Chereads / Bloodlines: The Tribrid Legacy / Chapter 8 - The Venators

Chapter 8 - The Venators

Deep within the desolate expanse of an unknown city, a foreboding mansion stood like an oasis, shrouded in an aura of mystery and secrecy. The surrounding landscape was barren and devoid of life, with no signs of human habitation or even the slightest hint of vegetation. The mansion's imposing structure seemed to pierce the sky like a dark dagger, its towering spires and turrets reaching towards the clouds like skeletal fingers. The once-grand entrance, now weathered and worn, appeared like a mouth agape, ready to devour any unsuspecting soul who dared approach.

The silence was oppressive, punctuated only by the distant hum of an engine, growing louder with each passing moment. A bus, its exterior caked with dust and grime, emerged from the horizon, leaving a trail of swirling sand in its wake. The same bus that Griswold had commandeered from the crime scene in Stardom. As it approached the mansion's gates, the air seemed to vibrate with an almost palpable sense of tension.

The gates, adorned with intricate ironwork and topped with razor-sharp spikes, slid open with a deafening clank, as if the very earth itself was parting to swallow the bus whole. The vehicle crept forward, its tires crunching on the gravel driveway, before coming to a halt in the designated parking slot. The door creaked open, and Griswold sprang out with an air of urgency.

Before him stood the mansion's entrance, flanked by two imposing guards clad in black tactical gear, their faces hidden behind mirrored visors. Their weapons, sleek and menacing, seemed to gleam in the faint light, a testament to their deadly proficiency. With a synchronized bow, they parted to reveal the entrance, their movements eerily choreographed. The heavy wooden doors, adorned with ancient carvings and mysterious symbols, creaked open with a dreadful screech, inviting Griswold into the depths of the mansion.

As he stepped inside, the doors slammed shut behind him, enveloping him in an eerie silence. The interior of the mansion was a far cry from its austere exterior. Opulent chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a warm, golden glow over the lavish furnishings. The air was heavy with the scent of old books and smoke, wafting from the crackling fireplace that seemed to pulse with a life of its own.

Griswold's footsteps echoed through the foyer, his eyes scanning the surroundings.

As Griswold ventured deeper into the mansion, the opulent decor seemed to fade into the background. He turned a corner, and a warm light spilled from the doorway ahead, illuminating the dark hallway.

The room was dimly lit, the only sound was the soft crackle of the fireplace.

Seated around the fire were the Venators, their faces illuminated by the flickering flames.

The Venators were a group of supernatural hunters which go way back in history. The past and present generations have only had one duty - to track down supernatural beings and get rid of them.

They were made up of two different families - The Virgils family and the Addams.

The two families had two children each, a boy and a girl each. Lucien and Lila Virgil for the Virgil family and then Alicia and Thane for the Addams family.

"Welcome back, Griswold." Orion Virgil, the patriarch, welcomed Griswold.

Apparently, the Virgil family are like the leaders of the Venators, the two families might be working together but the Virgils are the ones that mostly make most decisions.

So, Orion Virgil is the patriarch while his wife Lyra, is the matriarch.

"Thank you Patriarch." Griswold replied.

"So have you confirmed the deaths?" Derek Addams asked. He is the head of the Addams.

Griswold took a deep breath, his eyes locking onto Derek's. "Sir, I have confirmed the kills. The bodies at the crime scene bore the marks of a werewolf attack. The claw marks, the bite wounds...it was a brutal slaughter. The gangsters were surely killed by a werewolf."

Aurelia, Derek's eyes gleamed with interest, her voice low and husky. "Excellent work, Griswold. This confirms our suspicions."

Lucien leaned forward, his eyes burning with excitement. "Damn, it's been a long time since I've hunted. I was honestly starting to think that we've eliminated all the supernaturals in the world." He chuckled.

Thane looked at him with disdain and scoffed. The children of both families have never gotten along right from day one. Lucien and Thane are sworn enemies, same with their sisters, Lila and Alicia

"Well, this seems like the case of a lone wolf, so we need to get done with it quickly. Alicia and Lucien, you're up," Orion, the patriarch said.

"Wait, why does he get to be the one who goes?" Thane asked immediately, his anger rising slowly. He didn't understand why Lucien gets to be the one who goes on the mission with his (Thane's) sister while he sits back, doing nothing.

This is exactly the reason he despises Lucien, the latter is always chosen above him all time. He hated the fact that Lucien was better than him when it came to fighting. Lucien, on the other hand, likes the fact that he's above Thane in all aspects and always relishes in the feeling.

"Lucien and Alicia are the ones going on the mission, take it or leave it." Orion said.

Thane grumbled low under his breath, he knew there was nothing he could do about the situation. He wouldn't dare to talk back at the patriarch.

"But patriarch, you need to know that the bite marks I saw are deeper than that of a usual werewolf. It might be a lone wolf, an omega but I don't think this is something the kids should be left alone to handle." Griswold immediately chipped in.

"Kids?" Alicia chuckled.

"It's just a lone wolf Griswold, nothing we can't handle. I alone can down this son a bitch." Lucien boasted.

Thane chuckled with hatred, sarcasm evident in his voice. "Of course you can."