Read Online Magestorm: The Embracing by Chris Fornwalt - Free Book Online Page B

deeper within.  The only question was whether he was carrying a survivor or a corpse.

 
     
     
    20
     
     
     
    Xander arrived at the Grand and the place was clearly buzzing.  He hadn’t seen Nicole all day and now Cassandra needed urgently to meet with him.  If he didn’t know for a fact she was fine, he would probably be in full werewolf form and demanding answers. 
    A few vampires were in the lobby, mostly heading out.  They gave him the creeps, and judging by the looks he got, he did the same to them.  At least the morning sun would be up shortly.  That would clear out these bloodsuckers for a while.
    “Thank you for coming so quickly.”
    Cassandra hurried up and shook his hand before leading him back to the council room.  She didn’t say much until they got inside and closed the door.  Alone, she took a deep breath before she began.
    “The vampire king is here, and they want to push for a vote sooner rather than later.”
    “Like how soon?”
    “Tomorrow.”
    He cringed and sat down in one of the council room chairs.  He was regretting even proposing they open up the council.  Intending to unite the werewolves and witches into a cohesive group against outside invaders, and possibly help prevent an uprising like Algernon inspired, had turned into a bad idea as soon as the vampires found out about it. 
    “I’d still like to know who told the vampires.”
    “That makes two of us.  At this point, it doesn’t matter.  They know, they want to be included, and I hope to not have a war come out of this.”
    “They won’t war with us, especially if our groups are united.  I wish this would’ve come later, after the werewolf vote had been completed separately.  That would give us a chance to have votes on the council and not cloud the issue.  Instead, I think everyone will figure it’s all or nothing with opening up the council.”
    Cassandra walked over to the table and sat down.  The vote was weighing heavy on her, and with Dhane gone, she felt horribly alone.  Now more than ever she wished her relationship with Amber didn’t have to be kept secret.  In light of the potential new members, however, it was vital that it stayed that way.
    “You’re right, I fear.  I had a preliminary vote, to get an idea where people’s heads were at.  The vote to open up the council was nearly unanimous.  It looks like the vote for adding the groups will be just enough for each.  This is going to happen.”
    “I guess this is a case of ‘be careful what you ask for.’  At least it will take a little bit to get all the rules written and such.  It will give us time to find out what we’ve gotten into.”
    “Do you know much about the vampire royalty?”
    Xander shook his head.
    “Unfortunately, Sebastian would be the best source of information on them.  I avoided dealing with political situations like that.  Not really my forte.”
    Cassandra laughed and he responded with a grin.  It wasn’t really Sebastian’s forte either.  He was really all about himself as much as anything.
    “Isn’t it ironic that he could have the information we need to better understand our situation?”
    “It is indeed.”

 
     
     
    21
     
     
     
    On the outskirts of town, an old abandoned hospital sat empty for years.  Numerous windows were broken out, and the light blue paint job had peeled badly.  The lawn was overgrown with thick weeds mixed with tall grass.  Nobody came around here anymore, even out of curiosity.  That is, until a few months ago.
    A light was on inside one of the rooms on the third floor.  It was the floor with the most intact windows and farthest from prying eyes on the ground.  Inside, two people had made a home there, knowing they wouldn’t be disturbed.
    Through the grass and weeds, a stranger walked confidently towards the front door.  He climbed through a broken window and stepped into the hospital lobby.  Signs directed him to the left, where he found the stairs and