The night was quiet in the large city.  No one wanted to be out on the streets on this night.  Not when the Counsel of the Night was meeting.  Surrounded by seven guards, each with a sword on his back and a dagger at his hip was the pale form of the Queen of the Goths.  Goths, humans with no magic that have forsaken the day for the most part. But they were only one part of the Counsel of the Night.  The other parts included the witch and warlock covens, under the Coven Mistress, the Anthropic Clans, under the Clan Alpha, and the Letches, energy vampires and Sang-Vampires, blood drinkers, under the rule of the Vampire King.  The Counsel met every month on the new moon but on this night the moon shown full behind misty clouds.  A war was coming, the current Coven Mistress, being a seer as well as a witch, had a vision that spoke of it.  Preparations needed to be made for the businesses that thrived on the night life of the city.  As the Queen and her escort made their way to the council chamber the Coven Mistress, a lithe woman with narrow and feral violet eyes and blonde hair met the octet before they could enter.  "Queen Vera, I am pleased you have heeded my warnings about your life." The Coven Mistress said.

        "Mistress Oran, I heeded your warning because I was told flatly that if I did not, my loyal guards would juts kidnap me."  Queen Vera said a bit miffed at being ordered by her own men.  But if war was on the way she would rather be ordered than be killed.  "You yourself said that a strong protector would come to guide me.  Or was that a way to placate me to be sensible?"  Mistress Oran only smiled and slipped into the chamber followed by Queen Vera.  She looked at the other two occupants of the small but well furnished room and nodded respectfully.  The Clan Alpha, a shaggy grey and black were-wolf or Lycanthrope with yellow feral eyes was dressed in a pair of leather trousers that fit snuggly over his well worked leg muscles that the females of his clan swooned over and left his chest bare.  A bit odd since he usually wore at least a vest.  Across from the Lycanthrope was the Vampire King, whose Renaissance dress in red and black tones offset the pale paraffin luster of his regal skin but hid the chaos beneath.  His hand held a pewter goblet of blood from a willing source.  Laws had been laid down a century ago that both the Clans and Vampires could not turn a mortal soul into one of their ken unless they were willing.  The punishment for disobeying that law was a brutal death.  Luckily there were few who actually wanted to force someone into transforming.  And it was less bloody.

       "We call this Consul of the Night to order."  The four leaders said before sitting down.  Queen Vera quickly read the manifest before her.  The possibility of war was not the only topic they would discuss today.  Five Sang-vampires wanted to set up a dark bookstore in the territory belonging to the were-fox clan on Scrolls Street.  A Letch was accused of draining the life-force out of an unwilling visitor to their section of town.  Finally there were the unexplainable arrivals of odd gifts at several Night socialites.  Queen Vera had also received one of these gifts but had not opened it because of her dual life.  Being the youngest daughter of an up and coming politician was not all fun and games.  It was difficult because she had a role to play.  Only at night with her allies and friends could she act like herself.  She wanted someone to be able to see her by the morning light the same way she was by the light of the moon.  But that was too hopefully romantic for a woman who was also the Queen of the Goths.  The Mistress Oran straitened up and looked at Vera.  "We have received threats against our people.  Sadly these threats are not your typical 'ignore or forget' they must be dealt with.  Most of these are against our Gothic brothers and sisters.  And dangerously still against their queen.  I've asked the Powers what we must do to protect her and they told me to find the strongest protector I can.  So I did.  I have summoned the Guardian here to ask him to protect Queen Vera.  Because if she dies we'll have chaos on our hands again.  I am sure at least you King Magnus know what that kind of chaos is like being half Sang and half Letch."  She said with a note of sympathy.

       "That I do Coven Mistress.  And I won't want to see that again."  King Magnus replied saluting with his goblet.  Vera closed her eyes to think about what this Guardian might be.  Having dealt with the Covens before she thought it might be another term for a familiar, but that wasn't likely with how respectfully Mistress Oran had spoken the title. "Well lets get the smaller things dealt with first before we deal with war." Magnus said setting the goblet down as one of the servants filled it.  The Clan Alpha nodded in agreement.

As the discussion continued threw the early hours of the evening Mistress Oran waited for the Guardian to arrive.  She would be able to feel his presence she was sure of it.  Was it not her who had awakened him for this mission?  Surely they would be bound in some way till he bonded with Vera.  She watched Vera and saw her go very still and quiet then felt the wave of power wash over her.  He had arrived.

The dark wood doors opened and the tall form of a man walked in and stopped at the edge of the radiated light from the other room.  The outline of his form made him appear broad in shoulder but slim.  His chin-length and shaggy hair was black and had an ether-real sheen to it.  His clothing was a simple but tailored black suit jacket, a pair of strait-legged, if wide, trousers with thin silver pinstripes that matched his jacket and a red silk shirt, half unbuttoned to show the well toned chest of pale skin.  His eyes were the most striking feature on his beautifully carved face.  Human for the most part but they did hold a hint of some feral beast to a lesser extent than the Clans but more so than the Vampires.  Even though he was average height of a mortal, his body exuded an impressive ora of power.  Moving his hand to smooth back his wind ruffled hair he smiled a faint seducer’s smile.  “I do apologize about my tardiness.  I got hopelessly lost in this new city.  I am the Guardian Coven Mistress Oran sent for.”  He said in his faintly accented voice.

