Everyone watched as the video played on Ms. Winters’ tablet.

It showed a sickening amalgamation of twisted blistering flesh, squirming and writhing.

The remnants of half a dozen people were visible along its horrifically disfigured surface, pieces of cloth fused between skin as they’d melted together like wax.

John turned away, pale faced. He was neither the first nor the last to do so.

“The infection spreads by contact. We’ve seen it run its course in as little as ten minutes and as long as six hours. Once the infection reaches its end stage, the subject will lose all reasoning, seeking out the closest cluster of infected and fusing with them, making attacks of opportunity along the way, further spreading the disease.” Naomi explained, picking the tablet back up.

Katya turned to look at me questioningly, and I nodded gravely in reply.

“We need to know what this thing is and how to stop it.” Naomi said, turning her attention to me along with most of the table.

“I know it as Blight,” I sighed, “It consumes or corrupts any organic matter it comes into contact with. Plant life is usually consumed immediately while people and animal life are corrupted and turned into Blighted Flesh to further the spread.” I told the table.

“How can we stop it?” Naomi asked, desperation clear in her voice.

“You can’t. There are few people who can, and I doubt any of them are on this world. What you can do is starve it into a dormant state. But you’ll have to be quick, because those things are just the beginning.” I said, gesturing to the tablet in her hands.

“You need to finish your barricade, then clear at least thirty feet of any vegetation, spread poison and shoot down any birds you see. You’ll want nothing living getting in or out of there. Dig a trench if you have to. Once that’s done rain fire down on it like the wrath of god all at once, because the longer you give it to adapt the harder it’ll become.” I explained, stopping briefly as I noticed the camera on the tablet angled at me.

“I hear their lairs are warm and humid to promote growth, never confirmed it myself as I don’t really have the affinity to go anywhere near it, but you might be able to use that to target your strikes. Once it’s dormant, you leave it the fuck alone, and your top priority becomes keeping people and wildlife out.” I finished.

“That’s it?” Naomi asked skeptically.

“That’s it.” I confirmed.

“We’re just supposed to leave it there and seal it off?” Naomi pushed.

“Any other solution would create a similar or worse outcome, but then again, that isn’t my decision to make.” I said, looking pointedly at the tablet’s camera.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me.” I looked to Silas, and he thankfully got the message and started wheeling me out of the restaurant.

As we passed the waiter, I mouthed a silent thank you.

***

Two men watched the video of the meeting on a large monitor in a dim office, one standing in front of a desk while the other sat behind it.

“The information he’s provided could be simple observations from what he was shown. And he barely offered anything more than vague warnings and standard procedures. The only way we’re gonna stop this is to study it.” The man standing in front of the desk said.

“Do you have Miller on standby?” The seated man asked.

“Yes, Sir.” The other replied.

“Send his team in. We’ll take containment measures after investigating the problem closer.” The seated man ordered.

“Understood, Director.” The other man responded before leaving the room.

“I’m surprised at the extent of this Titan’s knowledge.” A previously unseen old woman spoke from a nearby couch.

“It only seems cursory. Besides, soon he’ll have no choice but to come to us.” The director replied.

***

“That went better than expected.” Katya said, as we moved across the parking lot. “Is this Blight really that dangerous? I felt the dread from you. It was quite overwhelming.” Katya asked, concerned.

“Had they done this a year or two from now, we’d be discussing continental evacuation plans. The only reason we’re not is that the energy in the air is too low for it to spread, hell the only reason it’s a problem right now is due to population density and whatever they did to bring it here.” I explained.

“What about when the energy rises?” Katya asked in a grim voice.

“I’ll have dealt with it by then, or maybe they’ll surprise me and deal with it themselves. I’ve met few things that couldn’t be solved with inordinate amounts of firepower, and if there’s anything this country has in overwhelming abundance, it’s weaponry.” I replied, as we made it to the curb of the parking lot, my shadows warning me of someone approaching us from behind.

“Mr. Titanos! A word, please?” Michael Devos said, catching up to us.

“What can we do for you, Mr. Devos?” Katya said, placing herself between us.

