The Blackwood mansion seemed almost peaceful after the chaos of the safehouse, but Celia could feel the tension in the air. She retreated to her personal study, a small room lined with bookshelves and maps, where she could work undisturbed. The leather-bound book her father had given her was now open on her desk, its pages filled with faded notes and sketches detailing Lucian and his pack.
The information was sparse and fragmented, but one thing was clear: Lucian had been a powerful and enigmatic figure. The notes described his pack as a formidable force with a complex hierarchy and a series of rituals and symbols that held deep meaning for them. One symbol, in particular, caught her eye—a crescent moon intertwined with a thorny vine. It was similar to the mark left at the safehouse.
As Celia studied the book, a knock on the door interrupted her concentration. She looked up to see Evan standing in the doorway, his face lined with concern.
"Celia, we need to talk," he said, stepping into the room.
She nodded, motioning for him to sit. "What's going on?"
Evan took a deep breath. "I've been looking into the safehouse attack, trying to find any leads. The authorities are asking questions, and there's a lot of speculation about what really happened. Some of the evidence they found is raising eyebrows—things they can't easily explain."
Celia's curiosity piqued. "What kind of evidence?"
"Unusual markings and traces of something... supernatural. They're connecting the dots, but they're still in the dark. They've started digging into any recent unexplained events or disturbances in the city, and some of that might come back to us."
Celia frowned. "We need to keep our activities under the radar. If the authorities start connecting the dots, it could complicate things."
Evan nodded. "I agree. But there's more. I managed to get a look at some of the footage from nearby surveillance cameras. It's grainy, but it looks like there was someone else at the safehouse before we arrived—someone who was watching the attack unfold."
Celia's heart raced. "Did you identify them?"
Evan shook his head. "Not yet. But there's a chance they were connected to Lucian or his pack. If we're going to find out more, we need to track them down."
Celia took a deep breath, her mind racing with possibilities. "We'll need to be cautious. The more we dig, the more likely we are to attract unwanted attention."
As Evan left to continue his investigation, Celia turned her attention back to the book. The symbol from the safehouse was hauntingly familiar, and she couldn't shake the feeling that it was more than just a random mark. There had to be a deeper connection, a reason Lucian and his pack had chosen to make their presence known in such a dramatic fashion.
Hours passed as Celia pored over the book, her eyes growing tired but her determination unwavering. She was so absorbed that she barely noticed the clock ticking toward midnight. Just as she was about to close the book, a soft chime from her phone alerted her to a new message.
The message was from an unknown number: *"Meet me at the old pier. I have information about Lucian. Come alone."*
Celia's instincts flared with caution. This could be a trap, or it could be the lead she desperately needed. She hesitated only for a moment before deciding to investigate. She couldn't afford to ignore any potential clue, especially one that seemed to be linked directly to Lucian.
Dressing quickly and grabbing her gear, Celia made her way to the old pier, located on the outskirts of the city. The area was notorious for its abandoned warehouses and dark corners, a perfect hiding place for those who wanted to stay out of sight.
As she approached the pier, the moonlight cast long, eerie shadows over the deserted area. The air was thick with the scent of salt and decay. Celia moved cautiously, her senses alert for any sign of danger. The sound of distant waves crashing against the pilings provided a haunting backdrop.
She reached the designated meeting spot—a small, weather-beaten shed near the edge of the pier. The door was slightly ajar, and a faint light flickered from within. Celia pushed the door open and stepped inside, her hand resting on the hilt of her blade.
The interior was dimly lit by a single hanging bulb. A figure emerged from the shadows, cloaked and hooded, their face obscured. They held out a folder, their voice low and tense. "You're Celia Blackwood. I have information about Lucian and his pack. But you need to hear this quickly."
Before Celia could respond, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed from outside. The figure's eyes widened in alarm. "They've found us. We don't have much time."
Celia's pulse quickened as she glanced toward the door. The stakes had just been raised, and with the authorities closing in, she knew she had to act fast. She snatched the folder and prepared to leave, her mind already racing with the implications of what she had just learned.
The night was far from over, and the true extent of the danger was only beginning to unfold.