Bitten (Book 1 - Book 4) novel Chapter 119

‘We have a majority vote,’ Ingus said.

‘You must have a majority amongst the women,’ Kareen said.

‘Unfortunately, you have violated your position.’

He pointed at Kareen, Jada Lee, Friesa and Pearl.

‘That means we only have five Council members, and it is unanimous, which overrules a majority.’

‘We do have more women present than men,’ Sophie said. ‘We agree with the Council majority.’

‘This reduced Council will determine your penalties,’ Ingus said.

Mirren snapped his fingers. Police officers streamed in from every doorway. They seized the four women and led them away.

‘What about Corean?’ Natalia said.

‘We have no evidence against her,’ Uri said. ‘All infractions were done during times Corean wasn’t on duty.’

‘What about…’ Natalia started to say.

‘Hello. I have something for the lost and found.’

Everyone turned.

Harold could barely be seen over the tables.

‘Mommy.’

Victoria ran down to them.

‘Victoria.’

Natalia knelt down to embrace her daughter. She held her long in a tight hug. Victoria didn’t fidget and seemed to not want to let go.

‘I found her roaming around a park,’ Harold said. ‘Maybe you want her back.’

‘Thanks, Harold,’ Uri said.

‘Roaming around a park?’ Ingus said, looking aghast. ‘What was she eating?’

‘Tell him what you were eating,’ Harold said.

He walked down to the table, holding Becky’s hand.

‘Squirrel,’ Victoria said with a big grin.

Natalia released Victoria and stood.

‘May I recommend a new member for the Council? Women were slightly over represented. Perhaps another man? Harold here might be a good member. If you wouldn’t mind,’ she said the last words to Harold.

‘That is up to the good wishes of the Council,’ Harold said.

‘I second,’ Tia said.

‘I third,’ Mirren said.

‘Welcome to the Council,’ Ingus said. ‘But six is an even number. We do need an odd number, however, I recommend we put out the call and get recommendations from the whole Viperian community for the next three members.’

‘Agreed,’ Mirren said.

‘We will hold off on penalties until we have a full Council,’ Ingus said. ‘And welcome back from the dead Uri.’

‘Thank you.’

‘We thank the Council for listening to our Challenge,’ Sophie said. ‘We look forward to the upcoming changes. Our Challenge has ended.’

‘This meeting is adjourned,’ Ingus said.

Natalia felt arms wrap around her.

‘I missed you so much,’ Uri said.

He held her tight.

‘I think you have some explaining to do,’ she said in a whisper.

He kissed her ear. She felt him smile.

He pulled away from her.

‘Thank you so much for taking such good care of my daughter,’ he said to Harold.

‘You’re welcome,’ Harold said. ‘She is very well behaved. You’re doing something right, Nattie.’

‘Oh, no. Not me. Credit Mag, Zena, and Kate. I’m still learning,’ Natalia said.

‘Did she really catch a squirrel?’ Uri said.

Natalia controlled herself, knowing this was normal.

Harold shook his head.

‘She did watch an old pro.’

He jerked his head toward Becky. She smiled.

‘Victoria isn’t fast enough, yet,’ Harold said.

‘Almost,’ Victoria said.

Uri laughed and picked Victoria up.

‘Are you ready to go home?’

She nodded.

‘Tail?’

Meerup

The kitten jumped up onto the table.

‘Up here,’ Natalia said, tapping her shoulder.

Tail made the jump.

They started moving as a group toward the door.

‘We’re staying in an apartment in Hell. The house is unlivable,’ Natalia said.

‘So I’ve heard.’

They stepped outside.

The limo was there with Bonnie standing smartly. She opened the door for them.

‘See you soon Harold at the next Council meeting.’

Harold smiled big.

‘I owe you,’ Harold said.

‘No, Harold. We’re even. We’re always even.’

He laughed.

Uri gave her a little push to get into the limo. She slid in and then took Victoria to strap her into her car seat. Tail settled into Victoria’s lap.

Natalia stared at Uri as he settled in his seat.

