Chapter 12

Henri looked bored. He hadn’t contributed a thing since the meeting started with the council talking about the rapid increase in price of their goods. 

The last topic for the day was the recent sighting of a new creature. 

Henri sat up now and his gaze flicked around the hall. He nodded his head and a lady strutted out from the front row. 

“Rosetta.” Jaja said softly to himself. “The only female Elder Vampire and a mean bitch too.” 

“Rosetta here...” Henri said and gestured to the white lady. “...has something to tell us.” 

“Henri darling, not me.” Rosetta said in a husky drawl. “One of my little ones saw something I’d like us to hear.” 

There was a ripple of murmur that went round the room. 

“Come in, my dear.” Rosetta said, sweetly. 

A young man came in from the side door. He looked uncertain and a little scared as he stood in the presence of all the Elder Vampires and other powerful members too. 

“Bruce, tell them what you saw." 

“Em... Well,” He coughed, then continued “Me and the boys were taking a little stroll. We just wanted wanted have a little fun when we were attacked by the sons of an Alpha.” 

“Taking a little stroll... where?” Henri asked. 

“Around North London.” Bruce replied glancing back to look at Henri for a second. 

“That would mean close to Alpha Jamie Morton.” Henri said quietly, rubbing his clean shaven chin. 

“What’s so special about a Werewolf attacking your kind?” Zhao said from beside Henri. 

Rosetta eyebrows furrowed and she turned and asked, “Who said it was a werewolf? Bruce, explain.” 

“Well, his eyes shone green – “

“Green eyed? How common is that for a werewolf?” Sir Richards asked Preston.

“Not at all. Never seen one.” Preston replied. 

Another murmur rippled through the crowd.

“...and claws sprang out from his fingers.” Bruce continued. 

“Claws?? Werewolves have claws, boy. Want me to demonstrate?” An Alpha yelled from the front, already standing and bring out his claws. 

“Not the usual type, you see. It was longer, more pointed, curvy.” Bruce explained. 

“Are you sure of what you are saying?” A Fey chief asked. 

“Yes. Very sure. He turned but not completely.” 

“Partial shifting is common, right?” Sir Richards asked Preston again.

“Yes it is. Many of us has mastered the art of shifting but not fully.” 

“He shifted, alright. But not into a wolf.” Bruce said. 

“Then into what?” Preston asked, tiredly. 

“A werecat.” Evelyn said in her cool voice. 

The ripple of murmurs were more pronounced now. Disagreements sprang from everywhere. 

“Why would you think such, Evelyn?” Henri asked her in a calm tone. 

“Can’t you all see it. It’s staring at you right in the face.” She said again in a calm voice. “What else fits that description? A Centaur?” 

Henri nodded thoughtfully and turned to Bruce. “You said they were the Alpha’s sons, right?” 

Bruce nodded. “They had the scent of Alpha blood.” 

“Is Alpha Jamie Morton here?” 

Jamie walked to the front. 

“What do you have to say about your sons?”

“I have just one son.” Jamie said. 

Bruce and Rosetta both looked confused. “They both had Alpha blood.” 

“That’s because one is my nephew, who is human. And my son is a werewolf. Or have you heard of having a werewolf and a werecat in one body?” 

Preston shook his head. 

“Something’s not right here.” Sir Richards said. 

“Something definitely isn’t.” Rosetta yelled. “They killed my favourite son, Xavi. And took his heart.” 

A collective gasp shook the room. 

“Rosetta, calm down.” Henri said.

“Your boys attacked my boys... near our territory. They got what they deserve. Even if my boys got some kind of help.” Jamie said. 

“So you knew there was a Werecat on the loose and you didn’t bother to call a meeting?” Preston asked Jamie. 

“I don’t call the meeting.” Jamje retorted. 

“Well, the cat was sighted near your territory, Alpha Jamie. You be careful.” Henri said. 

“We all are.” 

“What about my boy that was killed?” Rosetta asked. 

“What do you propose, Rosetta?” Henri said, drawing out her name. 

“An eye for an eye.” 

Another ripple of murmur moved through the crowd.

“What?” Jamie couldn’t believe his ears. 

“Explain yourself.” Zhao said. 

“I want the heart of his son.” 

“That is not possible, lady.” Jamie said. 

“It is very possible. Just let me get hands on the kid.” Rosetta countered. 

“You touch my boy and I’ll make sure I wipe out all of your kind.” 

“We can always turn more humans.” Rosetta shouted.

“That reminds me, new ripples of Vampires are showing up on our life crystal. It’s becoming too much.” Zhao said. 

“How we turn people is money of your concern.” Rosetta turned and faced the Fey. 

“It is, Rosetta. Out job is to maintain balance.” 

“Balance my foot.” 

“Reduce the way you give humans the turning bite. Henri talk to your people.” Zhao said. 

“My people can do as they please.” Henri said in a a bored tone.

Jamie snorted. Rosetta turned back to him. “Yoibgive me the heart of the boy before the next full moon or else...”

“Or else what, huh? You’re going to kill me? I’d love to see you try.” 

“The both of you, take deep breath and calm down. You both are making your emotions take the better of you.” Sir Richards said. 

Rosetta closed her eyes and took deep breaths and said in a low and dangerous tone “I’ll wage a war on the werewolf species.”

“What?” Preston said, standing up. 

“You heard me.” Rosetta said and walked out of the room through the side door. Bruce followed her.