When I leave the darkened council chamber, I'm almost simmering with hate by the time I exit out of the hall that leads to the horrid place. The elders think many things and do many things that are deemed acceptable or a wise choice, but their ignorance towards the vampire population is not only unacceptable or a foolish choice, it's downright blasphemy.
The most powerful leaders in supernatural history with a legion of immortal foot soldiers at their backs, yet they struggle to take action.
I should not be going after contracts that merely get someone out of the Emperors way, I need to be culling the vampire extinction.
Five hundred years ago there was a time when all supernatural species got a long in a relative manner, they all wished to preserve their race. Planting seeds for those who need trees in the future. Except these weren't any kind of botanical seeds worth spreading. These were seeds of hate.
Over those five hundred years from now, the races all grew to despise and hate each other for the betrayals that were constantly taking place. If its power, they wanted, they took it.
If it was land, they wanted, they took it. Humans began to see how they were never fitted into the cycle of species. Because out of all the supernatural's had in common, it was a burning furious hate for humans.
The reason for this was quite simple, humans were apparently here first. But they are in fact like many things they claim, were wrong.
Before the very essence of human existence was constructed there lived many other essences. Some drifting around meadow fields full of other bright and bursting soon to be lifeforms.
Then there were the deep dark corners where the brightest but most deadly essences slept.
Or it could be a load of shit.
The story is whispered among all beings, supernatural or not. Everyone knows the story of Essence to Life. A sad but hopeful tale about the lifeforms that came to be.
But vampires know that this is no lie, and so do the others. For over five centuries the stories have been deeply researched to show any sign of fact or fiction. Magic exists on our realm as well as many other forms of supernatural power. It had to come from somewhere right. So, to think that we were all just floating essences around a meadow millions of years ago possibly even billions, fails to surprise me.
The unnatural sights my human brain wouldn't have been able to comprehend years ago would certainly do no good for me now, not after what I've seen.
The ballroom doors come into view, voices and tender music wafting through the cracks, the doors open on their own accord for me, guards who sensed me coming from the opposite side. When it opens to its fullest extent, only then do I fail to prepare for the maelstrom of activity that flies into my face.
Dresses of all colours and types stream past me like jewelled winds, their faces all covered by masquerade animal masks, the main theme seems to be predators. Lions, cheetahs, leopards and many other swift apex predators dot the faces of many of the vampires spread throughout the massive dome of a room.
Natalie approaches me from the bottom of the stair well which leads to the dancing floor, as she climbs higher, I descend into her embrace, her comforting warmth settles my boiling anger to barely a thread, she pulls away and whispers "Suspect anything?"
"No, blind as the bats" I reply quickly, indication to the fact that this conversation shouldn't be present in a room full of loyal members.
"Come" I take Natalie's hand and guide her towards our private quarters.
Once we've left the ballroom I sigh dramatically with relief, Natalie turns to me "Oh please, you adore the dancing events, you are very good at it too, probably why you so easily dance around robbing people of their heads" she chuckles, a deep rumble of laughter escapes my lips, oh she knows of my antics so well.
We stay silent as we continue to walk, well aware of the spying room safely tucked away in vacant walls, commonly used to pick out disloyalty. Again, another assessment of Felix's.
The doors to our room comes into view, light spills out from under the door, everyone must already be inside. I raise an eyebrow at Natalie, once she notices she states "I already called for the meeting while the Clan was busy with the party" I nod in thanks, getting these meetings in order is always so secretive and tedious.
These meetings are shared between the six houses of the Dragun Clan, over the past seventy years I have worked to bring all leaders of the four houses that hold power and balance within the court. It was one hell of an operation but in the end with Natalie's help, I managed to earn each of their trust.
Natalie opens the door for me, I nod thanks and walk through the frame, only to see everyone staring, my eyes first lock with a golden eyed, dark skinned beautiful male, his expression one of pure testosterone filled arrogance. Vilken.
"Hello Bloodshadow" he purrs, I look at him expression flat and bored, "Hello Vilken, nice to see you've finally joined us" I throw at him.
Vilken was by far the most difficult to gain allegiance with, pure ignorance keeping him from opening his mind to newer ways of the world now and eventually old traditions get left behind, hence why they are called "old"
Vilken is the head patriarch of House Vetris. The most powerful house in the clan.
The Dragun clan like any clan has four houses that dominate the power in it. Each house represents an elder, Domatia is under rule of House Vetris, Felix is under rule of House Picva. Hadriana is under rule of House Disa. And lastly Titus is under no rule of house.
Since the Elder is shrouded in mystery and had enough respect in vampire society that he got his place on the council. In vampire law, an elder must be backed by one of the four houses in each clan. For Titus be crowned an elder was incredibly back breaking for the old ways, which is what inspired a takeover of the council. The elders broke the old traditions first, we are just following in their footsteps.
But the last house with no elder backing was House Aatra. The broken one.