Chapter 25

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A/N:BONUS: I've posted the cover, summary and a sneak peek to Rhys' POV on YATA - We are the Answer (WATA), in my Upcoming Projects! Why? 'Cause you are awesome and keep voting and commenting on YATA; I thought you deserve a treat. Simply click on the link in the comments and enjoy!

PS: Please don't forget to vote on We are the Answer if you like it and comment in Upcoming Projects to tell me what you think. Also, feel free to take a look at my other story ideas in Upcoming Projects. If you like any of them vote (the stories with the most votes are the ones I'd probably write sooner) and if you want me to notify you when a story is up, comment.

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"The Sentinels." His eyebrows came closer to each other and his eyes narrowed while he contemplated on where to start. "You remember that I told you there are humans with supernatural abilities, right?"

I nodded. I remembered that, even though it was still hard to for me believe it. Maybe I would need to meet one such person to be sure they were real just like I needed to see Rhys transform to trust him about the existence of the werewolves.

"At many points in history the shifters, Dayers, Nighters, Gifteds and ordinary people were at a quarrel or a full-blown war with each other. Since ordinary humans found it difficult to protect themselves against us, the Order of the Hunters appeared. It consisted solely of humans - some gifted, others not - and many of them cared little weather a supernatural creature was guilty or not; they just wanted the prize they would get from the head of a shifter or a vampire. They committed many atrocities, going as far as to hunt even children."

Rhys paused when he noticed that I shivered. He sat beside me with his back against the wall. His arm moved behind me, encircling my shoulders and I leaned my head on him. I snuggled against his body, placing my hands over his chest. His heart was drumming a little faster than it should and so was mine.

"That was when a second order arose - the Order of the Sentinels," he went on with the story. Although he spoke of real events, a part of me felt as if I was listening to a fairytale.

"Their goal was to stop the chaos that had ensued. Unlike the Order of the Hunters, the Sentinels included non-humans too. Back then, it was comprised of Dayers, shifters, Gifteds and occasionally by normal humans. They also had rules, which for the most part apply today. They prosecute all species, not just the supernaturals, and offer protection to those who need it, regardless of race or species. Consider them the supernatural police. They are the ones we contacted when we found out the murderer was a werewolf. Nowadays, their Order consists mainly of gifted humans."

"Why the change?"

"Back in the day, the shifters and vampires were hunted so it was in our interested to have representatives in the Order; now, we live in secret. Vampires stick to their families and so do werewolves. As I've often said: we are a close-knit community, Riley; it's not often that someone would set out on their own."

"So that's why you don't make yourselves known: you are afraid that you would be hunted once again?"

"That is correct." He nodded. "There is a reason for all those horror stories about vampires and werewolves: some of us like to hunt and humans in particular."

"But not all of you are like that." It wasn't a question; now that I'd calmed down - mostly - I found it hard to imagine Rhys or others of the Silver Bullets going after a person with the intent to harm them. Well, maybe with the exception of Alec.

"Do you think that some of us being peaceful would matter to everyone? Just remember how you reacted."

"I'm sorry about that," I whispered, scrunching his t-shirt in my fists.

"It's normal, Riley. I would've probably acted the same way if our roles were switched, perhaps I would've taken it even worse." He spoke softly and kissed me on top of my head. "But as you see, it is safer for us to remain a secret. Sure, there will be some who will understand, but others would wish to kill us because we are different. And don't let me get started on scientists; a lot of them would like to study us for potential disease cures, to use our abilities as weapons or simply to see what makes us tick. Besides, there aren't that many of us out there. No one actually keeps count, but I doubt all vampires, shape shifters and humans with special abilities make even a tenth of the world's population. Even if the species somehow got over their differences and united, a lot of them wouldn't want to fight the ordinary humans because they are in love with one, or good friends with some, or simply because they'd think it would be wrong to attack innocent people."

"How come there aren't armies of angry werewolves and vampires out there though?" I interrupted. "I mean, surely someone could accidently discover a supernatural and spill the beans on them. Then all those problems with frightened humans and excited scientists would commence."

"For starters, that's part of the Sentinels' job: to assure ordinary humans they didn't see what they saw or to convince them to keep quiet about it."

"Would you get in trouble because you told me?" I cut him off again.

