learned of the plans to build the museum, we contacted their executive director,” Gabriel continued, “Although human, she is quite the diva and has a reputation as a bit of a sorceress herself. She was only too happy to accommodate our request in exchange for a sizable donation.”
I nodded. “It all makes frighteningly good sense.”
“But,” Gabriel said, his head cocked to one side. “There is something on your mind.”
“It’s nothing. I’m amazed at the business-like way in which this all operates. You have a state-of-the art building, wireless technology. It all seems, well…routine.”
“Did you expect us to fly around on broomsticks and play quidditch?” Elsa asked sharply. “That is a children’s fantasy.”
“What Elsa means,” Gabriel interjected diplomatically, “Is that we’ve adopted today’s standards like the rest of the world. We cannot survive if we fail to adapt to our surroundings. But I will take credit for the business-like way in which things run. In my other life, I’m the CEO of a computer graphics firm that makes 3-D images for movies. Our offices are near Marseille. I started my career in the mid 70’s at Industrial Light and Magic in Marin.”
Before I could think too much about what he’d said, Gabriel grabbed my arm and led me away.
“It’s time for your grand tour,” he said.
Elsa said she would stay behind in the main arena, as it was called, and monitor things.
Although I remained wary, there was something very comfortable and familiar about Gabriel. I found myself easily being led by him, and before I knew it, we were back in the elevator. We went down one floor and stepped out into what looked like ordinary office space filled with cubicles—complete with more young workers seated, heads down at their desks.
“We use most floors of this tower,” he said, gesturing toward the desks. “A director and one deputy manage the Council. Our positions rotate every five years. You’ll meet my deputy, Aidan Burke, in a few minutes; he keeps his office on the floor below. A crafty Irish shape-shifter, he and I have been friends for years. We’re in the fourth year of our term; next year the deputies for central and eastern Europe will take control.”
“You’re not very excited about that,” I remarked, feeling a deep sense of ambivalence coming from him.
“Very good, Olivia,” he said. “Your skills are becoming second nature to you. But to answer your question, yes, I have reservations. Zoran Mikić is a werewolf. By day, he is the governor of the Croatian National Bank. His deputy, Nikola Pajovic, is a vampire, as well as a wealthy Serbian developer who builds casinos on the Adriatic coast. They have a unique partnership, with Nikola acting as more of the leader. I worry, at times, about their commitment to the mission of the Council.”
I could almost say the same thing, feeling at a loss myself to understand what the Council’s purpose was. Why did it need deputies and rotating staffs to monitor humans?
“Gabriel, I hope you don’t mind my asking, but why is all of this necessary? What exactly is it that you, we, do?”
Gabriel nodded. “Yes. Let me explain. As I mentioned, the Council is divided by region, with directors holding positions for North America and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, western Europe, eastern Europe, Asia, and finally, Africa and the Middle East. Each sector monitors elections and shifts in government. We try, when possible, to intervene in elections to ensure moderate candidates take seats in government.
“Why not every time?”
“That would be a little too obvious,” Gabriel said. “We’re a clandestine organization, looking to protect the interests of our kind. If we influenced every election, it would draw too much attention to ourselves.”
“And why is this necessary?”
Gabriel walked over to a desk and asked for one of the iPads. He quickly called up a news article and walked over to me.
“Read the headline,” he said, gesturing to the text on the screen.
Presidential Candidate Holds Prayer Rally
Oklahoma City (AP)—Thousands of evangelical Christians flocked to the state’s capital today to participate in a prayer rally at the invitation of Governor Bob Ferry. Ferry, a devout Christian known for handing Bible verses to his aides, is preparing to run for president.
“This guy is a joke,” I said, shaking my head. “Why should you worry about him?”
“It is easy to laugh at him here in San Francisco. He seems very remote from your life. But do you remember the story of the Trojan horse, Olivia? The people of Troy believed