by K. Grey
Upstairs most of the brothers had gathered in Lucien’s study already. Lucien was sitting behind his desk with a cup of coffee everyone else was scattered around the room standing or taking up what places there was to sit. Rhage and Talon joined Sloane on the other side of the room. It was only a few minutes before every one was there. When Lucien called a meeting everyone knew to be on time.
Lucien stood up with his coffee on his hand and thanked Alfred when he brought in a rolling cart of more coffee and a huge platter of sweets. Once everyone had wiped the cart clean and Alfred had taken an empty chair that was always saved for him. Lucien nodded his head.
“Now that we are ready…” Lucien moved around his desk. “As you all know the council will be here at dusk. I expect most of them to bring several of their own men. I want each of you making sure NOT one of them is too nosy. They are to be confined to the upper house only. I don’t want them snooping in the tunnels or underground rooms what so ever.” They all knew a few of the council members had been here, but not all of them at once. Lucien usually went to the council. Lucien wanted their privacy secured. “We will go on lock down two hours before they arrive. Keypad and thumb entry only…the cameras and all of security has been amped up.” Lucien sat down on the corner of his desk. “And once they meet Ava I want her secured at all times.” He looked at Rhage. “I just want all precautions covered. She means more to us than they do.”
Rhage nodded as everyone else echoed their agreement.
“Will any of the council be staying as guests?” Alfred asked.
“No… not this time.” Lucien trusted a few of the council members, but he didn’t trust any of them where Ava was concerned. “I plan to make sure they are long gone before sunrise. I want everyone to keep an eye on Vincent. You all know I think he is behind the nests of half breeds and I don’t have any proof. He is the one I want watched especially. I think he has pulled a few of the council members to his way of thinking.”
“Who?” one of the brothers asked.
“I just have suspicions, but I think four of them are bending to Vincent’s way. There are thirteen members as we all know and we can never allow Vincent to control the council. THAT I will never allow.” They all knew Vincent only got his seat on the council when his father had been murdered four hundred years ago. Council seats only passed from one member of the family’s house to another upon death.
“I will handle the council. Darius has a list of everyone’s duty and posts. As long as they are here we are going to stay on our toes.”
The brothers echoed their vow in agreement. Lucien nodded. He trusted everyone in this room.
The dining room which was the largest room on the main floors had been set up as the meeting room. Lucien greeted every council member as they entered the room. Vincent was the last one to arrive, but he wasn’t late. Lucien didn’t waste any time in getting started. He walked to the chair at the head of the table and took his seat. Each member of the council fell in step behind him.
Lucien leaned back in his chair and looked at the twelve men who filled the long table.
“Welcome to my home, gentlemen. Alfred has made sure there is food for you after the meeting… so I think we should get started.” He spoke loud and clear. “I want to start by seeing this photographs and discussing these rumors.” Each man began to pass envelopes across the table until they all were in front of Lucien. Lucien looked at a few and found they were all the same. Same photographs of him and Ava standing together next to the crumbled brownstone. There were two up close pictures of her face. The note was the same as well. It declared Ava as a blood mate and accused Lucien of keeping her a secret from the council. It also hinted that Lucien (not directly accusing which would be treason to the king and punished by death.) could be possibly breaking other laws that secured the future of immortals. Lucien handed the stack of folders to Darius who stood nearby.
“Is it true?” Alistair Sinclair asked from his chair. “Is she a blood mate? And is she human, Lucien?”
“Her name is Ava and yes she is human.” Lucien looked around at each one of them making it quite obvious he was reading them. Every one of them knew Lucien being the oldest could read any one. “As far as her being a blood mate she does have the mark, but nothing has been confirmed. You all know as well as I do blood mates aren’t human.”
“Then why haven’t you turned her over to the council for determination?” Vincent grant asked from his chair. He met Lucien’s gaze head on.
“Because she is human… despite some people among us believing otherwise humans aren’t our pets. They have rights. And she was being held by half breeds. The legion found her and she needed medical attention. She was brought here and I decided she would stay. She is human and doesn’t fall under the law of blood mates.” Lucien told Vincent not taking his gaze from him. “And it is no longer an issue.”
“Why not?” Vincent demanded. “If blood mates have evolved which is possible if a female blood mate did conceive from a human then she does fall under the law. The council has a right to determine this by law. A law which you helped create,
Lucien. Blood mates have dwindled over the years and this could be a huge thing for us.”
“I am aware of it, Vincent and I don’t need you or anyone else to remind me of the laws we live by. But it seems quite a few of you have forgotten who CREATED this council and who remains as king…” Lucien growled loud and clear. “If any of you have just cause to accuse me of breaking ANY law I decreed then say so now!” he challenged. His gaze went to each of them and lingered until each head bowed. He glared at Vincent last who stared back. “Do you challenge me, Vincent? If so here is your chance.”
“No…” Vincent bowed his head.
Abram who sat to Lucien’s right cleared his throat. “Lucien, you said earlier that the female was no longer an issue. What did you mean by that?”
