Luminary [Interview with the Vampire]

The backing of the chieftaincy

In a room, three floors beneath the ground, with wide walls and big screens made to mimic the bright day's sun above, the chieftaincy sat in deliberation. The walls were concrete, painted white with gold trimmings lining the edges of the screens. Overhead, the ceiling had very many, tiny inlaid bulbs that shone down on the room. On the floor, a dark green carpet covered the entire surface of the room, running from the door, down the steps, to the center of the room where two tiny black rugs marked two spots.

Three tall mahogany chairs lined with gray, in-sewn cushions stood around the two spots. In them sat Armand, Magnus and Rhoshamandes.

Quietly, they watched the two vampires standing before them with guarded interest.

Someone was going home with a penance.

"His disdain for my city is evident in his actions," Estelle, the woman at the podium said, stepping away from her podium. She was a tall, fair woman, with big movements, drawing the chieftaincy in as she expressed her displeasure at her opponent's actions. She had on a blue dress that covered her from neck to toe, with a jeweled scarf that she'd wrapped around her head and neck, leaving only a strand of her blonde hair out.

Almost as theatrical as her opponent.

Santiago.

Just as tall as she was, he'd decked in a black tuxedo with a matching cape. He was a thin man with graying features that he'd earned from living up to sixty-seven years, before becoming a vampire. Watching Estelle try to out-perform him was entertaining. But the fact remained that the chieftaincy was sitting in judgment of him.

Santiago shook his head, leaning on his podium as he listened to the displeased grumbling around him. Of course, it looked bad. Anyone would be pissed if they found out what Santiago had done in Paris. But Estelle was overreacting. As usual.

"Anything to say for yourself?" Arman asked, as the only chief on Santiago's side.

Santiago took a deep breath before he spoke.

"Contrary to what Estelle would have you believe, I would have done the same to anyone."

Armand's eyes fluttered closed in frustration as Magnus and Rhoshamandes' brows rose in unison. Of course, Santiago was giving Armand a headache. But it was all a part of his plan. A plan that, granted, he hadn't shared with Armand. But still.

"You stand accused of a serious grievance," Magnus said. "Can you please take this seriously?"

"I am only being honest."

"Santiago," Armand said, with a sigh.

"You orchestrated the turning of three, new vampires in Marseille," Estelle said, beating her chest. "You are aware of the destruction new vampires can cause for a social ecosystem if they are turned without guidance or provision. What would I have done if they were left unchecked and went on a killing spree?"

"I sent them there because I knew Lestat slumbered there."

Estelle's eyes grew four sizes larger, once the words left Santiago's mouth.

"Excuse me?" she asked.

"I'm not quite sure I heard you right," Magnus said, sitting forward in his chair. "Are you implying that Lestat was asleep in Marseille?"

"Yes," Santiago said.

"He's lying," Estelle said. "He's trying to justify what he did."

"Of course I am."

"Why would Lestat trust me enough to fall asleep in my city when he has his lair in the Americas?"

"That's a question the chieftaincy needs to ask you, isn't it, Estelle?"