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CHAPTER FIVE
MADS
Someone who wasn’t at the party… hmm…
I wander back to the kitchen where Rylee is just sprawled out on the floor, hugging the cat to her.
“She’s been like this for ten minutes. I think she’s just so happy she can’t move,” Orin comments.
“You and your wife have been known to travel,” I say.
Orin raises an eyebrow at the shift in the conversation. “Before I got my kids, we did. Since then, Cordelia still has the wander bug, but I chose to stay here and raise the two kids.”
“Have you met with the UK council?”
“I have.”
I show him the photograph. “Who is missing?”
Orin examines it closely. “I guess it depends since when. This does appear to be the current council… which you would know as you’re on it.”
“Do you remember any names of the council members who were there in the past?”
“Let me see,” he says as he inspects it again. “Well, you don’t have Bella Donalds, William Allred, and Harold Taft.”
“What happened to them?”
“Bella died. I can tell you that much. One day, the council members walked into the room and found that she was already sitting in her chair. They said she was acting strangely but she didn’t say a single word. Once everyone was seated, she blew up, maiming most of the council members.”
“Why have I never heard about this?”
“Because if the council is good at one thing, it’s keeping secrets,” Orin says. “Ha, I shouldn’t badmouth the council with your involvement, now should I?”
“How long ago did this happen?”
“Oh… fifty years ago?”
“And did she do it on purpose? Or was this a situation where she was forced?”
“I don’t know about that. It was clearly a threat of some kind. They believe the bomb must have been placed inside of her before she healed so no one even realized what she was bringing into the room with her. It’s a shame. She was a very nice woman.”
I walk over to Rylee and kneel next to her. “Do you know why Ender hates the council?”
She pulls her face out of the cat’s fur long enough to say, “Because they’re evil. They’re practically villains. They were mean to Finn too! They tried killing him. They’re very evil.”
The door opens and I look over as Finn and Marcus walk in. Rylee gasps. “It’s Finn and the evil one!”
“Are you going to shout that every time you see Marcus now?” Finn asks.
She beams at him. “Maybe.”
“How did you get here?” Finn asks curiously.
“Look at my kitty!” Rylee says.
“I see that. He’s a pretty cute kitty,” Finn tells her before shifting his attention to me. “And how did you end up here?”
“Finn… the kitty is the most important thing here,” Rylee demands.
Finn kneels down and pets the cat that is in absolute bliss. It evidently has suffered from a lack of pets and is now eager to acquire as many as possible. “Oh, you’re right. This definitely is the most important thing.” He scratches behind the cat’s ears as it purrs up a storm. “How’d you get here, Rylee?”
“Oh, it’s a tale. En was like ‘Where do you want to go!’ and I was like ‘I want to go to Orin’s!’ and then En thought I meant I wanted to live with Orin and not him and then he was going to leave me, and I was super sad, but Orin was like ‘Let’s all stay here’ and then… where is En?” She pops up and looks around as if suddenly realizing that Ender isn’t involved in any part of this.
“He said he’d be right back,” I assure her.
She looks quite alarmed. “Is he going to leave me?”
Finn pats her head. “Of course he’s not going to leave you. He obviously loves you a lot,” he says as he eyes Orin. “I thought my father loved me a lot and would tell me if the man who chucked me off a bridge was staying in his house.”
Orin just hugs Finn and kisses the side of his head. “If I thought he was a threat to you at this moment, I never would have let him in. I promise.”
Finn doesn’t look convinced by any part of that.
I clear my throat. “I need to get going. I simply had to drop off the cat and will be on my way.”
“How did you know where to drop off the cat?” Finn asks.
Marcus glowers at me, and let’s just say, he’s quite good at it. Very menacing. “I generally don’t agree with Ender on anything, but you’re suspicious.”
I laugh because what else am I supposed to do? Agree with him?
“I guess Ender still had Claude’s phone and they could track it,” Orin says.
