Draken casually covered the crystal mirror as the door to his office swung open, revealing his son.
Draven entered the room, his eyes trained on the floor. "You summoned me, Father."
"Yes," Draken said, watching his son carefully. "I had a question for you."
Draven's eyes briefly flickered up to his father's face before dropping to the floor again. "What is it?"
"Are you sure that you never saw any wolves during the final purge on Dark Moon Mountain?"
Draven felt his heart stop as a cold sweat spread across the back of his neck. "No, Father, I didn't," he said, forcing himself to stay calm.
"Hmm," Draken hummed as his gaze seemed to stare through his son. "Well, one of my… believers has just witnessed someone shifting into a wolf."
Draven gulped, silently praying to the Goddess to protect him. "I assure you, Father, I never saw any wolf. Squirrels and deer, yes, but no wolves. Maybe they escaped from a different purge."
Draken continued to stare at the man in his office. "He must have come from Dark Moon. Every other wolf was accounted for during the other purges except for one pup in Dark Moon. You must have missed him."
Draven lowered his head further. "My apologies, Father."
"No matter," Draken said, rising to his feet. He moved around his desk and placed his hands on his son's shoulders. "I am giving you the chance to correct this mistake."
Draven's head snapped up as he looked at his father in surprise. "What do you mean?"
"I want you to go finish the job."
Draven couldn't believe his ears. His father was sending him? Not one of his other loyal followers?
Lowering his head, Draven said submissively, "Yes, Father."
"Good," Draken patted his son's shoulders. "You leave at dusk. There's a cabin at the base of Red Peak Mountain. That's where the werewolf and his dragon mate are. Take care of both."
Draven gave a formal bow as he retreated from his father's office. As he walked to his room to pack his essentials, he began to plan. This would probably be the best chance he'd ever have to take down Draken.
As dusk approached, Draven headed up to the balcony that the vampires of the temple used before taking long trips, where they could be "blessed" before leaving.
Draven stood there, his eyes closed and head tilted back, enjoying the last rays of sunlight as he heard the signature sound of his father's robes brushing across the ground. Turning, Draven gave a small bow as his father emerged from the shadows.
Draken raised his arms, as if to give a sermon, "Goddess, bless my son as he prepares to go forth and purge your world of those who dirty it."
To the astonishment of both parties, a bright, silver beam descended, encasing Draven for just a brief moment before disappearing. As it faded, a silver tattoo appeared on the back of Draven's hand in the shape of a Moon Lily.
As Draven stared at the Goddess's mark, a female voice ghosted through his mind, no louder than a whisper, "Protect him."