Humans are extinct, and vampires lose all of their powers as a result. Sophie Dresden, the new vampire leader, never imagined her once proud race would come to an end like this--starving in trailer parks.
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All humans are dead and magical crea...
It happened with a war, one the vampires sat on the sidelines to watch, confident the humans would prevail as they often did because man was a cruel breed and the otherwise gentle children of Runes feared such aggression.
Only, the children of Rune magic to answer these drums of battle this time weren't the gentle fauns or the curious pixies. They were the griffins, the harpies, and other war-weathered creatures. They were ancient, and more than ready to wipe mankind clear off the map. Which they did.
And vampires?
No amount of regrets would bring the humans back. Because they'd waited. At their request, witches conjured up spells, soothsayers peered into the hidden, all in search of a glimpse of man but after ten years there was no sense in denying it any longer.
All humans were dead.
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Eli had nothing to say as he watched the city race by, Slade at his side.
The stretched car was a new design. It allowed up to four people to sit facing each other, two on either side. Lomos, opposite Eli, still dressed in his Wolf Brigade garb, tried to sound cold.
"Best if we get this underway before sunup." At the silence, Lomos sought assurance. "Eh, Eli?"
After a short bout of silence, Eli finally said, "There's no way they'll let this happen before sunup."
Sat hunched over, hands clasped in a wooden plank, Slade watched the floor. "You two are stupid for accompanying me."
On Lomos's left, Manny slumped against the window. He waved now and then. Outside, flying high above, Trixie waved back.
"With all due respect, ma'am," Lomos said, "we're literally the only ones who can."
Eli focused on the world outside that car—it was far easier to deal with.
"Former pets would be excused for their loyalty to their Sovereign," Eli muttered.
"Sure," Slade drawled. "If I was Sovereign at the time of your servitude. You two forgetting that?"
Lomos watched Slade in sympathy. "Ma'am—"
"Don't do this to yourself," Slade said. "When this car stops, you take off. You take the side that'll keep you and yours outta silver."
Lomos's gaze dimmed. The way he started taking interest in the window meant he agreed.
That just left Eli.
Slade turned to him, but he didn't meet her gaze when he warned, "Say it, and you won't like my damn answer."
By the time the courthouse closed in, morning came, painting the sky in orange and blue.
And then the crowd gathere. It was a few people at first, and then they were everywhere. All manner of creatures lined the street, some holding signs.
Eli jumped out of the car, Lomos on his heels, and hurried around to the other side. "Leave Manny to Trix," he told Lomos. "You can go. I'll get the sovereign inside." Before the wolf leader could conduct his own escape, Eli caught his arm. "Give us a clear path."