“She has been claimed by her mate. The ceremony was performed last night. They took their vows and he was bonded.” Lucien watched several of the member glance around at each other in surprise. Lucien watched Vincent the most.
“I thought you said she wasn’t a blood mate?” Alistair asked.
“Ava is completely human and you can see that for yourself in just a few minutes when you meet her, but she has developed a connection with one of the brothers and they both agreed to the vows.” Lucien didn’t think they should know how strong the connection between them were. He didn’t feel bad or guilty about it either.
“He’s turned her?” one of the other members asked.
“Not yet. The ceremony took place last night and that would be between them.”
“Why such a hurry in a ceremony?” Vincent questioned.
Lucien shrugged. “I didn’t ask.” He smiled. “You all should know how impatient younger immortal males can be when they want something.”
“But she is completely human you said.” Another member added. “And yet she bears the mark.”
“True…” Lucien nodded. He couldn’t deny or hide that fact. He could hide some things to protect Ava, but that wasn’t one of them.
“This needs to be investigated…” Alistair began. “I mean no disrespect, Lucien, but if blood mates are evolving more to being human then it does need to be investigated. She may just be the first line to more.”
“It could be possible.” Lucien couldn’t argue with it. “But Ava is now a mated female our laws protects females above all others. She is off limits.” He stood up. “This concludes this meeting, gentlemen and ends any future discussion about Ava. This ends it right now.” He told them flatly. Most of them nodded.
Ava was nervous as hell and Rhage felt it. They waited in Lucien’s study. Rhage could hear everything that had been said in the dining room and he knew Darius was coming for them in just a few minutes. He had watched Ava pace enough. He left the chair he had been sitting in and stopped her mid stride.
‘Calm down, baby…’
he pulled her to him and tilted her face up so he could kiss her. ‘Everything is fine. Lucien is laying the law down to them. It is almost over.’ They had been talking silently so the council members nor their men could hear them.
‘I can’t help it…’ Ava admitted leaning against him. Her hands slid her hands up his arms. She loved running her fingers over the tribal tattoos that covered his biceps. There was a slight knock on the door become it opened. Rhage didn’t take his hands from her. Darius chuckled.
“You two are just like rabbits….”
“Shut up old man…” Rhage teased with a smirk. Ava giggled laying her cheek on Rhage’s chest. He wrapped his arms around her even more tangling his fingers in her hair.
“Lucien is ready…” they nodded.
Before they entered the dining room Ava took a deep breath and Darius opened the door. Rhage led her inside holding her hand. Ava saw the twelve intimidating men at the table. They quickly stood when she entered. Lucien was already standing and he turned toward her. Rhage escorted her across the room to Lucien who held out his hand to her. Ava took his hand as Rhage stood next to her.
“Gentlemen, this is ava lane mated to Rhage from the house of davenport. I also have taken a vow to Ava. She is my chosen family.” Ava saw the shock on the men’s faces. Lucien chuckled at their reaction. “If I don’t ever find a mate or bear an heir ava will inherit my holdings and even my seat on the council upon my death.”
“You can’t do that!”
“That’s outrageous!”
“A human as head of the council! That’s ridiculous!”
Those were only a few of what Ava heard when Lucien made his announcement. She was just as shocked as the men at the table and everyone else. She forgot they were there and snapped her head around to look at Lucien.
“Have you lost your mind?” she demanded. “I don’t want anything to do with these jerks!”
Lucien laughed at her. “It’s done, ava….” He then glared at the council members who were still voicing their obvious outrage over it. “ENOUGH!” he roared and it echoed throughout the room. Ava jumped at his side and the council member went silent.
“Apparently I need to remind you, I AM KING! There is NO law preventing me from doing it! I decreed Ava my family in front of witnesses. She may not be my blood, but it doesn’t change it. She is now a Devereau.” Lucien stiffened when he felt all the disapproval and outrage over his decision. Every man there at the table was stunned and yet out raged. Lucien hadn’t told anyone of his decision to make Ava his heir. He had thought of it only while he was sleeping early that morning. He wanted to secure her safety and future in any way he could. He believed more than anything that Ava was indeed a part of their future. Not the way the council thought though. “It is done…”
Not one of the council said a word. Each one of them slowly lowered their heads in acceptance. Lucien noticed Vincent was the last one to do so. Ava watched it too and she also saw the man at the end of the table glare at her when he lowered his head. Ava knew he had to be Vincent and she didn’t like the way he glared at her. If looks could kill she would be dead several times over. She could feel it. She knew every member of the council would see her dead before Lucien’s wishes were carried out. She prayed Lucien didn’t die any time soon. She didn’t want anything to do with the council. And later when they were alone she planned to give him an earful for this.
“Is there any more questions about ava or any other business you need to discuss tonight?” Lucien questioned. When no one said anything Lucien nodded. “Good… then you are welcome to the food Alfred has set out for you.”
Ava had her hand on Lucien’s arm and she squeezed slightly getting his attention. He seemed to know what she was asking. She didn’t want to stay in the dining room. She didn’t feel comfortable with the other men around. When he nodded and winked at her she smiled. She couldn’t help it. She turned and closed the small distance to Rhage who slipped his arm around her. He pulled her to his side when a member of the council approached them. Ava tensed up.