Michael leaned to the side to glance at me before returning his attention to Katya.

“Given the recent uncertainties, my clan-” Silas snorted behind me, interrupting Mr. Devos. It was quiet enough that an issue couldn’t be taken with it, but not quite quiet enough to go unnoticed.

“My clan would like to commission rings that would allow us to traverse daylight as well, in case evacuations or unrest should follow the recent incidents.” Michael finished, sending a glare at Silas.

I was reasonably sure the daylight rings would work without issues for any light shy creature on earth, but I had also been expressly prohibited from stating that fact.

“Ignoring the ethical questions, the work alone involved in calibrating the recipe for daylight rings to function with a Sanguinares would be no small task, and as you can see Mr. Titanos is currently not in the best condition-” Katya explained but a second entry to the conversation interrupted her.

“Although I agree with your ethical quandaries, I must express my doubts in regards to Mr. Titanos’ supposed condition. If I’m wrong, then now might be an opportune moment to make the challenge I’m owed.” Oda said, appearing as if out of thin air.

Katya turned to me with a questioning look, as I’d obviously forgotten to tell her about my run in with Oda. I looked towards Oda and leaned forward, letting out a sickly meek cough goading him to make good on his threat.

The man’s expression froze like a predator feeling the presence of a hunter before he masked his discomfort with a confident smile.

“Call my office tomorrow.” Katya said to Michael, glancing suspiciously at Oda before we continued our walk to the car.

“Sorry Katya, it slipped my mind with everything that’s been going on.” I apologized.

“Do not worry, what bothers me is why an Eastern clan would side with a western Court of reds.” Katya replied, deep in thought.

“Someone wanna explain that one to me? Why do they call themselves a clan and you call them a court?” I asked.

“They are Sanguinares. They have no clan.” Silas replied firmly, causing Katya to sigh.

I looked at her in askance, but she simply shook her head. It seemed Silas’ history was not a topic to be broached today.

“Court Devos, or Clan Devos as they prefer, are Sanguinares, yes. But they adhere to strict laws with often times brutal consequences. They are likely the best example of civilized Sanguinares there are, although they have quite the bloody history when it comes to disputes.” Katya explained.

“They arrived on this continent relatively late compared to the rest of us, and therefore had to carve out territories wherever they could find them, often wiping out rival courts and Clans alike.” Katya glanced at Silas ahead of her, his knuckles white from his grip on the steering wheel.

“They have deep ties to organized crime, having had a significant hand in the creation of the Italian crime families. But most interesting of all is the fact that they have several branch families of Sentires, some of which still retain heirs.” Katya said, seeming slightly impressed while talking about them.

“They may be young or ostracized clans, but they are clans nonetheless.” Katya finished.

“That doesn’t seem possible. I mean, I might have a pretty small sample size, but you guys don’t exactly seem to get along all that well. Can’t imagine you being in that close of a proximity to each other.” I said in disbelief.

“You must remember, although our clans wealth might not compare to some of the oldest clans, we’re still among some of the richest, not just on this continent but in the world, dwarfing any who exist on this continent, since they do not have access to the same resources we do, they have to make unlikely alliances, it also didn’t hurt that the women of their lines don’t have to lose their chosen partners for good. Many clans do not allow the men who sire their children to stay for long, as the pain of watching those you love grow old and die as you reap eternal life can be a very harsh one. But in their Clans, the mortal men have the option of being with their families for generations.”

“My own experiences tell me what they get likely isn’t what they lost, but that might just be prejudices.” I said.

“Sadly... as with all things, accidents happen.” Katya nodded.

***

The car pulled up to the front of the house, parking by the front door, Silas getting out, quickly retrieving the folded wheelchair in the back.

“God, I feel like I haven’t been home for weeks.” I said, taking a deep breath, relishing the sensation of my influence in the air.

“Holy shit!” I heard Natasha swear. “Are you okay?!” she asked as she hurried down the porch stairs, her face concerned.

“I’m fine.” I said, waving her off.

“He can’t stand on his own, or lift himself due to weakness.” Katya snitched.

“You know, I think one of those people at the meeting slipped me their card. Maybe I should give them a call and just... you know... Talk.” I threatened.

