Dhampir Queen

Wakeup Call

Adam was back in his Hotel room before he logged into the Dhampir secure server and initiated the video call with his Council contact. It had barely rang once when it was answered, and the Council Chairman was looking at him.

"What is your report Mr. Walcott?" Chairman William Grummond demanded.

"We have an issue with the intelligence on the Covens in Dillon, and a request from a Dhampir woman for a meeting with the Council." Adam reported to him.

The news of another Dhampir surprised him, as the Vampires had long ago outlawed mating with Humans for the very reason that Human females could not survive the birthing process. "I am more interested in the Covens at the moment, the woman may be brought before us at any time for judgement." William replied as Adam sighed.

"I highly doubt she will subject herself to our judgement, as she has warned me that because of the actions of the 3 previous Hunters sent here, the Royal Coven is preparing to march against us. Apparently the Coven here is directly related to the Royal Coven, and they wish to seek a truce." He reported to his superior.

"Who is involved and what they wish is irrelevant to what we do. Until her actions have been judged by us, she has no standing in our world. It is high time our people remember that we have been at war with the Vampires for 7,500 years, and we have never bowed to the threats they have made since the day the killed Queen Lilith." William said shortly to the man on the screen.

"That maybe Councilor, however her abilities may prove a challenge to overcome should she side with the Vampires against us. We have never fought against our own before-" he said until he was cut off.

"You have your orders Commander Adam. Bring this girl before us for judgement, and if it is deemed she has skill THE COUNCIL will decide how to move forward." William said terminating the connection to him.

Adam sat staring at the screen, unwilling to believe that the Council could be so blinded as to believe that their war with the Vampires to date was anything like what the Royal Vampire Army would be like. Deciding not to waste any more time, he dialed the number she had given him and was surprised she answered on the first ring.

"That was fast Mr. Wescott, what is their reaponse?" she asked him pleasantly.

"The Council refuses to consider your request until you have surrendered yourself and been brought before them for judgement." Adam said resigned to informing her of the facts.

Phoebe didn't reply for several moments as she considered what to say to them. "Such a pity, and here I was hoping to prevent needless bloodshed. I do not recognize their authority to summon me, or judge what I have done in their absence in my life. As such, our hand has been forced, and the responsibility of what happens next shall be on them. When they are prepared to grant my request for an audience in Neutral territory, you know how to reach me." she said before ending the call.

Adam couldn't say he was surprised by this response, as she had shown incredible skill to them already when they tried to tag her with a tracker, and than follow her because it had failed. He typed up the report, and sent it to his superiors on the council.

Less than 6 hours later The Dhampir Council had just called its meeting to order, where William was supposed to issue his report on her offer, when a blast rocked the building that they believed had remain hidden from the Vampires for 2,000 years. It was quickly followed by several more blasts from powerful explosives, as the men looked out the windows before a guard came rushing into their Council Chamber.

"Sirs, we have 5,000 Vampire Knights Marching on the settlement from all directions. The escape tunnels have already collapsed, and the army is approaching from every access point." the man replied as another explosion could be felt and heard by the men.

The sirens were blaring as the Dhampir Army stationed here was trying to respond, but it was apparent they had sent multiple mortar teams with the troops, and their fire was making a coordinated response almost impossible as mlre and more of their people were cut off and isolated because of collapsing buildings and explosions that were carefully aimed to create the biggest impact.

"Tell General Smith-" William began to say before he was cut off.

"General Smith was in the Command Center when it was destroyed by 5 rockets in the first salvo. It was also the same time the escape tunnels were blocked by other well placed explosions before they collapsed." the guard reported as William knew this was far more of a response than he expected this soon after refusing to speak with a single young woman.

"What can we do than?" William demanded as a Captain entered.

