Cheating Death (Wraith's Rebellion Book 2) Read online

  Guess.

  Uh, Death wears a mask as well, but only Wraith ever had a noticeable smell to him.

  That is correct. No one ever comments on how Death smells, an odd thing considering he wore mouldy clothing and carried disease with him. No one can agree on his height either, or his weight. Always changing it seemed.

  Projection? Lu can control his shape.

  He can alter things as a waved mirror might alter one’s size in a fun house.

  Yet clowns don’t scare you?

  No, I find them funny, what do they have to do with fun house mirrors? They don’t control the mirrors.

  Never mind.

  You’re so strange sometimes. Did you pack your snack?

  Yes, I packed my snack, my snack is packed. Are you avoiding the topic?

  Perhaps. I still feel uneasy when I think about that first time before the Council. They do not know that I saw them, they had no idea who I was.

  I did not lie when I said that I didn’t know that I was a vampire. I didn’t. Lu doesn’t use the word. He uses immortal for others and God for himself when he’s feeling especially egotistical.

  Presented to them, I was simply a Progeny. Death was registering me, I suppose. As otherwise, he could have gone by himself. Registered, or whatever, we were able to leave.

  I was very aware of the fact that all eyes were on me. The Council has no visitors when Death graces them with his presence. If there are other vampires, they leave. Even Lucrecia, in later years, would leave Council chambers while Death was present.

  Each set of eyes was on me, five sets, five pairs of eyes. One for each twenty years in a century. Because there are five Councillors, not seven.

  Why didn’t you correct me then?

  I found your exuberance to be amusing.

  Don’t let me spout something if it’s wrong, we could get on the wrong topic! We can’t waste time making plans on false information.

  We have all the time in the world.

  You have all the time in the world.

  Right.

  Most of the Council’s duties these years is to wait a problem out. You’d be surprised how many times mortals mess with our plans inadvertently. All we’d have to do was wait them out and replace them with someone we find more supportive of our desires.

  Replace may be a strong word. We, uh, give someone support and raise them up.

  Politicians.

  While voter manipulation was once a thing, no, these days we put someone in the position of being a politician, donate sums to them, maybe get them on a ballot. But who is elected into free, first world countries is entirely on the population. If you don’t like your president or prime minister, that’s your fault, not ours.

  The Canadian government—

  Let me stop you there. I don’t want to talk about the politics of your country or any other. We are not allowed to vote in your elections, and the Council deals with things.

  Let me finish! The Canadian government was probably surprised that the Council chose Canada as the seat of power for the vampire race. Did they lay any special laws down for the Council to obey?

  I wouldn’t know. For all I know, the Council pays the Canadian government a fee for each vampire in existence. That’s all handled by the Council.

  We can talk about the behind doors reaction to vampires later. Right now, we’re talking about the Council.

  Wow, a grey area?

  It may be easier for you to understand everything else once you understand their purpose. And we are going to meet them right now.

  True.

  So, my education on Council matters began with Lucrecia. She was Elder Council when they found me, but still had five or so years of service left.

  The Elder Council is a vote for the traditional. Lucrecia fought for the turning of several Progeny, then the cull of those who were weaker. For our race, it made sense, you see.

  When Death swept through with the Justinian plague, the Younger Council argued against it. Said the tide of humanity was turning. The world was both a great deal smaller and a great deal larger at the same time.

  We could still get to the other side of the world, but suddenly normal mortals couldn’t—before you ask, yes, a vampire probably had a hand in that.

  Lucrecia also argued, in those last five years, for it to be illegal for a Maker to cast out a Progeny before they are properly weaned. Even as punishment, she said. I didn’t understand it then, why she used that wording.

  Last night was enlightening for me.

  The Younger Council supported that idea, based on the smaller world ploy. He had also witnessed some of the destruction I wrought while trying to quench my thirst. Imagine a baby vampire getting out in a modern world?

  They passed a law, and it has stood firm ever since. Few Makers feel the desire to cleave from their Progeny. They suffer just as much as the Progeny does and most don’t want to go through that effort. Of course, if the Progeny doesn’t know that the Maker suffers, the punishment can work.

  Sasha has been grounded, let’s say, and it has hurt both her and Lucrecia something terrible. That was after weaning as well. For the pair of them, the punishment works based on mutual respect. Most of the time it’s not so much about hurting Sasha as giving them both time to cool off.

  Upon joining the Council, the vampire is delivered the chip with their name on it. The chip is spat out by the magic box in the Archives, which was made with the help of the Archivist and witches. Every name of every vampire is in that box. They say the names of every vampire that will ever be is in the box. I call bullshit on that one.

  Since I was turned, seventy-five vampires have come and gone to the Council. If a vampire dies during a term, their seat is not filled. The box is automatic so a new name cannot be drawn and a proxy is not assigned.

  The chip is carried by the vampire throughout their term. Each term is one hundred years, which in the greater scheme of our lives is very little. At the end of the term, or if the vampire dies, the chip is burned. The Council has a ceremony, typically with the Elder Council welcoming the Younger. It is a ceremony that only the Council is privy too, but Lucrecia came home very drunk and high on something.

