ACADEMY OF THE UNDEAD; BOOK TWO Stand Together ... Or Fall Together
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

Life And Death Negotiations

Livinia, Scarlett, Thelma and Vicky stayed in the basement with Taylee right through the day, and even though she didn’t open her eyes, her breathing seemed to be less laboured. As dusk approached, all the group gathered in the basement.

Livinia slipped upstairs and made a few phone calls, and thirty minutes later, she joined them in the basement. Facing the group, she said, “Taylee is too weak to take the chance of moving her, so until further notice, Scarlett, Thelma and Vicky, you will stay here until she’s well enough to be brought back to the Academy.”

The three vampires nodded.

“Piper and Elizabeth, you will come with me to the Mammon estate, and the rest of you will return to the Academy.”

Scarlett did want to stay with her best friend, but something occurred to her, and she said, “Livinia, maybe Thel can stay with Tay, and everybody else goes to the Mammon’s. If that pompous bitch refuses to release Giddy, we’ll need numbers.”

“Unfortunately Scarlett, we’re in a situation where negotiation is our only option. They have greater numbers, and if we turn up there bearing arms, they simply won’t let us in.”

“Can’t you contact Apollonia and see if she’ll help us?”

“I’ve just been speaking to her, and Apollonia and her crew are on stand-by, although a peaceful negotiation is going to be our starting point. The Mammon Clan won’t release Giddy unless we offer them something in return, so we will return O’Brien to them, and also offer them the money he has.” Livinia turned to Piper and asked, “How much money was in his bag?”

“More than four and a half million.” Piper replied.

“So we’ll return one of theirs, offer them the cash, and hopefully we’ll get Giddy back.”

“But what if she refuses?” Scarlett asked.

“If she refuses, I’ll remind her that we have an alliance with the PRW, and it will be in her clan’s best interests to co-operate rather than refuse.”

“I don’t like it Liv,” Scarlett began, “What’s to stop them taking you three prisoners?”

“Merle Gravate respects the old ways, and she would never harm the Leader of another clan without just cause.”

“Yes, okay, but threatening her clan seems like you’re giving her a just cause to harm you.”

“As I said, peaceful negotiaions will be my starting point.”

“No, I still don’t like it,” Scarlett said. “The three of you would be vulnerable, and the rest of us would have no idea what’s happening to you.”

“We will keep the lines of communication open obviously, and Elizabeth will come with me into the estate, while Piper stays in the van. Elizabeth will text Piper every twenty minutes to let her know that we are safe, and Piper will then text you and Aleisha.”

“And if we don’t recieve the messages?” Aleisha asked.

“Yes, okay, Plan B,” Livinia replied, “If the messages aren’t received Piper, you will ring Elizabeth, and if you don’t get a response, assume the worst, and then ring Aleisha. If that happens Aleisha, ring Apollonia, because like I said, I was just speaking to her, and she is willing to assist us. The Laveau Voodoo’s normally try and stay out of everybody else’s business, although their leader can be swayed by financial incentives, and we have four and a half million incentives. I also just spoke to Devil, and he will assist us if the need arises in exchange for the cash. If Plan A fails, Aleisha will ring Apollonia and Devil, and the PRW and the LV’s will gather at the Mammon estate, and of course all of our clan will meet them there, except for Scarlett and Thelma, who I want to stay with Taylee.”

Scarlett nodded in respect for her Leader, and said, “I should have known that you’d have a plan.”

“My intention will always be to protect anyone who walks under our banner, but like I said, I’m hoping for a peaceful resolution.”

Livinia kissed Taylee on the forehead, then turned to the men. “Richard, Alan, take the Stanley woman back to the Academy and chain her up in the basement, and Aleisha, we should be at the Mammon estate in just over ninety minutes, and when we arrive, Piper will send you a message. When you receive it, set your alarm for every twenty minutes, and Elizabeth and Piper will do the same, and just remember, if you don’t receive a message every twenty minutes, ring Piper first before you spring into action.”

“Understood.” Aleisha nodded.

“Okay Piper, Elizabeth, let’s go.”

The night had well and truly set in as Piper pulled the van up outside the gates.

“Piper, send Aleisha the message, and remind her to set her alarm. We’ll take O’Brien in, and the bag of cash will stay in the van with you. Hopefully, things will work out as we want them to, and if they do, Elizabeth will ring you to bring the bag in.”