“That is quite all right all that matters is that you are here Guardian.”  Mistress Oran said smiling apprehensively gesturing to Vera. “This is the one I am asking you to protect.  She is Vera, Queen of the Goths.”

“It is a pleasure to make your aquatinted.”  Queen Vera said formally as she stood up brushing a few wrinkles from the skirt of her gown.  The Guardian silkily moved around the Counsel table taking Vera’s hand in his kissing it.

“No it is my pleasure to meet you, your highness.”  He replied running his thumb over her fingers.  Vera regally pulled her hand from his grip looking him strait in the eye as if to say ‘this is business, not pleasure.’

       “And how am I to address you sir?”  She asked still stiff with formality.

       “Ah, so it’s down to business all ready, hmm?”  He asked with a slight boyish tilt to his head. “You may call me Vasek Numeni and how am I to address you, your highness?”

       “When we are here in the territory of the night you are to call me by the titles of formality.  But because I have a day life and only in that may you call me Vera.  These are the same rules for all my subjects that interact with me in the day.”  She said stiffly.  Vasek nodded gesturing to the other room where a buffet of delicacies was being served to sate their hunger.

       “At least allow me to escort you to the dining hall where we may dine while we discuss your protection my lady.”  He said offering Vera his arm.  Vera nodded taking his arm turning to leave with the other counselors behind them.  After the light meal was served, Vera looked out from her private study’s bay window.  She was trying to become comfortable with the constant feeling of being watched she now felt.  Nabus had said, between sips of wine, that the ring he gave her, a simple silver ring with a vine pattern, would connect the two of them.  He would be able to know if she was in danger even if he was not right there.  But he would also be able to read her moods.  And that disquieted her a lot.  She only had a few people to confide in, one being her grandmother the other was Mistress Oran.  “Do not worry my lady; I know how to be discreet.  I will not invade your privacy, unless it is absolutely necessary.”  Nabus said.

         Vera turned around in shock pressing herself against the cool glass.  “How did you get in here I locked the door?”  She asked meekly.  Vasek looked over his shoulder at the still locked door before looking back at her.

       “The shadows are how I move and how I can protect you.  They are apart of me and I am apart of them.  Guess you could say I am like a Shadow Walker, from the Covens.”  He replied nonchalantly.  Vera just stared at him before taking a step away from the cold glass rubbing her arms to warm them.  “Does it frighten you?”

       “No, well it sort of does but I am cold because I was leaning against the glass.”  She replied before turning towards the door to leave.  “I must be going.  I have a rally to go to tomorrow for my father.  He is a politician.”

       “Then I will escort you it is my job.  And do not worry we will travel by normal means.  You are not comfortable enough with me to travel my way yet.”  He said trying to be helpful.  Nodding Vera called in her escort and, taking Vasek’s  arm, walked the main streets of the Goth sector till they reached the boundary between the part of the city that they protected and the sector of the city where everyone else lived.  Her escorts were no longer needed.  Vera would travel the rest of the way by taxi or by bus.

      “I thank you for the escort, Vasek but I can handle it from here.”  She said making to slip from his side.  His hand only tightened on her arm.

       “I am to protect you.  I must know where you live so I can find it when I travel in the shadows.  Incase you need me.”  He replied loosening his grip slightly.  She told him flatly that if anyone saw them together it would be ruinous for her.  She had little love from her father already.  If she cause a rumor to be spread that she was unfaithful to her ‘boyfriend’ her father would take it out on her by not letting her leave the house without one of his hired bodyguards in toe.  It was hard enough to give them the slip by day.  “Do not fret my lady, I did tell you I was discreet.  Did I not?”

       Vera huffed agreeing to let him finish escorting her home.  Home, that irony of home, was a five-story mansion that had been in her grandmother’s family for over five-hundred years.  It still was not clear who she intended to inherit that lavish estate.  The front lawn was, as usual, pristine and well-kept.  The marble walls were silver in the moonlight and did not show the decay that had developed quite recently.  It was as if something corrosive was eating away at it with a voracious appetite.  Not that she would ever tell Vasek that.  She wanted him to know as little as possible about her inner thoughts.  “Well we are at the drive.  I’ll be quite safe from here now, if you would be so kind as to let go of my arm.”  Vera said meeting those feral eyes.

       “As you wish my lady.  But remember if you need me for any reason, just whisper my name and I will be there.”  He said lifting her hand and kissing the back of it before releasing it.  After he rounded the corner and vanished, Vera dashed for the main door down the paved drive.  Once inside she closed her eyes and sighed relived that no one in her family was awake.  She did not want any of them to see her dressed as the Queen of the Goths.  Slipping up the stair she wondered what her father would think if he ever found out that she was politically adept as he was.  Rounding the final corner that separated her from entering her room, she froze.  She saw her sister, Kathrin, a tall and pretty blonde and blue eyed young woman about 20 slip out of her room and enter her own.  Why would Kathrin be in her room she wondered?  Shrugging, Vera opened her door and sighed with relief.  None of the spells she had asked Oran to place on her room were broken.  This still left her to wonder what her sister was doing in her room.  Maybe Marin, Kathrin’s twin, had dared her to.  Either way she was looking forward to a nice hot shower before going to bed.  And that’s all that mattered to her at the moment.

