Duke
“Be rational about this, Felix,” I begged him as I paced his study. He sat in the oversized black chair behind his desk. The room was
dimly lit, with the fireplace shadowing his face.
He tapped on the glass of whiskey he was drinking, his eyes glowing red in the firelight. Felix never was one to back down from a fight. For the thousands of years I’d known him, he craved violence and destruction.
I’d had my share, but I was done hurting people. Our kind was built for chaos… for pain. I believed we could be better. We could do better; we had the ability to help people. We didn’t have to encourage the suffering or pain of others.
Felix drank the remainder of his whiskey, setting it down on the desk. “I will not sit here as those mutts tear my brethren to shreds. They need our help, Duke. I am being rational,” he replied slowly.
Turning away, I shook my head.
“Werewolves aren’t our concern. There are no packs anywhere near here. The other clans can handle themselves,” I reasoned. We’ve fought many battles, only a few actually being our own. It was time for us to step back and let the other clans fight for themselves.
Though he got up and walked in my direction, I stood my ground. He was intimidating to most; his body was only slightly taller than mine, but I didn’t let that bother me. I kept my gaze focused on him even as he came into view.
“You’d let them die? Where is this request coming from, Duke?” He asked.
“I’m 2,890 years old and haven’t lived a single day. The fighting, the war, and the hate will never stop. Vampires and werewolves have been
natural enemies from the dawn of time. Let it go–let us live in peace,” I placed my hand on his shoulder as I begged, trying to get through to him.
Felix dropped his head, seemingly deep in thought. I was asking a lot of my clan with this request, but it was necessary. Hopefully, he would see things my way. He looked up, his red eyes full of remorse. “Come, we will discuss this with the rest of the clan,” he instructed, stepping from the office into the foyer of the castle we called home.
“There is something that must be discussed; come to the foyer,” Felix communicated through our clan’s mind-link.
Soon, there were hushed sounds of wind passing and quickened footfall on the polished marble floor. In front of us stood the rest of our clan. There were only seven of us, but we were stronger and older than all the other vampires in America. Our leader, Felix, had royal blood, which made him the king of vampires.
“Is this about the werewolf attacks?” Quin questioned, looking ready for a fight.
“Yes,” Felix confirmed. “I say we step in and fight amongst our clans. Duke suggested that we have done enough, and he’s tired of fighting,” He eyed all the men, gauging their reactions.
I took a breath before speaking, “All we do is fight battles that aren’t ours. Instead of fighting, we could help others–”
“Others? Tell me you’re not referring to humans?” Eugene scoffed, laughing at the idea.
“Yes, humans,” I affirmed with clenched fists. They were defenseless against werewolves and our fellow vampires as well. Instead of choosing to hate them, we could help. “Vampires and werewolves will always have wars to fight. It’s time we defend humans from their biggest threat.” Humans had never known of the existence of our kind or werewolves. They couldn’t defend themselves if they knew nothing of us.
Quin raised an eyebrow as he smirked. “Just the thought of them makes my mouth water.”
My clanmates chuckled at his comment, and I worried I may be alone in this. Nevertheless, Felix raised his hand, silencing them. “Is anyone else besides Duke tired of fighting?” He inquired.
Lucifer, Theo, and Dane raised their hands. I stared at them, shocked. I’d spoken to them about the constant battles before, and they listened with an open mind. However, I never expected them to agree with me.
“Let natural selection do its job. If they need us, we’ll be there, but the clans don’t need us as much as they used to,” Lucifer added with his arms crossed over his chest.
“Bullshit! They’re under attack, and we never lose. It’s our duty to help our brothers,” Eugene exclaimed with a glare, disappointment evident in his gaze.
Felix nodded. “A compromise,” he started. “When a clan needs our help, three of us will go on a mission to assist them, and the others will stay. Once the mission is over, three others will go. We will continue helping other clans and make time to… live.” He paused to chuckle before continuing. “As Duke put it earlier.”
The room was quiet for several minutes while everyone considered his offer.
These wars typically only last a few years. When the time came for me to go on a mission, I would gladly fight for a short time if that was the cost of living my own life.
“I agree,” I said.
The rest of the clan was reluctant to agree, taking several minutes before relenting to the proposed deal.
“That settles it,” Felix stated as he watched everyone. “Quin, Eugene, and I will go. Duke is in command until I get back.” He gave Quin and Eugene a sharp look.
Felix, Quin, and Eugene are the most ruthless out of us all. Their bloodlust was unmatched. It was smart that Felix would take the first rotation. The more they wait for a taste of destruction, the bigger the rampage would be when they explode.
