by Cege Smith
“Good.” Then Connor turned his attention back to the man standing in front of him. He had to trust that Tobias was still playing both sides, and had not led Angeline astray with the herbs he gave to her. It gave him a small measure of comfort to know that although she was raised a royal, Eric Robart had not shied away from teaching his only daughter to fight. With her added wraith abilities, he was certain she could hold her own in a physical match-up. Her encounter with Elvry, an elder who was over three hundred years old, had proven that.
Connor crossed his arms to mimic Bryant and purposely yawned. “I assume we are both here to watch over the proceedings and ensure everyone holds up their end of the bargain that this remains a civil conversation. Why don’t you get out of my way, so we don’t delay the proceedings any further?”
“Why don’t we step outside? There are some issues of etiquette that the First Seat asked me to address with you,” Bryant said with a sidelong smirk.
Connor wasn’t planning to go anywhere with Bryant. He was acutely aware that Angeline was outnumbered in the middle of a snake pit. He wasn’t about to leave her alone. The twenty feet that divided them was already more room between them than he found comfortable.
“The Queen requires my presence here for the time being, but thank you for the invitation. If you have a parchment or something along those lines to review about said etiquette, I’ll be happy to do so before visiting Tanagor again,” Connor quipped.
Bryant was taller than him by almost a hand and easily weighed twice as much. Although the odds would seem to be stacked in Bryant’s favor, Connor had been trained by Monroe, and he figured that actually gave him the advantage. He would welcome a fight with Bryant but only at the appropriate time. He wasn’t willing to do anything to jeopardize Angeline’s already tenuous position with the Clan council by giving them an excuse to damn her because of his actions.
“You think you are a funny one.” It wasn’t a question, but a statement.
“I know my responsibilities,” Connor said. “Unless you want to cause a scene, I suggest you move out of my way.”
“You have no power here. The spell on this room protects anyone inside from being harmed by supernatural means,” Bryant said.
Connor almost laughed out loud at the other man’s slip-up. He seized on it immediately. “So then that would include me as well, correct?”
Bryant’s eyes widened as he realized his mistake.
“Thank you for the message. As I said, I’ll be sure to take it under advisement,” Connor said as he sidestepped Bryant’s still form. He thought for a moment that Bryant would catch his arm to stop him, but then he saw that every eye in the room was trained on them. There was no way that Bryant would engage with him in front of everyone unless Theodora had ordered him to do so, and as he moved toward Angeline without further interruption he felt a measure of relief.
He had called Bryant’s bluff and won. But when he saw the narrowed eyes of the regal woman at the head of the table, he knew that he couldn’t count on it to be so easy again. As he arrived at Angeline’s side, he counted fourteen chairs at the table; one for Angeline and the remaining thirteen for each council members. Theodora was at the head with Angeline on her left side and Tobias, as Second Seat, on her right.
“Please, sit, so we can begin,” Theodora said in a cool voice.
Connor realized that the number of chairs at the table was a silly ploy intended to get him to return to the bench that sat next to the door. It was the same bench that Bryant had settled on. Angeline arched her eyebrow at him, for she surely realized the same thing. But Connor simply held out her chair for her and pushed it in carefully. Then he assumed a guard stance directly behind her. If Theodora had meant to make him uncomfortable, she had accomplished the opposite effect. Standing, he could clearly see the face of every council member. It was a position he assumed often while the Master held court. He might not know the ins and outs of advising the Queen, but he could be her eyes and ears while she engaged in verbal combat.
“The presence of a…guard…is unorthodox during these types of meetings, Your Majesty,” Theodora murmured to Angeline, although Connor could hear every word. “It is really against our ways to have someone, especially someone who has caused so much chaos inside our walls, to be present here. He should be asked to leave.”
“I’d say these are unorthodox times,” Angeline replied. Her tone was every bit as cool as Theodora’s. “Since I’ve arrived, I’ve been put on trial, my companion has been sentenced to death, and I was forced to partake in a blood ritual that resulted in the death of a young woman by my own hand. The fact that I have remained here at all should tell you that I am putting the best interests of my people above my own safety. Until I have some further assurances of that, I insist that he stay.”
Whispers immediately erupted up and down the table. Connor forced his smile off of his face as he watched Theodora attempt to keep a calm face. He wondered how hard she would press, and how far she would be willing to go to get what she wanted.
“I am saddened to hear you feel that way,” Theodora finally said. “It sounds as if you have misinterpreted our intentions. I hope you will allow us the opportunity to convince you otherwise.”
Angeline drummed her fingertips on the tabletop. “As I said, I am still here.”
Theodora cut a scathing glance in his direction. “Of course, if it makes you feel safer, then he can stay.”
Connor heard whispers again, but no one said anything else. So far, so good. Angeline had won the first skirmish, but he knew that there would be many more that held far more deadly consequences.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Angeline gripped her hands together out of sight beneath the table. She felt a little sick to her stomach, and that was when she felt her senses begin to tingle. It wasn’t anything compared to her prior experience with the part of her that housed the wraith. During the first days after her transition, it felt as if she were being split in two on a regular basis. That other thing could take control of her body and mind and bend it to its few overarching needs: feed and wreak havoc on everything in sight.