  Each time a vote is cast, they place their chips. Yes or no. When you meet the Council, the chip is held in both hands either in front or behind them. Usually behind but some are ballsy. Depending on your answers, they will switch which hand the chip is in. During the vote, both hands are held out with the closed fist facing the floor. When they make their final decision, they open their hands. Once the vote hits the floor, it can no longer be changed.

  Some in rare cases have held the vote out in their hand. The Council can do this if there is a problem with their decision, such as being too close to the petitioner. In that case, their vote is still taken, but they may protest later.

  The Council keeps no written minutes. They don’t track their decisions though the laws are carried forward. Anyone can petition them, even you. Mortals, stock, supernaturals, anyone can petition the Council.

  They are not the Council, I should add. But others might come in and make a demand. A stock came and demanded release for all stock based on abuse. The Fae asked that we not trespass in a certain area where their children are raised.

  Sensible things, all of them.

  The Council once saw all petitioners, but since coming out have created a secretarial company which wades through human complaints. Too many of you are trying to petition the Council for us to all kill ourselves.

  And you people call us the animals?

  You literally eat us it’s a natural reaction.

  How would you like it if cows started demanding you kill yourself?

  I think at that point we have bigger problems than another race trying to convince us to commit mass suicide…

  Right.

  During Lucrecia’s last years on the Council I saw them convene once. At that time, they took several petitioners and then voted on several laws.
<
br />   A vampire serving the Council had to stay near the Council Chambers and Archives, but it wasn’t safe to stay very close. They’d be within a month travel, I think it was back then. Now they can be anywhere so long as they have a firm communication connection. A member of the Council must always have a way to get to an airport almost immediately, to attend a vote when called.

  Lucrecia will travel all over, but she tries to remain accessible. With the invention of things like video messaging services, we debated allowing the Council to vote that way. Margaret brought forward a no on that bid, the lines may be secure, but we don’t know how long they will remain secure.

  All Council business, by law, must be done in person. For that reason, anything requiring Council attention cannot be seen to while the Council sleeps. In cases of extreme emergency, they can call and grant permission for action, but not vote.

  Extreme emergency being cases like when some moron who lured a ten-year-old boy in a chat room and then kidnapped him from a playground only to have the boy escape because we had been keeping the moron starved. Thankfully, he likes playing with his food first, and he never got around to much more than being creepy.

  One Council Member attempted to send a letter with his vote. Death paid him a visit, took the mangled remains to Council Chambers and then executed him there before the Council. Another Council Member attempted to avoid their time, Wraith paid them a visit and sent the first calling card on where to find the remains.

  Of course, that one was still alive and still had to serve his time.

  We serve the Council. By serving them, certain things are granted to us. Like his not dying and… you know? I can’t come up with anything Wraith has gotten out of the deal.

  Can we talk about that?

  The Council voted—this was after Lucrecia left—but the Younger Council brought it forward. He was new, so of course, he was expected to bring new laws forward.

  The basic idea was that Death had served faithfully, and he had been less annoying since taking Wraith on. They didn’t know where he had found Wraith and didn’t ask.

  Lucrecia cared where Wraith had come from, but when she tried to launch an investigation, she was turned down. Then they shelved the vote until she was off the Council, which is sort of what they can do.

  They can say that they want to wait five or ten years to see how things play out before they cast a vote. Only five or ten, mind you. Usually, in that time mortals have figured out the problem for themselves and fixed it. So, they shelved Wraith for five years.

  I was not privy to the conversation, obviously, I only know that Lucrecia received a command from the Council. More of a decree, I suppose.

  Wraith was the sole property of Death. As Progeny, Wraith had only the rights and privileges that Death granted him. He could be used, abused, even killed, and the Council would do nothing. Anyone caught aiding Wraith in running or avoiding his duties would be subject to Death’s law.

  They literally gifted you to him?

  Yes. Others have tried to use that law to say that a Maker can do whatever. And the Council has thrown in back in their faces. Death can do these things to Wraith, the reason why that decree was made was because it was an exception to the rule. Don’t get me wrong, Makers can and do hurt and use their Progeny, but not to the extent that Death does.

  Which is why Wraith is technically an outlaw right now, the Council has warmed to his existence because they’ve come to understand that Death may not hold the power he once did. That’s the only reason. Otherwise, Wraith would be hunted to the ends of the earth and dragged back to Death.

  I am, technically, the chair or television of an immortal we are about to attempt to have murdered. Or thrown to the bottom of the ocean. Preferably the first, considering his rage burns long and hot.

  For my part, after being introduced to the Council, I was held on a pedestal. There was little that I could do wrong.

  The goal of the Council is stability across the vampire race. Sometimes this has meant that they needed a hound or a beast to slip off the leash. Sometimes that beast was Death, rarely was it Wraith. Most of the time it was me.