       After Vera had gone to bed Vasek slipped into her room.  He wanted to explore her home a bit, just to know if anyone in her family was a danger to her.  He was hired to protect her.  Mistress Oran had asked him to, saying she would pay anything to keep Queen Vera safe.  But that was not the only reason.  Ever since he became the Guardian nearly a millennia ago, he had longed for that one person in his life that could give him peace.  He longed for the Night-wind heir.  The small sound Vera made brought him out of his thoughts.  She was not waking up but still, he did not want to be caught in her room.  So he left to explore her home, noting each room and its function as well as the staff that worked there.  When it came to Vera’s family he made sure they were inspected closely.  Her father was no danger to her unless Vera’s mother wanted something.  The mother could and would make her husband cut Vera from his will if she ever harmed her way of life, namely if Vera did anything to hamper her father’s election to office.  The twins were only dangerous verbally.  So they only had to be watched for snide comments.  Though they did show a keen interest in what Vera did at night.  He heard the two of them talking threw the shadows.  The grandmother, and matriarch of the family, was an interesting surprise.  She was a former Goth.  Vasek knew this from the memories he delicately drew out of the old woman’s mind, making them only appear as dreams to her.  But he felt something deep within him that the grandmother was not a normal Goth.  Something that made him think of his own kind, the long forgotten Fulcrum, those that kept the balance between members of the Counsel of the Night.  The Fulcrum had died out.  Few families were even aware of what they were, blending in with the others, becoming half-breeds.  But he, he was a full blooded Fulcrum.  He had the full gift.  That was why he was over one thousand years old.  He had made a pact of sorts with the night to watch over those that honored it more than others.  He was one of the ones that helped set up the rules of conduct and had sat as the second Fulcrum after his father had stepped down.  But that was so long ago.  He was lonely, maybe that was the reason why he was so keen on protecting Vera.  Maybe he wanted her companionship.  But, like with her grandmother, he had felt as if he was standing next to one of his own kin.  That was odd.  She was mortal, he knew that.  But if she was just mortal, why was she threatened?  Why would those who abused what they were want her dead?  He did not know.  And that troubled him.  So he returned to Vera’s room and sat down on the window seat making himself blend in with the shadows.  Dawn was a few hours off so he had time to think about his wonderings and figure out the best way to protect her.

       That morning Vera was rudely awakened by one of the maids paid by her father hauling her out of bed saying, “Come on missy its time to get dressed.  Your father needs the support of his family today.  He’s very close to getting the majority.”  Tossed into the bathroom, Vera sneered at the closed door before she stripped to shower.  As the hot water pounded her back she closed her eyes locking away the Queen of the Goths and setting free Vera, the intellectually gifted child of Garret and Rozylen Malory.  She was also the eccentric in the family, the one that was watched for scandals and such.  But nothing of the like happened with her.  No one with that intent ever made it far in the Goth Sector.  She was respected there and no one wanted to see her name plastered in tabloids with stories about her ‘unnatural connection with beasts’.  But that did not stop the tabloid writers from following her.  She just wondered what they would say about Vasek and her.  That chilled her as she dressed.  She did not want to upset her family.  Her position was precarious at best.  She did not want someone to say she was cheating on Jared, the man her mother set her up with because he was from a politically astute family and a future lawyer.  Jared made Vera’s skin crawl.  And it was that thought that made her hurry.  That and the fact if she took any longer the maid would haul her out.  

       The rally was held outside in a wonderful garden, warm with life.  Vera tried not to fidget with the lacey trim of her knee-length pink floral dress.  The white tea gloves were hard enough to deal with but the large blush pink bow on the back of the garden hat made her want to scream.  This was at complete odds with what she was.  With how she wanted to be seen.  Her sisters Marin and Kathrin were in their element, flirting with their political boyfriends.  “You look lovely today my dear Vera.”  Jared, a man with brown hair and brash hazel eyes said as he adjusted the blue silk tie around his neck.

      “Thank you Jared.  It is nice to see that your law studies did not detain you today.”  Vera replied faking a charming smile, something she was good at.  Jared settled in the white wicker chair next to her running a finger down her arm.

       “Let’s just say I had my reasons for coming here.  You being at the top of the list.  I think it is time we took our relationship to the next level.  I want to be seen out with you in public at night.  Oh, I enjoy our lunch dates.  They are convenient for me with my school schedule.  But I want a dinner date and soon.”  He said smiling.  Vera was at a loss for words.  A dinner date.  Oh the implications with that.  How could she explain to him, a person considered by most to be normal, that the night was hers and that she needed to be free in case her subjects needed her?  With war on the horizon it was inconceivable.

       “Jared, I’m not ready for that.  We’ve only been together for a couple of months.  You know I want to take it slow because of my father’s election and such.”  She replied trying to find an easy and unobtrusive way of extricating herself from this situation.  “And anyhow I don’t think we would even agree on where to go.”

