Keys to the Repository Part 7

However, the Code of the Vampires mandates that a representative from each of the seven houses is needed for a quorum of seven to pa.s.s changes to the Code of the Vampires and to call for a White Vote, the election of a new Regis.

Domus Magnificat: House of Riches Traditionally the seat of the wealthiest family in the Coven, the House of Riches is currently represented by Josiah Rockefeller Archibald, whose family built Rockefeller Center. The House of Riches is responsible for the health of the Coven's financial security. Other families who have held this position include the Schlumbergers and the Whitneys.

Domus Stella Aquillo: House of the Northern Star The House of the Northern Star spearheads one of the biggest benefactors of art programs in the country, and is currently represented by Ambrose Barlow.

Domus Veritas: House of the Venators Represented by Abe Tompkins, the House of the Venators is the voice of the Truth Seekers on the council and responsible for the security and protection of the Coven. Other families who have held this position include the Van Horns.

Domus Preposito: House of the Stewards The seat on the council traditionally awarded to the family of the Regent, the House of the Stewards was represented by Forsyth Llewellyn until his disgrace and disappearance, and before him by Nan Cutler. Other families who have held this position include the Stewart family, who derived their last name from having held this post for many centuries.

Domus Domina: House of the Gray Lady, also known more commonly as the House of Records The position in the council that oversees the records of the cycles of Expression, Expulsion, and Evolution. Currently represented by Minerva Morgan, this seat was formerly filled by the Carondolet family.

Domus Lamia: House of the Vampyres The House of the Vampyres oversees vampirehuman relations, and its representative is also the head of the Conspiracy Subcommittee, which keeps the false myths and misleading legends about the Blue Bloods alive in Red Blood society. Currently represented by Seymour Corrigan, who is cousin to Edmund Oelrich, the Chief Warden who perished in the Rio ma.s.sacre.

Domus Fortis Valerius Incorruptus: House of the Pure Blood, of the Uncorrupted, of the Valiant and the Strong, Protector of the Garden, Commander of the Lord's Armies The seat on the council given to the family of the reigning Regis, since the beginning of time the seat has been held by Michael and Gabrielle's line; the Van Alen line is currently represented by Mimi Force since Charles Force's disappearance.

THE COMMITTEE.

"The Committee" is Blue Blood shorthand for the vast number of charitable causes, educational inst.i.tutions, and foundations that are run by the Coven members.h.i.+p. The Committee has been responsible for the preservation of some of New York's most important landmarks and has funded many of the city's most prestigious cultural inst.i.tutions. Under its official public name, the New York Blood Bank, it has raised money for blood research, HIV and AIDS, and hemophilia. To outsiders, it appears sn.o.bby, cliquish, and exclusive to the extreme; to insiders, it is sovereign.

Committee members are called Wardens. All Blue Blood families registered with the Coven are invited to join; most individuals receive their members.h.i.+p invitation around the age of fifteen, coinciding with their Transformation into immortal. Under his tenure as Regis, Lawrence Van Alen opened the Committee members.h.i.+p to include human Conduits; this policy was quickly revoked by Forsyth Llewellyn. It has yet to be reinstated.

The Committee's Chief Warden is in charge of educating and ushering the newest generation of vampires to adulthood and imbuing them with the spirit of the vampires' mission on Earth: to bring light, truth, beauty, and art, and to bring Paradise to their Earthly home.

APPENDIX A:.

List of Secondary Characters Abeville, Toby: Blue Blood groom who gets bonded in Bali to Daisy Van Horn.

Adriana: Housekeeper at the d.u.c.h.esne school Almeida, Don Alfonso ("Alfie"): An Elder from the South American Coven, his family is part of the Blue Blood contingent that moved to Brazil in 1808, when the Portuguese royal family and many n.o.bles chose to flee from, rather than fight, the Red Blood conqueror Napoleon. The Rio Conclave said he went missing during his yearly sojourn into the Andes, and it was suspected that he had fallen victim to a Silver Blood attack. He returned seemingly unharmed, but we now believe he had been Corrupted in a Silver Blood ruse to bring the New York Conclave to Rio for slaughter. He hosted the dinner party where they were all murdered.

