“That’s because they kill people!” Ateria snorted, as did her Summer counterpart.
“Not all vampires are like that. Aegis isn’t.” I hadn’t intended to defend the idea, but Delia’s comment made a lot of sense. “If we start the movement here, maybe then vampire–human interactions will mellow out some. Granted, we can’t give rights to those who go out foraging for victims, but if we allow bloodwhores here—make them legal—then maybe the vamps will stop preying on the rest of the community. And once the movement begins, it can spread.”
Visions danced in my head. What if we could loosen up the yoke of fear that ran rampant between vampire–Pretcom–human relations? Perhaps my visions weren’t sugarplums, but the concept seemed seductively simple. “Sometimes you have to start with the outer branches and prune your way into the tree before you can make any significant changes.”
Delia shuffled her files. “At least we can talk to Essie about it. I do not suggest we confront her about her attempted coup. That could backfire on us. I think her plans depended so much on secrecy that they’ll collapse. Now, we can discuss how to go forward.”
Enough of the others were nodding that I felt confident about calling for a vote. “All in favor of summoning Essie to a détente meeting, raise your hands.”
It was seven in favor, four against.
“Motion carried and passed.” Delia consulted her agenda. “Next on the list, we have humans who live on the island—not many but enough—and we should look toward including one of them as a representative. Arguments for and against?”
As another squabble erupted, I was suddenly very grateful that I had chosen to forgo vying for the position of mayor. My temper was already swirling, given how much whining was going on. Finally, the motion was passed. The council would choose another member for the werebear community, and a representative from the humans as well.
“Finally, we need to vote on what to do about the position of mayor,” Delia started to say.
I jumped to my feet. “Madam Mayor, I vote to keep you in the interim position until the next election comes around. Then you can decide what to do. We need someone who is familiar with the situation that’s just occurred, and who has the authority to make arrests, should we need to.” I was referring to Blackthorn but by the outbursts that followed, I realized I had just implied that there were other people on the council who might end up in trouble.
When we finally got everybody under control again, I explained myself. “I just think that it’s a good thing for the mayor to understand law enforcement and have some authority in the field. We run differently here in Bedlam than other places. You know Delia isn’t going to use unfair advantage of her position as sheriff—”
“We thought Linda had our best interests at heart, too.” Naia, the Summer Fae representative, shook her head. “But I agree. For now, let’s vote to keep Delia in as interim mayor. We can revisit this at our Spring Equinox meeting and make more definitive plans then. That will give us a little over three months to see how the council sorts itself out. We can also use that time to find out what information has been compromised. For example, I’m wondering just how much personal information of ours Linda might have divulged to Essie.”
We took a vote and it passed.
“Then it’s official,” Delia said. “I’ll serve as interim mayor. Come March twentieth, we’ll revisit this issue. Until then, Naia, will you chair a committee to check into information leaks? I doubt anybody but Linda and Essie know the full extent. Linda’s long gone and Essie…well…I doubt if we can trust her to give us a clear answer, but find out what you can.”
Naia jotted down her notes. “All right. Elsa, would you like to help me?”
Elsa agreed, along with Brentwood, and the committee was put to a nomination, voted on, and approved.
“Excuse me, Ms. Mayor, but I have a luncheon to attend.” Trix, an elk shifter, stood. “Can we wrap this up before much longer?”
I glanced at the clock over the door. We had been hashing out things for over two hours. It was going on eleven-thirty. “I second the motion, actually.”
“Vote?” Delia called. She counted hands. “All right, we have a unanimous vote to wrap up this meeting. I know that we have our monthly meeting next Monday, but given the reason for this emergency meeting, I think we ought to keep it on the schedule.”
Although everybody groaned, including me, it was generally agreed on. As people began to file out the door, I walked over to Delia.
“Well, that was…an experience.”
“You took the words out of my mouth. I think I’ll let Ralph out today. I can’t very well hold him now that we have evidence he didn’t do it, even if it is for his own protection.” She shrugged. “You want to walk over with me and talk to him?”
I really didn’t feel like talking to Ralph, but I couldn’t think of much else to do. Everything seemed so convoluted and nothing had been solved. But I wrapped my arm through Sandy’s and we moseyed over to the sheriff’s department. Delia asked us to wait in a small room, and within ten minutes, she was back with Ralph, who was no longer wearing handcuffs.
When he saw me, he ducked his head, a frown on his face.
“Maddy, I’m sorry.” He awkwardly took the seat opposite me. “I don’t blame you if you don’t want to talk to me. Even though I’m grateful that we know now I didn’t kill Rose, I still was in your house uninvited, trying to steal your hair. And I did write those things about you on Flitterbug.” His gravelly voice was morose, and the happy-go-lucky look had drained from his face. Even when they were being serious, most satyrs couldn’t help but look seductive and cocky, but Ralph seemed the opposite.
“Ralph, I know you were in thrall. We may never know exactly who managed it, but people do the stupidest things when they’re under the influence.” I wasn’t quite ready to forgive him for trying to ruin my business, but the fact that he apologized and seemed to mean it went a long way.
“Delia told me it might not have been Rachel who put me in thrall. That I might have implanted memories due to another vampire’s suggestion. I wish I could help you. I wish I could remember but I can’t. I’m almost afraid to go home, to be honest. I have no idea when it happened. I don’t remember any point where I suddenly went, ‘Oh, vampire!’ I remember meeting Rachel, but if that memory is false, then I’m not sure what to think.” He looked as confused as he sounded.
“I think we’re all a little confused. But you have to shake it off. You should just go home and watch your step.” I wondered if he realized that once enthralled, the ability to resist a second attempt diminished. But it seemed cruel to say anything—like rubbing salt in a wound.
“I’d be glad to help you around your bed and breakfast. If I can do anything, just let me know. And I’ll get my brothers to stop dissing your business online. We’ll take our bad reviews off Blisty, and I’ll send some business your way.”
Boy, Ralph really must have been scared straight, I thought. He was never usually this helpful. But then again, he had spent a few days in jail under the suspicion of murder, and that tended to change a body. Or so I had been told.
“You want a ride home? Sandy and I are heading that way.”
“Nope. My brothers are coming to pick me up.” He stood, looking uncertain. Then, finally he said, “Well, I guess that’s it for now. I’ll talk to you later.”
As we watched him go, I realized how tired I was of this whole mess, and how ready I was to just have it over with. Except there was still somebody out there gunning for me. Even if Essie backed off, Rachel still had a target painted on my ass.
“Do you think he means it?” Sandy asked as we headed back to my car.