The Summons

Saturday morning. The day after the stream.

Mio woke to her phone exploding with notifications.

Fifty-three missed calls. Two hundred and fourteen messages. Her social media accounts, all of them, flooded with comments, shares, response videos.

The stream had gone viral.

She sat up in bed, staring at the screen. The viewer count had climbed overnight. Twelve thousand live viewers had become sixty thousand recorded views. Clips were circulating everywhere.

Some comments were supportive: "Finally someone brave enough to say it!" "Relationship goals!" "This gives me hope!"

Others were hostile: "Traitor." "You're going to get him killed." "Traditional values exist for a reason."

And some were just... curious: "Are they really in love or is this PR?" "I want updates." "When's the wedding?"

She set down her phone. Couldn't process it all.

Downstairs, she found Reina already awake, monitoring response videos on her laptop.

"Good morning," Reina said without looking up. "You're trending on seven platforms. Congratulations."

"Is that good?"

"It's unprecedented." Reina showed her the screen. "Four major vampire news outlets covered it. Three human media outlets picked it up. And there are already thirty-two response videos from other coven leaders."

"Are they supportive?"

"Mixed. About what we expected. Forty percent supportive, thirty percent hostile, thirty percent cautiously optimistic." Reina closed the laptop. "You started a conversation. That's what you wanted."

"Yeah." Mio sat down heavily. "I just didn't expect it to feel so..."

"Overwhelming?"

"Yeah."

Momo bounded into the room, phone in hand. "Boss! You're FAMOUS! Look at this—"

"Please no more numbers."

"But you're…"

"Momo," Reina said gently. "Give her a moment."

"Right. Sorry." But Momo was grinning. "For what it's worth, the fanart is AMAZING."

Despite everything, Mio smiled slightly. "Show me later?"

"Deal."

---------------------------------------------------

Akira's morning was less pleasant.

He woke to seventeen missed calls from his mother.

That was never good.

He called her back, bracing himself.

She answered on the first ring. "I saw your little announcement."

"Mom…"

"Are you out of your mind? Dating a vampire? Publicly?" Her voice was cold. Controlled. Which was worse than yelling.

"I love her."

"Love?!" Now the control cracked. "She could KILL you! Do you understand that? One moment of lost control and you're DEAD!"

"I know the risks…"

"Do you? Do you REALLY?" She took a shaky breath. "Do you know what happened to your uncle? My brother?"

Akira went still. "What?"

"Before you were born. He dated a vampire. Traditional one, followed all the rules, had a blood pact and everything." Her voice was hollow now. "It didn't end well."

"What happened?"

Long silence. "He survived. Barely. But he was never the same after. The fear. The trauma. He moved away, cut contact with the family. We haven't heard from him in twenty years."

"I didn't know…"

"Because we don't talk about it. Because it was a nightmare. And now you're doing the SAME THING." Her voice cracked. "And I can't…I can't lose you like that."

Akira's chest tightened. "Mom. I'm sorry. I didn't know about Uncle…"

"His name was Kenji. And he was my baby brother. And that vampire destroyed him."

"Mio's different…"

"That's what Kenji said too!" She was crying now. Actual tears. His mother never cried. "He said she was different. That she loved him. That it would be fine. And then it WASN'T."

"I'm being careful…"

"Careful isn't ENOUGH!" She took a shuddering breath. "I'm your mother. I'm supposed to protect you. But I can't protect you from this. And that terrifies me."

Akira didn't know what to say. What could he say?

"I'm not asking you to understand," he said finally. "I'm just asking you to trust that I know what I'm doing."

"I can't."

"Then I'm sorry. But I'm not changing my mind."

Silence. Then: "When you get hurt, and you WILL get hurt, don't say I didn't warn you."

She hung up.

Akira sat there, phone in hand, feeling like he'd been punched in the stomach.

His phone buzzed again. Message from Tanaka.

Saw the stream. Still think you're insane. But... proud of you. That took guts.

Another message: Also your mom called the office asking about you. Might want to deal with that.

Already did. Didn't go well.

Yeah. Figured. You okay?

Not really. But I'll manage.

Let me know if you need anything. We've got your back.

Despite everything, Akira smiled. Thanks.

---------------------------------------------------

Saturday afternoon, 2 PM.

Akira had spent the morning at the mansion, helping Mio process reactions. Now he needed to go home. Change clothes. Breathe.

"I'll be back tonight," he said at the door.

