I glanced at each of them one by one, letting the weight of the moment settle like a hush in the air.
The room was thick with anticipation.
Truthfully, I didn't have a fully formed plan—nothing written down or clearly mapped out—but an idea had begun to take shape in my mind, sharp and persistent like a thorn pressing into flesh.
"To reach the Headquarters," I began slowly, "he has to get inside the building, right?"
They all nodded, their expressions shifting into various shades of curiosity, concern, and quiet resolve.
My eyes landed on Dylan.
"Dylan, with your experience as a bay guard, I need you to scout every possible entrance to the building—main doors, side alleys, rooftop access, underground tunnels. Even secret passages, if there are any. Leave no stone unturned."
"Got it," he replied with a firm nod, already slipping into mission mode.
I turned toward Vlad next.
"And you. I need to know how many guards are stationed there—human, supernatural, magical, anything. If he's protected by spells or enchantments, I want the full picture. Use your mind-reading ability if you have to, but…"
I paused, letting my gaze meet his with deliberate intensity.
"No bloodshed. Promise me that."
Vlad smirked, but the amusement didn't reach his eyes.
There was a rare seriousness in his voice when he answered, "Deal."
Next, I looked to Oregon.
"I'll get you to a high vantage point so you can use your bow. Stay hidden and alert. If anything goes sideways, you'll be our failsafe. But use your magic arrows—disable, don't injure."
"Understood," he replied, calm and steady.
He was already calculating wind angles and elevation shifts in his head. I could see the gears turning.
"As for me," I continued, "I'll pretend to have some casual business at the building. Nothing too suspicious. Just a routine visit. Then, somehow, I'll just… happen to cross paths with him."
I turned to Xander. His sharp gaze was already on me, unwavering.
"Xander, I need you inside the building. Out of sight, but close. If something goes wrong—anything at all—I need you ready to act."
He nodded once.
"I'll pose as an investor or a potential stakeholder. That should give me access to the inner levels without raising suspicion."
I took a deep breath.
"So… what do you all think about the plan?"
Vlad leaned back in his chair, a half-smile playing on his lips.
"It sounds too clean. Too perfect. I almost don't believe it'll work."
"Which is why we need a Plan B," I said, crossing my arms.
"Just in case something goes wrong. And let's be honest—it probably will."
Dylan cracked a grin.
"Now it's starting to sound interesting."
Xander, however, didn't smile. His jaw was tense, his eyes fixed on mine. There was a quiet storm brewing behind his calm exterior.
"Are you sure this isn't too dangerous for you?"
"It is," I said without hesitation.
"But it's the only chance we've got to reach him. To talk to him, if possible. We can't afford to let this opportunity slip away."
Suddenly, my phone rang, slicing through the silence like a blade.
Everyone turned toward the sound. The screen lit up, buzzing insistently in my hand.
Keanu.
Again.
I didn't reach for it. I just stared at it, frozen.
Vlad's voice was low and warning.
"We have important and dangerous days ahead. Don't let him become a distraction."
Dylan raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. He didn't say a word—but he didn't have to.
I let the call ring out and die into silence.
Xander stepped forward, gaze narrowing. "Why does he keep calling you?"
Before I could answer, Dylan spoke, his tone casual but edged with something sharper.
"You really don't know? That Keanu guy's got a thing for her."
Xander's eyes flicked to me, unreadable.
But it was Oregon who caught me off guard. He spoke softly, but there was a strange weight to his voice.
"Why is it that every man we encounter seems drawn to you, Leighton? It also happened when we were at the mall."
I blinked.
"They're not. You're imagining things, Oregon." I tried to sound dismissive, but my voice faltered slightly.
"Okay—enough. Let's not talk about me."
I straightened my back, trying to reclaim control of the moment.
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught the faintest flicker of that inhuman glow in Xander's eyes.
Dylan stepped forward, his voice shifting to something more practical.
"Well, we've still got a few days until the event. Why don't we all stay under one roof until then? It'll make it easier to plan, to strategize—especially if anything changes last minute."
"Agreed. We'll also need that time to prepare for Plan B," Vlad added, folding his arms.
Xander's expression tightened.
"Under one roof… you mean… here?"
Vlad raised an eyebrow, amusement dancing in his tone.
"Well, we could always go to my place. It's just as large as yours, maybe larger."
Oregon stood quietly at the edge of the room, observing everything.
Dylan, too, stayed silent, his stance unreadable.
I softened my voice.
"It's alright. We'll stay here. There's more than enough space. That is… if it's okay with you, Xander?"
He looked at me for a long moment.
Then, quietly, "I'll agree to anything you suggest."
"Good." I nodded.
"Then we'll meet here again tomorrow. We still need to discuss who—what—I need to become on that day. But for now, let's rest. We all need it."
Dylan chuckled.
"You're starting to sound like a tribe leader, Leighton."
I laughed—a real one this time.
"Not yet, Dylan. Not yet. But maybe… someday."
That night, we let ourselves relax for the first time in a while.
And even though the storm hadn't yet arrived, we could all feel it looming.