Undercity: Manifest

Chapter Fourteen

Marcus heard the click of expensive heels before he saw Val enter his office. She was dressed in her usual all-black designer suit which she wore like a second skin. It was rare for her to leave her own office situated in the parliament building where she served as an elected senator. Her position was orchestrated, along with many other government positions, to place Coven representatives in power ensuring the existence of the Mystic world remained a secret to the human population.

'I assume you're here about our new recruit.' Pleasantries were not needed between them, and Marcus knew exactly what prompted her unannounced visit.

She didn't respond until she was seated in his office chair behind the desk. She wasn't subtle in reminding him who held the power between them. Marcus remained at his filing cabinet returning a document to its rightful place.

'You assume correctly.' Her voice was full of the arrogance one would expect from a politician. 'I want to meet her.' It wasn't a request. 'But first, we need to discuss Dante's progress in the Vampire Sector.'

Dante had been investigating for over a week. He had not yet uncovered who was responsible for the murders and was due to meet with the Vampire King tomorrow. Marcus knew that Val already held this information. Her presence at the Coven was merely to serve as a reminder of her influence.

He pulled a printed report from his cabinet and placed it on his desk where Val still sat waiting. 'Everything he has so far is in here.' She tapped it with a long-manicured finger. Knowing he would not receive a thank you, he returned to lock the draw.

'It has been decided that the girl will participate in the initiation.'

Taken by surprise Marcus stated the obvious. 'But she has already manifested.'

'I am aware of that.' Of course she was. 'She must pass the initiation to be marked. It is our way. Despite the lengths somebody went to keep her hidden, she is one of us now and must be held to the same laws.'

'When?'

'The final event of the year. That should give her enough time to prepare. From what I am told, she has been making progress'.

'You expect her to do in a year what most spend a lifetime preparing for?'

'You said it yourself; she's already manifested.'

His irritation was growing the more Val spoke. 'And you know full well she won't be able to use magic during the initiation.'

'It can't wait. We need to put right what somebody did to wrong us.'

'She could die.' Marcus was making no attempt to hide his anger at her words which were cold, displaying her typical detachment. He dreaded asking, but he had to know. 'What about her sister?'

Offering no comment on his statement about Sadie, Val stood and walked over to the table where his decanter set sat. Without offering him a drink, she poured herself a short glass of the amber liquid and took a sip.

'I want to see what Payden comes up with.' Another sip. 'Leave her to continue her research. I'm curious to see how it plays out.' She finished the rest of her drink and placed the glass down with a dull thud. 'Now, where is the girl?'

Marcus ran a hand over his head. 'She will be here in an hour to meet Payden for her lesson.'

Val poured two drinks this time and sat cross legged on in the middle of the sofa. Apparently, she was going to be his company while she waited.

...

Sadie was half-way through Payden's explanation about the way the mark worked to elevate their powers when Marcus entered behind a woman she had never seen before. Her persona screamed authority further emphasised by her clothes and gait. Sadie noted the lack of a red blazer but didn't miss the top of a mark exposed by the open collar of her blouse.