If you have not read the first book of the series, "Reborn", it is advisable you do so before reading "Renewal" or you will be lost. This link will provide you with a series summary as well as all sixty-eight chapters of Reborn
Table of Contents for Fifty Two chapters of Renewal, created by @bashadow
Chapter Fifty-Six
By the time Michael left the European continent and made his way to the U.S. he had recruited two dozen males, and there were at least as many whom he intended to revisit in a month. He’d given every vampire he’d come across a choice, after explaining to them that a war was coming and it was their duty to fight. They had thirty days to discontinue the practice of drinking the human drug or face severe consequences. He would not force them to join the cause but he strongly urged them to do so.
From the three separate prophecies Leo had in his possession it appeared that the U.S. would be the focal point of the war against demonic forces, which would take place somewhere in the deserts of the west. Michael decided to start his quest in Las Vegas, One- because he wanted to check out the area that seemed to be the culmination of events, and Two- because there was an excellent chance that vampires would make their home in Sin City.
Unfortunately there was a downside to traveling with such a large group of males. The scent they threw off gave warning to any who would want to avoid them and it was three full days before they came upon vampires who didn’t disappear when they sensed their approach.
**
All two dozen males stopped in front of a massive and extravagant casino, aptly named King Alobar’s palace. The structure looked like a snapshot from a fairytale.
“There are three inside,” Samuel stated. The large auburn-haired vampire had become Michael’s right hand male over the past week. He wasn’t the first to join him but he hadn’t needed encouragement to do so. As soon as he learned of the upcoming war he’d been glad to throw in, bringing his friend Aidan with him.
Michael nodded at his new friend as he caught their scent as well, which grew a great deal stronger a moment later as three vampires attired in modern goth stepped out of the revolving doors.
The largest of the three approached them and stopped a few feet away, his arms folded across his broad chest. “We don’t allow vamps entry unless they first come during the day.” He stated.
The other two came up on either side of him, taking the same stance, their eyes narrowed in warning.
“That’s a good thing to hear,” Michael replied, “though the condition seems a bit odd since I can smell human blood on you.” He let a hint of accusation lace his words and the male narrowed his eyes a bit further.
“Though we occasionally indulge in a little recreational use, no one is either harmed by it or wise to it. We do not condone murder and take issue with life drainers.”
Michael locked eyes with the male briefly then nodded before extending a hand. “I’m Michael,” he said as the male grasped his hand.
“Aerik,” he responded, “and these are my brothers Chris and Jay,” he nodded to the others who inclined their heads in greeting, their eyes warily scanning the entourage.
A group of humans approached the entrance and Aerik stepped aside to let them pass then turned back to Michael. “Let’s go for a walk,” he commanded.
When they were about a hundred yards away from the casino Aerik stopped and turned to Michael. “What brings you here?”
“Duty. A war is coming, the likes of which has not been seen in centuries. Have you noticed an increase in the number of demons or their strange behavior in recent months?” Michael raised a brow.
The brothers exchanged looks and Jay nodded, “We have noticed an increase, yes.”
Michael frowned slightly at the implied denial of strange behavior, but ignored it for the moment. “You do know what we were created to do,” he paused with an inquiring expression.
The brothers’ eyebrows lifted in unison and Chris spoke. “You’re recruiting,” he stated.
“In a sense, yes. Though for now my primary concern is with the unlawful practice of drinking from humans. I won’t force anyone to join us in our preparations for war, but I will take strong measures against any who do not cease this practice.”
Aerik eyed the male with interest. “Has the council been re-formed?”
“We are the council at the moment,” The large red head spoke up from beside Michael.
“I see.” Aerik looked sideways at his brothers. “When do you imagine this war will take place?”
“It’s not imagined,” Michael responded sharply, “a war is coming. There will be a great many battles here and in Europe, and our literature tells us the culmination of these battles will take place in the deserts of America’s west, before the end of next year.”
Aerik was silent for a moment, contemplating. “If what you’re saying is true then we would gladly help in any way we can. My brothers and I will need to discuss it, perhaps take a harder look at these demons and their “strange behavior”,” his lips quirked in mild amusement at the thought that demons would ever behave normally. “If you will give us a number to reach you at, we’ll be in touch.” Aerik held out his phone.
Michael took it and entered his number then held onto it for a moment, meeting each of their eyes in turn. “Whether you call or not we will be back,” he warned.
“We’ll call,” Aerik held his gaze, his expression hard as he took his phone and slipped it into his pocket, “though it will not be out of fear of your so-called reprisal.” He turned and strode back to the casino, Chris and Jay on his heels.
Michael watched them go hoping they would make the right decision. They needed every male they could get, and having three who had obviously made their home here would be a great help.
He turned to Samuel and Aidan. “I want you to keep an eye on this place while I set us up in a hotel nearby. I also want you to discreetly follow them to their residence when they leave, and in the meantime the rest of us will continue to scout the surrounding areas.”
The two males nodded and headed across the street to a bar to begin their surveillance, while Michael and the rest of the crew started down the sidewalk.
**
The brothers made their way up the stairs to the elite level of their casino, a place only the very wealthy were allowed access for their high stakes poker games. At the moment there was a game in progress and Aerik nodded to Alphonse, a self-made man of business who could often be found at the head of one of the tables if he was not in the adjoining bar with one of his many young mistresses.
They walked past the table and went to the back of the balcony where their private offices were located. Aerik opened the door to his and they ushered in, shutting the door behind them.
They sat down and discussed the things Michael had told them and decided to err on the side of caution and keep to animal blood for the time being. Though he had made the comment about not fearing repercussions, Aerik knew when he was outnumbered.
“I don’t know,” Jay was saying, “I scoffed at the comment about demons behaving strangely, mainly because that’s the way they always behave in my opinion,” at this Aerik and Chris both snickered. “But now that I think about it, there was this one time about a month ago when I saw perhaps four or five of the fuckers slipping down a side alley, and they were not attached to anyone. I remember thinking it was a little odd, normally you see them dogging people, not hanging out with one another.” He sat back as Chris and Aerik considered this.
“So maybe Michael isn’t just some fanatic, maybe there are things going on we should make ourselves aware of, perhaps even get involved in,” Chris offered.
“Maybe,” Aerik agreed. “But let’s give it a few days, keep an eye out for more of these strange happenings before we commit ourselves. Remember we’ve got a female to think about as well.”
Chris and Jay nodded agreement, though they were all aware that protecting Liz might in fact be reason to throw in with the small militia. They exited the office and threaded their way back downstairs, a new watchfulness in their expressions as they moved slowly through the throngs of people.
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