The Magic of Hecate
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 weremaking fast progress. It didn't last long though. We soon foundourselves hitting a hard rock in our quest to rescue Milly from herself."So now what?" Max asked after we had hunted down the allegedbirthplace of Hecate only to replace a run-down house filled with nothingbut someone's old crap. "We've been searching for this fucking bookfor 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 inthought.

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

"Can you at least try to control your temper, Max?! It's not fuckinghelping!" 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 everyword.

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

We sat in stood in silence for a few minutes before Max suddenlylooked 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 reallya 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 tothe subject that is actually important rather than this useless bickeringwhich 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 saidgrabbing the Praesidium Deae Astra from the table. "Come on Maxy.Your little sister isn't getting any younger," I added heading towards thedoor.

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 LicantropoArchivio della Mafia. I thought we could pay it a little visit."

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

"Clever girl," he remarked looking at me before patronisingly pattingmy 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 rejuvenatedbut 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 inbetween.

4. Our personalities are like maple syrup and bacon. Do not go well,create a horrific concoction, compliment each other in no way underthe 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 amand didn't arrive until 2 pm.

At one point I was forced to sit on Max's knee. He kept prodding me inthe stomach in a childish manner and in response I would elbow him inthe 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 Ladyon the bus.

"Scusa signora,” I apologised in Italian before shooting Max a deathlylook. "You just fucking wait until we get off this bus. I am going tomurder 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 wereenjoying a siesta away from the scorching mid-afternoon heat so wehad the streets to ourselves. I resisted taking the great opportunity tosilently murder Max without anyone seeing and set my mind on thetask ahead.

After walking for a few miles, we eventually reached the archivebuilding. It was grand and intricate- the Mafia obviously didn't strugglefinancially. There were carved pillars at even intervals along the frontporch of the giant place and statues of various creatures and symbolsdecorating the outside wall. The windows were large but barred andlocked and across the steps, leading to the front door under a hugearchway, was a tiny almost invisible laser.

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

Seemed a little too easy.