Julien Gregg's Twilight in Babylon: The Vampire Saga Chapter 3

 Chapter Three
Complications

I came into the room and turned on the television so Charlie couldn't hear
what we were saying. Edward laughed at this but he understood. I sat down
on the edge of the bed and looked at him.

"Okay," he sighed. "Charlie isn't as upset about this as you think. He knew
this would happen eventually, and he's really glad that you're with him
while it's happening."

"Why did he glare and yell?" I asked.

"Because that's what he thinks he's supposed to do," he said. "Believe me
it isn't easy for him having a gay son. He isn't against it, he just had
other hopes for you. Those hopes will die hard."

"What hopes?" I asked.

"A wedding, grandchildren," he said. "He thinks that because you're gay you
can't have kids."

"That's ridiculous," I said. "Gay couples have children all of the time."

"Yes they do," he said. "But think of who your boyfriend is, Beau. We won't
have children of our own. We'll have fledglings."

"Yeah," I sighed. "His hopes will die hard."

"But we can give him a wedding," he said. "Not any time soon, but before
you're turned we can get married."

"So you do plan to turn me," I said. "I wondered about that."

"Do you not want to live with me for eternity?" he asked.

"Eternity will never be long enough," I replied. "Of course I want it,
Edward. I just don't know when it will happen."

"We'll get married after graduation," he said. "Then after we're married
I'll turn you. But only if you want it. I'm prepared to stay with you as a
human for as long as you want."

"What's it like becoming a vampire?" I asked.

"It's wondrous," he said. "Your mind expands, and your senses explode with
everything. Colors get brighter, the air seems easier to breath, and you'll
be able to think of so many things at once. Plus you'll get one gift or
another to go along with the gift you already have."

"You make it sound so perfect," I said with a smile. "I think I'd like to
be a vampire. I'm not so sure about blood though."

"Yes, blood is a factor, a huge factor," he said. "When you first make the
change you'll be hungrier than any of us are now. It fades with time."

"How long will we be able to stay here?" I asked. "After I'm a vampire."

"Not long," he said. "You have to die for the rest of your family. Let them
grieve. It gets easier with time. Time truly does heal all wounds."

"Well at least I'll have a new family to belong to," I said.

"You already belong to that family," he said. "Gabriel and Elfric are dying
to talk to you. Plus Roman's done your genealogy. Gabriel will talk it
through with you. I just have to get this meeting with Charlie over with
and you can come to the house. They're all happy that you're joining the
family."

"That's a relief," I said. "I was really worried about what Gabriel would
say."

"I have a Forsaken drone," he said. "It's time for me to make
fledglings. You will be to me what Elfric is to Gabriel. His husband. They
truly are married. They were married in San Juan where the Council Di
Vampire is."

"The Council Di Vampire?" I asked.

"The ruling council," he explained. "They rule of the immortals in the
world. Vampires and Forsaken."

"That's ominous," I said.

"It shouldn't be," he said. "They protect us in a way. They weed out bad
vampires who break the rules."

"What are the rules?" I asked.

"Keep the secret, don't kill your own kind, don't sire super drones, and
settle your disputes with other vampires before they do," he said.

"That's not hard, but what is a super drone?" I asked.

"It's the product of a vampire mating with a human woman," he said. "The
pregnancy doesn't go well. The baby thrives at the mother's expense and it
claws its way out of her at the end. The woman always dies in child birth."

"That's awful," I said.

"It is," he said. "The super drones used to become Watchers for Vampire
Slayers. There are no slayers anymore, and the watchers are all living with
the secret just like we do."

"Why would anyone want to sire a super drone?" I asked.

"They're stronger than the Forsaken for one thing," he said. "They don't
morph, but they are nearly impossible to kill. They live long lives. The
super drones that I have met are over three hundred years old."

"Wow," I said. "I would have no desire to mate with a female so I'll be
safe."

"Safe from that problem," he said. "Don't try to have a relationship with
your human family. You must keep the secret or the Council Di Vampire will
step in and destroy you."

"I was thinking about having a relationship with my family after the
transition," I admitted. "But if it's hopeless I'll be dead to them."

"You must," he said. "It's vitally important. You won't age they'll
notice."

"Yeah," I sighed. "I get it."

"But you have time," he said. "We'll be boyfriends all of that time."

"I'll love that," I said. "As long as Charlie doesn't ban you from the
house."

"He's not planning on it," he said, smiling. "He's planning to be very
accommodating."

"Good," I said and yawned.

"Turn the television off and sleep," he said. "I'll be here. I brought
clothes to wear."

"Okay," I said.

The next morning I woke and didn't find Edward. I said his name softly and
he startled me by sliding out from under the bed. I laughed out loud at
this but he cautioned me to be quiet. I got up and headed for the shower. I
dressed and went downstairs. Charlie had made waffles. It was the only food
he knew how to cook besides fish.