“Gotchya.”

“Elizabeth, let’s go.”

Livinia and Elizabeth walked up to the gates, Livinia carrying O’Brien on her left shoulder.

Two guards armed with crossbows, stared at them. “What do you want?”

“I wish to see Merle Gravate.”

“Why?”

“Speak to her, I think you’ll replace she’s expecting me.”

One of the guards rushed off down the driveway, and the other guard said jokingly, “Lady, not sure if you realise this, but you’ve got a naked guy slumped over your shoulder.”

Livinia swivelled so that the guard could see his face, and the guard said in surprise, “Vernon?”

O’Brien tried to talk through the tight gag, although all he could produce was frightened whimpers, and Elizabeth said coyly, “Sorry, but he’s not really in a conversational frame of mind at the moment.”

“Did you kidnap one of ours?” the guard asked.

“Merle Gravate asked me to deliver O’Brien to her, and well, here he is.”

The first guard called out from the front door, “Bring them through!”

Livinia and Elizabeth followed the guard down the driveway and into the house, and the guard grumbled, “Walk through, she’s in the back room.”

They walked into the back room, the room lighted only by a dozen large candles, and Elizabeth saw most of the clan standing in the shadows. Gravate was seated in front of them, and a man and a woman stood on either side of her, both of them having swords harnessed on their hips. Two men stood behind the male, and two men stood behind the female, all of them with swords at the ready.

Livinia heaved O’Brien off her shoulder and dumped him in front of Gravate, and after straightening, she said, “As promised, your clan member returned unharmed.”

Gravate glanced at him, the creature with his ankles shackled in steel clasps, his wrists hand-cuffed behind him, and a thick gag wrapped around his head. Gravate looked at the healing wound on his chest, and she asked bluntly, “What did you do to him?”

“He was being unco-operative.”

Gravate gazed at Livinia and asked, “Why is he naked?”

“When we captured him, he was with two prostitutes, and this was how we found him.”

“Leader Crenwinkle, I will speak to the man, and if he is guilty of the crimes that you outlined, he will be dealt with accordingly.”

“Leader Gravate, he has admitted that he organised the kidnap, and he also admitted that he handed Taylee over to a vampire hunter.”

“Ohhh,” Gravate began as she cocked her head, “You have located Crezenski?”

“Taylee was tortured and abused, and she was close to death when we found her, although my hope is that she will make a full recovery.”

“And what of the vampire hunter?”

Livinia grinned and said, “There is one less vampire hunter on the planet.”

“A good outcome for all of us.”

“Yes, I agree,” Livinia replied, “Anyway Leader Gravate, I am here to collect our charge.”

Merle sat straight in the chair, then looked at Livinia as she said, “Having killed two of ours, she belongs to me.”

“I am returning O’Brien to you, so I ask that you return the girl to us.”

“And if I refuse?”

“I believe I should make you aware of a few matters.” Livinia began, “We are the dominant group in our territory, and I acknowledge that your clan is the dominant group in this territory, although I feel that I should let you know that we have an alliance with The Pearl River Witches, and because of recent events, we now also have a solid alliance with the Laveau Voodoo’s.”

Talk of alliances meant only one thing, and Merle asked abruptly, “Are you threatening me?”

“No, I’m simply alerting you to the fact that because of our alliances, we are now the most dominant group in this entire area, and I would like to form an alliance with your group as well.”

“All very interesting Livinia Crenwinkle, although because of what she has done, the girl belongs to us.”

“My clan has always abided by the rules and principles of our forefathers, but what the girl did under the banner of a lawless nomad clan is in the past, because she now walks under the banner of the Mephistopheles Clan.”

“Excuse me, you just seem to be skipping past the most important fact, and that is that this despicable creature killed two of ours.”

“I understand that, and as a show of faith, I will offer you financial compensation for your loss.”

“Money doesn’t bring my clan members back.”

“I agree, but I am here before you tonight to negotiate. You and me Merle Gravate, can tonight bury any lingering grievances and form the first clan-to-clan alliance in this area’s history, and with the witches and the zombies already on side, that would mean that all supernatural creatures in the area would be protected.”

“Hmmm, my members being free to roam wherever they like without fear or consequences does have appeal, but again, the girl killed two of mine.”

“Obviously there is nothing I can do to bring them back, although I am prepared to pay you millions if you release the girl to me.”