  They knew Lu’s tastes. They also quickly learned how I felt about that. I was raised being abused and tormented. When Lu started, well, I didn’t hesitate at killing others to stop the pain.

  Imagine my surprise when the Council was pleased with me for doing their bidding. Sometimes they’d guilt me out of payment. Those times were my stepping stones to freedom, though. After so long as their weapon and being patted on the head, them denying me as if I should just be grateful that I permitted to exist, helped me escape that life.

  I got pissed because I had been told that doing a good job was payment enough. It was a mistake future Council Members would not make.

  Did you go all Death on them?

  You mean, did I slaughter their stock while laughing and bathing in the blood? No.

  No, that time I shook my head and said something that Lucrecia had begun to say to me.

  “I’m disappointed in you. I expected more after all these years. Have I not treated you well?”

  And then I left before they could say anything. I doubt they were expecting me to talk back, that wasn’t my style. Not before, during, or after a job.

  We can change over the years. The Council knew that, understood it very well.

  While they don’t keep records, the Council teaches each new member about the things that have come before them. They are an ever-growing mind in a sea of immortals who resist change.

  I’m told that once you serve, you cannot go back to your old life. That is why we follow the Council around. Not all of them, certainly not all the time. But some of them some of the time. The others remain in contact.

  When trouble arises, such as the Great War and Lu’s damned involvement, the Council calls a special meeting, and all those within the area come. They talk and talk and those of us who are near but haven’t been called to serve sit to the side and make certain that the stock is looked after. We bring them food, or mortals, whatever information they need.

  And when such a meeting comes to a decision, mercy be on the vampire who started it all.

  Unless he’s Lu.

  Death has appeared before the Council on numerous occasions to receive warrants for executions. Most of the time he serves, that is his purpose. And he quite enjoys it.

  He has killed two members for shirking duties. Two more while I was in the box, but for the most part, once you are on the Council you are beyond his reach.

  Death unleashed the Justinian plague after giving the Council an order to protect the stock. It made sense, his demand. The Younger Council is said to have even supported the idea.

  It was the Elder Council who turned it down. He was the one who threw it in Death’s face. Because what could go wrong, I suppose was his thought.

  Death swept through the area. His plague had been made to kill the Elder Council’s stock specifically. It killed a great deal more, but it killed everyone who was stock. It was supposed to kill Justinian as well, but he was just barely removed enough. He was not stock because having stock as emperor tended to end badly, but he was close to.

  Death has on occasion killed the Progeny of a Council Member. As a warning for silly things, I’m sure.

  It did not take many examples for the Council to understand how dangerous the man was.

  He held them hostage with their fear. They didn’t know what he’d do from one meeting to the next. He might have killed them all, taking the box with him.

  Then where would we be?

  Does Lu know where the box is?

  Lu knows where a box is. He was a Council Member after all. He served his time, but—

  His brutal nature was more suited to that time. You or Sasha said that last night.

  Yes, his laws served his purpose. I don’t know what he brought in. All the laws are brought forward by the Council unless you are close enough. With Lucrecia and Sasha, I knew t
hey had a hand in the laws, but it is impossible to tell with others.

  Sometimes when a law was cast in or out, we knew that the Elder or Younger cast it out because we were told as much. Perhaps even then we don’t know for certain.

  What about the other three?

  The Middle Council breaks ties. They act almost like a cycle. So, the Second Younger is expected to support the Younger, and the Second Elder to support the Elder. They are meant to look at the law as old vampires, as the vampires of the present, and where we might be in the future.

  It’s not a twenty-year law we are looking at. These laws remain for all eternity unless they are repealed.

  What’s the difference between a law and, let’s say, the stay on creating Progeny?

  The one is writ law. If I kidnap a child, I go to the bottom of the ocean. If I kill a child, there is a review. If I snapped your neck to save all mortals, they wouldn’t even bat an eye.

  But the interviewers are protected.

  From vampires arbitrarily killing them. From vengeance or bloody murder for the hell of it. You are not protected by the philosophical ‘what if’ that comes up sometimes.

  Like, what if you realized I was the next Hitler?

  Uh, sure? Who could have predicted that?

  With certain changes in political culture—

  I don’t want to talk about mortal politics.

  The Council is aware that Wraith can kill, most especially with the tool. If he can wield the tool for sickness, he can use it to kill and survive the ordeal. Death does not know. He’s seen the brutal rage and the attempts, but never the success.

  Despite knowing that there was another death bringer walking the world, the Council did not share that information. It is an odd secret that they keep. I’m not certain if they keep it to keep others from panicking or to protect Wraith. Or if they are simply hoping to keep him in hand as they have kept Death in hand.

  Wraith has never been rewarded.

  Except for the time he found Sasha.

  Yeah… suppose. I mean, she was there, and he was there, and both were in a bad place.

  Death had stormed in trying to find me, but I was in the box. Sasha fended him off, but he still managed to kill two of the others. Wraith came in, quite suddenly and startled Death off.