Almeida, Dona Beatrice: The wife of Alfonso Almeida, suspected to have also been Corrupted by the Silver Bloods Amory, Summer: A Blue Blood debutante found drained by a Silver Blood in her penthouse apartment in Trump Tower. Her last name is frequently misspelled as "Armory" in the Repository Files (interns: please correct immediately).

Anders, George: One of the former Conduits who now serves as a librarian at the Repository Anderson, Christopher: Lawrence Van Alen's human Conduit for almost seventy years. After Lawrence's murder on Corcovado, Anderson chose freedom and forced amnesia rather than a position as a Repository scribe, but not before sending Schuyler and Oliver to Countess Isabelle for help.

Andrews, James, M.D. : Dr. Andrews was the doctor in charge of Dylan Ward at Transitions rehabilitation center.

Anka (No Last Name Given): The designer of St.i.tched for Civilization, a high-end jeans line. She hired Schuyler and Bliss for an advertising campaign.

Archibald, Josiah Rockefeller: Retired from the Conclave for years, he was called back to serve as Inquisitor after the Rio Ma.s.sacre. As one of the seven ruling Wardens, he represents Domus Magnificat, the House of Riches.

Bank, Charlie: Another teenage vampire sent to Transitions for "rehab" during his Transformation Barlow, Ambrose: One of the oldest living Elders in this cycle, Ambrose Barlow was relieved from emeritus status and called back to duty in the Conclave after the Rio Ma.s.sacre. In Rome he was Caligula's foreman Brittanicus before Caligula's Corruption was discovered. In The Van Alen Legacy (Repository Record #404), when Bliss Llewellyn heard Forsyth and the Visitor mocking him, she a.s.sumed he must be one of the good guys and sent him an anonymous letter warning him that Forsyth was dangerous. Though Ambrose shared this letter with Minerva Morgan and Mimi, he was not strong enough to vote against Forsyth in the White Vote. He represents Domus Stella Aquillo, House of the Northern Star.

Barlow, Margery: Elder emeritus, wife of Ambrose Campbell, Superintendent: Police official a.s.signed to investigate the disappearance of Maggie Stanford Carondolet, Augusta ("Aggie"): A Blue Blood student at d.u.c.h.esne and one of Mimi's crew of clones (platinum hair, spoiled-bratt.i.tude), Aggie was the first victim of the New York slayings.

The Red Bloods were told her death was caused by a drug overdose, but in reality she was found fully drained in a back room at Block 122.

Carondolet, Cus.h.i.+ng and Sloane: Aggie's parents; they were kicked out of the Conclave for a time following her death for showing anti-Committee sentiment and calling for the White Vote.

They returned to serve on the council after Lawrence Van Alen was made Regis. The couple perished during the Rio ma.s.sacre.

Carter, Muriel ("m.u.f.fie") Astor: One of most popular Blue Blood socialites, she was educated at Miss Porter's and Va.s.sar and enjoyed a successful career in public relations before marrying Dr. Sheldon Carter. She is the hostess of an annual fas.h.i.+on show at her Hamptons estate, benefiting the New York Blood Bank, where Bliss made her return to modeling after the tragedy in Rio.

Carter, Sheldon, M.D. : A Blue Blood plastic surgeon and m.u.f.fie Astor's husband Castaneda, Don Alejandro: Blue Blood heir to his father's sugar and beverage fortune, whose bonding to Danielle Russell was planned by Lizbet Tilton Chantal: The booking editor of Chic magazine; a small, short, pinched-looking woman with a pixie haircut and cat's-eye gla.s.ses Chen, Dehua: A young vampire from the Blue Blood coven based in Shanghai. Xi w.a.n.gmu, Angel of Immortality, was presented at the Four Hundred Ball along with her twin, Deming Chen.

Chen, Deming: A young vampire from the Blue Blood Coven based in Shanghai. Kuan Yin, Angel of Mercy, was presented at the Four Hundred Ball in New York. Twin to Dehua Chen.

Corrigan, Seymour: A Warden emeritus called back to duty in the Conclave after Rio. He led the proceedings at the White Vote called by Forsyth Llewellyn.

