Orion and Titus emerged from the underground lab and stepped into the day. The light stung Orion’s eyes after so many days without sun. He imagined his beloved bride’s reaction to the sun’s light returning to the world. He was proud to have brought life back to the Earth and to her.

With the sun shining again, The Surge had dispersed. The allied clans and covens met Orion and Titus at the doorstep of Valdis Enterprises.

“What of Xander?” Jerith asked.

“He escaped,” Orion replied.

“We will take him down,” Titus said, still holding his wooden bullet gun.

“It will take more than a wooden bullet to rid the world of Xander Valdis,” Jerith said.

After blowing up the Dark Sun Machine, the allied clans and covens returned to the mall where they’d been headquartered. They set up a grand council several hours later. Orion and Titus sat at the head of the Silverdrake clan. His cousin’s children and grandchildren preferred not to take on clan politics and left it mostly to Orion’s side of the family.

Jerith from the Blackrose coven and his brother Kyran were on the council, as were the delegates from the Diamondback clan, the Ironclaws, and the delegates of other allied clans and covens. Most clans and covens were wealthy dynasties that had vast holdings in cities throughout the country.

Most immortal families liked to stay in one place to develop a power base and an area of operation so they wouldn’t impinge on the territory of other immortals. They’d worked it all out centuries ago, but now the world had changed. Plans had to be made.

“We should all go back to our cities and begin repairing the infrastructures. We have a responsibility to the humans who live within our own zones,” Jerith said.

“I’m getting reports that almost every human power grid on Earth is non-operational. Most of the power lines were fried in the solar flare. The human populations are in crisis beyond our capacity for repair,” Titus said.

“We must do what we can,” Orion said.

“And will you be coming back to St. Louis to help repair the damage, Orion? Will you be taking your place as the Alpha of the Silverdrake clan?”

“Brother, this is not the time.”

“Why not?” said Connard Ironclaw. “This seems a relevant concern.”

“If we are turning the discussion to the business of the Silverdrake clan,” Orion said, looking from the council table to the audience of immortals in folding chairs set up in the derelict mall, “then the answer is no.”

“What?” Titus demanded.

“I will make the announcement now if I must,” Orion said with a sigh. He stood. “I have found my wife, Selene: the last arch-priestess of the temple of Gama. The witches have emerged in the world and they will need protection. Just as they did in the old world. My bride has already begun to draw the witches to her. There will be more. And I will honor my vow to keep them safe.

“I will be stepping down as Alpha of the Silverdrake clan and passing that mantle on to my brother Titus. He has been prepared to take the position for centuries. Now is as good a time as ever to start.”

“When will we be able to meet the priestesses of Gama?” asked one of the vampires in the crowd.

“Will it be the same as before?” added a dragon.

“I will discuss this with my wife. We will most likely retain our previous rules in regard to mating.”

“The witches have an obligation to procreate,” said one of the Diamondback dragons. “They should not be allowed to deny their duty. The immortals are weak. We cannot defend against Xander’s Surge if we do not carry on our lines. He will stop at nothing to strengthen his forces. We cannot allow him to out-breed our alliance. “

“You have a fair point,” Orion said.

“We cannot be kept from the only females who can breed immortal young,” another vampire said. “No one will stand for it. If you wish to protect them, you must also compel them to do their duty.”

“Gentlemen,” Orion said, trying to calm the growing number of voices. “We will come to a fair conclusion. We cannot molest the mothers of our children. I think you would all agree to that.”

Most of them grumbled in begrudging agreement. “Most of you at one time had a witch as a wife. Even the female dragons and female vampires mated with warlocks to carry on the immortal lines. We cannot see the witches as less than equals.”

“Just make it clear that they are obligated to produce young. Or there will be a problem. No one will go without a mate now. No one,” said Connard Ironclaw.

Orion nodded and sat back in his chair. That had not gone as he’d hoped, but perhaps it was to be expected. The immortals had been without females for too long. The female immortals who lived among them could not give them immortal children. They needed the witches’ line for that.

