just screw the names now. I'm back at school and my brain cells have been fried. I'm fresh outta chapter names right now :')

"Because I'm a friend of Amir's."

I looked at her face for any signs a liar would show. I listened to her heartbeat for signs of a normal, human heartbeat. For vampires, who's heart rates are typically slower, that would tell me she's lying.

But she wasn't.

I back down, and allowed her to stand up and dust herself off.

"Are all hybrids so jumpy or what?" She shook her head, still dusting herself off. "Whatever, it's my own fault. I should know better than to creep around."

"Are you one of Zane's?"

"Kind of. Like I said, I'm Amir's friend. I'm really on his side in all this."

"Why?"

The girl shrugged and placed her hands on her sides. "If you're asking why I'm actively defying big bad Zane by befriending the prisoner, I don't know. He seems like he'd be a cool person if he wasn't held captive by a bunch of vampires. Actually, he still is, but you get what I'm saying."

"And how the hell are you out in broad daylight? Isn't he supposed to be the only one with that privilege?"

"Yes, but I also got one of the witches to side with us. I'm pretty good at making friends when I want to, you know? He made me an anklet. So it's hard to tell I'm wearing something sus because of ma boots," she chuckled, tapping her heels together.

"Zane doesn't know because he has me stationed somewhere other than the warehouse during the day." She snapped her fingers once, then pointed a finger gun at me. "Which is where I should tell you why I'm here, following you?" I nodded. "Right, well, I kinda need to talk to Amir's mom too. He wants me to let her know he's okay."

I eyed her suspiciously. How'd she even know we were there? How would Amir?

Even though that part of it was suspicious, I found myself believing that she's an ally to Octavia's son. Even if she wasn't, her inside knowledge is useful.

I stepped aside, pointing towards the hotel. "Move," I ordered. "Try anything I don't like, I rip into your throat. Got it?"

The vampire nodded eagerly, and marched off into the hotel. I followed close behind, keeping my eyes at the back of her head at all times.

When we got to the room, Octavia and Mark both stood at the sight of our guest. Mark's eyes darkened the way a vampire's does, ready to pounce. He knew exactly what she was.

"Somebody start talking," he hissed.

I pushed the vampire forward. She stumbled, but caught herself before tripping, and cleared her throat. "Right, sorry. I'm Beau. A friend of Amir's."

Octavia perked up at the mentioning of her boy. She glanced at me, but I just shrugged. She turned her attention back to Beau. "How do you know him? Is- he's okay, right?"

"Oh, yes, of course. That's one message he wanted me to get to you. The other is that he knows you're coming for him, and we have someone else on the inside that can help you."

"I'm sorry, but- actually, I'm not sorry to say I think you're full of shit," by brother said. "MB, tell me you don't believe her."

Beau inhaled sharply. I moved to the dresser beside her with my arms folded, and gave her a look. "What is it?"

"It's just that... well, I'm not a 'she.' Or a 'he,' but that's so totally irrelevant right now. Sorry." They shook their head as if to recollect themself. They turned to Mark, who still looked as suspicious as I felt of them. "I promise I'm not pulling any shit, okay? Really."

"Then why are you with them?" Octavia asked.

They shrugged, "blood. I'm barely a year into this whole vampirism thing, and I don't know anything about being alone and having to get my own source. The best way for me to survive way back when was to find a group. Zane had that, so I followed him. Even became his right hand's right hand." Beau scratched at the back of their head. "Look, since the moment I learned how they got their blood, I thought about leaving. That wasn't even two weeks into finding these guys, mind you.

Then three months in, they took Amir, said he's the son of some crazy ass witch and that he could be useful- no offense from me, Miss, I'm just quoting them. Anyway, Amir tried to escape every chance he got but they'd just beat him to a pulp every time..."

Octavia's hands balled into a fist, and her jaws clenched so hard I thought she'd break a few teeth. Beau noticed it too, and started to go comfort her, but they figured it was best to keep a distance.

"Anyway," they continued, "one time, when it was night and the other vampires were out preying on people, I lagged back. Offered him friendship and as much protection as I could possibly give him. He told me you'd be coming to find him. That you always came to find him. So I promised I'd try my best to be his eyes and ears on the outside of the walls, looking out for you when you did find him."