"Sit down, Beau," he said. "I'll have a plate ready for you in a moment. I
want to talk about Edward."

"Okay," I said and sat down. I put my book bag on the floor beside my
chair.

"First let me assure you that I'm fine with you having a boyfriend," he
said as he sat a plate in front of me. "You just surprised me. I knew that
you were gay but I put that in the back of my mind. As long as you didn't
have a boyfriend I didn't have to deal with it. But now you do, so I wanted
you to know that I'll place no restrictions on you. He just won't be
spending any nights in my house."

"I get it, Dad," I said. "Not to worry. Gabriel would never permit that."

I was lying but I had to keep the secret. All of the lies I'd have to tell
could be tucked neatly into the "keep the secret" rule. It just meant that
I'd be lying to Charlie a lot. I hoped he didn't make me.

"Good," he said. "Now I do want to meet and talk with Edward some time in
the near future. I'm also supposed to tell you that you have tonight and
tomorrow off. Kale is doing inventory and no one should be in his way when
he does it."

"I'll see if Edward came come over tomorrow," I said. "I know that Gabriel
and Elfric do a lot with the kids, so he probably already has pans
tonight."

"That's fine," he said. "I want to meet Doctor Gabriel and Elfric at some
point, too."

"I'll have Edward tell them," I said. "Dad I've only ever been in school
with Edward. We had dinner in a restaurant in Kingsville the night I went
with Mitch and Mike. That's all."

"Thank you for telling me," he said. "Now eat before they get cold."

That was all he said about it. He cleaned up the mess while I looked
through my bag for nothing at all. Then he patted my shoulder as he
prepared to leave for work. I waited a bit and then got ready to leave for
school. Edward was on the porch when I opened the door.

"Where did you park your car?" I asked.

"I ran home to get it and came back while you were talking with Charlie,"
he said simply. I was amazed.

"You ran that fast?" I asked.

"We're all fast," he said. "But I seem to be a lot faster than my
siblings."

"Wow," I said.

"It's nothing," he said as he opened the car door for me.

"Charlie wants to meet you tomorrow evening," I said. "And he wants to meet
Gabriel and Elfric, too."

"I'll tell them when I see them today," he said. "I won't be in your room
tonight. Gabriel has asked me to stay home."

"Okay," I said. "I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you as well," he said, smiling.

I would, too. Since this relationship began I'd had unfettered access to
him. A night without him in my room seemed like torture. Then I remembered
that I was a teenager and almost laughed out loud at my own stupidity.

At school that day I was a little off. I was off for a number of
reason. For one a teacher called on me when I didn't have the answer, two
they threw a pop quiz in calculus, and three I had to spend a night without
Edward. I was love sick and it sucked.

"What's up with you today?" Mitch asked as we sat in Study Hall.

"I don't know," I lied. "I just don't feel like school today for some
reason."

"Rather be at home with Edward?" he asked.

"Something like that," I said, smiling.

"I'm really happy for you and Edward," he said. "Eric's a little down about
it, but I'm happy for you. Angela is too."

"Thank you," I said. "I had no idea that Eric even liked me. He never said
anything until last night. By then I was already with Edward, and believe
me I only have eyes for him."

"As it should be," he said. "Dating Edward Maxwell must be intense."

"Not really," I said. "He's a lot like any other boy once you get to know
him."

"That's the point," he said. "None of us actually know him. We see him in
school but he completely ignores us."

"That'll change next year when most of his siblings graduate," I said with
a smile.

"Probably," he said, smiling back.

I headed off to my next class thanking my lucky stars that Mitch and I were
friends. He was a rather good looking boy with auburn hair that he kept cut
short and parted to the left, blue eyes that were almost baby blue, he had
a body that was packed with muscles from his time at the gym, and he had a
great personality. He was a great friend for me.

I sat with the Maxwells at lunch. They were talking about something but
shut up when Edward and I reached the table. A silent conversation was had
between Edward and Archie and then Edward and Jasper. They were
deliberately keeping me out of the loop. That was fine for now but
eventually I'd want to know what was going on.

"So," said Archie, looking at me. "Are you coming to the house soon?
Gabriel and Elfric want to spend time with you, and Nathan is hoping to see
you soon, too."

"I'm coming over tonight," I said, deciding on the spot. "I have the night
off tonight and tomorrow night so I'll come meet the parents tonight so to
speak and Edward can do the same tomorrow night."

"Ooh, sounds serious," said Roman.

"Not really," I said. "Charlie and I talked this morning. He doesn't plan
to put restrictions on the time I spend with Edward."

"That's good," Edward said, making his siblings laugh.

"Are you nervous about coming to a house full of vampires and Forsaken?"
Jason asked me.

