Author's Note: Speech inside is in the Vampiric language
Allyson accepted her drink from the server and leaned back in her chair, letting the deep bass rumble wash the tension from her body. Normally she would be spending her Saturday night down on the dance floor, but she felt like getting quietly wasted tonight. Besides which, the sonic dampers on the second floor reduced the music to a point where one's body wasn't being shaken apart by the force of the sound waves. She sipped her screwdriver and closed her eyes. The negotiations with the Hong Kong Mob had eaten up most of her time this week, and she was glad to listen to background babble that was in English, Spanish, and Mandarin. Anything but Cantonese. She was paid well for her services as an interpreter between the Russians and the Cantons, but immersing herself in the language had brought back bad memories, ones that were just below the surface after her visit with HEX. Sighing to herself, she pushed the reminisces back down into her subconscious where they belonged. She heard the cautious footsteps approaching her table a split second before she heard the hesitant voice.
"Miss Allyson? Do you mind if I join you?"
Allyson opened her eyes, revealing Sophia standing next to her. Smiling, she motioned to the empty chair. Sophia smiled and sat. The table edged the balcony overlooking the dance floor, and Sophia studied the milling crowd. Making an appreciative noise, she turned to Allyson.
"I've never seen so many different people all in one place before. Its amazing what our Mistress has built here, is....."
Sophia trailed off as a dark expression settled on Allyson's face. The Daywalker learned forward until her face was less than a foot from Sophia's. Fear rose up in her throat as she watched the other woman's canines slide down.
"Listen up little girl, because I'll only say this once.", Allyson whisper-snarled. "Fatima and I are business partners, companions, and every now and again we fuck. She is not my 'Mistress'. The only person I serve is myself. Got that?"
Sophia gave a quick nod, and Allyson sank back in her chair, finishing her drink. Sophia sat silently for several minutes, trying to stop her heart from leaping from her chest. She felt the other woman's eyes on her. Taking a finally breath, she looked up and smiled contritely.
"I-I'm sorry Miss Allyson. Could we start this conversation over?"
Allyson nodded her head. "Allyson, please. So how are things now that you live in the Real World?" Sophia was happy for the reprieve. She had heard far worse things about those that had run afoul of The Favorite's infamous temper.
"Things are quite good. I'm learning more from Mistress Fatima than I ever thought possible." She looked out over the crowded dance floor again. "Although it is a bit disappointing though." Allyson's eyebrow's raised at this.
"How so? Most mortals would be amazed that vampires and such things exist."
"Oh, it is amazing. But Vampirism and Lupinism are just genetic conditions. All the magic in the stories doesn't exist. I al-" She was interrupted by her companion again, but this time she was laughing. Sophia furrowed her brows. She was not used to being laughed at. "Do you mind telling me what is so funny?"
Allyson's laughter died down, and she wiped a few tears out of her eyes.
"I'm sorry, but obviously you haven't gotten to the advanced classes with Fatima yet if you don't believe in magic. Bring your chair over here."
Puzzled, Sophia moved her chair next to Allyson's and sat down. Leaning over the railing, Allyson scanned the crowd.
"Vampires and Lupines do have genes that make them such. And Trolls.... Trolls simply are.", the smaller woman explained. "But we aren't the only ones that share living space with the humans. See that group of tall blondes over there in the corner.?" Sophia looked to where Allyson was pointing and saw a half-dozen pale blonde men and women, all very thin.
"Those my dear are Fey. From the Seelie Court I believe." She saw her companion's confused expression and sighed. "Elves, Sophia. Those people over there are Elves, just like in the Lord of the Rings movies."
"You're shitting me right? Right?"
"Nope. See that big asshole over in the middle of the floor? The one showing off his muscles? He's actually a incubus. A sex-demon."
Sophia sat back in her chair hard. Pushing a strand of hair out of her face, she laughed softly. "Well, I asked for it I guess. Any more magical creatures here that I know about?" Allyson scanned the crowd again, and Sophia heard her utter a soft 'shit'.
"Something wrong?"
Allyson looked back at her and smiled. "No, I just lost track of time. Over at the main bar, see the woman talking to Casey?"
Sophia looked across to the bar and spotted the head barkeep talking to an exotic looking woman. She had a Mediterranean complexion, with inky black hair. It was broken by a stripe of purple color that flowed from her forehead to the tips of her long hair, which was held back in a simple ponytail. She was wearing normal blouse and skirt, but they looked like they had come straight off a runway model.
"Is she a demon too? Allyson shook her head.
"No, that kiddo, is a honest-to-goodness Goddess. One of the minor ones from ancient Greece." Sophia's eyes got even wider.
"You're telling me a God stops by Mistress Fatima's club for drinks?", Sophia's jaw nearly hit the dancers below. Allyson seemed amused by the human's reaction.
