Thenext morning passed slowly until Kai came home from checking in with some ofthe Portland wolves.
“How’severything in Portland?” I asked, eager for gossip from anywhere off of themountain.
“Portlandpack is good, they confirmed the blood banks were burned down and that vampireclub activity has lessened. Either the vampires are becoming wary of ourattacks or they have gone into hiding.”
Asigh escaped my lips.
Kailooked me in the eyes. “I see an opportunity, with so many of Alek’s kindwithout blood ...”
Isquinted, sifting through the mate bond until I got his meaning. “We have toask the militia. They’ve given so much to us already.”
“Iknow,” Kai stated. “Barn meeting in fifteen minutes.” He crossed the room in afew quick strides and was out the door again.
*
I stood in the barn with Max and Alek as Earlwalked in slowly with Kai, Alexa, and another militia member. He was tall andmuscular, his head was buzzed clean, and he had an American flag tattoo on hisforearm.
Kaiintroduced everyone to Alek. “This is Alek. He’s a vampire and he’s here tohelp us. He’s given us very valuable and distressing information that we needto talk about.”
Earlkept his eyes on Alek, sizing him up.
“I’mEarl, leader of the Pacific North Militia, this is Todd, my second.”
Igrinned at Earl. He was showing us that his militia was his pack. He was Alphaand Todd was second. I really liked him.
Toddsaluted us. “Senior Chief Todd Renault, United States Navy.”
DidMax just roll his eyes? I had to suppress a smile.
“Goodto have you, Chief. Let’s get down to business,” Kai told them. “We have asituation. Most vampires are a part of Layla’s North American vampire clan.They import heroin and kill humans for sport. But a small percentage, likeAlek, either drink blood from willing donors or from a blood bank.”
Earland Todd shared a look I couldn’t interpret.
Alektook over. “Layla burned those blood banks to the ground recently and now wehave all of those vampires without their source of food. They will be weak andsuggestible. They might even join up with Layla again, if it means they can havea food source.”
Earlgave a low whistle. “How many of your kind are there?”
Aleklooked uncomfortable with sharing numbers. “About ten thousand across theUnited States that I know of.”
Earl’sface was lined with worry. “That’s a lot of vampires to feed.”
Aleklaughed. “That’s nothing compared to Layla’s clan. If we can supply thesevampires with donor blood, they will do whatever we want as repayment.”
Kailooked eager. “Wouldn’t hurt to have ten thousand vampires on our side.”
Alexainterjected, “The human media is all over us now. We need to be careful aboutpublically siding with vampires. Even if they appear nice.”
Kainodded. “Agreed. We will do it in secret.”
Earlnodded. “I will hold a vote with my people.”
Kaithanked him and he left.
“Yougonna let us vote?” Max asked Kai with a smile.
Kaismirked at his friend. “Nope, we’re doing it.” He placed a hand on Max’sshoulder.
Maxthrew his hands up. “Great, bon appétit for the blood suckers.”
