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None of us besides Marcus had even heard him walk up, and the suddenness of his entrance seems to startle everyone.

Some have no idea who he even is, since the very idea of him was swept under the rug as something to hide.

But those who do are immediately on edge.

It’s fascinating how silent this man can be.

“You came in here to offer up your throat?” Callum snarls as he stands up.

“He’s going to try to kill us,” Harris cries, but Ender isn’t moving. He’s just watching us, and so far, the VRC seems to be at ease with his presence. I should say or do something, but before I can, Finn stands up.

“Ender, why are you here?” Finn calmly asks.

“You mean I’m not invited?” he asks as he grabs Harris and flings him out of his chair so he has a place to sit. “I can’t fathom you would still choose to listen to that man. Why is he even in here?”

And with that, he simply sits down.

Everyone is on edge. Ender has to know that against this many of us, he likely wouldn’t win… but how many would he kill before they stopped him? Or is he confident he could win?

“Y-You think we should l-listen to you?” Harris stammers as he awkwardly stands behind some others, which makes it look like he’s using them as a shield.

Ender smirks at the terrified man. “What do you mean? The council was my home well before it was home for most of you, was it not, Callum?”

Callum is silent as the words slowly register. Ender was once part of the council? Why has no one mentioned this to me?

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Callum says, sounding genuine.

“Of course you don’t. It’s not like we spoke much. You were always a bit too… cocky to speak to me, weren’t you? Following everything your brother did.”

Callum looks confused now. “I’m sorry, I…” And then he pales. His hackles had been raised but now he looks like he’s seen a ghost. “Out,” he snaps.

Ender smiles at him. “What’s wrong, Callum?”

“Get out! Get out!” He’s acting frantic now. “Get him out of here! Why are you guys doing nothing?”

“Callum, what’s wrong?” Leona asks.

Callum is beyond panicked now. He can’t seem to decide whether he wants to fight Ender or flee from him.

The moment his muscles tense up, I can tell he’s choosing to fight.

He rushes for him, but the speed with which Ender moves to meet him makes me freeze.

I knew he was stronger than us, but… I feel like I’m a human observing the strength of a vampire as I sit here and watch him lift Callum off his feet, hand around his throat.

“Sit your fucking ass down,” Ender snarls as he throws Callum back at his seat. Callum crashes into it, slamming to the ground and taking the chair with him.

Ender looks like he’s on the edge. He looks close to losing it.

“How about we listen to what Ender has to say?” I suggest. “Can’t hurt anything.”

“You want to listen to what the fucking vampire killer has to say?” Leona asks. “The man who has slaughtered many of our kind? He eats them like a monster. He killed my brother.”

“He was delicious and very much deserved it,” Ender says, but I can tell he’s calming down. “You sure forgot to mention his little pastime, did you not?”

“We should kill him where he stands,” she snarls.

“I have no idea who this man is,” Ha-joon says. “I understand that the council tried placing the blame on him, but the VRC explained that he didn’t do it. Why would we kill him?”

“He’s killed countless vampires,” a man accuses.

Callum is silently sitting in his seat. He looks like the lightest noise could send him into the afterlife. What the hell does Ender have on him?

Ha-joon looks to Marcus. “You seem to be a voice of reason; can you tell us whether he should sit in or not?”

“Whether he should be killed is the question we should be asking ourselves,” Leona snaps.

Marcus is silent. I don’t know what history Ender has with him, but I do know he tried to kill Finn at some point and nearly killed Marcus’s brother, so it’s not looking too good for him.

Alexei looks like he’d be interested in the killing him part, but Claude reaches over and squeezes Alexei’s hand, calming him almost instantly.

“I think…” Marcus begins as Ender’s eyes stay absolutely fixated on him.

It’s like there’s some unspoken truce happening between them…

at least momentarily. And I can’t help but feel like it’s only because of Finn.

