Alejo [Vampire]

Alejo- Chapter 8

::CHAPTER 8::

I sat in the cyber conference room waiting patiently for the others to log on. This meeting was long overdue. Loki was told to make sure that no one disturbed me for the next hour. The bedroom door was locked and the curtains were drawn. I sat at the desk with the computer opened before me.

The little projector lens on the back of the laptop threw a series of holographic images around the room. Dozens of human leaders sat around me in hologram form. Each represented a different country. I took in the faces and mannerisms of them all. Quirky creatures. Every region had a different look about them; the up-tilting of the eyes or the complexion of the skin, the textures of their hair or the accents. They were all diverse but we had one thing in common. We wanted power.

The ones who were present were beginning to get agitated. I stared at each of them over steepled fingers. I’ve had a long time to learn patience. Most had only half a lifetime to pretend they knew what patience was. There were only three empty seats around us but I was certain their owners would show. I would not start without them.

“The others are clearly late and I have another meeting to get to in a bit. Could we hurry this along?” one of the holographic figures spoke up, “We could give them a recap later on. I motion that we start without them.” My eyes narrowed at him and he fell silent before lowering his hand. I sat up, if possible, even straighter in my seat. Holding him under my gaze, I didn’t reply for a long while. I let the tension build as they waited for me to say something. Anything to break the pin-dropping silence. Those who were about to agree with the man held their tongues; afraid to as much as cough.

I was not my father. I did not do motions or votes or ballots. They didn’t know me or what to expect. Rumors had no doubt spread among these men and women before today. They would try to test me to see what I would allow and what I wouldn’t stand for. They were like a class of children with their new substitute teacher. They have no clue how big a change is about to come their way.

“Does anyone here want to second that motion?” I asked. My gaze remained on the offensive little man. No one spoke. “Motion overruled. This motion and any other motion proposed after this one.” My eyes never left him and I felt his unease grow along with everyone else’s in the room. Turning my attention to each and every one of them, I saw some of them flinch in turn. “We cannot hurry this up because we are three persons short. Until those persons are present,” I glanced at the man once again, “we will not proceed. Reschedule any prior engagements if necessary. There will be no recaps because I do not repeat myself. We will wait. Patience is expected until I say otherwise.”

The man excused himself and left to make a call. The tips of my fingers resumed their steeple and I went back to surveying my audience. Hologram technology was far more advanced than it had been a few years ago. These weren’t flickering light images that could be clearly told apart from reality. These appeared to be real persons sitting around me. It was as three dimensional as I was.

One after the other, the three empty seats were filled and the man who’d left on the phone call reclaimed his seat. “Glad you could join us,” I said to the late-comers and I noted the blush spreading across one woman’s cheekbones. I tried to take the condescending tone out of my next few words. Humans seemed extra sensitive to it.

“Now that everyone’s here, we can begin,” I said and flashed a smile, “Don’t forget to turn on your voice translators.”

“Great,” Japan said, “I have to know, why are we all here? It seems as though no one knows.”

“And I’d bet anything that you asked everyone at this conference. Am I right, Ayame?” Germany said with a little smile.

“I wanted to be prepared,” he responded.