“Millions?”

“Four and a half million to be precise.”

“To pay that much, you must want this girl desperately.”

“The Mephistopheles Clan never abandon their own, although in the spirit of conciliation, I will be honest with you. O’Brien admitted that he was paid five million to kidnap Taylee, and if you release the girl to me, I will give you the remaining money.”

Gravate gazed at the bound and gagged creature, then turned to Livinia as she said, “It is significant financial compensation, but Leader Crenwinkle, I cannot simply turn a blind eye to what this girl did. My clan operates on the principle that if you strike down one of ours, we will strike down one of yours.”

“My clan abides by the same principle Merle Gravate, but may I remind you that this girl was with a lawless nomad clan when she committed her crimes, and may I also remind you that one of yours kidnapped one of ours and handed her over to a vampire hunter for purely financial gain.”

Gravate leant back in the chair, thinking about the statement. The girl, having struck down two of hers was not merely a candidate for execution, she was a certainty for execution, although one of hers had committed an unpardonable sin. Vampire Hunters were, or should be the common enemy of all vampires, although O’Brien had obviously turned his back on that principle for a big bag of cold, hard cash. Gravate felt like she was stuck between a rock and a hard place, and she never shirked her leadership responsibilities, never off-loaded the difficult decisions to her Team Leaders, although she thought that this, the most complex issue she had ever faced, meant that she should at the very least give her Team Leaders the opportunity to air their views. She lowered her gaze then said, “Christian, Alison, please come forward.”

The tall, well built young man standing behind Gravate’s right shoulder presented himself before his leader, and the slim brunette who had been standing at Gravate’s left sholder joined him. Gravate looked at both and said, “Team Leaders, you have heard the vampire leader’s request, and you have heard the offer of financial compensation, so I would like to hear both of your thoughts.”

Christian nodded his head, then said, “Your Holiness, the creature killed two of ours, and despite the offer of compensation, and despite the sins of our clan member, she must be executed.”

Alison took a step forward, held her head high, then said, “I agree with Christian, and if two of ours are slain, the guilty party must be executed.”

Livinia bowed her head. Her most immediate concern was the well-being of Taylee, although she envisaged that in the very near future, she may well be calling on the newly formed alliances to declare war on this clan. And more would fall, quite possibly, most.

“Although,” Alison continued, “I do accept that the creature was not of the Mephistopheles Clan when she perpetrated these atrocities, so that has me swaying towards accepting the compensation and releasing the creature.”

“With all due respect Alison, she killed two of ours, so she has to be executed!” Christian stated.

“Do we hold her responsible, or do we hold the nomad clan who has no respect for our ways responsible?” Alison asked.

“No, she must be accountable for her own actions!” Christian fired back.

“With all due respect to you Christian, do we execute the creature and then face the prospect that none of our clan will ever be able to leave these grounds without placing our lives in danger?”

Christian tensed, then said resolutely, “If they declare war on us, we will engage them, because the creature must die!”

Alison turned to the rest of the clan, and she held her hands out as she said pleadingly, “Clan members, we already engage in a game of Russian Roulette every time we set foot off these grounds, and I ask you, if we enter into an alliance that makes us all safer, is that not the better option?”

Christian faced the members and said emphatically, “The creature killed two of ours, two who were a part of our community, so to honour them and respect their legacy, we must seek justice!”

The majority of the clan roared their approval, although Alison said beseechingly, “We have lost our members due to the actions of this creature, but if we execute her, the rest of us will become the hunted. Our clan cannot survive with three other supernatural clans baying for our blood, so I say that we should release the girl and accept the financial compensation, and importantly, accept the offer of an alliance.”

The clan stayed silent until Christian said aggressively, “All other creatures in this area need to know that if they cut down one of ours, they will pay the ultimate price!”

Most members roared their approval, and Gravate closed her eyes, thinking about the Judgement of Solomon. In his reign as ruler of the Hebrew Nation, King Solomon had once been faced with a complicated dilemma. Two women each lay claim to be the mother of the same child, and King Solomon called upon his knowledge of basic human instinct to resolve the matter. He commanded that the child be cut in half and shared between the women. The first woman agreed to the resolution, while the second woman quickly, yet despairingly renounced her claim. She told the King that she would rather renounce her claim than see her child killed. King Solomon knew that if he was the parent of the child, he would have done exactly what the second woman did. He declared that the woman who had shown compassion was the true mother, and mother and child were reunited. The dilemma facing her clan was markedly different to the King’s dilemma, although both situations could see the un-necessary loss of life. While mulling over her options, Gravate heard a buzz, then she saw the blond girl who was standing by Livinia’s side tap into her cell phone. With a stern expression, Gravate asked, “Young lady, what are you doing?”

