North American Vampire Council & Past Calling (Hypernaturals 12 & 13)

Bethany

When Victoria appeared at the front gate, I was a bit taken aback when I heard her voice on the gate speaker, announcing her arrival.

"Hi, Helen. Me. Sorry. Running late."

"No problem!" Helen replied. She buzzed the gate open and then went to meet Victoria in the driveway.

Victoria, Nordic ancient blonde woman, head of the North American Vampire Council, drove up in a VW. Vampires do not show off their wealth. My 124 is a treasure to me because my wives gave it to me, but let's face it: Most many multi-billionaires do not drive their own cars, not to mention 2 seaters.

Not that I am a multi-Billionaire. That's Helen. I am married to her, but I do not assume that her hard-earned money is mine. She politicked and married and did all the nasty work getting her money over the centuries. In some cases the getting married was the nasty work. No: That money is Helen's, and she paid the price to get it.

Welcome to it. I am not judging, but what Helen did for it, I would never do. My money is what I earn via programming, being a PI, or from the bar I co-own with Morgan and Holly.

Well: That and a winery in France, but I take zero money out of that operation. I have Fiona plow every penny back into the business. Giving staff raises. Buying additional land. Rainy day fund. The experimental wines. Whatever. Helen gave me that business, and I do not intend to let it fail on my watch. Hell: When I fly there to be Adrian Claremont, I pay for half the trip as me. I only spend money as Adrian Claremont when I am there.

If the entire family is going, Helen charters a plane, so that does not count.

The money I make is more than enough for my needs.

"Why is Victoria here?" I asked Denise, who is sitting in the living room with me scrolling through something on a computer. Some Crew thing. As Crew Lead, Denise is always working on something somewhere in the NorthAm geo.

Denise looked up from the screen, slightly irritated it appeared and scented. "Council meeting." She looked back down. My read: None of my damn business.

As one of two Siren Liaisons to the Council, I sometimes call into meetings to report things to the group. So does Vera. Not lately, though. It has been enough recently to report what is up to Victoria. The Siren situation has been very stable and quiet, since we assimilated six of their Assembly members into being Vampires, and turned two, Ginger and Wyatt, voluntarily. The entire representation from North America to the global Assembly is former Sirens/ now Vampires. The rest of the Assembly knows to behave or face the same fate.

Denise beheading some Siren guards for raping Ginger also had a chilling effect on the Siren's anti-Vampire hijinks. When Vampires punish, by graphic and horrible death, Sirens raping other Sirens, it gets their attention. Vampires playing by their eye-for-an-eye rulebook better than they do.

"Does Vera know about this meeting? I'm not scheduled for a report." I asked Denise, risking more irritation.

Denise did not even look up this time. "I am Crew, not Siren affairs. That is you and Vera. Sorry: I have no idea."

"Why are you lying?" I challenged my someday in the far future wife. Never lie to a hyper senses Vampire.

I am trying to move away from the term 'Hypersensitive' because that's an actual human medical term and I am married to a Doctor.

"Because Adrian. I was told to. You are not on Council so whatever they are doing is none of your fucking business." Denise scolded me.

I could hear Victoria slow to a gentle stop out in front and get out. Rachel popped out of her office and asked "Is that Victoria?"