"Be careful," Mio said.

"Always am."

"Text me when you get home?"

"Promise."

He kissed her goodbye. Headed to his car.

Texted Tanaka as he pulled out: Leaving mansion. Heading home.

Check in when you get there.

The drive home was normal. Traffic. Red lights. Tokyo on a Saturday afternoon.

He parked. Got out of his car. Started walking toward his apartment building.

That's when he felt it.

The presence behind him. Too close. Moving too fast.

He turned.

The vampire was already mid-lunge.

Akira's hand went to the panic button in his pocket…

A blur of motion.

CRACK.

The attacking vampire went flying backward, hit a wall, crumpled.

Mio stood where the vampire had been, fist still extended, breathing hard.

She was OUTSIDE. In daylight, well, late afternoon, but still. Outside. In public.

Shaking.

"Mio?" Akira stared. "How…"

The rogue vampire groaned, tried to stand. Mio moved again, vampire speed, pinned them against the wall.

"Leave," she said, voice low and dangerous. "And tell whoever sent you that they picked the wrong target."

The vampire looked at her. Recognized her. Went pale.

"Coven Lord Mio…"

"LEAVE."

They fled. Vampire speed. Gone in seconds.

Mio remained standing there, shaking. Breathing too fast. Eyes wide and unfocused.

She looked like she might collapse.

"Mio." Akira approached slowly. "Hey. Look at me."

She did. Focused on him with effort.

"You're outside," he said gently.

"I know." Her voice was small. "I can TELL. Everything is so LOUD. And bright. And…" She wrapped her arms around herself. "Too much. It's too much."

"Come on. Let's get you inside." He took her hand. "My apartment's right here."

She nodded mutely. Let him lead her.

Inside his apartment, she immediately sank to the floor, back against the wall, head between her knees.

"Breathe," Akira said, sitting beside her. "Just breathe."

"I'm trying." She was still shaking. "Outside is HARD."

"I know. But you did it. You came anyway."

"Had to. You were in danger." She looked up at him. "I've been tracking you. GPS on your phone. I'm sorry. I know that's stalking but I was WORRIED and…"

"You've been WHAT?"

She flinched. "I'm sorry! After all the threats, I needed to know you were safe! And I was RIGHT because you just got ATTACKED!"

Akira stared at her. "That's... that is definitely stalking."

"I KNOW!" She covered her face. "I'm sorry! I should have asked! But I was so scared something would happen and I wouldn't be there and…"

He looked at her. Shaking. Terrified. She'd been outside, her biggest fear besides public speaking, for the first time in months.

She'd faced her nightmare.

For him.

"How long have you been tracking me?" he asked.

"Since... Wednesday?" She peeked through her fingers. "After we decided to do the stream. I knew there might be retaliation."

"And you've just been... watching me on GPS?"

"Mostly while I was awake. I set alerts for unusual movement patterns." She lowered her hands. "I know it's creepy. I'm sorry. I'll delete it."

"No."

She blinked. "No?"

"Keep it. For now." He sighed. "I'm still processing the stalking thing and we ARE talking about boundaries later. But given that you just saved my life, I can't really be that mad."

"Really?"

"Really." He touched her face gently. "Thank you. For coming. For facing your fear."

She leaned into his hand. "Always. I'll always come for you."

They sat there for a moment. Both processing.

"We should tell Reina," Akira said finally. "About the attack."

"Yeah." Mio pulled out her phone. "She is going to be SO mad."

"At you or the attacker?"

"Both. Definitely both."

---------------------------------------------------

Back at the mansion, Reina was indeed mad.

"You WHAT?!" She was pacing. Actually pacing. Reina never paced.

Mio sat on the couch, shrinking into herself. "I had to…"

"You revealed yourself! In PUBLIC! During an ATTACK!" Reina whirled on her. "Do you understand what you just did? Every vampire in the city now knows you left the mansion! That you're willing to come out for him! You painted a BIGGER TARGET on both of you!"

"I know…"

"Do you?! Because it seems like you acted on impulse without thinking about consequences!"

Mio pulled her knees to her chest. Looking very much like a child being scolded. "But I had to protect him."

Reina stopped pacing. Sighed. Sat down.

"I know," she said, more gently now. "I know you did. And I'm proud of you for facing your fear. But we need to be SMARTER about this."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry. Be CAREFUL." Reina looked at Akira. "You're okay?"

"Yeah. Shaken, but okay."

