Chapter 10

MEETING

I woke up in the morning, pretty cranky, pulling the blanket over my head. The sun was shining through the open window. Why were the blinds open? It was the weekend. Nobody needed to be up early. I groaned, rolling over to turn away from the window and the bright sun. I glanced at the alarm clock on the nightstand. 9:08 am. Why was I awake this early on a weekend? I suddenly realized that Bobby was no longer sleeping on the floor where he had been last night after tiring of playing video games. I sat up quickly, looked around my room. Not here. I panicked, looking out the window, seeing his car was still parked outside. He was in my house unsupervised. He could be feeding on my family!

Practically flying off the bed to my door, I ran out of my room and down the stairs. When I reached the bottom, both my parents, Annie, her friend Macy, and Bobby were in the kitchen staring at me wide-eyed. I guess I made a spectacle running down stairs like a raging bull. I stared back, feeling confused. Everyone was eating breakfast except Bobby.

"Hey Max, I made breakfast, would you like some?" Bobby asked way too cheerfully. I shrugged, sitting down next to Annie, who was watching me suspiciously.

"Max, after we eat, you need to take Macy home," my mother was saying, as she was enjoying the food Bobby prepared.

"Yeah, okay." I replied, really not interested in the food or talking to my parents. I ate anyway, so they wouldn't pay any attention to me. My parents were asking Bobby questions, and Bobby was laughing at what Annie and Macy were saying.

"Max we have to go do some stuff later today," Bobby said, when everyone was getting up and leaving the kitchen.

"Stuff? What kind of stuff?" I asked sarcastically.

"Just a meeting. We need to discuss what arrangements to make for you. Also, there's some other business that we need to attend to." Bobby replied in a low voice.

"I have to take Macy home. When I come back we can go."

"I'll drive Macy home so we can leave sooner. It's a bit of a long drive." I nodded, heading into the living room.

The living room had dramatically changed since last night. There was no longer a blanket fort covering everything. The coffee table was pushed up against a wall and a large blanket was spread out on the floor with a large pile of blankets sat in the middle. Annie and Macy sat on the couch watching cartoons. They either didn't notice me sitting down in the armchair or they just chose to ignore me.

"I'm ready." I heard Bobby say from somewhere behind me.

"Okay Annie, say bye to Macy. We're going to take her home now. We've got some things to do today." I stood up.

"Can I come?" Annie said, jumping up.

"No, we have to do adult stuff. No kids. Sorry, Annie," I replied quickly, walking Macy to the door with her backpack.

"That's not fair. You won't be an adult for a few weeks! Why do you get to do stupid adult stuff already!" She was pouting and crossing her arms over her chest.

"Annie, we can hang out later tonight. Bobby and I have to go do some work that wouldn't be any fun for you. You'd wind up pretty ticked off at me." She looked so sad and beautiful.

"You don't know that, unless I go!" She was trying to change my mind.

"Annie you can't. I'm sorry, I'll take you to get ice cream tomorrow instead."

"Fine, but I want two scoops," she was still pouting.

"Bye, Annie." I quickly closed the door so there wouldn't be any more debate. I did hear a muffled cry, but I never really knew what she said.

Bobby and Macy were standing there watching me as walking down the stairs. They went to the car, Macy stops as she reached the passenger side of the car. I ran over and opened it in a grand fashion, dramatically bowing down like a gentleman. She stared at me all wide eyed. I closed the door and got in, and directed Bobby which way to go. Macy didn't live very far. It was a bit of a walk, but not much of a trip in the car. It would take at the most about five minutes. Bobby's low laughter got my attention sporadically a few times, but we pretty much drove in silence. Macy never seemed like a big talker. She talked to Annie, but she never really spoke with me or my parents. I guess she was just shy.

"What's so funny?" I asked, looking over at Bobby, who was staring forward.

"Nothing man," he smirked. Macy was in the back seat, sitting quietly. She looked nervous.

For a short ride, it seemed pretty long. Finally, we turned onto Macy's street. Macy got out and started walking toward her house. I always waited for her to go in, just in case her parents were asleep or somehow not home. Her mom opened the door after a couple of seconds. Macy waved and went in.

"So, let's get this show on the road," I said, not very happy that I was supposed to go back to Luke's house.