I pursed my lips and looked at my brother. Beau's story seemed to be too vague for him, but for me, it was almost enough to convince me they're not a threat.

"Once we agreed on that, he started to cooperate with Zane so he didn't take any more beatings. He hasn't been touched ever since, apart from harmless rough handling when we changed locations. That first week you came to spy on us, Miss, I saw you climbing up the building. By Amir's description, I knew you were his mom, so I told him as soon as I had him in my line of sight."

"You're in a warehouse full of vampires. How have they not heard your conversations?" Mark asked.

"That's where our witch friend comes in. A little while after we got to Chicago, he caught me sneaking a word in with Amir. He knew I was conspiring with him, but instead of reporting us, he came to us with a peace offering; this daylight anklet, so I could watch for you during the day." Beau unzipped their left boot, showcasing the anklet to us for proof.

"Get this, though," they smiled, zipping the boot back up. "Ivan's deaf, mostly mute. Because I have two deaf sisters, I could understand him, and Ivan and I were able to teach Amir some sign language. Even if the other vampires saw us, they wouldn't know what we were talking about. And if they suspected Ivan of treason, he wouldn't be able to talk very well. Me, on the other hand... well, Ivan agreed that if I get caught, he'd attempt a hail Mary of getting Amir somewhere safe. And I'd be sacrificed."

Not very many evil people would sacrifice their lives for unselfish reasons. If Beau was telling the truth, and I genuinely believe they are, then I could absolutely trust their intentions.

I gave my brother a singular nod. He pursed his lips, giving me a look in his eyes that told me he was still unsure, but he trusts my judgement.

We then looked at Octavia.

There were so many emotions running through her. This counts as another advantage against the assholes that took her son. But a lot could go wrong between my inexperience, Beau and Ivan's unpredictability as well as Zane and Octavia's.

If Beau is willing to help us, we gain Intel of the inside of that warehouse. We gain the upper hand.

It means we're close to getting what we want.

"We'll play this game," Octavia said. "I just want my son back. If you can give me that, you have my full attention."

"Don't forget our small chat in the parking lot, though," I told them. "I can't be too careful, so the threat still stands."

"I agree, wholeheartedly."

I kicked myself off the dresser I had leaned on and went over to my bag to grab a notebook. I gave it to Beau. "Start writing. Everything you've picked up in the past year on Zane and his buddies, even his witch buddies. I want to know who's important, who's not." I took a deep breath in and out. "And if there was ever a mention of something happening 13 years ago, or someone named Allison, that's important too."

Beau smiled like a happy fool, then saluted me. "You got it, General Hybrid." They went over to my bed in near the window, directly under sunlight and began scribble away. And with their back turned to us they mumbled under their breath, "God, she's so cool."

... okay?

---

Beau had to return to the warehouse at sundown, but they left my notebook behind. They got a decent amount of information written down. Hopefully enough for us to get an idea on what to do about this rescue mission. Luckily, we still have two days, at least, to plan out the mission, and with the help of Beau, Ivan and Amir, we can do some serious damage.

I was barely halfway through the notes Beau gave.

First and foremost, Zane. The oldest vampire of his group, but his age is unknown. He hated Marcel's rules and limitations on blood flow in New Orleans. He hated the alliances with the witches and wolves. Most especially the wolves because a single bite could kill vampires. Essentially, he wanted to be "king" and so he gathered followers to rebel against the laws of supernatural life in New Orleans. He hoped to overtake Marcel one day. As if that'd happen.

There was nothing more to say about him. Yet. Beau's written words were, "more later, I think. I have to remember it."

Next up was Cristina, the right hand. She used to not be that high up in the ranks. Apparently there was someone before her, long ago. Maybe even around the time the massacres happened. The name of this predecessor shocked me. "Bat". Beau wrote in their notes that they think he was Zane's boyfriend, judging by the way his face looked when Beau asked about him when they were learning about the origins of this nomadic clan of sorts.

If this is the same Bat Davidson Marcel killed, it meant he sacrificed himself in the name of love. It almost made me feel pity for his death.

As I read more, I learned how many vampires there are total. There are two other locations, both holding about 10 vampires each. Then there are two witches in each, who's power cloaks their location from all kinds of tracker spells. The last 7 vampires, plus Zane, are the ones in the warehouse Octavia found. Minus Ivan, there are five witches.

Five witches is more than enough to be concerned about.

