Chapter 667: United Family

Joseph groaned under his breath. "Drama queen."

"I said—" Vera snapped at him, jabbing a finger at the screen,"—find me the mean werewolves. The bullies. The ones no one will sympathize with. The wolves who abuse their human spouses. Because for the first time there won’t be a shield protecting them."

She breathed, "I need my horsemen to start the apocalypse. They’re going to help me burn this world to the ground!"

From the look Jordan and Joseph shared, it was obvious they thought she had lost her mind.

Then, as if she had not lost it, Vera composed herself, smoothing her expression into a pleasant smile.

"Chop chop, we’re working against a clock. I want results while I go check on our brother." She turned away, muttering under her breath, "Hopefully he’s not wasted this time."

Except when Vera pushed open the door to Patrick’s quarters without knocking, it was the stench of alcohol that hit her instantly.

Empty bottles were everywhere. On the floor and on the mattress while Patrick lay sprawled across the bed, his face slack with drunken sleep.

You have got to be kidding her!

Vera’s lip curled in disgust.

This was her brother? Once the brain of this whole revolution was now a drunk rotting in his own mess.

Annoyed, Vera kicked the mattress hard. But Patrick didn’t wake.

Her jaw tightened and she kicked him again, viciously enough that one of the bottles rolled onto the floor, shattering.

And that woke Patrick.

He groaned, swatting at the air like she was a mosquito. "Ugh, go away."

Vera folded her arms, voice ice-cold. "Really Elias? Is this how it’s going to be?"

Patrick forced himself to sit up, his eyes bloodshot. "What the hell do you want?"

Vera stepped closer, her shadow looming over him.

"Are you seriously asking me that right now?" Vera shouted at him, eyes flashing. "We are finally doing something that will make our ancestors proud, and you’re drowning yourself in cheap liquor."

Patrick let out a humorless laugh.

"Our ancestors would definitely be proud of you," he said with biting sarcasm as he lay back down.

"Are you kidding me, Elias?" Vera yelled, her voice rising with frustration.

That made him snap. He sat up and glared at her.

"What do you want from me, Vera? You’re already spearheading the operation I started, while I’m tossed aside like I don’t matter. So tell me, what else could you possibly want?"

Vera blinked.

Oh.

So that was it.

Her baby brother wasn’t lazy. He was only being resentful.

Her voice softened, losing its bite for the first time. "You still matter, Elias. You’re the one who extended the drug’s active phase from five minutes to thirty. That breakthrough was yours. I could never take the glory for that."

But Patrick scoffed. "Yeah, I’m only needed when there’s a modification to Ignis. After that I’m useless and left in this god-forsaken room." He gestured around the shabby quarters.

They’d lost connections and resources with the authorities on their trail. This was their last shot. If the plan failed, all the sacrifices he’d made over the years would be for nothing.

Vera purred, "Aww, Elias, I’m so sorry if I made you feel that way. Sure, I took over, but it was never my intention to make you feel... useless."

Patrick gave her a look that said he didn’t believe a word of it.

Vera winced as if admitting it hurt. "Okay, maybe I looked down on you in the past—"

"Since we were little," Patrick interjected.

"Okay, since you were little," Vera admitted with a casual shrug. "But can’t you see? I took over because this is my forte. Strategy, politics, and public manipulation, that’s me. Improving the chemistry and lengthening Ignis’s effect is yours. I would never take that from you even if I wanted to. We fight the war together while you build the weapons." She tilted her head, letting the last part hang in the air like an offer.

"Fine." Patrick gave in with a reluctant voice.

Vera smiled. Of course, Elias behaved like a child most of the time, and she knew exactly which buttons to press.

She pressed. "Think of Cynthia. What would she say if she saw you like this?"

At the mention of Cynthia, Patrick’s expression shifted. Guilt and shame flashed across his face. His girlfriend would be disappointed. She’d push him to be better.

He straightened, suddenly energized. "Okay. We’ll do this. But I want something else."

Vera arched a brow, waiting.

"Violet," he said.

Vera’s smile died. She cursed under her breath, very loudly.

Patrick continued, calm and pragmatic. "I can’t extend IGNIS’s effect any further. If you’ve noticed, subjects on the first batch are stronger than those on later products because longer duration means diluted power. But Violet, she’s different. You saw the video. She’s a powerhouse. If I can get my hands on her, it could change everything."

There was a certain light in Patrick’s eyes now, as if he finally knew exactly what he was talking about. Vera stayed quiet, studying him, weighing the potential complication in his idea.

After a long moment, she nodded once.

"Fine."

Patrick released a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.

"It’s not a promise," Vera added, always careful to maintain control, "but we’ll keep an eye out for the girl. And if an opportunity presents itself and if she’s within our reach, you’ll have your subject."

For the first time in a long while, Patrick replied, "Thank you sister."

Vera lifted her chin, pleased. Problem averted.

With Elias back on her side, there would be no more disruptions to her plans. She hated admitting it, even in her own head, but Elias had wicked ideas and she needed that.

She shifted into strategy mode.

"So," she said casually, "I’m picking my horsemen of the apocalypse. Unfortunately, our dear brother Joseph has been doing a terrible job at it. Perhaps you wouldn’t mind combing through our list and making a selection?"

At that, Patrick’s entire posture changed. His chest puffed slightly with pride. He glanced down at his wrinkled clothes and caught the stench of alcohol on himself.

"Uh... just give me—"

"Take your time, Elias." Vera turned to leave, smiling like a queen who just secured another pawn.

Mission accomplished.

Now where was her lovely mother?

It was time this family worked in unity again.