“What the heck? And you didn’t tell me he’s here? See if I ever force Marcus to go Christmas caroling with you again,” Finn grumbles. I can’t quite tell whether he likes Ender or not… and I also can’t quite tell whether he trusts me or not. How fun!
“I bet that was delightful to watch Marcus carol!” I say. “Do you have a video of that?”
The look Marcus gives me indicates that he would rather maim me than let me see it if there is one.
I give them my best smile. “It was good seeing all of you today. I am quite… lost in this big city, so if any of you get bored and would love to show me around, give me a call.”
“Of course,” Finn says.
“Not of course,” Marcus counters.
I head out the door and get into my car as I decide that I’m quite far from getting any answers I need. I drive back to the hotel where I’ve been given a place to stay during my visit, but before I get out, I realize that I’ve been followed. I lean against the hood of the rental car as I wait patiently for them to show. When they don’t, I say, “Orin, what would you like?”
Orin quietly moves into sight and walks over to me. “I don’t know what you’re up to, but you’d do best to leave now. Tell them you’re done.”
“You know… I got to thinking that there’s only one reason you’d let a man into your house who tried to kill the child you adore,” I say. “Guilt.”
His jaw tightens. “Have faith that the VRC will fix everything. Unless you’re one of the ones who don’t want things to be fixed.”
I smile at him. “When you care to talk, let me know. Until then, keep Ender entertained. If he sticks his nose too deep, he’s going to wind up dead.” I push off the car, prepared to start for the hotel.
“Here’s the thing, Mads. You have absolutely no idea who to trust. Is the person telling you what to do even helping you? Or are you at the whims of another council member who is so mired in corruption that they’re going to pull you down too?”
“Well, if you feel like sharing more of what you know, I’d be glad to let you know,” I say.
“That’s just it. I don’t know much else. My interaction with the council is so limited.”
“But you know something about Ender.”
“Nothing that I would ever tell someone from the council.”
“Understandable,” I say.
“Just… you seem like a decent guy. Don’t let them fuck you over. They don’t invite new people into the council for just any reason. The last new person joined in, hell… 1910?”
“It was my charisma,” I assure him.
“Or it was because you’re expendable.”
“That too.”
“My guess is that they’re using you. They’re risking you because you don’t mean anything to them, even if they act like you do. They’re putting you in dangerous situations for their own gain.”
“If you think of anything else, send me a call or a text. I’m more than willing to discuss.”
Orin lets me go without saying another word as I head into the hotel and take the elevator up to my room. The moment I step in, I can tell someone else was in here. They took care not to disturb anything, but I know they were here. What did they hope to find? Do they think I’m hiding something? Or do they not trust that I’m faithful?
My phone rings, and I see that it’s Vivian, so I answer the call.
“What did you find out this morning?”
“You would never believe how cute that kitty looked all cleaned up! They made him so fluffy!”
“Bloody hell, if I have to hear about this cat one more time, I’m going to come over and kick your ass.”
“Why are you so mean to me?” I ask. “I really think this is uncalled for.”
“What did you find out about Ender and the girl? Did you find out where they went?”
“Not yet. I’m seeing if the VRC can find him first. They’ve been keeping tabs on him, but I’ll let you know what I find as soon as I find it. Can you tell me anything about William Allred or Harold Taft?”
“Harold retired years ago. He chose to dedicate time to raising a family, I guess? It was a bit vague. I honestly think he was just tired of the work. He’d been involved for, oh… a hundred and fifty or so years at that point? William still does some council work but not much. He’s a professor at some university now or something. Teaching history.”
“Do you have a way I can contact them?” I ask.
“I… could probably find it, but is there a reason why?”
“I wanted to show them pictures of how cute that cat is!”
She hangs up on me. Which… I mean, I’m not quite sure I blame her. What a delightful woman.
I wander the room for a bit, curious what they were looking for and whether they found it. I don’t see much of interest, and if they were looking for what I removed from the body, I took that with me. The safest place is on my person, of course.
