A/N: I am so glad I incorporated vampire politics into this story. That was due in major part to me reading a crossiver True Blood/XMen fic on here called Survival of the Fallen which, by the way, is an absolutely excellent fic :) Vampire politics is a large part of that story and I thought it would most definitely add to the plot of the story. I don't ever really have the time to respond to reviews but to those who reviewed (and i know you guys) I seriously appreciate it and it helps A LOT!

Chapter Song: We Don't Need Love Songs by Fitz and the Tantrums

Chapter 18: Can't Feel The Cut Until The Blood Hits The Floor

Eric fidgeted ever so slightly as he stood in front of the raving regent. Said regent raised an eyebrow as the Viking bowed in front of him. "Your majesty," he said. "I am deeply sorry for your loss."

He didn't mean an ounce of what he said and the two of them knew it.

"Oh, cut the bullshit, Northman. I know it was you who murdered my Talbot. I also know that your maker Godric, his lieutenant, and your sister got away when my men attempted to end them." Edgington replied impatiently.

Eric inwardly cringed. He hadn't even realized he and Godric were dealing with the same sack of steaming shit. If he made it away from Edgington alive tonight, he would have to contact Godric immediately.

"With all due respect, your majesty, Talbot attacked me. I had no other choice. He would have ended me right then and there and I am far more valuable to you than he was." Eric lied smoothly. A thousand years had helped him perfect the art of deceit.

Three thousand years, however, had helped Edgington see right through it.

"You will die, Viking. But not just yet. You see, things are beginning to fall into place for me. The Authority is powerless now without their friendly neighborhood Flanagan. The humans are more hateful toward vampires than they ever were. And once they begin attacking vampires..." he trailed off ominously. "Well, you know how these stories usually go."

Eric blinked and continued looking at the madman. "Your plan is to lie low while the humans attack vampires nationwide." It was moreso a statement, really, than a question.

"And who will the vampires turn to when their numbers have been depleted? The most powerful vampire this side of the Atlantic!" Edgington cackled with a booming laugh.

Eric Northman neglected to tell Edgington that he was wrong about being the most powerful vampire on this side of the Atlantic Ocean. Actually, Ricardo de los Santos, the king of Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Brazil, Peru, and Bolivia along with Leonidas Palamara were the most powerful vampires in the Americas.

"Of course. And I know of something that could make you even more powerful than you already are." Eric preened.

The maniacal smile dropped from Russell Edgington's face as he considered the fact that the Norse man might know and have something he didn't. "What?" he growled.

"A fae." Eric said simply. He hadn't wanted Sookie Stackhouse to be involved in this at all but, for the greater good, he would have to. "Her blood will allow you to walk in the sun. I can attest to it along with William Compton. We both have experienced it."

Russell's eyes narrowed. "Lies."

Eric smirked slightly. "Nonsense. I shall prove it to you."

~~~~~~~~~~~EBWDWH~~~~~~~~~~~~~~EBWDWH~~~~~~~~~~~~~EBWDWH~~~~~~~~~~EBWDWH

"What all do you know of Russell Edgington?" Isabel asked as she traced circles on Leo's chest.

The silk, royal purple sheets on the bed were tangled between the two of them. Leo had been letting his fingers graze up and down Isabel's side for quite some time now. Isabel used one hand to go through his hair slowly and carefully.

"Well, for one I am older than he is, but only by a century." Leo said softly and absently. He was becoming more and more engrossed in Isabel and she rolled her eyes at this. Sometimes she appreciated when he did that. This was not one of those times.

"We need to know what you do, Leo. The American Authority has more or less collapsed now. The European Authority and the High Council will not get involved because Accalia Selestibus would never kill her own progeny. We are on our own." Isabel enunciated her last words and her Spanish accent was even more prominent.

"I know. We must mobilize any forces we can now. Asking Accalia for help is out of the question. It would be more or less illegal in the High Council for her to interfere in matters that could and should be handled by the American Authority." Leo replied.

Isabel sighed. "Well who the hell can we call? Leo, everything is changing! I can feel it! We need to change, too, or we won't survive!"

Leo chuckled to himself. "Thank you, Darwin."

Isabel rolled her eyes. To say that Leonidas Palamara was well over three thousand years old, he could act so immature sometimes. It was thoroughly annoying at times. She made to leave the bed but Leo pulled her back down.

"And just where are you going?" he asked coyly.

However, Isabel didn't get to answer because he kissed her, rendering her absolutely breathless and wordless.

~~~~~~~~~~EBWDWH~~~~~~~~~~~~~EBWDWH~~~~~~~~~~~~EBWDWH~~~~~~~~~~~EBWDWH

To say the woman was beautiful would not do her justice. Stunning, amazing, awe-inspiring. All were words that would inaccurately describe Accalia Selestibus. There were no words in any language that could accuarately describe her.

She had dark, thick, curly hair that reached down to her waist, much like entwined and knotted gossamer. Her eyes were the color of the greenest forests combined with the bluest of oceans. If Helen of Sparta had the face that launched the Trojan war, then Accalia's face and body could launch an apocalypse.

Her skin was the color of the most golden of sands. Her legs went on for milleniums. Everything about her was intimidating, startling, and fascinating. Accalia Selestibus was not one who could be ignored.

"The High Council now convenes." she said softly. Her voice had so much power, so much authority, it was impossible to ignore her. Her voice sounded like waves crashing softly against the shore, like the air after a much needed rainfall.

"What problems must the High Council take into consideration?" Niall Brigant, the faery representative asked offically.

"I humbly ask that the High Council take into consideration the present issue of Russell Edgington in the United States of America. The ongoing problems he provides warrants the true death and-"

Accalia immediately interrupted Aya Chi, the phoenix representative in the High Council. "The High Council refuses to deliberate."

Frances Allen Bairn, the shifter representative, laughed to himself. This was the forty seventh time in as many days that someone on the High Council had considered getting involved in the events in America.

Of course, every time someone brought it up, Accalia, as head of the High Council, rejected it every single time. She would never kill her own progeny, no matter the circumstances.

"He is a danger to vampires and humans alike, Accalia! He has already murdered the American Authority's face, Nan Flanagan, and the King of Texas, Roderick Delgado! If that is not reasont o intervene then please explain to me why not!" Aya Chi practically screeched.

Frances Bairn smiled a rather toothless smile. "Aye. I do agree with the phoenix."

Accalia looked unphased as she typically did and sighed. "The High Council rejects further deliberation or consideration on this matter."

Aya Chi stood and glared daggers at Accalia. "If you won't, I will." she said icily.

Accalia raised an eyebrow as if she were challenging Aya Chi. Whatever silent exchange they'd had, Aya Chi had defied Accalia.

"The High Council-"

"I refuse to stand by whilst the High Council lets more vampires, humans, and God knows what else be harmed by this raving madman. I no longer, nor have I ever cared that Russell Edgington is your progeny. He must pay for his crimes and I will ensure that he does." Aya Chi said viciously.

Before anyone on the High Council could object, Aya Chi had disappeared in a burst of bright orange flames, leaving only glowing, burning sparks in her wake.

A/N: I haven't been so good to you guys with the length of these chapters but I stop it where I think I should. At this point in the story, I would really appreciated any ideas or thoughts you guys may have about the story since I'm writing as it comes to me. Reviews SERIOUSLY make me write 3