Coubertin, Baron de: The baron served as human Conduit to the Countess of Paris and was the key to an audience with her. The demon Leviathan shape-s.h.i.+fted into his form at the Bal des Vampires, and the real Baron de Coubertin was found dead in the River Seine the next day.

Cus.h.i.+ng, John, Reverend: Officiated at the wedding of Caroline Vanderbilt to Alfred, Lord Burlington Cyrus: Rolf Morgan's "spastic showrunner" who runs and produces Rolf 's fas.h.i.+on shows Danilo: Mimi's hairdresser Devons.h.i.+re, Duke and d.u.c.h.ess of: The parents of Alfred, Lord Burlington Doris: Forsyth Llewellyn's secretary d.u.c.h.esne, Margeurite: Belgian governess to the Flood heiresses who founded the d.u.c.h.esne School Dupont, Eliza: Priscilla's niece who took her place on the Conclave after Priscilla's untimely demise Dupont, Gina: Charles Force's human familiar, whom Mimi understands is more than her father's mistress. Gina is unrelated to the Blue Blood Duponts.

Dupont, Priscilla: Chief Warden and head of the Committee, she was a well-known Blue Blood socialite whose regal visage regularly graced the weekly social columns. Her untimely death during the attack at the Repository ushered in the rule of Lawrence Van Alen, as the Coven could no longer deny the return of the Silver Bloods.

Ess.e.x, Marquis of: Best man at the wedding of Lord Burlington and Caroline Vanderbilt, following the disappearance of Lord Burlington's former fiancee, Maggie Stanford Farnsworth, Linda: A short, squat woman with crinkly hair and an overall dowdy appearance, which is surprising considering her position as founder of Farnsworth Models. Linda's girls, including Bliss, Mimi, and Schuyler, grace the runways of Bryant Park, the billboards of Times Square, and the pages of Chic magazine.

Flood, Armstrong, Captain: Founder of the Flood Oil Company Flood, Rose Elizabeth: Wife of Captain Armstrong Flood who donated the family home (Flood mansion) to the d.u.c.h.esne School when her three daughters died during the sinking of the S.S. Endeavor during an Atlantic crossing.

Frost, Brannon: The Blue Blood editor in chief of Chic magazine Getty, Natalie: A Blue Blood teen killed by Silver Bloods in the New York slayings Hazard, Patricia, M.D. : Oliver's aunt and the Blue Bloods' trusted doctor, she watches over the New York Coven's health at her posh Fifth Avenue office.

In particular, she observes their Transformations, especially Schuyler's unusual case as half vampire, half human.

Henri of Orleans, Crown Prince of France (deposed), also known as Henri Bourbon and Henri, Count of Paris: The late Blue Blood husband of Countess Isabelle, he would have been heir to the French throne had the Revolution never happened. Isabelle took his position as Regis of the European Conclave after his pa.s.sing from the current cycle.

Isabelle of Orleans, the Countess of Paris: Hostess of the Bal des Vampires and former owner of the Hotel Lambert, the countess is the Regis of the European Conclave and former friend of Lawrence and Cordelia Van Alen. Schuyler and Oliver traveled to Paris seek her aid when the New York Conclave decided that Schuyler was responsible for Lawrence's death. The American and the European covens became estranged when the Blue Bloods left the Old World.

Isabelle never had much faith in Michael as Regis. She is an imposing woman, regal and beautiful, with coal-black hair. At the end of The Van Alen Legacy, Schuyler, now with Jack, finally was granted an audience with the countess, who gave them refuge and protection. However, in a twist, it was revealed that the countess was Drusilla in a past cycle, Caligula's beloved sister, and perhaps her old allegiance to Lucifer still runs deep.

Jackson, Hattie: Cordelia and Schuyler Van Alen's loyal maid, she and Julius watch over the house on Riverside Drive and essentially raised the (for all intents and purposes) motherless Schuyler.

Jackson, Julius: Cordelia Van Alen's personal driver. Married to Hattie.

