Chapter Ten

The attitude of my visit with Anna & Celeb was a far contrast to the previous day’s. No lounging, this time we were standing at the kitchen counter, speaking solely in our native elven language.

“What dost thou think is our most pressing matter?” Celeb asked me.

“Anthony. He must be restrained, before Romulus gets hold of him, or the Hunters.”

“And Romulus himself? Doest thou not believe we should concern ourselves with him?”

I paused to think. “Romulus is cunning. His numbers are far greater than ours. It is no small matter to take on his forces. He will be patient and persistent; so must we be. It could take Romulus centuries to strike.”

“The world is different than it was the last time we faced him. He is acting in a manner that worries me. I am curious to know why he is so preoccupied with someone as mundane as Anthony.”

“Then I demand something be done about Anthony! Kid Ugly died simply by spying on the local vampires for them. They are all at risk by associating with him. They are in much too far over their heads now, Romulus will destroy them to get what he wants.”

“Their friends demise was a result of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. It is unfortunate, but not something that could have been anticipated, and something he knowingly exposed himself to. He could have been attacked at any time, even without Romulus’ followers involvement. We cannot protect all humans from the vampires, especially when they run into their arms.” Celeb rationalized.

“We can when they come to us for help! We must when they beg it of us!” I argued.

“Elanor, they will never leave Anthony to his own devices. We cannot spread ourselves thin for them. If they require our assistance, we will inform them of our efforts with Romulus, and advise them on how to deal with Anthony. If they don’t take it, we’ve done all we can, and it is no longer our concern.”

“That’s not good enough. They’re children, they want to help, and to be honest, they do. I can’t accept the option of standing by idly while they are captured and likely tortured by a vampire the likes of which they can’t even fathom. It is our duty to protect them, ignoring their naïveté is what damned us all in the first place.”

Celeb sighed and rubbed his chin. “In truth, we need greater numbers. We must call in more of our kind.”

We agreed that, for the time being, they would deal with the Hunters. Anna was going to go talk to them tonight, which was likely a better idea than letting me in the same room with Anthony.

We then plotted a strategy to call in reinforcements slowly and clandestinely. There was no way we would avoid Romulus’ radar, but if we made a strong enough effort, we could still intimidate, or at best, he would underestimate us. After 2,762 years of rivalry, he knew us all too well; though the same was true for us.

Back home, I called André to update him as to my people’s plans. The fact that we were calling in support made him feel more confidant. Again, he asked about Jack.

“We have enough reason to believe that he doesn’t associate with Romulus, but his knowledge of us is, naturally, still a risk. His movements will be monitored, and his exposure to us will be limited. I promise, I will block my mind from him. He’s not extremely powerful. As long as my guard is up, he can only see what I want him too.”

“Has he made any moves on you?” André asked.

I laughed. “I think thou are more concerned with is being on thy territory than his prospective threat to my safety.” I said teasingly.

Now André laughed too. “Just jealous that he gets to spend time with my love while I don’t.”

“Thou should come home for a weekend.”

“I will.”

We made arrangements for him to return soon, then reluctantly said our goodbyes. After I hung up with him, I returned to my dying work that had been set aside the previous night for our rendez-vous with Anna.

Jack arose early, while the sky was still a rosy blue.

“Why so hasty?” I asked him.

“I have too many questions running through my head. I can’t keep still.”

I smiled at his zeal. “What does thou desire to know?”

“Everything! Tell me about your life, your adventures, your husband, the other elves, the vampires we met, the Hunters, and that one you kept speaking about, Romulus.”

I sighed deeply at his inquests. I would need to be cautious about how I answered him, and that frustrated me. However there was no more harm to e done by telling him what Romulus already knew, so I could base my answers on that.

I looked at my dying project I had already delayed once.

“Come with me, I need a run.”