"Not really," I said. "None of them are actively trying to kill me so I
think I'll be fine."

"Good attitude," said Jasper. "It really won't be so bad. Gabriel has
already gotten to know you a bit when you hit your head. Elfric just wants
to meet you and Nathan is curious about your scent."

"All of that will be answered when Gabriel goes over the genealogy with
him," Roman said. "He has a lot to talk to you about."

"Well he'll get his chance tonight," I said. "I'll be there for a few
hours."

"Yes," said Emit. "But Edward has to stay home tonight. He's on guard
duty."

The others looked at him with angry expressions. Edward looked like he'd
swallowed a whole side of beef. I wondered just what this guard duty
entailed. No one was looking at me though. All eyes were on Emit.

"You might as well tell him, Edward," said Archie.

"All right," he sighed. "I wanted to keep this away from you but we're
going to possibly have company soon. They are vampires who are not like
us."

"Not like you?" I asked in confusion. "I thought all vampires were like
you."

"All of the Maxwell vampires are like me," he corrected. "There is another
kind of vampire out there in the night. They are chained to the night
unlike us. They come from another source than we do. That's all I know
about them right now. I've never seen one but apparently I'm about to."

"Okay," I said. "Do you need me to stay away?"

"No," he said. "Archie doesn't see them coming to town. We're just taking
precautions."

"Okay," I said, mollified.

"I'll meet you down the road from your house," he said. "Just follow the
road like you're leaving Babylon and you'll see me. I'll guide you into
House Maxwell."

"Okay," I said as the bell rang.

For the rest of the day I was in a better mood. I may not have him in my
room but I was going to get to see the house he lived in and the rest of
the vampires, drones, and Forsaken.

After school, Edward drove me home. However when we were about to pull up
he muttered under his breath. I looked out the windshield and saw that
Billy and Jacob were just getting out of a car.

"What's the matter?" I asked.

"A complication," he said. "I'll talk to you about it later. If he says
anything just tell him that he's violating the treaty."

"Okay," I said.

"Get out here," he said. "It's best if I not confront them."

I was confused about this but did as he said. I told him I'd see him around
seven and he nodded before turning the car around and driving away. I
walked up to Jacob who was wheeling Billy around the car he'd driven to the
house.

"Hey Beau," he said.

"Hey, Jacob," I said, smiling. "Hey, Billy."

"Beau," he said. He was less than happy.

"Charlie's not here yet," I said. "He's fishing."

"Well I really need to talk to you," Billy said.

"Come on in the house," I said.

I walked off without waiting for them to follow me. What was this
conversation going to be about? And what was this treaty that Edward
mentioned? Shouldn't he have told me about it before he told me to shut
Billy up with it? I guessed that was still to come. I opened the door and
left it open for Billy and Jacob.

"I'll be right back," Jacob said. "I have to get the fish fry that we came
here to deliver."

"All right," I said. "Billy can I get you a cup of coffee or something?"

"No," he said. "Beau think of what you're doing."

"I know exactly what I'm doing, Billy," I said.

"But Charlie is my best friend," he said. "I should warn him about who
you're spending your time with."

"Charlie will be fine," I said. "Don't you think that telling Charlie
violates the treaty?"

His eyes grew large at this. He studied me in silence for a long
moment. Did he think I wouldn't know about something like this? Well in
truth I didn't. Thank Edward for giving me the power to shut him up though.

"It seems you are a lot more involved than I thought," he said.

"So it would seem," I said. "Now you keep your mouth shut to Charlie and
Gabriel doesn't need to know that you almost violated the treaty."

"I seem out of my depth here," he said. "But Beau, please don't do this to
my best friend. Losing you will kill him emotionally."

"I'm not doing anything so far," I said. "Edward and I are friends."

"You can't be friends with them," he said. "It will never work."

"Well it's working just fine," I said.

"What about the Council Di Vampire?" he asked, shocking me with his
knowledge.

"They have nothing to say about it so far," I said. "Nothing has happened,
but they might come to town if you go breaking the secret which is one of
their rules. Keep the secret, remember?"

Jacob came in with a bag of Harry Clearwater's famous fish fry just
then. He smiled at me until he noticed the tension between me and his
dad. He looked from me to him and back again.

"What's going on?" he asked, looking at me.

"Your father wants to break the treaty and tell Charlie about Edward and I
being friends," I said flatly.

"Dad!" he gasped. "You told Beau? That breaks the treaty and violates the
rules of the Council Di Vampire."

"I didn't tell him anything," he spat. "He's more informed than I
thought. He already knew the secret."

"Oh," Jacob said looking at me. "Okay then. But still you know what the
tribe decided. After last night's ceremony you dared to come tell Charlie?"

"I forgot my place, Jacob," he said, finally looking chastised. "Forgive
me."

