Chapter 9:

For Hazel, may you do brilliantly in your GCSEs… unlike me!

I don't own anything

Amelie's POV:

She stepped forwards towards the small mound, under which was the books she desired, the ones that contained the information about their kind that was classified – to all but the Elders. Now, she could read it.

Jonathon stepped down from his position of power, making a signal to a vampire, whose name Amelie was not familiar with, for her to continue the meeting. I suppose she's the second Eldest, Amelie theorised, a small smile on her lips as both she and Bishop were ordered to step forwards.

"I understand you are both French, no?" Jonathon confirmed, not waiting for an answer – In Bishop's case, at least, there was a strong French accent. "And, by extension, you both reside in France?"

Whilst Bishop nodded, Amelie shook her head delicately, allowing her blonde locks to move also. "No, I have resided in England since shortly after becoming a vampire," she stated, her voice tinkling in comparison to the rougher voices of her fellow Elders. She was the most beautiful; she was sure, the one who already had females desiring to be her, to have the beauty she inherited from her Mother.

And the men desired her.

Perhaps to lure them to their deaths would be a good idea, if her other methods failed.

Jonathon shrugged, as if this information was inconsequential to him, before lifting up a leather bound book. It reminded Amelie of the three hours study per day her father had insisted upon, citing the fact that his daughter would not be illiterate as the reason. therefore, Amelie had learned French, Latin and English fluently, with a dashing of German. She learnt all about the Geography of the world as it was 300 years prior, and the history of then also. Only after she left, did she realise he had been training her to work with him.

Unfortunately, his teachings resulted in her having a mind of her own, her own desires – and Amelie would never be his second in command.

Ever.

"This book contains the more… basic of the secrets which we possess in our knowledge alone," Jonathon said slowly, handing the book out to Bishop rather than Amelie. "Whilst you will, in time, grow to learn all of what we others know, you must begin with the basic facts, so to speak. This meeting today shall hold no bearing for you, unless you are aware of the contents of this book, therefore I deem it a wise idea for the pair of you to read through the book in the far corner. Then next meeting, you shall be knowledgeable enough to participate."

"Do we get to take some other reading material home with us, for us to become familiar with in the intervening months between the meetings?" Amelie requested, already hating this man more than before for forcing her to spend the entire night with her Father. It would be hard to ensure that she didn't slip from her innocent approach, didn't let the blood thirsty beast he had made show before it was ready.

Jonathon surveyed her face for a moment before nodding. "Since you requested so… politely, I believe that you are capable of taking the necessary precautions with our books. You reside in England, therefore you need not bring the books into contact with water," he agreed, causing Amelie to smile. "However, if I am to hear that there is the scent of your little friends upon the books, I shall personally kill you myself. Not until they reach the Elders circle will they be able to handle the books. Is this agreed?"

"Neither Myrnin nor Oliver shall even lay eyes on anything I am given," she confirmed, sincerity ringing through every word.

"Good," Jonathon looked away from her suddenly, reaching into the box to retrieve four huge volumes. "Read these. And your Father can read them at the next meeting, for I refuse to allow them to leave this country. Is this understood?"

Though Bishop glowered, he could do nought but agree, for he had to live in France to complete the murdering of the Elders there. How could he complete that mission if he had to swim back and forth over the channel to read the books?

"Yes, I agree," he said, for Jonathon was waiting for a response before he left.

"That is settled then; read this book now, as instructed, and I shall inform you when the next meeting is," Jonathon said, his eyes on the group of others on the far side of Stonehenge. "I must go. Welcome to the Elder's Council."

He left, leaving Amelie with her Father. The tension rises instantly, as she realises she is expected to spend the next goodness knows how many hours with only him, reading through the book they have been given.

"I suppose we may as well be getting started," her Father commented, sitting down on the floor with the book and expecting her to join him. She did, gritting her teeth as she did so and all the while wishing she could be anywhere but here, with him.

So they began to read the book, learning things they already knew but ought not to, if Jonathon's words were true.

They were there.

Thoughts?

Vicky xx