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“We need to increase security at our other blood banks,” I say, even as I realize this means we will be spread too thin. I can’t have men everywhere.
Finn says, “There are reports of blood shortages in the north. Vampires near Ginnerlong have attacked people out of desperation. There have been multiple mortalities.”
This is terrible news.
If humans think vampires are out to get them again, there will be widespread panic.
“We need to get product out there, maybe redirect from Port Johnson?”
Layrr says, “We can’t use the main roads, we have come under attack repeatedly on those routes.”
“I know what the problem is, come up with a solution!” I am raising my voice even though I know that Layrr is not the problem. I need to find out who is pulling the strings behind all of this.
I keep thinking of the boy’s vision of the laughing man and again try to call Sunil. In the late afternoon, I finally get hold of him.
“Father! Are you all right?”
The connection is poor but we are able to communicate at least.
“I am outside the capital in some town, trying to keep a low profile. Everything is shambles at the moment,” he says. “There is a reshuffle happening on the Council, nobody knows what will happen.”
“Why are you in hiding?” I ask.
“This is the time to tread carefully,” Sunil says. “There are odd accidents and explosions, unexplained deaths, and so on… the situation is very….fluid.”
Sunil sounded vague.
I was getting a bad feeling.
“You know Lord Elgin of the Caledon family? He was killed along with his wife and family. There was a fire, which destroyed the street. The whole road!”
I remember Elgin, a big fellow with a hearty laugh. Simonis often had him and his family over for parties. I wondered what he was doing in the Citadel why anyone wanted to remove him.
“Where are you staying, Sunil?” I ask.
“In the countryside, with some friends of mine,” he says, sounding distracted. I swear I can hear peacocks crying out in the distance.
“Who are you staying with?” I demand to know and I put him on the spot.
“Hugo Montpellier, if you must know,” Sunil says, clearly annoyed.
“Who?”
Sunil says defensively. “He works for MoZa and is the Secretary of Home Affairs.”
I take a moment to process this. I had no idea that Sunil was close to people in MoZa’s ministry.
“Where is MoZa now?” I ask.
“I don’t know,” Sunil says.
“For someone who lives in the Citadel, you know very little,” I remark sarcastically.
“Nothing is cast in stone at the moment,” Sunil says finally. “But one thing… all this instability… traced to the Council.”
The connection is bad and I have to call him back.
“What is happening on the Council?!”
