Blood red love by Dripping Creativity

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Blood red love 

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They all gathered in the war room and Caine sat down at a computer as the rest sat down. around the table. After a minute or two, three pictures appeared on the embedded screen in 

the table. Two men and a woman. 

“These are the vampires implicated by Millard,” Vidar said. 

“Do you know them?” Charlie asked. 

“I think we all have heard of them. It’s hard being a vampire and not at least hearing rumours. 

about everyone else,” Adisa said. 

“I had some business dealings with Sato’s father a couple of hundred years back,” Jun said. “We both came to the conclusion it wasn’t a good partnership. Nothing against him, he is just too set on traditions and not flexible enough.” Charlie did her best not to smile. If Jun, of all people, thought someone was too traditional, it had to be bad. 

“Janis and I have some mutual contacts, we run into each other every now and then. I don’t know him well enough to give an opinion if he would be up for something like this,” Adisa 

said. 

“Popov is a dick, sorry Charlie, I have no issues seeing him involved in something like this. All he really cares about is power,” Henry said. Vidar, Adisa and Jun all nodded. 

“We don’t know how far this is spread. We should begin with mapping out Popov’s, Janis‘ and 

Sato’s closest connections. We need to call in reinforcements, but until we have solid information on who is loyal to their cause or not, let’s leave their closest friends off the call list,” Vidar said. They got to work, pulling on their joint knowledge of who was who in the vampire world. Charlie couldn’t really contribute, she walked over to Caine to look at how he was working the system. He was pulling up the names and pictures of the individuals the clan was talking about. Creating connections to the three main targets. It was a fairly simple 

program 

and after watching him for a while she taped his shoulder. 

“Let me take over this and you go and join the discussion, it’s hard for you to give your input when you need to run this,” she told him. He looked surprised and then hesitant. 

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“I’m not part of the clan council,” he said. 

“So what? I am, and I can’t contribute to the discussion they are having. The vampires I know. are all closely associated with us. I appoint you as my stand in,” she told him. 

“Caine, get you ass over here,” Adisn called. Caine looked at Charlie and she smiled and nodded. He stood up and moved to the table and Charlie took his place. Soon he was as engaged in the conversation around the table as the rest of them. Charlie was happy with handling the computers, it was what she was good at and it made her feel useful. By the time they were finished, they had a complicated map over their understanding of the network surrounding the three suspects. It was Inte in the evening and they had worked without breaks. They were all in need of some rest and food. 

“Let’s say we are done for the day,” Vidar suggested. 

“Sounds good. I think we should all spend some time calling contacts we know are clean. Start arranging a meeting of the clans,” Nasir said. They all nodded. Vidar put his arm around Charlie as they were walking to the dining room. They all ate in comfortable silence, none of them could muster up the energy to have a cheerful conversation, so they chose to remain. silent instead. 

“How bad is it?” Charlie asked Vidar as the got into bed. He kissed her and pulled her into his 

arms. 

“It’s bad. But don’t worry, you are safe,” he told her. 

“I’m not worried about myself. I have you, I have Caine and I have the rest of the clan. I’m fine. It’s everyone else I’m worried about.” 

“Maybe we are lucky and we found out before they had time to get organised,” he said.. 

“It would make sense. Everyone says Millard had planned his escape in advance. Let’s say it’s true and let’s say that this group has been helping him plan it as a part of their evil master. plan,” she thought out loud. 

“Sounds like reasonable assumptions.” 

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“Then we can assume they aren’t ready to start the practical part of their master plan,” Charlie concluded. 

“How’s so?” 

“If they were, then Millard would have put his plan in motion. I think we all agreed that he used it out of desperation and not because it was time to do so,” she continued. 

“You’re right, that does sound plausible,” Vidar agreed. 

“So, the master plan isn’t ready to be executed and we might have time to stop it before things get out of hand,” she said, feeling hopeful. 

“That might be the case. If we assume they haven’t pushed their time plan forward as a result of Millard’s panic,” Vidar pointed out. 

“Oh, I didn’t consider that. That is a possibility. Especially if they know Millard well enough to know he would mess up and get caught.” 

“Yes, then they will assume that we know everything he knows and our element of surprise will be gone.” 

“That would be bad.” 

“It would,” he agreed. “But it’s a worst case scenario. Let’s not dwell on it. Let’s get some sleep and deal with facts in the morning. I love you, Charlie.” 

“I love you too Vidar.” 

The following morning they all got back to work. The men were busy making calls all over the world. Charlie was simultaneous getting information from them when they ended their calls on the outcome and she was putting together a presentation with the evidence they had so far. She was also thinking of an idea she had got. It was too early to talk to the other about it, she needed to shape in on her own first. When the took a break to have lunch, they had managed to talk to thirty five different clans, thirty had said they would be willing to take part in a joint meeting, five asked for a couple of hours to talk about it internally before deciding. 

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“The big question is where do we hold it?” Adisa asked. 

“It needs to be somewhere secure but also somewhere where the meeting doesn’t seem suspicious,” Caine said. 

“There aren’t many places that fits both of those,” Henry added. “But I’m happy to offer up the Galaxy for the occasion.” Everyone around the table smiled, except for Charlie, who had no idea what the Galaxy was. 

“That is brilliant,” Vidar said. “Only in Vegas would a hotel full of powerful and wealthy people e go unnoticed.” Charlie put the pieces of the puzzle together and nodded. 

“I’ll have my people 

people clear the resort out. We will use magical creatures from our organisation as staff and the rooms will all be reserved for our guests. Let’s make the human involvement minimal,” Henry suggested. 

“I like the idea,” Adisa told them. They all did. The afternoon was spent arranging everything. Even if they were in a time crunch, things needed to be done the right way. In the end, they sent out invitations for the following weekend. It would give them nine days to put everything together. 

“I would have liked for us to stay longer here. To give you more time to get used to your new powers,” Vidar said to Charlie as they were taking an evening stroll by the lake. 

“I understand why we can’t. And I’m a fast learner and I promise to be careful,” she told him. 

“I know you will. I’m sorry I dragged you into all of this. If I had know this was in the 

makings, I would never have introduced you into this world.” 

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“Don’t even say that. Sure, things are a little scary and hectic. But I wouldn’t trade my life with you for anything,” she said. Vidar stopped walking and looked down on her. She smiled 

at him to let him know she meant it. The night was clear and the stars and moon were out, reflected by the lake. Despite everything that was happening around them, Charlie was grateful they could have moments like this when they seemed to be all alone in the world. Vidar returned her smile and placed his hand on her neck to draw her into a kiss. It was a 

perfect moment. Vidar took a step back and got down on one knee. From nowhere he produced a small box. 

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“Charlie, from the moment you walked into my life, there has only been you. I am so grateful that you have accepted to be part of my life and I can’t imagine how I ever lived without you, and I hope I never will have to. I love you more than I have words to describe. If you give me the honour of becoming my wife, I promise I will spend the rest of our days showing you how much I love you. Will you marry me?” he asked. Charlie looked down at him as he opened the the centre 

box to show a beautiful ring. An upside down teardrop–shaped green diamond was the 

of attention. Around it white diamonds in different sizes were scattered, forming a wave pattern. It was amazing but not too flashy. She could see herself wearing it everyday while living her life. 

“Yes, of course I will marry you, Vidar. I love you more than anything,” she told him as she fought back tears. He placed the ring on her finger and then she was in his arms again. He was kissing her and she responded in full force. 

“Together forever,” he promised her. 

“Forever and always,” she agreed.