Page 66 of Livewire Witch

Now I’m finally here in front of them and I need them to listen.

What I don’t need is for Malachai to be making what looks like an origami swan while Victor writes a shopping list. Edgar is just slurping his tea so loudly I’m not sure he can even hear me.

Not exactly an engrossed audience.

“A group of vampires in this city are drugging mages and humans with magic-infused drugs. This apparently gives them a boost in power, which they plan to use as a way of taking over leadership of Arcanum.”

Edgar blinks. It’s the only sign he’s listening, while the other two barely glance up from what they’re doing.

“They somehow orchestrated a situation where they gave Fabian Nightshade tainted blood. Cursed blood. It seems they planned to let him loose on the streets to cause carnage so they could prove their power and strength over the Archarcans.”

“Who is that? Someone Nightshade? Someone we should be aware of?” Malachai peers up from his origami.

I shove my hands into my pockets so that they can’t see my fists clenching. I need to remain calm if I’m going to get anywhere with them.

“The mage who is next in line to run the Nexus District,” I reply.

Blank stares all around.

Jeez, how out of touch are these vampires?

I briefly explain about the district and its history. The Nexus district might seamlessly weave illegal and legal activities together, but it’s common knowledge that you can get anything there as long as you have the cash for it. They don’t exactly hide the more dubious aspects of their business.

And given that it’s been a staple of the city for over half a decade and I’m having to explain its existence is worrying.

I’ve been warned by Edgar’s assistant not to bombard them with information. And explaining how the city runs seems to be running that risk.

I’m not an elder, just a regular business owner, and I only have a brief meeting slot.

“Hmm, and who are these vampires? The ones starting a revolution?” Victor asks, polishing his glasses, which I’m fairly certain are a fashion accessory only.

“I hadn’t come across them before. They seem to have been turned in the past two decades.”

“Names?”

“Claudia and Simpson, I don’t have any further details on either of them as yet.”

“Never heard of them.”

“Well, that’s not unusual,” Malachai replies drily. “Sounds like they’re a group of young upstarts wanting to cause mayhem.”

I can’t tell by his tone whether he thinks that’s a bad thing or not. While some of our kind relish in the bloodlust and chaos that comes with our ancient history, others find it wholly distasteful.

“Upstarts, you say?” Edgar seems disgusted by the concept.

“They must be, if they’re manipulating their own powers to gain more strength. Definite upstarts,” Victor mutters.

“And what is it you’re expecting here, Mr Santis? What do you anticipate coming out of this meeting?”

I wonder if it’s an age thing, the way none of them seem to care about the potential danger and suffering members of our kind might cause. It seems like they don’t have any interest in anyone other than themselves. It’s only when their own status is potentially threatened they begin to take notice.

I have to think quickly to realign my argument with this information.

“If we don’t at least attempt to stop them, who knows what collateral damage they’ll cause? Our status and reputation in this city is... not as it should be.” I’m cottoning on to the idea that appealing to their innate sense of superiority is the way to go here.

“If we allow carnage to break out and for them to set themselves up at the top of the pyramid in this city, our reputation will only suffer.”

“We’ll be seen as terrifying and powerful rulers of the city, you mean?” Malachai raises an eyebrow wryly.

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