Dawn shifted on my leg. "I see, so she doesn't just have intel but access to an armory that could be useful?"
Niko nodded, picking up a FrankFurter. "Yes. Not just weapons, though. She has so much knowledge about the clans here in Fiji that even some vampires themselves don't." He threw it in his mouth and chewed. "She'll be able to tell you which clans are open to negotiation… the ones you can reason with. But more importantly, she knows the ones who will resist any talk of peace."
Niko looked at me seriously. "If in the end, it comes to war, you'll need not just her knowledge, but her resources.
This is beyond just making allies now, it's about you preparing for what happens if the peace talks fail."
"If the peace talks fail, Dawn's got that part covered."
I leaned back in my chair. "So, this woman… Eleanor is our best bet for inside information and weapons, but we don't need to move on her just yet because we're not focused on Fiji, but on our town in Blue Cove," Dawn said, as I casually played with the locks of her hair.
"Yup," Niko agreed. "But building that connection now could save you a lot of trouble later. It's like killing two birds with one stone."
"We're on vacation, Niko," I muttered.
"Oh, funny you're saying that now after stirring up trouble with a clan," Dawn shot back sarcastically.
"And what if she isn't willing to take our side?" I questioned. "Eleanor is a smart woman. If she believes in what you're trying to do, I see why not. You'll just have to convince her." Niko replied. "Gain her trust, let her know what you're planning. When the time is right, you'll have an ally ready to help expand the cause beyond the Caymanian Islands. Sounds perfect, doesn't it?"
"Unrelated, but how do you vampires even fight wars without humans knowing?" Dawn asked curiously.
"Vampires with powers of illusion would cast their spells, and since most battles took place at night, humans remained unaware. They slept soundly, their dreams shaped into whatever they desired, completely undisturbed," Dragos explained. "Meanwhile, the vampires battled."
"Fascinating," Dawn murmured, getting off my legs. "The earlier we go to see Eleanor, the better."
I rose. "Yeah. Cause we still have that date tonight, right?"
Dawn smiled, cupping my face and pressing her lips to mine, whispering. "Yeah"
Niko cleared his throat. "I'll have someone inform the house about your visit, She's not the type you call directly. Thankfully, I have the right contacts."
"This woman sounds important. Are you sure she'll agree to meet us?" Dawn asked.
He smiled. "I'm certain once word gets to her that the Alesul wants an audience, she'll make time for you."
"Great. Let's move"
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Eleanor's estate was a sight to behold. As our car pulled up the driveway, the magnificence of the property was impossible not to miss.
A formally dressed steward patiently waited for us near the entrance, hands clasped behind his back with professional poise.
He led us to a lavish living room where we waited. Moments later, Eleanor appeared at the top of the stairs.
She was a middle-aged woman, somewhere in her mid-fifties, and she wore a simple, yet undoubtedly expensive, designer dress.
"Welcome to my home, Mr. Vlad, and Miss..." Her voice was cool.
"Carter," Dawn replied.
"Miss Carter," Eleanor repeated with a nod, now descending the last steps. Her eyes assessed us seriously. "I'm honored by your visit. Shall we have lunch?"
"No, thank you. We had something to eat on the way," I said.
"Oh," her eyes narrowed slightly, but she let it pass. "Very well. Please, come with me to my study. Thank you, Dale." She nodded at the steward, who bowed slightly before slipping away.
Eleanor led us down a hallway lined with larger-than-life portraits of her ancestors, and through a set of thick, impenetrable doors into her study— a spacious, tastefully decorated room.
Once the doors were shut, she turned to face us.
"I can't believe I have the honor of standing before the Alesul," she said, her eyes shining with respect. "I've heard and read so much about you."
I grimaced, folding my arms. "You should feel more honored to be in the presence of the Divine Purge."
Eleanor froze, her gaze snapping to Dawn, disbelief written across her face. "The Divine Purge? I... I heard whispers, but then… nothing. After a while, we heard the news of your death."