‘You look awfully good for almost dying,’ she said.

He smiled and shrugged.

‘I saw a bloody corpse,’ she said, reliving the scene of Uri’s body on the ground.

‘It was mostly Mag’s blood,’ he said. ‘She really took a few good hits. I see she is doing well.’

‘It slowed her down quite a bit.’

‘Bonnie and Anpu had everything under control when I decided this was an excellent opportunity.’

‘Were you even hurt at all?’

‘Grazed on a shoulder when I was helping get Mag out of the way. Anpu has some power behind his knives. Can’t believe he nailed that guy clear across the street.’

‘I’m not happy about all the worrying I had to do. And yeah, I know, you needed me to act appropriately.’

‘Sorry. It was a spur of the moment decision. We didn’t have time to explain it to you.’

‘What about the Bank?’

Uri grinned.

‘Your little bank idea worked beautifully. I hadn’t anticipated that and that Ravi really didn’t want to retire. I had some long discussions with him over the phone. I’ll step up as President and rebuild the Board. We discussed a new structure that incorporates more Bank employees and expertise requirements from Board members.’

‘Looked more like a good old boys club to me.’

‘It was. No more.’

‘What about Biffy?’

‘We trumped up her charges. She’ll do a little jail time. I think her husband is contemplating a divorce.’

‘Was she really responsible for our house destruction?’

‘Yeah. She and Rubert Finch are family. I think his niece. She pulled in his son, Ratter and his gang. He got damn lucky that night. He was the only one of the five who survived. He chickened out is why.’

‘I bit him.’

Uri smiled.

‘I heard about that. My lovely Viperian wife.’

She chuckled, then frowned.

‘What about Sherri?’

‘I’m betting during your penalties hearing that her sentence will go back to a death sentence.’

‘I’m a little confused about her trying to run off with her daughter, then turning out she’s still governing the Council in her cell.’

‘They were going to hide her. She was just using her daughter as a blind. When that failed, they made sure she didn’t get a death sentence and she was living a life of luxury in the cell. Still governing the Council.’

‘Cold.’

‘Yeah,’ Uri said.

The limo pulled through the gates of Hell.

‘Are we ever going to stop calling this place Hell? It’s getting to be rather nice.’

‘A hell of place,’ he said.

Natalia smacked him on his shoulder.

‘Ow. That’s the bad one,’ he said, rubbing it.

‘I’m sure it’s well healed if it was only a graze,’ she said.

He laughed.

The limo pulled up to the curb at the end of Nattie Ave. Kate’s car pulled up. They all went to the front of the building.

‘We’re on the second floor now,’ Kate said.

Natalia led the way up to the third floor.

‘I didn’t even know there was a front door.’

She used the fob Grazie had given her to open the door.

‘Nice,’ Uri said.

‘No grubbies in the basement, but now it feels like home,’ she said.

Victoria yawned.

‘We have to find you a bedroom.’

‘There’s a litter box in here. And your things. This looks like your room, Victoria.’

Victoria helped go through a routing to prepare for bed. Natalia had an idea this was from her stay at Harold’s. She stood on her stool to reach the sink and brushed her teeth without being told.

‘I missed Tail,’ she said, crawling into bed.

‘Thank you for sending her to me. She helped a lot.’

‘I know,’ Victoria said with certainty.

‘Good night, sweet girl.’

She left the door open and returned to her bedroom. Uri was sitting on the bed. He rose and stepped over to her.

‘I know what you’re thinking,’ she said.

‘I bet you don’t,’ he said.

He pulled her shirt off.

‘I know some of what you’re thinking,’ she said.

He unfastened her bra.

‘You’re getting warmer,’ he said.

He took his shirt off. She could see his wound.

‘That looks a lot worse than a graze,’ she said.

‘Just a flesh wound,’ he said.

He kissed down her neck, then licked her shoulder.

Natalia waited for the bite. She hardly felt it. However, the heat she usually felt was missing.

‘That was a different bite,’ she said.

‘Yeah.’

A chill went through her body, then she started to sweat.