Disclaimer: Alas, I don't own Moonlight.

Hello my beloved readers! I apologize for the wait for this chapter, but inspiration for my own original novel struck and I had to take advantage. I wrote four new chapters and restructured the opening of the story. : ) I'm really pleased with it. Thanks for being patient!

Many, many thanks to those who review. *hugs*

Forgive typos if you would.

Enjoy!

Politics

Beth suppressed a yawn at work. She had stayed up late last night…she should've known better than to tag along with Mick on his stakeout. Though last night had been fun, Beth now found herself wishing she had just gone to bed at a reasonable hour. Her back was a little sore from sitting in Mick's Mercedes for so long.

She was editing through an interview, pulling quotes, thinking she might go for a coffee, when Maureen stopped by. "Beth, I've got an assignment for you."

Beth grinned. An assignment usually worked just as well as coffee. "What is it this time, Mo? Murder? Crime?"

"Awards dinner. "

Beth's face fell. A dinner? So boring…

Maureen continued, "It's tonight at five o'clock. Rumor has it some big names are going to be there. I've secured you two invitations—take a date, but remember this is work." Mo dropped two envelopes on Beth's desk. "Don't forget these. You need them to get in."

"All right." The dinner wouldn't be too unbearable if she brought Mick with her, Beth supposed. As Maureen headed off to her office, Beth opened the invitations. Who knows? Maybe something scandalous will happen… A reporter could always hope.

The sound of the television in the kitchen roused him. Josef opened his eyes. The sun had set—it was evening. He pulled out his pocket watch and glanced at it. 8:00pm to be precise. He had slept the afternoon away with Sarah.

He was a little warm. He carefully slid out from underneath Sarah, laying her back on the soft mattress, tucking the covers in around her. He rose to his full height and stretched. His catnap had been divine—he had rested peacefully, no dreams for a pleasant change. He placed a kiss to Sarah's forehead, and left her room, heading upstairs for a cold shower to ease his body temperature.

Beth straightened the shoulders of Mick's jacket, and brushed off some lint. "There," she said. "You look perfect." She admired Mick's handsome form in the mirror. He was decked to the nines, his dark hair combed back, his dress shoes polished until they shone. His ring gleamed on his finger. He turned to Beth.

"And you look stunning." He eyed Beth appreciatively.

Beth was dressed in a floor length, deep blue, evening gown. Thin straps held the dress in place, with a plunging backline. She wore a diamond bracelet, and had put in a pair of small diamond earrings—jewelry Mick had given her for their one-year anniversary. Her long blond hair was gracefully pulled from her face, flowing down the back of her neck and held in place by a small, golden clip. She smiled at Mick, making her vision of beauty complete.

Beth was, by now, looking a little forward to the dinner. She had left work a bit early in order to get ready. Mick had been excited to spend the evening with her. It promised to be a wonderful night.

As they walked across the garage to where Mick's car was parked, Mick's eyes narrowed and he remarked, "That car across the street…I swear I've seen it there before these past few days."

"Which car?" Beth asked, turning her head to look.

"That rust colored one. I could swear it was sitting in that exact same spot yesterday."

"Maybe it hasn't been moved since yesterday, silly," Beth teased. "Or maybe someone new has recently moved into the building."

"Yeah, maybe." Mick opened the car door for her, shutting it once she was inside. He eyed the red car. Its windows were tinted; Mick couldn't tell if anyone was inside. Listen to yourself—you're starting to sound like Josef, Mr. Paranoia. Beth is right, you're being silly. Mick dropped the thoughts of the car, and slid in behind the wheel.

He and Beth pulled out of the parking garage, neither of them giving a second look to the red car across the street.

Elias growled to himself. The woman was with someone! And a vampire someone at that. It was the young vampire that had been seated on the sofa in Kostan's office. He had gotten to the freshie first. He was pissed at this development.

While it would be easy enough to take the woman from the younger vampire, Black had no wish for a confrontation. It wasn't his style. He had briefly considered dropping his attention, but tonight when the woman had emerged from the elevator in that gown…Elias knew he must have her. He had never seen anything look so ravishing. He could only imagine how heavenly she tasted. He decided to wait and see if he could snatch the woman when the young vampire wasn't around. He can't be with her all the time…

He had seen the younger vampire eying his car. He would have to be more careful. Elias started the car and drove off. He would be back tomorrow.

In the kitchen at Waverly Place, Paula turned her attention from the local news at the sound of a door opening and footsteps on the stairs. It seemed Mr. Kostan had emerged from Sarah's bedroom at last. He had been shut inside it all afternoon and hadn't responded to Paula's light knocking on the door to see if he needed anything, so she had left him alone. She listened as the shower ran, sipping her decaf, watching the television as the news anchors bantered back and forth.