“I wanted to introduce myself…I’m Abram Langston.” He didn’t offer his hand, but lowered his head in show of respect. Abram then looked at Rhage. “It is good to see you again, Rhage…I saw your father a couple of months ago in London. He was looking well.”
Rhage didn’t say anything right away, but he nodded. “I’m glad he is doing well. Excuse us, Abram… It was good to see you, but I need to see to my mate…”
“Of course.” Abram smiled at Ava. “You are very lucky, Rhage, to have found a mate. I hope to get to know you at a later date, Ava, when you are more
Comfortable with us.”
“Thank you…” ava nodded. “I hope you have a safe trip back home.”
“You’re very kind…” he nodded again before Rhage led her out of the room. As they walked down the hall toward the kitchen Rhage kept her close to him. They weren’t alone either, four of the brothers were with them.
‘You’ve never mentioned your father to me before…’ Ava told Rhage silently.
‘He isn’t worth mentioning…’
‘Why not?’
‘I haven’t seen either of them in maybe seventy-five years or more. I prefer it that way.’
‘Why?’ she felt him tense up. She had a feeling this wasn’t going to be good. She could feel him try to keep her from feeling his emotions.
She stopped walking so he had to stop and look down at her. Rhage couldn’t help the anger he felt when his parents were mentioned. He knew he couldn’t hide it or stop Ava from feeling it from him. He had been dealing with it for more years than he wanted to think about. He met her wide sea blue eyes. He knew she had no idea what he had dealt with and he never wanted her to be exposed to their venom. She was everything good and pure. They were evil and sucked the life out of everything around them. When he walked away from them many centuries ago he never looked back. Their paths did cross on occasion, but he never once sought them out. He never would. Ava was all he needed. She was where he belonged.
He reached up and caressed her cheek. ‘They would never win any parental awards. Hell! They wouldn’t even register. They aren’t good people, Ava. I don’t mention them because I prefer to forget them all together.’ As he spoke Ava felt his pain before he hid it from her. They hadn’t been good parents to him. She had been abandoned as a baby--- left for dead, but she had been lucky to have been adopted by loving wonderful people. She knew he hadn’t been so lucky with his biological parents. She moved closer to him and placed her hand along his jaw slowly running her thumb across his bottom lip.
‘Then the only thing that matters now is I have you…’ she told him. Rhage nodded before nipping at her thumb playfully. He was about to kiss her when they heard Talon chuckle. “The whole talking between you two is creepy…”
“Shut up Talon.” Rhage kissed her forehead quickly and they continued walking.
“Ava he is being mean to me…” Talon laughed.
“You deserve it! He missed kissing my mouth all together ‘cause you interrupted!” Ava snapped giving him a dirty look. Rhage chuckled.
“She is on my side, Talon!”
Have you lost your mind?” ava demanded later after all the council members had left. Lucien had called her, Rhage, Darius, Talon and Sloane into his study to discuss things, but Ava didn’t waste a minute in saying what she thought.
“I mean you have totally lost your mind, Lucien!”
“Just so you know, Ava… you are the only person who has ever questioned my decisions…” he told her trying not to smile. He had glared at the others when they chuckled at her comments.
“Well….I’m sure most of the decisions you make aren’t so stupid… I can’t believe you did that!” Lucien sat on the corner of his desk and quirked an eyebrow at her. Ava shrugged a shoulder. “You like my honesty…”
He rolled his eyes. “I’m beginning to rethink that….”
; “You need to rethink making me your heir! Lucien, I’m human!”
“I know that…and I do know what I’m doing…”
“I’d like to know the reasons. I’m sure I am the first human an immortal has claimed as an heir.”
“You know you don’t have a human’s life span any more right?” he asked her.
“And when you’re turned you will be immortal.”
“She isn’t ready for that, Lucien…” Rhage told him. He knew that scared Ava without her even saying it.
“Even without turning, ava, your life span isn’t like a human’s any more. You are mated to an immortal which means you won’t grow old and die any time soon.”
“I get that, but I’m still human...” she shook her head.
“Not an ordinary one. We all know that now. So I think that makes you the exception.” He watched her roll her eyes. “This way no one dares to harm you. As my heir they would be committing treason against the royal family. That is punishable by death no question.”
“Did you think that the bastard creating the half breeds isn’t really gonna care about that? I mean he is siring half breeds and THAT will get him killed too so what would he worry about a little thing about me being your family...”
“I know.” Lucien sighed. “But this way EVERY one knows your position now and they know what that entails. The council can’t demand you be given to their custody.” Ava nodded and Lucien reached out to caress her cheek. Lucien would do any and every thing to protect her. He had lost Lissette, but he wouldn’t lose Ava. She had become his family. “I know what I’m doing.” He watched her nod again.
When everyone left Rhage pulled Ava down on his lap. She leaned against him enjoying his arms around her. She felt safe with all of them. They had indeed become her family, but Rhage… where ever he was, was where she belonged. She loved him. It was fast, but it was right. She knew this was completely and utterly right.