25

Once everyone is back I dismiss them and head over to Raze’s room. The door is locked and a familiar tunes carries through the door. I knock and wait as the music is shut off, the door click, then opens.

Raze smiles when he sees me. “Ivan, you're back! The Elders told me you were still around, but i never got to see you. What can i do for you?”

“I need you to draw up an alliance document. I don't know if you know anything about those cause i sure as hell don't. I don't know, something along the lines of ‘there is an understood alliance between so and so and they pledge to honor this agreement’ or something.” I request

“Yea i can do that. Its probably going to take a day or so though. So how ya been man? What ‘cha been up to?” Raze asks

i shake my head, “Busy and tired. It feels like i haven't slept in a month. Just got back from Necropolice. What an odd place.”

Raze laughs. “I can't immagine. Anyways its  great to see you again, but I've got plenty of work to do. I know you do too, but i think you should take a bit of a break. The cafe’s still open.”

i nod at him and wave as i walk away. “Thanks Raze.”

I walk back to my room and find Saundra getting ready to go to bed. I duck my head in, "Hey baby, I'm going to go get something to eat. Do you want to come?"

She looks at me for a moment, in thought, then nods.

We walk to the Cafe with our arms locked together. The Cafe is empty except for a few early bird. Saundra and I both grab a sandwich and a glass of blood.

"I think we ate better while we were captives," I joke

"Yea, but now we're free and that alone outweighs any food. Any luck remembering where we were?" Saundra replies

I shake my head. "All I have is the castle in the mountain. Other than that? Nothing. Don't you remember anything?"

"No. I blacked out when you picked me up and did that...thing. The Gs got to me I think."

"I've come to call it flash step." I say

Saundra raises an eyebrow questioningly.

"What? I'm like a flash, but I'm running. It makes total sense." I defend

After we finish we go back to our room and go to bed where I get the first day of sound sleep I've had in weeks, even through zombie filled dreams.

The next morning I'm the last one awake. I meet the others in the Cafe, they don't look too happy. Taylor is comforting Maurine who is sobbing heavily.

"What happened here?" I ask, filled with dread

"We got a report in from Egypt. The Pyro-settlement got hit." Taylor says

"Oh no. How bad?" I ask panicked

"Everyone is dead." Maurine says from I between sobs

Taylor gives her shoulder a comforting squeeze. "There are indications that the attack was lead by Beezebus..."

"I hope they gave the b*****d heartburn." I interject, "Wait, how'd they know where it was?"

"That's the thing. In the attack was lead by two. Beelzebub and Lucifer."

My heart drops through the floor. "Oh no. That means Ra was caught unaware. He had no idea that Silvermain was two faced." I slam my head against the wall. "Damn it!" I sweep the hair out of my face. "Maurine I'm sorry, I'm so so sorry."

"Ivan, you didn't know this would happen. It's not your fault." Sundra starts

"Even still. I'm the leader, their well being was my responsibility. Because of me an entire race has gone extinct!"

"Spoken like a true leader." Bloodlust says from behind me.

I whip around bloodlust, dressed in his suit, alongside the two other Elders. "It's upsetting to hear about the Pyrokinetics. They were a truly gifted people. A piece of advice for you Ivan?"

"Sure." I shrug

"Take this opportunity to reach out to your other followers. Use those who've died as an inspiration and motivation for your soldiers and all you're fighting for. Show everyone what kind of leader you are. The humans know we exist now, and the Undergrounds are starting to get T.V.s."

"You're saying to make a public address? As in like what the President does?" I ask

Bloodlust nods his head. "I've already sent word to the other leaders to come to America if they can. They're meeting you at the White House, but first I believe there are some loose ends to tie up."

"Right. Is the Elders' Chamber usable?" I ask

"More or less. Why?" Essence answers

"I'm calling a meeting. Everyone must be present." I then head to the Elders' Chamber to announce it to everyone else in the building.

There are more Lycanthropes living here than I thought. They stand and sit along the walls of the Chamber with myself, the Elders, and my Generals in the middle.

I raise my hands and tell everyone to quiet down and begin to speak once they obey. "Everyone, if you please, this is important so please pay attention and I'll keep this brief. This place, our home, is no longer safe. You are all aware of the exposing of Lucifer and now Avengus knows where we are most vulnerable. The Pyrokinetics in Egypt have already found this out and, regrettably, did not survive the attack. This is why we must relocate." I declare

A wave of uproar assaults me and my proposition.

I try to quiet the masses once more with no success.

Bloodlust pats me on the shoulder and says to me, "The key is to let them know who's in charge. Take your backbone and beat them with it, metaphorically of course." He then clears his throat and very loudly and very clearly shouts, "Everyone shut up!" He then returns to his seat, handing the floor back over to me.

"Thank you Bloodlust. As I was saying, this place is no longer safe is no longer safe. Us relocating is not optional if you want to live. There is a place I know of, that I have been to, that is secure. The Chaos Eclipse would never suspect it because they once used it. It was once a stronghold commanded by the Eclipsean Azmodaus. The sooner we do this, the better." With that I take my seat and the Elders take the floor.

"Clearly this is an urgent matter." Luna begins, " We will now have a vote amongst the Elders on the issue. All for?"

All three Elders raise their hands.

"By unanimous decision the Den will be move to the predetermined location."

After the meeting is dismissed, everyone immediately sets to packing and moving the Den. Saundra sets to taking care of our room.

"I shouldn't be gone for more than a couple days so I'll help as soon as I get back." I promise

"Are you nervous?" Saundra asks

"Immensely. I've done speeches before, but never to millions of people. This is going to be filmed and looked at for years to come. This is a huge moment in history."

"Everything is going to be fine Ivan." Saundra takes my hand and holds it comfortingly. "You're doing a tremendous job and no one else could be a better choice for the position."

"That's a bold faced lie," I smile ",but thank you sweetheart." I throw my duffle bag over my shoulder and kiss her.

I grab a truck from the garage and drive to the SeaTac airport once again. I have a good half hour or so until my flight arrives. I left all my weapons at home so I fly through the security check. I sit in my terminal trying to fight off the butterflies that now inhabit my insides. So  many things can go wrong, especially if its like my last trip and the Eclipse get involved. I'm finally able to board the plane, lets get this over with.