Ascension - Book Eight - Man x Man

Chapter 114

I chat quietly with one of the other talent scouts, the 4th or 5th for the evening, and while I feel recharged and energized I can feel the gray haired man growing impatient. A frequent flyer of Cleo's local country club, this particular one had been entertaining having the band come to his hotel in California. We'd be ending our tour there regardless and I was interested in the venue he was offering, a large hotel that catered to our specific flavor. 

His eyes, deep blue, kept flicking towards Verando who paid him little mind, my husband had accepted that he was my body guard for the evening which seemed to suit him just fine. Protecting me came naturally to him, while our time in the military had done a number on his personal skills, this was one way to put his anxiety to good use. I'd have to thank Tiberius later, much as I wanted to skin him at times, this was something I was happy to do in service to my Alpha. 

Learning how far away the state was, it was almost gut wrenching to think about how far we'd be from our children. Yet, the tour would be over before we knew it I was sure, we only had one more night left in Nashville then it was off to a festival style concert where we'd make a brief appearance. 

A woman stood along side the talent scout, the owner of the music festival. She was attractive, dark skinned, with a good smile, I liked the softness in her eyes even though they were dark as night. Every smile glinted at her fangs, I pegged her as a strigoi or maybe a vampire who spent a lot of time with humans. "There's been rumors in the underground that you're planning to fund a magical school?"

Were we? I couldn't remember what the decision had come to. Glancing at Verando, he wasn't paying attention to us though I'm sure he was catching hints of conversation. His own light gaze was in constant sweep of the room, I could feel the tension emminating off of him. "We have been attempting to get in touch with those who would secure the state funding, though a private school might be the right way to go..." 

This seems to interest her, the perfectly arched brow lifts and she sips the deep red liquid from her drink. I scent it as blood, "Private funding of an exclusive magical school, you'd definitely get some eyebrows."

"If we dont' do something, our children will have no options and I won't have them treated as some in the public sector might see fit. I am all for regulation on magical use in public, as someone who has destroyed property and seen the damage it could cause, it's not possible to keep repairing all that is broken during a magical outburst.. But, we also need to teach these people and children how to control themselves if we wish to regulate it." I exhale as she taps one of her long, white nails on the rim of her glass. 

"And you purpose... who.. teaches at these schools?" She asks, running her tongue over her upper lip. "Are you thinking of defense? Or practical use of magical abilities?"

I hadn't thought about it, it was just something people kept bringing up as if they hoped someone would appear with an idea. The reality was, I was unsure of how much  money my husband had and promising to do something on this scale seemed unfair. As a King, I had to go through courts and councils, consult with tax and revenue before stepping into something like this. Here, it would seem anyone with the funds could stride forward, but in that aspect, I was quite out of the loop.

"If you have an idea, by all means, join us in whatever preparations we are attempting. This is all just talk as far as I know." I explain, slipping my arm around Verando's to encourage him back to our conversation and keep him from glowering at Otis any longer. 

Clearing his throat, Verando exhales roughly, "Senator Campbell is quite invested in making sure this never comes to pass, so if you'd like to help, use your political weight to start there."

The woman chuckles, a smooth, deep sound. "Political weight, my, you must think I'm quite powerful."

Verando glances her up and down, cocking an eyebrow and earning a smirk from the Strigoi. She offers him her glass, which he declines, "I don't do drugs."