Jones, Jonas: The famously incorrigible Blue Blood fas.h.i.+on photographer and d.u.c.h.esne alum; also a filmmaker and painter Keaton, Alice: Chantal's a.s.sistant at Chic, who goes by her last name Lennox, Sam and Ted: Twin brothers and Venators on Mimi and Kingsley's team Leslie, Honor: Another teenage vampire sent to Transitions for "rehab" during her transformation Llewellyn, Dennis (Pap-Pap): Bliss's beloved grandfather and Forsyth's father, he was a rebel from a Texas oil family who stayed East after boarding school, married a Connecticut debutante, and raised his family on Fifth Avenue until the stock market sent them back to the Texas homestead.

Manuela: The Llewellyn family's maid who works in their Hamptons property Marie: Lawrence Van Alen's Italian landlady whom he impersonates when Schuyler chases him through the ca.n.a.ls of Venice McCall, Wesley: Another vampire teen at Transitions. He told Ally Elli about Dylan's memorial service, who in turn told Bliss.

Morgan, Minerva: Along with Ambrose Barlow, one of the oldest living Elders, Minerva Morgan was called back to duty in the Conclave. She was one of Cordelia Van Alen's oldest friends and former chairwoman of the New York Garden Society. Like Ambrose, she was suspicious of Forsyth but too weak to vote against him in the White Vote.

Morgan, Randy: Rolf 's wife and first model, the quintessential "Morgan" girl Morgan, Rolf: A designer of preppie, old-boy style. He selected Bliss as the new face of his line.

Oelrich, Edmund: A famous art historian and gallery owner in his private life, in the Blue Blood realm he replaced Priscilla Dupont as Chief Warden after she was killed by a Silver Blood. Perished in the Rio ma.s.sacre.

Phillips, Henri: Bliss's modeling agent, who visits her to lend his condolences and to offer her a job Potter, Charlotte: The woman Bliss was told was the mother she never knew. She was supposedly a schoolteacher her father met on his first campaign trail, but there are no wedding alb.u.ms or heirlooms. It is the Repository's belief that Charlotte Potter is a fictional creation, a lie told by Forsyth Llewellyn.

Renfield: One of the older and more crotchety human librarians at the Repository. He takes his job very seriously.

Riberio, Yana: A young vampire of the Rio Coven. She was feared missing but had only absconded with her boyfriend. This may have been a Silver Blood ruse to bring about the Rio ma.s.sacre.

Rockefeller, Dorothea: Conclave Elder who perished during the Rio ma.s.sacre. She also guest-lectured at a Committee meeting and taught the fledging vampires how to transform themselves into smoke, fog, or air (the mutatio).

Russell, Danielle: Another of Lizbet Tilton's Blue Blood clients. A recent Brown grad bonded to her twin, Don Alejandro Castaneda.

Schlessinger, Landon: A Blue Blood teen killed during the New York slayings Schlumberger, Esme: Conclave Elder who perished during the Rio ma.s.sacre. She called Alfonso Almeida an "old coot" during a Conclave meeting.

Shriver, Morgan: The cute nineteen-year-old college student who became Bliss's first human familiar on a photo shoot in Montserrat.

Bliss came close to draining him accidentally, but he recovered, only to become infatuated with her.

Smith, Perfection: The makeup artist on Bliss and Schuyler's St.i.tched for Civilization shoot Sorboba, Sarina: Incredibly tall Eastern European model who was much favored by fas.h.i.+on designers Stewart, Brooks: Conclave Elder who perished during the Rio ma.s.sacre. Had a coughing fit when Kingsley Martin appears, alive and unharmed, during a Conclave meeting.

St. James, Grayson: A Blue Blood teen killed during the New York slayings Sully: Mimi and Jack's chauffeur Tilton, Elizabeth (Lizbet): The event planner Mimi hired to plan her bonding to Jack; famous for her lavish events Tompkins, Abe: An Elder, once emeritus on the Conclave, called back to duty after the slaughter in Rio. As a former Venator he represents Domus Veritas, House of the Venators.

Vanderbilt, Ava: Younger sister of Caroline and maid of honor at her sister's wedding to Lord Burlington in 1872 Vanderbilt, Caroline: Eldest daughter of Admiral and Mrs.