“Oh, are we that different?  I am sure anyone we saw would be more than willing to help out with anything you ordered them to do, hmmm?  You are after all their…”  Jared started before he gripped at his stomach.  “Excuse me.”
He turned and fled leaving Vera bewildered.  After a few moments she felt a buzzing around her left index finger.  Looking down she fixed her eyes on the ring Nabus had given her.  The engraved vine pattern was glowing with a faint red color.  He was watching and had sensed danger.  Taking steps to compose herself she watched mother come up to her.  Sitting next to her Rozylen smiled sweetly and said,  “Now what was that about?  You know his family supports us why did you make him ill?  Was it the fact you don’t fill his needs?  Or maybe it is that perfume you insisted on wearing?  Either way I suggest you make it up to him.  We need his family’s support.  That is something you should be able to do.”

“He’s ill, but what about me hmm?  Am I just here as a political mule?  To help garner father’s political support?  Well why don’t you just turn me out as a whore at least then the men might be more willing to stay with me if I let them sleep with me.  No mother I see that spark in your eye.  I will not be my father’s whore.”  Vera replied holding her head high, letting up on the leash that held the Queen of the Goths side of her submissive.  Looking behind her Rozylen saw her mother-in-law walking towards them.   She never liked Ellis, but the son and Rozylen’s husband was a man with the same vision as she.  They will become political savvy.  Even if it meant using their own flesh and blood.

“Ah dear mother, are you enjoying the rally?”  Rozylen said with false sweetness.

“I was indeed till I over heard your conversation with Vera here.”  Ellis replied with a false smile.  “Vera you must be hungry why don’t you get something to eat while your mother and I talk.”  Accepting her dismissal Vera went over to the banquet table.  Turning back to her son’s wife Ellis clenched her hands.  “Remember something Rozylen, my son may be your husband but I am his mother and I still control the family wealth.  It will go to whomever I find fit to control such wealth.  
And the twins don’t seem the sort to put all that money to good use.  More likely they would spend it on clothing, cars that they won’t drive and needless property.  Vera has a good head on her shoulders for all her eccentricities.  All she needs is the right man to help guide her.  And Jared was not the right man.”
That night Vera needed to blow off some steam so she went to one of the Goth Sectors most popular clubs, The Crypt.  The pounding music, the multicolored lights, the mass of bodies that flowed in waves.  Everything soothed her as much as it made her crave action.  Luckily this night she did not dress as the Queen of the Goths but as Vera, just a normal Goth.  The black baggy pants and red corset was nothing different from what the other Goth women wore for a casual night out on the town.  Swaying to the pounding music Vera let herself become absorbed in its rhythm.  This was when she felt free, this is where she could be herself.  Not in the mindless buzz of politics.  Here where the biggest danger was meeting up with a rouge Vampire or Anthrop.  But even then those attacks were few and far between.  Slowly Vera made her way over to the bar and smiling she grabbed a bottle of soda and began to sip from it eyeing the crowd.  Slipping next to her Vasek smiled  bobbing his head in time with the music.  “Not quite what I am used to but this is entertaining.”  He said causing Vera to jumped.  He laughed softly.  “I am sorry if I startled you, my lady.  But I just wanted to see you as you are normally.  I did not take a liking to that family of yours.”

“You saw?”  She asked regaining her composure.  He nodded leaning against the bar.

“They aren’t very nice to you are they?  They see you mostly as some black sheep only to be toted out when it suits them.  They use you to add to their political power.  They do not want to see you as you truly are.  Your grandmother seems to be the only one that is willing to see you as human and not some village idiot.”  He said with a slight snarl.  Vera nodded agreeing with him on every note.  She never understood why her grandmother stood up for her so much.  She was grateful for it though.  Vasek turned to face her.  “Well I might not be the best dancer to this music but I’d like to try dancing with you.”

“That would be nice.”  Vera said before Vasek swept her onto the dance floor.  Each movement flowed from the pair, blending with the music as it changed.  Each slide, step, sway of arms was in time with the other.  It was as if Vera and Vasek had danced together for years and not just moments.  Stepping back, Vera wiped a light sweat from her brow and sipped her soda which she had left on the bar.  Vasek smiled leaning against the bar next to her.

“That was quite a dance Miss Vera.  I hope you do not mind that I called you that.” Vasek said.

“No I like it.  It’s nice.”  Vera said with a smile.  “Should we find something to eat that is if you eat.”

“Oh I do eat.”  Said Vasek with a laugh as he offered her his arm.  Vera smiled taking his hand.

“This is more proper nowadays.  And I feel more comfortable like this.”  She replied as they walked out onto the streets of the Goth Quarter.  Vasek looked around the streets at the buildings.  The architecture was different yet the same.  The buildings were taller but they still had the same type of gargoyles at each of the front corners.  The stonework was fairly new, as if the main streets had been revamped.  But the streets were still lit with the same oil lamps that had started to light the streets just before he had gone to sleep for those years.  Vera looked up at Vasek and saw him studying the streets.  “Has the time changed the world that much?”

“Indeed it has.  But every now and then I see a building that is the same as it was just before I retired to sleep.”  He replied running his thumb along Vera’s knuckles.  She smiled lightly as they came to her favorite food stand.

“Ah Lady Vera it is good to see you again.  Your usual?”  The round balding man said as he pulled the lid off one of the bamboo steamers he had on his cart.

“Yes indeed Master Maric and whatever Vasek wants.”  She said with a smile watching Vasek read the menu of dumplings.

