Page 27 of Midlife Vampire Unexpected

“The only thing we found out is that there’s a dark Fae behind all of this, some renegade. It seems a high price to pay for one little piece of information,” Bianca grumbled.

“Well, we just have to figure out the puzzle pieces,” I said. “I’m working on a board at my house. Maybe I can bring it here,” I said. “You’ve got a van, right?”

“We can do it better,” Anita said. “I mean, after all, we are witches.” She waved her hands in the air and the whiteboard appeared inside the red room.

My eyes widened “I don’t think I’m going to get used to that,” I said.

“You will eventually,” Trina said.

I shrugged. “We’ll see. You were brought up in this world. And the rest of you were born to it. Your blood called you here, but the only reason I’m here is because I’m too nosy, I guess, and got turned into a vampire.”

“You were doing your job and you got caught by a vampire.” Bianca nodded.

“I never imagined there would be this type of world here,” I said. “So much of what we pretend isn’t real is actually true and right below the surface.”

It was quiet in the room, the fire crackling, the lights dim. I looked around at the women and men gathered around me. Each one of them had supernatural skills. Trina, Hilda, Mae, and the kids all being witches.

“How do humans get magical powers?” I asked.

“It’s in their bloodline,” Antonio said. “Millennia ago, a branch of Fae broke off from the main line of pure-bred Fae. They wanted to interact with humans and cross their DNA. It turned out the human DNA was stronger. Even though the Fae were surprised at this, they realized for true longevity of species, they would need to continue to breed with the humans. Eventually it became a race in and of itself, not quite human and definitely not Fae. They have the power to manipulate the material world around them.”

“And do you have a demigod also?” I asked.

“No,” Mae said. “We serve the demigods, but we are not related to them at all.”

I wasn’t sure I would ever understand their politics. “Why do you serve the demigods if you’re related to the Fae?”

“The Fae tried to exterminate the witches back in the day. There was a battle between the Fae and the witches. The witches lost, but instead of becoming subject to the Fae, they asked for help from the demigods to stay free of the Fae. They would’ve made worse masters so they became members of the demigod corporation.”

“You have a completely different history than any I know,” I said. “What about your police, your judicial system. How does all that work?”

“There’s a high court with the demigod corporation. They’re served by the Nereids and the other elementals who work in the legal system. The witches are the protectors, but the demigods have the final say. The elementals act as their agents in the prisons in the courts. I don’t think you’d be too shocked by the judicial system of the Legendi; it’s much the same. We have supernaturals interspersed inside human court rooms to divert the criminals who are supernaturals gone wrong.”

“So, I’m going to stay working at the sheriff’s and it’s going to be okay with the Demigod Corporation?” I asked.

“Yes,” Hilda said. “Bianca still works there.”

“Is there any vampire association I’m supposed to be reporting to?” I asked.

Hilda and Trina exchanged a look.

“The vampires mostly live in dark Fae country over in Eastern Europe. A few vampires live outside that area because, well, vampires are hunted.” Trina explained.

“Are you kidding me?” Bianca asked. “I already have a price on my head. Now she’s got one too?”

Trina shrugged. “Certain vampires can get releases by the DGC in order to operate within the parameters of the DGC as long as they’re working solely for the DGC and have no affiliation whatsoever with the vampires of Eastern Europe. In this case she should be fine because under the protection of The Estate. She can get this type of dispensation.”

“Or I get killed?” I asked.

Hilda shrugged. “Pretty much.”

“Well, you guys have a really convincing argument for joining forces with you,” I said sarcastically.

“You don’t have a lot of choices,” Trina shrugged. “It’s either you stay with us or get killed.”

“I think you know whose side I’m going to fight on,” I said. “It’s just hard to find the perp when all I have to go on is that he’s a dark Fae.” I motioned towards Jane. “She might have more information.”

“It’s not going to work so well with her.” Hilda shook her head. “If the demon is inside her, then she’s going to need all of her strength to deal with him and she might’ve already lost too much when she connected with his aura.”

---