Over all the centuries, most immortal females were born as witches even to dragon or vampire fathers. Dragon and vampire females were rare. Over the last two thousand years, the immortal world had become extremely male dominated, the female immortals staying out of politics almost completely. Few had even arrived for the fight.

Orion knew that female dragons and vampires felt like an underclass, but that had never been so obvious as it was during the veil. He mourned for them almost as much as he did the witches. Orion would have to discuss the future of the witches with Lucia when he returned to the fortress. His poor mate would not like what had been said at the meeting, but he would find a way to make it alright with her. There had to be a way.

The meeting continued and the various coven and clan issues were resolved. Everyone agreed to go back to their cities and begin repairs on the grids, attempting to bring human life back to normal as much as possible.

They’d learned of the millions of deaths during the two days without light. Murders, suicides, accidents. Not to mention The Surge. They had killed multitudes of people in New York alone. It was a massive loss of human life and dignity that would be felt for generations.

He knew that people would be fractured. He felt for Titus, having to represent the Silverdrake clan at a time like this. Titus had never been a great people person. But Orion knew his brother was a good leader. If anyone could bring the city of St. Louis back from the dead, it was his brother Titus.

After the meeting was closed, the Silverdrake brothers and the Blackrose vampire brothers met again in the steakhouse for one last chat. The Blackrose coven was from Chicago. Their proximity over the years had made their families very close. They had done a lot of business together during the veil. And Orion was sure they would have similar dealings now.

He lifted his cognac glass to his lips and sipped. His brother had a grim look on his face, staring down at the bar. Jerith swirled his brandy, his lips in a hard line. He looked up at Orion.

“When will we be able to choose our brides?” Jerith asked finally.

“They have to arrive first,” Orion said, shooting Jerith a look of irritation. He was about done with questions about the witches for today.

“I thought you wanted to match everyone up with a priestess of Gama,” Titus said sarcastically, lifting his face to level a gaze at his brother.

“Ideally,” Orion countered.

“Then why are you being so tight fisted with all the females, Orion? Why can’t you help a brother out?” he said.

“This is not about the witches, Titus, and you know it. Just tell me you are angry I’m not returning to St. Louis.”

“Of course I’m angry. After all this time, you choose now to pass on Alpha to me!”

“This is the right moment. Aren’t you prepared?”

Titus growled and gulped down his shot.

“There is too much loss,” he said through clenched teeth.

“I saw the clan through the death of all their wives, mothers and daughters. Not just our clan, but every clan and coven. I saw the Silverdrakes through the veil. Now I am ready to retire. It’s your turn to step up, Titus. Or should Ajax take your place?” Orion asked.

“How dare you,” Titus said, taking a step towards his brother.

“We all have the chaos of the Dark Sun to contend with, Titus,” Jerith said. “Your clan is strong. You will survive this.”

“I have no doubt I can do what is required. I led the fight against The Surge while my brother made love to his wife.”

“You will have your own wife someday, Titus, and then you will understand.”

“I doubt that,” Titus said, pushing away from the bar.

He walked out into the promenade of the mall, the sunlight streaming through the skylights above.

Jerith took out a clove cigarette and lit it up, holding the brown cylinder between his long, white fingers. Orion stared after his brother as he walked away.

“He’ll be fine,” Jerith said. “I’m more concerned about you now. How will you defend the witches against your own allies?”

“I will find a way with Selene. We will make it work for everyone.”

“Many immortals will kidnap witches and breed them against their will. The old ways are long gone now. All they want now is to survive. There are many who did not fight alongside our alliance or The Surge. They will play by their own rules.”

“I know. The witches will be like a beacon for every immortal within fifty miles.”

“I’m sure it’s already begun.”

“My Lucia is sending out her own beacon. The women will find her. It is my sacred duty to protect them.”

“I know, Orion. And you do your duty well. I commend you,” Jerith said, slapping Orion on the back. “Just let me know when I can find a bride of my own.”

Jerith stepped out of the steakhouse, his smoke curling around him as he walked away. Orion pulled out his glass pad and signaled Lucia. He was coming home.