Livinia jumped in and said, “She is letting our clan know that we are currently safe.”

Christian glared at the blond girl, then he turned to Gravate and asked, “Your Holiness, should I take the phone?”

“If the clan doesn’t receive a message every twenty minutes, they will assume that we are in danger.” Livinia said abruptly.

“Thank-you for the advice Vampire Leader,” Christian smirked, then he faced his leader and said, “We can take the phone and send messages every twenty muntes, Your Holiness.”

“Ohhh,” Elizabeth broke in, “Do you know my password?”

Gravate faced Christian and said, “Our grievance is not with these two, our grievance is with the murderer. Team Leaders, this issue is not for me or either of you to decide on, all members of our clan will have a say, so please, make your closing arguments, and then we shall vote on it.”

Christian nodded, then he faced the gathering. “We are the Mammon Clan, and we stand together. Forget about the threats, forget about the bribery, because this is all about revenge. If anybody, and I mean anybody cuts down one of ours, we have a duty to make them pay!”

Half of the members roared their approval and applauded, then Alison faced them. She was disturbed by the hearty roar of approval, although she was even more disturbed about the clan’s future if they did execute the vampire. Phrases like Poke the bear, and Stir the hornet’s nest rattled through her mind, and trying to dilute the aggression of her clan, she said urgently, “Yes clan members, we are the Mammon Clan, and I agree with Christian that we should always stand together and look after our own, but does that mean that we should put the very existence of our clan in peril? I will always fight for us, I will always fight against those who wish to harm us, but sometimes, for the benefit of the entire clan, decisions have to be made that compromise our principles.”

The gathering mumbled, the tone of the mumbling dark and disagreeable, and Alison fretted, fearing that quite possibly, most of the clan had already made their decision. As Gravate gauged the feeling of the hostile crowd, she fretted as well, fearing that revenge was more important to her members than survival.

An elongation of a recent phrase speared into Alison’s mind; No, don’t poke the bear, because they have two allies! Alison stood straight and cast her gaze across all members, then she said nervously, “I am a member of the Mammon Clan, and when anybody cuts down one of ours, I, like everybody else, will seek vengeance. To you though, my fellow members of the Mammon Clan, I pose this question; the accused killed two of ours under no banner, but now she is a member of the Mephistopheles Clan, and for all of you who have been around long enough, you should know that our clan has always had a grudging respect for them. Should we execute the accused and then face the possibility that our action will see three clans of supernaturals bearing down on us? Or should we hand the accused over and then replace ourselves in an environment where all our natural enemies will become allies instead of foes?”

Silence, absolute silence, and Gravate couldn’t decipher the mood of the group, although she was hoping that her trusted female leader would provide a compelling closer to swing them around.

With her hands clasped together in front of her, Alison said, “Brothers and sisters, tonight we have the fate of this clan in our hands, so that must be at the forefront of your mind when you cast your vote. Do we execute the accused out of revenge, and then face the possible annihilation of this clan, or do we grasp the hand of friendship and walk into a brighter and safer future?” She looked again at the sea of faces, then she said earnestly, “The accused has sinned against us, but one of ours has sinned against them, and I declare that there is no more unpardonable sin than giving up a vampire to a vampire hunter. Two wrongs do not make a right, but on this night, our most morally perplexing night, I urge you to vote not out of vengeance, but vote with our survival in mind.”

Gravate looked at the faces, then said to the other leader, “Christian, would you like to respond?”

Christian gazed at his Mistress, looked out at the members, then stole a glance at Alison. If the night ended as it usually did, with him slipping in next to his co-leader, he would sleep well, although he knew that if he harnessed the groups bubbling hostility and stood his ground, maybe there would be no sleep on this dawn, there would be a war. Three groups against one, and even if his clan did manage to defeat the enemies, the casualities would be enormous. Stand and fight to avenge the fallen, or step back and ensure the survival of the entire clan?

