Page 49 of The Vampire and the Tattooist (The Vampire and Series Book 4)

Suddenly, everyone stopped talking and Spencer paled. He looked at Stefan and his eyes filled with tears. “I’m very sorry,” he said softly.

Stefan pulled him into a hug. “It was bound to come out at some point. Don’t worry.”

All eyes turned to Charlotte and AJ, who were staring at each other.

“Mum, Dad?” Hunter queried.

“You owe me a pair of Jimmy Choo”s,” Charlotte said, looking at her husband and grinning.

“How come?” Taha asked.

“Because before we came in here and sat down, Charlotte told me we were surrounded by vampires. I scoffed and said if she was right, I’d buy her some Jimmy Choo shoes.”

“It’s the all-black, isn’t it?” Dave asked, laughing.

“Yes, that was a bit of a giveaway. I mean, I know you said that everyone here was in security, but somehow, the clothes seem a bit more, if you know what I mean,” Charlotte replied.

“Yes, I know. But it’s not just vampires. We have shifters around the table, as well. And as you now know our secret, let me tell you that Louise and Stefan are the King and Queen of the vampires, while David and Giovanni are the princes. Bertrum is Alpha King of the wolf shifters, and Gabriel is head of the Southern witches,” Dave told them.

“Wow,” AJ said, looking a little stunned.

“I promise you’re both safe here,” David assured them.

“We didn’t think for a moment we weren’t. It’s just a lot to take in. I mean, you’re urban legends. To know that you all really exist is just... wow,” Charlotte replied.

“I don’t understand humans,” Olly said. “Years ago, people freaked out when they found out about us. They ran away screaming and came back with torches and pitchforks. Now it’s just, ‘You’re real cool.’”

Everyone laughed.

“It’s because of all the films and books out there. I think more people nowadays are hoping you’re all real, so when we find out you are, it doesn’t faze many of us. Mind you, if I saw any of you in a dark alley with your fangs out coming for me, you can be sure I’d be terrified,” AJ replied. He turned to look at Hunter. “Now tell me what really happened to your room. I know it wasn’t an electrical fire. I know an explosion when I see one.”

Hunter sighed. “Okay, but I just want to start by saying I’m safe...” and he went on to tell them what happened with the others chiming in when needed.

In the end, AJ and Charlotte found out about everything.

“We’re having a meeting this afternoon to update everyone on our latest findings,” David told them.

“Are there more people coming for the meeting?” AJ asked.

David shook his head. “No, everyone we need is already here.”

“Then why not have it now? We’ve finished eating. And who knows? Maybe the lowly humans here can offer suggestions you might not think of,” he said.

“We can do that,” David replied. “Jack, Spencer, do you both want to leave the room?”

“If you do, we can start looking for the things that you need,” Annie said.

“That’s an idea. Charlotte, Lissa, do you want to join us?” Louise asked.

“I’ll come with you. AJ can give me the Cliff Notes version later.”

“I’ll come, as well,” Lissa said.

“Excellent, come along boys. Let’s go and spend some of Willard’s money,” Annie said, standing up.

“Nonsense,” Louise said, also standing. “It’s been a while since I’ve maxed out Stefan’s credit card. I’m looking forward to this.”

Seth pulled his wallet out.

“Put that away, Seth. If we forget to buy anything, you can buy it. Until then, let me have fun,” Louise said, grinning at him.

“Thanks, Louise.”

“Yeah, thanks, Mum,” Gio said. He looked at Jack and grinned. “Go forth and spend money.” He looked back at Louise. “Don’t buy them any weapons. I have those covered.”

Jack looked at Spencer and grinned.

“Come on, then,” Annie said. And with that, the mothers, Jack, and Spencer left the room.

“I’m suddenly feeling like we’re being sexist,” Dave muttered.

“I know what you mean, but Mum doesn’t really like details, just an overview; otherwise, she’ll worry,” Kevin told him.

“The same for Annie. I’ll tell her everything, but more gently,” Willard said.

“Louise doesn’t mind, but if there’s a choice between listening to all this or spending money, she’ll spend money,” Stefan added.

