Chapter 62

Draven.
“I want a signed treaty,” I said, watching the mist coil beyond the riverbank. “Authorizing Stormveil to form its own investigative group.”
There was a pause on the other end of the call. Then, Mayor Brackham’s voice came—measured and clipped. “I’m afraid I can’t authorize that, Alpha. We already have an official team working the investigation. Adding another would… complicate things.”
“I don’t care about complications,” I replied coldly. “Your people have given me no reason to trust their efficiency. Or their honesty. My men and women died on your soil, Mr. Brackham. Stormveil deserves the right to investigate their deaths.”
Another silence followed, heavier this time.
“I must answer to my King,” I continued. “And King Alderic will not accept excuses when the lives of our people are being taken without justice. If you can’t deliver results, I will.”
“Alpha—”
“You made an agreement with me, days ago,” I cut him off. “You’ve failed your side of that agreement. So don’t expect me to stay patient.”
His voice dropped a note, now harder. “This is what we will do instead. Send three or four of your people to join my team. We will work together.”
“That’s acceptable,” I said without missing a beat. “But it doesn’t replace what I asked for. We will still form our own team. This is non-negotiable. If the humans truly value the truce, then they should have no problem with transparency.”
That did it.
He didn’t respond. Not right away.
Bringing up the truce had shut him up and at the same time, overturned his stubbornness. That was the only thing that could call him to order.
I let the silence settle—let it tighten like a noose around his neck.
Finally, he spoke again, his voice lacking its usual confidence. “My ministers will not approve this even if I agree.”
“You are the Mayor, Brackham,” I reminded him. “The ruler of Duskmoor. What you decide stands. But if you refuse to give us the authorization, then understand this—the truce will be reviewed. Duskmoor will be held accountable for every death on its soil. And it will be by our terms.”
My voice dropped, calm and deadly.
“What will it be, Mr. Brackham?” I checked my wristwatch. “You have ten seconds to decide.”
I kept quiet after that.
I already knew how it would end. With the pressure I have put on him by mentioning the truce, and then being subjected to our terms, I was sure he had no choice but to do my bidding. There was no other door left for him.
Seven seconds passed before Brackham reacted.
He sighed deeply. “On one condition,” he said finally. “That my people join your investigative group as well.”
“Done,” I said immediately. “I’m expecting the signed treaty in my mailbox tonight. I trust there won’t be any fine print I need to worry about.”
“Everything will be transparent,” he said, but I could hear the edge in his voice. He knew he had been boxed in.
“Good. Thank you for your cooperation.” I ended the call and slid the phone into my pocket.
Dennis didn’t wait one second before asking, “What did that old geezer say?”
I smirked faintly. “Exactly what we expected. His team reached a dead end with the investigation Then he refused my proposal for a signed treaty, tried to offer a compromise. I took it, like you heard, but I pushed back harder. He finally agreed to let us form our own team, as long as his people join it.”
Dennis snorted. “Brackham must be delusional.”
Jeffery frowned slightly. “What will you do, Alpha?”
“I will do what he asked,” I said. “Let his people join.”
Dennis looked like he had swallowed a lemon. Even Jeffery didn’t support the idea.
Dennis reminded me, “Since the humans are involved in Ronan’s disappearance, the Mayor might be aware, and will try to prevent us from gathering the evidence against them.”
Just then, Jeffrey looked between us and asked, “The humans are behind Ronan’s disappearance?”
Dennis nodded and told him everything I found out.
“Alpha, I’m not saying this to doubt you, but it could be that a random human came by the river bank to check Ronan’s clothes out,” Jeffery tried to analyse, but I wasn’t offended.
“That would have been possible if it didn’t smell like they purposely tried to remove their scent,” I stated.
Dennis brought me back to our earlier conversation. “Don’t tell me you are giving in to him.”
“I’m not,” I said calmly. “We will do it our way.”
That lit their interest. Dennis leaned in slightly, and Jeffery’s expression sharpened.
“No one else can know the humans are involved,” I said. “Not yet. If this gets to the council or to Alderic, war breaks out by morning. And right now, we don’t have enough to justify it. We need to know what the humans are up to—and who the first group was. The ones who ripped out the hearts.”
They nodded.
“Dennis,” I continued, “you and Jeffery will work together. Draft a list tonight—people we trust, ones who can handle pressure. That will be the second group. The one the humans see.”
“It won’t be real,” Dennis said, eyes narrowing. “We will feed them lies.”
I nodded. “Exactly. But be careful. The humans know we are smart. They will be watching us closely.”
“Understood,” Jeffery murmured.
I turned to him. “You will lead the fake group.”
His brows rose. “Me?”
“The Mayor won’t raise an eyebrow if I send my second-in-command. He will think it’s diplomacy. Use that. Play the part.”
Then I turned to Dennis. “You will lead the real group. Our people, our resources. I want it five steps ahead of the fake one. Every move, every lead—we follow it before the other team even hears about it.”
Both men nodded, the weight of responsibility settling in.
“You two stay in constant contact,” I said. “One misstep and they will catch on.”
“Got it,” Dennis said firmly.
Jeffery added, “We will keep each other updated. No leaks.”
“Good.” I exhaled. “Create the difference list tonight. Then, send a message to Alderic and the Elders. Let them know the treaty is underway. For now, that’s all they need to hear.”
Jeffery and Dennis exchanged a look of grim approval.
I turned and started walking back to the riverbank .
We will not be outplayed. Not this time.