As she finished her coffee, Josef entered the kitchen. "Good evening, Paula." His hair was still wet from his shower, and he had changed into fresh clothes. Paula thought he seemed less tired from when he had arrived. Good.

Josef wrinkled his nose at the lingering smell of coffee, and crossed to the hidden compartment, pulling out a bottle of blood. He poured some into a glass and went and sat at the table, while he looked over the day's copy of The Wall Street Journal. Paula turned off the news, rose, and moved to the sink to rinse out her mug.

Once she was done, Josef set the paper aside, and beckoned her over. "Come have a seat for a moment, Ms. Hendee."

"Yes, Mr. Kostan?" Paula had a feeling Josef was going to explain his impromptu visit to her. On the phone, he had mentioned that he would be needing to discuss some things with her once he arrived in New York. Paula was a little worried he was letting her go. She clasped her hands, crossed to the table, and pulled out a chair, sitting opposite her employer.

Josef eyed her, "Why are you nervous, Paula?"

"You're not here to fire me, are you?"

Josef's eyes grew warm, and smiled at the edges, betraying his fondness for her. "No. Nothing like that. I couldn't ask for a better nurse for Sarah. This isn't about your position."

Paulina felt a huge worry lift from her. "Thank you, sir."

Josef waved his hand dismissively and plunged right to the heart of the matter. "Paula, what I have to discuss involves vampire affairs."

Paula's breath caught a little as it did every time she heard the word 'vampire.' "Oh?" she said.

"Yes. I don't remember if I ever explained to you the way vampires govern themselves?" he quirked a brow at her.

"No, I don't believe you ever did, sir." Paula was intensely curious.

Josef settled back in his chair, took another swallow of blood from his glass, and said, "I thought not. Vampires are governed by Councils, Paula. The North American Council, which includes vampires in Canada and Mexico. And then the South American, European and Asian Councils—which includes Australia."

"What about Africa?" Paula asked.

"Africa is trapped in clan wars. Many Councils have rose and fell in Africa over the past centuries. Nothing's lasted."

Paula absorbed the information as Josef continued, "The North American Council is located here in New York."

Surprise jolted through her, and a little fear. Josef sensed it. "Don't be afraid," he said. "You've lived here safely for your entire life, that's not going to change with this knowledge."

Paula's cheeks flushed a little. "I just would have thought your governing body would be located in D.C."

Josef smirked and shook his head. "No. D.C. is filled with human history, appropriate for the human government. And New York is filled with vampire history, appropriate for the vampire ruling body. Vampires on the Council may rule as long as they desire. Some have stepped down over the centuries, but most only leave power through death. Either killed by an enemy or executed for treasonous dealings, and very rarely, through accidents."

Paula nodded and Josef continued his explanation. "Such an accident has occurred recently. Right now the Council is short one member. When this happens, the Council randomly selects large cities from across their rule and calls the oldest of the communities to New York for conclave. From these elders, a new Council member is selected. The remaining vampires summoned, act as witnesses to the events of conclave. Do you understand?"

"I believe so. This is why you are here?"

"Yes. On the 25th I will be checking into a Council-run hotel for conclave. This is what is important for you to know, Paula." Josef leaned forward, "Once conclave begins, strict rules of no communication are enforced. No vampire is allowed any contact with the outside world until the new member is selected. There is no telling how long conclave will last. It depends upon the number of vampires vying for the open seat." A business card flashed in his hand, and Josef handed it over to Paula. "If there is an emergency of any sort, call this number."

Paula looked at the name on the card. "Mick St. John, Private Investigations? Is he a vampire?"

Josef nodded. "Yes. He's also a close friend. I trust him with my life. You can trust him too."

Paula slipped the card into her apron pocket, as Josef drained the last of the blood from his glass. He rose from the table. "I'm going for a walk. I'll be back much later tonight and will stay here through tomorrow evening. A shipment of my blood will be arriving sometime tomorrow. A month's supply. I can't imagine conclave lasting that long, so it should be plenty to see Sarah through."

"I'll make sure everything goes smoothly."

"Thank you, Paula." Josef exited the kitchen, leaving Paula to sit and think over everything he had said to her. Vampire government…goodness. After a few minutes she stood, pushing her chair in, and went down the hall to check Sarah's vitals for the night.

Am I good? Oh yes…Coraline couldn't be more pleased. She had Malcolm right where she wanted him—seriously considering entering the ascension fights. Last night, after they left the party, she had woven an elaborate vision of the prestige and power Malcolm would have as a member of the Council. She had downplayed the risk, instead playing to Mal's ego, praising his strength, infusing him with the belief that he was powerful enough to triumph.

Malcolm had seemed skeptical at first. "There's no guarantee that I'll come out on top," he said. "Why should I risk my neck? I have power enough in Boston."