"What ceremony?" I asked. "If I'm allowed to ask."

"That's tribal business," Billy said.

"You have no trouble discussing tribal business with Charlie," Jacob
pointed out. "I don't see why I should keep the fact that I'm now Chief of
the Tribe from Beau."

"Congratulations, Jacob," I said, smiling at him.

"Thanks," he said, smiling back. "I'm going to get him back to the
reservation where I'm sure the council of the Chief will have words for
him."

"All right," I said. "I'm sorry that you can't stay."

"Me, too," he said. "We were going to fry fish and have a celebration until
my father wheeled himself into my business."

I stood there and watched them leave. Then I shut the door and got started
on dinner. Charlie wasn't fishing he was at work. I was rattled though and
I needed to talk to Edward. I also had to do it the right way.

I made pork chops again but this time I baked them and covered them with
barbecue sauce. I made fried potatoes and the rest of the corn on the
cob. I put the rolls in the oven just as supper was about done.

Charlie came in as I was plating the food. He sniffed the air and said it
smelled good. I smiled at this. We sat down and ate together. He didn't say
anything at first. He just ate. Then he looked at me and smiled.

"Boy you sure can cook," he said. "Must have picked it up from your mother
because you sure didn't get it from me."

"I'm glad you like it," I said.

"I love it," he said. "What's on your agenda for tonight?"

"I'm going to meet Doctor Gabriel and Elfric tonight," I said. "I'm driving
out there around seven."

"Well there's no school tomorrow so you can be out until midnight," he
said. "I hope it goes well for you."

"Thanks, Dad," I said with a smile. "I'm hoping the same thing."

"Nervous?" he asked.

"A little," I lied. I was still shaken over Billy. "Billy and Jacob were
here, Jake dropped off a bag of Harry Clearwater's fish fry. They had come
to celebrate Jacob being named Chief of the Tribe."

"They didn't stay?" he asked. "Were you rude to them or something?"

"Jacob said something about the tribal council needing him home," I
said. It was partly true.

"Oh, well hot damn," he said, smiling. "That boy's done good for himself
and not even out of high school."

"Yeah," I said, smiling. "He's really excited."

"He should be," he said. "And don't be nervous about meeting the Maxwells,
Beau. They'll love you for the caring and considerate boy you are."

"Thanks," I said, smiling and thinking that he was turning a knife and
didn't know it.

I cleaned up the kitchen and made a plate for Kale. That I put in the
microwave and told Charlie to tell him about it. Then I went to my room and
dropped off my book bag, grabbed my music files and went back down and out
to the truck.

"Hey," said Edward as I stopped to pick him up. "You made it on time."

"Yeah, Charlie was in a good mood," I said. "Jacob is now Chief of the
Tribe."

"That's amazing," he said. "Did Billy say anything?"

"Yes, but I slammed him with the treaty," I said. "He countered with the
Council Di Vampire, but I told him that if he said a word he'd not only
violate the treaty, he'd break the cardinal rule of the council."

"Good going," he said. "The treaty was signed by his ancestor and Gabriel
about ninety years or so ago. We can't go on their land, hunt their people,
or make vampires in Babylon."

"If you can't turn me in Babylon how are you going to turn me?" I asked.

"We'll leave before I turn you," he said. It was so simple to him. Did he
not know that leaving meant something terrible to me?

"So I won't be in Babylon when you turn me," I said.

"Probably at Isle Elfric," he said dismissively.

"Isle Elfric?" I asked.

"Turn here," he said, indicating a break in the trees that I'd have missed
if he hadn't pointed it out. "Isle Elfric is an island that Gabriel bought
for Elfric after the wedding."

"That's extravagant," I said in shock. "An island?"

"We have a fair amount of money, Beau," he said, smiling at me. "Follow the
road all the way. At the end is the house. You can't miss it."

The house was huge with white stone siding and brick on the side of the
house that faced the forest to the left. One whole part of the house that
almost faced the back was all glass. It was amazing and looked like houses
you'd see in architecture magazines. I was impressed.

"Wow," I said.

"Yeah," he said. "It is beautiful in twilight."

"It be beautiful in any light," I said. "You said you had money and if you
had the money for Gabriel to buy an island then I guess this house fits. It
looks like some sort of palace."

"That's funny," he said. "You don't know but the Council Di Vampire live in
a palace in San Juan, South Texas."

"Really?" I asked. "I'd like to see that."

"You will once your a vampire," he said. "I'll present you to the council
like a good vampire does."

"Okay," I said, barely thinking of what that might be like. So much was
riding on me becoming a vampire.

The inside of the house looked just the same as the outside. There was
white stone all over the place, and where there was brick outside there was
brick inside. There was a wall of windows at the back and a small kitchen
island separated the kitchen from the dining room. I followed Edward into
the living room where his family was all lined up.