“These all sound interesting.  But I will have the Sampler I suppose.  I have never had anything like this before.”  Vasek mused with a smile watching Maric prepare their food.  Afterwards the two of them sat down on the curb nearby and began to eat.  Vera laughed as she watched him fighting to use the chopsticks.

“Vasek you can use a fork you know.  I see that you are having trouble.”  Vera said with a small laugh.  Vasek looked at her and saw the sympathy in her eyes as he took a fork from the stand and began to munch on the dumplings again.  After they finished eating he and Vera headed towards the border.  To say the least Vasek was already regretting the moment where he would turn away from her and head back to the Goth Quarter.  He felt the familiar comfort of being in his family estate when his family had been alive.  It had been many decades since his father had passed away.  It was still a fresh wound that just now was being salved.  

After a few more months Vera and Vasek had become accustomed to each other’s presences.  They were also a common sight together in the Goth Quarter’s clubs and other establishments.  Vasek also had established himself very well in the daylight world of Vera.  The property he was using as his home was only a few miles from where Vera and her family lived.  He had chosen this strategic place because of its proximity to Vera and because it reminded him of the old estate he grew up in.  It was sad that to protect the fact that the Fulcrum were long-lived they had to sell it.  But was it not ironic that Vera’s family now dwelled in it?  Vera was a fool not to mention that the exterior of the home had been eroding.  But maybe she was wary of saying she sensed it.  Either way he looked at the invitation that stated that he was cordially invited to attend the election fundraiser for Garret Malory at his home.  Odd was it not how Vera’s father was striving for a seat on the city’s counsel when his own daughter was the elected Queen of the Goths.  He gave a shrug storing the thought away for another time as he considered weather or not to attend  the fundraiser.  Vera would be there but he would not be able to interact with her as he normally would.  But he would like to see her interact with her family in person, not just watch her threw the shadows.  So Vasek would attend and watch the family.  

That night as the Counsel of the Night was held Vera watched the councilmen and women mumble about as they considered what to do about the flood of new emigrants coming in from other cities.  The rumbles of a war were growing stronger.  The chaos of the other surrounding cities was beginning to spill over into their own.  Three women were killed and drained of their blood after being raped.  Vera was disturbed by the news.  But that was not the only problem Ellis, Vera’s grandmother had taken ill that day and was in the hospital.  Lady Oran offered to concoct a tonic to aid Ellis out of her respect for Vera.  “We must do something about these immigrants, They can not obey our laws and each time we punish them they rise up against the officers that we use to hold our laws in order.  But what can we do?”  The Vampire King ask in anger.  “We have never though about this before.  Yes we have had internal conflicts.  But we have taken care of them eternally.  Never have we faced a full scale war before.  And what about those who live in daylight?  They will become targets as well.  We have accounts of those who work at night near the border being accosted.  We must do something!”

“But as you said King Magnus, what can we do?  Can we declare war on the other city?  Will we sacrifice those who would fight?  Can we kill those who would harm those that can not follow the laws that we have set up in this city.  We know not the laws that they have lived under for years.  After all we are from two different city, a different territory.”  Mistress Oran said.

“We could just send a select group in and see what is happening in the other city.  That way we could gain information first so we don’t attack blindly.”  The Clan Alpha said with a growl.  Silence followed and stretched out as the all waited for Vera to speak.  But Vera remained silent her face transfixed with confusion and with something else as if she was seeing something familiar.  “Queen Vera, something on your mind?”  The Alpha rumbled,  “Or is it the trouble with your sire’s dam that troubles you?”

“I have her on my mind yes, but this, this war is familiar to me.  I hear the wind howl for blood and death.  But I also hear it cry out in pain seeking balance.”  Vera said leaning forward propping her head up with her hands.  She stood up.  “I need to be alone for a while I will rejoin you once I am contained again.”  Vera stood up and fled to her study locking the door.  Staring out of the window she tried to come to terms with what she had said and knew it to be true.  The world of the night cried out for balancing.  But she could not figure out how to balance it.  She wanted badly to have her grandmother here.  Even if she did not understand this, maybe putting into voice what she was feeling might help her.  But then again maybe talking to Vasek would help as well.  She really wished she knew what to do.  In the past she always knew what to do if someone broke one of the laws.  Punish them according to the law they hold in contempt.  But now, a war?  There was no law or ordinance that dealt with that.

“So this is what you do each full moon?  Never thought you would be so much like me.”  A voice said.  Vera turned.  There was Ellis out of the hospital but not looking any better.  Vera helped her ailing grandmother to the leather chair behind her desk.  A servant was sent to retrieve the tonic Mistress Oran had concocted.

“What do you mean, so much like you?”  Vera asked kneeling at her grandmother’s side.   Out of the corner of her eye she saw Vasek standing there looking pleased.  Ellis petted Vera’s head smiling.

“I may be old but I still remember my years as the Goth Queen.  Lord Vasek has told me what has happened in my years of absents.  It has been a very long time but other territories have coveted the order and peace we have had these long years.  It is not our fault we still uphold the Laws of the Fulcrum.”  Ellis said relaxing.  “Though I will say you have revamped my study so well.”

“The Fulcrum are they not just a myth?  A story we tell to warn those who have just heard the night’s call?”

