Seraphina knew Sylvia would feel perplexed with this revelation. Seraphina had put some thought into this. The only thing she could think of was hunters but she still had a lot of doubts. Hunters were not really common in recent days, they had been scared of witches but they hadn't targeted any witches so it made sense that the disappearances were caused by hunters. But they usually just killed and left the bodies to be found by someone. What were they doing now?

"You believe Hunters are behind this?" Sylvia questioned, barely containing her rage. Sylvia had a deep rooted hatred for hunters. Why wouldn't she, when they took her world away from her. The only thing they did right was bring Sera and Sylvia together. Sylvia couldn't believe that the hunters were now targeting such a huge number of supernaturals now. She couldn't wait to sink her teeth in some hunters if she came across them.

"If what I am thinking is right, that the disappearances are connected. Then it points towards the hunters; the only difference is that they are capturing and not killing. Which is odd for them, but perhaps they are planning something big." Seraphina reasoned. She felt a shiver in her spine. What kind of sick experiment could the hunters be executing? She prayed that all those people are fine and not too traumatized.

"If it's hunters then Seraphina please don't go alone to fight with them, bring us with you." Nikolai said in a stern voice. He was worried that his cousin would put everything on her shoulders and not let them help her. If it was the hunters they were dealing with he really didn't want Sera to bear it all alone.

Sera smiled at him softly. A smile reserved for her loved ones. Her baby brother was all grown up and wanted to protect her then who was she to stop him. "Alright, Nikolai." Seraphina didn't want to put him in any dangerous situation but Nik was all grown up now and it wouldn't be fair to him if she dictated what he could and couldn't do.

"Wait, I am the only one who hasn't introduced himself yet. Hello, I am Leonard Strigoi." Leo introduces himself to Nik and Sylvia, after realising he hadn't done it before. The timing was a bit odd but Leo felt it was important because he had a feeling that there was a lot that they would have to do together in the future.

"Sylvia, Sylvia Noctis." Sylvia introduces herself. She didn't really like meeting new people much, but she has the basic decency to be polite. "Nikolai but you can call me Nik," Nik replied cheerfully. Nik was quite the opposite, he loved meeting new people but he never really let them actually get close to him.

"Then please call me Leo." Leo replies, feeling comfortable with Nik. He liked his attitude, and he was quite handsome.... Leo shook his head. Now was not the time. He noticed that Cassius had kept silent when he should also have introduced himself. "Hey Cas, introduce yourself. Seriously! Sometimes I feel like you are my child." Leo complained.

"What is the need? They already know who I am." Cassius said, annoyed. "They are helping us find Lyra! Show some basic decency Cassius. Please don't take any offence. He just lacks basic social skills." Leo said, pretending to be embarrassed.

"None taken, Leonard." Seraphina replied with a calm expression, but if you knew her well enough, you would notice a glint in her eyes. She found Leo funny. He reminds her of Nik. Both lightened the mood when it got too dark. She appreciated that. She didn't have the natural ability to lighten the atmosphere like them, but she knew the importance of not surrounding oneself with too much darkness, with time it could turn one bitter. She was grateful to her friends, who she knew would pull her out if she ever fell into such a hell hole.

Cassius glared at Leo. "Fine, I am Cassius Alistair Nightfall. Happy!"

"All royals and nobles have middle names, right. What is your middle name Leo?" Nik asked curiously. "I am not answering that question." Leo said dismissively. "Oh! It must be something embarrassing. I will find it out..." Nik said, with a mischievous smile.

"What's the Princess's name?" Nik asked instead. "Lyra Morrigan Nightfall," replied Theron with a soft smile. While Cassius glares at him with an expression saying 'I was supposed to answer that'.

"Theron, maybe you introduce yourself too, considering the fact that His Highness didn't even know your name." Nik said with a mischievous expression as he side-eyed Cassius. "What! You didn't even know my name, yet you thought I was behind Lyra's disappearance." Theron spoke, shocked. He was appalled. How could Cassius think that he kidnapped Lyra while Cassius didn't even consider it important enough to remember his name?

"Wait, how did you know Nik, that Cas didn't know Theron's name? You weren't here during that conversion." Leo asked while tilting his head, he remembered that Nik and Sylvia joined the conversation later than that. "Well I was eavesdropping from the kitchen while Syl was cleaning up. I wouldn't miss a conversation between my cousin and the crown prince whose father my cousin despises-" Nikolai blabbered without a thought. "Nik..." Seraphina warned Nikolai and stopped him from talking too much.

"Sorry, I spoke too much." Nik apologised to Seraphina, as rubbed the back of his neck. "Why do you despise my father?" Cassius asked. What could be the reason for her hatred? "I don't think that's important for you to know, your Highness." Seraphina dismissed any further discussion on the topic. She wasn't here to discuss the past and make best buds with the crown prince.

"Fine, can we get back to finding my sister." Cassius urged. He felt irritated by Seraphina's response. "Please Seraphina, let me help you guys in finding Lyra." Theron requested earnestly. He really wanted to help them in whatever way he could. "I would like to help too. Don't read too much into it ... Theron. I still don't approve of you." Cassius spoke, eager to find his sister but still not happy with this unexpected partnership with Theron and a Henchwoman who was successful in getting on his nerves.

"Who says I want your approval?" Theron replied, he knew Cassius was important to Lyra, but that didn't mean he wouldn't stand up for himself. Seraphina heaved a sigh. She doesn't doubt their abilities to help her. But this surely was an Unexpected Alliance.

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