I knew most of them or had seen them at school or at the hospital. All of
his siblings were standing there, but John and Jason stood slightly apart
from them next to Doctor Nathan and a red haired woman who stood beside
him.

"Beau," said a vampire I didn't recognize, he was a tad taller than Archie
with longish auburn hair that was behind his ears and to his shoulders in
the back. The tops of his ears were slightly pointed and I knew that this
must be Elfric. Kale had told me he looked sort of like an elf, and he did.

"Elfric?" I asked him, and he beamed.

"That's right," he said. "We're so happy to meet you."

"Thank you," I said. "I'm happy to meet all of you, too."

"He smells like one of us," said Nathan hoarsely.

"He also smells like one of us," said Elfric as he smiled at me. "Come,
sit."

I followed him as Edward let go of my arm. He directed me to the seating
around the fireplace. I took a seat and Edward sat on my left. Elfric sat
in one of the chairs in front of the fireplace. Gabriel took the seat
beside him. The vampires came to sit on the sofas paired up. The Forsaken
stood at the back of the room.

"Edward tells us you nearly had a violation of the treaty in your house
tonight," Gabriel said. "Billy Black wanted to tell your father about
Edward?"

"He asked that I not do this to his best friend," I said. "He said losing
me would kill Charlie emotionally."

"That isn't his call," said Elfric.

"No, and I told him so," I said. "I told him that he would violate the
treaty. He seemed shocked that I knew about it but then he countered with
the Council Di Vampire, and I told him that he'd also break their cardinal
rule of keeping the secret."

"That's perfect," Gabriel said with a smile. "You did just
wonderful. Welcome to the family, young man."

"Thank you," I said, smiling. "It will be a bit before I'm actually joining
the family."

"But you already have," said Elfric. "You've made Edward so happy, and for
that you're a treasure to us."

"Well he's made me very happy as well," I said. "Charlie is waiting to meet
him tomorrow night. He's also expressed the desire to meet you and Gabriel
as well."

"We'll get to that," said Gabriel. "Don't worry."

"I'm not worried," I said, smiling. "He doesn't seem to be either, if we
can keep Billy from running his mouth."

"We have a meeting tomorrow with the Tribal Council to discuss that," said
Gabriel. "You are welcome to join us."

"I might actually," I said. "It would shock Billy."

Roman handed Gabriel a folder and he nodded. Then he opened the folder and
began to examine the documents inside. He looked at me and smiled.

"This is your genealogy," he said. "Roman hunted up all of the
information. I think I've found your connections to us. It says here that
your great great grandmother married a man named Arson Pepperton. He is a
super drone who is alive today. It also says that your great great great
grandmother married a man named Davrahm Potter. That's a Forsaken who lives
in the house with my brother in blood, Perrin."

"That explains why you smell like one of us," said Nathan.

"It also explains why he smells so much like one of us," said Edward. "He's
got a bunch of lines in his genealogy. His great grandmother was a Moreau."

"That explains why none of us can read your mind," Gabriel said. "I knew it
had to be something like that. He's too powerful with that shield to be
anything other than a witch."

"I'm not a witch," I said, smiling. "I just have one in my ancestry."

"Make no mistake," Edward said. "You are a witch. You're a very powerful
one to have blocked even me. I can do so much more in mind reading than the
rest of the vampires."

"When we have more time I'd like to help you find out what other gifts you
have," said Archie.

"I'd like that," I said, noticing the clock on the wall said
eleven-thirty. "I have to go home now."

"We know," said Gabriel with a smile. "Tomorrow at two we will be meeting
with the tribal council. Just come to the house and you can ride with
Edward."

"Will Charlie be at work?" Edward asked.

"Fishing with Harry Clearwater," I said.

"Perfect," he said. "I'll pick you up at the house."

"That works for me," I said.

"Until tomorrow," Gabriel said with a smile.

"Goodnight everyone," I said and followed Edward out of the house to my
truck.

"I'll ride with you to the spot where you picked me up," he said. "That way
I can spend a little more time with you."

"I'd like that," I said as I started the truck and drove back down the road
to the break in the trees.

"What do you think of being a witch?" he asked me.

"I feel like I always did," I said. "If I had magical powers don't you
think I'd know?"

"Not really," he said. "You're an uninitiated witch so you're not as
powerful as you would become with initiation."

"I'll never be initiated," I said.

"No, but you will be a vampire," he said. "It's just like initiation. Once
you're a vampire your full powers will be at your command."

"Well, Archie will help me figure out what they are," I laughed.

"It's not funny, Beau," he said seriously. "You could be very powerful when
you're turned."

"I have that to look forward to," I said.

"That you do," he said as I came to the spot I picked him up at. "Well,
I'll say goodnight and see you tomorrow."

