Selena sure hoped so. Maybe the hunters needed better training. She said, "Maybe we could have sensitivity training for the hunters—I'm not sure it would work for vampires, but the hunters might need it to understand the vampires better."
"That sounds like something you could entertain also, once we locate the rogue hunters causing all the trouble right now," the president said, glancing at the other Council members.
They all inclined their heads in agreement.
Then the president adjourned the meeting. Selena and her family left the Council chambers.
The secretary said, "I have the contract drawn up, if you'll read it over and sign it, please."
Each of Selena's family members read over the agreement and then she said, "Do you have the reports that were filed concerning what had happened to me?"
"Uh, yes, here's a copy of all the transcripts, should you wish to see them. The president and other Council members approved it."
She and her family members signed the contract, then she looked through the signed reports from: the two huntress turned vampiresses in the border town, from King even, the vampire in charge of those on the fringe, from Atreides and all his close friends, Colt, Renault, Basil, from Tara Green and Twilight, from Iconia also, and one of Iconia’s friends who Selena didn't remember meeting. And from a vampire named Quail. She didn't recognize the name as being anyone she had met.
But when she read his affidavit, it said, You are the one who will change everything, the light in the darkness, good against evil.
"That was the last one that came in. A young hunter boy delivered it. He said he saw a wolf and it dropped the envelope, pawed at it, barked at him, and then ran off. That's when the boy picked up the envelope, saw it was addressed to the president of the League and brought it right here," the secretary said.
"A wolf," Selena said. The wolf? She couldn't imagine it was from anyone else. "Thank you."
Then she and her family left, and they all hugged each other.
"Man, we didn't know you would be famous, and we would have special positions because of you," Daniel said.
"Just remember that if you get mad at me over something dumb," Selena said, patting his shoulder.
"What can you turn into?" Her sister sounded intrigued. "I never thought of that."
"I don't know, but I'm curious too."
Selena didn't know what vampires could shift into. Some said crows, some wolves, some bats. Maybe other creatures? She just didn't know. But a crow would be neat if she wanted to learn what was going on and be inconspicuous. Particularly during the day. A wolf at night. A bat didn't especially appeal, but at night, they could fly and could be a little stealthier. Though both the hunters and vampires could see what was going on at night, so maybe not so inconspicuous.
"A wolf, that's what I'd want to be," Daniel said.
"Yeah, me too," Selena said.
"What if you shifted and couldn't shift back?" her mother said.
Everyone was quiet in the car for a few minutes, then Rosa said, "Yeah, that would be the pits. I was thinking of a crow for daytime sleuthing, but I wouldn’t want to be one always."
"I wonder if you have a choice. I've never been on friendly terms with vampires, so I don’t have a clue," their father said. "You'll have to let us know what you find out, Selena."
She realized she was going to be the premier connection to the vampire world for the hunters. It did make her feel special. When they reached her parents' home, she said, "I've got to go. But I think we're all in agreement things could be better for the hunters and vampires if we could work more closely together."
"I agree," her mother said, giving her a hug. "Does he, I mean, Atreides, ever want to meet us?"
"Of course. We wanted to make sure you knew what had become of me first, and then we'll have everyone get together with him to welcome him to the family," Selena said.
"All right. Make it soon," their mother said. "I want him to feel like he's part of the family, not some outcast we don't want to meet."
"I'll make it soon."
"Are we on the hunt again for the rogue hunters tonight?" Daniel asked.
"Yes. And every night until we catch them. We can't let them get away with any more murders."
Then she gave everyone hugs and Rosa reminded her, "Remember to ask Atreides what you can be if you shift."
Selena smiled and before Daniel could ask if he could drive her back to Atreides's home, she vanished and sometime later, appeared inside the living room in Atreides’s home, startling Colt and Renault who were playing poker.
"We're here to watch over you. Imagine our surprise to learn Atreides was in bed without you," Colt said.
Atreides came out of the kitchen. "How did it go?"
"I'm a special agent. So are my brother and sister." Selena was feeling so lightheaded all of a sudden, she had to sit down at the dining table.
Atreides brought her a glass of red wine, but then she realized it was blood. She thought she couldn't drink it, but when she felt compelled to drink it, she took a sip and sighed. It was refreshing, coppery, smooth, and fed the need to have it. And she felt invigorated all at once.
Then she explained all that had happened at the Council.
"That's a tall order," Atreides said.
"And my mother wants you to come over for dinner soonest so they can welcome you to the family."
He slowly smiled.
"Really. Don't show your fangs though. I'm sure my parents will be the perfect hosts. Not as in vampire hosts. But they want you to know you're part of our hunter family just like I'm part of your vampire family, once Daemon knows about this."
Renault threw down his hand of cards. "I don't think you should wait on telling Daemon."
"He would return here in a heartbeat and have a major meltdown. You know how he is. We need to take care of business and when he returns with Tezra, well-rested and ready to work, everything will be just fine," Atreides said.
Selena sure hoped so.
Chapter 18
Atreides was thrilled the Council had accepted Selena for what she had become and not only that but had given her special assignments. And he was glad her family wanted to meet him.
"Oh, and that's not all. So the Council received all kinds of reports on what had happened and they took those into consideration. I have to thank you, Atreides, and you also, Renault, Colt, and your friend Basil. But the most surprising report was the one from a man named Quail, who was the wolf.” She read the statement he had made. "Do you know him?"
"Quail," Atreides said, trying to recall the name. He glanced at his friends, but neither of them seemed to know him. "We have vampires who are part of the clan but never participate. They're not fringe vampires as they commit their loyalty to Daemon and our family. But they just keep to themselves."
"Could he be a fringe vampire?" she asked.
"That's entirely possible too. We'll have to check with them about that."
"Oh, and I want to know what I can turn into."