“You haven’t spilled enough trade secrets to cost us a small fortune already?” Katya chided.

“That wasn’t on purpose. Imagine how bad I could be if I really put my mind to it.” I said with a wide smile.

“I see his mouth still works fine.” Natasha joked, although the concern didn’t leave her face.

“Okay, okay, I’ll go Rest.” I mocked, rolling my eyes as I started wheeling myself towards the caves, the dirt and gravel combined with my weakened arms making it slow going.

“Oh, no you don’t.” Natasha said as I felt my chair halt.

She then proceeded to lift the entire chair with me in it and carry me up the stairs, which must have been an amusing sight, considering I was almost three times her size.

“Strong lady, put Aleks down, Aleks no go in house.” I replied as if talking to a neanderthal.

“Oh yes, you will. I’ll be damned if you get to roll off into your caves and disappear for another week.” Natasha swore, carrying me through the door and towards the stairs to the second floor.

“Natasha Dear, I don’t quite understand these symbols on the faucet-” Agda walked out of the master bathroom wearing a luxurious bathrobe, stopping abruptly when she saw us.

“Why is she here?.” I questioned accusingly.

“Right for hot, left for cold.” Natasha replied, ignoring my question.

“Why is she showering here?!” I pressed.

“We keep the towels in the closet, you can just leave it on the floor and it’ll be taken care of.” Natasha added, pushing my chair through the door to the master bedroom.

I spread out my arms and tried to stop the chair, sticking my head out of the door to look at Agda.

“Is she living here?! She is not living here!” I asked before telling.

Natasha pushed me through with ease as I lost my grip on the doorframe.

“Let’s get you on the bed for now.” Natasha said with a strange grin.

“This is kinda nostalgic, feels like the first time we met.” She continued with a purr.

“I’m not gonna just gonna let you change the subject all of a sudden-” I didn’t get any further, her lips smothering the words on mine.

***

Sophia walked out of the caves, more than a little frustrated.

She had tried to broker an unease peace between her grandmother and the veritable army of spiderbots protesting her stay, but it had been unsuccessful, mostly due to Agda’s continued stubbornness.

She had tried to warn the stubborn old matriarch to stay in the house until this was sorted out, but Sophia doubted she’d listen. It seemed as if she took immense joy in escalating the situation every chance she got.

It also didn’t help that Sophia was getting dangerously low on bribes to keep the little creatures busy, her stash of silver beads spent, along with any good faith she’d established with the paradoxically individualistic little hive-minds

As she approached the cabin, she noticed two new cars in the driveway. One was Natasha’s and the other obviously Katya’s, as the Matriarch stood as if expecting her.

“Hello Sophia.” Katya greeted warmly. “Having trouble keeping the peace?”

“That’s one way to put it.” Sophia sighed wearily.

“Any news on his condition?” Sophia asked.

“You haven’t heard?” Katya asked, surprised.

“Heard what?” Sophia replied warily.

“He’s inside, and he’s doing alright. Natasha’s with him.” Katya told her quickly, seeing the look of worry cross her face.

Sophia let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.

“This is starting to become a pattern.” Sophia said, walking up to Katya’s car sitting down on the hood.

“He fights until it almost kills him, then he recovers and does it all over again. It’s an unhealthy cycle.” Sophia said.

“Sadly, I’m afraid it’ll only get worse from now on.” Katya replied grimly.

“You two are keeping secrets from us again.” Sophia accused.

“We are. For your own good.” Katya confirmed.

“It has something to do with what has been going on in the news, doesn’t it?” Sophia asked, looking at Katya.

“I didn’t think you had a TV out here.” Katya joked, changing the subject.

“We don’t, had to twist his arm to put in electricity instead of some weird glowing runes.” Sophia replied.

Sophia stared at Katya for what felt like minutes, awaiting an answer that was unlikely to come.

“I’ll go make sure he isn’t chasing after Agda with a broom, trying to make her leave.” Sophia sighed, sliding off the car and heading inside.

“Now that would be a sight to behold, especially given current circumstances.” Katya snickered, getting into the car.