“I love you, Karma. Thank you for agreeing to think and talk about it.”
“I love you, too, Dylan. I’m new at this whole relationship thing, but isn’t talking and hearing each other’s side of things what you’re supposed to do as a couple?”
“It is, but not too many people communicate anymore, and that’s why relationships fail.”
“Well, that’s on them. I want this to last,” Karma kissed him briefly and hopped off the bed. “Now it’s really time to go. We have vampire laws to hash out.”
****
“Karma, Dylan, I would like for you to meet Victoria Barnes. She is an aide to President Isaac, and she will be handling most of the meetings we will be having over the next few weeks. Victoria, this is Karma Black and Dylan Collins. They are going to be the vampire representatives. They are both Halflings, so they are familiar with both human and vampire societies. They are the best ones for this job,” Langley introduced them all as the other members of the Senate sat around a large table.
“Nice to meet you both,” Victoria said shook both of their hands. “Let’s get down to business. We have to write the laws, have them voted on, and passed before we can have a press conference announcing the existence of vampires.”
“Vampire, not vampires. The plural of vampire is vampire.” Karma informed her dryly.
“I apologize. I see there is a lot for me to learn,” Victoria apologized.
“There is a lot for every human to learn, which is why Dylan and I are here. Right?”
“Yes, it is. Why don’t you start by looking at this list of vampire lore and telling me what’s fact and what’s fiction?” Victoria handed Karma a piece of paper and Karma rolled her eyes.
“People need to stop believing everything they read on the internet,” Karma said, and Dylan grinned.
“We’ll go through and write fact or fiction beside these and give it back to you tomorrow, but for now why don’t we discuss what we came here to discuss? We have a list of the laws that must be in place or Karma and I are walking away from this,” Dylan said as he folded the paper and slid it into his pocket.
“Let’s see your list then,” Victoria said, and Ramsey handed her the three-page document they created before they left Oregon.
She leaned back in her chair and started reading. As she neared the part about executions her brows drew together, and she shook her head.
“This part will never pass. Our laws state that people sentenced to death get a certain amount of appeals before they are executed. We can’t have that different for humans and vampire.”
Before Victoria could finish her sentence, Karma was across the room and standing beside her.
“Didn’t see me even move until I was standing here, did you?” She asked Victoria.
“How did you get over here so quickly?”
“Vampire speed. Vampire are faster, stronger, and more violent than your average human. Even your most violent and psychotic humans will be dead in a matter of seconds if a vampire wants it to happen. We must have our executions swift, because it is hard to hold a vampire. We are going to have a special vampire prison built for this very reason. Vampire can be imprisoned, but we must use silver to do it. It’s the only known element that weakens them.”
“Okay, I see your point now. We may have to do a demonstration for Congress, but I think once you explain it to them the way you just explained it to me, they’ll understand the necessity of the swift actions.”
“Good, because I’m not wasting my time doing all of this just to scrap it later because the humans we are trying to protect with these laws are too ignorant to understand the danger they would be in if these laws were not in place. Vampire have spent thousands of years in hiding, trying to keep humans from discovering them, but once we come forward, and let the world know about them, they will have no reason to hide anymore. They already roam free amongst humans, but they will no longer have to hide who they truly are.”
“So, you’re saying that because vampire will be out, they may turn to harming humans more?” Victoria asked with a tilt of her head.
“Some of the more sadistic ones will, yes. Most won’t, but, like with any group, there are some bad seeds in the bunch. My Father being one of the worst.”
“Your Father?” Victoria asked with a tilt of her head.
“Yes, my Father. His name is Vincent Duprée and he is a sadistic murderer who doesn’t care who he hurts on his quest for world domination. I know that sounds dramatic, but it’s true.”
“Vincent is working with another vampire to create a serum to will control humans. The vampire who administers the serum will have total mind control over the human they give it to,” Dristen explained at Victoria’s questioning look.
“Oh wow,” Victoria said, her mouth forming a small o of surprise. “I guess we need to get these nailed down quick, because the President wants vampire out in the open in a month.”
“A month? Are you kidding me? As slow as Congress moves, I doubt they’ll have everything ready in six months,” Constance said in a huff.
“President Isaac wants it done, so it will be done.” Victoria assured them.
“Fine, then let’s get to work.” Karma said, and they all got to work.
Two hours later, Karma and Dylan sat in their hotel room and read over the list Victoria had given them.
“Can you believe this shit?”
“These things come from people watching too many movies,” Dylan answered as he took a huge bite of pizza. Once he swallowed, he grinned. “Garlic may not repel vampire, but the way it makes your breath smell will.”
“Haha, you’re hilarious,” Karma said sarcastically then bit into a piece their pepperoni pizza with garlic Alfredo sauce. “This is so good.”
Dylan chuckled and continued to write true and false beside the things on the list Victoria gave them.
“Seriously? Read number forty-three.”
“Sleeps in coffin? Are you kidding me? I know some people consider vampire dead, or the living dead, but come on. This isn’t Dracula here.”
