Bitten (Book 1 - Book 4)

“Is this good or bad?’ Natalia said.

Kate shrugged.

“Oh, my word. I think this is good," Natalia said with emphasis.

“It's what the Council wanted,’ Kate said. “That is bad.

“But Uri doesn't have to do what the Council says.’

“Not openly.

Natalia remembered the Drivers Guild attack. While it hadn't come from the Council directly, it had come from Sherri's daughter. The Drivers Guild was governed by the Council. She had visions of the Council making their life miserable.

'I see. This is bad. He won't recommend Sophie as President because the Council won't like that. This is so damn confusing.”

This was an unexpected result,’ Kate said. “We have to wait and see how it plays out. Hopefully, someone is thinking."

“We still have the Challenge,’ Bonnie said. “However, Kareen didn't sound too worried. She didn't even mention it’

“Challenges aren't shared. No one will say anything about it."

“I'm a Council member. She should have said something to me,’ Natalia said.

“They only need you if they think they need another member for the majority count. If they have enough, they don't need a full Council.’

“Dinner,’ Zena said.

While Zena's dinner was tasty, everyone's appetite seemed lacking. A lot went into the refrigerator as leftovers. As soon as the table was cleared, the cards were dealt out.

Natalia focused on the game, trying not to think too hard about everything else.

At eight pm, all the phones buzzed.

Natalia noted that everyone cringed.

“What is it?"

However, she picked up her own phone to look. It was a Viperian broadcast message. It consisted of a Council reprimand about attending Wednesday meetings. It declared that the next Wednesday meeting was mandatory.

“That's not going over well,’ Kate said.

“Hell, no,’ Zena said. “Someone's pissed. Now, they want to piss everyone else off."

An hour later, Natalia received a text. It was from Uri telling her to step away for a private conversation.

“Excuse me a moment.

She went into the bathroom in her bedroom.

She text back that he could call. Hardly a second later, her phone rang

“Hello. How are you doing?’ she said

“Still breathing. Did you see the news?’

She thought his voice was rather quiet, like he needed a drink. It was rough.

“Yes. Is this good or bad?"

'Good," he said.

“But this is what the Council wanted."

Things are changing.’

“What's going on? I heard a Challenge was sent.’

'Yes. The Council set the presentation time for eight pm on Thursday. You need to be there.’ “Okay. I can be there,’ she said.

“How is your leg?"

“Good. I'm just missing both you and Victoria."

“I think we are all missing each other. I have to go. Take care. Love you.’

“Love you."

The call ended.

Natalia felt like crying. She sat there for awhile, wanting the quiet. Tail came in and sat on her lap. The warmth of her had a calming effect. Finally, she rose and walked back to the living room. Everyone was watching her.

“The Challenge is set for Thursday, eight pm,’ she said to them.

Kate lifted her phone.

'We know. We just heard.’

I'm supposed to be there.’

“We'll get you there,’ Kate said.

Natalia sat back down to play cards. Everyone seemed preoccupied. They finally decided it was pointless to play when no one was paying attention.

“Good night,” Natalia said, rising.

Natalia woke at dawn. She could hear that someone was already up. When she rose, her leg muscles reminded her of her activities the day before. She took a good look at her wound. It was healing over and had gone from the width of a nickel to that of a dime.

“Gone in a few more days.

She wondered if rubbing sanguine tea on it would help, but since she hadn't heard that from anyone, decided it worked better from the inside.

She rose and dressed. Tail ran in front of her out to the kitchen. Kate was making hot tea.

"You're up early,’ she said to Kate.

“Edgy. Can't sleep. I think everyone is. Zena, Mag, and Bonnie went to the house to check on things." “I take it I'm to stay inside and be invisible."

"Yes. How is the leg?"

“Almost healed.’

Kate poured her some sanguine tea.

“There is nothing more on the news, but everyone is keeping watch.’

Natalia nodded and settled on the sofa.

I do wish I knew what is going on at my bank."

“Ill have Grazie come up and give you a briefing,’ Kate said. “Don’t you call him.’

Natalia wondered why. Everyone knew she was out of the hospital which meant she was capable of using a phone. She looked around.

“Where is my phone?"

