Bastian stepped out of the group and went around to take a closer look at the room; the glass test tubes, the jars, the examination bed, the cupboards, everything! He did not want to think much about it… but everything seems the same!
He stood there, his face full of shock.
Erick walked over and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Hey, bro, what's up?" he asked in concern.
Bastian blinked his eyes once, returning back to reality. He turned his head towards Erick and said, "This place.... It's exactly like the place where I got experimented on. Where that fecking Krys took my blood!" he ended with a snarl, bad memories pouring inside his mind.
Erick frowned. He had heard the stories from Bastian that day after they destroyed Rehan's mansion. It made him furious, until now at how Bastian, and even Amber and Makena were trapped and hurt by the warlocks and mutated rogues. After hearing their stories, he had always felt that burning the place and Krys' death weren't enough.
Bastian walked over to one of the tables and picked up one of the test tubes. The scowl on his face deepened. On the tube, there was a label written 'Test blood 1: 12.03.2021'. He frowned. 'What does this date mean?' he thought.
Erick followed behind and saw the date. He frowned too. "Wasn't this before the time you found their den?" he asked, looking confused.
Bastian nodded. "I do not know how we could have missed this!" he rubbed his face in frustration. He could not believe that he had missed at just a split second! Although it was fortunate that he managed to find the lone vampire, he could have gotten more. Even this hidden room.
Oz patted him on the shoulder as comfort. "Past is past now. Don't delve into it much," he advised.
Bastian nodded.
Everyone went to look for any clues that might give them any hints about the vampires and the warlocks. Paccia had even casted a spell around the room for better inspection.
Outside the den.
Dewei was playing with his small knives, juggling them in his hands, looking bored. He was sitting on one of the sturdy branches in one of the trees, near the den. His usual backpack was on his lap, which was filled with his 'little' inventions. From atop, he could see the entrance without anyone seeing him, unless they looked up. It has been hours since they had been waiting for any signs. Although there were some noises being heard from inside, Dewei and the other shifter from the Cairin pack named Trey were stopped by Ezekiel.
Dewei was about to protest but he stopped when he saw the glare on Ezekiel's face. He inwardly shrugged and returned back to his spot on the branch. Trey, on the other hand, was on the other tree where he continued to diligently watch the entrance. Dewei did not know how the other shifter doesn't feel stiff being in that same position for long hours.
Ezekiel looked up from his position where he was squatting, near to where Dewei was 'hiding'. He resignedly let out a sigh. How did he end up being in the same team with this 'weirdo'? Although it was fine that one of his packmates was on his team, he actually does not know how to handle this Kendall packmate. Paccia did reassure him that Dewei would be a great help in his team but he has yet to see his 'helpfulness'.
Just then, Dewei, who looked bored earlier, suddenly shot up straight. And before Ezekiel could react, the former had jumped off the branch and came running to the side of the den entrance.
Both Ezekiel and Trey looked at each other before chasing after the eccentric shifter.
Dewei's eyes shined brightly as his grin grew wider, running towards the sound that he had heard. Even though the sound was faint, it did not escape his hearing senses. Before team 1 and team 2 had entered the den, he actually had wandered off, looking around the surroundings. It was during that time, he had set up several of his little traps around the area.
After hours of being patient and waiting for some 'prey' to get caught, his wish has finally come true!
By the time Ezekiel and Trey had arrived, Dewei was already in his werewolf form, fighting against an unfamiliar figure. Coming closer, they realized that the other person was a warlock!
They quickly looked around and found at least two of the warlocks had fainted, unconscious, lying on the ground with their broken wands.
Li Jie then shouted while gripping the neck of one of the warlocks, "One of them just escaped!"
Ezekiel turned to Trey, who nodded. Soon after, Trey rushed off to where Li Jie was pointing at and chased after the escaping warlock.
Turning back to Li Jie, Ezekiel was shocked to find that the former had already snapped the warlock's neck, rendering him dead.
"Why did you kill him?" Ezekiel asked in disbelief. He has so many questions to ask the warlock!
Li Jie turned to Ezekiel, a puzzled look on his face. If it wasn't for the blood splats on the shifter's face, he would have looked quite endearing and cute with that confused look.
He tossed the dead corpse aside and walked over to where the other fainted warlocks laid down. He then kicks one of them, sending him flying, crashing against one of the trees. Unfortunately for Li Jie, the tree did not break from the crash impact but it did make the warlock spurt out some blood.
Before Ezekiel's wide eyes filled with surprise, Li Jie pointed at the warlock and said, "He's still alive."
Then with a mischievous smile on his face, Li Jie walked over to the cowering warlock, who was now wide-awake.
"Please! Please! Spare me! I'll tell you! I'll tell you everything!" the frightened warlock shouted as he covered his head with his arms as protection, shuddering with fear.
Li Jie, who was now squatting in front of the warlock, frowned. He then poke the latter with his paw on the head and said, "Tell what?"
The warlock peeked out, looking at Li Jie through the empty space between his arms. "You're not going to kill me?" he asked, quivering.
Li Jie tilted his head in confusion. "Why would I want to kill you?" he asked.
Before the warlock could sigh in relief, Li Jie grabbed his backpack, which he had carried earlier closer to him. The warlock's eyes widened, watching as the shifter began to take out numerous items from the bag; ropes, fist gloves with spikes, a bunch of small knives and other items.
The warlock's eyes widened more when he saw the shifter take one of the items that looked like a pill container. He continued to watch with fear and dread as Li Jie poured something from the container to his paw. And before the warlock could react, Li Jie had stuffed the pill in his mouth. And again, before the warlock could spit it out, Li Jie had punched the former under his chin, forcing him to swallow the pill
The warlock gasped and wheezed as his watery eyes stared at Li Jie in terror and fright. "What the heck did you feed me?" he exclaimed, clutching his throat with both hands.
Li Jie just smiled. He then took something that looked like a remote from his backpack.
Both Ezekiel and the warlock frowned, curious to know what it was.
Soon after, the warlock suddenly began to quaver strongly, from head to top. Foam started to form outside his mouth as his eyes turned up, making his eyes 'all-white'. But to Ezekiel's surprise, the warlock seems to still have his consciousness as he could hear the latter's hoarse and soft pleading.
Ezekiel frowned and looked at Li Jie, who was looking at the remote control with glee and awe. "What is that?" he asked, curious.
Li Jie turned to Ezekiel and said, "It's something that Paccia had given me. I only adjust and change something, to my satisfaction. She said that I should use it on someone who would want to have fun with me."
"To have fun?" Ezekiel repeated, still confused. "What is it then?"
"A vibrator."