The Elder's Council building wasn't very impressive from the outside, but inside it was as luxurious as any palace. Crystal chandeliers, velvet drapes, thick, creamy carpet, all the trimmings.

Until you got to the reception counter, then it was all business. Sitting behind the counter was a middle-aged human woman in cat eye glasses and a pink cashmere sweater. Like all admin staff, she was obviously in charge of the entire place. Or at least, she thought she was.

Madame Receptionist looked over her glasses at Eilidh and Flip and did not appear to be intimidated by the vampires in the slightest.

"Can I help you, Miss?"

Eilidh took a step closer to the counter, she intended to stay in charge of this encounter and Flip was just going to have to stay in the background for a change.

"Yes. I hope you can. I need to speak to a council member regarding my missing sireborn," Eilidh said.

"I assume you do not have an appointment?" At Eilid's nod, she continued. "The Elders are very busy people, they do not have time to involve themselves in petty concerns such as missing fledgelings. Please take your request to the proper authorities."

Eilidh was over the counter in a second, holding Madame Receptionist against the wall, with her hands around her throat.

"My missing daughter is not petty," she hissed. "You will allow us to speak with someone on the Council or you will die. Here. Right now.”

Eilidh loosened her grip slightly to allow the receptionist to speak but before she could a male voice behind her said, "You have three seconds to let go of the human. I will not tell you again."

Eilidh had no idea who was speaking but the voice commanded enough power to ensure she did what she was told. She let go of the receptionist and turned around to find herself surrounded by a small army of black- clad vampires holding machine guns that were pointed straight at her.

Eilidh stood as still as the dead and tried to look harmless. The guns weren't really necessary and they wouldn't kill her but they added to the controlled menace that was emanating from the vampires.

Eilidh had a good idea of just how badly this might go.

"Is this crap really necessary?" Eilidh wasn't sure whether to be relieved or worried at the sound of Flip's voice. She would either make things better or make them a whole lot worse.

"Phillipa McAllister. Why is it that you're always causing trouble whenever we meet?"

The wall of vampires in front of Eilidh blocked most of her view of the owner of the voice. She could only see a dark, thick, head of hair and a well-trimmed beard. He had a deep voice, cultured, a commanding voice. She didn't know who he was but he truly was in charge of the room. It occurred to her that the receptionist must loathe him. Or adore him.

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

"Stand down." The vampire army quickly dispersed and left Eilidh looking at a tall vampire, in an elegant navy blue, pinstriped suit. His attention wasn't on Eilidh though, he was looking at Flip with a half-smile, half-frown on his face.

"Vander! What the hell are you doing in this ridiculous little town? Shouldn't you be lording it over some peasants from a castle in the highlands of nowhere?"

"And shouldn't you be locked up in a cell somewhere to ensure the safety of others?"

Eilidh and Madame Receptionist were both stunned when Flip and the elegant vampire laughed and hugged each other.

"Phillipa, you are a sight for sore eyes. What are you doing here? And why is your companion threatening my employees?"

"Employees?" Flip said. "Of course. You're on the Elders Council. Why am I not surprised? You are older than death. I just don't know what you're doing here in the back of beyond."

"Everybody must pay their dues, my dear. You, of all people, should know that. Now, much as I'd love to enjoy your company for a bit longer, I do have work to do. So, briefly, what's going on here?"

"Alright, Mr Important, here's the deal. This is my sire-sister, Eilidh Moss. Her sireborn daughter, Reagan Taplin, has gone missing and we need the council's help to find her. Eilidh, this is Vander Canmore, Elder Councilor, apparently," Flip scoffed.

"He certainly wasn't anything so civil-minded when I knew him. Although, he has always been a snappy dresser."

*****

Vander Canmore moved with the elegance only a vampire can display as he turned and studied Eilidh. His gaze wasn't rude as such, just intense. This was a man who didn't know what casual meant and his gaze was making Eilidh feel decidedly uncomfortable. But, she stood her ground. No matter how important this vampire was, he was not as important as her daughter. Not to her.

Vander Canmore turned back to Flip. "The council doesn't deal in missing persons, Phillipa. Or missing vampires. Surely, you can find her yourself?"

"I've tried, Vander, and I'm coming up blank. That's why we need your help. Obviously, I didn't know you were here but now that I do, I'm more than happy to appeal to your better nature. You know, the one you keep buried down deep in your heartless soul."

Eilidh couldn't keep quite any longer. She took a few steps closer to Mr Canmore while still maintaining a respectful distance and said, "Mr Canmore, I appreciate that the Elder's Council don't usually get involved in matters like this, but as a long-standing member of this community, I'm begging you, please, I don't know where else to turn."

"Ms Moss. Take a seat. Phillipa, come with me into my office. I can spare you five minutes to explain to me why the council should get involved in this." He faced the receptionist who gazed at him with adoring buy efficient eyes. "Ms Springer, if Ms Moss makes any movements or advances from that chair, call Sergeant Caseby immediately. Hold my calls for the next five minutes."

*****

Eilidh sat where she was told and watched Flip and Vander Canmore walk through an office door that she hadn't noticed previously.

All she could do now was wait. She spent the next few minutes ignoring Ms Springer's haughty gaze as much as possible while she ran over different scenarios in her head.

She was sure that Reagan hadn't met her final death. She would have known. But still, she couldn't imagine where Reagan could possibly be. Vampires didn't just disappear. Sure, they're used to hiding, it's what they do, but it was very rare that a vampire could hide from its own kind for months on end. And Reagan had never gone this long without talking to her sister.

Eilidh sat up a bit straighter when she saw the vampire army return to the foyer. A moment later, Flip exited the office, alone, and Eilidh knew without asking that the council were not going to help them.

Eilidh and Flip were escorted out of the building with Flip muttering all the way about traitors, liars, and injustice. For a moment, they stood on the steps of the council building while Sergeant Caseby and his men watched them.

"Now what, Flip? Now fucking what?"