Sorry for soooo long! Here is the next chapter! Enjoy:)

Chapter 18

The Sun Circle

Terri Descartes, one of the most powerful older men. Many years ago he could nearly become a cause of inner war: some older men wanted to get rid off him, because of the power he got from Dracula. But young population of turned vampires surrounded the building where was the Council meeting with weapon in hands and promised to begin a war, if older men will hurt Terri somehow.

Only Descartes could control the 'riffraff', besides aristocratic Fern family supported him. Terri was strong, powerful and loved by turned vampires. But his life changed when he met a mortal woman. Her name was Hanna, a human, whose ancient sole has been resurrecting hundreds times in many faces. They were happy together and very soon after created an organization, called 'The Sun Circle'. The aim of their organization – to make mortals and immortals to live together in peace. Some older men thought it's an absurd; even some turned were against, mostly ambitious Selina Cale and other assassins, devoted to the Council.

But Terri and Hanna didn't stop; they opened a chain of night clubs all over San Francisco and by whole state. The Sun Circle, which first consisted of humans and witches, filled with werewolves and vampires, tired from bloody existence.

Only Maya Fern couldn't calm. She has always been very fond of young and fresh turned ones; besides, it was Maya who gave Terri his immortal life, not human fool. She became Hanna's friend, acting kindly and tenderly before strike a blow in back …

Hanna died, and Maya easily subordinate broken Descartes, making him a puppet on her strings. Only his deal saved him from madness.

So in the night after the broken ritual on the island Maya Fern was relaxing in a big round bathtub in her manor, decorated with marble (she certainly was a good designer) and sliced in the floor, trying to forget about her fail. Terri, with a goblet of martini in his hand, set near, caressing her cheek thoughtfully.

"Funny, isn't it?" – she said with a smirk.

"What funny, my love?"

"How persistently I've been trying to get power, no matter in what form, but as always someone ruined my plans …"

"Maybe you'll forget about power? I mean, you're quite respectable in the Council; you have your personal army, you have me …"

Maya could hardly hide a smile. 'Foolish, naive boy … you need too less for happiness, but I want more … if only I had my obstinate foreigner' – she thought, imaging handsome count.

"We can continue my deal with Sun Circle …" – he added hopingly.

Maya wound a tress around finger, thinking deeply, actually – creating a new plan …

"Terri, are there still those hunters from 'Night Ravens' in the 'Sun Circle'?"

"Rachel Holloway and her colleges? Yes, while John is in The Circle, Rachel won't leave it. Why did you ask?"

"It's not easy to be a pacifist, when you had been a hunter for such a long time, a?"

"Well, sometimes they go too far, but the common idea of The Sun Circle keeps them tightly … But maybe you'll explain why so interest to my hunters?"

Maya put on the most innocent and friendly look (she was such a good actress), she had when was consoling Terri after Hanna's death.

"I think I really want to share your cares … Oh, I've been so broken because of Romulus' death. I built silly plans, intrigues … I'm tired, Terri, so tired … I'll help you with the Circle …"

She stared at him, impatiently. Terri smiled:

"I could only dream about it!"

"Fine!" – Maya left the bathtub and wrapped into a towel.

"Time doesn't wait! Let's go to the staff, base, or … Where does the Sun Circle meet?"

"Right now? Why such a hurry?"

"I'll dress up, and you, call all members!"

"Hmm, alright, Maya …"

"Good …"

Selina was walking down the street, illuminated with dim light of torches. Shops and cafés were closed and people were sleeping in their warm flats. Only night clubs and discos could work in this time. And the troop 'C' was sent to patrolling.

Sel was looking around; no cat could run from her eyes; holding her pistol 'Max' tightly. She became so nervous because of Diana's kidnapping, that first time in her life could prefer to be with her and protect, leaving her work.

But other thoughts broke in her minds as Selin found herself, gazing at a shop window of the 'Wedding gowns'. Beautiful models were there, absolutely white, with bridal veils, wreaths and all that stuff, women wear on the most important day in their lives, or days ... sometimes …

"Like it?" – asked Lora suddenly, grinning widely.

