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Therian Palace, Late Afternoon
Ash sat back from the table, happily patting her full stomach. Eating and enjoying solid food again was one of the best parts of learning about her true heritage. She’d missed food.
“As much as I would love to hang around all day learning about my powers and building a home for the vampires, it’s my turn with the United Nations tomorrow. I suspect the vampire reveal won’t go as smoothly. There’s that whole eating humans thing, and they’re not going to just let that go.”
Luca threw an arm around her shoulders. “It’s a hard sell, but if anyone can convince the human world that vampires can change, it’s you, love.”
Ash’s expression brightened as an idea occurred to her. “I need to prove how useful and willing we can be if they collaborate with us. I will pitch a paranormal task force to work with Interpol and the individual national agencies. Rogue humans do all kinds of fucked-up shit, and we can expect the same from vampires, Therians, witches, and whatever other supernaturals exist.”
“Humans can’t fight those things,” Dani added.
“Exactly. Luca had the right idea when he presented the benefits we can bring to the world. We are worth far more to humanity if we’re happy and cooperative.” Ash recalled Nadya’s declaration of vampire superiority. “That evil bitch Nadya fucked everyone over. What the hell was she thinking?”
While the group sat together, chatting about Nadya’s disastrous television appearance, the Horsemen returned from their mission. Ash smiled and waved them into the room. “I’m pleased to see you returned safely. I trust your mission was successful?”
Jean-Pierre nodded. “It was. We had to put down a sizable resistance, but those left behind are willing to comply with the new regulations. We found a nest with a few hundred of the recently turned.
“Nadya went on a world tour in the months before her death, relaxing her restrictions to turn only malicious people. In the end, she took anyone she found. All those we discovered are night-bound, though. Some will come here, hoping to find a safe place to live. The vampires are scared and confused, Your Highness.”
Ash sighed. “Of course they are, and any who come will have a home here. Nadya exposed them to the world and painted a target on the back of anyone with fangs. Thank you.” She looked at each Horseman in turn. “We will face many similar situations in the future, and I would like the four of you to establish a tactical outreach unit. Jean-Pierre, I’d appreciate you taking on the lead role.”
Jean-Pierre looked at his fellow generals, who nodded, and turned back to Ash. “We accept. I will happily handle this for you, Your Majesty. We discussed suggesting something similar on the return trip.”
“Loyalty is appreciated and rewarded,” Ash said. “We are just getting started, but once we’re established, you’ll all have positions of honor in the vampire court.”
The Horsemen all nodded, but only Jean-Pierre spoke. “We value competent leadership and survival. None of us can pretend to be thrilled at the restrictions, but we know how to follow orders, and we recognize the futility of acting against you. Loyalty is too strong a word for now, but you can count on us not to be stupid.”
“I accept that. For now.”
“Then we have an accord,” Jean-Pierre agreed. “My fellows will run separate crews while I stay at headquarters to coordinate missions and locate troublesome areas. Do we have your permission to recruit from the vampires here?”
Ash nodded. “Yes, but only the ones who are willing to fight. Next order of business. I’ve selected a location for our seat of power and would welcome your input.”
The vampires approached the table, where maps and papers were scattered among the dishes. With the formalities out of the way, the vampires relaxed, and they discussed the construction plans. The Horsemen were impressed by the strategy so far but offered numerous suggestions to improve the functionality of the vampire castle.
Dani took notes as they talked and added more paper to the stacks of plans.
Therian Palace, Monday, January 21, 2013, Night
Ash had fought to hold on to her patience throughout the morning. She officially introduced the vampire race to the United Nations and fielded seemingly endless questions. It had taken hours, but they had eventually established guidelines for vampiric interactions with the human world.
As she’d suspected, Nadya’s introduction to Earth had left humanity with a grudge, and anyone could see the detrimental effects of vampire lore on their negotiations. Luca had gone with her and done what he could to facilitate the conversation, but he’d let her take the lead. After an incredibly long day, they returned to their local apartment. She’d opened a portal and brought them home, grateful for the familiar surroundings.
“How are you feeling?” Luca was lounging on the bed that dominated the royal chambers.
Ash watched him as she undressed and removed her makeup. “I’m still trying to figure it out, honestly. It’s frustrating, but I expected that, and I’m still hopeful that we can work through this. They seemed to like the human-supernatural task force idea.”
He smiled. “They should. It’s brilliant. There’s so much that humans aren’t equipped to deal with. You’re making the best out of the shitty situation Nadya left and keeping as many people as you can safe.”
Ash sighed and climbed into the bed, curling up against the warmth of his body. Luca wrapped an arm around her. “I think the next meeting will go a lot smoother. The initial shock should have worn off, and we want to offer them a seat at the table. They’ll be ready to talk practicalities instead of quizzing me on every vampire book and movie ever made.”
Luca chuckled. “Yeah, that was annoying. You’d think they would recognize the difference between fictional vampires and the real one answering their questions.”
“I guess not. Do you think I managed to convince them that vampires are no longer killing people or turning anyone?”
“I think you got some of them, but their thoughts indicated that others will never be convinced that vampires are anything other than monsters who prey on humans. Those are the same ones who believe that Therians are animals and witches serve the devil. Some closed minds will never open.”
“Yeah, I got the same feeling. I guess I’ll burn that bridge when I get to it.”