"Good." She pulled out her phone. "I'm calling Ren. Full-time security detail. No more walking alone. For either of you."

"Is that necessary?" Akira asked.

"A rogue vampire just tried to kill you in broad daylight. Yes. It's necessary."

Momo appeared from upstairs. "I heard yelling. What happened?"

"Boss went outside, punched a vampire, saved Akira, revealed herself publicly," Reina summarized.

"WHAT?! Boss went OUTSIDE?!" Momo's eyes went wide. "That's…that's huge! Did you take a selfie? Please tell me someone got video…"

"Momo."

"Right. Priorities. Safety first. Selfies later." But she was grinning at Mio. "Seriously though, Boss. That's amazing. You went outside."

"It was terrible," Mio muttered. "Everything was loud and bright and too much."

"But you did it anyway. For him." Momo's grin widened. "That's love, baby."

"Can everyone stop being PROUD of my reckless decision?" Mio groaned.

"No," Reina, Momo, and Akira said in unison.

Despite everything, Mio smiled slightly.

---------------------------------------------------

Saturday evening, 7 PM.

They were in the middle of discussing increased security measures when the doorbell rang.

Not the normal doorbell. The other one. The one that meant vampire business.

Reina went to answer it.

Returned carrying a letter. Traditional. Formal. Sealed with actual wax.

Everyone went silent.

"What is it?" Mio asked, though she already knew. Could feel it.

Reina opened it carefully. Read. Expression darkened.

"Summons. From the Elder Council."

Mio's face went white.

Reina read aloud: "Coven Lord Mio is hereby required to appear before the Elder Council to address concerns regarding recent public conduct and relationship practices. Attendance is mandatory. Failure to appear will result in sanctions including but not limited to: revocation of coven lord status, cessation of all business operations, and potential exile."

"When?" Akira asked.

Reina looked at the letter. "Tuesday. Three days."

Three days.

"In person?" Mio's voice was barely a whisper.

"In person. At the Council chamber in Kyoto."

Kyoto. Different city. Outside. Public speaking. Elders. Judgment.

Every single one of her fears. At once.

"You don't have to go," Akira said immediately.

"Yes I do." Mio's voice was shaking but determined. "This was always going to happen. They were always going to summon me eventually. The stream just accelerated the timeline."

"Sanctions could mean losing everything," Reina said quietly.

"I know."

"They could exile you."

"I know."

"So why go?"

Mio looked at Akira. Then at Reina and Momo. Her found family. The people she'd been fighting for.

"Because if I don't go, I prove them right. That progressive vampires are cowards. That we can't face scrutiny. That we're not worthy of changing vampire society." She stood, straightened her spine. "I have to go. I have to face them. I have to make my case."

"Even though you're terrified," Akira said.

"Especially because I'm terrified." She managed a small smile. "Someone wise once told me that being brave doesn't mean not being scared. It means being scared and doing it anyway."

"You're going to need a strategy," Reina said. "A defense. Evidence that your methods work."

"We have three days," Momo added. "We can prepare. Documentation. Testimonials. Data."

"And I'm coming with you," Akira said.

"You can't…"

"Watch me. They summoned you to answer questions about our relationship. I'm part of that relationship. I should be there."

"Akira, it's the ELDERS. Ancient vampires. They could…"

"What? Kill me?" He took her hand. "They could. But I'm not letting you face them alone."

She looked at him. Eyes shining.

"Together?" she asked quietly.

"Together."

Reina cleared their throat. "Well then. We have three days to prepare you to face the oldest, most traditional vampires in Japan. No pressure."

"None at all," Momo muttered.

Mio looked at the letter again. Official. Formal. Inescapable.

In three days, she'd have to leave the mansion. Go to Kyoto. Stand before the Council. Speak publicly. Defend everything she'd built.

She'd have to face every single one of her fears.

But she wouldn't be alone.

"Okay," she said, voice steadier now. "Let's prepare."

---------------------------------------------------

Outside, the sun was setting on Saturday.

Monday would be preparation.

Tuesday would be judgment.

And everything Mio had worked for: her dream, her revolution, her love, would be decided by vampires who believed the old ways were the only ways.

But she'd faced the internet. She'd faced going outside. She'd faced her own nature.

She could face the Elders.

She had to.

For everyone counting on her to prove that change was possible.

For Akira, who chose her every day despite the danger.

For herself, and the version of her that believed coexistence wasn't just a dream.

Three days.