"Goodnight," I said. He kissed me and then got out of the truck.

I drove home in a good mood. I still didn't know about this witch thing. I
decided not to dwell on it. If I was a witch so be it. Whatever happened
with that happened. I couldn't control it anyway. Having a witch for an
ancestor really made the possibility real.

I got home just before midnight so Charlie was happy. He was waiting for me
when I came in the door. I had something to ask him, too. I just had to
figure out how to go about it.

"Beau," he said. "You're home on time."

"I'm a good boy," I laughed.

"That you are," he said. "How was your night?"

"Interesting," I said. "Dad, tell me about my great Grandmother."

"I was wondering when we'd have this chat," he sighed. "Come in the living
room and sit down. It's late so we might as well get this out of the way."

I came into the living room and sat on the sofa. Charlie sat down and
sighed. He looked at me for a long moment and said nothing. Then he sighed
again.

"Your great Grandmother was a Moreau Witch," he said. "Now don't be
surprised that I know about the witches. I am one after all."

"You're a witch?" I asked.

"If I decided to cast spells they would work pretty much," he said. "I know
things for fact when I hear and see them sometimes, and I have prophetic
dreams, which is why we have to discuss your boyfriend now. Son, I know
that the Maxwells are vampires and Forsaken. I had my reservations on this
but I won't lose you if your turned."

"You've just blown my mind," I said. "How did you know?"

"Because I know a vampire when I see one," he said. "You will learn to do
that, too. It's a natural magical ability. I don't know what other magical
abilities you have but I suggest that you don't play around with magic on
top of dealing with vampires."

"Dad, you're blowing my mind," I said.

"I'm sure I am," I said. "Your uncle is a witch, too. He makes flowers
grow."

"Hence the florist shop," I sighed. "That makes a lot of sense."

"As it does for me to be sheriff," he said. "I was elected in a
landslide. I won't always be sheriff, so I've been putting money away in an
account for my retirement. There's money for you to go to college, too."

"This is all a lot to take in," I said. That was an understatement. We were
all witches and he knew about vampires. "Does Kale know about vampires and
Forsaken?"

"He does," he said. "Kale dated a vampire for a while, but he refused to be
turned by him so the vampire left him."

"Unreal," I sighed.

"He's fine with you and Edward," he said. "If you want to be turned I ask
that you wait till you graduate."

"Edward said after we're married," I said.

"That's a good idea," he said. "Don't tell your mother about any of this. I
mean it, Beau."

"I wouldn't dare," I said. "She wouldn't take it very well."

"Oh, she knows I'm a witch," he said. "That's part of why she left me."

"Dad, I'm sorry," I said.

"Don't be," he said. "Some things aren't meant to be. Take you and Edward
for example. You might decide on something or someone else. It could
happen, but I doubt it. You're a pretty reliable guy in that when you make
up your mind there's no changing it."

"I'm glad that you see that about me," I said. "Dad I love Edward."

"I know you do," he said. "You wouldn't have taken his secret and even
thought about becoming one of them if you didn't."

"You're not mad?" I asked.

"No," he said. "I'm not mad."

"Billy was planning to tell you about Edward," I said. "I told him he'd be
violating the treaty. He countered with the Council Di Vampire. I told him
he'd be breaking the cardinal rule of the council. That shut him up. Plus
Jacob is chief and is taking him before the Tribal Council to be warned off
of it again."

"Thank you for telling me," he said. "Billy knows that I'm a witch, and he
knows that telling me this wouldn't break the rule from the Council Di
Vampire. Witches and shapeshifters are immune from the secrecy law. He
doesn't know that though."

"Billy's a shapeshifter?" I asked.

"He used to be," he said. "They all have the gene, but you won't find the
elders turning into wolves, only the younger generation. Jacob could have
the gene. That's something for you to think about. He isn't a
werewolf. Those are almost extinct. I'm not talking about the
Forsaken. Vampires have hunted and killed werewolves for centuries. They've
almost got them all.

Jacob would be a shapeshifter who chose to be a wolf," he went on. "He
could choose to be a hawk or any other animal, but the Tribe chose
wolves. They identify with the wild wolf."

"You're blowing my mind again," I said. There was so much to take in. He
knew about vampires. Witches were immune to the secrecy law. Jacob might be
a shapeshifter that turned into a big wolf. Wow. That was all I could think
of.

"I know," he said. "And you were worried about keeping this from me,
weren't you?"

"Dad it was going to be the hardest thing I ever did," I said. "I didn't
want to but the secrecy law was in effect. I was safe because I'm an
intended fledgling, but you were another matter."

"I understand," he said. "And I'm going to lift the restriction of Edward
being in the house at night. I know he'll be here to protect you and I'm
fine with that."