But the longer that it remained inside of her, the battle of wills for control lessened. She wasn’t sure if it was because there was recognition that she was the clear victor, or if that consciousness was completely absorbed into her own personality. When everything was over, and her kingdom and people were safe, she could think more about the implications of that, but for the time being it didn’t matter. Being who she was and what she was gave her some leverage, especially as she was sorely outnumbered.
Still, while she didn’t discount the other eleven members of the council as they introduced themselves to her, she knew that the one she really had to worry about was Theodora. As the introductions came round to Tobias, sitting directly across from her, Angeline added him to her short list of particularly dangerous adversaries as well. She was relatively confident that he would lend his weight to her favor as long as it suited his own interests, which was gaining control of the First Seat. If that ever came to pass, she was certain that their mutually beneficial relationship would cease to exist.
“Of course you know Tobias,” Theodora said with a short wave of her hand cutting Tobias off. “Time is of the essence, and we are eager to hear of your meeting with the Immortal Ones. I think we have been more than patient, wouldn’t you agree?”
Angeline smiled benignly. Theodora wasted no time in getting to what she wanted, which was fine in Angeline’s mind. She opened her mouth and was slightly amused to see all of the council members lean forward. They were eager, and she could use that.
“Everything in good time,” Angeline said, refusing to agree with anything that Theodora said at the moment. “I am afraid you will have to wait a bit longer.”
The woman sitting next to Tobias, a woman called Ravean who was Fourth Seat, gasped. Theodora glared in Ravean’s direction before turning back to Angeline. “I’m afraid I didn’t quite under
stand.”
Angeline pulled her hands from under the table and set them in front of her. Then she leaned forward. “I think I have made it clear that my impressions of the Clan so far have been less than favorable. In the last month, I have been kidnapped, lost my father, and fended off an attack from the vampire Master Alron. I also believe my father’s death was no accident.”
“We appreciate that it has been a challenging time for you, but I’m not sure what that has to do with your interaction with the Immortal Ones or the assertion that you are the One,” Theodora said. “That is what we are here to discuss.”
“That is what you are here to discuss. I am here to discuss the fact that the Clan has positioned itself as the brokers of peace for Altera, and yet right under your nose there is a war of the species brewing,” Angeline corrected.
“We are observers, not peacekeepers,” Theodora said.
“That sounds like a convenient excuse,” Angeline replied.
“You dare!” Theodora’s voice echoed through the room.
“Theodora, perhaps we should let the Queen finish,” Tobias interjected.
Angeline looked pointedly at Theodora. “I have information you want. You have the ability to bring all of us, Alron included, together to broker a new peace arrangement.”
“I have a feeling you will not be pleased with the terms that he offers,” Theodora said with a scowl. “In fact, even to consider that conversation is foolish. You give him an opening to try to make the agreement more advantageous for himself and his coven.”
“He cannot be ignored,” Angeline said. She felt the heat rise in her cheeks. She wasn’t used to being told that her ideas were foolish. Even though people might think that, they usually chose their words more carefully when addressing her. “My people are in harm’s way. I will hear him out, and we will come to terms so that he leaves them alone.”
“It will not be an easy thing,” Tobias said slowly. “And even if he does agree, there is no guarantee that he will uphold his end of the bargain later.”
“That is why you will bind the agreement with magic,” Angeline said.
“You don’t think we tried that before?” Theodora asked. “Alair demanded the same thing.”
“Then, how?” Angeline’s mind worked furiously turning over this new information. She wanted to ask Connor, but she knew it was risky to draw her attention away from the matter at hand for even a second.
“I am sure that, since the day the spell was cast, Alron has been looking for a way to break it. It appears that he was successful,” Theodora replied.
“And you didn’t do anything about it?” Angeline felt the bile rise in the back of her throat. “We were just so insignificant to you that you were willing to let our world be destroyed?”
“Even if Alron outright attacked, we were confident that you had the resources to turn back the tide of any onslaught. As I’ve already said, we are observers. We do not interfere unless in the direst of circumstances.”
“At what cost of life?” Angeline whispered. She wondered if stopping Connor from his rampage the evening before had been wise. The woman sitting next to her was cold, ruthless, and totally uncaring of anyone who was not Clan. “You interfered before three hundred years ago.”
She felt Connor’s lips next to her ear. “Because of the wraiths.”
She felt stupid for not tying the strings together before that moment. “The direst of circumstances? You mean, when the threat includes the Clan.”
Theodora leaned back in her chair. “Our purpose is far larger than managing the ongoing squabbles between humans and vampires. But I wouldn’t expect you to understand that. You are not Clan.”
“No, and I am certainly glad of that.” Angeline knew that her voice rippled with anger. “Unfortunately for you though, I am the one you seek. Unless you broker a new peace agreement between myself and Alron, I will not help you any further.”
