*Ch 234: Invitation to Honor

Ugly brown dried-out leaves blew up from this circular swirling light expanding widely. Coming out calmly from a vortex was Kai, Rome, Jack, Ivan, John, John's five advisors, sixteen guardians from Kai's clan, and fourteen from John's clan. Awaiting their arrival in the somewhat leafless unlively woods were Glenn, Ace, and more vampires between Kai's and John's clan.

"Well, that was certainly a no-go to hide Victoria there," Ivan remarked as Kai shut the portal.

"At least it wasn't a total waste," John said, holding a mint can full of mint leaves. Nobody could oppose that.

"That bad?" Ace asked, chuckling at their hilarious cringing facial indications.

"No joke, it was a Planet of the Apes virtual reality," Jack laughed, yet he was dead serious.

"Wait, were the apes riding horses like in the movies?" one of the vampires from John's clan asked, chuckling.

"You mean there's an actual movie about apes ruling the planet," Kai comments, intrigued after what he had just seen.

"Yeah, it's called Planet of the Apes," John replied. "There's like multiple remakes of it made."

"Unbelievable!" is all Kai could say, shaking his head in disbelief.

"That dimension was repugnant!" Jack added. "The humans smelled just as badly as the apes."

"Not to mention they were hairier than the apes!" Ivan cracked up.

"Are you serious?" Glenn laughed.

Ivan chuckled. "Yes, I am!"

"Put it this way, I never knew a woman could grow more bristly hair than a man!" Rome pretty much laughed to the ground. He could hardly keep his legs stable, so he had to lean on his knees while laughing insanely.

"I've heard some men and vampires are into that sorta thing," one of John's vampires mentioned.

Next to him, Ivan chuckled. "Count me out! I like my wife Mia with a clean shave, even between her legs."

Now the laughter was like a yawn. One by one, everyone joined in, laughing hysterically, including Kai. Between all the male remarks, they couldn't quit.

Eventually, they settled, so Kai asked. "How was Victoria?"

"Other than puking and being cranky like Sharlene, Ava, and the rest of the pregnant ladies and vampiresses, she's been good." Ace shared that since he, Glenn, and a few others were told to watch over them.

"We got more mint leaves," Kai apprised.

"She also attended Billy's funeral," Ace added, but Kai disdained that information beneath him.

So Glenn informed Kai. "Your father wanted me to tell you he needs to speak with you right away once you return."

Kai saw that look and knew he wasn't going to like whatever his father had to say.

In a snap, he went into his father's office, where he found him.

"Good, your back." His father peeked up from the laptop at his desk.

Kai took a seat from him and said. "I was told you needed to see me."

Instead of speaking, Mr. Collin passed him an invitation from his desk. Kai opened the card and read it was an invite to a masked ball. Allies to enemies, all available Royal vamp families, highest-ranked followers, and their families were to attend. Kai never heard of such nonsense, and he didn't understand it. Why the heck would he attend a masked ball with his enemies and with those who wanna kill his mate? It was preposterous!

So he disregarded it. "Unfortunately, I am not available." He flung the card carelessly on the desk.

And so it begins, Mr. Collin tried explaining. "You aren't asleep anymore. Nor are you detained. Therefore you and Victoria have no choice but to go, we all do. The Vampire Covenant convened this ball at the beginning of the medieval period back around 400 A.D. It's to commemorate these principles developed long after our two greatest world wars. Whether we like each other or not, it's customary for us to attend. Otherwise, you'll disgrace our honor as a Coven."

"This is absurd!" Kai bellowed. "I don't see Vlad going! I wasn't awake when this was arranged. I don't see why I should attend! They'll try to kill Victoria!"

"You're awake now, whereas Vlad is still asleep with his wife!" Mr. Collin growled. "Under vampire oath, we aren't to harm anyone's guest, mate, or offspring. It's a celebration of the peace we have. Thanks to the Vampire Covenant."

"Yet most of them want Victoria dead!" Kai hissed ghastly.

"Yes, however, this will give them a chance to meet Victoria," Mr. Collin clarified calmly. "Perhaps some will like her once they see she isn't a threat."

"She isn't the threat!" Kai rolled his eyes. "They are!"

Mr. Collin emphasized. "I know, yet you don't have an option because you're born within the five generations, and you've joined the Vampire Covenant. And your mate is a foreseen prophecy. As mentioned, everyone available must go. This is all held against you if you do not attend with your wife. It will put her at risk, and you could get us thrown out of the Vampire Covenant. It's bad enough that your wife is a threat to our peace, but if Victoria goes, it could show she isn't. By oath, no one can touch her there."

Deeply thinking, Kai gritted ghastly. "That means–"

"Yes, they too will be there." Mr. Collin interrupted.

"How will I keep Victoria from discovering the truth?" Kai asked in a seethed manner, but inside he was blasting mad.

"It's a risk you must take. There will be many vampires bringing human mates or guests who are unaware of our existence, and multiple humans will be working there. Only the human workers are disposable." Mr. Collin informed him. "Remember, we are under vampire oath."

Kai exhaled, thinking to himself. He understood the way of the oath. Yet he wasn't sure how to keep his wife away from the hugest heartache he's been hiding from her.

Overall it was a horrible idea to bring his wife, but he knew by their honor and principles they made, it wasn't to be broken. Being asleep for so long didn't excuse him, especially whenever he knew Victoria has been the girl they had all been looking for. Now that her identity has been confirmed. There was no hiding her from any perils.

"Fine, I'll go." Kai curtly announced.

Mr. Collin replied pleasingly. "Think of it this way. This will be a great opportunity to make your allies. The enemies of your enemies will also be there too."

Together the father and son squad smirked that cunning smile. Now, this idea of a masked ball had taken Kai's interest. After all, the Collin Coven was wise and sneaky with how they won their battles. And Mr. Collin knew many headmasters feared Kai for a good reason.