"Thanks, Dad," I said. "I can't believe this is happening."

"Yeah," he smiled. "Your dad is cooler than you thought."

"Yes, you are," I said. "I'm glad I came to live with you."

"I was planning to tell you everything when you turned eighteen and went to
college," he said. "I would have come to you and told you all of it then."

"It's better that I know now," I said. "It means a lot more to me now."

"I'm sure it does," he said, yawning. "I'm going to bed. I suggest you do
the same."

I went upstairs to bed but I didn't sleep for the longest time. I had
learned so much in one night that I couldn't get it all in order. My dad
knew! He knew! He knew so much more about them than I'd ever thought
possible. He approved of me and Edward! That was a lot right there. I
couldn't wait to tell Edward.

I got out of bed. I had to tell him now. I got in my truck and drove to the
house it took me a while to find the break in the trees. When I pulled up
in front of the house Edward came outside.

"Beau, what are you doing here?" he demanded. "I tell you that strange
vampires are in the area and you do this?"

"Edward I have to talk to you and your family now," I said. "Something
happened tonight that they need to know about."

"Come inside," he said. "I'll wake those that are asleep."

I went inside the house and sat at the dining table. It seemed only moments
later and Gabriel, Elfric, Roman, Emit, Archie, Jasper, Edward, Nathan,
Larz, Mark, John and Jason were all with me.

"Beau, what is it?" Elfric asked. "You look anxious."

"Charlie knows," I said, and they all looked shocked. "But it isn't what
you think. Billy didn't tell him. Charlie has always known. He knows a
vampire when he sees one. He's a witch. Him and Kale both. Kale works in
the flower shop business because he can make them grow. Charlie knows facts
when he sees or hears them, and they both know about vampires, Forsaken,
werewolves, the tribal wolves, and so much more."

"This is news that we needed," Gabriel said. "Thank you for coming to tell
us this before the council meeting tomorrow. Edward he did the right
thing."

"Charlie also said that Edward can be in the house any time he wants," I
said. "He said he'd be there protecting me and he was all for that. He also
knows that I plan to be turned. He said he wouldn't lose me because witches
are immune to the secrecy law."

"He's right about that," Gabriel said. "It seems your turning won't mean
you have to die in his eyes after all. This is good news. However we need
young Jacob's permission to turn you. He won't give it lightly."

"Well it's a good thing that Charlie says I have to wait for graduation," I
said. "Edward said he won't do it until we're married. I agreed to this."

"Well it seems a wedding is in the future of us," Elfric said, smiling.

"Not for a few years," Edward said. "I want Beau to have all of the
experiences of high school."

"Of course you do," said Roman, rolling his eyes. "The rest of us finished
high school after becoming vampires. He's sixteen, Edward. Now is the right
time."

"You know I can get away with eighteen," he said. "Brendan told me that
himself."

"Eric set that rule," said Gabriel. "No one under sixteen and no one above
twenty can be turned. After twenty-one they have to be bonded not
turned. He kept the rule because he knows when Eric wakes he'll be
demanding that rule be honored."

"Fine," Roman sighed.

"Do you not want me to become one of your brothers?" I asked him.

"Of course you can be one of my brothers, Beau," he said, smiling at
me. "You're already one as far as I consider, but none of us had the
decision to be vampires. We were all dying and had no way to tell Gabriel
to let us die."

"I get that," I said. "Edward told me all about that. I know that it's hard
for most of you that I can make the decision."

"That's not it," Roman said. "What I'm upset about is that you can finish
high school as a human. None of us finished high school before we were
turned. We had to finish high school over and over again but that's not the
problem. I was worried that Edward was breaking the law of vampires that
you would be too old. That's all it was. Please understand that I love you
like a brother just because you've made him so happy."

"Okay, I understand," I said. "Can we have a vote to see who wants me to be
a vampire?"

"I do," said Edward, smiling at me.

"Me, too," said Jasper. "Although you already smell like one."

"I do," Emit said. "You're fragile as a mortal but you'll be bulletproof
when you're immortal."

"I do," Archie said, smiling at me also.

"I do," said Elfric, smiling at all of us.

"I do, too," said Gabriel. "I think you'll be a great addition to the
family."

"I do, too," Roman said. "I'm sorry if what I said made you think I didn't
want you as family."

"I want you to become Forsaken," said Nathan. "I'm sorry but you smell like
one at times, and I'd love to have you be one of us."

"I'm sorry," I said to him. "I want to be a vampire."

"You'll be family anyway," he laughed. "Besides if you decided to be
Forsaken you'd been taken away from us because you have to be a vampire's
drone."

"Yeah," I said, laughing.

"Well that part is settled," Edward said. "We'll wait until after
graduation and the wedding."

"That sounds honorable," Gabriel said.

