“The Elder Seat has worked hard to send the message to vampire-kind that we are not monsters but merely a superior species, top of the food chain. The truth I’ve just shown you complicates that narrative.”

“You would almost think the Elders themselves would want to forget,” Reg said. “Let the town grow and develop, bury this moment forever.”

“It’s a reminder that we are not invincible and that there is a punishment worse than true death,” Lina said. “But I think your point is well made, Reg. It’s not exactly a proud moment for immortals, which is why I believe vampires don’t personally inhabit the area.”

“Present company excluded,” Reg said.

Lina conceded that with a smile.

“The Elders built a few homesteads to lend legitimacy to their land claims in the early days,” she said. “When they started using slayers for mortal punishments, the homesteads became a convenient location for new humans to adjust. Eventually, it turned into a little village, and the Elders named it Nowhere. They thought the place was so insignificant it was almost invisible, so I guess they thought the name was funny.”

“Well, joke’s on them,” I pointed out. “It may be small by today’s standards, but it’s not invisible.”

“And that is precisely the problem. They worry it’s already too large, so they’re looking to take it back. They’ll forge whatever documents and perform any memory fades needed to take ownership of all the land in and around the town, so there won’t be any place left for humans.”

I groaned. “And then they’re just going to hand it to the Bloods. What a waste.”

“The Blood Clan is coming,” Lina said. “You can help with the migration and let the Elders clear the village before they get here, or you can refuse and watch what happens when the Bloods arrive. I promise you, this way is more humane.”

“The Elders promised no lives would be taken,” Reg said. “You don’t trust them?”

“I trust the council to do as they promise on Halloween. I don’t trust what comes after—that they can control a village full of Blood vampires.”

“The Bloods,” I grumbled. “Can’t we just run them all through Sal’s fence and see how they like being human?”

Lina laughed. “Now that is something I would like to see!”

Two hours later, with a thin dawn light creeping over the fields, Lina’s car rolled to a stop outside that very fence. The soft pop of gravel under her tires and Reg’s soft snore were the only sounds left of the endless night.

“What will you tell Sal?” Lina said.

I sighed. “As little as possible.”