Chapter 37
They both made it back to the meeting with a couple minutes to spare, Mitch returned to his spot in the center of the room and Rebeca returned to her parents and Selena.
"How are you feeling Mitch?" Mitch looked up at Kastov.
"I'm feeling better now, Lord Kastov," He snorted in a tone that suggested disgust.
"I hate that title... So persupious..." He trailed.
"Kastov? Can I ask a question off the record?" Mitch asked.
"Of course," He said with a smile. Mitch looked around and saw a couple eyes looking his way and Mitch cupped his lips so none could see them and whispered in an nearly inaudible tone.
"Who owns the Kindred Alice?"And Mitch briefly described her to Kastov.
"I do not know 'Alice' but all the kindred offered to this meeting are owned by Lord Gaston Geovanni," Kastov told him in that same inaudible tone before turning around and heading to his spot at the center table where the other Lords and Ladies sat.
"Now that the information Rebeca has been reviewed... Us Lords and Ladies are unanimous in our decision that Michel Tier is indeed a direct descendant of the late Lord Victor Valentine. However we must explore what qualifies as 'Manifest vampiric power'. To this end, our Servants have always been excluded from being able to claim Pureblood status. Michel Teir. From the initial documentation you have provided this council. It appears that you are Kindred. Please explain why we should grant your request and recognize you as a Pureblood and not Kindred. Lord Maxwell Crowe stated. Standing from his seat when he started talking.
"Well Lord Speaker. Is anyone on the council have sharpened senses? If they do, they could hear my heart beating. I am still alive, and death is a requirement to the creation of Kindred, bar none," Mitch responded. The speaker parsed his lips for a moment. "Can you confirm, Lord Kastov?" Lord Maxwell asked, glancing to Kastov who stood up.
"I can confirm that Mitch Teir does have a beating heart,"Kastov said before sitting down.
"Do you have any other evidence Michel Teir? To dispute the claim you are Kindred?" Speaker Maxwell asked and Mitch bit his lip before continuing.
"Something that separates me from other Kindred is while I do have to feed, like a Kindred. I can not have human blood, my body rejects it, I can only feed on Kindred or Pure blood," Mitch said and all sound stopped, murmuring and whispering at the other tables halted and Mitch heard silence for the first time in a long time. It would've been nice if it weren't under these circumstance. The silence continued for a full minute, before the speaker spoke again but in a softer tone.
"How long can you go without feeding?" He asked, his tone careful, guarded.
"I just broke my longest fast, a little over a month," Mitch responded and the tension in the air softened ever so slightly but it was still there, still no sound until the speaker spoke against, everyone was also still, dead still and it made Mitch very uncomfortable.
"How do you feel about feeding?" The speaker said and Mitch took a deep breath before answering.
"To be honest. I do not like feeding. Sure it feels good, really good and satisfying my thirst is satisfying. I do not want to hurt people, to take from others so that I can live. So I understand that I must feed to service, I do not truly enjoy it and I would never hunt unless I was dying of thirst," Mitch finished and small sounds returned to the room, whispers Mitch could probably hear if he cared to but he did not. The tension eased down dramatically.
"Is there any other ways you are different from Kindred?" Lord Maxwell asked.
"Do Kindred Manifest unique powers?" Mitch asked the Lord Speaker.
"Occasionally but not often," He said shrugging.
"Why?" He added, a questioning look on Lord Crowe's face.
"Rebeca says I have a power of Dominion," Mitch told them and the room go quiet again.
"Rebeca Bruno, please stand,"Lord Maxwell asked and Rebeca did.
"Do you think this... man has manifested the power of Dominion?" The Lord Speaker asked quietly.
"Well... As sure as I can be, there was only one somewhat documented case of anyone with Dominion but everything I've read match what Mitch can do," She answered him. The Lord speaker was quiet for a minute.
"A demonstration is in order. Michel Teir, please use your power on myself if you can," Lord Maxwell said with a slight smile.
*He doesn't believe you or Rebeca... Let us show him...* Michel told Mitch.
"Lord Maxwell Crowe. Stand next to me," Mitch said, Michel riding along and power, power with a capital P flooded the room to Lord Crowe. His eyes widened and his feet moved on their own.
"How..."Maxwell started but he was standing next to Mitch in no time at all.
