Darkness Chapter 19: Bounty

**Nelly**

"Yeah, let me get changed. I'll meet you in your room," she says.

"Sounds good," I reply. I make my way up to my room and search for something suitable to work out in. Unfortunately, the options are limited and I end up settling for a sports bra and extremely short shorts.

As I emerge from the closet, Tara lets herself in and exclaims, "Damn girl."

I sigh, "There isn't much here that doesn't show too much skin."

Tara nods in agreement, "I know. It's like vampires are playing tricks on us. If I didn’t know better, I would say that they are horny little bastards, but nothing about them is little."

We head to the gym, crank up the music, and begin to warm up. As we start sparring, Tara manages to knock me down just as we hear clapping from the entrance. "And that's why you wear collars," Alec cheers.

Tara teases Alec, "Come up here and I'll show you a few moves I didn't use last night."

I nervously bite my lip, "Well, okay..."

Alec interrupts, "We need to speak to both of you."

Tara asks if we can shower first, but Alec insists that it can't wait. I feel a sense of dread as I realize this conversation is not going to be pleasant. "Oh, yeah sure," I reluctantly agree.

We follow Alec into Vincent's study, where he is seated behind his desk, intently staring at a computer screen. As we enter, Vincent wastes no time in getting straight to the point.

"Good. We need to speak to you both," he says gravely.

A sense of foreboding washes over me, and I can't help but voice my concern. "This doesn't sound good."

Vincent fixes me with a penetrating gaze. "Our scouts have returned. They report an army of well over two thousand."

Tara's eyes widen in disbelief. "Wait... that can't be right!"

I nod in agreement. "Yeah, we were told five hundred."

Vincent's expression darkens as he speaks with a hint of worry in his voice. "We believe you have been misled for quite some time now. It seems the only ones who have been honest with you are the vampires who have kept you captive."

Tara's confusion is palpable as she questions, "But why us?"

I shake my head at her before turning to Vincent and Alec. "The rebels are scattered all around, and our information has been relayed through carriers. It's clear that someone within our group has been feeding us false information, most likely due to their lack of trust in me."

The tension in the room is thick as we come to terms with the betrayal that has been lurking in our midst. The stakes have never been higher, and the truth is more dangerous than we could have ever imagined. I am sure the rat will come forward, but what will trapping him cost us?

Vincent's voice cut through the tense silence, "How deeply were you two involved?"

Tara's response was chilling: "We operated like assassins, working in small, covert groups to eliminate specific targets."

Vincent's expression darkened as he processed this information, "That explains why our encounters with your group were always so elusive, and why we could never locate your headquarters."

Alec's gaze shifted between Tara and me, his eyes filled with concern and apprehension. "You both should probably take a seat," he advised.

Tara let out a resigned sigh, "This can't be good."

Vincent's next words sent a shockwave through the room, "Our scouts managed to capture some of their high-ranking officials, who provided us with valuable intelligence. According to the information we obtained, both of you are now wanted for treason."

Tara's disbelief was palpable, "But how is that possible?"

Alec's voice was grim as he offered his theory, "We believe this was their plan all along. They wanted to draw our attention to you, hoping that once we captured you, you would eliminate us just like you did Vicor."

"But when we didn't, they assumed we had been compromised," I said solemnly. Alec inquired, "Do you know who leads the Resistance?" Both of us shook our heads in ignorance. Vincent then turned to us and declared, "Okay, we have a plan to draw them out."

I let out a heavy sigh. "We're bait, aren't we?" Vincent nodded gravely. "Yes." I gazed at Vincent, sensing the weight of the situation on his shoulders. "We meet again tonight with the council. We will reveal your identities. Be prepared for some furious vampires." 

**Rebel Leader in the Resistance**

I want those girls taken out. If they haven't taken out Vincent yet, they won't. I have intel that says she's his pet and sleeps with him willingly. She is a liability even though Nelly was damn good at killing those fuckers.

My men nod and leave to make ready for our attack and to get the rest of the rebel groups ready as well. We are coordinating attacks from all angles and I want these blood suckers gone. They don't deserve to live. They took my family from me and the woman I loved. I will make them all pay, and I will take Vincent’s pet from him. I will make sure he watches her die before I kill him.