“Charlotte will just want everyone safe. If she hears that you’re in danger, she’ll worry herself sick. Even though we have just met you all, you’re family,” AJ put in.

“Who wants to start?” David asked.

“I can if you want,” Gabe said. “Mathis and I debugged the coven. We found lots, some hidden with magic and others not.”

“Now we just have to find out where they download to,” Mathis said. “I can take one apart and see what I can find.”

“We can all decamp to the computer room and help,” Olly said.

“Before that, we found stuff out,” Kayden said. “As you know, we went back to the wolf pack to speak to Giles and the super witch.”

“Super witch?” AJ asked.

“Yeah, someone has created a spell to make super-strong witches. Gavin and some of the others met one yesterday. That’s how we found out about them,” Gabe replied.

“Well, that can’t be good,” AJ said.

“No, it’s not,” Sean said.

“Did you get him to talk?” Gabe asked.

“We did,” Bert said. “Kayden recorded everything he said and everything Giles said too.”

“How bad is it?” Dave asked.

“Bad,” he replied. “We have names of different shifters involved as well as the names of three vampires and more than just Cameron-Webb and his assistant for the witches.”

“What are the vampire names?” Stefan hissed out.

“Antonio and Juno Garcia and Rickon Irvine,” Sean read off his phone.

Gasps were heard around the table. Rickon sat forward, looking confused. “I would never be involved in something like this, I swear it.”

“I know,” Stefan said.

“It’s a good smoke screen, though, to add in the name of a king’s guard, thereby calling them all into question,” Kevin said.

“Rickon, we know you’re not involved in any of this, but until your name is cleared, you need to stay inside the coven grounds,” Gio said.

Rickon nodded. “I understand,” he said, running his hand down his face. “But why pick me?”

“Because you used to be one of David’s personal guards, then a king’s guard and a friend of Gio’s,” Ian said. “By extension, they can implicate both Gio and David.”

Dave grabbed David’s hand and Seth took hold of Gio’s.

“When I find those two vampires, I’m going to rip them to pieces,” Seth ground out.

“But my Seth, remember, everyone turned against me. Rickon and the others were transferred out of my guards and into the King’s guard. Everyone in the vampire collective would know neither David nor I had anything to do with this, as Rickon wasn’t around either of us.”

“But he was around me,” Stefan said.

“I seriously doubt that anyone would believe you were involved,” Bert said to him.

“Thank you. I’m going to need to contact my representative and talk to him,” Stefan said.

“Giles also gave up the name of two wolves that work in the council offices. My representative, Icarus, sent guards out to find them, but they’ve gone into hiding,” Bert said.

“Did the witch say who created the serum?” Mathis asked.

“No, he said he didn’t know, but he said Oswald gave it to him to drink,” Sean told them.

“Oswald is/was Quintus’s assistant,” Kayden added.

“Did he mention the shifter suppressant serum?” Gio asked.

“No, but then we didn’t ask him about it,” Kevin said. “That Giles chap mentioned it, though. He said Oswald gave it out, as well.”

“I’ll send you copies of both recordings, and you can have a listen,” Kayden said.

Suddenly, shrill alarms sounded.

“That’s the garden sensors,” Olly said, jumping up.

“Check it out,” David said, and most of the vampires and wolves rushed outside. “Dad, I need you and Mum to take the humans and children to a priest hole and keep them safe. Dave, take the dogs. Gavin, go with them since you know where all the large priest holes are.”

Gavin and Dave jumped up, got the dogs, and ushered the humans out of the room, Stefan with them. They met the mothers and children in the hall, and Gavin led them to David’s office and the priest hole behind the fireplace.

“I’ll come and help,” Gabe said, standing up. “Sean, Kayden, it’s up to you if you want to go to a priest hole or come outside.”

“Actually, we’ll protect the inside of this house. Chances are they might be looking for their missing men, which means they might try and breach the house. Are your cells in the house?” Kayden asked David.

David nodded. “Yes, the room at the end of the hallway leads to the cells.”

“We’ll stop anyone that makes it inside,” Sean said. “Stay safe.” And with that, they took off out of the kitchen.

“Let’s go and join the others,” David said, rushing outside, Gabe following.