It's been three months since Delilah "Del" Cross stumbled her way into the mysterious town of Whisper Valley. During that time she's grown to appreciate her new life amongst ghosts, vampires, mages, zombies, and werewolves. Yet, there's still so m...
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"Drop it, Dragan," said Everett. Though, his eyes were steady upon me, I knew the growl in his voice was meant for Antonov.
"I won't drop anything, you mongrel," hissed the furious vampire, his words finally tearing Everett's gaze from mine and as such, allowed my own muscles to relax. "Perhaps needless slaughter is part of your way of life, but if you're going to do it, take it out on the wildlife and not my stock!"
"Funny that a vampire thinks it can act high and mighty about needless slaughter," retorted the werewolf, who took a step forward so that he was partially obscured from my view.
"Tell me when's the last time a Whisper Valley vampire, or any vampire under my great queen's rule, has gone on a massacre." Antonov paused and my own curiosity around the conversation helped ease the anxiety hugging my lungs, though my heart still beat fast and quick.
When Everett didn't give the vampire an answer, Antonov continued. "Not even my naughty little sister massacred anyone in the past century or so, though she was keen on conversions. And I know I don't need to remind you that next to the mages, vampires are the second highest population in Whisper Valley. That new blood bank may be helping our portion of the population, but there is a significant number of them that still need the meat from my farms to keep them healthy between drinks of human-sourced blood. Not to mention the amount of vampires that depend on my employment so they can have the money to buy that blood. A third of my livestock was mutilated and left for dead last night, and now their corpses are rotting in my barns because your lot can't handle a lunar eclipse."
"The zombies will take the meat," answered Everett in a low timber that lacked the conviction he had earlier.
"Of course they will," snarled Antonov, "but that doesn't help feed my brethren."
Again, silence prevailed and for a moment, I wondered if Scarlett had misheard the sheriffs in regards to their desire to see me. I wasn't sure what they could need from me on the matter since I was neither a werewolf or one of Antonov's mutilated cattle. With that in mind, I looked over my shoulder at the vampire's wife, only to find her resting against a neighboring wall with a distant look in her eyes.
"Dragan," said a cool, calm voice that cut through the tension between the two alpha males like a knife, "this is indeed a concern and know that I, as the sovereign of the vampire community, am also displeased with the revelation of what occurred last night on your property. However, we have a more pressing matter to attend to and that has taken priority. I promise, as your sheriff and your queen, that once this investigation is complete, we will look into the vandalism that occurred here. Whichever pack is responsible will pay for replacement livestock as well as a fine for any inconvenience it has caused our community. Knowing this, will you allow this matter to be placed on hold so that we may pursue our original intention for coming here?"
Without hesitation or a single drop of disappointment, Antonov responded with a gracious roll to his words. "Thank you my queen. You are a just and considerate ruler."