Coraline had pulled him in close to her, placing light kisses on his jaw, as she murmured, "I have a way to reduce the risk…to make sure you emerge victorious. Boston is not good enough for you."

Malcolm's shoved her back at arm's length and looked her in her eyes. "What are you talking about? How can you ensure a victory?"

Coraline smiled sweetly. "Why, it's very simple. You cheat, Malcolm. You cheat." She stepped back into his embrace, purring softly. Malcolm was silent, still. Wait for it…

"And how do I do that, you minx?" Malcolm's voice now held a note of interest that hadn't been there before.

Coraline answered, "I'll show you." Another step closer to my own victory…

Josef walked slowly through Central Park, trying not to think of all the times he and Sarah had strolled together down its winding paths under the stars.

The small lake glistened in the moonlight, and Josef could hear the gentle washing of small waves lapping over and over against the shore. "Soon I will see the moon as you do, Charles."

Josef left the path, meandering down to the lake's edge. He bent over and scooped up a few rocks, and then skipped them one by one across the water's surface. "You will see everything as I do, and make me the most joyous vampire in existence."

"Take me home, Charles. Make love to me."

Josef closed his eyes, wishing for the echoes of the past to leave him alone. He had come here seeking peace. He opened his eyes, and hurled the last rock at the lake. With his strength behind the throw, it flew far out over the water, landing with a loud splash.

Josef shoved his hands in his suit pockets and stood at the shore, a lonely, evening shadow. He thought about the day after tomorrow. He would be in this exact same spot, except on the 25th, he would be deep underground, in the arena.

He wondered which member of the Council had died, and how. The Council would tell them all at the opening of conclave, but Josef had never been a very patient man. He hadn't been to conclave for a long time. The last one he had attended had been in Europe, in Rome.

It was getting late, and he was growing hungry. He turned away from the lake, making his way out of Central Park, and heading for a popular vampire club. Time for a snack.

The cursor blinked at the end of the name on the screen. Beth Turner.

Elias liked it. Beth—the name was simple but lovely, soft on the tongue. He found her last name deliciously ironic considering her job as a freshie.

He had returned to his hotel, and accessed Buzzwire's website. He had followed the woman enough to know that she worked there as a reporter. It had been easy to find a short profile page on her among the other correspondents.

Beth Turner, 29.

Beth Turner is one of Buzzwire's fastest rising stars. As this media's go-to crime reporter, Ms. Turner has covered many of L.A.'s most shocking and gruesome murders, often getting the scoop before many major news networks.

When not reporting she spends time at her home, here in the Los Angeles area.

Black had printed out a copy of the blurb for himself—to read whenever he wished. He smiled. Only the young male vampire stood between him and his Beth, and he was confident that wouldn't be a problem.

"I'm coming for you, my sweet Beth."

Coraline led Malcolm upstairs to a sitting room at their home. She guided him to a chair, and pushed him back into it. "Wait here. I'll be right back."

"This has better be a plausible idea, Coraline. I still don't believe it's possible to cheat. The wooden stakes are under constant guard, no other weapons are allowed, and the fighters are inspected before entering the arena. Cheating's impossible."

Coraline smiled. "Oh, ye of little faith. I assure you, Mal, that what I have planned is possible." She swept from the sitting room, moving quickly down the hall to the master bedroom. Stepping inside the closet, she shoved aside some boxes and removed a small, wooden case and key. She carried the case with her back to the sitting room, where Malcolm was pouring himself a drink.

He eyed the case, "What's in there?" he asked.

"The answer to victory." She unlocked the lid and raised it.

"Nail polish?!" Malcolm shouted, his face turning red with anger, thinking Coraline had made a fool of him. The inside of the case was lined with red felt, with different colored bottles of nail polish lying inside.

"Patience, Mal," Coraline said. She reached inside the case, and pressed the center of both sides slightly inwards. There was a small click, and she lifted the shelf out of the chest. Nestled in a hollow beneath where the nail polish had been, were five vials, and a syringe.

She had finally grabbed Malcolm's attention. He set his drink down, and moved to her side, lifting one of the vials from the case, examining it.

"What is this?"

"These are powerful drugs—tranquilizers. They'll knock out any vampire, and leave him weak for hours afterwards. I keep these with me, for defensive purposes." Among other reasons…

Malcolm eyed her, seeing her in a new light. "What other dangers do you keep hidden, my dear?"

"Just these." Coraline lowered the lid back down, and slid the wooden side off through the corner, revealing a flat tray in a hidden compartment. She pulled it out, displaying two, small wooden stakes.

Malcolm was impressed. "You know," he said, "This just might work."

Coraline touched his arm. "I know it will." She slid the stakes back inside the lid, and replaced the nail polish, shutting and locking the case. She turned her dark eyes towards her lover. "You will be on the Council."

Malcolm's slowly spreading smile was her answer.

Finis

Hope you enjoyed! : )