“I think it’s hilarious how some people are, no matter what we say, still going to try some of these things to keep vampire away from them.”
“All those idiots are going to accomplish is looking stupid,” Karma said and grinned. “Actually, we could have some fun with those idiots.”
Dylan laughed and finished Victoria’s list.
“Now that’s done, we have something to discuss.”
“Dylan, I’ve been thinking about it, and I asked Dristen about it. Apparently, it’s a natural part of the copula. He said exchanging blood will bond us for eternity. If one of us dies the other will too.”
“While you were asking Dristen, I was asking Langley and he told me the same thing. It’s still something I want. I would love nothing more than to be bound to you for the rest of my existence.”
“Then let’s do it,” Karma said and smiled at the expression on Dylan’s face. “Before I talked to Dristen, I had decided I wanted to taste your blood, too. What he told me doesn’t change that. We are bound together even without the blood exchange, so why not make it official? I do have one condition though.”
“What’s that?” Dylan asked wearily.
“I want us to get married. I want a wedding with all the bells and whistles.”
“Okay, when?”
“In a year or two. And, no, I’m not going to wait that long for the bonding to take place. I just want a wedding. I want your last name.”
“Whatever makes you happy, baby,” Dylan promised and kissed her forehead.
“Thank you, Dylan.”
“Always, Karma.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Over the course of the next few days, Karma and Dylan were in meeting after meeting trying to get the laws written so they could be presented to Congress. On the fourth day after arriving in D.C. they received news the vans were attacked. Everyone was fine, and nothing was taken, but the vamp
ire who attacked were trying to get Demetri. The Huntresses and Harrison’s vampire prevented that from happening, but one of the vans was damaged and had to be repaired. They would be arriving tomorrow though, and Karma couldn’t be happier.
“I am so ready for my weapons to get here. If we are attacked, we are at a disadvantage because we are unarmed. We all should have just convoyed here instead of flying.”
“Karma, baby, calm down. It’s been quiet here and I don’t see why it wouldn’t remain so. We do have one problem though.”
“What’s that?”
“Demetri. Where are we going to keep him while we’re in meetings and such?”
“Nevaeh already figured that out. There is a hunter organization here in D.C. and she has called their leader. They are going to hold Demetri for us in the underground rooms of their headquarters. He will be well guarded, and we won’t have to worry overly much about him.”
“Then I won’t worry,” Dylan grabbed her braid and pulled her to him by it. “What I want now is for you to get ready for this dinner meeting we have to go to.”
“Ugh. I really don’t want to meet with Victoria again. There’s something off about that woman, but I can’t figure out what.”
“She’s an ignorant human who thinks she knows it all,” Dylan said with a grin. “I don’t particularly like her either, but she’s who we have to work with for now. At least this meeting will have the Speaker of the House and Vice President Henley at it.”
“True. Know what would be funny?” Dylan shook his head and she continued. “If there were vampire in Congress.”
“That would be both funny and helpful.”
“Yes, it would. Okay, I was informed I need to wear something other than my normal fighting clothes tonight, but I have no idea if I even have anything else to wear. Isn’t there a small clothes shop in the hotel lobby?”
“There is. Let’s go find you something to wear for tonight. Maybe a dress since I’ve never seen you in one.”
“I used to own a lot of really cute clothes. My closet was full of the latest fashions, but after Vincent killed my family things like clothes just didn’t seem important anymore.”
“I can understand that,” Dylan pulled her into his arms and held her close. “Why don’t we find you a dress for tonight then tomorrow you can go back to your sexy warrior clothes?”
“Then I’ll have one nice dress to wear to all this formal crap,” Karma grinned and looked Dylan in the eyes. “As long as I have boots that I can hide knives in, I’ll be alright.”
Dylan laughed and pulled on her braid. “Let’s go, my sexy warrior.”
****
“Wow!” Dristen said, almost silently, when Karma and Dylan stepped out of the elevator an hour later. “Karma, you look amazing.”
“Dylan picked it out,” she said and looked down at the floor length black formal dress Dylan had found in the boutique earlier.
“I picked out the boots.” She added and stuck her leg out. The boots reached just above her knees and had about a four-inch heel on them, making her normal five-foot, nine-inch frame rise to an elegant six one.
“Impressive,” Langley told her and grinned. “The boots have weapons in them, don’t they?”
“But of course,” Karma winked, and they all cracked up.
“But of course,” Ramsey repeated Karma’s words. “She wouldn’t be Karma if she didn’t have weapons on her. How many are you hiding under that dress?”
“Only two. I made them last night. I miss my bag and can’t wait for it to get here.”
“At least you know how to hide them, so no one knows you’re armed,” Constance told her with an appreciative smile. “Most people would be put off if they knew they were talking with someone who could kill them within five seconds.”
“Umm, Constance, I could do that without the weapons. Any of us could,” Karma informed her with a smile.
“Well, yeah, but that’s different. It’s who we are.”
