Page 160 of Claim of Blood
The simple truth of it crashed through Leo’s remaining defenses, but also sparked something else—a fierce, protective anger.
“They did,” Leo said, his voice steadying. “They made their choice. Now I’m making mine.” He looked around the room at the faces tight with fear. “I know their methods, their training protocols. I know how they think.” His jaw tightened with determination. “They raised me to hunt supernatural beings, but they never expected me to use that knowledge to protect them.”
Adam’s thumbs brushed away the tears on Leo’s cheeks, his eyes fierce with pride. “You’re one of us.”
“I’m your hunter,” Leo corrected, the words carrying the weight of absolute commitment. “And whatever I know, whatever I can figure out—it’s yours.”
Adam’s hand found his, fingers intertwining with a possessiveness that sent warmth through Leo’s chest despite the circumstances.
As midnight struck on the summer solstice, Leo von Rothenburg made his choice. The shortest night of the year was ending, but the real darkness was just beginning. And this time, he wouldn’t be facing it alone.
Article #1
“They Walk Among Us”: Congress Erupts After Supernatural Revelation
By Lillian Emmerich, Senior Political Correspondent – Associated Press
FiledfromWashington,D.C.
Published:June 23, 9:14 a.m. EST
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Just days after shocking footage from Detroit revealed what authorities are now calling a “confirmed non-human presence,” the U.S. government is reeling from its first wave of supernatural disclosures. Chaos erupted in the Capitol yesterday as several members of Congress were identified—publicly and without warning—as supernatural entities.
The disclosures emerged during a closed-door emergency intelligence briefing and were quickly leaked to the press. According to leaked documents, the identified officials include at least three vampires, two witches, one confirmed shapeshifter, and several individuals of “unknown supernaturalclassification.” Within minutes, names were trending. By nightfall, violence had broken out in both chambers.
Eyewitnesses on the House floor described open shouting matches, accusations of “sorcery,” and at least one fistfight. Aides were seen escorting Representatives from the chamber under armed guard. “It was like watching the Salem trials on C-SPAN,” said one staffer. “Except this time, some of them weren’t denying it.”
In the Senate, things turned violent.
Security cameras captured footage of Senator Richard Vance (R-LA) being physically attacked by a colleague wielding a sharpened wooden stake. Vance survived. His press team has refused to comment on what they call “unsubstantiated rumors” about his identity. Capitol Police confirmed the incident is being investigated as a hate crime—but would not confirm the victim’s species.
Representative Maria Santos (D-NM), identified in the leaked documents as a “probable witch,” issued a defiant statement: “I have served my constituents faithfully for eight years. My heritage doesn’t change my commitment to democracy or my oath to the Constitution.”
According to Department of Homeland Security sources and leaked internal memos, plans are already underway for a new federal task force—tentatively referred to as the “Office of Supernatural Affairs.” The agency would coordinate identification, containment, and policy development related to non-human entities. The proposed office would reportedly include a “supernatural census,” mandatory registration protocols, and what one memo described as “enhanced security measures for high-risk entities.”
The proposal remains unannounced and is still in its early stages.
So far, at least twelve elected officials have been flagged as “non-human,” including two Senators, seven Representatives, and multiple senior staffers. The criteria for identification have not been released, and no formal vetting process has been established.
The national reaction has been swift and volatile.
Markets plunged at opening, with the Dow Jones dropping 800 points in the first hour of trading. Defense contractors and silver mining stocks surged unexpectedly.
Death threats have been reported in multiple states. One congressional office in rural Nebraska was firebombed overnight. Protests have erupted outside the district offices of exposed officials, with chants of “America for humans” and “We are not your cattle.”
Social media has ignited under hashtags like #TheyWalkAmongUs, #TruebloodCongress, and #WitchVotesCount.
President Manning has not addressed the nation directly, though a White House spokesperson issued a brief statement: “We ask for calm, unity, and courage in the face of extraordinary truths.”
But calm is in short supply. European allies have reportedly been in emergency sessions since the Detroit footage aired. Sources suggest several NATO countries may have their own supernatural populations and are scrambling to assess the implications for international law and security.
“Are any of us truly free,” asked conservative radio host Dana Steele, “if our laws were influenced by people with fangs and magic? What’s next—vampires on the Supreme Court?”
As of this morning, barbed wire fencing is being installed around the Capitol, and the National Guard remains on standby.
“This isn’t a policy debate anymore,” one protester shouted through a megaphone last night. “This is survival.”
The message from Washington is clear: the Capitol is no longer safe for everyone who once called it home.
