Chapter 113

Chapter 113
Noah
“I don’t like this… You’re sure you’re alright now?” asked Jerold for the tenth time, pulling into the precinct.
“I’m alright enough to handle this easy-peasy.” I said confidently. “Last time… I don’t know, I just was overwhelmed… That place affected me I swear.” I said looking down.
Like I agreed to the coven massacre…. There will be retaliation for that, and it’ll be my people who suffer… Jerold said 40, and his people brought back 60 pounds of vampire dust to the den’s doorstep…
I looked at my wristwatch.
It was 10:30… Damn we were so late because of me, but I needed to hear someone else to tell me what I already knew…
I am doing too much, too fast, but there’s no way for me to be weaned onto anything. This world existed as it always has; I was the one who was ignorant of it.
Like right now… but I can do this. There isn’t any blood, or gore here.
“But-” I cut him off. It was sweet that he cared, but I wasn’t made of glass!
“Here we’re only exchanging words. I can do that.” I said and he still looked firm, and worried, but I also saw his shoulders relax.
“Take that gum in the glove compartment. If you feel flushed, go to our office and chew it.” He instructed.
“I didn’t think of that.” I said putting it in my pocket, which oddly enough gave me a security blanket… I felt a little better about going in now, since if I did have something go wrong… if I saw more visions, if I felt unsafe, I had somewhere to retreat to, with something that works on anxiety.
I knew I had to do this, and I wouldn’t let my feelings get in the way… I knew it was a bit wrong to 
“Hey guys!” Waved Rory as we entered, and I waved back. 
My smile was partly fake, but everyone probably figured it was because we were a little late, and the fact that we had to deal with more old money elites soured my mood.
“Morning!” I waved back.
“It sounds pretty heated in there boss.” Said a centaur officer in passing, I think that was Officer Herz, but I hadn’t had the chance to really talk to him… I wondered how I knew he was a centaur at a glance, but I just rolled with it. I suppose Second Sight is sort of a fae power in its own right.
Jerold opened the door for me, and they stopped talking. About half sneered, and the other half looked a little fearful at my mate, but regardless, we sat in leather chairs next to the Chief.
The conference room was filled with new faces, but ultimately the most influential people in the city, perhaps even the state since this was the capital of Jentucky looked at us with unknowing anticipation…. It was clear that some of them were newer to all this than I was, since they seemed surprised at my mate’s stature.
Not even the judges were the same. Thankfully nameplates were in front of the still old, but newer council members. The youngest looked like he was in his 50’s or so, but the new judge looked at least 100…. Gods a harsh breeze could probably make that man keel over, and his glare at us was mostly directed at Jerold.
“Anuli?” I asked ignoring them, not even letting Equestos introduce us.
“Yes your highness… Lord Lucian thought it best that I come in Lord Rolland and his grace’s stead. She said a little robotically, unlike herself…
“How refreshing.” Said Jerold.
Equestos clapped his hands.
“Good. Now we can begin.” He sighed. “Your highness, to my left is Judge Wilson, Treasurer Marts, Mayor Hopkins, Lady Anuli, turned of Crown Prince Lucian, Chief Dotter of Bison Police, and Cardinal Erickson, the local leader of the Thirteen. Oh, and all who are not present, namely the old officials, aren’t here because they will not be in charge much longer. And for those who do not know, who sits before you is a true Old One, the Battle Bull, Jerold Aeschylus OctTurrus, King of the Half Beasts, and his husband, King Noah an accomplished negotiator and demon slayer.” He motioned me.
When did I slay anything?! Oh right…. I guess I did help my mate with the adjudicator, someone I would have never met if not for joining the force.
“Thank you for the introduction,” I said adjusting my tie, “But are the vampires already rigging elections?”
“Aye.” Said Anuli neutrally. “As the representative of my maker, he expresses his somber apology for the free range farm about to be generated.”
There was no joy in her voice… It made me wonder did they steal her smile? She didn’t seem herself, but as a vampire representing vampires, maybe it was against their rules to display one?
“Come November, they’ll be who we’re working with, but the issue at hand will also be how swiftly changes are going to be.” said Equestos.
“If the others were here, I’d motion this method regulated at the very least, but I cannot get a unanimous opinion.” Said Jerold. “Goblins, vampires, tricksters, and fae who feed off mortals manipulate where they live to accommodate their lives.”
“Though our connections with mortals are parasitic in nature, we strive in maintaining balance.” Said Anuli. “The plan I presented only slowly crashes the market, so by 2007, our feeding population should be about 28% of the total mortal population. The estimated population should be around seven hundred thousand, which is more than enough to support our covens.”
“And if they’re not?” I asked, and everyone in the room turned to her.
“We won’t breed additional mortals, so we’ll cull our numbers, or send them elsewhere if they’re useful.”
“When will you start?” Asked Jerold.
“We already have your majesty…. If not for the attack on our bottom coven, we would have waited about half a decade. Now those fledglings need baby’s mash, when surrounded by mature grain.” Said Anuli. “By 1960, we’ll start slashing programs slowly, starting with the education system. It will become further and further out of reach until it is not likely to go without our funding. Simultaneously, we will shorten avenues for blue collar work, automizing it as you’ve seen. Factory automation is being perfected by mortals to replace mortals anyway; we’re just embellishing what’s already happening. We’re also going to remove blue collar training from high schools by 2010, which gives a few generations of buffers.”
“This seems slower than during the war.” Said Jerold. “That must be your doing.”
“Though my maker was against it, I appealed to his reason.” She said factually. “We estimate that it will take about 60 years to implement this humanely. We could in half the time, however, it would be disadvantageous for all parties. Cattle tend to stop breeding when too stressed.”
“We aren’t cattle woman.” Spat Judge Wilson.
“See. Such prosperous results.” She beamed. “Mortal, you sit in this room because you want what we have, no?” He reluctantly nodded. “Then be silent; you agreed to this.”
The rest of them looked like they hated her, us, and everything about it but they agreed to be here… They want whatever offer they were given, probably immortality, or money. It honestly doesn’t matter.
If not them, some other greed driven fool would be in those chairs.
But right now… I wouldn’t be emotionally baited. I kept a clear head, and took a breath.
“And what of the centers you intend to create?” I asked.
“Ah yes, I call it the Feed the Need Project.” She clapped her hands excitedly. “Because we are artificially creating strife, we must also make avenues available for those few exceptional humans who will be able to get themselves out of the intended slums. We intend to build a clinic, a blood bank, 5 homeless shelters, 4 second hand stores, a pawn shop, and we purchased the orphanage.”
“What.” Said Jerold, stopping her. “Children are off limits.”
“But they do grow sire.” She said as if she didn’t care, but I saw it. She hated what she was saying. “We would never turn a child because they would forever remain at that developmental level. It brings chaos to both us and our stock. I want the orphans so those impacted by deaths caused by my people are raised with better education than the masses.”
“And who will run that?” I asked.
“Humans and Mr. Sprinkleloaf.” She said firmly. “The unicorn agrees to live on the grounds year round,.”
“Alright.” Said Jerold. “What of any other outreach programs?”
“They will be park community centers, however I don’t have the funds-” Jerold stopped her.
“I already said I’d fund what prince Lucian won’t.” Hissed Jerold. 
“… Did… did we sign the city’s soul away?” Asked Mayor Hopkins.
“Along with every subsequent generation. Every human in this town will feel our touch, except you and yours. As the city crumbles, you and your progeny will prosper.” Said Anuli. “And you will gain life everlasting once you fulfill your roles.”