Humanity at Stake (Completed)

Chapter 9

"Tranquil as a forest
But on fire within
Once you find your center
You are sure to win" -"I'll Make a Man Out of You" by Donny Osmond

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"Now that all of us are here, let us get started," the Queen mused from her seat. All nine of the officials sat around a large, oval wooden table. Besides that, the room was fairly plain. A projection screen laid on the wall behind the queen, being the only other object in the room. The vampires went down in rank as the table went clockwise. The five aristocrats sat to the left of the queen, followed by the three high overseers.

Her Majesty's eyes flicked over to Quintavius.

"Any word from your thrall?" she asked. Quintavius bowed his head respectfully towards the Queen, but stayed seated.

"She has informed me that 1,080 humans stand ready at the headquarters on Estium, not including the outposts posted near human settlements," Quintavius informed his colleagues. The Queen nodded thoughtfully, and a scoff rose from a high overseer named Dominic.

"1,080? Why don't we take them out now? They have a half of our power in soldiers!" he exclaimed, resting his palms firmly to the table. His eyes swept over his audience who all stared at him.

"Dominic, you're a moron. There could be more resistance headquarters stationed on the other four lands. Launching an attack now could cause more to swarm," stated Zalia, a female vampire that sat to the left of the queen. Dominic sneered at his superior.

"Queen's Royal Bitch," he bit out. A sharp hiss flew from Zalia's mouth as she stood up quickly, ready to lunge for him. Her eyes glowed a vivid, garnet red as her canines lengthened.

"Stop, you two! I will not have disorder in my court!" the Queen snapped at the vampires squaring off. The two instantly stopped upon the Queen's demand. Zalia sat down slowly, her eyes trained on Dominic. The Queen breathed in deeply before turning toward Quintavius once again.

"Yes, it would be most unwise to launch an attack at this moment. So very little is known about the resistance. Did you happen to conjure up a place, Quintavius?" Quintavius paused as the queen mentioned this.

"After some persuading, she revealed that the rebels are stationed at the school on the north side of town," he announced. The Queen watched him for a bit, calculating his words before seemingly believing him. She nodded, leaning forward to pose like a businesswoman.

"We'll le-" the Queen started, but was interrupted when High Overseer Harlow spoke as well.

"After some persuading?" She paused when she noticed the Queen glared angrily at her for the interruption.

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty, but please, let me say my piece?" The Queen nodded hesitantly in response, keeping an angry look on her face. High Overseer Harlow turned back toward Quintavius.

"I'm sorry, but you said after some persuading? This implies that she wasn't willing to give the information! Is she forgetting what side she's really fighting for?" At the woman's accusations, Quintavius' features hardened with anger.

"How dare you accuse my thrall of defecting from our side! Of course she's not! She was hesitant to give the information because she was worried that they would hear her say it! She had an earpiece in that connected her to her squadron. After assuring her they wouldn't, did she tell me!" he defended, partly lying. He knew once he brought her back from her mission, her loyalty would resume to what it used to be.

"Now if you're done assuming things, High Overseer Harlow, I would like to speak," the Queen snapped at her subordinate. Harlow had the decency look away from the Queen, keeping her mouth shut.

"As I had been saying, we will leave the rebels alone until we receive more information. I will contact the other rulers, and see what I can learn regarding whether or not they have Resistance problems," Her Majesty stated. After she finished, her eyes scanned for any defiance against her words. When she was satisfied there wasn't, she stood up. Everyone stood simultaneously, bowing to her.

"I shall retire to my office. This meeting is dismissed. I will collect you all for when the next one will begin again at a later date. Zalia, come." Then she turned and disappeared through a doorway. Zalia strode after her, disappearing through the same entrance. Quintavius started for the other exit, but soon felt eyes drilling into him. He turned slightly, seeing Harlow glaring at him. He raised an eyebrow towards the woman, stalking up to her. A few of the council members lingered by the door, knowing something was about to happen.

"Is there something you need, High Overseer?" Quintavius questioned lowly, raising an eyebrow. Harlow gritted her teeth.

"If I find out your thrall is defecting from our side, I will take matters into my own hands and see to it that she is dealt with." Quintavius stooped closer, his eyes narrowing.

"Are you threatening my property, indirectly threatening me?" he asked. "Surely you wouldn't challenge your superior, right, Harlow?" his voice dropping dangerously. "Surely the Queen wouldn't enjoy hearing you break rank again?" Harlow froze slight before glowering at him.

"Of course not, Aristocrat Quintavius. Please, forgive me if it seemed like so," she gritted out, storming out of the room. Quintavius watched her go, his stomach clenching with worry. What would she plan on doing with Nova?