The air in the room grew thick with tension.
“I am sure that we can convince you through other means.” Theodora’s smile held no shred of warmth. She whispered a few words under her breath.
Angeline couldn’t understand them, but she understood what Theodora was trying to do. It was the moment of truth to find out if Tobias had deceived her or not. She felt Connor stiffen behind her. He knew what was happening as well. Angeline forced herself to be still and wait. A few moments passed, but nothing happened.
“Tell me everything that the Immortal Ones told you,” Theodora said.
“No, you’ve heard my terms,” Angeline replied smoothly.
Theodora’s mouth fell open. Then she whispered the words again. “Tell me what I want to know,” she commanded again.
Angeline wanted to laugh. She caught Tobias’s small nod out of the corner of her eye. At that moment, she felt as if she could kiss the small man.
Angeline paused for further dramatic effect. “No.”
Theodora shot up out of her chair and slammed her palms down on the table. “How is it possible that you are able to resist my magic?”
Angeline stood, and she felt Connor shift behind her. “Perhaps what you should be asking yourself is why you think it is your right to compel the Queen of Altera?”
“The only reason you are queen is because your father was too stubborn to produce a suitable heir!” Theodora’s voice rose with each word until she was almost shrieking.
Although she felt her blood boiling from hearing the same words that were whispered around her during her entire lifetime, Angeline paused to gather her calm before responding. “I am the Queen of Altera. I also am part of a bloodline that is directly related to the Clan and this council. I refuse to be manipulated by you any longer.”
Angeline turned away from the table and started toward the door.
“Your Majesty, wait!” Tobias’s voice stopped her. “I think I speak for myself and the rest of the council when I say that we are open to considering your terms.”
She said a few words of thanks under her breath. She had hoped that she wouldn’t be forced to call on her rudimentary spell-casting abilities to get them back to Brebackerin.
When she turned around to face the council, she saw that Tobias stood toe to toe with Theodora, who had at least a hand in height on him. “You are not in a position to negotiate, Tobias,” Theodora snarled.
“Let’s let the council decide,” Tobias said. He didn’t look away from Theodora’s gaze for one moment. “We are still ruled by consensus, are we not? All in favor of offering Clan representation to broker a new arrangement between Queen Angeline and Alron, give your vote now.”
Around the table, Angeline watched as puffs of white smoke burst into the air behind the heads of several of the council members.
“Who votes that we find an alternative way to convince the Queen to give us the information now about the Immortal Ones?” Theodora asked.
Several more bursts of smoke erupted in the air, but this time they were red.
“Six for and six against,” Theodora said. All eyes turned to the one council member who had not voted either way. “Councilman Robart. What say you?”
Angeline felt a tightening in her chest. The vote had come down to the man who was her distant cousin, the son of Trevan Robart. Angeline had felt a few minutes of kinship with Thomas Robart. She grew up thinking that she was the last of the Robart bloodline. Then she arrived in Tanagor and discovered a whole branch of her family that she never knew existed. That should have been comforting to her, but Thomas and his sister Becca were Clan. There was nothing comforting about that.
Thomas stood up from the table slowly. “We have discussed many times what would happen if the human Robart bloodline disappeared from the face of Altera. After all this time, it would leave the people rudderless. I was asked if I would be willing to give up my rightful seat on this council to serve the Clan in another way as the next generation of Robart leaders for Altera.”
Angeline felt sick. It was exactly what she
suspected. The Clan had been plotting for the time when they could put one of their own back on the throne.
“Although it has only been for a short time, I have seen the Queen’s unwavering devotion to her duties as keeper of the people of Altera. I have long questioned my own ability to do so in the face of great adversity. I hope that if that day ever comes where I am asked to take the throne, I could do so with the same unflinching conviction and force of will. So for the people that I might someday be asked to lead, I vote to broker a deal.” His last words came out in a rush, and then a burst of white smoke appeared behind his seat.
“Fools,” Theodora choked. She held her middle as if she were able to be sick. “You will regret this.”
“If you are unable to continue your duties as First Seat, I am more than willing act in your stead in this matter,” Tobias said.
Angeline thought for a moment that Theodora would reach out and choke him.
“Nonsense,” Theodora finally spat. “If this is what the council wishes, then of course I will serve out my duties as mediator.”
That was not at all what Angeline wanted to hear. “That seems a conflict of interests,” Angeline said quickly. “How can I be assured that you will do everything you can to ensure that Alron keeps his end of the agreement?”
“If you insist, Tobias can sit in as well,” Theodora said.
Angeline considered her words then shook her head. She hoped that she wouldn’t regret her next words. “Tobias has been a valuable advisor to me, but I would like Thomas to sit in instead.”
Theodora smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. She looked back at Tobias. “I have no objections to the Queen’s suggestion.”
Angeline could tell by the look on Tobias’s face that he was angry with her. But as she looked at her cousin, she saw a look of gratitude. She needed to cultivate allies everywhere she could. She just wished it didn’t have to be with the man who would replace her if given half a chance.
CHAPTER TWELVE