Vincent smirked. “So I remember. Not much has changed.”
“Your majesty, I demand to know where the newborn is and why I and my companions have been summoned.”
“You demand?” Vincent said slowly. “You never were much for showing me the proper respect, Dante, and I care little about that. But you’re in no position to barge in making demands.”
“Will you not tell me?”
“Of course, but not to simply to appease you, young fool. You will see I will not have to justify your appearance here; it will become clear very quickly. It has been a long time, my boy, and I have questions you must answer first.”
“Such as what?” Dante asked.
“You are well over two hundred years old, and I see you have still refused to abide by the Vampiric Century Law.”
“That is correct.”
Vincent smirked. “May I be so bold as to ask why?”
“My reason has not changed. I do not agree with it.”
“The law charges us all to create at least one vampire every hundred years, else our numbers diminish too rapidly and we run the risk of becoming extinct. It doesn’t seem such a great chore to me, for the benefit of all our kind? But you are happy to simply…ignore it?”
“That is correct,” Dante replied again, voice strong.
“I see.” Vincent looked both angry and yet somewhat amused. He was enjoying this. The vampire king repositioned himself, crossing his legs. “I’m sure you are aware it is illegal for a human to know of our existence without being used for food. Or some agreeable trade of goods and services?”
”I am.”
“Then explain to me why the blonde is here and still alive with what she knows. I sense no blood has been taken from her, so there must be a worthy service she provides you.”
Julian inhaled loudly and deeply, scowling. “Smells like she hasn’t had a good fuck for a while, either.”
Vincent held up a hand, looking bored and mildly disgusted. Alex whipped her head around to stare directly at Julian for the first time. Softly with disbelief and disgust, almost like an accusation, she hissed, “You’re a pig.”
Julian looked as if her words could’ve given him no greater pleasure to hear.
Vincent continued, “So what is the service she provides you?”
“Her mother was Margaret Hensley,” Dante said.
“So?”
“She was a Drakeman victim.”
“I know who the human is. My question was about her daughter’s services to the vampire community. I fail to see the relevance.”
“Margaret was my donor. By the acts of Drakeman’s assassin she was left widowed and in danger, so sent her daughter into hiding. I protected the both of them until the killer’s identity was known to me. After he perished, I reconnected mother and child as my duty to them both. She has been a part of my real life ever since. She offers no service other than her kindness, understanding…and her silence.”
“So she offers no service. Another law you have broken by ignoring it. I see.”
Alex started to feel even more nervous. Things were not looking good. She chanced a look to Michelle, but she had her head down, eyes clenched.
“And what of you opening a club within a mile of Coffinail?” Julian continued.
“”I was not aware there was a law that dictates where establishments can be built,” Dante scoffed.
“There isn’t, smart arse,” Julian sneered. “What the law says is that no vampire is allowed to interfere with another’s feeding practices. Especially when Correon’s club has been approved by the king.”
“My club is humans only,” Dante countered. “Coffinail is the place vampires go to procure blood. They pay Correon for the privilege of feeding within his walls. This is the same place that was under suspicion for being in connection with a man’s death earlier in the year, was it not? A heavy man killed in a bar, last seen leaving Coffinail in a rather big hurry? Perhaps Correon should focus his attention on attracting more lambs to his slaughterhouse and out of the media, than running to his mother’s apron and whining.”
Julian dug his nails into the arm of his chair. “Do not try and deflect, Dante. You knew he used Coffinail to kill the wanderers off the street and so you built T to ruin it. By luring any potential customers from Coffinail to T, you would be saving the lives of drugged-up morons and feel good about yourself. Unfortunately for you, it’s breaking our laws.”
Dante gave what could be called an attempt at hug. “Prove it.”
“I don’t have to. The evidence is there.”
“You don’t have evidence. All you have is assumption. I would personally question the logic of allowing mass murder under one roof in the heart of the CBD. However, that is your prerogative and none of my concern. I would advise you to think in a similar matter regarding this.”
“Enough!” barked Vincent as Julian readied himself to fire back. “Dante is right in this. All you have is assumption. Even if you’re right, it’s not enough to mount a case for proof. However, the thing that does not need further proof is the deplorable actions you displayed tonight my young friend. Are you aware of the law regarding newborns without creators?”
Dante sighed. “Yes.”
“Recite for me if you will. For your humans as well.”
“If, in any circumstance a newborn vampire loses their creators, by death or otherwise, the newborn must report to the overseer or a monarchy ruler of the area. Further arrangements will be made as per the overseer or monarchy ruler’s direction. This is to ensure the fallout within the newborn’s first year is minimal.”
“And the last part?” Vincent asked.
“If for any reason these conditions are not met, or the newborn resists in any way, the newborn is