"You seem to be in a better mood today," Bobby was saying.

"Not really," I replied shaking my head. "I just have no fight left in me to fight a battle I won't win."

"Maybe it's not as bad as you're making it seem," he replied, increasing the speed of the car. "You will understand eventually."

"Sure. Guess I'll have to see it to believe it." I said as sarcastically as I could.

"You will one day. Little Macy, she really likes you and looks up to you," Bobby answered, changing the subject.

"Are you kidding? First of all, most of the time, the girl barely talks to my parents, let alone me." I didn't really want to talk about Macy. "Besides, that's kinda gross, dude."

"She just doesn't talk much when you're around. Before you came downstairs this morning, she was a regular Chatty Cathy. And when we were driving to her house, she stared at you the whole time from the back seat." Bobby was smiling.

"Whatever, man. She is still just a baby." I was suddenly so tired.

"For now, but eventually, she won't be."

What the hell is wrong with him? I was thinking to myself. Macy was like another sister to me. She was always around, plus she a child! That was just so weird. Why would he even try to mention crap like that to me? I closed my eyes, not really want to be awake for the trip. I couldn't really sleep though. The moment I dozed off, I would wake right back up from the slightest bump or sound.

Eventually, we made it back to Luke's house, the giant mansion. We parked out front, got out and went in. I was definitely more out of sorts than when we dropped off Macy.

"There you are! We told you to come back at 9, and its almost 11!" Josh yelled at us.

"Chill, man Max slept in and i think he kind of deserves, well just a little..." Bobby said, as Josh started dragging both of us to the eternal staircase.

"The meeting was supposed to start at 9 and we are late! Everyone is getting grouch so let go quickly" Josh said as we started climbing the stairs.

Why was it necessary to have a staircase humongous? My legs started to burn and ache we had only made it to the first landing. Once there, both Bobby and Josh turned and headed down a hallway, stopping at two large double doors. There was a small group of people, two of which I recognized. There stood Luke and his creepy younger looking father. There were two other gentlemen who looked young though slightly older than us standing with them waiting for us. I got a wave of fear screaming that that i shouldn't not be here. I wanted to run.

"Good, you're here. Time to get started," Luke said. We went in and everyone found chair around a large, beautifully crafted desk, apparently Luke's Father. Bobby patted my lightly my back, nudging me forward toward the group.

"Max, you will sit next to Luke as you are his Second." Luke's father began. I walked over, trying not to drag my feet as I did. "Now that everyone is here, i would like to introduce my council to Luke's second, Max."

Everyone looked at me. I kept my eyes somewhere above Luke's head, and tried to look nonchalant.

"Max, this is my Council. This is Link, my personal bodyguard." Link stood, and I could clearly see that he was a freaking giant. Bobby is a big guy, but this dude is a giant and I don't think he would fit in a normal size house. "Link trains Bobby for taking over his position like I am training Luke to be king" he said as I really wanted to scoff, but figured I wanted to keep my blood in my body today

"What do I call you?" I said as he looked at me confused

"Oh, well king works, Bobby is fond of calling me old man" he said as I heard snickering coming from Bobby's general direction "but my name is Jace, which you may call me" The King said as I nodded "any more question before we continue" he said, looking at me and I felt really out of place, which I shook my head "good now Reed, works with Josh on his training" the King said as I nodded, but looked around noticing there was an empty chair near mine and grounded internally

"Wait am I going to have to hang around some cree... Council member of your?" I asked, sitting up actually interested because I am already basically being babysat

"Not technically, I do have a second, but he is currently unreachable at this time, so I will guide you through the ropes" the king said as he sat down behind his desk, we all sat around in a semi circle

"We need to discuss Max's changes and what we will do?" Luke said as his father nodded

"yes, Bobby what the family like?" the king asked as I sat back feeling grumpy again

"There seem like nice people, parents are a little relaxed" he said as I felt better

"And what about the sister?" the King said as I glared at him, then shot a nasty glare at Bobby trying to warn him not to say what I feared he might

"Little Annie, is a sweet girl, Max and her relationship are very close and I do feel a protective nature about her" he said as I clenched my fist want to punch him

"Protective, do you think she might possibly be Luke's mate" the king asked as I sat up quickly