“Indeed no they were once alive like us.  They help set up the laws we live by.  But sadly as the families waned they blended with the others who the night has called.  Ask Lord Vasek.”   Ellis said turning to face Vasek who stood by the door.  “Tell her who you are.  And I will tell her what we are.”  Vasek looked like a deer caught in the head lights of a semi truck.

Vasek nodded stiffly before taking a few steps forward onto the circular rug in the center of the study. “It is the truth that your grandmother speaks.  I am far from a normal Goth, nor am I a sorcerer as you assumed I was.  I am the last full blooded Fulcrum that still exists.  After my father stepped down as the Fulcrum on the counsel I took his seat and held it for a hundred years before I stepped down to let younger more able men take my place.  I have watched my people for a thousand years slowly blend with others.  I have waited so long to come out of the shadows both physically and metaphorically.   But it was not the right time.  Now when the world of day and night are threatened so, I can not sit back and watch what so many died for be snuffed out.”   Vera looked up at Vasek in both shock and pity.  If she had to reveal who she was to someone she would have the same hopeful and hopeless look in her eyes that he had in his.

“That was done very well Lord Vasek.  Now my dear Vera it is time you learned of our family line.”  Ellis adjusted herself in the seat to get comfortable.  “You know our family is an old one, yes?  We have seen so much in that time.  The rise and fall of the Fulcrum and the last great war between the Chaos Night and those who sought peace and co-existence with the day.  It was a hard time for all as Lord Vasek will agree with me about.  But we won because of our line.  We are of the line of Nightwind.”  She watched shock cross her dear granddaughter’s face.  “Yes that is no myth.  The Nightwind blood flows threw your veins as it does threw mine.  That is why you hear what I hear.  The night crying out for the salve of peace to be applied to its many wounds.”

“But Grandma if what you say is true, then Marin and Kathrin also share this line.  They could be apart of this if they had any inkling that they could right?”  Vera asked.

“They could if you wish to see them dead because of their arrogance.  You know them as well as I do that they would annoy everyone around them by saying that they were your sister but you are right.  Because they are of our blood they are allotted some rights.  If they had the mind to ask for them.  But lets hope they do not.”  Ellis said with a smile patting Vera’s shoulder again.  “Now if you excuse me I must be heading home.  I will try and keep them away from this if I can.  No promises.  Oh by the way I ask you to keep this here.”  Out of her bag Ellis pulled out a thick envelop and set it on the fine ebony desk.  “I also ask you not to open it until after I am dead.”

“Grandma, are you going to?”  Vera asked standing up to help Ellis up.  Ellis smiled patting her cheek.

“We all die, my dear Vera.  But yes my time is close and I am at peace with that.  Do not weep because I am dead.  Smile because I lived.”  With that said Ellis made her way to the study door.  She turned back and smiled at Vasek and Vera.  “I bless this union of you to.”

The door opened and closed in silence as both Vera and Vasek looked at each other.   “But we’re not together like that.  Are we?”  Vasek asked allowed.
“I don’t know but you have been invited to the fundraiser my father is throwing tomorrow.  And if you were to dance with me it would only be what a good hostess would to do a polite guest.  If we hit it off there we do.”  Vera shrugged as she spoke.  “But Grandma said you knew more about the Nightwind than she or at least she implied that you did.  Can you tell me what you can?”

“I would indeed but you are weary and the counsel will wish to hear from you if you are ready to return.  I will tell you tomorrow my lady.”  Vasek said looking at her concern.  Vera looked down and thought about it.  She decided not to return and had one of her servants send word to the counsel to that fact.  She looked at the envelop her grandmother had left on the desk and placed it in a drawer and locked it.  At least she knew it would be safe from everything.  Well almost everything.  Vera wanted to know what was in it badly but she would not go against what her grandmother wanted her to do.  So she would wait and cherish each day that she did not open it.

With Vasek escorting her home threw the shadows Vera smiled enjoying the silence of the travel and the speed.  The first time she traveled thus it frightened her.  But now it was enjoyable.  A block away as was their routine Vasek slipped from the shadows and set Vera down on the sidewalk.  He liked that she enjoyed something strange for her but normal for him.  Lady Ellis was very perceptive to sense he had feelings for this newly revealed Nightwind.  But Vera had so much to come to terms with right now that he did not want to frighten her.  After watching her turn into her driveway he retreated to his own home smiling to feel the familiarity of what he was.  For the first time in his very long life he felt more connected to the world than ever before.

Taking a deep breath Vera looked at herself in the mirror and tried not to cringe at what her mother thought would be acceptable for her to wear to the fundraiser that evening.  Blush pink with pearls.  What was it the 30’s?  Finally she had enough.  Vera turned to her mother and said, “No I won’t wear it.  I’d rather go naked that wear this idiotic thing merely because you think I am not perfect.  Well let me tell you something mother.  No one is.  So I like black so what?  A black gown is timeless.”

“Watch what you say Vera.  You would jeopardize your father’s election?”  Her mother said gripping Vera’s arm tightly.

