Crimson Legacy

Chapter 7:

The werewolves lay scattered across the ground, their unconscious forms lit by the eerie red glow of the sky. Palmer, his scarlet eyes still blazing with power, surveyed the scene, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"The person who sent them is quite thorough," Palmer mused, a thoughtful frown creasing his brow. He knelt beside one of the unconscious werewolves, his keen senses analyzing the subtle traces of magic clinging to its fur. "A silencing spell, woven with potent dark magic. They all passed out after I asked them some questions." He stood, his gaze sweeping over the fallen pack. "No loose ends. Interesting." A flicker of concern crossed his features. "But that's not all..." He paused, his gaze shifting to Damien, a smirk playing on his lips. "Pfft, some 'monster' you turned out to be. You pretty much exhausted what fear is left in you," he chuckled.

Damien, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment, mumbled, "Argh, don't laugh!" He looked down at his trembling hands, his voice filled with self-reproach. "I saw you die, and all I could think about was how pathetic I am. I was aiming to be a symbol of fear, but I went and got you killed... or so I thought. All I felt at that time was guilt for my stupid actions. I just keep putting the people I love in danger."

Palmer's expression softened. "It seems you're finally starting to understand the weight of responsibility, Damien. Protecting those you care for often requires difficult choices." He paused, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "But recklessness can lead to unintended consequences."

Damien sniffed, a small smile breaking through his guilt. "You always know what to say... I envy you."

"I'm 865 years old," Palmer replied with a wry grin. "It's only natural that I'd know what to say..."

Damien laughed, the tension easing from his shoulders. "I'll make it up to everyone. Firstly, I'll go return what they came for. My plan to become the 'symbol of fear' failed anyway," he said, a hint of resignation in his voice.

"You won't need to do that," Palmer insisted.

"What do you mean? They'd just keep coming for us if I don't, you know?" Damien said, confused.

"They'd come after us either way," Palmer explained, his eyes narrowing in thought.

"Now I'm even more confused..."

"Werewolves and other factions of supernaturals have always lived in fear of vampires for centuries. A pack of them can't stand against even a lowly vampire, yet they came. There's a force strong enough to make werewolves do their bidding, someone with a greater plan..."

"Like the werewolves were just a diversion? For what exactly?"

Suddenly, their eyes widened in realisation. "The estate!" they exclaimed in unison.

"I noticed I couldn't get in touch with Valen," Palmer said, his voice laced with concern, "but I felt his rage when he went into his domain." His eyes narrowed further. "We need to head back quickly. Grab on to me."

The air around them crackled with energy as Palmer extended his domain. In a blink, they vanished from the alleyway, teleporting back to the Montgomery estate, leaving behind the unconscious werewolves and the lingering scent of fear.

As Palmer and Damien stepped through the shattered remains of the estate's grand entrance, a wave of unease washed over Palmer. An invisible barrier, crackling with dark energy, clung to the air, disrupting the flow of his senses.

"It's a barrier," he muttered, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the perimeter. "One that's meant to block communication between me and the others inside. Explains why I couldn't get in touch with them. They got us good."

With a flick of his wrist, he unleashed a surge of power, shattering the barrier. A flood of fragmented memories, chaotic and disjointed, surged into his mind – Valen's perspective of the attack, the sirens swarming the estate, Sarah's terror. Palmer's jaw clenched, his scarlet eyes flashing with a mixture of relief and anger.

They rushed inside, the sight that greeted them a grim tableau. Lifeless siren bodies lay scattered across the once-pristine floors, their luminescent skin now dull and lifeless.

"Damien!?" Sarah's voice, filled with panic and relief, echoed from the grand staircase. She rushed towards them, her eyes wide with concern. "Damien, are you alright?"

Damien, overwhelmed by guilt and the near loss of his sister, choked back a sob. "I'm so sorry, Sarah... I'm so sorry. I didn't know it would come to this."

Sarah, tears streaming down her face, embraced him tightly. "Shh, shh... It's okay, it's okay... As long as you're alright, it's okay."

Damien knelt, burying his face in his sister's shoulder, his tears soaking her blouse. "I miss them so much," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "All I wanted to do was to get revenge on whoever was responsible for their death. I can't bear to think that the person who killed them is still alive... roaming freely,"

"It's okay, Damien, I understand," Sarah soothed, her voice trembling. "Mom and Dad would understand too... I'm sure they're happy wherever they are." She clung to him, a wave of relief washing over her. Her brother was back, and that's all that mattered.

Valen emerged from the shadows, "Where is everyone?" Palmer asked, his voice laced with concern.

"Most are recovering," Valen replied. "But we lost George, Victor, and Cassia." He trailed off, his gaze fixed on the fallen sirens. "I'm sure you've seen everything from my memory, as I've seen yours." He met Palmer's eyes, his expression grim. "This was definitely not an attack between factions. They mean to start a war."

Damien, wiping the tears from his eyes, looked up at Palmer. "You said something about someone strong aiding the werewolves, and that returning the Orb won't change the fact that they'd keep coming after us. What did you mean by that, Palmer?"

Palmer exchanged a knowing glance with Valen, then turned to Sarah and Damien, their faces etched with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. "Don't be surprised and listen," he began, his voice grave. "For the past five centuries, your family is one of the families chosen to protect one of the five orbs. The keys to unleashing a greater darkness."