I have an hour before the council meeting that I should get ready for. And with the way things are going, it’s definitely going to be fun.


CHAPTER SIX
MADS
When I arrive at the council hall, I find the VRC crew waiting by the front door. I also see two other members of the UK council, a woman named Leona and a man named Callum. Beyond them are many other members I don’t know, so I just go over to those I do.
“Good morning,” I say.
Leona gives me a glance. “Ah, Mads.”
“Don’t seem so excited to see me.”
“I have absolutely zero ability to be excited about much of anything anymore,” Leona says.
“You act like you’ve lived a long and tough life but you’re one of the youngest of us,” Callum says in his rich Scottish accent. I don’t see him as often since he resides in Scotland and only comes over when there are things of concern. “I guess I don’t know how old Mads is.”
“Not very,” I assure him. “A baby compared to the rest of you.”
“I thought as much but didn’t want to assume,” he says.
I notice Marcus staring at me and offer him a smile. He doesn’t smile back but seems caught up in our conversation. Turning back to Callum and Leona, I ask, “You two just arrived, did you get a chance to meet the VRC?”
“Not yet,” Callum says.
“I saw they were here, but it sure didn’t look like they were interested in speaking,” Leona comments.
I wave them over to the VRC. “I’m eager to introduce you all to my colleagues.”
“I’m less than eager,” Alexei mutters.
“I’d love to be included in introductions,” a member from the Asian council says. “I’ve met Marcus and Claude but the rest of you I have not. You can call me Ha-joon.”
“I’m Callum and this is Leona,” Callum says as he holds out his hand to shake.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Finn responds. “I’m Finn, and this is Marcus, Brooks, Alexei, Claude, Orin, Briar, and Bentley.”
“Let’s get started,” Harris calls, interrupting our introductions. To my understanding, he’s the only one who is still on the US council besides a few people who are unrelated to the main seats, such as secretaries or assistants. And from my observation, the VRC has an extreme dislike of him.
We follow Harris into the room where a few others who I don’t know are seated. We all take our seats as Harris avoids looking at anyone from the VRC.
“I would like to begin by hearing the events told from the viewpoint of the VRC,” Callum says. “Not that I don’t believe what’s been said. I’ve just… stories travel and change, and I’ve heard a few things from others who claim to have been there. I’d love to hear what happened right from the source. This is why I requested they were all here today.”
I swear Harris pales considerably.
“Let’s start off with Harris being an absolute waste of space who caused all of this to happen,” Marcus growls.
“All of it? Impressive,” I say.
Marcus’s glower whips around to face me. Apparently, I should have kept my mouth shut.
“Can you elaborate?” Callum asks.
“I think I should be allowed to deal with him,” Marcus says. And even though he’s a sworn member of the police, “deal with him” oddly sounds like “murder him.”
Finn sets a hand on Marcus’s and smiles at the rest of us, as if any of us could ignore the enraged vampire who probably wouldn’t struggle to rip the heads off a significant number of the vampires currently in this room. Hell, his aura alone is suppressing enough that quite a few of the council members are melting in their seats to get away from it.
“Hon, let me deal with this,” Finn says. “Alright, I want to begin by admitting that we’ve had some disagreements with the council⁠—”
“The council found proof that he had vampire blood in his veins. But he does not have permission to be turned into a vampire,” Harris cuts in.
Oh? Intriguing.
“Clearly he is not a vampire,” I say. “So you’re saying that the council… harassed Finn for… being a human?” I’m prepared to toss Harris under the bus to get on Marcus’s good side. I will play whatever game I need to play to get the results I want.
Harris opens his mouth, hesitates, then goes, “He has vampire blood in his veins.”
“I feel like any human could shoot vampire blood into their veins and while it probably wouldn’t turn out well for them, it wouldn’t make them a vampire,” I say. “Am I wrong? Is there a new way of making vampires that I’m not aware of?”
