Reckless Abandon - The Secrets of Avelina Chronicles 2

28: Damian

In Avelina, the main event was just kicking off. Damian, Trey, Don and Knox had gathered at the mansion and traveled in their usual black sedan, to the Charcot clan house in Mumnfield. While they traveled, Knox decided to broach a delicate subject.

"Father, I would like to meet with you when we return to the clan house. Once your business is complete. There is an important matter I want to discuss with you. I would like to be united." He asked as they traveled He had been afraid to discuss such a thing with his father, especially at such a difficult time. But to his relief, it was a matter that kept Damian's mind on happier thoughts for the remainder of their drive.

"Then we shall talk, Knox. I would like to hear of this matter." He agreed with a smile. Knox was so relieved that he let the matter a lot for a while. There was no point mixing two important tasks; he needed to focus on their plan. Trey and Don were utterly consumed with finding out which elder was trying to take over the reign of the clans from his father. Everyone agreed that he had led them into better, more peaceful, safer time than they had ever experienced before. They weren't about to let anyone change that or try to remove him from the power he so rightly deserved.

It took them almost two hours to drive to the Charcot house, but once they arrived, late in the afternoon, they were graciously greeted. They were taken into the council room, where the other elders had been summoned for the meeting. Damian had called them from the car, to warn them of his arrival and inform them that he had important business to discuss with them. He was shown into the council room and given the best chair in the house. Everyone waited until he was seated before sliding into their own seats uncomfortably.

"I thought I should visit you and inform you all that due to the current attacks in Mumnfield and Avelina, I have been concerned over the state of clan affairs. A few hours ago, we captured the vampire responsible for beginning the attacks. He was attempting to recruit new vampires for a brand new clan that would overpower the existing three." Damian explained the upsetting business as best as he could without giving too much away. He wanted everyone to know and hear that Reinhart had been caught and had talked to him about his task, giving up everything he knew. He wanted them to worry and wonder what was going to happen now.

"I'm sorry Damian, I don't understand what you're saying. Overpower you?" The elder, Lucas questioned his meaning, smiling in confusing because it was so ridiculous a plan. To build up one clan that would be large enough and powerful enough to fight three united clans, with powerful elders was highly unlikely. Damian took a quiet moment to reflect on the room and everyone's reaction.

Damian almost immediately spotted the vampire elder who fitted Reinhart's description. It was exactly who Trey thought it was...elder Aleister. Even if the worry hadn't been written all over his face, Damian would have known his guilt from his thoughts. Everyone else had immediately begun wondering who would be stupid enough to threaten all three clans. They were running through possible names in their minds, while wondering what Damian wanted them to do about it. Aleister on the other hand, was only concerned with himself. He was so consumed with worry about what his punishment might be that his thoughts screamed to Damian above all the others. Above even his own thoughts. He was guilty as sin and knew it.

"Yes. I'm sorry to say Lucas, that someone within your clan is trying to overthrow the current leadership by creating their own clan. Some of you may remember the man we captured, Reinhart, from his escapades a century and a half ago. He claims that he has been attacking and recruiting his victims, so he can build a clan for his 'Master'." Damian continued his explanation, putting feelers out to any in the elder group that might have suspicions about other people involved other than Aleister. Or whether they had suspicions about Aleister himself. He wanted them to come forward, rather than have him find out later, that they had known about it.