“We don't want you using it."

They know I'm in Hell."

Kate just gave her a look.

Natalia felt this was going to be a long boring day.

“Breakfast will be in a moment.’

“Thanks, Kate.’

It was almost ten when Grazie showed up with Fenni.

“We're ready to loan out about four and a half million," Fenni said. “We need your signature on these checks.’

He placed them on the table.

“Wow.’

He shrugged.

“That's only three customers,’ Fenni said.

“Only? That means we're earning... what? Five to nine percent?"

“Business loans at the best credit rating are at eight percent at A'ppollo Bank. We're following their lead. The highest percentage loan is fifteen percent, but no one would loan to them. Viperian company. They're good. It's a short-term loan of three years,’ Fenni said. “We have a dozen or so more applications that we are reviewing.’

'Do I need to run more checks to the bank?

“No, Ravi said any one of us can deposit checks. He did recommend that you assign more than one person to sign them.’

Natalia took the offered pen and signed the checks. One was for the Imperial Hotel.

“Ill get more people authorized soon,” she said. “I'm a little overwhelmed with some Council business at the moment.’

“No problem,” he said. “This is a fabulous beginning.

Fenni left. Grazie remained.

“It's almost ten thirty. We have to get you out of here.’

“What?’ Kate said.

"You stay. I just need Nattie out.’

“Why?’ Kate said

Grazie shrugged.

“Let's go.’

'Do I need my phone?’

“No.'

Grazie now seemed to be in a hurry. She followed him out. Tail was right along with them.

They walked out of the alley to his car parked in the street. He drove out the main gates.

“How long until no more vehicles?’

Grazie shrugged.

“It's complicated. If it wasn't for Yiggy's people we would be hard pressed to find workers.’

“Why do I have to leave?’

“We need you to disappear again to make sure you make it to the Challenge tonight.”

“Does the Challenge have a chance?"

Grazie nodded.

This may change Viperia forever."

“Where are we going?’

I'm going home. I'll drop you off at Moralis's. Neither he nor Francie are home. Stacia is home babysitting Tazie."

“And this is better than being surrounded by my maids who are better trained than Stacia?’ “Moralis has upped his security since becoming Mayor."

“And I have no phone if I need to call for help.

“Glove box."

She opened it to find a phone.

“All the numbers you need are programmed into it. No one knows you have it. Use it judiciously." Natalia could tell he was driving as direct to Moralis’s as he could. He pulled into the laneway and up close to the house. One garage door was open.

“Stacia knows you're coming."

They both left the car. She saw him pick up a box and leave, while she and Tail continued on into the house.

"Hi," Stacia said, hitting the button to close the garage door. “Come on downstairs.’

In the basement, there were monitors showing the cameras around the house.

The next couple of hours were pleasant. She played with Tazia and Tail. Then a buzzer went off. Stacia's eyes got big with fear. Natalia looked. There was a boat at the dock and three cars in the laneway.

“No one should be here. Follow me. You have to leave."

She ran into a room that wasn't finished. There was a large foundation block. It was fake. She moved it easily aside to reveal a pipe.

"You'll hit water in ten feet. Then you will get to air in twenty feet after that. Go."

Tail."

“Go,’ Stacia said with force.

There were sounds of people overhead

Natalia shoved Tail into the pipe and then dove in. She had three feet of width to work with. Then it turned pitch black when Stacia shut the door.

Meep.

“We'll figure this out. We have water ahead.’

She reached the water. It was cold

“There better not be any catfish in here,” she mouthed.

She knew she could hold her breath for twenty feet. Especially since she had seen tabs on the pipe that she could use to pull herself along. However, Tail was another worry. She doubted the kitten could hold her breath that long. An air bubble was what she needed. She managed to slip off her jeans. She tied the leg ends off, then got the jeans wet.

“It's all we got. A small air bubble.

She put Tail into her jeans and blew until she was dizzy. When she touched the pant legs, they felt like they were holding air.

“Take a deep breath,” she said to Tail. Just in case.’

She took a breath herself. With one hand, she held her jeans shut at the waist band. Her other hand and her feet found the tabs. She slipped into the water, going as fast as her hand and feet could find the tabs to push and pull her along.