He glared at Livinia, then looked out at the members, and finally, he glanced at Alison again. For fourteen years, they had been partnered, and at the very least, he would like to share the next fourteen years with her. He looked at the members again, and a sobering thought hit him; he loved and respected these people, and he didn’t want to be the one who led them to their death. He knew that he could roar out aggressively, We are the Mammons, and we do not back away because somebody is threatening us! and a large percentage of his clan would scream out in blood-thirsty agreeance, but then, what happens after that? He glanced at his Mistress, and he knew her well enough to know that she was decidedly uncomfortable; then he swung his gaze to his partner. He was so well respected, that he could amplify the members already hostile mood, although if he did, maybe, possibly, he would be stealing all their tomorrow’s as well. In a blistering moment of realisation, the respect he had for his leader multiplied, for she faced this situation frequently, life and death decisions, holding the destiny of the clan in her hands. But now, the destiny of the clan was in his hands. He gazed at Alison, and he noted that she wore an expression that he had never seen before. After fourteen years, he assumed he had seen every possible expression that could dance across her pretty face, although this was the new one, the never-before-seen expression. Vulnerable, yet loyal; frightened, yet steadfast. Christian bowed his head, and before raising his gaze, he clasped his partner’s hand. Drawing in a breath, Christian faced Livinia and said, “You will give us your unconditional guarantee that yourselves, the witches and the zombies will never harm another one of ours?”

Surprised mumbles emanated from the crowd, and Livinia jumped in quickly and said, “I am willing to set up a meeting between all parties, and my intention will be to forge an alliance between all of us.”

Christian saw Alison give him a subdued smile, and he faced Livinia again and asked, “You will pay us four and a half million dollars as financial compensation?”

“I have the money with me.”

Christian faced the crowd and said, “Clan Members, let us never forget those who have fallen under our banner, but to prevent further un-necessary bloodshed, I am swayed to Alison’s line of thinking. Life, our existence is a gift, and we should treasure it. I love you all, and I want the opportunity to say that again tomorrow night, and for many more nights after that.”

Gravate blew out a sigh of relief, knowing that metaphorically, the child would not be cut in half on this night, and her entire clan would see the next dawn. Wanting to further sway the crowd, she said, “Clan members, I agree with your leaders, but we will have a vote, so all those who still want to execute the creature, please raise your hands.”

Livinia assumed that the deal had been done, although she experienced a moment of anxiety as she gazed at the members. Seconds ticked by, some of the members looking uncomfortable or sullen, but no hands were raised, so Gravate turned to Christian and said decisively, “Get the girl.”

Christian hurried away, and Gravate focussed on Livinia as she said, “My presumption would be that you still have some vampire blood left from the battle.”

“Yes, we do.” Livinia replied.

“As further compensation, I request some of the blood.”

Livinia gazed at O’Brien, then turned to Gravate as she replied drolly, “I would suggest that an entire body of vampire blood lays right at your feet.”

Christian led Giddy into the room and unshackled her, and so relieved, Elizabeth ran to her and embraced her.

“Hey Blondie Bible, nice to see ya.”

With tears in her eyes, Elizabeth coughed out a laugh, then said, “And it’s wonderful to see you.”

Livinia drew in a relieved breath, then said, “Elizabeth, tell Piper to bring the money in.”

Elizabeth sent the message, and Giddy glanced at Livinia and said shyly, “Big Boss’um, thanks for coming to get yo.”

Livinia nodded, and Giddy asked, “Taylee, she okay?”

“Recuperating, yes.”

Piper raced in and handed over the bag, and Livinia presented it to Gravate. “Leader Gravate, I will set up a meeting between all supernatural clans, and I will let you know the date.”

“If formal alliances are going to be set up, I want to know who is aligning with who, so I will be there.” Gravate replied.

*

Two nights later, Taylee was transported to the Academy, and Livinia set her up in Athena’s room. By the third night at the Academy, Taylee, although still very weak, was able to shuffle around unassisted. By the fifth night, she was dining with the group.

*

After dinner one night, Scarlett sat on the couch and pulled the frail body into her, wrapping her right hand around her waist as she skimmed her left hand over the shaved skull. “God, your beautiful hair; it’s going to take you months to grow it back.”

“Yeah, well, maybe it was time for a new hairstyle,” Taylee replied, then she added, “Athena used to say that the hairstyle made me conspicuous and stood me out in a crowd, and I’d go, Boss, you’ve got no idea who am I, have you?”