Vanderbilt who marries Lord Burlington after the disappearance of his fiancee, Maggie Stanford Vanderbilt, Admiral Sloane and Elizabeth: Parents of the Vanderbilt girls, Ava and Caroline Van Horn, Daisy: Blue Blood bride who has a destination bonding to Toby Abeville in Bali Van Horn, Das.h.i.+ell: Conclave Elder who persished during the Rio ma.s.sacre. Daisy is his daughter.

Verdugo, Balthazar: The designer at m.u.f.fie Astor Carter's annual Hamptons fas.h.i.+on show Whitney, Alice: Conclave Elder who represents the House of the Seven Sisters Wilc.o.x, Patrice: The stern, no-nonsense, all-black-wearing fas.h.i.+on director of Chic Partial List of d.u.c.h.esne Students Blue Blood Students Applegate, Cicely: Part of Mimi Force's crew of clones Crandall, Piper: The school's biggest gossip and a valuable Repository intern Cutting, Bryce: Good friend to Jack Force; member of the lacrosse team Forbes, Lucy: Head Girl. Senior (Repository Record #303 misidentified as a Red Blood, possibly due to Venator Force's dislike of her). Reported that Mimi abused her human familiars by not waiting the mandatory forty-eight-hour rest period before feeding on them again.

Frost, Willow: Brannon Frost's daughter Harris, Lissy: A friend of Mimi's and an attendant at her wedding in Newport during an earlier cycle Kemble, Susan ("Soos") Kernochan, Francis ("Froggy") Kip, James Andrew ( Jamie): Red Blood Allison Ellison's boy friend; also dated Ava Breton, another Red Blood King, Rufus Langdon, Bozeman ("Booze") McMillan, Blair: His father owns the largest record label in the world Robinson, Bennet: Mimi supposedly threw up on his terrace during a DisOrientation party her freshman year Sheridan, Katie: A friend of Mimi's Tuckerman, Carter: Junior Committee secretary Van Rensslaer, Stella Red Blood Students While the students at d.u.c.h.esne mostly come from old Blue Blood families, a number of Red Bloods have also been allowed to enroll.

Most of the human families are either very wealthy or connected to the Blue Bloods in some way. There are also students who have been granted financial aid and scholars.h.i.+ps, in order to make the school more "diverse."

Breton, Ava: A very popular Red Blood in Bliss's cla.s.s, whose friends are almost all Blue Bloods, though she doesn't know it. She was Jamie Kip's familiar and girlfriend before he ditched her for Allison Ellison.

Ellison, Allison (Ally Elli): A Red Blood from d.u.c.h.esne and Jamie Kip's girlfriend and human familiar. A scholars.h.i.+p kid from Queens, she is nonetheless very popular for her outerborough "exoticism." Ally told Bliss about Dylan's memorial service and the drug overdose cover-up of his death.

Mullins, Kitty: Jack's human familiar; however, it appears he did not make use of the relations.h.i.+p very much, as Mimi describes him as always "tired and drained."

Walsh, Haley: A girl in Bliss's Ancient Civilizations cla.s.s who thinks "Senior year is going to rock!"

Partial List of d.u.c.h.esne Faculty and Administration Mr. Anthony: A boyish recent Yale grad and (overly) enthusiastic chemistry teacher. Dismissed from d.u.c.h.esne for getting a student pregnant.

Mr. Korgan: Mr. Anthony's boring, old replacement Cecil Malloy: Dean of Students at d.u.c.h.esne. Not an alum but "a very adequate facsimile."

Mr. Orion: A mustachioed, curly-haired Brown graduate with a penchant for oversized sweaters. He teaches Ethics and English.

Madame Fraley: French teacher who looks like she's been at the school since the 1880s (most likely a Blue Blood Enmortal) APPENDIX B:.

A Partial List of Canine Familiars Canine familiars are part of a vampire's soul transferred into the physical world to protect young Blue Bloods until they come into complete control of their powers. Canine protectors routinely merge back into the Blue Blood upon completion of their mission. The current generation of Blue Bloods is the most talented yet, and because none of the canine familiars have made an appearance since the attack at the cathedral, we may conclude that perhaps the young Blue Bloods are in close to full possession of their abilities. In the past, traumatic events have shown to make a young vampire grow up more quickly than expected.

