The gathering went on for another hour. Sentinel teams were going to be on high alert, and most units being pulled to combat conclave threats. Word of a strike team to find Lilith and Lord Dracul had also been touched on several times, which units that would be deployed for the endeavor were a secret.
Ethan bided his time. He kept trying to figure out how he would go about informing Lulia of Xairin's heritage, and the fact that Xairin's grandmother Sara may still be alive. She would be the rightful heir, but if she couldn't be discovered, Xairin could, in theory, be appointed, and possibly tutored under the Adjudicator, but if someone challenged his right to the throne, under Immortium law, Ethan would have to accept. He really wished he could find Sara now, more than ever.
_____
Two hours later.
The Chamber of Eternal Night had many tunnels that led into subterranean dining rooms, living quarters, and other rooms holding their own specific values to the structure. Ethan was trying to find Lulia.
Of all vampires that he hesitated most with, Ethan had to accept the fact that he may have to go to Trevor Graves himself, to arrange an audience. If that were the case, Trevor would demand to know why Ethan couldn't lie about it if this happened. If Trevor were the reason Sara distrusted The House of Ninlil, then he would doom Xairin and Sara, but if it was someone else, possibly, an ally could come of it. Either way, he had to make hardened decisions in what his next move would be if he couldn't just request a meeting. He hoped to only find her and gain her attention in other ways.
Ethan walked the hallways of the massive structure, following the torch lights, lighting the way. He passed several along his quest, most of them, vampiric slaves that were once human monster hunters. Each of them was in a state of severe dehydration, reverse exsanguination if you will. They were beyond blood fever. They looked like living mummies, each dressed in white robes, performing menial tasks. They had no odor thank goodness; it was their looks that made them the most disturbing.
The Alpha wondered if Trevor was the vampire Alpha controlling them, now that Lilith was incapacitated. Such control, to keep one from feeding, and enslaved to such monumental power, had to be a grand alpha, but who was it?
He found a dining hall. It was filled to capacity, with Immortium dining, walking, and talking about. It was an underground social, filled with aristocratic flair. This part at least delighted Ethan, he hoped he was on the right track.
Hours seemed to pass for Ethan. He walked into another room, where vampires only had gathered. He saw a woman lying naked on an oval table. She was face up, a vampire was at each wrist, and one to each ankle, they were feeding. Ethan rolled his eyes.
He left the room. The smell of the woman on the table was distinctly that of someone's thrall. He figured they would probably drain the woman to the brink, and someone was prepared to change her. Sometimes such things were commonplace now.
Ethan was growing tired of searching. He stopped to speak to a woman leaning against the wall of the hallway he was walking down. She was dressed in a cocktail dress, a black one, sipping blood from a martini glass. He figured he would ask another vampire.
"Pardon me?"
The woman turned around, she made a flirtatious face, "Yes?"
"Where would I go about finding the Adjudicator? It wasn't specified, but historically Adjudicators are supposed to handle issues between houses."
The woman was haughty. "Issues between houses, we are Immortium after all. Our downfall. The constant infighting." She took a sip. "And now it looks like The Conclave will keep that dreadful ball bouncing."
"It is an issue, part of why we joined The Society."
He wasn't coy. "Do you know where I should go to speak with the Adjudicator?"
She sipped. She looked delighted with the flavor of blood that was rich and warm within her cup. She leaned her head back, smirking from the delight with each taste she brought to her full lips. She took her time. "No, not really. My house is small, I was recently allowed to evolve, you see."
"A new house?"
The woman smiled. "That would be correct."
She wasn't of any use to Ethan. He kept on going down the hallways. His eyes were searching for someone who might know something.
Of all vampires that he never thought he would run into here, was an ex-lover strolling the halls in front of him. The very person who introduced him to Trevor in the first place. A man that he had a ten-year fling with. They ended on mutual terms. He saw the tall gentleman walking proudly down the halls, fixing his short brown hair. He smelt of sex, that was apparent. Nikola was always a flirt, part of what drove Ethan away in the first place. The man didn't have a monogamous bone in his body.
The look of shock on Ethan's face had no bounds.
"Nikola?"
The brown-eyed man stopped dead in his tracks. His face equaled Ethan's expression. "Ethan?"
While Nikola would have embraced Ethan in a heartbeat, Ethan was hesitant when the man came up hugging him. It took a moment to reciprocate.
"Nikola, what are you doing here?"
The man smiled at him. "I go by David now, same last name of course, but I like David much better than I did Nikola."
Mr. Tesla smiled. "And as for being here, I would assume the same as you. I have my own house to govern." His smile turned into a playful smirk. "So, Alpha Ethan. I am impressed."
Ethan color drained. He had difficulty swallowing his spit. "Might I ask you a question?"
"I would love to go out."
Ethan's frame of mind reigned back in at that remark. "I'm not asking you back out Nikola."
"David, I told you, just now. I go by David now."
Ethan smirked. "Okay David, like I said, I have no interests in going out with you. We agreed on being friends, remember?"
"I do."
"Then, might I ask, if you know where I could meet up with the Adjudicator?"
