The tile slides open, and Louis emerges.
"It's done. If we're lucky, he'll be newly reborn as a vampire," Louis says.
"And if we're unlucky?"
"We'll deal with that when the time comes," Louis frowns.
Harry and Louis get back into the elevator and pushes the button for Louis' office. Louis gazes at the wall, his expression hard, worried.
"Louis, I can't...thank you enough," Harry frowns.
"Don't. It was... the right thing to do," Louis reassures.
"I know, but still. Turning someone is a pretty big deal," Harry says.
"Yes. And we'll soon see just how big..."
"You'll probably have to deal with the Council, huh?" Harry asks sadly.
"Oh yes. Turning him when I have no openings in my Clan is a major breach of the pact. I'll have to plead for an exception. Grant him my next open slot, in essence," Louis says.
"But... we can do that?" Harry asks.
"They may not approve it. And if they do, well, I'll have to have a very difficult conversation with Eleanor," Louis says.
"Eleanor?" Harry asks confused.
"Yes. She wants to become a vampire. She's hoping that I'll use my petition on her," Louis explains.
"And why haven't you?" Harry asks.
"Eleanor is a loyal employee and a friend but... I'm not convinced she has the restraint necessary for my Clan," Louis says.
"Oh... I see..." Harry says slowly.
Louis sighs and pulls out his phone.
"Are you calling her? Isn't she going to be upstairs?" Harry asks.
"No. I'm calling someone for advice. Liam Payne."
"The CEO of that financial company? Why him?" Harry questions.
"Liam is... probably my closest friend. His counsel is always welcome," Liam says.
They return to Louis' office and Harry waits nervously at his desk. Ten minutes later, the elevator opens, and Liam storms in.
"Hi! I, uh, can sh-"
"Not now, mortal," Liam says angrily.
He sweeps by Harry and rushes into Louis' office. Harry can hear the sounds of a heated conversation.
After a few minutes, their voices rise to a high pitch, ringing clearly through the empty lobby.
"Have you lost all sense, Louis?" Liam asks angrily.
"I'm the reason he's in the mess in the first place, Liam. I owe him this much," Louis replies just as angrily.
"Who cares about some mewling mortal?" Liam asks, "Your standing on the Council is already on thin ice, and now you're Turning humans without approval?"
"What was I going to do? Let him die?"
Louis comes storming out of his office, Liam on his heels. Harry realizes he's been leaning towards the door and sits up straight as he sees them.
"I called you for counsel, not criticism," Louis says angrily.
"Oh, my counsel is criticism. You're making a huge mistake."
"Um, Liam? Actually... I was the one who asked Louis to save Niall..." Harry speaks up.
"Harry, don't. Please," Louis says.
"Letting humans manipulate your emotions, Louis? Are you ever going to grow up?" Liam questions sternly.
"He didn't manipulate me, Liam. It was the right thing to do," Louis retorts.
"But was it, Louis?"
"Look, there's nothing else I can say right now, I..."
Louis looks between Harry and Liam, his face screwed up in anger. He throws his hands up.
"I need some fresh air."
Louis marches out of the office, heading towards the elevators. Liam turns his icy gaze to Harry, his ancient eyes boring through Harry.
A chill runs down Harry's spine, and he can feel his hair stand on end.
Liam crosses to Harry in what looks like a single step, and soon he's staring up at Liam's furious face.
"Listen to me, mortal. And listen to me well. Louis has a soft spot that gets him into trouble, but don't think for a moment that I don't know you're to blame for this," Liam says angrily.
"I, uh..." Harry stutters not having anything to say.
"The stakes are high here. Higher than you can even comprehend," Liam continues, "And what Louis did tonight has the potential to get both of you killed."
Liam leans in close and says, "Now, I care very little about what happens to you, but if some harm come to Louis as a result of this..."
His handsome face twists into an ugly snarl, one pointed tooth showing behind his lips.
"I'll kill you myself."
Liam takes a deep, meditative breath, closing his eyes. When he opens them again, he is his composed self again.
"Right then. Now. Fetch me a coffee, would you please?" Liam asks.
"No problem," Harry replies as calmly as he could.
"Black."
Harry quickly fixes Liam a coffee from the kitchen. His hands shakes slightly as be hands it to him.
"Relax, mate. I won't bite you. Yet."
"G... Good joke?"
There's an uncomfortable pause as Liam sips his coffee, watching Harry expectantly.
"I... I know I've only worked for Louis for a short time, but I do care about him, and would never want to see him hurt," Harry frowns, "I'm sorry if what he did for Niall... for me, puts him in danger."
Liam lets out a weary sigh, "I suppose I should be used to it by now. Louis has always had a kind heart. It's part of what makes him Louis. Part of what I love about him. In a way, it's almost impressive. Given what we are, what we do... to still care, as much as he does."
Liam shakes his head.
"I know one day it'll get him killed. And one of the few lights left in this world will be snuffed out."
Another silence settles between the two. Harry clears his throat.
"Have you known Louis a long time?" Harry asks.
"I met him not long after he was Turned. Two hundred and thirty four years ago."
"That's... very specific."
"Those were memorable years. Lawless times. The country burning with war, the fields slick with blood," Liam grins.
"Right... the good old days."
"I have known many vampires... but there are a few I like as much as Louis," Liam says.
"He mentioned that you were close friends," Harry mentions.
"Mhm. Yes, I suppose. In truth, he reminds me quite a bit of my favorite brother."
"Oh? Does he live in New York too?" Harry asks.
"Lived. He lived in Egypt. Around 35 BCE, by your calendar."
"Oh, I'm sorry.."
"No need to be sorry. Believe me, I've had time to mourn," Liam says dismissively.
"Wait... so does that mean you're... uh... yknow..."
"Relax. Yes. I'm just over two thousand years old."
"Whoa... what's that like?" Harry asks.
"What do you mean?" Liam asks.
"It's just... two thousand years? The things you must have seen... the changes you've lived through...What's it like having all that history in your head?" Harry asks.
"You couldn't understand. It's impossible to put it into words. How would you describe a mountain to an ant? How would you describe a star to a speck of dust?"
"Is that how you see humans? Like ants and specks of dust?"
"Like I said. You couldn't understand."
"So... Egypt, two thousand years ago? Was that Cleopatra times?" Harry asks.
"Cleopatra sat on the throne during my lifetime, yes. She was actually a cousin of mine."
"No way..."
"I served as her nomarch. A governor of sorts."
"Huh... Would I have heard about you in history class?" Harry asks.
"Oh, absolutely not. What you mortals know of history is mostly lies and hearsay, with a few grains of truth in the mix. My twin brother, Lysimachus, was my advisor. He was like Louis... idealistic, kind hearted, driven by a sense of justice. When Octavian's forces marched our capital, he wanted to stay and fight. He..."
For a moment, he's lost in thought. The he stands up, clears his throat, and adjusts his collar.
"Right then. Enough chit-chat. I have some business I must attend to but I'll return before dawn to see what has become of your friend. And to offer Louis any aid he needs."
Harry fights back a smile.
"Take care, Harry. It was... tolerable meeting you."
The Liam turns and leaves.
A/N: Sorry for the short chapter, had bad writer's block. Google really is my best friend for this story 😭😃. Now, can we talk about Louis' concert last night? Ahajskaah. He was so good. I was freaking sobbing. Anyways, hope you enjoyed this chapter! <3