“And being armed at all times is who Karma is,” Dylan pointed out and the rest of the Senate nodded their agreement. “Now let’s go before we’re late.”
The limo ride to the restaurant was a quiet one as they all thought about what they’d be discussing tonight. When the limo pulled to a stop in front of a swanky Italian restaurant, Karma grinned.
“I love Italian food,” she said excitedly, and everyone grinned.
“For the first time since I met you, you actually sounded like the eighteen-year-old you are,” Dristen told her.
“Most of the time I don’t feel like I’m only eighteen,” Karma told them as the limo doors were opened and they were greeted by Secret Service agents.
“Follow me please,” an agent wearing a black suit, dark sunglasses, and a wireless headset said as they stepped out of the limo.
They followed in silence as he led them down a long hall and into a private dining room. “Do any of you have any weapons on you?”
Karma looked at him like he was crazy, but she answered honestly. “I do.”
“I have to ask that you surrender them to me before Vice President Henley arrives.”
“That’s not gonna happen,” Karma told him. Again, she was being totally honest.
“I cannot allow you to meet with the VP unless you surrender your weapons,” he informed her.
“That’s fine with me,” Karma said stubbornly. “You’re not getting my weapons though.”
“I could always take them from you.”
“You can try,” Karma challenged. “But, for one, you’d never find them and for two, you’d never get close enough to search.”
“Mighty big talk for someone so young,” the agent said and stepped closer to her.
“Please don’t make me fight you and ruin my new dress,” Karma said and grinned. She let her fangs poke out just enough he could see them, and he stopped in his tracks. “As you can see, I don’t need the weapons to defend myself or harm anyone. I have the weapons, so I can better defend humans from vampire attacks. Now, you can let me keep my weapons or this meeting will be over before it begins, and you will have to answer to the President. He’s the one who wants this meeting, not me.”
Karma turned and started to walk away, but the agent grabbed her arm to stop her.
“If you want to keep that hand you need to let her go right now,” Aleyn said through clenched teeth.
The agent immediately let her go and drew his gun from its holster. “Unless you want a bullet through your head you will all step back.”
“You know a bullet won’t hurt them, right?” Representative Johnson said as he stepped into the room. “All you’re going to do with that gun is piss them off and get yourself killed.”
“Representative, she would not surrender her weapons. I have to keep the VP safe.”
“Agent Criswell, the VP will be safer if she has the weapons now stand down,” Representative Johnson told him then looked at Karma.
“I’m House Speaker Landon Johnson, and you must be Karma,” he smiled at her and they shook hands.
“I am. Thank you for intervening. I really didn’t want to hurt him,” Karma said and then looked at Johnson closely. “You’re a vampire.”
“So I am,” he responded and flashed his fangs.
His response caused both Karma and Dylan to double over in laughter.
Chapter Twenty-Six
“Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for agreeing to meet with me this evening. I want to apologize for my agent’s behavior earlier. He was doing what he was trained to do, but he needed to show you a little more respect.”
“I’m just glad Karma didn’t have to hurt him,” Eduardo said and winked at Karma. “I thought she was going to bite his hand off when he grabbed her.”
“He would have deserved it,” Vice President Henley told them. “He was never ordered to disarm any of you, so I really don’t know what he was thinking.”
“He said he was trying to protect you, but I don’t think he
realized if we wanted to harm you, he couldn’t stop us,” Holbrook told the VP.
“I’m glad I showed up when I did,” Johnson said and grinned. “He was honestly going to shoot one of them, well try to shoot one of them. He’d have never gotten a shot off before one of them pulled his arm off.”
“That’s a lovely image before we have dinner,” Henley said dryly, and Karma laughed.
“Karma, where do you want to start with these laws?” Johnson asked as they sat around the large table.
“You’ve had the chance to read over what we’re proposing, correct?” Karma asked and looked between Johnson and Henley.
“We have, but I have a few questions about a couple of them.” Henley said and pulled the list form his brief case.
“We assumed you would,” Aleyn said with a short nod. “Let me guess, the swift execution law and the building of a vampire prison proposition?”
“Those are the two. First, we have a certain standard upon which our legal system was built, and we have to uphold that standard even when it comes to nonhuman criminals.”
“Vice President Henley, do you value your life?” Karma asked. “What about the lives of your wife and children?”
“Above all else,” Henley responded, and Karma nodded.
“That’s what I thought,” she said, and was behind him with a knife at his throat in under a second. “If I were a killer, you’d already be dead, and I would have used your ID info to find your family and kill them too.”
“Oh,” Henley said in apparent shock.
“Believe me when I tell you, swift punishment is not only necessary, but it is also a requirement for human life to be sustained.”
“Why do you say that?” Henley asked curiously.
“Because a vampire can kill a human in a matter of seconds,” Johnson told him before Karma could. “I totally agree with everything they’ve handed us, and I will vote to pass it. I’m ready to finally be me and stop hiding behind this mask I have to put forward every day.”
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