"No she not, Bobby said it came from me cause we have such a close relationship" I shouted, getting angry Annie was not going to get drug into this mess because of me

"Bobby is that true?" the king said as we all looked at Bobby, who was avoiding looking at me

"Yes and no, it is possible that his connection to her is causing the reaction, but..." he said getting uncomfortable

"But what?" Luke said looking impatient

"but, Max hasn't been changed yet so my instinct to protect him are about the same strength as it is for his sister" Bobby said, looking down almost said as I sat back feeling ferrous and want to leave

"okay then, Luke and Max need to set up a meeting between the two" I sat up quickly

"No!" I said, standing up enraged "leave my sister out of this, she is not his mate" I said storming out of the office and down the hall toward the stairs, I was pretty close to exceeding all this crazy nonsense, but I am not going to stand by and let them drag my baby sister into this. I started walking down the stairs there didn't seem to be anybody about which I was glad for. I heard someone call out my name behind me, but I really was not in the mood to discuss this. I kept walking toward the hall that lead to the door, but was stopped when a hand grabbed my shoulder and turned around.

"Max, you need to relax" Luke said as I wanted to take a swing at him, it really pushed my button when somebody told me to relax, like I had no reason to be upset

"no I will not relax, I've been dragged into this mess without even being asked and I'm guess I'm kind of coming to terms with it but I will not stand by and let you all drag Annie into this, she is off limits" I said as Luke nodded

"okay I understand, you are probably right, Bobby might just be getting protective of your sister because you are so close with her" he said taking a step back as I did slight relax

"I'm glad we're on the same page then, Annie is off-limits and doesn't need to be involved and describes a normal life unaffected by vampires" I said as he nod

"yes I agree, see my father just wants to pass the crown down and any chance or slight possibility he jumps as he doesn't care about other feeling or situation, I will respect your boundaries and not intrude" he said as I almost felt bad for her situation but not bad enough to let him meet Annie "the meet practically over why don't I go introduces you to some important people" he said changing the subject as I nodded reluctantly

We started walking down the opposite hall into an area I have never been, it was slightly exciting yet worrisome as I didn't know who we were going to meet. I guess he only vampires, I had meet where all kinds of normal. We walked to the end of a hall and open door where a small group a man were sitting at a table with stacks of paper around them. They all stood when we entered and I felt uncomfortable with their reaction.

"Prince Luke what can we do for you?" a name that was younger than the others said stepping away from the table and walked toward us

"Councilman Tenion I just wanted you all to be formally introduced to Max Erickson, he is the potential candidate for my second" Luke said as my ears perked up at his words 'potential candidate'

"Ah yes, it's a pleasure to meet you Mr.. Erickson, let me introduce you to the council members" he said as I notice the other men in the room had come closer and a woman I hadn't noticed before formed a cluster behind him "This is David Bowlin, he is or human correspondent" he said as a middle age man stepped forward with his hand outstretched I was in a bit of shock there was another human here

"Your human!" I practically screeched as I grabbed his hand in shock it vigorously, and he chuckled

"Yes, I have worked here for years and took over my father's works as my son will do the same one day, we actually live in the same town I know your parents as your little sister is in my son's grade at school" he said as I nodded " I will be in charge of looking after your family, once you are changed" he said as my excitement for meeting him completely evaporated

"Actually I was on my way to have dinner with Mr. Bowlin's family when I first meet you" Luke said quickly, I guess he had picked up on my mood change

"This is Garis and Odis Fletch, they are brother in charge of finances of the plaice" he said as they bowed and I tried to mimic them but probably looked like a fool "The older gentleman what you might call a judge, he is in charge of checking to make sure all official documents are in ordinances to our laws, you will have private session with him once your chance to learn them all" he said as I mentally groaned I didn't want to learn a bunch of stupid laws, like what law do vampires need to follow, there freaking vampires " and finally Mrs. Elanga, she is in charge of punishment so to say"' Mrs. Elanga was a very cold looking women who are a kind of reminded me of the wicked witch of the west except not green " there is another woman on the council a Mrs. Totutie, she is out currently her job is to deal with the other foreign council and royal families" Tenion said as he waved his hand in the air

