121. Shocking!

The following day, the women are well rested, having breakfast in the kitchen, discussing their planned activity in the evening. "So, tonight, I finally get to meet Magnus and the staff?" Clarice asked, while eating apples. "Yeah. Unless something comes up again," Demetria jokes. "I'm sure nothing will happen tonight, am I right?" Clarice asked. Demetria observed her student's face. "Why? Are you scared of meeting other vampires?" "Yeah, honestly, I'm feeling anxious right now. I don't know why," Clarice said, dropping another slice of apple into her mouth. "You have killed humans before. I thought you had already been toughened by such an experience. And don't forget, you are more powerful than any vampire alive today, so no need to feel anxious," Demetria said. "Humans have no power, but vampires are a different breed, and I'm not really used to fighting and dealing with difficult problems yet. That is why I'm a bit apprehensive that Magnus and the others will see through my facade, and they will declare I'm not worthy of occupying the Supreme Punisher position. You know what I mean?" Clarice said apprehensively. "Oh, don't worry about that. They won't disrespect you in front of me. You will earn their respect tonight," Demetria assured her. "Hopefully so," Clarice said optimistically. Demetria studied her trainee's face for a few minutes. "I have a question for you. What if Magnus challenged you to a friendly fight? What will you do? Ignore him or fight him?" Clarice's face paled. "Why did you look like you had seen a ghost?" Demetria asked. Clarice took a deep breath. "I told you that I had never had a face-to-face fight with anyone before. I managed to kill the three bad guys because you freeze them. I think I'm only brave if I'm in invisible mode because the enemy can't see me and I can do anything to them without them seeing me. Do you understand what I'm trying to say?" "Yeah, I understand you, dear." Demetria nodded her head. "Wait a minute, how powerful is Magnus? I know you won't appoint him as your successor if he is not powerful and capable. Tell me about his powers, so I know how to deal with him. What is he capable of?" Clarice asked. "Magnus and I have never had a fight before, but one thing is for sure, he knows how to teleport and hover in the air. As for his other powers, I have no idea. Our working relationship was great. He obeys all my commands because I'm the leader. He is my second in command, the one I trust most among others. But he is a bit hard-headed, kind of moody and bossy sometimes. That is what others report to me when I'm not around. But generally he is fine. No major red flags so far when it comes to his behavior. Everyone has flaws, and no one is perfect," Demetria explained. Clarice sighed. "I know." "So, do you still feel anxious about meeting Magnus and the others?" Demetria asked. Clarice fell silent for a moment. "A little bit." "We can postpone your meeting with him," Demetria suggests. I'll be doing missions for Martha a few days from now. I'll be going to hard-to-reach places, spying on questionable people who are involved in drug smuggling, human trafficking, terrorist groups and others. There will be blood and mayhem for sure. If you want, you can come with me and experience the combat and all to gain more confidence so you can face everyone with ease." Clarice shakes her head. "No need. I must face my fears and insecurities head on. I will meet Magnus and the others tonight. I will do it!" she said with finality in her voice. Demetria smiled. "Good. I like the confidence you have now. We have discussed everything already, so no need to feel anxious. Remember, you are more powerful than any vampires I know currently living here on earth. And you are one of us now, a vampire. Remember that always." "Copy that. Thanks for the vote of confidence," Clarice said gratefully. "You are not used to your power yet. Once I'm gone, you will start believing in yourself," Demetria said softly. "Thanks, I feel better now," Clarice beams. Demetria patted her shoulder. "You would be fine without me," she assured her. "I'm scared. Is this goodbye?" Clarice asked. "Prelude to goodbye," Demetria corrected. "I'm still here. Next month I'll be gone for good. You will have your freedom again. Free to do anything you want. The best thing is, you are powerful now. No one can harm you again," she said thoughtfully. Clarice smiled. "Yes. Thank you so much for choosing me as your successor. I never expected you to change my life in a way I could never have imagined," she murmured, feeling emotional all of a sudden. "You and I will be parting ways soon. What can I say? Things happen for a reason. Our path was meant to cross in this lifetime. So here we are now, fulfilling our destiny. All