After Daybreak (5 page)

She withdraws with a smile.

“So what are you two doing here?” I ask. “I figured you’d be at Valentine Manor.”

Richard exchanges a glance with Victor, before looking over at Clive. “We were strategizing how best to handle things until Victor’s return. Now that we know Sin has an army of Day Walkers—”

“It’s worse than that,” Victor says.

“How could it be worse?” Clive asks.

“He’s using a V-Processing center to not only create
more
Day Walkers but to infect them with the Thirst,” I say.

“What does he hope to accomplish?” Ian asks.

“He’s creating an unstoppable force,” Richard answers. Victor once told me Richard was good at strategy, so I’m not surprised he sees the potential of Sin’s scheme. “He doesn’t just want to control humans, he wants to control vampires.”

“Exactly,” Victor admits. “We learned that Sin has every intention of marching across this continent.”

“With each city that would fall, he would gain more soldiers, more power,” Ian says. “It’s how the vampires won the war against us. There’s no reason the strategy won’t work again.”

“So what’s our next step?” Clive asks.

Right now, vampires and humans don’t seem to exist; the line has been erased. In this room, it’s
us
versus Sin.

“We need to go to the Vampire Council,” Victor says. “We need to warn the Old Families. But more than that, we need to convince them we’re at war against an enemy they’ve never imagined. They can mobilize and destroy the V-Processing center in Los Angeles; it’s the heart of Sin’s entire operation. It’ll slow down his acquisition of Day Walkers and converting them to the Infected.”

“Do you really think they’ll listen?” Clive asks. “I’ve heard the Vampire Council is a collection of stubborn old fangs.”

“Unfortunately, Director, you’re correct,” Victor says. “That’s the reason we’ll need Dawn to come with Richard, Faith, and me.”

My heart stops, and I feel the warmth heating my cheeks. It’s nerves. Very bad nerves. I always knew this was big, that Sin’s plans were real and potent. But Victor wanting to take me to New Vampiria, to see the Vampire Council, suddenly brings home the enormity of all that is at risk.

“I’m not sure why Dawn needs to go with you,” Clive says.

“Because of what she saw and learned from Sin. A report coming from her directly will carry more weight. She was in the V-Processing center, she saw it for herself. The Council is full of ancient vampires who believe the Thirst is a myth.”

“Dawn, we just got you back,” Clive says. “How do you feel about this?”

“I need to go, Clive. I want to go.”

He sighs. I know he’s not happy, but I also know he won’t stop me.

“Well, the one piece of good news I have,” Clive says, “is that Eris and her Day Walkers haven’t been seen since you left. Maybe she’s waiting for the right moment, but for now we can all breathe a little easier.”

Eris came into Denver in a white carriage, walked straight up to the Agency in the bright sun, and requested I surrender myself to Sin. At the time we didn’t understand. Now I see why: He wanted to reveal my past to me; he wanted to give me the chance to face the New World Order by his side. When I left on the Night Train, I thought I was protecting myself and my city. Instead, I ended up falling right into Sin’s hands.

“Why do I have a feeling there’s bad news?” Victor asks.

Clive clears his throat. “Blood donations are down.”

“How much?”

“Nonexistent.”

I see a flash of anger in Victor’s eyes, and I understand his reaction. He wanted to be different from his father; he wanted to gain blood through peace not threats. But the second he leaves, suddenly there’s no blood.

“Why not?” he growls.

“Hursch isn’t encouraging anyone. That goes against his duties as the delegate. No one knows that better than Dawn. I think you should replace Hursch with someone more competent, someone who believes in what they do and understands the value of increasing the blood supply.”

“I think delegates have outlasted their usefulness,” Victor says. “I already have a plan in mind for getting more blood donations.”

Oh, no, the microchipping. During one of our shared dreams, Victor told me he was considering it. When he saw how bad things were, how little blood was being given.
No, Victor, please, not here, not now.

The door flies open and in strides Roland Hursch. I’m surprised his own slime hasn’t stained his expensive gray suit or his perfectly styled hair. He spoke out publicly against me being a delegate every chance he got and now that he’s finally got the job, he’s making a complete mess of it.

“Unbelievable!” he shouts. “You should have informed me the moment Victor arrived.”