“Yeah, the crazy bitch who wanted to stand out in the crowd!” Scarlett laughed, then she tickled the fingers of her left hand over Taylee’s cheek as she said, “Wild One, we have to discuss something.”

“Talk, but keep tickling my face.” Taylee replied.

“Her, I mean we have a prisoner.”

“Ohhh yeah, of course.”

“Tay, I mean she’s yours.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“Do you want me to dispose of her?”

“Fuck off Blondie, I can do my own exterminating.”

“Really,” Scarlett said cheekily, “Looking at you, I’m not sure that you could exterminate a fly.”

“Ohhh, are you mocking me?” Taylee asked jokingly, “Maybe I should add you to my new list.”

“What list?”

“When I’ve repaired and I’m raring to go, I’m gunna add you to my list of fuckers who are going down.”

Scarlett laughed and said, “Well that won’t happen, because you couldn’t live without me, you little whore.”

“Hmmm, true, but Blondie, I made a deal with the bitch.”

“What kind of deal?”

“In exchange for my life, yeah, I said that I’d try to turn her.”

Scarlett rocked back in surprise, then she asked uncertainly, “Turn her into a vampire?”

“Yeah.”

“Tay, it might not be possible. We can turn human beings, but a zombie?”

“I understand, but I gave her my word that I would try.” Taylee said, then she added, “If it doesn’t work, she’ll probably die, or die again, so who cares; but if it does work, well, she will become mine, because I’ll be her Master.”

“Yes, poor her, ehhh?” Scarlett smirked, then she said, “Livinia’s going over to see the Laveau Voodoo’s tonight, so maybe she can ask Devil if it can be done.”

“How come she’s going over there?”

“She made a deal with him, and she’s going to drop off the booty, and importantly, believe it or not, she’s going to try and form an alliance with all the other supernatural groups in the area.”

“You’re shitting me!”

“No, I would never shit you Frail One, but yes, the wheels are in motion, and already we have an alliance with the PRW, so hopefully, this will be the beginning of a new era, an era where all supernaturals will be safe outside our boundaries.”

“Well fuck-a-duck, but Blondie …”

“Speak Baldy.”

Taylee tried to produce a helpless expression as she said timidly, “My puss will feel safer if you slide those magic fingers down.”

“Little whore,” Scarlett laughed. “I’ll go and speak to Livinia about turning our prisoner, and I’ll ask her permission to sate your wicked desires.”

“Cool, and tell her that I’m literally bursting.”

Scarlett strolled out of the room, smiling. Her soulmate was getting better every night, and that wasn’t just evident in her physical appearance, it was also evident in her ability to toss off witty one-liners and typically, so Taylee-like, request a little physical attention. Scarlett approached Livinia and said, “Liv, two things, when you see Devil, I need you to ask him something.”

“What?”

“Taylee made a deal with the zombie bitch; in exchange for her life, she would try and turn her.”

“Turn a zombie?”

“If anyone should know, it should be the zombie leader, so yes, please ask.”

“I will.” Livinia replied, “What was the second thing?”

Scarlett pondered for a moment, then asked quietly, “Are you happy with Tay’s recuperation?”

“Yes, I am, she’s coming along well.”

“Okay, so do you think, I mean would she be strong enough to, ummm, is she, well … do you think …”

Livinia grinned as she waited for the second question, and she knew that if Taylee herself had been tasked with asking the question, the question would have been aired already. Scarlett looked like a pampered movie star, although she was one of the fiercest and most formidable female vampires that Livinia had ever seen. Scarlett always strode into battle with a determined glint in her eye, and she never backed down, never wilted, even in front of the most fearsome opposition. If Livinia had of been a bookmaker, she would have installed Scarlett as the favourite to seek out Troggo in their recent war. Troggo was physically intimidating, and his psychotic nature meant that all who knew him, feared him; although it was the vampire with the movie star looks who had sought him out. Scarlett was fearless, faithful and loyal, although she did have an Achille’s Heel. As a human, Scarlett was probably a, What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas kind of gal, and as a vampire, that trait travelled with her. Not wanting to prolonge the Blond One’s obvious state of discomfort, Livinia raised an eyebrow and said demurely, “Slow and gentle would be my advice.”

Scarlett hunched shyly and said, “Thanks Liv.”

