Itachi stalked through the walls of his domain.


    It had been a long week.


    First, a count had been killed and now, the council was breathing down his neck and putting pressure on him.


    His mind went to the little princeling. He had wanted to kill the vampire there and then but he had held back as his blood sang in warning.


    He knew very well how powerful blood can be. He was, after all, one of the few who had been able to decipher one or two of the messages hidden in vampire blood by the progenitor.


    He entered his entrance hall, his eyes ghosting over the disy of wealth.


    If it was up to him, the entrance hall would be bare but his wives had taken care of the interior decorations.


    He walked straight to his throne room, pushing the door open.


    The darkness in the room bowed to him in greeting, acknowledging their master.


    However, his eyes were on the figure sitting on his throne.


    The woman was dressed in a ck leather jacket and tight ck leather pants. Her bright green hair sat on her head in a buzz cut.


    He knew she was an astral projection but he also knew she was just as solid as he was in this room.


    This was the power of a council elder.


    "Mydy." He inclined his head slightly in a bow. "May I ask what you''re doing here?"


    The woman stared down at him, a half smile on her face.


    She radiated no aura at all and could be mistaken for a normal human being if one didn''t know what she was.


    "You may." She answered him with a smirk.


    He stared at her for a second.


    So, this is how you want to y things? Very well.


    "Why are you here mydy?"


    The elder answered immediately. "Why else would I be here but to summon you to the council." She leaned back on his throne. "Your presence is required at the ark, Itachi. Immediately."


    "I refuse, mydy."


    "You refuse?" She leaned forward in amusement.


    "Yes, mydy. The council interfered in my city and forced my hand, giving the Ascension well to Yuri. Your actions have resulted in the death of one of my counts and a war brewing on mynds. I cannot abandon the city to descend into anarchy. I must settle things here first."


    "I see." Thedy answered. "How about this?"


    Itachi frowned in suspicion.


    "I''ll erect a Shield Wall."


    Itachi''s eyes widened momentarily before he took control of his expression.


    "No vampires would be able to get in or get out as long as the Wall is up. When you get back, I''ll personally rece any casualties among your subjects."


    "Mydy..." Itachi spoke.


    "Prince Arthur ising to the ark." The woman spoke, cutting him off. "You are one of the few we trust to be on our side. This assembly of the council must not devolve into a fight, Itachi."


    "What are the lives of a few subjects when our society itself hangs in the bnce?" She stood from the throne, walking towards him.


    "The Monarchists would be watching as their favorite figurehead will be in attendance. The Veilbreakers as always will watch from the shadows seeking anything to advance their plots."


    She stopped in front of him, her expression serious.


    "We have to hold our society together or it all crumbles around us, Itachi. You wille to the gathering and stand with us. That is the way we all survive."


    Itachi sighed in resignation. "Very well"


    The woman nodded. "Don''t worry. I will erect the Shield Wall myself. The other City Lords not at the assembly will be unable to interfere in your absence."


    "Thank you, mydy." Itachi spoke, the words tasting like ash in his mouth.


    With a final nod, thedy disappeared without even a sh of light.


    Itachi walked out of his throne room,ing to the floor to ceiling windows in his entrance hall.


    He stood there, gazing down at First City below him.


    Vampire blood will be spilled here but there was nothing he could do.


    The current order of things cannot be allowed to fall.


    *********


    Luna drove through the streets of First City, smiling at the sights. The neon lights that brightened up the night, the familiar streets, the T-Max building, the corner coffee shops.


    She missed them all.


    "It hasn''t changed one bit, has it?" One of her best friends spoke from the passenger seat. "I would have said home sweet home but it ain''t home no more."


    Luna''s eyes flicked to the side, catching the nostalgic smile on her friend''s face.


    "Are you sure, Char?" She smirked as she teased.


    "Stop it with the Char nonsense." Charlie yawned from where she sat, brushing her hair behind her hair. "We didn''te here to y. We get what we want and we get out. Simple as that."


    "Yeesh." Luna frowned yfully. "Always so serious. Lighten up, will you?"


    "By the way," Charlie frowned, "where''s Fiona? Shouldn''t she be here for this?"


    "Nah. She opted out. She said she''ll meet us at the hotel."


    "Fair enough."


    After a few minutes of driving, they arrived at their destination.


    Thedies got out of the car and steered up at the building, smirking at the rooftop garden that could be seen above it.


    With a nod, they walked in.


    If one was asked to describe bothdies, amonly used word would be ''enchanting.''


    Bothdies had simr dark hair which flowed down to their waist. Their dark skin glowed in the night, entuating their beauty.


    Their dresses glinted in the night, catching the eye of all who were looking.


    As they walked, those watching couldn''t tear their eyes away from their form until they went out of sight.


    Thedies rode the elevator till they got to the rooftop.


    They opened the door to the rooftop garden, a smirk already on their face.


    "Hellodies." Luna waved daintily at the women who tended to the nts under the light of the moon.


    The women straightened, adjusting the scarves on their faces.


    "How have you been Stephanie?" Charlie stepped forward.


    "What the fuck are you doing here?" Stephanie said calmly.


    "Happy to see you too." Charlie grinned. "We''re here to take business from you, Flower Shop girls."


    Stephanie stepped forward to meet Charlie.


    "I see that you A X E clowns haven''t learnt your lessons." Her eyes glinted in amusement. "It''ll be fun ying with you guys."