Suddenly the pipe curve up. As soon as she hit air, she opened her jeans to pull out Tail.

"You okay?

Meep.

Tail shook off water.

It was still pitch black and smelled wet and rank. With a small hope she brought out the phone. It still worked and provided enough light.

“Shit, Moralis. I'm in the sewer.

She knew she could get out. It was the smell and being wet that bothered her. However, which direction? She sniffed the air. One way seemed cleaner than the other. She headed in that direction. Soon overhead manholes brought in enough light that she didn't need the phone any more.

“I know where we are. We might as well go hide where they would least expect us,’ she said. 'Viperia.'

She remembered the way and reached the storm drain. At least it was dry. She sat on the ground. “We wait,’ she said to Tail.

And wait.

A few hours later, she heard footsteps.

It's just me, Nattie.’

It was Grazie.

“Would you like to shower and change before tonight?"

“I hate you,’ she said. “And I love you. You think I'm stupid? Get me out of here.’

“This way. We have another exit.’

She followed him. He led her to a ladder. They climbed up and out onto a street. He led her to a house.

“Safe house. Bedroom upstairs has clothes. I'll be back at seven-thirty. There is food in the fridge.’ There were no more incidents. She was glad to get clean. Even Tail thoroughly cleaned herself. Promptly at seven-thirty, Grazie appeared. He drove her to the building where the Council usually met. The jail was next door. There was a gathering of women. Mag, Zena, Bonnie, Kate, and Sophie were among the people she knew.

I'm presenting the Challenge,’ Sophie said.

Everyone nodded.

“Do I sit with the Council or stay with everyone else?’ Natalia said.

“Stay with us,” Sophie said. “No talking unless indicated to do so.’

This was directed to everyone. Again, everyone nodded.

Natalia followed them in.

Kareen, Pearl, Friesa and Jada Lee were already in their seats. A moment later, Ingus arrived and took his seat.

Natalia noted a few surprised looks from the Councilwomen when they saw her. She said nothing, but sat in a chair at a table in front of the Council.

Rubert arrived and took his seat.

“We can begin,’ Kareen said.

“Not yet, Sophie said. “Not all the Council members are here.’

“We have enough for a majority."

“We wait,’ Sophie said.

The wait was mere seconds. Mirren and Tia came in together and they both took their Council seats. Everyone sat. Sophie remained standing.

I am presenting the Challenge,’ she said.

Kareen waved a hand for her to continue.

“In olden times, when a member of the community was not pulling his weight, Council members used the law of familial force. A member of the person's family was taken until the member conformed. We are now civilized and that law is antiquated. In fact, that law is marked for deletion And yet, Uri's daughter was taken.’

"The Council does not have to explain itself when reprimanding a member,’ Kareen said.

“Nattie?” Sophie said.

Natalia stood

“Were you charged with a reprimanding event?’

No."

“When was the last time you saw your daughter?”

“Five days."

“Have you seen or heard from her?"

No."

“We're talking about a one-year-old child taken from her mother.’

"The Council does not have to explain itself,” Kareen said again.

“Nattie wasn't charged. She is law abiding. Has anyone seen Victoria?’

Sophie looked around the room.

“Why is Nattie being reprimanded?”

No one spoke. There was a lot of uneasiness from the direction of the Council.

“No one is this room,” Sophie said with emphasis, “has seen Victoria since that day. Isn't that right, Kareen?'

'She’s being held in a safe house.

“That is part of our Challenge.’

Kareen looked uneasy.

'If Nattie wasn't charged, then we want to know what Uri did that caused his daughter to be taken. There was no formal charge against him.’

Natalia zeroed in on the uneasiness of Ingus and Rubert. They were starting to look a little confused.

“I never heard of the charge against him,” Mirren said.

“There has to be a charge against him,” Ingus said. “Otherwise, to take his child is...is kidnapping.’ “Where is Victoria?" Mirren said. I as grandfather should know."

"You have no power, Mirren, as grandfather,’ Pearl said.

“No, but the father does.’

Everyone turned.

