Boris and the Vampire (Legends of Pinewood 2)

When You 'Visit' The Council

I sprinted through the woods, a blur of trees shooting past me on both sides. 

I cursed myself for not realising earlier what Etienne was planning. Where the hell did he think he was going, anyway? He wouldn't be able to leave the woods without passing a werewolf guard post, especially now that everyone was on high alert.

"Etienne!" I called after Etienne several times, but he didn't stop and I had to try my damn hardest to keep up with the vampire. He was fast and agile, dashing through the thick forest with much greater ease than I did. 

The only thing in my favour right now was that Etienne hadn't changed his clothes and I could follow my own scent still clinging to him. Still, I was close to losing the Etienne's trail until he ran into a familiar clearing and I suddenly knew where he was going: Bob's old factory. The place where he'd been attacked and nearly killed. This was making less and less sense by the second.

Etienne ran into the dark building, and I followed him to the door. The building was eerily silent, just like it was the last time I was there. But that didn't mean the place was empty.

I hesitated. Last time I passed through these doors, I'd been convinced I was running into a trap. Now, everything about this screamed 'trap!' even more.

"Clever wolf. Not taking the bait immediately."

I tensed and whirled around at the stranger's voice.

There was a ghostly figure in front of me, dimly illuminated by moonlight. Pretty like Etienne, but with pale white hair, a killer's look in his eyes, and a sinister smile. He was real quiet too, to be able to sneak up on me like that. Damn it. Sure, I'd been distracted, but that was no excuse. It was the 'no pulse and no scent' thing that kept fucking me up.

"Who are you?" I asked.

In response, a few more vampires climbed out of the bushes. They stayed at a distance, all staring at me. 

The vampire in front of me made a frivolous bow. "I'm Clarence. A pleasure to meet you. Let's step inside, Boris."

"To do what, exactly?"

Clarence shook his head, clearly amused. "I was trying to be polite, but I see you don't quite understand yet. That's alright, I will help your... smaller mind understand. This isn't a choice. Step inside the factory, Boris."

Clarence's posse took a threatening step closer. At first glance, I could take them. But I knew I couldn't judge vampires on their dainty appearance alone. I'd watched Etienne hunt, after all.

I sighed. "You know my pack will miss me and Etienne, right?"

"They're waiting for us, and we will go to the meeting once we're done here. Please, we won't be long, Mr. Boris." Clarence gestured at the entrance with a smile. "After you."

"Fine." With a clenched jaw I did what I was told and walked inside. Clarence made me go first and pointed the way, leading me to the factory hall.

Etienne was waiting for us in the centre of the hall, flanked by two more vampires. He kept his gaze trained on the ground even as I approached.

"What's the meaning of this, Etienne?" I asked, ignoring everyone else in the room.

Clarence's 'pleasant' smile slipped for a split second. "You will address me," he said. "Not little Etienne here."

I ignored him again. "Etienne, tell me what's going on."

Clarence marched past me to Etienne and stopped beside him. Etienne flinched, leaning away from the man like he was scared of him.