*

Livinia, Elizabeth and Piper arrived at the Ranch, and after getting out of the car, Livinia called out, “Livinia Crenwinkle, leader of the Mephistopheles Clan, and I am here to see Devil.”

No shuffling in the trees, although a voice called out, “What do you want?”

“I have the cash, drugs and vampire blood that I promised Devil.”

Immediate shuffling, then thuds, then footsteps, and a man said excitedly, “Open the gate!”

Livinia, Elizabeth and Piper walked through, and the man said, “You got vampire blood?”

“Yes, I do.”

The vampires were invited into the jeep, and the car sped off.

Livinia was inwardly displeased that Devil didn’t have the decency to slip something on, although she was on his turf, so the large dangling penis was merely a temporary visual inconvenience.

“The cash, drugs and vampire blood, as promised.” Livinia said curtly.

“Well Vampire Leader, in that case, it is a pleasure to see you.” Devil replied brightly.

“I always keep my word.”

“With the gifts being presented, I assume that you found your missing clan member?”

“Yes, we did.”

Devil glanced at Chester, then looked at Livinia as he asked, “And what of Crezenski?”

“Taylee is currently recuperating.”

Devil lowered his gaze to the ground, then asked, “And the Stanley’s?”

“The vampire hunter is no longer with us.”

“The wife?”

“The wife is currently under our care.”

Devil and Chester exchanged another glance, then Devil asked quietly, “Under your care?” Livinia said, “I have two matters that I would like to raise with you, and future of the wife is one of those matters.”

Not entirely comfortable, Piper said abruptly, “He’s naked.”

“Wow,” Devil smirked, “Your new additions are really switched on.”

“Please sit Devil, for I have important matters to discuss with you.”

Devil strolled over and sat behind his desk, then said, “Speak Vampire Leader.”

“You resurrected the vampire hunter’s wife?”

Devil mulled over the question, wondering whether the vampire leader was going to hold him responsible for Stanley’s actions. Gazing into space, he said, “I did resurrect the woman, although that was more than two decades ago.”

“Can she, the woman, can she be turned?”

Devil was surprised by the question, and he asked, “What are you saying, turn her into a vampire?”

“Yes, can she be turned?”

“A resurrected creature being turned? Honestly, I don’t know.”

“You’ve never known of it to happen?”

“No.”

“Would be there be any complications that may arise if we attempt this?”

“I have never known of it to happen, so you know as much about it as I do, although Vampire Leader, I will issue you with a warning.”

“Go ahead.”

“I have never seen one of ours so powerful, so if you are able to turn her, she may become a fearsome entity.”

“If we turn someone, they become subservient to their Master.”

“I have issued my warning Vampire Leader, so I owe you no more.”

“Acknowledged Devil,” Livinia replied, then she said, “Within the week, I will be arranging a meeting of the leaders of all the supernatural groups in the region, and I request your presence.”

“What is the purpose of the meeting?”

“My clan faced annihilation recently, and the Pearl River Witches came to our aid and saved us. We are no longer enemies with the witches, we are allies. To strengthen the bond between all the groups in the region, I believe that we should all sit down and work on a plan that will keep us all safer.”

“We already have a treaty with the PRW.”

“I’m not talking about a treaty, I’m talking about an alliance, an alliance between the four groups. The nomad group of vampires chose to come at us, but it could just as easily have been yourselves or the Mammon Clan or the PRW that they targeted. I want to set up a permanent alliance, so that if anybody comes for any group, the other three groups will rally in support.”

Devil glanced at Chester, and she nodded her head and said, “Sounds like a good idea to me.”

Devil pondered, then replied, “At the very least, we will attend and listen to what everybody has to say, so let me know when.”

“I will.”

*

Diary of Victoria Anne Stratton, 29 November 2018.

Improving, improving every day, my Master.

Walking around now, although not for long, because she is still very frail.

But she is alive, my Master, my Mistress, my hero.

Taylee is frail and weak, although her cheeky sense of humour is coming back,

because she asked Scarlett to ummm, excuse me while I blush; she asked Scarlett

to give her a tickle, and then Tay wobbled in afterwards, and in raunchy and explicit

details, she told us all about it.

Gee, she reminds me of Piper.

Piper and me cuddled tonight for the first time in two weeks, and gee, Piper

reminds me of Piper as well.

On this new day, I will sleep well.