"The Army has made it clear no quarter will be given and they are not interested in prisoners. 2 squads attempted to surrender before being cut down mercilessly by the advancing troops. We must issue the order to use the tunnels under the city for escape." he said clearly as the siren for just that blared in the chaos of explosions that were rocking the small town at a steady pace. "It seems the ground troops have stopped their advance, just outside the main gates to ensure no one escapes past them while they have 60 mortar teams bombarding the base into submission. I suggest you use the escape tunnels now sir while we attempt to mount a defense to hold them back. I can guarantee no more than 20 minutes before the entire base is destroyed, and perhaps an additional 10 before the base is overrun with troops." he said as he knew everyone in the base not ordered to be prepared for a last stand would be heading for the tunnels they hoped would allow the non combatants to escape from the hell that had suddenly been unleashed on them.

It 3 days later while Phoebe was working her morning shift before Adam returned to the diner, and she walked over with a mug and coffee pot as soon as he sat down. "What can I get for you?" she asked plastering a smile that said she was clearly working right now.

"Lumberjack breakfast and one of those sweet rolls please. How long before we can talk?" he asked her pointedly.

Phoebe never let the smile fade as she could tell just by looking at him that the last 3 nights had been an absolute terror for the Dhampir Community. "My shift ends in 10 minutes." she said walking away as a few tables cashed out and left before she cleared wiped them down.

At exactly 10 am she walked over with his sweet roll, as well as one for her and a mug of coffee as well.

"Can you call off the Army?" he asked.

"No, I am no warrior or even a strategist that they would listen too. The only thing I was empowered to do was negotiate the terms of a truce between the Vampires and Dhampir. I even informed you the truce was predicated on that fact, and you informed me the response was they would not listen until I submitted myself for judgement for actions I took having no clue your war even existed. To say the King was not amused would be pointless, as I clearly you as his Ambassador." she replied to him honestly before taking a large gulp of her coffee.

"What if I said the past 3 days has changed their response, and they are now willing to hear what you have to say?" Adam asked her.

Phoebe shrugged as it was unexpected. "I would have to discuss it with my Royal contact and propose a cease fire to the King. I can tell you however it would take someone with more power than a Regional Commander to make him consider it seriously."

The offer comes from the survivng members of the council, and I can forward you their emailed proposal as soon as I have an address to send it too." he said taking out his smartphone.

Phoebe took hers out as well and texted him her email address, and was surprised when a few moments later she had the proposed cease fire signed by 5 of the 9 Dhampir Council Members. She quickly forwarded it to her contact with a report of what was happening and request to cease all operations until negotiations could be held. "Now we wait." she told him as they both sat there eating their sweet roll. It was only a few minute wait before her phone rang and she quickly accepted the call.

"Is this the same person who sent their response to our initial offer?" the man asked.

"It is, and he approached me this morning." she replied evenly.

"Put me on speaker." he said before she followed the instruction and set the phone between them.

"You are on speaker." she said.

"Mr. Walcott, so there is no further misunderstanding of the situation, until Ms. Jones ascends to her proper place, she is not under the jurisdiction of the Dhampir Council and your backwards laws. She is a personal representative of King Victor in this matter, and has been empowered to end this supposed war between our two peoples. If she informs me that negotiations will take place later today, we will accept anyone week cease fire for that to occur. If these negotiations are not handled with good faith on your part, the repercussions will be far harsher than what you have faced the last 3 days. If there is nothing else, we are done for now." the man declared before ending the call as Adam sat there stunned at how bluntly he put it.

"How soon can your Council arrive?" she asked.

"Come here? They will not agree to entering a Vampire stronghold." he said bluntly.

"Our Coven is located some miles away, and this city is one of only a few not claimed by Vampires across the globe. It is the closest thing you will get to Neutral territory on this continent, and you can select the date, time, location and security. There will be 2 people attending with me, under a flag of truce between the Vampires and Dhampir Council. Be warned however that you will be held responsible if anything happens, and it will mean a true War without end as the King will not hear you again." Phoebe informed him.

"I would ask that your Coven assist with security." he said as she smiled.

"No. There is too high of a chance that an incident would occur if my Coven was involved." she replied easily.

"Very well, 3 days, Windsor Hotel. I will update you with the exact location when I know it as well as the time." he said.

"Agreed Mr. Wescott, and you will be personally joining these negotiations. Whether you have the authority to make an agreement is irrelevant as I sincerely hope this is the first of many conferences." she said before standing up and leaving him there.