“No I would not but I will also not simper to you anymore.  If you wish to kick me out so be it.  But I don’t thing Grandma will go for that at all.”  Vera said as she jerked her arm out of her mother’s grasp.  “I can select something that is both appropriate and to my liking.  I am not a child you can control anymore.”  She turned away from her sputtering mother and walked over to her closet ending the discussion.  After she heard the door slam hard Vera slumped against the frame of the closet door and sighed relived.  She had finally done what she had dreamed of doing for years now.  Squaring her shoulders in pride she, for the first time in a year selected her own cloths to wear to one of her father’s functions.

Later that evening as the house began to fill up Vera smiled prettily at the politicians that entered.  The younger ones commented on how lovely she looked in the simple black gown.  She smiled in return as she moved threw the ball room.  For the first time she felt free to do as she wished at one of these events.  She watched from the sidelines as people began to partner up for the dancing that would take place before they ate.  She mused to herself how many of the partnering were by choice and not by political savvy.  She was content just to watch the whirling when she felt a gently tap on her shoulder.  She turned and smiled seeing Vasek there dressed quite neatly in his black tuxedo.  “Miss Vera might I have this dance?”  He asked extending his hand.

“You may.”  She said placing her hand in his.  “It is Vasek right?  You bought the old estate across the way.”  She had to smile at her own playacting.  No one even guessed that they had known each other for weeks.

“You are quite right.”  He said with a smile as he whisked her off onto the dance floor.  The string quintet played a soft waltz, one of Vasek’s favorite dances.  So with little prompting he had Vera moving with him across the floor in perfect time with the music.  At that moment he had no eyes but Vera.  He enjoyed watching her stumble along and even had to laugh when she stepped on his foot.  “Let the music direct you Miss Vera.  And let me guide you.”  Vera smiled gently and took a deep breath.  Afterwards it was easier to glide along with the music.  She caught Marin’s eyes then Kathrin’s and saw how they eyed Vasek completely ignoring their own dates.  At that moment she felt Vasek tug her off the dance floor and out into the small garden.   After a few minutes of companionable silence he let out a sigh.  “It has been long since I walked these grounds.  Your family has taken care of them well.”  He said whimsically.

“Thank you Vasek.  They are lovely even at night especially since they hung lanterns in the old oak trees.”  Vera said leaning her head on his shoulder.  They both froze for a moment before it past.  Vasek slid his arm up and laid it against her shoulder holding her against him.  They walked thus down the winding paths of the garden just listening to the night’s music.

“You seem more content tonight Vera care to tell me why?”  He asked just above a whisper.  Vera smiled looking up at him telling him how she finally told her mother off.  A fire lit her eyes as she recounted the verbal fight blow by blow.  Vasek nodded gravely at each word she spoke to help her pride.  She was just happy that something positive came out of the fight as was he.  He stopped her just under one of the oldest oak trees and smiled taking her in his arms.  “I am happy you have finally told your mother where her place is.  And I am glad that your grandmother is looking better.”  Nodding Vera leaned into him laying her head on his chest.  It felt right what was between them now.  A hand began to stroke her head and she sighed contently as her arms wrapped around his waist.  This moment of innocents soothed something in Vasek that he never knew needed to be soothed.  “Vera, I don’t know how to say this but, I think what’s the phrase I am looking for, I think I am falling over you.”

“I think the phrase is ‘I am falling for you’ and if that is the case I am glad to hear it and glad to hear that I am not the only one that feels that way.”  Vera said peeking up at him.  He was pleased to hear her say such a think and pulled her closer.  Vasek stroked her cheek lightly tracing the fine bone underneath the soft skin.

“I am glad you find such feelings for me pleasing.”  Vasek whispered against her cheek to Vera’s delight.  He pressed his lips against her cheek then formed a smile.  She smiled looking into his eyes her hands laying against the back of his neck.

“I know this really isn’t the time Vasek but I have to know, who is the Nightwind?”  Vera asked tentatively.

“It is a long story.  There is a bench over there we should sit.”  He said as he guided her over to the aforementioned bench.  After setting her head on his shoulder he took a deep breath.  “The first Nightwind was the first Queen of the Goths, her name lost to history.  I knew her but even I forget things when I am asked to.  The War of the Night had just ended and the vampires, Covens and, Anthropic Clans were tired of the infighting.  They had each used humans to their advantage.  Some were spies others were assassins.  For the Vampires and Anthrops they were food.  The Queen, at the time a servant to one of the early Coven Mistresses, had a vision of a great sorrow that would come from the next territory of the night.  When she voiced this to the Coven Mistress she had her own Seers cast for this sorrow.  When they told her that it was true, that another army from the next territory was on the move the Mistress asked the queen-to-be servant how she knew.  The servant replied ‘the night wind told me’.  The Mistress first thought that she was an unawakened Witch or Seer.  But after confessing that she was only a mortal human the servant was brought to the attention of the Fulcrum.  

‘At the time we were merely supposedly immortal beings who could sense powers in those who had none.  When we saw her we were in awe of her.  The night sang around her.  Telling her things that no one had ever heard before.  But the night sang one thing loudly around her.  That she was the night wind’s voice.  So we honored her with the title of Nightwind.  She stayed with us learning how to master her new found power.  It was then that the night sang something very different to her.  It sang that humans who loved the night should be included in with the Counsel of the Night.  It took much argument by the Fulcrum and the Nightwind on the human’s behalf.  The Counsel milled about asking about how the Vampires and Anthrops would feed if they had to ask the consent of a human.  And the Covens asked why should a mortal being be included.  That is when the Nightwind said something that is engraved upon my heart.  ‘Would you deny one of your own the night when they dwell under the sun?  Would you turn your back on the people that you have fought with the rights they have paid for with blood?’  When they asked who would lead these humans she said that she would.  It warmed me to say that I was asked to assist her in setting up the Goths.  