David looked curiously at him. "Why would you need an Adjudicator Ethan? Problems with another house?"
"A personal matter. Can you point me in the direction I need or not?"
David sneered at him for a moment. The older vampire's eyes locked onto Ethan with feverous intent. Ethan began to feel a slight buzzing in his brain that gradually intensified. The vampire knew precisely what his ex-boyfriend was trying to do. David was trying to read his thoughts. Ethan was not amused and quickly scoffed. "SERIOUSLY?"
David withdrew. "I am merely curious as to why you would need an Adjudicator?" He grinned.
"I said it is a personal matter."
David leaned against the wall. "Ethan, I have seen you naked, with your legs over my shoulders. It doesn't get more personal than that. I thought we were going to agree to be friends, yes?"
Ethan knew Tesla could be manipulative. He had been so, the entire time they tried dating. Ethan knew he wasn't a blabbermouth, but used the information to manipulate others, and always got what he wanted. He couldn't give him this. "I told you, a personal matter, one I would like to keep to myself if you wouldn't mind?"
"Ethan, Ethan, Ethan. I'm an older Alpha than you are, I could pluck it from your head. Matters with an Adjudicator, are the type of secrets I like." The man scoffed. "But, I do miss you, Ethan, you were one man that I could never tame. You were always too good for me, and to be honest, I do feel a little guilt for… Cheating." He looked at him. He seemed genuine. "The fifth level, second hallway on the right-hand side that branches from the main, you can't miss it, however, the guards will not let you through without cause…"
"You will need a meeting. Go through the proper channels. They just appointed the woman for crying out loud. The proper procedures will be emailed to all Alphas, as it was stated towards the end of the announcements."
Ethan was agitated. "So, you're saying I have no chance of getting through to her?"
David looked to the side. "Not without a Grand Alpha allowing you access or going through the channels to call for a meeting." He caressed Ethan on his shoulder. "
It was good seeing you." He walked off, leaving Ethan to his thoughts.
Ethan had one option left, he could go to Trevor, or seek out a member of House Dracul, after all this new information of who Sara's father was, his own house was an offshoot of both houses.
Chapter 4
Day 1
_____
Xairin was standing outside the Mansion for an arranged transportation that was due to arrive at midnight. He had been out there for about twenty minutes waiting. The guards had enough time to pass him twice as he stood there looking upward for the shuttle.
Finally, he could hear the air fans of some craft coming closer.
An oval shaped craft with a silvery hull landed in the driveway. He could see at least two people riding in the front, and it looked like two people in the back. The windows were tinted just enough to make him question the occupancy behind the two men riding up front.
He was told to pack very little, a small backpack with clothing and nothing more, not even his cellphone or any other electronic device was permitted. He was to have no contact with anyone while he was there. The only thing he truly needed to bring was himself, everything else would be provided.
He stood there with a small brown satchel over his shoulder. His tight white t-shirt, conforming to his body, didn't faze much when the transport landed, nor did his brown khakis. Only his wavy auburn hair submitted to the airfans upon landing and while they retracted.
A man in red kevlar opened the passenger side door to the silver craft, raising it upward. He stepped out, greeting Xairin with a warm smile and a firm handshake. Xairin studied the bald-headed man for a moment, noticing his cleanly shaven appearance and offered the same courtesy by gripping firmly. "Hello."
"I take it, you are Mr. Xirwen Thunder?" The man asked.
Xairin tried his best not to roll his eyes and just laugh it off. "It's Z-air-in. And yes."
The man standing in the red uniform seemed momentarily embarrassed. "My Apologies Xairin. I've never heard that name before, so I questioned the pronunciation. I do hope you're ready to leave?"
"Don't worry about it. My name gets butchered at least a few times a week. I blame my mother." He said with a chuckle.
Xairin nodded. "Yep, I am ready to go."
Behind him, Peggy was standing like a nervous mother, hen. She still disagreed but realized after speaking with her bite brother, the way the laws were, there was no getting Xairin out of it. She rushed to his side and attempted to hug him, which clearly caught him off guard, "You be careful, and take care of yourself, got it?"
Xairin looked at her with not precisely a surprised look, but one that married annoyance. "I will be fine; I'm just going to boot camp."
The Major, picking up on the beautiful blond woman’s emotions, an extended his hand to the woman.
Major Rosco offered a handshake... "Major Rosco Mam and he will be just fine. We will take good care of him."
Peggy lacked a facial expression showing she was assured. "Sure… Right…"
The man looked back at Xairin. "Not to interrupt a moment between sire and child, but we do need to be hasty. Hop in Mr. Thunder, we run a tight schedule."
Xairin smirked while pointing a finger over his shoulder at Peggy. "Wait, no, she's not my maker or anything. I was bitten by a bat."
The man tipped his head while attempting to correct the assumption. "Nest mates, the bond of a nest can be a powerful one." He looked at Peggy, who seemed to be fuming. "He will be fine."
Peggy stood there looking into Xairin's mind without him feeling it. The blood pact that Ethan had formed served as a bridge for her to perform a pull with any who shared their bloodline. Peggy saw everything, from the sewer to New York, to now. She wanted to stop him now more than ever.