"Only if you spread the word." I opened my mouth to profess I wouldn't do such a thing to him - especially now that I knew the possible consequences - but he went on:

"Which I know you wouldn't." He kissed me again; this time it was a quick peck on the top of my nose. "Second," he continued his reply, "shape shifters can't turn a human into a shape shifter; one of the parents has to be a shape shifter and then maybe the children will be as well; on rare, really rare occasions, it could skip a generation and the grandchildren of a shape shifter and a human could be shape shifters. Also, the Dayers can't turn a human into a vampire; only Nighters can. The good thing about Nighters is that once they turn, they are too focused on getting their pray to actually bother making more of their species. It takes time for them to become sentient - as sentient as a Nighter can be - and a large number don't get to live that long."

"How come?"

"They are killed by the Sentinels or sometimes by shape shifters or Dayers; sometimes they even kill each other, especially if food is scarce, but sometimes over nothing. Well, maybe it's to prove their dominance; we can't know for sure. That's one reason why the sentient Nighters don't create more in bulk: they have to watch over the initiates - if we call the newbies that - train them, help them come to their senses sooner. That was what the Great King did after he realized he was capable of doing it: first it was only him and his General, then he created another and then another, and then another; once there were more sentient ones, they could watch over more initiates and that sped up the process. But it would be unwise to create such a large coven nowadays. Just imagine how many people they'd have to kill to feed; they are not like Dayers who need only a small quantity of blood every other month; Nighters need a lot more to sustain themselves and it would gain too much attention which of course would lead to the Sentinels hunting them down."

"How come the Great King was sentient from the start?"

"He wasn't, Riley." Rhys shook his head, looking a bit surprised. "I told you: he killed his own man when they came to save him, even his favorite and most trusted General."

"But then he brought the General back to life," I pointed out, gazing up at him.

"Accidently," he stressed. "No one knows how much time he spent feeding; maybe it was days or weeks before the General was revived."

"So it doesn't matter how long someone's dead for?"

A frown appeared on his face and he chewed on his lower lip again.

"You know, Riley, I've never thought about that."

"Because if they could revive just about anyone, they could wait for a person to be buried, dig him or her out, fill the hole with soil and then revive the person somewhere private. No one would know that person is missing because everyone would think that they are dead. That way, Nighters can revive more people without much commotion." I began musing aloud and his frown only deepened. "There's still the matter of food of course; the people who would serve as food have to be alive so someone would know if they disappear. Unless they are homeless and without any friends. But yeah, reviving corpses and feeding on the homeless would attract less attention and Nighters could make more of themselves," I summed up.

"I hope they never figure that out," Rhys murmured.

"How come Nighters can make more of themselves and Dayers can't though? I mean, you don't buy that whole 'the Spirits blessed them' story, do you?"

"I'm not sure," he admitted. "The Spirits don't appear to us anymore and I expect that after all this time fact gave way to fantasy. But the story is a central part in our beliefs, just like the story of Christ is to Christians although there is no conclusive evidence. No one knows for sure. A lot of scientists who know about us or are one of us have tried to figure out what really happened. Maybe one day they will succeed to find some rational reason for our existence and for the differences between the vampires, but some of us are simply satisfied with the idea of our supernatural origins and just accept it the same way ordinary religious humans say 'it's the work of God' or 'it's the work of the Devil'."

"But you don't believe in God?"

"As a matter of fact, a lot of the Bullets - my family and I included - are Christians."

I must've looked ridiculous with my jaw slacking as he chuckled when I gaped at him.

"But you said you believe in Spirits..." My voice trailed off.

"We believe that God created the first man and woman and that he also created the Spirits who later transformed us. Some even believe that the Spirits from our legends are angels."

I shook my head and rubbed my forehead.

The Spirits were angels?

And werewolves not only existed, but believed in God?

"Too much to handle for one night?" His voice had gone gentle once more.

"Way too much." I agreed and heard him sigh.

"Then I guess it is time to take you home. Unless you want to stay with us?"

"I don't know," I admitted. "I think I need some time by myself to go over all this, but I also want you to be there as I know I'd have more questions."

"You could sleep in my bedroom and I in Everett's," he offered. "That way you'll have some privacy, but you'll also have someone to talk to when you are ready."

"That is a good idea," I replied quietly. My next words were louder: "Yeah, I think I'd like that option."

"Then let's go." He rose up, extending a hand towards me and I took it. Our fingers intertwined as we walked out, his grip a strange combination of firm and mild. A smile slowly made its way to my lips as I realized that I finally knew the truth about the Silver Bullets. There would be no more secrets between Rhys and me.

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A/N: Or will there? Riley could be wrong about the secrets...

I realize that most of you wanted couple-y things, but with the way I finished the previous chapter, I had to clear things up when it came to the Sentinels.

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And I really, really hope you'll enjoy the bonus sneak peek in Upcoming Projects.

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