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Chapter 165
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Urban Vampire Chapter 166
A week later Ran and I flashed ourselves to the first Council meeting that would include Monica as more than a rogue on trial. It felt strange not to see Keada, who had always reminded me of K.D. Lang with her androgynous look.Monica sat waiting in a wingchair for the meeting to convene. She wore a stark white pantsuit that looked familiar. And then I realized that it was one of the outfits that Tony had purchased for me when I'd first moved in with him. Much of my wardrobe had been left behind since it didn't reflect the real me. I glanced at him wondering if he recognized it, but he seemed to be ignoring Monica and sat far across the room from her. Her eyes were locked on me as soon as I appeared, obviously sensing my arrival even before I materialized. Ran and I crossed the room to her, and she rose with a smile."Kim." She leaned forward to briefly embrace me and then Ran. "Are you getting settled in to your role as a Master?" I asked."Very easily. Having been with two Ma
Urban Vampire Chapter 167
"Down, Mommy. Down!" Julie strained to be put down so she could scoot along the floor and undoubtedly discover something new to put into her mouth. At ten months old she had grown adept at getting around by scooting along on her butt, and in that way she seemed to be able to move a mile a minute. Why crawl when you can get around hands free?"Hold on, baby." I carried her into the family room, which we had cordoned off with baby gates. She kicked her chubby legs clad in tiny bib overalls and strained and stretched her body until it took some juggling to keep hold of her as I guided her safely to the floor.She babbled gleefully and scooted to her loudest toy, a set of chimes that were supposed to be hit with a harmless wooden mallet. But the mallet had long ago disappeared so now Julie just slammed it on the floor until it made a melodic racket. She often pulled herself up onto shaky legs to stand along the cocktail table so she could slam the toy against the hard surface, thus ensur
Urban Vampire Chapter 168
Councils across the nation were forced to adhere to these changes just as ours did, which amazed me that there was so little information as to why. No one knew anything, and it set me on edge. I placed more responsibility on my Masters to control their liege and to keep order in the territory they managed. I even required them to send their reports to me by good old-fashioned email so that Sam could keep the reports in order. I never heard so much complaining after requiring all Master vampires to know how to use freaking email! But this meant that the territory meetings were reduced to hearings of judgment or punishment or disputes between our humans or Master vampires.Change was not something vampires easily adapted to, but as an ex rogue, I'd had to survive by my ability to change. If we were going to stay on top of whatever game was being played, I was going to make sure my territory adapted well to change.I heard Paul's motorcycle as it winded the circular driveway. He and R
Urban Vampire Chapter 169
It pained me that the loss of our Julie still stunted him. Once upon a time Ran had intended to end his existence, but sensing his thoughts I kept him grounded by making him Julie's protector. Of course, I always needed as much help as I could get. Maybe it was selfish of me to want him to remain in existence, but the idea of losing yet another friend was not an option.Ran's brow furrowed. "It's strange, Kim. Something is going on. Changes being made, alliances forming, and all on the Elder level." The entire vampire nation was aware that things had made a shift, but even utilizing our many contacts, no one was able to determine what or why.What was certain was that every vampire Council in the Nation was now required to keep a strict reign over his or her territory and to monitor the behavior of both the living and the undead. Before, we kept our ear to the grindstone when it came to humans but did not interfere in their affairs. Now we had to answer for any and everything that co
Urban Vampire Chapter 170
I noted that the others in the room regarded the exchange curiously but even the more rambunctious of my minion made no attempt to flex their muscles and observed with equal curiosity. Ran seemed surprised by the human's response. He glanced at the monitor and quirked up a brow, seeming a bit amused, but only allowed it to flash at us briefly before his professional demeanor returned. "He's a cocky little bastard, but I don't sense even an ounce of—"What occurred next happened fast and was hard to understand. I saw the stranger glance at the monitor, Ran swung his head to the man in surprise, and a moment later the stranger collapsed. It wasn't the type of collapse where you swoon and black out. No. It was as if he was simply no longer alive. He dropped like a rock, and Ran caught him so swiftly I couldn't understand how he could have ever known it was about to happen. One moment they were both standing there and the next he was supporting the man's unconscious body with one arm.
Urban Vampire Chapter 171
Before I could even think the thoughts, and before Alexis answered, Simione entered the room carrying the unconscious man in his arms. "Is he okay?" Sam asked. She was the only human who dared to speak, and this was one of the reasons I had chosen her. She had not been abused by a cruel Master and then allowed to bloom again. She would have no memory of the pain that a strong vampire could inflict. Unfortunately I did, and I worried for my family.Alexis responded to her question while choosing to ignore Paul's for the moment. "He is alive. He simply needs to figure out how to animate this body. He must learn to realize that he is in control."The human twitched, and a moment later his eyes opened. I clutched my leather chair indicating that Simione should sit him in it, and he did. Ran still lay flopped back like a rag doll, though he did blink—a little too much."He is strong," Alexis said. "He will figure it out, I believe. Maybe most would not, but he will."I trusted Simione
Urban Vampire Chapter 172
I knew his words were true. The Old World Neratomay didn't trust American vampires. Yep, even in the vampire world America didn't always get respect. They thought we were young and troublesome with our high profile vampire wars and continuing battles. Wars like those between the Bloods and the Crips were actually two rival vampire factions. And of course there were those hits on notorious and high profile human blood donors who didn't die from their impossible wounds. One such case was where a famous rapper had been shot several times and still lived. That incident was heard by an Elder level tribunal, and the rapper was forced to give up his fame and live in the underground where he still turned out some pretty important music ... but wasn't allowed to share it with the world as punishment for failing to be inconspicuous.Alexis tee-peed his hands. "Even at the Elder level the snub exists for those of us who serve on New World Councils. Some care more than others. Malarias would be o
Urban Vampire Chapter 173
"But … why the entire Council?" I asked. "I was the one who called—""Because the entire Council was there at the execution of the werewolf pack," Alexis interrupted. "Every member of your Council was present with the exception of the new one.""Monica," Tyler said."She was turned after." Alexis stood. "So you see, no one would have ever told you this. Not even your own Elder because he serves his own purposes and has already thrown you at the bus in order to save himself.""Under," I whispered. Alexis frowned."Under the bus," I said."Yes. He has thrown you under the bus."I lightly bit my lip. "What in the hell am I supposed to do?" I muttered. Everything had been going so well and now this. How was I supposed to protect us all?Alexis smiled, but it wasn't a nice smile. Somehow his smile comforted me because it held determination. "Again, that is why I am here. I told you that you will survive long enough to serve on the Elder Board, and I intend to make sure that happ
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