“That’s Lord Valentine,” Victor reminds him with a stern voice that would be foolish to challenge.

Hursch gives a smile and mocking bow. “Of course,
Lord
Valentine. Why am I the last to know about his visit? Why are there other Old Family vampires in the Agency?”

Clive rubs his eyes, maybe wishing this would all just go away.

“Roland—” Clive begins, opening his eyes.

“That’s Mr. Hursch.”

Clive sighs. “
Mr.
Hursch. Perhaps now isn’t the best time.”

“He’s come into our city and our agency. I demand a meeting with him right now.”

Clive holds up his hands in an attempt to calm down his belligerent delegate. “Fine. Perhaps you are right. Faith, Richard, if you will be so kind as to wait outside.”

“In the parking garage!” Hursch shouts. “Vampire ears are a little too keen.”

Faith is about to protest when Victor gives her a sharp look and confirming nod. She shoots him a glare that says, “I’ll do it, but I won’t like it.” Then she and Richard leave.

“Michael, Jeff, Ian. Could you three go speak with the head guardsman downstairs? I believe you may be able to give him advice on how to tighten the city’s security.” It’s a ridiculous task, but Clive shows his diplomacy by not simply dismissing them.

“Dawn can go as well,” Hursch says.

“She stays!” Victor and Clive declare simultaneously.

“Okay, then, Mr. Hursch,” Clive says. “You have the floor.”

“Thank you, Director,” Hursch says, turning toward Victor. “One Old Family vampire in the city I understand; exceptions must be made. But three? And you wonder why no one donates blood? You remind them, with these reckless actions, that you have no respect for our walls or the citizens they house. It’s an outrage! Why are you even here?”

“To discuss the actions I am taking in order to maintain a steady blood supply.”

“Blood supply? We discuss that at the manor each week.”

“I will be leaving for several days, Mr. Hursch, and as I find you unable to carry out my wishes, I am here now to discuss them.”

Hursch seems to consider for a moment but can’t think of the right response. Victor puts his hands behind his back and begins pacing, circling Hursch in the same way a shark might circle its prey.

“Your agency will be embedding microchips into one hundred citizens: young, healthy, and disease-free. I will provide these chips.”

“Where will you get them?” Hursch asks, trying to keep his composure but losing it every time Victor comes nearer.

“Prewar technology; I’ve had them for years, though I never imagined using them. Then again, I never imagined dealing with such an incompetent delegate.” Hursch swallows hard, perhaps expecting to be thrown against the wall for his arrogance, something I’ve seen Victor do before. “These chips will allow me to track the citizens and determine if they have given blood within the past four weeks. If they have not, I will send in my Lessers to take it through an IV.”

“You can’t do that.”

“Watch me!” Victor yells, and Hursch cringes, his eyes only opening after Victor has walked away. “After several months, we will increase the number of citizens being microchipped to five hundred, and then one thousand, with the end goal of two thousand citizens giving regularly. In this way, my Lessers are fed, the Thirst is staved off, and everyone is happy.”

He rejoins me, and even though he’s still the Victor I love, his speech reminds me harshly that we’ll never be able to see things quite the same. At the end of the day, he’s a vampire overlord in charge of feeding his vampires, and even if vampiric blood runs in my own veins, I’ve spent my whole life with humans, and to me they’ll always be people before blood sources.

I want to tell Victor that this isn’t the way to do it, but I can’t undermine his authority in front of Hursch.

“I expect to have a list of three hundred potential candidates by tomorrow,” Victor says.

“It can’t happen,” Hursch responds. “I won’t let it.”

“Mr. Hursch,” Clive says.

“You walk in here and—”

“Mr. Hursch.”

“Make demands so impossible that—”

“Mr. Hursch!” Clive shouts so loudly that even I jump. “You may write a report as to your opinion on these matters and present it to me tomorrow morning.”

“But—”

“Until then, you may leave.”

Hursch looks at all of us with unbelievable contempt before turning on his heels and storming out, making sure the door slams extra hard on the way out.

After a few moments pass and we know Hursch won’t be returning, Clive spins toward Victor. “Are you serious, Lord Valentine?”

“Very.”

