Eighteen vigils entered the Forest of Oderem with Duica and Bernadette, and the forest graced their nostrils with the same scent of freshly-baked pastries once more. When they reached the River of Heres, they felt the ground tremoring for a brief moment, which made them pause in their steps as the fish in the water swam away out of fear. 

When nothing happened for the next few moments, the vigils followed the trail up to the waterfall. Two vigils stayed at that spot while the remaining eighteen crossed the river and started sniffing.

Bernadette caught a faint mixed-scent of vampires and lycans, and they headed in that particular direction. After...