Right before he could step in, he felt a firm grip on his shoulder. Xairin turned around, noticing Peggy's distraught face. "Peggy, I will be fine."
The vampiress was trembling after seeing what Xairin had genuinely been through. She wished she had done this earlier but couldn't help it. She had to know why he was pushing himself so hard. Now she had an answer. "You better be Xairin. I mean it, be careful."
"Yeah, sure…" He said nonchalantly.
In truth, Xairin felt overly annoyed with Peggy. He could understand the loyalty aspect to Sara, but where the fuck was Sara when he needed her. He already suspected she was alive, as did Ethan, Peggy, and Justin. So, where was she? Xairin felt Peggy had no right to be so protective over him, given the fact he was just left to fend for himself all these years. Truthfully it made him bitter.
Knowing how he felt, and what he had been through, Peggy turned around so he couldn't see her weeping for the rape, the bite, the attacks, and then a date going sour. Peggy decided she was going to do something radical. She had to find Sara, and she knew Ethan had traced Isac Jordan and knew he was in Hawaii. Peggy also knew about the Mausoleum. Searching the death certificates and birth certificates should give Peggy her own information so she could decide on what her next course of action would be.
Feeling a bit of reprieve of getting away from the Mansion, he boarded the oval-shaped silvery craft. He decided to sit in the back of the van sized vehicle and buckled up. He was sitting beside another man, leanly built, wearing a ball cap backward. In front, if him, was a woman, she seemed standoffish.
The driver piloting the aircraft was dressed in the red kevlar uniform just like Major Rosco was. His nasal voice was distinct. "Take off is a little bit of a bitch, just breathe slowly once we are in the air, it will help." Once Rosco was seated, and the door shut, the craft seemed to move in the blink of an eye. Xairin could barely see Peggy standing there waving at him through the sun protected glass and then her figure was gone... Xairin's heart felt like it sank into his intestines in that quick leap to five thousand feet.
Once everyone was looking out the windows and adjusting to the sudden altitude change, Rosco spoke clearly. "Now that we have everyone, a few things to go over."
Xairin seemed like the most talkative at that point. "What do you mean? The information on the signup documents for enlistment was pretty self-explanatory."
Rosco nodded. "Yes, and no. When we arrive, everyone will be handed a tablet that has all your study materials already downloaded. You'll also be issued one of our new armbands, while you're here, and when you are on our tours, that band stays on you at all times. Understood?"
Xairin nodded. "A band? Like a watch or something?"
The Major nodded. "It is more than that. It sort of looks like a cell-watch, but more. It has a built-in tracking device, and a holo-recorder. It will record everything you do and helps the instructors' grade performance. It will monitor everything from vital signs to recording in every detail of your performances." The one he was wearing, he gave it a slight tug, Xairin noticed it had an elastic quality. "Too many of our thropes were having issues keeping communication while in the field if they had to transform. This armband expands and compensates for transformations. Makes it easier in keeping constant communication should one have to lose their clothing."
The handsome blond man sitting beside Xairin scoffed. "Let me get this straight, it tracks everything we do?"
The Major smiled, breaking into his less refined nature. "Not to be crass Mr. Smart, but if you wipe your ass or blow your nose, we will know."
The woman sitting in front of Xairin sighed. "Lovely."
Rosco asserted himself. "When you signed up, you were informed that you will have roughly fourteen days of basic training. The training we provide is, as some say, elevated above human endurance, Miss Pratt. When you become injured, and I stress that phrase, when…. That little band will help us locate you quickly, and if someone tries to defect from the island, we will know."
Troger Smart, the man, sitting beside Xairin leaned forward a bit, the man's thin face shown curiosity brewing. "Why not six weeks? Human's get six weeks of basic, why only fourteen for us?"
"Excellent Question Mr. Smart, and to a
nswer that, you're an immortal. We immortals, Aeonians, and Immortium alike learn quicker than humans do. Our brains, our muscles, everything about us adapt quickly, we only need roughly fourteen days to teach you the basics. After that, live combat and continued training will harden the rest."
Xairin figured that much already given what he had learned so far and nodded. But he too had a question. "So what do you mean exactly by elevated above human endurance?"
"We are immortals, Mr. Thunder. The training we provide is not meant for a human to be able to survive it. Not to mention, we need you ready to go out there and defend not just the human race, but The Society of Night as well."
"Welcome to Damage Control, Mr. Smart, Mr. Thunder, and Miss Pratt."
"How soon till we can expect combat or at least simulated combat?" Xairin asked.
The man grinned. "Tonight, most likely. The journey you are about to embark on Mr. Thunder has in some cases pushed the limits of what we are to induce evolutions in some, even without the benefits of having too many thralls, or the passing of a maker." He looked at his tablet, then turned back around. "Each of you are deltas. Why it is very possible before the next two weeks are out, one of you, could easily become a beta. You will endure simulated combat pretty much the entire time you're here, and when you graduate to the end of your training, you could see actual combat quite soon after that. You never know. The Majority of the new recruits are being assigned to what we are calling Damage Control Mr. Thunder, you could see combat quite soon."
Damage Control Page 4