is well, right?" Demetria asked. "Yeah, all is well," Clarice replied. "Good that you agree with me," Demetria said merrily. "By the way, I'm going out the rest of the day. I'll see you tonight at 7:00 in the evening, and we will leave together to go to headquarters to meet Magnus and the rest of the staff." "Got it," Clarice replied, putting the last slice of apple into her mouth. Demetria has left the house. Clarice washes the dishes and tidys the kitchen, then proceeds to sweep the floors on the first, second and third floors. Lunchtime came. She cooked a delicious chicken dish and ate her meal with a good appetite. One hour after lunch, she took a nap and woke up at 4:00 in the afternoon. She went to the beach and strolled along the sandy shore, enjoying the ocean's breathtaking views. She returned to the house at 5:30, cooked for dinner and then ate her meal. At 6:30 in the evening, she was ready to go, waiting for Demetria to arrive. At 7:15, Demetria finally arrived. "Dear, everyone is ready at headquarters to meet the Supreme Punisher. Are you ready to meet them?" she asked. "Yess!" Clarice smiles energetically. "I like your confidence today," Demetria commented. "I want this to be over so I can finally return to my family and reveal myself to them," Clarice replied excitedly. "Alright, what are we waiting for?" Demetria said. "Can you still remember everything we talked about the other night?" "Yes, of course. I remember it all," Clarice responded with a smile. "Alright, let's go!" Demetria said. "Wait, I'll wear my disguise first!" Clarice said hurriedly. She immediately transformed into her supreme punisher persona. A woman wearing a black ensemble with a black cape flowing down her back. Her face was completely covered with a black mask. "You look good! Just the way I like it. Perfect!" Demetria clapped her hands appreciatively. "Let's go now," she said. The two women disappeared from the living room, teleporting to vampire headquarters. A few minutes later, the women can be seen landing in an open area, surrounded by concrete buildings 3 stories tall. "Welcome to Midnight Wanderers headquarters! You can visit this place anytime in your invisible form to spy on the staff, to see if they are working or planning to overthrow the current management, led by Magnus. In short, you can do so many things around here without being seen," Demetria explained to her companion. "Got it," Clarice replied. "It looks like this place is in the middle of nowhere," she commented. "Yeah, this place is situated in the wilderness. It's private property so no one would come here to disturb the peace," Demetria explained. The women walked to the entrance to the building. The vampire guard immediately opened the massive door, allowing their leader to enter the facility. However, they didn't see the invisible woman walking beside their leader. The women walked through the long hallway, with closed doors facing each other. They stopped at the end of the hallway with a conference room sign above the door. "Are they inside now?" Clarice asked. Demetria replied, "Yes. The moment I step inside, just do your thing based on what we agreed upon." "I got it!" Clarice responded, no hint of nervousness in her voice. "That's the spirit, girl!" Demetria said, grinning. She knocked on the door three times, alerting everyone that they had arrived. She opened the door and stepped inside. Ten vampires can be seen sitting in a chair around the rectangular table. At the head was Magnus, sitting on a chair, his eyes fixed sharply on the door. An empty chair was reserved at the other end of the table to be occupied by the Supreme Punisher. "Guys, the Supreme Punisher is here! Give her a warm welcome!" Demetria announced. Magnus and others stood up and bowed their heads, unaware of the invisible being standing at the door. "Welcome to the Midnight Wanderers Headquarters, Supreme Punisher!" they said in chorus. Clarice made herself visible again and entered the room. "Thanks for the grand welcome," she replied, her voice firm and strong. "Please take your seats," she said authoritatively. When Magnus and the others looked up to see the Supreme Punisher in person, they were shocked to see 11 identical black ensemble-clad women entering the room. The Supreme Punisher lowered herself in a chair while the others stood near the wall in guard mode. "Guys, don't mind my bodyguards. They are loyal to me. They come with me anywhere I go," Clarice said, her eyes fixed on Magnus, shocked by his strong resemblance to her husband, Alpha Callum. What the hell is going on? She looked at her mentor, asking her a silent question. Why didn't her mentor tell her in advance that Magnus looked like her husband? It made her feel uneasy inside. Demetria looked the other way.