Page 69 of Those That Defy the Realm

“Maybe one day I’ll get to try it.”

“How are things looking with the project?” We’d taken to calling the Act the authorities were pushing through the project if we were in a public setting.

I tell her my concerns about being shut out, but that the meetings I do attend seem to be making progress. In another couple of weeks it should be signed and coming into force.

By the time we reach Claire’s house, we’re talking about much more mundane topics, but each conversation with my female gives me new insights into the workings of her mind. And I’m loving that she more willingly shares her opinions now, she doesn’t hold back in arguing that the red gummy sweets are the best or that decaf coffee tastes just the same as the real stuff, as long as you use decent beans.

“Hello,” Claire calls out as we dump our stuff in the hall and head into the kitchen. Her father appears from the sun oom.

“Hi sweetie,” He envelops his daughter in a hug. “Did you have a good trip? How’s Henry?”

“Yeah he’s good. Busy with students,” she replies, hugging him back.

“Ash, still can’t believe they wouldn’t give you the time off. Did you have a good weekend anyway?” He hugs me next.

“It sucks, but hopefully next time. I’m just glad Claire got over to see him, it’s harder with him being alone.” We’d lied and said my authority job wouldn’t grant me the leave.

“Where’s Mum?” Claire asks, quickly diverting the conversation.

“She’s at work. But…” Peter glances over at the giant clock on the wall, “she shouldn’t be too much longer unless she’s got held up. I said I’d have dinner cooked for when she gets in.”

“We’ll help,” I offer.

“You don’t have to do that. I’d appreciate the company but I can do it.”

“Nah, I like cooking. What’s on the menu?” I say heading to the fridge and opening the doors.

Claire ends up not assisting, taking a seat at the dining table instead, and Peter becomes my sous chef as I marinade, fry and then cook some chicken legs, cook an array of vegetables and cut up some potatoes into cubes and shove those in the oven too with some seasoning.

Evelyn walks through the door, and to our surprise, Claire’s brother is on her heels. It’s a good job there’s plenty of food as he stays for dinner, all of us sitting down at their giant oak table to consume the meal. It reminds me slightly of home and I enjoy the busy chatter as we eat and talk. Claire’s family has embraced both me and Henry in their daughter/sister’s life. David took a little longer to warm to us, understandably as he knows the full story of Claire’s ex, but he has come round. And I get it, I’m a big brother as well. Any mutt that shows an interest in my siblings gets the third degree until they prove their worth.

We’re clearing up and storing the leftovers when my phone vibrates in my pocket. Pulling it out, I expect it to be Henry or a member of my family. But my stomach hollows when I see Agent Morris’s name on the screen.

Why would she be calling me in the evening?

Claire shoots me a curious look as I excuse myself to answer the call away from any prying ears.

“Hello,” I say as I jog up the stairs to Claire’s room.

“Hi Ash, are you alone?” Her opening question does nothing to settle the nerves starting to eat at my insides.

“One second.” I get inside Claire’s room and close the door, away from the humans’ ears. “Okay, what’s up?”

“I don’t know how to say this so I’m going to give it to you straight. I’m afraid we’re going to have to revoke your visa.”

Her words float through into my brain but they don’t process. Individually, I understand each one but I can’t understand why they’re being said together.

“What?”

“I’m sorry Ash. The Prime Minister just informed us that he’s been in negotiations all day and had to concede on the extension we were pushing for. The central government won’t give us the autonomy over those without Froan citizenship. And they’re insisting on still having access to population data. It’s going to be tricky legitimising the vampire's documentation, but the team are working on it. It’ll be impossible to do the same with yours.”

“How does that affect me? Just don’t register me.”

“The Prime Minister has decided it’s too dangerous to harbour you. If the authorities on the continent get even a whiff that you’re in Froan, we’re all fucked. Not just your pack. I’ve dodged it for now because the degree granting our separation had stayed their access to our systems.”

“But I can’t go back.”

“I get it, I really do. It would kill me to be separated from my mate. I hope it won’t be permanent. I’m sure once your mother hears she’ll be on the war path.” Morris laughs, trying to lighten the situation.