I was enjoying my morning jog when flowers arrived. The note was simple, 'I saw you yesterday and you looked so breathtakingly beautiful I wondered where you have been all these years. Your humble secret admirer' I threw it all away and spent the day going through security protocols and security cameras footage. Oleg was curious till I showed him what happened the last time I had stalker. Roland cracked his knuckles and started speaking Spanish. He was so happy till Kiska said a few words in Norwegian and smacked him. I had Kiska apologize before things escalated. I asked Roland to redirect his unhinged ideas to stop this creep before people get hurt. I gave Oleg permission to rip him to pieces once he was discovered. The person had masked their scent so it won't be easy. The security decided not to show any react to the public since this might be a plot to prove I am awake.
The second batch of dead flowers came with a death note. Oleg informed the police and asked them to find the creep before things get ugly. Then a subpoena arrived asking for my attendance. Oleg laughed as he explained to the law firm that I am not here. I was in hibernation so they will have to deal with the council. No one could sue the Nocturnals because we tried to stop the hybrids from separation. The locals had cheered the supposed newer tougher variety which they hoped to be a part of. Now they wished to have nothing to do with them. The council sent a letter asking them to explain why they were so interested in me. They responded that they wanted to prove my bite can change someone. The dialysis had simply removed the effects. The council laughed as they explained, "Once bitten there is no dialysis which can reverse a bite. Hybrids are naturally sterile. Only their blood can change a person as demonstrated by the brand new catastrophe we are facing because no one listened to us."
The law firm had to retract their law suit. Everyone knew the Nocturnals were lying through their teeth when they say I am asleep but no one had any definitive proof. The satellite was disabled so no one could track me. The drones were out scanning day and night to find me but they have no clue. The president actually mentioned the marble floor had once hid my sarcophagus. But he is sure they are now decoys. The flowers came in the dozens regardless. It was addressed to me. I just ignored it as I went about my way. I chose Daisy's face and Oleg spat out his drink. Roland politely asked me to change my appearance to something more cute. I remembered a girl in my class called Josephine. She had a heart shaped face with curly blond hair and pale skin with freckles. She had hazel eyes. She was shorter than me and we used to be lab partners. She had a chirpy voice but was on point. Oleg tilted his head and Roland approved. I was introduced as Valentina a member of the vampire coven Eternal flame.
The guards were ordered to wear masks. I would sit in my seat looking at the dancers. One even asked if I could dance with one. I shook my head since I am spoken for. The guy chose to sit instead. I remember the award ceremony where a man sat next to me and started hurling insults. Immediately a council member pulled him out and sat next to me. He was very polite and helpful. I smiled as the human requested to dance again. I politely refused but he didn't give up. I finally got up and danced with him. He asked me why I was so tense. I explained that I prefer my husband as a dance partner. Oleg came and took over. He was wearing a mask. We danced the night away. The man stared curiously. People rarely marry their security so he was intrigued. After dancing I sat down and he stood guard. The president spoke about unity and freedom.
I was so bored but I forced myself to listen. Finally I had enough and scanned the surrounding area. I sensed a group of insurgents and I connected with my family to give them a head's up. Security tensed up as the troublemakers got closer. I was told to let them handle it so I stay quiet. I counted the seconds as the door blew off the hinges. I sat quietly as men and women walked in like we owe them money. The leader was a man in his thirties. He had a sandy blonde hair tied to a ponytail. He wore black tactical gear and a tool belt like Batman. He looked at us and spat on the floor. He wasn't very pleased. With a wave of his hand we were arranged in a row. He broadcasted the incident to the public. He demanded the release of certain people. In return we can go free. The police promised to do their best. The other law enforcement agencies swore the same.
The other hostage takers kindly asked the Nocturnals why they are not ripping them to shreds. They explained they are not animals. They follow their emperor's orders to the letter. The emperor wants this situation not to escalate. They were surprised to hear that. They are used to people using the other as a step ladder. I asked them very sweetly if they are really here to release some people from prison. They saw my curiosity as an amusement. They explained how they were framed. I asked them to extend their hand as proof. They extended a finger and I licked his finger. I viewed his memory and saw he was telling the truth. I walked over to the emperor and he told me to stand down. So I walked over to the president. I explained how the people were framed so he should pardon them. The president stared weirdly and I explained that he shouldn't be so rude. They only came here after they had exhausted other avenues.
The president explained that some people are framed for the benefit of society. I told him that he would rot in prison if he was a Nocturnal. Sam told me to sit down and behave. He made it clear that he agrees with the president. I looked at the council and they stared at Sam like he grew an extra head with flaming horns. The humans who were present sensed something was off so they stood watching. Sam asked me to quietly and let the scene unfold itself. The hostage takers asked the president to come clean. He refused do to so. The law enforcer in me was screaming to force him. Make him say the words. I was insulted Sam would do that. We live by the rules not to step on people as we go.
Sam reminded me that I bit a soldier. I reminded him that I subdued him. I didn't kill him. I bit him so he won't attack me and I won't have to attack him. He mentioned hypnosis and the council members snarled. The hostage taker asked if there was a problem. Sam kindly apologised and asked me to sit this one out. Everyone reminded Sam about my no hypnosis policy. He brushed it off and I asked if he was ever traumatised. He kept his mouth shut and I didn't say anything further. The hostage taker asked the president to come clean. He kept his mouth shut. Sam asked if he could be excused since this was none of his business. The president gave him a look and it was enough for the council members to take a mental vote. It was unanimous. I gave my vote too. Sam took off his ring and placed it on the table. The Pretorian guards were staring at him insulted.
The first rule of being Nocturnal is not to be unjust or using their ability to frame innocent people. The council would strip the person of rank and I would scream till he dies. Sam sat still as one vampire stepped forward. Ollie asked me to bite him instead since everyone could see if I do it. I took a deep breath and raked my claws over his hand. I slowly licked my finger. We saw how he had taken bribes and how he was involved in framing the kid K-Dog. The deal he made with the president. The deal was to let the newer deadlier version as experiments so they can create super soldiers. The werewolf nearest to him glitches several times. I had trouble staying focused after he promised to split us so he can have an army of werewolves as part of his protection detail. He hasn't given any biological samples. He promised to do so once he becomes permanent emperor.