right forward in a sideways kick in perfect motion to Avalon's.

"Set Four, Set Three."

We straightened and moved forward two more steps before spinning left to offer two more sequences of actions.

"Very good. Set Four... Set Five."

I inhaled a quick breath and moved backwards two steps before swinging my right leg around in a quick rotation. Next, my left fist darted forward in a jab and then my right followed in a cross-punch. I dove to the ground in the same moment Avalon rolled forward and found his feet again. I caught my balance as I stood back up, holding my fighting stance. I paused at the end and glanced at the tall Italian.

"Very good. I see your daughter learned grace from Ranelle. You certainly never had it," Thaddeus chuckled, glancing at our father.

"I'm a lucky man," Dad replied, smiling truly.

"So I would believe," Thaddeus laughed. "She has the makings of a true Shadow with polish and finesse like that." He moved forward onto the training mat, rolling the sleeves of his button-down. I noticed the edges of a tattoo on one forearm, sparking my curiosity as I began to inspect him again. He was as every bit as tall as my father, with a barreled chest and broad shoulders. He was thicker in the hips like Nathaniel Bartholomeu rather than the lean and toned appearance of Seren.

Just like Grand Elder Seren, I could sense the manners of a sophisticated politician with well-practiced precision. Despite his dress pants and shoes, he moved effortlessly. I wondered if it was natural or his age. I was reminded of Avalon's words that he was one of the eldest Winslow fledges. When he smiled at me again, it came across as warm and benevolent. I hoped he was as genuine as he seemed. At first glance, he was nothing like Commander Romano.

"Let's move on to some other skill assessments," he continued. "Master Scholar, grab that bag over there and place it on the opposite side of the mat, please."

Avalon nodded and rushed to fulfill the request. He retrieved the hanging punching bag and its stand, carefully carrying it back to the training arena and its blue wrestling mat. He placed it on the edge of the defined space, holding the bag steady until it stopped swinging from being replanted.

Thaddeus popped his knuckles ceremoniously as he moved across the room to the wall of weaponry that hung on metal racks and hooks. He chose a few knives from their resting places, his thick hands easily wrapping around the thin hilts that melted into their blades. He collected two more, adding them into one hand. But he kept one in his free hand, spinning it effortlessly. He watched the metal rotate seamlessly in his fingers, careful to maneuver it with precision.

The elder smiled at me again as he spun the blade through his fingers one more time before offering it to me, hilt-first. "Let's see if you can hit that target with this."

I frowned, glancing down at the weapon and then him again. My eyes quickly found Dad, unsure. But Father only nodded in reassurance. I stared at my new teacher again. "I've never done that before," I admitted.

"Then it's a good time to try," Thaddeus replied patiently, smiling wider. He held the knife out again. "Go on, give it a go," he encouraged.

Inhaling a slow breath, I reached forward and took the cold grip of the knife's hilt. I adjusted my fingers around its slender design, getting a feeling for its weight and balance. I didn't dare try to spin it within my fingers like he had. With my luck, I'd cut myself. I loosened my grasp and then glanced across the thirty feet to the punching bag. I looked down again at the knife and tightened my grip one more time.

I held it up towards the punching bag, closing one eye as I tried aiming just like I would with Dad's rifle at home. While he was always careful to keep his weaponry locked up, he had made certain Avalon and I at least knew how to discharge a firearm in the event we ever needed to. But I had never truly thought those skills were necessary until we'd been discovered in New Zealand...

I bent my elbow back, bringing the knife parallel with my ear. I took one more breath and then threw.

The knife released from my fingers as my hand came parallel with my arm and shoulder. It felt like the world moved in slow motion until the blade found a home in the thick canvas bag. My eyes refocused on the punching bag, and I was surprised that the knife lodged itself just below the center, its hilt pointed upwards.

My eyes shifted to my father, seeing the proud smile on his face as he nodded.

"Well done, Lady Eris," Thaddeus praised. He held out another blade, hilt-first. "Again. But be certain to keep your back straight."