"Do you require further evidence Lord Speaker?" Mitch asked.
"No," Lord Maxwell answered quickly leaving Mitch's side to take his seat at the council table.
"One second while the council confers," Lord Maxwell said before closing his eyes and all of the council did the same.
After a few minutes all of the council opened their eyes at once and stood. The whole room falling silent.
"This council has come to an agreement that Michel Teir is indeed Pure Blood and not Kindred, despite how similar he may appear. We also agree that he is the first Pureblood to come forward, manifest vampiric power and prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he is a direct descendant of the late Victor Valentine, last Lord Valentine. Under these circumstances, Michel Tier will now be recognized as Lord Michel Tier, First Scion of House Valentine. Furthermore Lord Michel Valentine will have the resources and cooperation of this council and our society to aid him in the Refounding of House Valentine. However the day is long and such matters can wait. However to conclude this meeting, every Lord and Lady shall present a gift to our young Lord Valentine, as a show of friendship between all houses of this Society,"
Lord Speaker Maxwell finished speaking and Mitch barely registered his approach. Mitch almost couldn't believe it. Lord Maxwell extended his hand to Mitch.
"Do as I do and follow my lead," he whispered next to inaudibly. Mitch took his extended hand and Lord Maxwell bowed slightly and Mitch mimicked his actions. Then Lord Maxwell handed him a folder with papers in it.
"These are the property holdings of House Valentine, they have been in my care since Victor Valentine's passing. Since you are Lord Valentine, they are now your holdings," Lord Maxwell informed him, slightly bowing again.
"Thank you, Lord Crowe, with this House Valentine shall have a stable foundation," Mitch said, bowing slightly as well.
Next up was Lord Ivan, who walked up to Mitch extending his hand while looking Mitch in the eye. Mitch took his hand and both bowed slightly at the same time.
"Lord of a long dead house... No pressure," He said with a slight chuckle, his voice loud and bombastic with a heavy accent.
"I do not have any personal gifts to give you but I pledge a major boon to you and your house in recompense," Lord Ivan Nicolai said.
"Thank you, Lord Nicolai. With your aid, I'm sure House Valentine will be able to overcome any obstacle that stands in it's way," Mitch declared and bowed slightly.
Next, Kastov approached him, the large man towered over Mitch and would've been intimidating except for the wide grin on his face.
"Congratulations are in order young Lord Valentine," He said with a smile.
"Thank you, Lord Kastov Delacroix," Mitch said.
"I come bearing more than congratulations though," And he took a sword out of it's sheath from his back and held it out to Mitch.
"Victor Valentine was a good friend of mine and after his death I vowed I'd never forge a weapon again, but I'm sure he would forgive me for forging this for the newest Lord Valentine," Kastov said as Mitch took the sheath. Even the sheath's quality was exceptional. Mitch was no artist or blacksmith but he could appreciate the craftsmanship and he pulled the blade free, point up as he examined the blade. It was a fairly short the same design as the Roman Gladius with it's wide blade and spherical pommel.
"Also. I offer my son's time to teach you how to wield this sword. If you do not know how," Kastov said and Mitch nodded.
"I would appreciate that, thank you, Lord Kastov Delacroix. With this blade, House Valentine will always be protected," Mitch said smiling and Kastov smiled back before leaving.
Next to approach was Lady Monica. She was wearing what amounted to normal clothes unlike the rest of the council, who were dressed somewhat formally but.. She was attractive, hot with a capital H but her manner, movement,her grace made Mitch feel like he was a piece of meat.
*She thinks we are prey here...* Michel trailed in his mind with a dangerous tone. It was hard to judge the tone with a slight variation of his own voice in his head but it was clear Michel's intentions.
*Settle down...* Mitch placated him who withdrew slightly. Lady Monica said nothing but she did not stop in front of Mitch but locked eyes with him and circledaround him. He kept eye contact with her and she stopped in front of him after one circle.
"I do not know you hardly at all Lord Michel Valentine... But perhaps we could get better acquainted while you warm my bed?" She asked in a light tone with a dangerous smile. Did she just propose for him to sleep with her? By Rebeca's stiffened back it seemed he was correct.
*I think she would enjoy being submissive for once...* Michel trailed and images came unbidden to his mine.