Natalia was surprised to see Uri standing there. He walked down to the table to stand next to her. Natalia stared. He looked totally fit. She thought about the notion that Sherri had been put into prison to protect her. Was that how Uri's group had protected him? By putting him into the hospital?

“I'd like to know what the charge is against me," he said. “What have I done that jeopardized the wishes of the Council?’

There was silence.

“Perhaps we shall continue on with the Challenge, then,” Uri said.

“The Challenge has been presented,’ Kareen said.

“No,’ Uri said. “Merely evidence has been presented.’

“Evidence?’ Ingus said.

“The Challenge is the power of the Council," Uri said. “The taking of my child is merely one small piece of evidence.’

His words seem to send a shock wave through Kareen, Pearl, Friesa and Jada Lee. The men looked puzzled and intrigued.

“What other evidence do you have? Rubert said.

“There is no other evidence,’ Pearl said.

Kareen nodded in agreement.

Uri waved a hand. The wall that was usually used to show videos lit up. There was a video of Sherri's cell door. Although at a glance it could be any cell door. The video had a panoramic view, looking slightly up. Natalia knew exactly where that camera was sitting. It was on a wall about six inches from the floor.

“What's for dinner?" a voice said

Two people walked into view.

Natalia watched in amazement. It was Sherri and Kareen. Sherri was not in her cell. Natalia realized it was Sherri who had asked the question.

“I ordered takeout from your favorite restaurant. It should be here shortly,’ Kareen said. “What do we do about the Challenge?’

“Dismiss it."

“We can't do that. If we knew where the damn child was, we could return her and dismiss it."

Just say she ran away,” Sherri said.

'A one year old doesn't just run away. No one is going to believe that. She wandered off. Someone knows where she is but isn't talking.’

“Grubbies probably got her. Good riddance.’

Sherri sneered.

Just listen to the complaint with a reduced Council. Brush it off. I'm going to take a long shower. Darken my cell.’

Sherri grabbed a towel from a chair and walked out of view.

Natalia knew inmates weren't allowed showers. They were only allowed sponge baths.

The video froze.

The room was dead silent.

Everyone looked stunned.

Kareen suddenly looked like she wanted to be somewhere else.

“We have more,’ Uri said.

“That is enough,’ Pearl said

“More?’ Ingus said.

“We offered her one small reward for work she had done,’ Pearl said.

“Play on,’ Mirren said.

“Uri,’ Rubert said with a nod.

Uri waved a hand and the video continued.

There were other voices.

“We can't even control one stupid Undent.’

Pearl came into view with Friesa and Jada Lee.

"You're the idiots who put her on the Council,” Sherri said, coming back into view. “I didn't recommend it.’

“We saw merit in how we could control Uri.’

“Get rid of her. She's more trouble than she’s worth. And get rid of the kid once you find her. Then get Mina“s brat. We don’t want any Uri spawn walking."

Uri froze the video.

“That's not all of our evident,’ Uri said.

Grazie entered the room. He was carrying a brief case.

“Grazie previously worked for the government that audited the Church. He was gracious enough to audit the Council.’

That's impossible,’ Pearl said.

Kareen nodded.

“All Council expenditures are available for view,” Uri said. “However, the ones available for the pubic are fake. We audited the real ones that we found in Kareen's safe in her house.’

“That is burglary.’ Kareen said.

“Justifiable, given the circumstances,’ Ingus said.

"You welcomed me into your home," Sophie said. “It's only burglary when I force my way into your house.’

“We have more,’ Uri said. “The doctor who worked on me was ordered to sterilize me. He didn't do so. He told the Council that he needed to save my life first.’

“That is true,’ a voice said from the back.

Natalia recognized two doctors from the hospital.

“I'm ready to vote,” Mirren said. “The Council's power has exceeded its jurisdiction and its good faith to work toward the good of Viperia and it's people.’

“We stand against the taxes we are required to pay. Taxes if you live in Viperia. Taxes if you are Viperian. We are over taxed. We also must pay A'ppollo taxes,” Sophie said. “We even stand against a stipend for the upkeep of Viperia, because A'ppollo taxes cover that. We do not want to fund the workings of the Council to harass, kill, and control us like animals.

“All in favor of reducing the power of the Council and the elimination of the taxes, please stand,” Uri said.