"There are other royal families?" I said, confused glancing between Tenion and Luke

"Uhm yeah, there is a lot to learn about our world Max, in time you will get a hang of it all but best not to overwhelm you all at once." Luke said, shrugging "we will let you all get back to work I just thought it might be nice let Max meet the council, we'll talk later" Luke said as he motioned for me to follow

Luke didn't say much as I followed him back to the main hall and head to the staircase, we went back up to the first landing and I started dragging my feet. I really didn't want to go back and deal with his father, which I still want really convinced on that aspect. They looked the same age and it was weird. But as we went up to the first landing, he turned the opposite direction that we had gone in marginally as he started walking down the hall where there were doors with plates on them but didn't recognize any of them.

"Want to see your office" Luke said as he stopped in front of one of four double doors at the end of the hall

"I get my own office? Why do I need an office? I thought vampires were sleeping all day and eating people all night, what use can will an office do me" I said as Luke shook his head

"Max it day time and nobody asleep, well some might be but not because they're forced" he said pushing the doors open "as I could see a deep brown bookshelf and Dark Blue curtains on the window.

I'm not going to lie, I was extremely curious, can anybody really blame me. I'm not even seventeen yet and I have a big fancy office. Yep that's pretty sophisticated I think. I walked in and it was larger than I imagined it would be, not as big as the room I had slept in the other night, but big. Same windows, ceiling looked the same, but there was a large wooden carved desk that looks pretty impressive. Books filled every space on the shelf there was a large black leather chair sitting behind the desk that looked really comfortable. Causally as I could walk around pretending to not be super impressed. I crept ever so close to the chair until I swivel it to sit in it. I was right comfy it was. Luke sat in smaller cup looking chair as he propped her feet up on the desk and hand behind his head . Slapping his feet off, not on my desk, he was going to put his feet

"So you like it then?" Luke said as I inspected the item in and around the desk

"I guess it will work for its intended purpose" I said as I glared at him "what is its intended purpose?" I said as Luke shrugged

"You will deal with laws and stuff not really sure" he said as he looked out the window

"You not sure, I thought the council dealt with laws that seems like something they should be doing" I asked, leaning back in my chair

"They do in a way, my dad has to train you we haven't had a second in a long time so I've never seen what an actual second does" Luke said pulling out his phone try to avoid the conversation clearly

"why hasn't their been a second, what happened to the last one" I said feeling panic and fear rushing through me, as Luke made a face and tunnel vision and the thought of running where pretty predominate in my mind

"Nothing really he downstairs in the basement" he said as the panic started to subside

"why is he not doing his job, why is he down in the basement and not up here also training me for whatever job I apparently am going to do one day" I said irritated

"Well he down there because it is a form of a prison, but he is a permanent resident there, mostly by chose" Luke said I stared at him an irritated look not buying his bullshit, nobody willing chose to stay in prisons for no reason

"You want to tell me why?" I said waiting as he shook his head

"It's kind of a long story, we can save for another day" Luke said as stretched I would let it go for now but I won't let it go for long.

"Fine why don't you tell me about the potential candidate thing you mentioned earlier?" I said, glaring at Luke, who was stretching trying to avoid any direct eye contact.

"You caught that I see" he said, looking at the ceiling as I waited there quietly for him to respond "well it mostly just a safeguard to make sure you're not some crazy person who will attempt to murder me and try to take over" he said as I nodded in agreement "it just a test like interviewing, the council judges you and makes the final decision" I sat there mulling over what he said

"So there is a chance the council might say no, what happens then? Would I be able to go home as long as I keep the secret?" I asked as Luke looked nervous

"No, it the council regrets, you as a candidate they will kill you, unfortunately there isn't a place in this world for those who pose a danger to our lives and the system we have" Luke said still not meet my eye contact

"Well, that's good to know" I said trying to lighten the mood that was too serious and hide the fact I was frightened as hell at the very moment.

"Its nothing to worry about, there pretty good at their job they don't tend to kill people for any silly reason, their strict by the book, boring and stuffy people. But still good"

Luke became quiet after his statement still looking out the window clearly something on his mind that had him thinking so intently. It became very awkward in the room as it was silent and I wasn't sure what to do. I messed with a few pens on the desk