‘I respected her greatly.  We never grew to love each other but we knew we could depend upon the other.  I was there when she took ill and helped her as best as I could.  That same year my father stepped down as the head of the Fulcrum family.  But I was there when she knew her time was coming.  ‘Vasek my dearest friend, whom I love like a brother I tell you this.  Another shall come and she shall be more powerful than I.  She will be of my family but not know it.  I ask you to live till she can fulfill what I could not do.  Help her bring peace to the night.’  When I asked her when the next would come she replied just above a whisper, ‘When the night has been tainted by those who would see it only in red.’  Soon after I left for a life of seclusion her final request engraved upon my broken heart.”

Vera looked down at her hands at the end of this narration.  Her eyes held both relief that she knew what she was now and weariness.  Now she knew that those light hummings she heard on her way home at times were not just her imagination.  And now more than ever the night sang to her to tell her all of what Vasek has said was true.  She peeked a glance up at him.  “If what you say is true then Mistress Oran knows what I am, right?”  She said.

“Yes she does, she is after all a powerful Seer.  She may help you to understand what you are to become.  I will help as well.”  He said stroking her head lightly.  Vera was just about to snuggle against him when she heard something disturb the gravel of the path.  She looked and saw her “ex-boyfriend” Jared walking towards them, a half empty bottle of cognac in one hand.

“Ssoo this is wh…who you left me for huh?” Jared said in a drunken slur as he stumbled down the path.  “He’s rich so I give you th..that but what does he have, other than money, that I don’t.  Huh!  Well thanks to you I got kicked out of school and lost my job!”  Vasek stood up shielding Vera with his body.

“So you are Jared who threatened to expose her affiliation with the night hmm?  For some reason I pictured you more like a slug than anything else.  And I highly doubt that she caused you to lose your job.  Now if you will excuse us we have a party to return to.”  Vasek said offering his hand to Vera.  She took it and looked at Jared.

“I never liked you Jared and if I need to I will have those you wish to expose my connection to greet you at the border.  Now I suggest you to somewhere to recover from your drinking.  Let’s go Vasek.”  She said turning her back on Jared and walking down the path back into the house.  Mentioning Jared to one of the police officers that often stood guard at these events made Vera smile.  After another hour of mingling Ellis approached Vera and Vasek with a smile on her face.

“Well I am glad you two have finally told each other your feelings.  But did it have to take so one I was about to send one of the cops out to hunt you both down.”  She said as she leaned against one of the columns.  Vera smiled looking at her grandmother.  The night was singing to her now clearer than ever.  They were circling Ellis calling her to rejoin them.

“Grandma are you feeling all right you look pale.  Maybe you should turn in for the night.”  Vera said laying a hand on her grandmother’s shoulder.  For the first time she felt how frail her grandmother was.  “I can keep you company if you aren’t ready to sleep.”

“Thank you sweetheart I’d like that.  Guess I’m not as young as I used to be but please stay here I think you would be better off staying here anyways.  But I wouldn’t mind you walking with me to my room.”  Ellis replied hooking her arm threw Vera’s while Vasek followed behind.  After bidding her grandmother goodnight she and Vasek strolled the halls of the mansion.  Soon after Ellis retired the party dispersed.  Vera laid in bed, her hair still wet from the shower she took just a few moments before.  Folding her arms under her head she looked up at the ceiling in wonder.  She felt stronger than ever both physically and emotionally.  Maybe it was from the fact that she knew who and what she was now or it could be the fact that now she finally had someone she loved that would support her even if she was penniless.  It was that thought that sent her into a very deep and pleased sleep.  Vera was rousted from sleep urgently.  Sitting up she looked into the maid’s sad eyes.  At that moment she knew what had happened.  The night had told her true.  That would be the last time she saw her grandmother.  She dashed from the bed in her pajamas and ran to her grandmother’s room only to be stopped by a paramedic.  Tears rolled down her cheeks as Vera screamed her denial of what she knew was true.  Ellis seemed only to be pale and tired not close to death.  The family seemed not to care as she screamed her head off.

“Will you be quiet Vera.  This is no time to be screaming.”  Her father growled at her.  Vera looked at him and then ran back to her room.  She dressed quickly and opened the glass door to her small balcony.  She gasped for air before she remembered one thing.  If she ever needed help all she had to do was say Vasek’s name.

So after taking a deep breath to calm her mind she spoke just above a whisper, “Lord Vasek Roesor Numeni.”  Vera stood there waiting and wondering how he would appear to her.  Softly she felt his arms wrap around her from behind, holding her tight against him.   She wrapped her arms around his waist burying her face into his chest.  “I don’t care where we go just get me out of here.”  Stroking her head Vasek complied by taking a step back into the shadows.  A few moments later they stepped out of the shadows and into the study of Vera’s office in the Goth Sector.