Is It Black Or Is It Noir?

Et Principium Novi Imperii

All that could be heard on the island once known as Isle Esme was the sound of fluttering heartbeats. All others were still and silent in their relief and sadness. Relief it was over, after many centuries and sadness that so many had been hurt by the greed and arrogance of one vampire. His misuse of power, his rule more cruel than the ones who'd been deposed. The way ahead would be fraught with enemies and dissenters, but the Queens of the Voltunas Coven were ready and more than able to meet the challenge.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, we the Queens of Voluntas, thank you. What you have helped us do here has elevated your covens to an exalted position. Your covens above all others, no matter the lineage have the undying respect and admiration of the ruling house of Voluntas" Dora said smiling at them all,

"We would also like to ask you all, to select one member of your coven to be ambassador to us for your area. But because we expect our American ambassador to control Mexico too, Major we need it to be you!" Pica said and Jasper nodded understanding why.

So Carmen Denali was to be ambassador for Alaska, Canada, Greenland and Iceland. Major Jasper Whitlock for mainland America, Mexico and the surrounding Islands and Countries down to Panama. Zafrina would take responsibility from Columbia downwards to the end of Argentina and any outlying Islands. Siobhan would become ambassador for Northern Europe; the rest would be sorted out later once other covens had been contacted.

Huilen, Yesenia and the older children were given coven status and were now no longer hidden nomads, but the Guaraní Coven, as most were originally from these peoples and spoke this language. The Queens asked Esme to sell them the island so it could be used as the ambassadorial seat for this area. Due to its hidden from human eyes location. With the proviso the burial sites for the young mothers would never be disturbed. Zafrina was very pleased as she did not want the Amazon jungle trampled beneath the feet of many vampires.

"Although Pica and I will be the face of the Voluntas, we will also be heading a council of seven. Marcus, Caius, Heidi, Santiago and Esme will be joining us on this council. There will be no badgering or bullying to make decisions, but true discussions and debates" Dora said smiling at those around her, Esme was shocked but nodded her agreement.

"Jane and Renata have asked to leave us for now, going to Renata's home in Malta. They will offer Luca the position of ambassador for Southern Europe, so that we do not seem to be ruling unfairly and Luca's position is above reproach as it is" Pica now told everyone.

"There will be new laws or old ones will be revised. Aro corrupted everything we once stood for and it will take time to put it right. But first will be the feeding tours, they will be banned. That fool nearly revealed us all with his arrogance. So from now on we hunt for our own food, spreading our net wide" Pica announced and everyone nodded agreeing that with today's technology they were in danger of exposing the vampire world.

"We will be moving out of Volterra still in the countryside, going to our own castle in Anacona, the Rocca di Bolignano. Aro was in the process of selling it, so we will appear to buy it. The Volterra tours will continue as just that, real tours. Hopefully taking the attention off of the Citadel now" Dora told the quiet audience before her.

"In fact we will be buying many old castles and fortresses. They will be a good way to make the vampire world revenue, turning parts into hotels and conference centres. This will be your job Esme, we know you are more than capable" Pica said taking Esme's hand and patting it.

"Marcus, the Volterra Citadel will become the archive for all the others, we have enough treasures to fill them and many more. You and Heidi will take charge of this and organise exhibitions all over the world, let's use what we have to make money, we have no need of criminal activities. Unlike Aro we are above that, we are better than that!" Dora said to her brother of many years, knowing this was one of his dearest wishes.