Chapter 15: The rules

The next day, Ethan awoke as the sun began to set. He grabbed his phone from the nightstand and glanced at the time. "18:36. I guess I should get up," he muttered to himself.

After lightly stretching, Ethan jumped out of bed. His body felt strong, and he couldn't remember the last time he had woken up with so much energy when he was still human. He had to admit that his new vampiric existence certainly came with many advantages.

Ethan made his way to the bathroom for a quick shower. As he passed the mirror, he briefly paused to look at his reflection. The sight of his gray eyes still felt strange, but it was an improvement compared to before.

Heading downstairs, Ethan saw Terrell sitting at the kitchen table, engrossed in his phone. He only noticed Ethan when he walked in.

"Oh, morning," Terrell said, not looking up from his device.

"Morning?" Ethan replied, puzzled.

Terrell finally dropped his phone on the table with a sigh and turned to Ethan with a smile. "Would you prefer, 'Good evening'?" he asked.

Ethan shrugged as he took a seat. "I don't really care, to be honest," he responded. "Where's Clara?"

"She left already. Council business."

Ethan raised his brow and pointed to himself with a questioning gaze.

"Yes, it's about you—just a regular update, let them know all is going well and you haven't gone batshit crazy on us."

"I see."

"Well, since she's busy with that, let's go," Terrell said and stood up.

"Where to?"

"Take care of some business as well. Or would you rather stay at home?"

"No, I'll come."

"Good, then go change your clothes first, can't have you going out in your pajamas," Terrell grinned.

"I don't have clothes, in case you forget, you guys blew up my apartment."

"Just check your wardrobe," Terrell waved him dismissively.

**

Back in his room, Ethan opened the massive wardrobe and found it filled with all sorts of clothes. Everything was neatly folded and organized, including coats, jackets, suits, and everything else he could possibly need. His heart skipped a non-existent beat at the sight.

The array of clothing brought a wide grin to his face. He spent a few minutes browsing through the options before settling on a casual black suit paired with a black shirt underneath, topped off with a long coat.

Ethan then examined his reflection with satisfaction. His grin broadened as he looked at himself.

"You know what? Vampire life isn't so bad at all," he chuckled.

Once downstairs, Terrell waited by the door, impatience radiating off him. "About time, princess. What took you so—" His words trailed off as he stared at Ethan. "What the hell?"

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"Was there really a need for you to be so well-dressed?"

"Do I need a reason for that?"

"I mean, no… but—"

"Then let's go," Ethan interrupted with a smile and stepped outside.

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Terrell watched him leave, casting a glance down at his own casual attire. "The old bastards would love him," he muttered to himself.

**

The duo hopped into Terrell's car and drove off. The sun had already set, and the sky was tinted with a faint orange hue. Ethan stared out the window as the city came to life.

"Where are we going?" he asked.

"An old head was summoned to the council, but he refused to go, so they sent us to take care of it," Terrell replied.

"What did he do?"

Terrell shrugged. "I don't know; we just follow orders."

"Are we going to kill him?" Ethan inquired.

"God no! We're just going to have a friendly chat and convince him to go to the Tower. They want him alive."

"Is this what you usually do?"

"Heh, I'm a Gold. What do you expect me to do?" Terrell chuckled.

"So they usually send you and Clara to take care of problems like these?"

"Most of the time, we deal with newborn vampires," Terrell explained, his voice low and measured. "Turning humans is strictly forbidden within the city limits—unless, of course, you have explicit permission from the council."

Ethan frowned, his curiosity piqued. "So, what happens to the newborns? You just... kill them?"

Terrell nodded, his expression grim but resolute. "Yes. As for the masters who turned them, they’re sent to stand trial in the Tower. Justice is served there, one way or another."

"And if they refuse to comply?" Ethan pressed, his voice edged with skepticism.

A cold smile flickered across Terrell's lips. "Then we handle them too. One way or another, the law is upheld."

The weight of his words hung in the air, causing Ethan to frown. He knew all too well how the council operated—had experienced it firsthand. Terrell and Clara had been sent to deal with him, after all. The faint memory still caused him to frown.

Sensing the shift in Ethan’s mood, Terrell’s tone softened, though his gaze remained steady. “Look, I don’t always agree with how the council handles things,” he admitted, his voice carrying a hint of reluctance. “But the rules are there for a reason. They’re meant to protect us—all of us.”

Ethan raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical but curious. He crossed his arms, waiting for Terrell to elaborate.

Terrell sighed, running a hand through his hair as if searching for the right words. "It's not perfect, I know. The council can be... harsh. But without order, this city would descend into chaos. Vampires turning humans left and right, newborns running wild—it’d be a bloodbath. We’d lose what little peace we’ve managed to carve out."

Ethan chuckled, his mind flashing back to the night he’d been turned—the fear, the confusion, the overwhelming pain that had nearly consumed him. The memory was vague, but it remained. "Peace?" he echoed. "Is that what you call it? Sending Golds to kill people like me before we even have a chance to understand what’s happening?"

Terrell’s eyes narrowed, but there was no malice in his gaze—only a weary understanding. "It’s not personal, Ethan. It’s survival. The council doesn’t see individuals; they see threats. And if you’re a threat, they neutralize you. Simple as that."

"Simple," Ethan repeated. "And what about the masters? The ones who create these so-called 'threats'? Do they get the same treatment, or do they just get a slap on the wrist because they’re powerful?"

Though Terrell already said they could take care of them as well, he doubted they would be able to do anything to the truly powerful ones, not to mention to a Red. His very existence was a testimony to that.

Terrell’s expression darkened, a flicker of frustration breaking through his calm demeanor. "Masters are dealt with differently. But if they break the rules, they face the Tower. And trust me, no one walks out of the Tower unscathed."

"It’s not perfect," Terrell repeated, his voice firmer now. "But it’s what we’ve got. And until someone comes up with a better way, we play by their rules—or we pay the price."

The silence that followed was heavy. Deep down, Ethan understood Terrell's point of view, though he was still slightly resentful of what the council had put him through.

Finally, Terrell broke the silence, his tone quieter now. "Listen to me, Ethan. If you want to survive in this city, you need to understand how things work. And right now, the council holds all the cards."

Ethan met his gaze again, his eyes hard but thoughtful. "I got it," he said slowly.

Terrell gave a small, humorless smile, and tapped him on the shoulder. "Nobody’s asking you to like it. Just don’t do anything stupid. The council doesn’t give second chances."

Ethan's gaze shifted to the window, the city loomed around him, its shadows stretching long and dark, a reminder of the dangerous game he was now a part of. One thing became painfully clear: if he wanted to survive, he’d have to play by the rules—or find a way to change them.