NOVPUB
Chapter 215: Seeking Aceco’s Help Again
Rhett
~~
That night before the orientation day, Rhett was sent as an ’emissary’ to speak with Aceco. They needed her help with making a veil of sorts over the camp.
He grumbled at the decision, but Darius was right... They needed help. Soon, he got to Aceco’s cabin, surrounded by fresh moss and huge trees stretching as far as the eyes could see.
He got to the cabin’s door and was about to hold on to the weathered door knob and knock when he remembered something. Beta Darius had tried doing the same and suffered the consequences. There was a protective veil over this cabin, placed by the healer fairy herself. A testament to why they needed Aceco’s help.
He cleared his throat and was about to call out the fairy healer when the door opened, seemingly by itself. But soon, a slender hand held onto it from within, before peering out her head. Aceco.
"Gamma Rhett, what a pleasant surprise!" Aceco beamed with a smile, her long silver hair cascading like the wind behind her as her wings fluttered. "How’ve you been?"
Rhett smiled, his eyes lingering respectfully on the fairy Healer. Her aura was just beyond ethereal, and her white garment shimmered, providing light against the darkness of night. But aside from that, multiple fireflies flew around her cabin, illuminating the place. Rhett didn’t doubt that they were an extension of sorts of Aceco’s magic.
"I’ve been good, Aceco. May I come in?" He gestured awkwardly, as he stretched his head to get a peep of the cabin. He remembered how majestic the inside was. "We have a favor to ask of you."
"We?" Aceco’s eyes narrowed as she tilted her head, trying to see if there was anybody following Rhett. When she saw that there were none, she turned her gaze back to him, a smile etched on her face.
"Yeah. Myself and the Raven Wood keepers higher-ups. But I’m here as an emissary of sorts." He clarified quickly. She nodded her understanding soon afterward.
"Of course, come in." Her smile only grew wider as she gestured at him to come inside.
On stepping inside, Rhett felt an odd sense of peace wash over him. The place was as beautiful and unbelievable as he’d remembered. The clear blue skies with fluffy white clouds. The hills of trees and lush greenery stretched as far as the eyes could see. The singing birds flew past them, with some even landing on Aceco’s hair and shoulders as if she were some kind of Disney princess.
Rhett was mesmerized. He found it hard to believe that this was all the work of an illusion. Everything felt, smelt, and looked so REAL.
"So..." Aceco smiled warmly, turning her head to Rhett as she held two birds in her fingers. "What brings you here, Gamma Rhett? What does the Raven Wood pack need my help for this time?"
Rhett paused, staring at her with high regard. After a while, he cleared his throat and began speaking. "Greetings, Aceco. I–"
"Oh, drop the formalities, Gamma Rhett. We’ve discussed more than once before. I’m sure you should see me as a friend by now, right?" Aceco giggled, as she fluttered around Rhett.
A blush crept on his face for a second, but he still managed to keep his cool. "Sure. If you say Aceco." A small smile was etched on his face before he continued. "Anyway, our pack is doing something. We’re recruiting all the first males of each wolf and fey family, into the army. Apart from that, those who wish to volunteer can also do that."
Aceco squinted her eyes and soon, a frown crept on her face. "Wolf AND fey?" She paused, thinking deeply for some seconds. Then finally, she asked. "And, are the fey responding?"
Rhett nodded before replying. "Yes, they are. In their numbers actually." He paused before adding. "They’ll all be trained for a month in a camp we’ve made at the outskirts of the pack, deep inside these woods. Meaning we’ll need protection, just in case."
Aceco sat on a rock, her gaze never leaving Rhett. "Protection? You mean a veil?"
Rhett nodded in reply.
However, unlike what he’d expected, it didn’t take long for her to agree with it. She simply shrugged before agreeing. "Sure. I mean, to create a powerful, long-lasting veil, I’ll need to gather some crystals and expend a lot of magic, but I’ll just need some rest afterward. It’s worth it to protect my people who’ll be in that camp... And yours too, of course."
Rhett smiled, glad that she was coming along so easily. He was about to take his leave when Aceco stopped him.
"The ancient shape-shifting vampire. How’s that going? Are you getting closer to finding out who he’s disguised as now?" She asked, a concerned look on her face.
Rhett could only smile bitterly before replying. "Sadly, no. We thought we were getting close at first, but our major suspect seemed clean."
Upon hearing that, Aceco frowned, her face looking like she was deep in thought. Rhett remained quiet, watching her intently. If she was able to provide useful information on finding the bloodsucker, then that would be great.
"What makes you think he’s a suspect? And is he a wolf?" She queried.
"Well..." Rhett began. "He had some connections with a recent murder victim. And here’s this... the victim’s body is missing. This makes me wonder if the vampire is now using the victim’s skin, but I don’t know... It seems too easy. Oh, and yeah, the victim is a wolf."
Aceco nodded all through his explanation, her eyes flashing with understanding. After a while, she spoke cautiously. "Don’t remove that wolf you investigated from your suspect list... Yet. You saw how easy it was for the vampire to masquerade as that wolf child. Disguising and pretending to be an adult shouldn’t be hard for him. He’s far more deceptive than you think.
Also, keep a close eye on him. If you notice, anything suspicious at all, just let me know." She arched an eyebrow, trying to check if Rhett understood her. After he nodded his understanding, she continued. "And, don’t do anything rash, please. We can’t risk letting him know that we’re unto him if he turns out to be our vampire." 𝖓𝖔𝖛𝔭𝖚𝖇.𝔠𝖔𝔪
Rash? He was Rhett Darkwater. When had he ever acted ’rashly’?
