INFINITE NIGHT

5. Lieutenant Council

-Third Person's P. O. V.-

The building was really phenomenal. Who would have thought that the oldest school in the country could be preserved in such a wonderful way. The red brick of the Wren Building makes one reflect that humans were able to do something right after all. I must see it during the day, because its layout and architecture are something completely unique.

Unfortunately, there is no time for that today. It's a pity that all our meetings have to be held at night because of a damn bloodsucker. Is the memo from the meeting not enough for him? After all, he held no authority over this area. Inviting him is purely out of goodness of our hearts, but somehow we always adapt to him not other way around. It's annoying.

No wonder that we can not cope with our own territory, since we have to explain ourselves to everyone.

I was one of the first to enter the Main Hall. I like to be the one who awaits the arrival of others, it allows me to observe valuable things. Sometimes the way someone walks can reveal his intentions, and I don't like being surprised. I am also not in the habit of underestimating my opponent as much as the others. Although, after four prompts from me and two additional murders, they finally called the Council, so I owe them at least some sort of credit.

The first to appear right after me was the envoy of the Bears. He only acknowledged me with a slight nod of his head, but didn't introduce himself. Typical. What else should I expected from not too social beings. He sat a bit on the sidelines but in a place from which he could observe both entrances to the hall. Smart guy, I like him already.

After him came Lieutenant of the West, Roderic Clarence. A man of old habits and well-thought manners in every way. First, he introduced himself to our bear friend, treating him as an equal, which was rare in this circle. Then his warm brown eyes fell on me.

"My Dear Boy, it's good to see you. How's everything in the South?" - he asked me.

"For now, quietly, thank you for your concern, Lieutenant. How is the West?"

"Good, good. So this meeting will be about Poe's or Gordon's lands, I suppose? That's what happens when you take too much on your plate."

I just smiled at that comment. I knew exactly what he meant. The other two Lieutenants were so busy scuffling to increase their own influence that they clearly forgot about their duty to defend territory. No one listened to me when I said we needed more trusted Men as a Lieutenant, our lands are too vast to be covered properly by only four of us, instead they were offended I implied to reduce their influences. Self centered Pricks!

A small figure moving silently and smoothly entered the room. Her flaming hair and a strange smell irritating my nostrils like chemicals in the woods told me exactly who she was.

"Lady Nija, glad you could join us." - Roderic greeted the Witch and went to kiss her hand. Another gesture I hadn't seen in any other Alpha I met so far.

"Lieutenant Clarence, galant as always." - she said with a small smile dancing on her lips. She turned her sight to me, expecting I to do the same as my older friend, but I'm not reckless enough to touch the Witch willingly, so I went with bow. She looked disappointed, but took her seat in one of the guest chairs.

The other two Lieutenants showed up together, laughing and acting as if they were at a party rather than an encounter about their incompetence.

The younger one, Blaise Poe, he's only few years older than me and is definitely not someone to call stupid, but he is too lazy and convinced of his own righteousness. Too bad, he could have potential.

Older, close to my father in age, Lazarus Gordon. The epitome of everything I despise. Ruthless, conceited, devoid of any trace of humanity. I am shocked that he allows other species to sit at the same table as we do.

"Oh good, everyone's here, so we can begin." - said Gordon not even greeting the rest of us out of courtesy.

"Edweek isn't here yet." - I pointed out. Lazarus gave me an icy stare designed to intimidate me, but my youthful appearance can be very deceptive. I'm not easily scared.

"That Bloodsucker is only an observer here, if he dares to be late, he shouldn't expect us to wait for him."

"Don't worry Lieutenant Gordon, I'm here, we can start. And I would really appreciate it if you could drop the insult. Believe me, it's far from pleasant to spend my night with bunch of incompetent mutts." - said Darren Edweek appearing out of thin air like he always does.

Darren is quite young for Count status, probably only a few hundred years. However, unlike the rest of his species, he has a very open mind. I admit that I respect him for this and I am glad that he, and not some fossil, advises us on our territory matters. And his constant teasing Gordon is fun to watch. Honestly, if I would have met him on the street and didn't smell him, I wouldn't even think that he is a high-ranking member of the Vampire Council. A plain polo shirt paired with jeans is not what I would imagine on a vampire.

"You're late Edweek." - said Poe, he so clearly wants to please Gordon that I have to fight not to roll my eyes.

"On the contrary, Ice. Just because you haven't seen me doesn't mean I wasn't here and in fact you're the one who was late, Boy."

Blaise started growling.

"You are not my friend to call me Ice, Vamp." - Poe hissed and that only made Darren smile.

"It's okay, Gentlemen. Let's focus on the reason for our meeting." - Roderick said calmingly. If it weren't for him we would have end up fighting almost every time we meet.

Poe didn't look like he was going to forgive Darren for his insult, but he respected Clarence enough to focus on the more important things at the moment.

"Right, we had yet another attack on our Pack Leaders. But this one was more than painful." - started in a grave tone Gordon.

"Why? What makes this one different from the others?" - I asked suddenly interested.

Not every day, Gordon looks like he has lost a battle. Not that I'm not happy that someone knocked him off his high horse, but if this hard-headed old man admits that we have a problem, the situation is much more serious than it seems.

"They targeted two Alphas. They were supposed to have a meeting and a sniper took down Alpha Black from Deep Night Pack and Alpha, Luna and Beta from Fearless Beasts." - Lazarus said suddenly looking tired. How could he go from social conversation with Poe to this in split second. Unbelievable.

"So they aren't fearless now, I suppose." - commented Darren with wicked smirk forming on his pale lips and dry chuckle. Wolf's life meant nothing to him, like Vamp's to us, but still he shouldn't triumph on the graves of our brothers. I thought he knew better, but he probably just wanted to get under Lazarus' skin.

Thankfully no one threw another tantrum to his words. Good, they are able to learn after all.

"Do we know who the shooter was?" - I asked, taking attention away from the Vampire, for the sake of going through this meeting smoothly.

"We found his signature. It was Moray again." - Gordon admitted through the greeted teeth.

Him again, huh? Things just got more interesting.