Chapter 4 Chapter 4

Ella's Point of View

Three months later,

I had spent months with Max now and at first, we felt like we were making fast progress. It didn't last long though. We soon found ourselves hitting a hard rock in our quest to rescue Milly from herself.

"So now what?" Max asked after we had hunted down the alleged birthplace of Hecate only to find a run-down house filled with nothing but someone's old crap. "We've been searching for this fucking book for three fucking months and for what? We don't even have a lead!"

"We may be just aren't looking in the right places," I replied deep in thought.

"No shit Sherlock!" Max exclaimed angrily kicking an old armchair in the house and creating a cloud of dust.

"Can you at least try to control your temper, Max?! It's not fucking helping!" I said. "Are you sure we didn't miss any packs?" I asked.

"We've searched them all," he answered confidently.

"Even in the mountains?" I double checked.

"Even in the mountains."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes I am fucking sure!" he roared, frustration lingering to his every word.

"No need to get your panties in a twist," I mumbled.

We sat in stood in silence for a few minutes before Max suddenly looked up.

"There is one group we haven't question yet actually..."Max said.

"So we haven't searched them all then," I concluded rolling my eyes.

"No. We didn't miss them in the pack search because they aren't really a pack-"

"Then what are they then? A cult?"

"More of an advanced criminal organisation if you like," he corrected. "Ever heard of the Mafia?"

"You think humans have this book?" I asked raising an eyebrow.

"There's a lycan Mafia too, dipshit," he said as if I was stupid.

"Do you have to be so rude?" I asked. 

"You're asking dumb fucking questions," he replied.

"If we ask them nicely they might lend it to us," I said reverting back to the subject that is actually important rather than this useless bickering which had already cost us countless hours.

"Absolutely not. They're the most ruthless organisation in the world, not a fucking library," he replied.

"Okay perfect. Let's go and steal a book from the Mafia," I said grabbing the Praesidium Deae Astra from the table. "Come on Maxy. Your little sister isn't getting any younger," I added heading towards the door.

A few hours later, we arrived at a busy bus stop.

"Where exactly are we going?" I questioned

"Back to Naples," Max replied bluntly.

"And why?"

 "It is the Mafia capital of Italy and the home to the Napoli Licantropo Archivio della Mafia. I thought we could pay it a little visit."

"Naples Lycan Archive of the Mafia. And that is where you think the book is, I presume?"

"Clever girl," he remarked looking at me before patronisingly patting my head.

I rolled my eyes. 

Three months with this man was killing me and here's why:

1. he has only two moods: cranky and sarcastic or slightly rejuvenated but still incredibly sarcastic.

2. He is both irritating and irritable at the same time...all the time.

3. He is either intensely negative or intensely optimistic. There is no in between.

4. Our personalities are like maple syrup and bacon. Do not go well, create a horrific concoction, compliment each other in no way under the sun... but are forced together anyway.

I could go on.

The journey from the edge of Sicily to Naples was a painfully long one. We had boarded a rickety old vehicle that was totally packed at 7 am and didn't arrive until 2 pm. 

At one point I was forced to sit on Max's knee. He kept prodding me in the stomach in a childish manner and in response I would elbow him in the ribs but he would relentlessly continue it regardless.

"Can you stop doing that?" I hissed.

"Can you stop doing that?" he mimicked.

"What are you, a five year old?"

He narrowed his eyes before pushing me off his knee into another Lady on the bus.

"Scusa signora," I apologised in Italian before shooting Max a deathly look. "You just fucking wait until we get off this bus. I am going to murder you," I threatened.

He laughed to himself before smiling an amused smirk.

When we got off the bus in Naples, most of the city's population were enjoying a siesta away from the scorching mid-afternoon heat so we had the streets to ourselves. I resisted taking the great opportunity to silently murder Max without anyone seeing and set my mind on the task ahead. 

After walking for a few miles, we eventually reached the archive building. It was grand and intricate- the Mafia obviously didn't struggle financially. There were carved pillars at even intervals along the front porch of the giant place and statues of various creatures and symbols decorating the outside wall. The windows were large but barred and locked and across the steps, leading to the front door under a huge archway, was a tiny almost invisible laser. 

We managed to locate an unlasered backdoor which I was easily able to pick the lock for with the help of my trusty hairpin. And just like that, we were in. 

Seemed a little too easy.