COUNT ALTERONI
The Crimson Parliament meets in chambers beneath the Old Bailey. Ironic, holding our sessions under the mortal courts. They dispense justice upstairs while we decide who lives and dies below.
I take my seat among the thirteen council members. Ancient vampires, every one of us. I'm the youngest at four hundred years. Mordaunt's the oldest at six hundred. Age brings power in vampire society. Also brings corruption, but we don't talk about that.
"Order." Lord Harborough strikes his gavel. He's chairing tonight's session, which means Mordaunt arranged it that way. Harborough's his creature. Loyal as a dog, nearly as smart. "We convene to discuss the Rookeries situation."
Here we go. The extermination debate.
Around the table, twelve faces show varying degrees of interest. S
