(complete) Sex, intrigues, lies - the Game is like normal politics, just that now people lose their brain over it. Macbeth meets House of Cards and Game of Thrones in a fantastic ride to the Brexit referendum battled out in the reality TV show envir...
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Matis had muttered something about it being more effective to ask for forgiveness than for permission, when they had discussed whether to inform Persemper before he and Flo left for Nott's realm. He had advised Hel to give a heads-up via WhatsApp first, once it looked like they wouldn't be back anytime soon, as this was what Perdita would do. And that's how Justin and Hel had proceeded. And then they had turned off their phones for as long as they had dared without having to fear that Perdita would pack her things and come for them. Or Flo and Matis.
Then, they had traveled to the heart of the Nantahala National Forest personally, Flo's tiny band of vampires and the Great Hunt in tow. Their sight sent quite a few of the residents of the Jung estate running. Not so Perdita. She had planted herself in front of Hel and Justin, and had ranted about the stupidity of their plan and how they could have allowed Matis and Flo to go, get themselves caught, until Justin had just wrapped her in his arms and had pulled his sister in law to his chest.
With Perdita pressed to his shoulder – she didn't cry, she trembled, a sign that her brain neared overload, as Matis had informed Justin - he sent the Hunt to find a suitable place to set up camp in the woods while he ordered Flo's men to catch the head of security and get acquainted. Then it was time to meet the Triumvirate that led all vampires and some of the witches – Tabea Jung, her husband Tom Lestraunge and his brother Liam. The last came, carrying a toddler that made saucer eyes at Hell.
The three adults were better at hiding their surprise. But it wasn't until Hel explained them over coffee and wine that she was the daughter of the woman, that they had got to know as Ella, that they relaxed. And then the inauguration meeting of the anti-zombie alliance started.
Life sentences came up, accidents, deaths, and Duch-packs, professors and viruses, the re-discovery of magic, vampire bloodlines and a curse. When their stories were told, Hel informed them how London had fared after the referendum. David, beaten by the move that had been meant to safe him, had stepped down as leader of the Tortoises. Boris, as leader of the successful exit movement most likely replacement of David, had been murdered by Michael in the battle of succession. Theresa rode on Boris' funeral cortege to the top, stirring now the fate of the Game to a split with the support of the Duch-pack - or to total disaster. She looked fabulous doing it either way.
"It hasn't stopped there, has it?" Liam had asked then.
"No, the virus is spreading – Middle East, Europe, North America. Just look at the presidential race forming here," Hel confirmed his assumption.
"And we couldn't even yet determine how it works or spreads," Bea huffed, mad with herself.
"If you want to conquer, learn to suffer patiently."
All eyes flew to the door, where the new voice had come from. A woman stood there who looked a lot like Hel, if Hel had tattoos and real snakes as hair. Teddy ran squeeing and with flailing arms to her. Ida, known as Ella and Wisdom, picked him up and said, "I think we have work to do."