*Michel!* Mitch warned and the rush of images ceased. Mitch could see her smile widening at him not rejecting her on the spot.
"Thank you for the offer but I must decline, Lady Monica," Mitch said in an even tone.
"Ah well...IT's a standing off should you change your mind..." She trailed smiling as she put a peice of paper in his pocket.
"Also you may call upon House Moreii for a major boon should you need it," She said giving him one last dangerous smile before walking away, Mitch took a deep breath and shook his head.
*She can influence thoughts but I stopped it, most of it anyway* Michel informed him. *Good to know* Mitch thought.
Next Lady Selena approached who curtsied in her dress. Her hair a darker shade of brown than Rebeca and blue eyes but otherwise they looked as if they could've been sisters despite the fact that Selena was at least Rebeca's great grand mother, she definitely didn't look it though, she didn't look a day over 30. She was wearing a lose fitting bright blue dress, a smile on her face.
"Congratulations Lord Michel Valentine," She said and curtsied again to him, who bowed in response.
"Thank you Lady Selena Bruno. Our arrangement has already been discussed and I accept it as your gift to me and my House," Mitch said with a bright smile. Selena curtsied one last time and walked away. Mitch saw out of the corner of his eye, Rebeca's supreme confusion.
Up last came Lord Gaston Geovanni. He held his hand out and shook Mitch's.
"I have to admit, I didn't think this was how this meeting was going to end," He whispered to Mitch.
"My apologizes, I did not expect this result from the Council so I am bereft of personal gifts to give you, perhaps you have an idea Lord Valentine?" Lord Geovanni asked him but directed his question to the crowd. He was trying to put Mitch on the spot, trying to make him look bad and get out of giving a gift but the question played right into what Mitch had wanted.
"Actually... Since you asked... I was wondering if you would give me the servant named Alice?" Mitch asked. The look on his face was that of utter contempt after he realized he had been out maneuvered.
"Of course... She is yours. Does that mean you accept her as my gift to you?" Lord Geovanni asked,his smile tight across his face.
"Of course Lord Geovanni.
"Also I was made aware that House Valentine was formerly the ambassador and leason between our society and other Supernaturals. I will be taking up that responsibility soon and would like any information you have gathered since you so graciously took that responsibility upon your house's shoulders," Lord Geovanni bit his lip so hard Mitch expected to see blood and through clenched teeth he said.
"Of course Lord Valentine," before leaving.
Soon after, the meeting was dismissed but everyone seemed to mingle for a time longer. As Mitch expected, he was the center of attention and the 'talk of the town' for awhile and for a solid 30 minutes he was in consent conversation until he had talked to nearly everyone in the room. After the meeting the council opened up the main floor of the night club which was empty as it was officially closed. Jose made a beeline for the DJ station and quickly got the system up and running. Lady Monica gave him a look when the music came blasting out of the speakers around the room and he turned it down reluctantly.
After Mitch took a seat at a booth near the bar, Arial had hopped behind the bar, all lightning quick and amazing grace she began getting everyone who wanted one a drink. Mitch blew out a breath and drank from his soda having already sniffed it.
"Congratulations, Lord Valentine," He heard a familiar voice and Mitch smiled looking up to Rebeca.
"Thank you Ms Bruno. I could not have done it without you," Mitch told her with a smile. She walked next to him and sat down in his lap and pulled him into a long, drawn out kiss. When she withdrew he saw she was smiling.
"You did great hun," She said smiling.
"You too hun," Mitch replied, wrapping his arms around her waist.
"So... How to celebrate..." She trailed with a smile, her eyes wandering all over him.
"However you like... But first, the concert," Mitch said. His mind was spinning at what he had planned.
"OF course," She said, bring another smile to her pretty face.
"Are you two ready to head back to the cottage? Get ready for your date night?" Mitch and Rebeca heard Anna, Rebeca's mother say and Rebeca turned red.
"Mom..." She trailed looking away. Mitch smiled and laughed but stopped short when Rebeca punched him in the arm.
"Yeah," Rebeca said getting up out of Mitch's lap and he stood as well and they started heading out. They said their goodbyes before leaving for the cottage.
Author's Note:
Hey everyone just wanted to let you all know. I've got one chapter left of this story. Hopefully I can put it up tomorrow. Thanks for reading and leave a review if you are so inclined.