“One of the many reasons I wished for Callum and Lucien to be here is that, unfortunately, I don’t have more time right now as I have a great deal to do. Today’s attack means things have escalated and I’m concerned how that escalation may be taking shape, not only here but elsewhere. The wraiths have information and I need to brief with them. I also need to contact The Vampire Council so they can make the world’s governments aware of today’s activities, giving them the information they need to continue with their own preparations.”

“The world’s governments?” Abel asked.

“Very few humans know of the existence of immortals,” Callum explained, and Abel turned his attention to him. “But select trusted officials high up in every nation’s government are aware. They’ve also been made aware that the enemy is uniting, planning, and we, all of us, must be prepared for attack. Not like today. On humans.”

“This just keeps getting better,” Abel muttered.

“It’s a lot to take in, we know,” Lucien said in a low, conciliatory voice. “But even so, you need to take it in, you need to prepare your mate and your family, and you need to move on from that to where we all need to be to fight this.”

He didn’t like it, but he was getting that this was the fucking truth.

Abel nodded to Lucien and looked back to Gregor. “Explain about the enemy uniting.”

Probably because he had to get out of there, Gregor gave it to him quickly and without delay.

“As I mentioned earlier, we thought the wraiths had allied with those who would subjugate humans. Fortunately, they have not. Or, at least, not the vast majority of them who follow their empress, Serena. The Wee, who I also previously mentioned, have long since retreated under the earth. It’s been centuries and no one has seen them or heard from them, thus there’s no way to get a message to them. Regardless, they washed their hands of anything that happens topside a long time ago. They left the surface with some disgust as to how mortals and immortals were behaving, saying they would never get involved. Knowing this, it would be a waste of time and energy to attempt to communicate with them.”

He paused, and when Abel nodded, Gregor continued.

“You must know there are factions of all immortals who side with the enemy. However, the bulk of vampires, werewolves, and, now we know, wraiths are with us. Phantoms, we don’t know. They don’t often get involved with immortal dealings so they could be neutral. They could also be foes. They’re refusing to speak with us or Callum’s emissaries. However, it’s our understanding they’re also refusing talks with our enemy. Unfortunately, golem have aligned with our adversary.”

“And what the fuck are golem?” Abel asked.