Sensitive matters

"So, how about we create a clan?"

Naturally, Erin was the first to be surprised.

But her decision was quick.

"Oh! I'm in. I've always wanted an heir or two."

Nero smiled, looking away.

"Not like that...", he was almost embarrassed. The pressure of their gazes was no joke. "Sofia, Alice, Elizabeth, Erin and I..."

Elizabeth frowned at the mention of each name and added before he could say anything else.

"Yeah... a lot of women. But most of all...", she looked at Sofia. Her expression was blank, but a touch of ridicule escaped her tone. "The Vritari and the Ofiel don't mix. And I don't think Alice's clan would get involved in that."

Sofia nodded.

"She's right."

"I can get them involved in this, but it would be a lot of work...", Alice's words surprised them both.

Nero waved away the answers.

"I didn't say anything about your clans. I don't want to rule the world, and honestly, I wouldn't even trust this city to your clans."

Erin smiled, nodding as well.

Nero blinked several times before commenting.

"Not even to yours."

"Eh! But I don't have one. And you're my heir, aren't you?"

"Those fanatics are almost a clan of their own. I'm sure they'd destroy the world if you asked them to."

Her smile widened, without agreeing or disagreeing, they all took advantage of the silence to drink or eat. Their expressions were calm but their desires were wild.

'The thoughts...'

'I don't want to know,' Alice interrupted her inner voice. Her clear and imposing tone followed. 'I want to participate in this on an equal footing with everyone... Please don't ruin this.'

'... right.'

"I didn't choose you without thinking. Alice is a free bird, but she carries the hopes of her clan and an ocean of hidden influence."

The girls looked at her for a moment. When Nero shifted his gaze to Sofia, they understood what was coming.

"..."

"Yes, I'm not very happy with my position in the clan. Needless to say." Nero smiled, while Helena, Lennie and the others laughed.

"But I haven't said anything yet... Oh, forget it. You also understand why I chose you, and that's already a good sign. I don't need words, there's a bond and you're trustworthy..."

It was Erin's turn to interrupt.

"... Now all I need are seven heirs." Nero approached the drink, shaking his head.

"Wasn't there four?"

"I heard two." Grimacing, Nero filled the glass and drank it all in one gulp.

"Ah... This is going to be a long conversation."

...

..

Sitting in front of the computer, Diana needed a few breaths to compose herself.

It would be now. The virtual meeting with the other members of the alliance.

Yes. Who would have thought that beings like those who could pass through walls used technology... At least that's what she thought. But apparently their technology was very different from hers.

What she would see was just a simplified version of the meeting.

This version would be like a conference.

And she was about to start.

"Hello, I welcome everyone."

Apparently, the supernatural world was punctual in its meetings, and silent.

There was no one in the virtual room besides her and the beautiful, elegant woman from the banquet.

'Blair was her name, from what Nero had explained.'

Diana had her notebook next to her, where she was rereading her files, analyses and tips written by him, and that was when her world began to enter a new era.

Her speech was cordial, but direct and assertive. She didn't mince words and always invited someone to share the screen.

Diana was introduced to subjects from other planets, races and crises. In a few minutes, her mind seemed to be in ecstasy but also tired.

It was as if everything she had experienced was a one-page summary. And that was the true encyclopedia. Something seemed to change in her soul. It gave her confidence and focus. Every word Blair said, every video shown and every guest. Everything was precious.

She could feel it in her nerves, a conversation with the Pope was nothing in comparison. Diana was receiving information that entire countries had no idea about. The feeling was naturally vain, but she didn't let it get to her. She took notes, recorded each part and wrote down her thoughts.

When it was all over, six hours later, Blair dismissed everyone with a subtle smile. While Diana rested her head in her hands and took a deep breath. Her to-do list was full of complex sentences.

After a coffee break, she returned to her desk and rehashed all the knowledge she had at hand.

All the content discussed had been sent to her, with an organization and production that rendered her staff useless.

Some things still scared her just thinking about it. There were videos and photos of wars. Corpses stacked like barriers. Strange machines that made her eyes hurt and written in other languages that gave her headaches.

But the worst came when she tried to open an audio file. On her computer it was just a simple audio file, but there was probably much more behind it.

The sound that started out distant and noisy, entered her ears and froze her thoughts. When Diana blinked, she was so sleepy that she fell out of the armchair.

Luckily the button to turn everything off was within reach.

It took several minutes for her mind to get back on track. But the tiredness hadn't gone away.

When she finished everything, she went down to dinner and found the kitchen empty.

'Where is he...'