"Goddess. She's female. At least I think she is. Anyway, her and Fatima have some sort of history from the old days. She comes in once a year on the same date, and gets roaring drunk. Fatima says she lost someone close to her on this day. Funny thing is, she always pays her tab with 30 of those old silver dollars."
Sophia watched as the woman, uh, goddess talked to the people around her. Suddenly, she stopped and looked up, directly at the two observers. Allyson sketched a small salute, and the goddess winked an incredibly green eye. She then went back to talking to the people at the bar. Sophia looked at Allyson with a puzzled expression. The smaller woman shrugged.
"She actually an ok person when you get to know her. Although her mind does have a tendency to wander to the past. Can't blame her though."
Sophia massaged her temples. "I think that's enough horizon expanding for now. How's about we get as drunk as possible before Mistress Fatima gets back?"
Allyson smiled and signaled a server. "Sounds like a plan. Were is Fatima anyway?. She usually does some heavy schmoozing on the weekends."
Sophia shrugged. "Some sort of high-level meeting with the Board. She could only take Balthazaar, so I got left behind to fend for myself."
Allyson gave her best lecherous smile. "Well now I'm here, and I still know how to show a girl a good time." She smiled even more at Sophia's blush.
2
"Mistress Fatima Al-Roshta."
Fatima swept majestically past the announcer, Balthazaar's massive frame a step behind. Approximately twenty other high ranking vampires were scattered around the Spartan granite room. All had one bodyguard at their side. She nodded to several of the attendees she had dealings with. She smirk when some wouldn't meet her gaze. Somewhere nearby, a gong sounded. This was the signal for the meeting to begin, and everyone made their way to a massive mahogany conference table. Balthazaar pull her chair out for her, and she smiled in thanks. He then took position exactly four feet behind her. Looking up to the head of the table, Fatima saw Marie VanStat speaking in hushed tones to a nervous looking man. Once everyone had taken their seats, VanStat rose and cleared her throat.
"I would like to thank you all for making the trip to Manhattan for this meeting. As you know, we are here to fill the North American seat on the House of Erebus. This will require a two-thirds vote of all the Chairs of the North American Boards." As she finished, one of the older men narrowed his eyes.
"Then why isn't Brenerd here? The Chicago Board covers one of the largest domains in the Midwest"
VanStat frowned at the interruption and motioned to the man she had been speaking with earlier. The man looked around the table nervously, and then spoke.
"Uh, yes. My name is Cyrus McNaddle. I am, uh, was Chairman Bernerd's Chief of Operations." Several of the vampire shifted uncomfortably at the shift in tense. Cyrus continued. "Last night, there was a security breach at the Chairman's home. By the time we arrived, all that was left was ash. We recovered this footage from security cameras." He pressed several buttons on the control panel integrated into the table. A holographic display lit up above the center of the table. There was no sound, but the video showed a hallway littered with bodies and blackened skeletons. Several black-clad figures darted across the camera field, but it was on figure that caught everyone's attention. It was a tall black man, silver liberally streaked through his hair. He calmly walked through the carnage, and his aura of menace projected even through the grainy video. Halfway through the frame, he stopped and looked directly at the camera. He smiled a grim and humorless smile, the interior lights glinting of his sunglasses. The video froze at this point, and the table erupted in voices.
SILENCE! The frightened babble ceased at the thunder in Fatima's voice. Everyone turned to face her, and she smiled contemptuously back at them. You chatter like frightened little monkeys. Bernerd was fat and stupid and slow, and he was brought down. As even the lion can be brought down by a pack of jackals if it is not careful.
One of the younger vampires regained his voice before the others and glared at her.
It almost sounds as if you admire the Daywalker. And you have always been against a direct confrontation. He is the greatest threat facing our nation, and you are content to sit back and let him continue the slaughter! He began to rise from his chair, but stopped as a deep bestial growl filled the room. Without taking her eyes from the upstart, Fatima spoke.
That's enough Balthazaar. DeMorian is no threat to me.
Balthazaar stopped vocalizing, and DeMorian turned bright red at the implicit insult. He sat down however. Smiling, Fatima continued.
Blade and his Nighthunters are no different than any of the other human groups that have cropped up over the millennia to face us. And just as with the Inquisition, or Van Helsing's group, they will be a thorn in our sides for a few decades, and then the spark that drives them will flicker and fail. She motioned to the image above the table. Look at him. The Vampire blood that runs in his veins keeps him healthy and strong, but Blade is close to his sixth decade of life. Within 20 years, his human life span will be over, and the Hunters will collapse without him. For now, he serves the purpose of natural selection: culling the weak and stupid from our herd. An uncomfortable silence insued as the others refused to meet Fatima's gaze. After several moments, VanStat spoke.
"No matter how we feel about the Blade situation, that is a matter for the House of Erebus to decide. Which brings us to our purpose tonight. Mr. McNaddle has been authorized by the Chicago Board to vote on their behalf. Any objections?" Seeing none, she continued. "All right. I open the table to nominations."
