With the second amulet now safely in Tracy's possession, the group emerged from the Necropolis, the weight of their mission settling over them like a thick fog. They had two of the three amulets, but the final piece still eluded them.
The streets of the city were quiet, the night wrapping them in a protective shroud as they made their way to a hidden safe house on the outskirts of town. Once inside, Lucius bolted the door behind them, and they gathered around the small, dimly lit room.
Tracy laid the two amulets on the table, their faint glow casting eerie shadows on the walls. "We've come this far," she said, her voice soft but determined. "Just one more, and we'll finally be able to break the curse."
Trevor nodded but remained silent. His mind was elsewhere—focused on the dangers that still lay ahead. The third and final amulet was guarded by the Order of Aether, a human faction that had eluded vampires for centuries.
Lucius leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "The Order of Aether won't be as easy to deal with as the Necropolis or the other trials. They're hunters, and they've been preparing for this confrontation for generations."
Tracy glanced at Trevor, her eyes searching his face for any sign of doubt. "Are you ready for this?" she asked quietly.
Trevor met her gaze, his expression resolute. "We don't have a choice. We've come too far to turn back now."
Lucius pushed off the wall and approached the table, his expression serious. "There's one thing you need to understand before we go any further. The Order of Aether is not just a group of humans with weapons. They've studied us, learned our weaknesses, and they have artifacts that can hurt or kill even the strongest of us."
"So how do we beat them?" Tracy asked, her hand resting protectively over the two amulets.
Lucius exhaled slowly. "We need to be smarter than them. If we go in guns blazing, we'll be walking into a death trap. But if we can infiltrate their ranks, find out what they're planning, and strike before they expect it, we might stand a chance."
Trevor clenched his fists, feeling the familiar surge of frustration. He hated relying on stealth and trickery. But he knew Lucius was right—this wasn't a battle they could win with brute force alone.
"I know someone who might be able to help," Lucius continued. "She's an old acquaintance who has ties to the Order. If anyone can get us inside without raising suspicion, it's her."
Trevor raised an eyebrow. "And we trust her?"
Lucius smirked. "As much as we trust anyone in this business. But she has no love for the Order, and she's smart enough to know that if we succeed, it benefits her too."
Tracy glanced between the two men, her face set in determination. "Then let's meet her. We can't afford to waste any more time."