Clive nods, perhaps in understanding of Victor’s position. It isn’t far from his own as director. Protect those for whom you are responsible, at all costs.

“As you can imagine, I dislike this microchipping idea,” he says. “It will spread fear and resentment. Vampires swooping in and taking blood, even if by IV, will recall memories of the war.”

Reaching out, I take Victor’s hand. He looks at me, and in his eyes, I see determination. He’s thinking of his Lessers, but we all need to think of everyone. “You promised me the world I dreamed of. This isn’t it.”

“I’m sorry, Dawn, but at this moment, I see no alternative.”

Clive clears his throat. “We have a special blood reserve,” he confesses. “No one else knows about it, not even you, Dawn. And especially not Hursch.”

I’m a little offended, but maybe it was for the best. Delegates shouldn’t know that an easy solution is right around the corner; that way they negotiate harder.

“It’s two weeks’ worth of blood,” he says. “Once it’s gone, it’s gone for good and we will be bone dry. But if I release the reserve, will you reconsider this plan of yours?”

Victor stands still, not saying a word, only thinking. After a few tense moments, he agrees. “Yes. But donations must begin again.”

“We are trying,” Clive assures him. “Believe me.”

“I do. With the blood situation temporarily under control, we can leave for New Vampiria tonight. I’m sorry it’s such short notice, but time is no longer on our side.”

“I understand. Meanwhile, we have an inner room where those of you allergic to sunlight can stay until nightfall. If you’ll gather Richard and Faith with you, I’m sure they’d appreciate it more than a parking garage.”

“I’m sure they would,” Victor says.

As much as I’d like to stay with him, I know I have a lot to do to get ready for this trip to the Vampire Council. And a guardian to persuade.

Victor touches my hand. “We’ll be outside your apartment a few minutes after dark. Be ready.”

“Is there anything special I need to pack?”

“Something conservative to wear when you meet the Council members.”

“Not the corset and Victorian garb I wore for your father?” It took hours to get dressed.

He grins. “No. A dark suit should be fine.”

I’d love to give him a kiss, even just a tiny peck, but not with Clive here. I have to show him that I’m following Victor not because I love him, but because we’re doing the right thing.

“If I could speak with Dawn, alone,” Clive says.

Victor gives a short bow and leaves us.

Clive presses a button and the dark shades rise, letting in the bright sunlight. Before us spans all of Denver. I walk to the window and look out. I have a responsibility to the citizens of this city, no matter what runs through my blood.

If my father knew what he was, he put the citizens first as well.

“It was hard enough sending you to Los Angeles,” Clive says, coming to stand beside me. “I really don’t like the thought of you going to the Vampire Council.”

“It’s imperative that I go. I saw the V-Processing center and I can tell them that it’s fully operational.”

He seems to consider this answer, but it isn’t quite enough. That’s because one of the reasons I’m going is the vampire who just left the room. “Is there something you’re not telling me?”

There is, and he can tell because he’s known me for a long time.

“I think your father kept secrets, too,” he says quietly.

Surprised by his words, I face him. “Why do you think that?”

“He told me that if anything happened to him, I should protect you from Valentine. But when Lord Valentine requested you serve as delegate, I put the city first.”

“You had no choice. Valentine would have made the citizens pay.”

“Probably. I trust this younger Valentine more, but not completely, because at his core he’s still a vampire. Remember that, Dawn. Vampires can’t be trusted. Anyway . . .” He sighs deeply. “I think it’s time I gave you something.”

He goes to his desk and unlocks one of the drawers. He opens it and pulls out a large cassette player. It’s nice, not something patched together by the city’s many junkers who scavenge for parts to re-create prewar devices.

“I’ve been debating for some time when to give this to you,” Clive says, approaching me with it. “You’ll want to listen to it in private. And keep it. I’ve never played it—it was always meant for your ears alone.”

He hands it to me. It’s heavy. Not just from the thick plastic and dust, but heavy with memories. I can’t really explain how I know that. “It’s from my father, isn’t it?”

“Yes.”

I’m torn between the need to hear his voice again and putting off what his words might confirm. This could explain everything about my heritage. Or he could simply be singing me a lullaby. Or he’s saying goodbye.