I nodded, taking the weapon into my fingers again. I readjusted my grip twice, glancing at the weapon. After steadying my nerves with another breath, I lined up my next throw. My elbow bent again as my weight pressed back into my right heel. I stepped forward with my left foot and my arm swung back towards the target. Careful to keep my posture in a straight line, I leaned slightly forward and let the momentum of my movement power my throw.

A soft whistle sounded as the blade flew through the air, followed by the dull scratch as the blade found its new home a few inches higher.

"Very good," Thaddeus acknowledged again. His grin had grown, now showing his full smile and slight vampire fangs. He nodded and then extended a third blade. "Take five steps back, then throw."

I nodded in obedience, taking the knife from his waiting hands. Once it was secured in my fingers, I took four steps backwards. For my fifth, I shifted my weight back onto my right foot again, keeping my left foot light. I aimed again with the tip of the knife in line with the punching back. Taking another breath, I bent my elbow and prepared for a third throw.

The knife left my fingers with ease as I swung my arm, flying towards its target. The bag began to swing as it buried itself closer to the bottom of the canvas surface, groaning slightly on its chains.

My nose wrinkled, annoyed.

"Not bad," Thaddeus encouraged. "Strength is something you're still developing. In a couple of years, I'd have no doubt you could throw that clear across a room as big as this. We'll just have to keep practicing."

"Might as well just give her a stake to throw," Avalon joked, chuckling. "That would be a little more lethal than just throwing a couple shivs around."

I shot him a slight glare. "Don't worry, Avalon. I won't ask you to help with target practice," I replied, keeping my tone flat with sarcasm. "I'd hate to mess up your hair."

Both Father and Thaddeus started to laugh.

"Wow, trash talk. I've taught you well, petal," Avalon shot back, grinning from ear to ear. One thing he had always enjoyed was trying to outwit and out-talk anyone he came in contact with. That usually resulted in me receiving an onslaught of sarcasm as we grew up. But he was never prepared when I could fire right back...

A smile crept across my lips as my attention returned to the target. "You're not the only one with a sharp tongue," I answered dryly. I took a fourth knife from our new mentor when he extended it. "I'm shocked you haven't learned that yet."

Dad chuckled harder, his head shaking.

"Well said," Thaddeus laughed, nodding towards the target for me to take another shot at the punching bag. "You have a lionhearted girl, Blood Warrior. Gods bless her."

"I know," Dad answered. He smiled at me again, his hands crossing over his chest with another nod. He waited until I threw the knife in my hand, grinning wider as it landed halfway up the bag. "She does our bloodlines proud."

"And then some," Thaddeus replied. He paused from about to say something more when the crackle of a speaker system filled the gymnasium.

"Logan Mezdor, you're requested to the third floor."

All three of us looked up at the ceiling as the speaker announced the page. I inhaled a slow breath, worried something was wrong.

"Sounds like you're needed," Avalon said.

"Mm, so it seems," Father replied. He uncrossed his arms and glanced towards Avalon and I again. "Eris, keep up the good work. I'll see you both at dinner."

"Yes, sir," we answered in unison.

I watched my father head for the stairs before I looked up at my new tutor. The door swung shut a second later. I wiped a loose lock of hair off my forehead before it could get caught in my eyebrow. I quickly tucked it behind my ear. "Do you always tell the truth, Thaddeus?" I asked, lowering my forearm to my side again.

He smirked and crossed his arms over his chest easily, completely relaxed. "I try to."

I heard Avalon chuckle from his place on the bench, and I glanced in his direction before looking back to Thaddeus. I leaned my weight onto one heel, placing my hands on my hips. "Then you know that they never told me about any of this."

He sighed and glanced at my brother. His eyes returned to me before he nodded slightly. "What do you want to know, Eris?"

Breathing a little inhale of excitement, I readied my questions. I had plenty. "How large is the Shadow Stalker coven?"

He nodded expectantly. "Just over one-hundred-and-twenty coven houses internationally," he answered. "We try to occupy at least every country from a major city or urban area, all to keep eyes on any vampire who might expose our existence, or do harm to other supernatural and mortal communities."

"And what do they all expect me to do?" I asked.

"The supernatural colonies have existed for a long time. And for the greater part of that time, we have all been at odds, one nation to another. It's believed our creators—"

"The Goddesses?" I clarified.