"Hey, I've told you to search there!"

"Come on, Snow Queen! It's too boring," – the girl looked at a long white wedding gown with splendid flounces around in the shop window.

"I imagine how you'll be look like in this one."

"I don't think I would enjoy be dressing like a doll in that laces and bows … Better another one … See? Simple, with nothing spare."

"Ah, it's a wedding, Sel! Women dress like dolls! It's a tradition!"

"Great … Well, I'm not even sure I'll be a good wife …"

"What do you mean?"

"I've always been alone …" – women set down on the ground, with no care about their clothes as they both were tired from stupid patrolling.

"Just look at Angelica. She's such a good wife and mother … I don't think I can be like her …"

"Hmm, you can't … become a mother, but I can imagine you with count, together …

Sel looked at the sky:

"Moon is so bright today …"

"Yeah … hey! Look!" – Lora jumped up and started climbing by the wall of the shop. Selina followed, and soon they were on the roof. And saw dark figures of two flying vampires, a male and a female.

"Maya?"

"And Terri!"

"Strange … As I know, Maya always takes a car to go somewhere with guard and personal driver."

"Where you think they fly?"

"I don't know, Lora … No idea … But that means nothing good, I suppose."

"Let's find out!"

Lora turned into her hell-beast form and wanted to follow the couple, but Sel grabbed her by wind tightly and pulled down.

"Haven't I taught you to OBEY!"

The girl made an innocent look.

"Why don't we spy after them?"

"We won't. Guess why?" – Mirek said suddenly, appearing on the roof just after Alex. It seemed men saw the couple, too.

"You two, why did you leave your posts?" – Selin asked firmly.

"We thought you need help …"

"Ah, alright …" – she rubbed her temples, - "By the way, Mirek, explain Lora why didn't we follow our sweethearts?"

"Oh, yeah, you see, if we'll follow them, we can get big troubles. Maya will certainly fire us. She can … Of course, Lora, you won't stay without job long. With your figure … Every strip-club will be glad to you!"

Lora gave him a hit on the back of the head

"But think, what shall we do! By the old friendship you can ask boss to give me and Alex bouncer places. Selin is already has a second job of devoted wife."

"Mirek …"

"Yes?"

"Shut up."

"Yes, sir, I mean ma'am!"

"Lousier. Well, back to work!"

Meanwhile Terri kept a word … He really presented Maya to the … kind of a council of 'The Sun Circle'.

Martina tried to smile, but word 'welcome' stuck in her throat, and minds – 'what is this whore doing here!' – was rotating in her head. Martina's 'retinue', including werewolves in baggy jeans and witches in long black gowns and corsets, plus a lot of humans in pairs with vampires and other night creatures.

Still Maya acted quite friendly, smiling gently, besides she was wearing so strangely for her style – in simple denim jeansand white shirt, her hair was picked with a ribbon, few tresses were framing her face. Besides, no signs of make-up …

"Fern? Terri, is it a joke!" John entered the meeting-hall (actually the V.I.P. room of 'Helping Hand'); Rachel was behind him (in normal clothes), as usual they were late.

Maya threw a quick glance at him and his soul mate, giving herself a chance to laugh, imagining Selina's face after a tiff with John.

"No, it isn't a joke. Maya wished to join 'The Sun Circle'."

Maya smiled again in opposite to Martina, who became pale and looked close to loose conscious.

What to others, any woman who had ever met Miss Fern hoped her to be dead, instead of men. Well … maybe only some humans were loyal to the new member. One brave girl, Sarah, who joined the Circle after she met one werewolf, killed by 'relatives' on her eyes, offered Maya a hand with an 'open', friendly smile.

"My name is Sarah. Welcome to 'The Sun Circle', Maya."

"Oh, thank you, I'm so glad to be here!"

'Very glad …' – she add to herself.

The last word was from Terri:

"I hope you'll help us to continue the right deal."

"Of course, that's why I came! And now …" – Maya smirked devilishly, pulling her boyfriend away. – " …My plan! It will lead all of us to the victory in this battle!"

"What plan! What do you want?"

"You'll like it … Especially dear ex-hunters …"