“I think we should listen to what Ender has to say. Such primitive actions such as killing someone without a trial should no longer be permitted when it’s clear that we don’t have the whole story unless someone is willing to share it. ”

Ender sits back down. “If the council isn’t abolished, then I insist on a spot on it,” he says.

Leona laughs. “What fucking nonsense is this?”

“We need a council! And you’re not going to be in it!” Harris insists.

“The last council were out for themselves,” Ender says. “Were they not? Their desire to destroy the humans and push vampires to the top is the world you strive for? To make humans nothing more than animals for vampires to feast on?”

Harris shrinks back. “N-NO! I wasn’t with them!”

“You knew nothing of what they were doing? It was happening right under your nose and you honestly believe you’re fit to run the council?” Ender asks. “What about the rest of you?”

“I would like to run for council head,” Orin says, cutting through the noise in the room. “All of you know me or know of me. I like to think that I have an open mind, but I am capable of keeping the vampires in line.”

“That sounds like a beautiful idea.” I clap my hands. “Let’s put it to a vote.”

“You can’t just…” Harris starts.

“All in favor, raise your hand,” I say. Of course everyone from the VRC does and at least half of the council members do, including me. “Looks like it’s decided, then.”

“It’s not decided,” Callum says quite shortly. “This is not how we should go about this. Mads, what are you doing?”

I give him the most innocent of smiles that I can muster. “What do you mean?”

He grits his teeth so I can see his fangs. “A word?”

“What could possibly need to be discussed that couldn’t be discussed in front of all of us?” Ender asks. “Unless the UK council is trying to absorb the US council. Is that why you’re here? Would you like the position? Do you think you deserve this position?”

Callum refuses to look at him. “This council needs structure and someone who is already equipped to run it.”

“Ohhh, my bad,” I say. “I’m so sorry! I forgot that’s what the plan was. For you to take over and start making the decisions for them. I apologize!”

Callum is staring at me like I’ve turned into someone else. I haven’t. No. I’m manipulating things just the way I want. I just need every piece to fall into place.

“Why would someone from the UK council take over?” Ha-joon asks. “If we’re going to throw someone into the position from another council, all councils should be taken into account.”

“I would move here, of course,” Callum says.

“We don’t want you,” Ender says flatly. “And let me tell you that if you do become head of the council, you don’t even have to worry about your plans to move here. I’m going to kill you on the spot.”

“Will someone fucking remove him?” Callum screams as he beats both fists against the table. It’s so forceful that the table cracks and everyone whips around to stare at him and his tantrum. I can tell Finn is getting increasingly uncomfortable, which is pissing Marcus off.

Finn clears his throat. “I know I’m a bit biased, but Orin is very levelheaded.

” It’s like he’s implying the vampire who is beating his fists, attacking Ender, and shouting might not be…

and I love it. “He’s a huge part of the community and I really don’t know any vampires who don’t agree with him,” Finn says.

“Yes, he’s my father, but I also know a strong leader when I see one.

The VRC is an integral part to keeping vampires safe, and for years we’ve been absolutely cut off from the council.

The council treated us like we were lesser beings.

They would take control and push aside our issues if it didn’t benefit them.

Orin wouldn’t do that. He’d work with us to make this country a safer place for all vampires. ”

“That sounds lovely,” I say with a smile.

“Orin it is, then,” Ender announces. “If anyone else wins, I will remove their heads. Understood?”

No one says anything as Ender stands. “And the rest of you… you know who you are, and I will figure it out, and I will destroy you.”

He turns and the second he does, Callum goes for him.

It’s such a stupid mistake when Ender already proved to him how fast and strong he was.

I try not to feel too much delight as I watch Ender crush Callum’s throat before dropping him to the floor.

He doesn’t even look back. Simply drops the man and walks out.

Just like a mic drop.

Callum lies there for a moment, body twitching before he heals. And when he does, he catches me staring at him. I can’t wait to hear what Vivian has to say when she calls next.