The way everything had happened here seemed scripted. Had they discussed Emerald and his return after his first host had died? Perhaps he should have stayed and tried to listen, but he had been so weak and hungry then.

What alternative did he have?

Emerald tried to take control of the situation. His senses were a little better now, and he could tell which of the humans hosted an Elder. He could tell the Elders apart and recall who a growing number of them were, though how he could not have told.

He said, “Diopside, how do you vote?”

He couldn’t remember why he had never liked Diopside as an Elder. His host was just the sort of man Joey had always despised though. He looked like a four eyed nerd who might be good at math and some kinds of technical things, but could neither take nor give a punch. Was the host named Jake?

Jake said, “I vote for Emerald. It doesn’t matter if we like him or not. He was here before Malachite and had precedence.”

Well, the vote was off to a good start.

“Serpentine, how do you vote?”

“For Malachite of course. To earn precedence you’re required to show up with a host. Once the host is gone and you show up with a new one, it starts from scratch.”

He wondered if that was really the only reason for the vote. Could Brandy the host (or hostess) be improperly influencing her Elder?

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There was nothing for it but to continue.

“Green Agate?”

“Malachite.”

Emerald couldn’t remember all the details, but didn’t think Green Agate had liked him in his previous life either. He wondered if the apparent lack of friends had ever bothered him before, but suspected not.

So that was it. He had lost. What was he supposed to do now?

The mayor spoke again. Even though he hadn’t taken part in the vote itself, Emerald suspected him of having orchestrated everything in advance. He said, “Human host, what’s your name?”

And just like that, being addressed, he was Joey again. And had no reason to keep his name secret, at least the part he could remember. “Joey.”

“Well Joey, I’m talking to you now. It’s a real shame if Emerald has made you promises he can’t keep, and worse if he’s consumed more of your being than he had any right to. All the same, you need to keep our secret for the sake of your own people. We’re in the process of gradually readying them to join us.”

Joey didn’t ask what would happen if he refused to keep the secret. Brandy had already said something about taking steps, and they clearly weren’t pleasant or voluntary ones.

“Umm … all these rules … they’re for the protection of humans, right?”

Firkin nodded vigorously. “They certainly are.”

“Well, whatever the bastard’s done wrong, making him just leave me isn’t going to protect me now. I’m not sure I could function.”

The Mayor spoke in a reasonable tone. He was a good talker. “The rules don’t just protect you though. They protect Humanity. And if Emerald were allowed to keep the benefits of breaking them, then others would be tempted to do likewise.”

So for now at least, he and Emerald were on the same side. And he had a heavy loaded Magnum in his pocket.

Silently he asked Emerald, “You think any of them are armed? Could we take them by surprise?”

The reply came back, “Trying is a last resort. The Eightfold have weapons you would not understand.”

It seemed to Joey that they had reached the last resort, but his eyes flickered to Jake, the human half of the partnership that had voted for him. “How about it Jake? See any alternatives? Leaving your Elder out of it for the moment, how do you feel about killing another human?”