“Not that I know of,” Ha-joon replies. “Detective Hayes, Orin’s daughter is a dhampir, right? And she’s your half sister? Maybe your blood is compatible because of your mother and not actually Orin.”
“Thank you,” Finn says. “This is what Claude questioned as well. I don’t know if you know Claude⁠—”
“I know Claude quite well,” Ha-joon says. “We’ve met a time or two on his travels. I think Callum has spoken to him before as well.”
Callum nods. “I have. And I agree. I would trust Claude’s research as well. We don’t have much information on dhampirs, but I agree that it could be dependent on their mother. Whatever allowed her to give birth to a dhampir could have given Finn the ability to be compatible with vampire blood.”
“Why weren’t you guys here when we were going over this?” Claude asks with a laugh. “It would have been nice to have people present who were knowledgeable.”
“It sounds like the former council were just hearing what they wanted to hear,” I comment. “Anyone can look at Finn and tell he is quite human.”
“Thank you,” Finn says. “So Eugene and Harris began to stalk me, I think hoping to see me trying to become a vampire or something. Marcus… notoriously has a short temper when it comes to me, and when he caught them stalking me outside our property, he threatened them. But you have to understand, I was stalked for years by Watson. The idea of two vampires following me and watching me made me quite paranoid and to find they were even doing it outside of my house? I really don’t blame him for what he did.
“When Eugene died suddenly, they tried to blame Marcus, and we believe the council leader at that time, Addison, fed Harris lies to get him to drag Marcus away from me so she could attempt to take me. She wanted information out of me as well as another person. At that point, Ender was forced to save my life from the council member Kaden as well as some others who were working for Addison. Not knowing who was in the wrong, the VRC, who still believed Ender was at fault, arrested him and was forced to hand him over to the council. You have to keep in mind that at this point we still were not aware that it was the council who’d tried to take me. But instead of imprisoning Ender, they were torturing him to get information out of him.
“They then took Marcus in again on false charges, knowing that the only way to get to me was to make sure Marcus was incapable of protecting me. When I was taken in alone, I was afraid for my life, so I let Ender free. Lies spread that Ender is the one who killed everyone in the council, but I know for a fact Addison was involved in trying to create true vampires with the intention of overtaking the human race instead of living with them, and Ender only killed those who threatened to kill us.”
“What about the deceased vampires who Ender didn’t kill? Who killed them?” a man asks. I believe he’s from the South American council, but I’m not sure. “This is why we are all truly here. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I don’t really give a shit if the US council kills each other off. I want to know about whatever is killing vampires that leaves no marks or signs after death. Something like that could eradicate all of us.”
Harris fiddles with his hands. “At this point, we don’t know.”
“I’d like to see the case files and photographs myself,” he says.
Briar leans forward to draw attention to herself. “We have been trying to gain answers about this, but it seems like every step of the way, the council has been blocking our progress. It’s astounding that the council wants to prohibit what we can do to protect them.”
“At this point in time, we are not opening our data about this to anyone outside of the VRC,” Marcus says. “We don’t know who we can trust. If we start sharing our information and it were to get in the wrong hands, it could escalate the issue instead of deescalating it.”
This makes quite a few people upset and I can tell they’re not going to let it fly, so I interrupt before they can. “May I say something about this? I understand that I wasn’t here during the event, and I know how terrifying this can be, but look around you. Would you want every person here at this moment to have the knowledge of how to kill vampires with such ease? Vampires aren’t always the trusting type, but if the information stays within the VRC, it stays with people who are dedicated to saving lives. We could easily request that it stays only within this small group who are made up of members who have mostly been with the VRC a while or who are well known in our community. We are all aware that Marcus could very well take over the council. He could take down pretty much everyone here at this table, but he’s never chosen to do such a thing. I think we should put our faith in them.”
“I see both sides,” Callum says. “What if we offer up our best scientists to assist? We can brief them and only when everyone within this room believes they’re a good fit, we will hand them over to the VRC to help?”
“I like that idea. I actually know quite a few of the scientists who have been involved with the council,” Claude agrees. “I could help approve them.”