DeMorian cast a sideways sneer at Fatima. "The Board of Los Angles nominates Chairwoman VanStat."
"The Board of Philadelphia seconds the nomination." This came from another of the younger vampires.
The older vampire that brought up the subject of Bernerd cleared his throat. "The Board of Seattle nominates Fatima Al-Roshta." A soft sound of suprise arose from several of the seated figures.
Fatima shook her head. "I am afraid i must decline Chairman Faustus's nomination." The surprised sound became slightly louder. Fatima sat back and pretended she didn't hear it. A slightly annoyed expression passed over Faustus's face.
"Are there any other nominations?" No one else spoke. VanStat smiled to herself. "Then would you please register your vote on the pad in front of you?" Several minutes passed as the assembled dignitaries typed on the pads. As the last person finished typing, the projected image was replaced with a holding pattern. It was quickly replaced with plain text.
Measure for Vote: Election of Chairwoman Marie VanStat to House of Erebus
Yea: 17
Nay: 7
Abstain: 1
Measure passed
VanStat beamed at the other vampires. "I thank you for this opportunity. If that is all, I have prepared some refreshments in the moonroom."
People got up from the table and moved towards the door of the adjoining room. Many of the younger ones stopped to congratulate VanStat. Fatima made her way towards the newly elevated Chairwoman. As she wound through the crowd, Faustus approached her, a pensive expression on his pale lined face. She performed a slight curtsy, and a wry smile wormed onto his face.
"The time you needed to show me respect is long past young lady."
"And the time for calling me 'young lady' is even longer past, my dear Dominic."
Faustus held out his elbow to her. "Would you do this old fool the honor of letting him escort you?"
Fatima smiled and slid her arm around his,brushing her hand across his suits rich fabrics. Arm in arm, they walked towards the moonroom, nodding their heads to others in passing.
So, what was it you wished to speak to me about?" Fatima saw the pensive look flash across Dominic's face, but it was quickly suppressed. He let out a small sigh and turned to her.
"Would it have compromised your beliefs that much to serve in the House of Erebus? The whelp isn't ready by a long shot. I can smell her greed and lust for power like its a physical thing." He snorted derisively. "And the youngbloods think that that is a good thing!"
Fatima smiled softly and ran her hand down the older man's face. "I see the fire still burns within you Dominic. It was always your most captivating feature." She suddenly became businesslike again. "My refusal to be part of the House of Erebus is not simply a decision made from personal beliefs. It is better for the Kingdom id I do what I do from the shadows, without the scrutiny of others facing me at every turn." The had reached the refreshment bar at this point, and Dominic untangled their arms.
"I hope you are right Fatima Al-Roshta. I've worked too hard to put my House where it is to let it come undone because of the actions of a petulant child." He took her gloved hand and brought it to his lips. "May the Dark Mother guide your actions." He let go of her hand and gave her a small smile before striding off into the crowd. Taking a goblet of wine from the table, she smiled.
"Old fool indeed...", she whispered to herself.
After a few minutes of sipping her wine and making small talk with the other bigwigs, Fatima saw VanStat in a nearby corner speaking to McNaddle. Excusing herself from the conversation, she flowed over to the younger woman, her ever-present shadow several steps behind her. Marie gave a false smile at her approach, and McNaddle managed to look even more nervous. Fatima took Marie's had and shook gently.
"I must congratulate you my dear. This is quite a step for you." With out removing her eyes from VanStat, she addressed McNaddle. "Go. Now." The poor man's eyes looked like they were going to flee before his body got in gear. After several seconds of stammering, he hurried away. Marie let out a small snort and removed her hand from Fatima's.
"You always were fond of that trick. To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit mother? Balthazaar, you're looking well." She nodded to the man-shaped shadow, and he returned it. Fatima merely smiled predatorily.
"My dear Marie, you ceased being my daughter the moment you forsook the path I prepared for you. I merely wished to congratulate you on your achievement, and your great luck."
Marie raised an eyebrow. "My luck?"
"Yes your luck. Bernerd may have been a fat old fool, but he was a fat old fool dead-set against you joining the House of Erebus. How coincidental and lucky for you that Blade managed to locate his safe house on the eve of the vote. Especial since he was last reported hunting in central Asia."
Marie smiled, but it was devoid of any feeling. "Yes, I guess I am lucky. But they say chance favors the prepared mind, and you prepared me very well mother. Now, if that is all, I really must mingle some. You might want to try it sometime. Its much more satisfying than spending your life on the fringe, obsessing over your little schemes."
Fatima merely shook her head at the jab. "All I have could have been yours if you just had a little patience Mariana Al-Roshta. More's the pity." She turned to leave, and paused. "Once last thing, 'daughter'. Whatever this vendetta you have against my Favorite is, cease it. I would be most displeased if something happened to my best bed warmer." She then swept out of the room. Behind her, Marie's face contorted in anger.
"Fucking bitch. I don't care who you are. Its my time now."