In Our Image: The Hollow

Chapter Eighteen: Jude

Madison got home ok and I couldn't get her story out of my head. Sorry piece of shit fucking humans... it enrages me. I have to get myself right before I see her again, she doesn't want to be looked at as a charity case I'm sure. Other matters dealing with our kind will do well to get my mind back to the here and now. It's easier said than done as I find myself at home just lost in racing and random thoughts.

Vampires stick together in a sect, always. Not just because it is easier for our sect leader to keep an eye on us but for safety as well. Wherever there is a sect you can bet your ass there is another rival and competing sect close by. The two are almost always at odds with one another over hunting grounds. If you are lucky enough to be set up somewhere without another sect breathing down your throat then chances are you are somewhere close to a clan... and that is just as bad or worse.

When we're not at The Sycamore the Tibalts are usually home in Lady Clair's manor, Evergreen. Evergreen is a mansion that has been with the Tibalts for generations. We sit just fifteen minutes from the restaurant so it is a short commute for us. Vampires do have increased speed but allowing humans on the interstate to see us running past them at thirty miles per hour isn't really low key.

I was sitting in the kitchen thinking, it's all you do as a damn vampire is think. You find yourself with so many years under your belt that you are constantly reminiscing on people, events, history and experiences. Life was never meant to be forever, I see why now... it eventually becomes predictable and stale. That all rang true, until I met Madison. I like being in kitchens, not only is it second nature to me from when I was human but it also reminds me of them.

If you really think about it the kitchen is the heart of every home. I mean what do all humans do when they gather; it almost always is centered around food. Birthdays, barbeques, and just any time they get together food is involved. And it is almost always in or around a kitchen.

The sun will be coming up soon; everything about tonight was perfect, perfect to a fault until the universe must correct itself. My phone rings, it is a message from Clair.

Shit, I know I cleaned everything up... Trevor helped so I hope it's all ok.

The message on my phone from Clair was simple, get up here immediately. I hauled ass back to The Sycamore as fast as I could, I left the car out front and rushed in. I was blown away... the restaurant was trashed. Someone had broken in without setting off the alarm. I walk past the eyes of everyone fixed on me; somehow they knew I was the blame so I didn't want to hear it.

Clair was already standing outside the manager's office in the back behind the kitchen. She didn't say a word as I walked past her into the office. I sat down in the chair across from the desk where a computer sat. Clair walked over and sat across from me while pressing some keys on the keyboard; she then turned the flat screen monitor around facing me.

Security footage from the break in was being played, it was hard to make out in real time speed but figures could be seen darting around. She played it back at half speed and it was clear, vampires were responsible. They were dressed in black and wore masks, but deep down we knew who it was. They didn't take money from the safe or anything valuable, they simply wanted to trash the place. The Sycamore would have to be closed for the day to repair and reorder. They had not only trashed furniture, glassware and aesthetic pieces along with irreplaceable paintings that hung on the walls. But they had also entered the freezer and kitchen destroying food as well.

The intent was to severely cripple business and it worked.

"What will we do Clair..." I asked getting ready for the blame.

She turns the monitor back towards her and stands up leaning over the desk with her palms.

"Luckily I know a supplier and butcher who keeps a hearty supply, I will contact them. As far as business, today we will be closed, tomorrow we will open but under a limited menu. Salvage what furniture you can and cut the restaurant in half, the rest will be under repairs. It will have to do for now, but Jude... this attack cannot go unanswered."

Here we go... I know the attack was because of Madison and I, but if I tell Clair she will lose it. Still, I can't just lie... this could get out of hand if I don't tell her.

"Lady Clair, there's something I need to tell you, the attack, it was because..."

She raises her hand cutting me off, "Jude nothing you do is oblivious to me, I do not sit at the head of the Tibalts for nothing. Your punishment is no longer for me to decide, the consequences of knowing your actions may cost your brothers and sisters their lives will haunt you more than any punishment I can think of. You do understand what I speak of?"

Jude nods his head, "I do... I will go immediately and answer this attack on our territory."

Jude stands up but Clair slams her fist on the table causing a dent from the impact.

"You will do nothing! You are compromised Jude, you are unable to separate your loyalties between your cock and your family! Lacy, Tara and the others will lead this counter. A war is the last thing I want but if we display weakness then more attacks will surely follow."

Clair begins to walk out of the office but turns to me first, "Go home Jude... wait and understand the danger you put your family in because of the Quinton girl."

What else could I do, I walked out of the office and past everyone who was staring at me. They were all cleaning up my mess; I stop next to Daniel, one of our newer vampires and also a waiter. He is sweeping broken glass from dishware into a dust pan, I try to pick pieces up and help. He grabs them from my hand quickly giving me a dirty look; he shakes his head and then continues the work.

So the entire sect is pissed at me, fair enough and deserved. I get laid and they get to clean up my mess and fight my battle, Clair was right, this is worse than any punishment she could have imagined. I can't just do nothing... my family will be in danger and it's because of me.

Late that night as I lay in my room I can hear a commotion outside. It's Tara, Lacy, Daniel and two others loading into a van with blacked out windows. They are not dressed for an evening stroll, they all wear foot long blades strapped to their backs. They are concealed under the light jackets they all wear, most are in black and have a serious look about them. To my surprise I see Trevor getting inside of the van as well.

Bullshit, Trevor isn't even vampire, this is not his fight!