Marcus’s body stiffens and at first, I question if it’s something Claude has said before the door opens and Ender, of all people, steps inside.
None of us besides Marcus had even heard him walk up, and the suddenness of his entrance seems to startle everyone. Some have no idea who he even is, since the very idea of him was swept under the rug as something to hide. But those who do are immediately on edge. It’s fascinating how silent this man can be.
“You came in here to offer up your throat?” Callum snarls as he stands up.
“He’s going to try to kill us,” Harris cries, but Ender isn’t moving. He’s just watching us, and so far, the VRC seems to be at ease with his presence. I should say or do something, but before I can, Finn stands up.
“Ender, why are you here?” Finn calmly asks.
“You mean I’m not invited?” he asks as he grabs Harris and flings him out of his chair so he has a place to sit. “I can’t fathom you would still choose to listen to that man. Why is he even in here?”
And with that, he simply sits down.
Everyone is on edge. Ender has to know that against this many of us, he likely wouldn’t win… but how many would he kill before they stopped him? Or is he confident he could win?
“Y-You think we should l-listen to you?” Harris stammers as he awkwardly stands behind some others, which makes it look like he’s using them as a shield.
Ender smirks at the terrified man. “What do you mean? The council was my home well before it was home for most of you, was it not, Callum?”
Callum is silent as the words slowly register. Ender was once part of the council? Why has no one mentioned this to me?
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Callum says, sounding genuine.
“Of course you don’t. It’s not like we spoke much. You were always a bit too… cocky to speak to me, weren’t you? Following everything your brother did.”
Callum looks confused now. “I’m sorry, I…” And then he pales. His hackles had been raised but now he looks like he’s seen a ghost. “Out,” he snaps.
Ender smiles at him. “What’s wrong, Callum?”
“Get out! Get out!” He’s acting frantic now. “Get him out of here! Why are you guys doing nothing?”
“Callum, what’s wrong?” Leona asks.
Callum is beyond panicked now. He can’t seem to decide whether he wants to fight Ender or flee from him. The moment his muscles tense up, I can tell he’s choosing to fight. He rushes for him, but the speed with which Ender moves to meet him makes me freeze. I knew he was stronger than us, but… I feel like I’m a human observing the strength of a vampire as I sit here and watch him lift Callum off his feet, hand around his throat.
“Sit your fucking ass down,” Ender snarls as he throws Callum back at his seat. Callum crashes into it, slamming to the ground and taking the chair with him.
Ender looks like he’s on the edge. He looks close to losing it.
“How about we listen to what Ender has to say?” I suggest. “Can’t hurt anything.”
“You want to listen to what the fucking vampire killer has to say?” Leona asks. “The man who has slaughtered many of our kind? He eats them like a monster. He killed my brother.”
“He was delicious and very much deserved it,” Ender says, but I can tell he’s calming down. “You sure forgot to mention his little pastime, did you not?”
“We should kill him where he stands,” she snarls.
“I have no idea who this man is,” Ha-joon says. “I understand that the council tried placing the blame on him, but the VRC explained that he didn’t do it. Why would we kill him?”
“He’s killed countless vampires,” a man accuses.
Callum is silently sitting in his seat. He looks like the lightest noise could send him into the afterlife. What the hell does Ender have on him?
Ha-joon looks to Marcus. “You seem to be a voice of reason; can you tell us whether he should sit in or not?”
“Whether he should be killed is the question we should be asking ourselves,” Leona snaps.
Marcus is silent. I don’t know what history Ender has with him, but I do know he tried to kill Finn at some point and nearly killed Marcus’s brother, so it’s not looking too good for him. Alexei looks like he’d be interested in the killing him part, but Claude reaches over and squeezes Alexei’s hand, calming him almost instantly.