"I was dead," Dawn replied quietly. "And reborn"
"Wow," Eleanor fought back a shiver as she sank into her chair. "Please, sit," she gestured to the chairs across from her.
We took our seats, and I watched her carefully.
"So," Eleanor began, folding her hands in her lap, "To what do I owe this pleasure?"
"We're not here to ask for anything yet," I began. "But in time, we will. We're working on something. Something big, and we've come to you because you could be a key part of that."
Eleanor's eyebrows rose in curiosity. "And what exactly are you working on?"
"A future where humans are aware of the existence of vampires, and together, live peacefully," Dawn continued. "A future where there will be a treaty to end the bloodshed."
I nodded, taking over. "But before we achieve that, we need allies from both worlds—vampires and humans, who would oversee and uphold the treaty. Like ambassadors"
Eleanor's eyes moved between Dawn and me. "Go on"
Dawn continued. "Our main focus is Blue Cove, for now, a town in the Grand Cayman. Our home. That's where we'll prove that peaceful coexistence with the knowledge of vampires is possible. But when the time comes to expand, we'll need allies in other regions." She crossed her legs. "People like you who are known and respected in both worlds… who can bridge the gap between humans and vampires."
"You won't be alone. There will be others we'll carefully select, even if they don't have your kind of influence. But you'll be one of the first." I added. "We're here to gain your allegiance."
Eleanor remained silent for a while before speaking up. "That's a serious responsibility."
"It is"
She went silent again, thinking it through, and I spoke. "You've lived in this world, Eleanor. You've seen what vampires can do… the good and the bad. People acting unlike themselves due to compulsion. Mysterious deaths. Surely you must want all that to end."
"Of course I do," she replied, "No one who knows the truth can sleep peacefully at night." She paused for a moment. "If I agree, if I join this... movement of yours, how do I know it will succeed?"
She crossed her arms. "What's to stop those who oppose it from tearing everything apart?"
Dawn straightened in her seat, leaning forward. "I will personally see that those who do are punished. My powers have grown, and should they come for me even as a clan, I'll be able to take them down. After I do that, I'll ensure they can never create more like themselves. Their ability to sire new vampires will be taken away."
"And she won't be alone," I added. "I'll be right by her side."
Eleanor blinked, clearly shocked by Dawn's words. "You're that powerful?"
"Yes. I am now"
Eleanor sighed, standing. She paced slowly across the room. "And if I agree to this… what do you need from me? Besides lending my voice when the time comes?"
"We need your trust," I said, standing as well. "We need to know that when we ask, you'll be ready. And when it comes down to it, you'll stand beside us."
Dawn got up too. "We also know you've acquired resources over the years. An armory. If the need arises, it could be important."
Eleanor fixed us with a hard stare. "So, you want my weapons as well?"
"Only if it becomes necessary," I clarified. "We're not looking for war, but we must be prepared for it if others try to tear down what we're building."
Eleanor started to pace again, her attention turning to me. "I've heard stories about you, Dragos. Whispers. But they died down. I believe I've come across a few mentions of your family in one of my ancient family books."
Eleanor watched me closely. "They say you're not just any vampire, but something... more. Born of the fully pure gene, just like the great dark lord," she paused.
"By aligning with you, I'd be securing a future. Being an ally of the Alesul has its perks, doesn't it?"
I tilted my head and smiled. "It does."
Eleanor let out a slow breath. "If the world is going to change, I want to be part of that change. And if things go wrong… not saying they will…but giving the benefit of the doubt, I'd want to be with the side that stands the better chance of winning."
She stepped forward. "I pledge my loyalty to you, Dragos Nicolae Vlad III, and your vision for a future where we can peacefully coexist without fear or bloodshed."
She extended her hand, her eyes not leaving mine. "You have my allegiance."
"I shook her hand firmly and nodded. "Thank you, Eleanor. Welcome aboard."