BEAUTY.

Schuyler Van Alen Bloodhound (highest rank) According to Schuyler's journal (left in the 101st Street mansion and discovered by the Repository upon her disappearance), Beauty followed her home one day.

MISS ELLIE.

Bliss Llewellyn Chihuahua Bliss's Chihuahua canine familiar, named after her favorite character on Dallas PATCH.

Jack Force Bloodhound (highest rank) Jack's canine familiar, a bloodhound he found the same evening that Mimi found Pookie POOKIE.

Mimi Force Chow chow Mimi's canine familiar, a chow she found on the beach at the Hamptons SNOW WHITE.

Aggie Carondolet Chihuahua Aggie Carondolet's Chihuahua canine familiar, which she liked to dress in outfits that matched her own APPENDIX C:.

Dictionary of Terms Author's Note: All words in italic are from the Sacred Language.

Abomination: Silver Bloods are called Abominations because they are vampires who have sucked the blood of their own kind and consumed their spirit. They carry the tortured souls of their victims in one body.

Absed Abysso: "Go back to h.e.l.l." A command to a banish a Silver Blood back to its rightful home Adventurers Club: An elite Blue Blood organization founded in the early eighteenth century as a meeting place for like-minded globe-trotters eager to doc.u.ment and share their research and theories on natural and geographic phenomenon, located across from the Knickerbocker Club and Metropolitan Museum of Art on Fifth Avenue Advoco Adiuvo: An invocation that Schuyler uses, per Cordelia's instructions, so Lawrence will recognize her in Venice Alienari: A common trick of the Silver Bloods, used to disguise themselves as someone else Alt.i.thronus: Audio recordings kept in the Repository of History Animadverto: The vampire ability of "intelligent sight," or an immense and perfect photographic memory so powerful a vampire has the ability to read and remember entire libraries Aperio Oris: An incantation demanding that one reveal oneself Argento Croatus: Silver Blood Bal des Vampires: A party and congress held every other year by the European Coven. It was to be the party to end all parties at the Hotel Lambert before it was given over to its new owners. The celebration was infiltrated by Silver Bloods hunting for Schuyler.

Bivio: A crossroads; a primal source of strength and power Black Fire: The only thing that can destroy the sangre azul and kill an immortal vampire Black Spells: Spells pertaining to the Dark Matter Blade of Justice: Michael's sword, one of only two archangels'

swords in the world, the other being Gabrielle's. Only an archangel's sword can kill another archangel.

Blood Bond: The holy matrimony and immortal bond between two vampires whose souls were twinned in Heaven. Occasionally vampire twins are born as siblings in the human world. Bondmates are obligated to renew their vows in every cycle with a ceremony, usually in their twenty-first year, when they have come into their memories and powers and can recognize their spouse in his or her new physical sh.e.l.l. All it takes is for the couple to exchange the vow "I give myself to you" to become irrevocably one for that cycle.

Only one couple in Blue Blood history has broken this bond-when Gabrielle forsook Michael for her human familiar.

After the bond, the vampires are stronger, but if the bond is broken, the betrayed vampire may bring the other to a blood trial, to face a sentence of death.

Blood-lock: The most powerful security system in the Blue Blood a.r.s.enal; it only opens for the blood of an angel Blood Manifest (Transformation): The process in which a vampire's blue blood cells, their vampire DNA, starts to take over, typically around age fifteen. The fangs grow in, the body switches from needing nourishment from food to needing nourishment from human blood, memories of previous cycles start to come back, and specific powers begin to manifest. The process can make the young vampire weak, and may include memory shock, dizziness, and sickness.

Blood Marks: The blue marks that appear on the arms of young vampires during their Transformation. They look like a sapphire light s.h.i.+ning through the skin. The marks are a map of the vampire's personal histories-the sangre azul a.s.serting itself.

Blood Trial: The process in which the most serious offenses against the Code of the Vampires are resolved. It requires the blood and memories of the accused to be consumed in order to tell true memory from false. The trial can only be performed by Gabrielle, as one of the highest-ranking Venators. Schuyler inherited her mother's gift. The Blood Trial involves a great risk of temptation for the one who performs it. If the accused is found guilty, the offender's blood will be burned in complete destruction.