"I have to get home," I said. "Before Charlie has a fit."

"Go," Edward said, "but I'm going with you." He turned to Gabriel. "I can't
leave him unprotected as he is in line to be my fledgling."

"I understand," Gabriel said. "You didn't have to stay home all night
anyway."

We left after I'd hugged all of them. Charlie was waiting when I came in
the door with Edward right behind me. Kale was with him, but he smiled at
us. Charlie gave me a look that could sour milk. I knew I was in hot water.

"Edward, it's good to meet you," Charlie said, shaking his hand. "I've met
Gabriel and Nathan and even Larz, but I haven't met any of the younger
ones."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Charlie," he said, beaming at him.

"Beau, I know where you've been," he said. "You had me worried."

"I had to tell them about us," I said. "I had to. It wouldn't work with a
phone, Dad."

"I get that," he said. "I thought that's where you went. I just wish you'd
have told me you were going. It's after midnight and you just broke
curfew. I'm going to overlook it because of our discussion tonight but
don't make a habit of it."

"I promise," I said.

"I also just got off the phone with Jacob," he said. "I'm going to be at
the meeting with the tribe tomorrow to get this all out in the open."

"Okay," Edward said. "Beau is going with us because he is one of us now."

"I completely understand," he said. "But the treaty says you can't turn a
human in Babylon."

"Then I'll turn him on Isle Elfric," he said. "One way or another, Beau
will be a vampire. Nathan even told him he wanted him to be Forsaken, but
he changed his mind when he realized that if Beau was Forsaken he would
have to be bonded by a vampire and would likely be taken away from me."

"That's a thought, too," said Charlie, flooring me. How much did he really
know about vampire politics?

"So we're all going to the meeting?" I asked.

"Not me," said Kale. "Nice to see you again, Edward. I'm doing inventory at
the store all day."

"You wouldn't want to be at this meeting anyway," said Charlie. "Politics
is not your foray."

"No, it isn't," Kale agreed. "Just be easy on them, will you? They're all
good men."

"I understand that but the treaty and law was almost broken," Edward
said. "We have to answer that. It can't go unchecked."

"I get that," Kale said. "But Billy wouldn't have broken the treaty or the
rule of secrecy."

"But he didn't know that and chose to do it anyway," Edward pointed
out. "That makes us wonder just how much he can be trusted."

"I didn't think about it like that," Kale said. "I've known Billy Black
most of my life. It's sad that he would think to break the treaty."

"I know," said Charlie.

"Well I'm going to be here most nights to protect Beau," Edward said. "With
your permission, Charlie."

"Granted," he said. "If you want to protect him go ahead. I can't shoot
what might come for him."

"That's correct," he said. "I'm going to be a bit overprotective in the
next few nights because there is a different kind of vampire out there."

"Children of Apollo have come to Babylon?" Charlie asked, standing up.

"No, they're in Kingsville right now," Edward said, shocking me. "They've
been there for a while but Archie wasn't looking for them so he only saw
them when they thought about coming here."

"Are they still thinking about it?" Charlie asked.

"They're undecided at this time," Edward said. "If it changes, Archie will
call me."

"Okay," Charlie said. "I'm going to bed to get as much sleep as I can
before the meeting. In this shape they don't want me there, trust me."

"I agree," said Kale, smiling at Charlie.

"Beau, I want you to sleep," he said. "Don't keep him up, Edward. He had to
digest a lot of information tonight but I want him to sleep."

"He'll sleep then," Edward said. "Goodnight Charlie."

"Goodnight all," Charlie said and headed up the stairs.

Edward and I followed after I'd hugged my uncle Kale just because I
could. He smiled at me when I let him go and then I followed Edward up the
stairs. Kale was right behind me. I didn't know if I would be able to sleep
with all of this in my head and thoughts of the council meeting
tomorrow. Check that, it was later today. It was almost three in the
morning. I couldn't believe it.

I was true to my word. I went up, changed into sleep attire and crawled
into bed with Edward. I thought I couldn't sleep but I did shortly after I
put my head on his shoulder. I woke with a start about seven hours later.

"You can sleep a little longer, Beau," Edward said. "It's only ten in the
morning."

"No, I'm awake," I said and got out of the bed.

I went to take my shower and dressed in my best t-shirt and black denim
shorts. I put on hiking boots that Charlie had bought me when it rained so
much. I was ready to go, but my stomach growled so I went downstairs to
breakfast and encountered Kale.

"Your dad's still asleep," he said. "Would you wake him at noon?"

"Sure," I said. "You headed to the store?"

"Sure am," he said. "Be careful at the council meeting, Beau."

"I will be," I said. "I promise not to say much. I'll let them do the
talking."

"Good boy," he said, smiling. "I expect a full report when I come home."

"And I'll give you one," I said. "Bye."