Boris and the Vampire (Legends of Pinewood 2)

Make It One To Remember

I didn't sleep well again, tossing and turning through the night. Knowingly leaving Etienne in the clutches of people who yelled at him and hurt him just to further their own political agenda left an extremely sour taste in my mouth. 

I knew Etienne was tough and would survive a day more after living with the other vampires for years. 

But I still couldn't stop a sigh in relief when I saw Etienne standing in the meeting room along with the other vampires. He was in one piece, at least. Not that I had expected him not to be... but part of me thought Clarence would purposely leave Etienne at home so I wouldn't have a chance to see him one more time. 

Today, Etienne didn't avoid my eyes. He looked at me when I took a seat beside Ivana and Nathan, on the opposite side of the table as where he, Clarence, and the other vampires were sitting. 

To my surprise, even the winter fey had returned today despite already having cast his vote. He looked dour as ever, but I couldn't complain about the presence of someone who already spoke in our favour. I doubted many of the others would be so lenient. 

"Thank you for gathering again here today," Ivana said as she closed the door. "I trust you've all been able to reach a judgement already?" 

"We have," a mermaid who spoke for the group yesterday as well said. "We have reached a consensus. The vampire Etienne broke the rules and can no longer be welcome in Pinewood," she said. "Since he was unable to follow the werewolf laws in their territory. Regardless of circumstances, a bite did happen. We cannot allow that to stand." 

"That's not—" Clarence started protesting, but winter fey held up his hand, silencing him.

"However," the mermaid continued, "the werewolves were also in the wrong by antagonising the vampire on purpose, leading him to this behaviour. We would strongly urge Ivana to reconsider having Boris as the town's protector. He's proven he's unable to stay objective."

I repressed a growl. Unable to stay objective?  It was easy for them to talk! They would've reacted the exact same way I had if a vampire came knocking on their door. I doubted the sweet water merfolk would even let him stay near any of their lakes. 

"You are right, of course. But don't stop there," Clarence spoke up. "We need to rethink more than only Boris' role as Pinewood's official protector. It's clear Ivana doesn't control her pack. If Boris is supposed to be the most qualified person to handle humans, we have to wonder what that says about the rest of them, huh? We must rethink the werewolves living with humans at all, and Boris must be tried in court for what he did to our ambassador!" 

Etienne stared at me with wide eyes. He opened his mouth like he was going to speak, but then, after a warning look from another vampire, he changed his mind and shut his mouth again. 

"Again, everyone, we want to assure you our intention was never our intention to antagonise the vampire ambassador," Ivana said calmly. "We wanted to make sure he was fit to run around among humans, and he has proven that he's not. That shouldn't be a surprise to you, given your choice of food and the fact that Clarence here turned Mr. Etienne here at the tender age of twenty. Before he was even of legal drinking age in the human world, and, in a way, not even an adult to them yet."

"We are not on trial here, Ivana," Clarence sharply retorted. "Besides, Etienne asked to be turned. Didn't you, Etienne?" 

Etienne released a shaky breath through his mouth. "I asked for it at the time," he admitted. 

This time, I didn't get the feeling that Clarence was forcing Etienne to talk. 

Was that what Etienne meant yesterday night? That it was his own fault?