Blue Bloods: Vampires: fallen angels doomed to live their eternal lives on Earth. They have superhuman speed, hyperintelligence, a photographic memory, and heightened senses. They live by the Code of the Vampires, which is a pledge to bring peace and beauty to the world. They do not abuse their human familiars or feed on their own kind.

Book of Laws: The Blue Blood record of all investigations, judgments, and punishments Breath of G.o.d: The ability of any Blue Blood to bring light to the tunnels of Lutetia with a wave of the hand above a torch Burning: The burning the blood of a vampire, thus destroying the immortal blood and all its memories The Call: The hypnotizing seduction a vampire can use to call a human to him or her for the Caerimonia Osculor Caerimonia Osculor (the Sacred Kiss): The regulated ritual of feeding on a human familiar's blood. There are stringent rules, as no human is ever to be abused or fully drained. The Code of the Vampires forbids performing the kiss on another vampire. The Sacred Kiss marks a human as the vampire's own-they will always be bonded.

Candidus Suffragium (the White Vote): A vote for the leaders.h.i.+p of the Coven; it must be unanimous. The White Vote should only be called if a Conclave member feels that the Regis is not leading the Coven properly. It has been called in America only three times: in Plymouth, after Roanoke, when John Carver attempted to unseat Myles Standish; in New York, after the Silver Blood was called to the Repository, and Lawrence van Alen replaced Charles Force; and by Forsyth Llewellyn, after Paris, where Mimi Force prevented a unanimous vote.

The Code of the Vampires (the Code, or the Blue Blood Code): A stringent rule of ethics, not unlike the Ten Commandments. The Blue Bloods hope the Code will help bring about their eventual return to Paradise. It states that humans are not to be dominated or toyed with, but to be respected, so that the Blue Bloods will bring light and harmony and peace to this world.

Compulsion: A seed of an idea that can be placed by a vampire using the glom The Conclave of Elders (the Conclave): The Coven's highest leaders.h.i.+p. The Conclave makes decisions for the future of the race.

Conduit: A Blue Blood's human a.s.sistant and caretaker who helps him (or her) navigate the human world and keep the Blue Blood existence a secret. A position of exalted servitude, many Conduit families serve their Blue Blood families for hundreds of years as doctors, lawyers, accountants, financiers, and even best friends.

Every member of a vampire family is a.s.signed a Conduit at birth, but many have let go of their Conduits in recent years. If a vampire expires, a Conduit is given two choices: work in the Repository, or have his or her memory erased.

The Conspiracy: A subset of the Committee, dedicated to keeping the existence of the Blue Bloods a secret from the Red Bloods by spreading false information and legends. Many of the myths are rooted in truth.

Consummo Alienari: The little known fifth factor of the glom. It allows complete control over another's mind, subsuming the other's will. For Red Bloods it means instant death; for vampires irrevocable paralysis.

Contineo: A spell that holds a ward in place Corruption: The process by which a Blue Blood becomes a Silver Blood. By marking a Blue Blood vampire with the Sacred Kiss, the Silver Blood poisons the sangre azul, turning the Blue Blood into a monster like itself. It is not an immediate transformation however, and the poisoning is dependent on the amount of blood drawn from the victim. The process can be reversed, or stopped with adequate intervention. The Corruption is complete once the infected Blue Blood takes a fellow Blue Blood vampire to Full Consumption, taking another immortal spirit into its own consciousness.

Coven: A group of vampires living in an area and registered with the Blue Blood community (ex: the New York Coven, the European Coven) Croatan: An ancient name for the Silver Bloods, meaning "Abomination"

Cycle of Expression: What vampires call the length of their lifetimes. After approximately one hundred years, the physical sh.e.l.l expires, leaving only a single drop of blue blood, which will be implanted in a vampire woman when it is time to call up the spirit for another cycle. Between cycles the vampire rests, evolving, until his or her next Expression. The closely monitored cycles are key to the Blue Bloods' continued invisibility to the world.