database. Griffen wasn’t sure what to make of him, but he claimed to be an alchemist.
The meeting had started with the proposal. That in itself was excruciating. The alchemist, named Nick, tended to stutter and repeat himself. He listed point by point the benefits of such information, then played devil’s advocate and brought up every point against it he could think of. Then he brought up points to dismiss the negative ones and debated himself.
“Dis so stupid.” Kane put in finally.
Griffen had been told that the garou were “local” more or less. Now he believed it. Kane’s accent was somewhere between Cajun and the Bronx. He had to have some family that lived in the Irish Channel. His vocabulary was good, his sense of grammar atrocious.
“He has the right to speak,” Slim said.
“For ’ow long? Dis here discussion was only s’posed ta be for a hour or two. He’s liable ta take dat all up hi’self.”
“I-I-I was o-o-only trying to present a f-f-fair and coco-complete argument,” Nick said.
“Well, to be fair, perhaps it’s time we let the table discuss it. I think you have made your pitch,” Gada said.
“Incessantly,” said Kane, leaning back in his chair and putting his feet up on the table.
For some reason he glared at Griffen. There was a certain insolence about Kane. As if he would push for no reason other than to see who would push back. Griffen saw no reason at this point to give him the satisfaction.
“Sure can’t see it bein’ a big deal. Never hurts to have too much info or too many contacts,” Slim said, starting off the discussion proper.
Gada and Lowell both nodded, Jay and Estella seemed hesitant. Kane sat upright again and slapped his palm down on the table.
“You gonna put our lives up on da Internet? Der still people who hunt supernaturals. All supernaturals. Not just dragons,” he said.
The blatant dig aside, he seemed to have a point.
“I agree,” Tink said. “I’ve run into persecution before, and even hunters. This is not a safe world.”
“It’s exactly because it’s not a safe world that we need a way to stay in touch,” Lowell said.
“I’m not sure I like how you would touch us,” Tink said with an easy smile.
There were chuckles from the audience, and a stirring among the vampires. One firm rule during these meetings: no powers. That was the only part of Griffen’s job description he was sure on, and he kept a close eye, or whatever, on the vampires’ auras of power.
“I am not sure I would trust even others on the list with the whole list,” Jay said. “After all, the only people you can truly count on in a crisis are those you know, and know you can trust. There are many predators among us.”
“And as a predator I say dis stinks. You are settin’ yo’self up for some big troubles,” Kane said.
Estella spoke up, and there was something about her voice that caught people’s attention. It wasn’t any power, other than that of her personality. She was used to speaking to, and commanding, a crowd. It was a preacher’s voice.
“How many are lost, or never found? How many of us have lived alone, unprotected? My faith keeps me strong because I have others who can share it with me, but others aren’t so lucky,” she said.
Slim nodded.
“My folk are all loners,” he said, “but even we gets together now and again. The three here, we know pretty damn near all the others in the country. But if somethin’ happens to one of us, that goes right in the ol’ crapper.”
“And there are so many types of wicca and the pantheists and so many others. We are not as tight-knit a group as the vodoun. Such a list would help our sisters and brothers connect across the continent,” Gada said.
Kane smiled, and Griffen noticed his teeth were far sharper than they should have been. His jaw seemed a bit too long, too. Not really a muzzle, but certainly big enough to hold all those pointy dentures.
“It figures de
“Excuse me, who are you calling human?” Lowell said.
“Oh, sorry. I no blame you. Vampire see chance at an easy meal, vampire gonna support it. Is your nature, no?” Kane suggested.
Griffen was still mulling over the use of the word “human,” but from people’s reactions, Kane had struck a nerve. He decided to step in.
“As I understand it, anyone’s being on the list would be voluntary. This really is a nonissue. If you want the help of the list, sign up. If not, don’t. Each to his own,” Griffen said.
There was a long silence as people thought that over. Kane, eyes glinting, seemed unwilling to give up the fight so easily. Yet, he was the first to nod.
“Yo’ right ’bout that. Dis is silly discussion. Let da humans ’ave their list.”
“Actually, it’s not that silly a discussion. I for one want to know what type of security would be installed. After all, it needs to be as safe as possible, without blocking out the people who need it. This is supposed to be a discussion on information technology. Even if you don’t use the database, might as well make it as safe and good as possible,” Griffen said.
“That I can agree on,” Jay said. “I, for one, don’t intend to give anyone my whereabouts, especially over the Internet. Yet I’ve a few ideas that might help make such a system work for others.”
“Well, sho’,” Kane said, “I reckon I gots some ideas my own self.”
And with that the conversation was off on a much more productive route. Griffen leaned back in his chair, proud of himself and how he had handled it. But still there was that bit about the “humans” that he just couldn’t quite let go.
They had been into it for about forty minutes when there was a knock at the door. Someone close by, after checking with the group, opened it to find one of the hotel bellmen holding a large package.
“Sorry to interrupt, but this delivery came in for your conference. Catering, I think. It was sent to this meeting room, and specifically to an…” He checked the label. “Al Shifters.”
Griffen exchanged a look with Jay. He knew he hadn’t ordered any catering, but a delivery for Al Shifters? All shifters?
“Does it say who it’s from?” Griffen asked.
“No, sir, it came anonymously, which is why I thought I’d bring it in direct instead of phoning in. Just in case, you know?”
“Yeah, it’s appreciated. Thanks,” Griffen said. “Just leave it on the table.”
The bellman put it down, and received a tip from Griffen before departing. As the doors closed, Griffen reached for the package. Only to find Jay way ahead of him.
“After all, for the meeting at least the shifters are my responsibility.”
He opened the package.
Inside was a cake.
Specifically a cake from the Three Dogs Bakery. Specializing in gourmet treats for cats and dogs. It looked like chocolate, but Griffen suspected it was some substitute intended for dogs’ stomachs. Carob probably.
Kane was growling, as were several other shifters. Though one leaned forward, and Griffen could see his nose twitching.
“Mmm, that smells good.”
Lowell laughed, as did several others around the table. The vampires in particular all seemed to be smirking.
“Dis yo’ idea of a joke!?” Kane snarled. “You send dis cake, yes or no?”
“No, no, of course not. Still it is rather funny,” Lowell said.
“If no you, then who? I tink it one of yo’ vamps.”
“That’s ridiculous! Why would we?”
“ ’Cause you vamps always lookin’ ta make trouble.”
