Chapter 115: Mission
The discussion between Nikolai, Ezekiel, and Zoran had stretched on so long that Mineah and Tarah returned to the secret meeting chamber while it was still ongoing. Taking their seats, they quietly listened to the ongoing deliberations with wizard Lurio and two more vampires King Nikolai trusted.
Seated comfortably, Tarah released a deep sigh as she absorbed the discussion. Zoran emerged as a crucial asset, possessing an intricate knowledge of Helion, including its secret passages and chambers, cultivated over his twenty-one years of service to Devon.
"He hoards all the magical and ancient books there. It’s shielded by a spell he believes to be impenetrable, though I managed to breach it," Zoran revealed with a weary sigh. "But doing so exacts a heavy toll on my energy reserves. If circumstances worsen, my only recourse would be to create a teleportation portal to ensure our escape. However, I’ll need protection at all costs if it comes to that."
Tarah listened intently, understanding the gravity of Zoran’s role and the risks involved in their impending confrontation with Devon.
"Don’t worry. You’ll emerge unscathed," Nikolai reassured Zoran.
Mineah furrowed her brow, interjecting with skepticism. "But doesn’t this strike you as odd?"
"What do you mean, Mine?" Nikolai inquired.
"I mean, why did Devon preserve Zoran’s memories instead of wiping them clean along with Dahlia’s?" she questioned, her expression troubled. "What if this is a trap? Something feels off."
A tense silence enveloped the room as the men contemplated Mineah’s unsettling observation. Eventually, Ezekiel broke the silence, directing his gaze towards Tarah. "Tarah saw a vision of us successfully retrieving those books from Devon."