There were 37 total enemies.

With the witches, someone named Devin happens to be the more powerful of our enemies. Compared to Ivan, she's weaker, but only by a bit. Beau says that Ivan has kept most his power secret from the others. While he's learning traveler witch magic now, he knows a good amount of normal witch magic. Now, I don't know why Ivan agreed to help the vampires, or if he's even a willing participant, but I'm just glad he's got a decent enough heart to pity a boy who just wants to go home.

We have to be careful with Jalen. He specializes in taking control of people's bodies, making them do things against their will.

The others are mostly there to keep the wards up.

I was shocked to see the next page titled "Weird Stuffs Bout Ze Rebellion".

Two things; one, Beau's energy is really growing on me already. It's kinda ridiculous. Two, how the hell can they call that a "rebellion"? The only way I would call their actions a rebellion is if they had something to do with defying Marcel. The way I've seen it for over a decade is they senselessly murdered a bunch of good people for no reason.

I got out of my head and kept reading. I recently learned Allison did have something to do with the attacks, so the first two or three paragraphs were useless to me.

Beau learned that they were sent by Alice to find something that could only be found in the bayou. Reading ahead, one word caused my heart to jump to my throat.

Grimoire.

The only grimoires that ever existed within the bayou were Dad's.

They tore the place apart because of him. He's the key to everything.

But why did she want my dad's grimoire? Her end goal is to kill her own father, right? What could Dad's grimoire possibly have that's related to Malivore?

And why would they have killed him before asking where the damned book is? He could have lived long enough to get us out of that situation. Not to justify it, of course, killing him immediately may have been the smartest thing they've done. Dad would most definitely have killed them all.

I signed and closed the notebook, rubbing my eyes with my fingers.

Whatever Allison wants could be in the grimoire Freya was able to save. Which means there might be a way for us to kill Malivore without sacrificing anyone. Without sacrificing Hope. We could have had the answer all along.

But what fucking business did Dad have with Malivore?

"MB? You okay?" Mark placed a hand on my shoulder.

I proceeded to pinch the bridge of my nose. I was beginning to get a headache, which I didn't think a vampire could even get. At least not without being knocked in it first.

"No," I told him. "We have to get back to the Salvatore School as soon as possible, Bai..."

"Why? Did Hope call, did something happen?"

"Something did. But I didn't learn it from anyone back home," I sighed. "One thing at a time, though. When Beau gets back tomorrow with word from Ivan and Amir, we can start working on that plan."

"Then we Octavia's son back," he nodded at Octavia. She fell asleep some time ago in Mark's bed. She almost looked peaceful. It could be that she genuinely feels this is the time she's reunited with her son. For good.

"You know... I hope helping her atones for some of the pain I caused her. I did help kidnap Amir a few times, after all. We both know how much hell that's caused her."

"She might feel the same way about Mom and Dad's deaths. Yours and Mason's, too."

"She might. Either way, I'm hoping we can all move on when this is all over. Maybe one day I'll find some way to age my body. I don't want to be a 'kid' forever," he said with air quotes. "And you. You really need to get your girl."

I rolled my eyes. "Again with that."

"I'll bother you about it 'til the day you realize I'm right. Maybe even after that too, but we'll see."

"I'll consider you're right when you finally grow up," I snorted. I was punched in the shoulder and an playful scowl spread across his face.

"Stop being an asshole."

"Stop being a kid."

"Stop being a dumb, clueless bitch obviously wanting to frick the tribrid."

"I don't want to f-"

"Stop denying it."

"There's nothing to-"

"Stop rejecting the call to your one true love. Klaus already saw you as another daughter, I'm absolutely sure he wouldn't rip your limbs off, attach them so they'd heal, then repeat the process. Just from wanting to love on his daughter," he shrugged. "Not like he would anyone else. Especially Landon, or... what is it you called him that one time? 'Demon child'?

"You're gonna die for a third time if you don't shut the fuck up."

"The cutest biracial couple I've seen in a long ass time, to be honest."

Okay, that does it.

With a threatening growl low enough to not wake Octavia, but one loud enough to scare Mark, I bared my teeth and readied myself to pounce on him. He realized how far he'd gone, and turned to speed off to nowhere. Of course I followed cause now I have to kill him. And damn, is this boy fast.

I guess we should see how fast.

---