“I think…” Marcus begins as Ender’s eyes stay absolutely fixated on him. It’s like there’s some unspoken truce happening between them… at least momentarily. And I can’t help but feel like it’s only because of Finn. “I think we should listen to what Ender has to say. Such primitive actions such as killing someone without a trial should no longer be permitted when it’s clear that we don’t have the whole story unless someone is willing to share it.”
Ender sits back down. “If the council isn’t abolished, then I insist on a spot on it,” he says.
Leona laughs. “What fucking nonsense is this?”
“We need a council! And you’re not going to be in it!” Harris insists.
“The last council were out for themselves,” Ender says. “Were they not? Their desire to destroy the humans and push vampires to the top is the world you strive for? To make humans nothing more than animals for vampires to feast on?”
Harris shrinks back. “N-NO! I wasn’t with them!”
“You knew nothing of what they were doing? It was happening right under your nose and you honestly believe you’re fit to run the council?” Ender asks. “What about the rest of you?”
“I would like to run for council head,” Orin says, cutting through the noise in the room. “All of you know me or know of me. I like to think that I have an open mind, but I am capable of keeping the vampires in line.”
“That sounds like a beautiful idea.” I clap my hands. “Let’s put it to a vote.”
“You can’t just…” Harris starts.
“All in favor, raise your hand,” I say. Of course everyone from the VRC does and at least half of the council members do, including me. “Looks like it’s decided, then.”
“It’s not decided,” Callum says quite shortly. “This is not how we should go about this. Mads, what are you doing?”
I give him the most innocent of smiles that I can muster. “What do you mean?”
He grits his teeth so I can see his fangs. “A word?”
“What could possibly need to be discussed that couldn’t be discussed in front of all of us?” Ender asks. “Unless the UK council is trying to absorb the US council. Is that why you’re here? Would you like the position? Do you think you deserve this position?”
Callum refuses to look at him. “This council needs structure and someone who is already equipped to run it.”
“Ohhh, my bad,” I say. “I’m so sorry! I forgot that’s what the plan was. For you to take over and start making the decisions for them. I apologize!”
Callum is staring at me like I’ve turned into someone else. I haven’t. No. I’m manipulating things just the way I want. I just need every piece to fall into place.
“Why would someone from the UK council take over?” Ha-joon asks. “If we’re going to throw someone into the position from another council, all councils should be taken into account.”
“I would move here, of course,” Callum says.
“We don’t want you,” Ender says flatly. “And let me tell you that if you do become head of the council, you don’t even have to worry about your plans to move here. I’m going to kill you on the spot.”
“Will someone fucking remove him?” Callum screams as he beats both fists against the table. It’s so forceful that the table cracks and everyone whips around to stare at him and his tantrum. I can tell Finn is getting increasingly uncomfortable, which is pissing Marcus off.
Finn clears his throat. “I know I’m a bit biased, but Orin is very levelheaded.” It’s like he’s implying the vampire who is beating his fists, attacking Ender, and shouting might not be… and I love it. “He’s a huge part of the community and I really don’t know any vampires who don’t agree with him,” Finn says. “Yes, he’s my father, but I also know a strong leader when I see one. The VRC is an integral part to keeping vampires safe, and for years we’ve been absolutely cut off from the council. The council treated us like we were lesser beings. They would take control and push aside our issues if it didn’t benefit them. Orin wouldn’t do that. He’d work with us to make this country a safer place for all vampires.”
“That sounds lovely,” I say with a smile.
“Orin it is, then,” Ender announces. “If anyone else wins, I will remove their heads. Understood?”
No one says anything as Ender stands. “And the rest of you… you know who you are, and I will figure it out, and I will destroy you.”
He turns and the second he does, Callum goes for him. It’s such a stupid mistake when Ender already proved to him how fast and strong he was. I try not to feel too much delight as I watch Ender crush Callum’s throat before dropping him to the floor. He doesn’t even look back. Simply drops the man and walks out.
Just like a mic drop.
Callum lies there for a moment, body twitching before he heals. And when he does, he catches me staring at him. I can’t wait to hear what Vivian has to say when she calls next.