Ninovan (Hypernaturals 10)

Victoria

We called Victoria.

We had a LOT of explaining to do. She did not know about Melody or John's agency, or that Vampires have government watchdogs. That took a while to unwind for her. She did not know our little girls are really ours. That went down faster because it is a birds and the bees talk. Stir in some Vampire biochemistry to make it applicable to us.

Ninovan is a revelation, and the funny part is that she actually knows both Alexander and Simi. They are not secret Vampires; they lead secret lives, exactly like we did until Ninovan forced all of us out into the light.

"Just so I have all this straight: Adrian is like a catalyst. So is Alexander. With a little work and understanding from the Ninovan's, Becky could have a baby with her human husband, Jon."

As that is a medical question, Jessica took it. "Yes. That is our belief. The Ninovan's say it works. I have not tried it yet."

"And a human / Vampire baby ends up an Astral of some sort." Victoria continued.

"Again, that is our understanding. I do not know why that would be. It is possibly selection Bias, and they would end up human or have a delayed conversion to Vampiredom, or even a lowered resistance to coming over. It would require study."

"Study that the government would then record and know about, making our aversion to records kind of moot." Victoria was not happy to say.

Melody took that. "We have known about Vampires for almost as long as there has been a US government, and all we have ever done is to protect the secret. The FBI or ICE would NOT do that. They would have the army on you so fast. You would all be drafted. We do not want that. We want to help you stay hidden. Why we will help however we can with this operation."

"You want to tell the Sirens about all this." Victoria continued.

"We need to build trust with them. This is a good way to do it." I said

"I have worked with you for years, and you have kept all this from me." Victoria accused.

"I did, and I am not going to apologize for that. Victoria. I would lie, cheat, steal, and kill to protect my family. You know me. I have always worked to help our kind, but our kind did not need to know about this. I will not be nationalized and taken away from my wives or my kids. I won't be. I would sooner die. I do not like to lie, and I am glad this is out there now, but not so happy that it all came out. That is because of what we have to do to get out in front of this. To keep the secret an actual damn secret and not the news at eleven. I am trying to do that, and I have always tried to do that."

Victoria was silent.

Helen said into that silence, "What he said. I am on the Council. I have a child with him. I kept the same secret, and I also will do anything I have to in order to keep my family safe. Be mad at me all you like. Do not think this is his fault. My husband. My children. My family."

"I also am a co-conspirator," Rachel confessed. "I have no child with him. I want one. Some day. I have known about all of this since he was on probation. A damnably stupid institution that I am glad we have stopped. Be angry with me, but not with him. He has always had to survive in our world, and by our rules, and he has done nothing but be of service and honorable. His sin is a sin of omission, but it is committed in order to protect his children, Victoria. You should think about what you would do to protect yours. And oh: With his help or Alexanders, you can actually HAVE yours."

"Yes. Yes. Fine. When this is over, Adrian, you and I are sitting down for a very long talk. Over a beer. Or wine. Whatever."

"Are you planning on seducing my husband?" Jessica asked.

"I would never do that. If I understood the previous hour and a half of phone conversation, YOU, Jessica Sagan, can get a child going with any sperm donor. Is that not true? Victoria pinned Jessica's ears back a bit with that tone of voice.

"That is true." Jessica conceded. "They have been doing in in Ninovan for a while."

"Then perhaps I am just interviewing him as a potential sperm donor. He is quite remarkable, you know. You can collect the sample and all that. I want to think about the possibilities. Also, see what it is like to be Vampire and parent."

"There ARE side effects. We'll need to talk. Later." Jessica grumbled.

"Full council con call. First thing in the morning." Victoria switched to the NorthAm leader voice. "Crew resources available after that, although I will call Denise, Anne, and Carol to be sure they are headed there now. Carol might already be there in town. DeWayne... Another human/Vampire combo. Becky and Nova have human boyfriends/husbands. They will need a medical briefing, I am quite sure. Be ready for that conversation. There is a guy at the local taproom I have been thinking about seducing the old-fashioned way. No scent. This might change that to some degree. I was thinking about a boyfriend for a while. Now I have to ascertain if he would be a good father. Humm. Many things to think about here."

Victoria sighed, "OK. Well. At least when the first family brings me stuff, it is never trivial. Have a good evening. I'll catch a flight to you after the meeting. I'll be in the war room for the duration."