Suburban Vampire: Reckoning

Chapter 9

Johnny, the House doorman, gazed into a hand mirror, glad that the old saw about vampires having no reflection in glass was untrue. He was admiring his stylist's skill, looking at his coiffure, admiring the highlights and details. If he had not been able to scrutinize his stylist's handiwork, he would have felt most put out. And he certainly didn't trust Josue, that pretentious little know-it-all thought he was the next Jose Eber, which he most certainly wasn't, and how dare he think he was anything more than a cut-rate barber--

A knock on the double doors made Johnny drop his line of thought. "Entre," He called. The doors opened – no squeal any more, Johnny saw to that – and in stepped two tall, thin men, with high cheekbones and dark business suits. The younger-looking of the two was carrying an attaché case. Johnny was not impressed by the cut of their suits, nor by their hair, not that they were the types to care.

"How may I be of assistance?" Johnny asked.

One of the vampires, the one with graying hair, turned to his younger-looking blonde-headed partner. "This is how the House of Portland greets its guests?" The older vampire asked, in Russian, "With such an effeminate doorman?"

The younger vampire smiled. "Yes, comrade. So far I am not impressed."

"Ah, the Russians!" Johnny said, recognizing the accent, but not the language itself, which was probably for the best. "Yes! I have you down for a nine-thirty appointment with Father. Please, come in!" Johnny took their coats and placed them in the coat closet. "Follow me, if you would."

Johnny led the two vampires down the hall to the meeting room, guiding them through the old wooden double doors, then directed them to take seats at the long table. "Please be seated. Father will be with you presently." Johnny then excused himself and returned to the vestibule, when he once again began preening in the hand-held mirror.

Father entered the chamber soon afterward, followed by Elizabeth. The Russian vampires rose as he entered the room. "Gentlemen!" Father said as he approached the two, Elizabeth remaining at the head of the table. "I hope I haven't kept you waiting long. I am the Father of the House of Portland." He then shook the hands of the two visitors.

"Thank you," the older vampire said, his Russian accent strong but not overly so, "You are most kind to welcome us into your House. I am Vladimir, and this is my associate, Anatoly."

Father strolled over to the nearby credenza, on which sat a crystal carafe filled with a dark, red fluid. "May I interest you in some AB Negative?" He poured the contents into a couple crystal glasses, which he brought over to the two vampires. They thanked Father, taking the offered blood, then resuming their seats. Father went to the head of the table and took his customary seat. Elizabeth remained standing behind him. "By the way, this is Elizabeth, head of the local branch of Enforcement." Elizabeth simply nodded to the newcomers, but said nothing. "I would like to welcome you to Portland," Father continued, "I trust the flight over was comfortable?"

"Sufficiently, yes," Answered Vladimir.

"Very good. And how do you find our fair city?"

"Clean and well-ordered."

A typically Russian answer, thought Father. "Good. I am glad that you took the time and effort to present yourselves before the local House."

"Indeed. It is customary to do so. And as such, we have brought documentation from the Council of Elders and letters of recommendation from the House of Saint Petersburg, all translated into English, of course. Anatoly will present you with these."