by S. C. Storm
“Then let us vote.” Richard sneered.
“There will be no vote.” Arthur spoke as he watched all the vampires in the room look in his direction. “Our own laws grant them their family’s seats. No vote is needed or required. It is law,” he added as he glanced over his shoulder.
Seeing the petite human come springing into the room did not surprise him. She laid a folder on the table, smiled at everyone, then turned and headed back out of the room.
“As you can see, dear Harmony was good enough to make all of you copies of where exactly this is written in the bylaws.”
Staring at the paper handed to him, Richard had to fight his instinct to kill the human and then everyone else in the room. “Fine, do as the laws require,” he told them dismissively. “Come, Deacon. I no longer wish to linger here.” He vanished from the room. Deacon quickly followed suit.
“Now does anyone have any other objections?” Arthur called from his seat. Seeing none speak up, he nodded to Sebastian. “Inform the Athertons when you are able.”
“Thank you.” Sebastian smiled. “I will very soon.”
Standing, Arthur glanced around at all the others. “Once Sebastian speaks to the Athertons, I personally believe we should all gather for drinks. I see no reason why those two should not be welcomed within the council.” He inclined his head. “If any of you need me, you know where I shall be,” he finished, bidding all the men in the room good-bye before vanishing.
Hiding his smirk, Sebastian turned to the others. “I do thank all of you for your time,” he told them. Hearing the fake responses and biddings of farewell, he made his way over to Aric. “Seems Richard is once again not happy with me.”
“That is an understatement.” Aric shook his hand. “Call on me if you need,” he said, turning. He stopped and glanced back. “And make sure to let me know how Ryden and Ryder take their new responsibilities,” he added with a smirk as he vanished.
Chuckling to himself, Sebastian turned and made his way back toward his office. His Harmony had, once again, saved the day. Never a day went by that he did not thank all things holy for her friendship as well as her unwavering loyalty. He supposed it was to be expected. He had been a part of her life since she was ten. Her mother, Lola, had been hired by Sebastian for one reason. Lola was the caretaker of Gabriella. Gabby, as he and most everyone called her, had been abandoned at a hospital in Texas when she was barely a day old. An acquaintance of his, who was also a nurse at the hospital, had contacted him immediately. Being a werewolf, she had known the child was a born vampire and could not be examined by the doctors there. The only information she’d had was a surveillance video showing a figure in a black cloak setting the basket down and rushing away. Knowing what would happen if the council were to take control of the infant, Sebastian had taken her in himself. The story he had woven was of an aunt who passed in the child’s birth. Most had bought it with no question. Some had pressed for more information, so he had given them names, dates, bullshit stories. It was nothing for him to pay to have such information appear.
Wanting the child to be safe as well as raised around others like herself, he had chosen for her to live on Tempest. Lola, her ten-year-old daughter, Harmony, and Gabriella had moved into the Myddleton family home. Being a single mother, Lola had had no other connections to the human world. Finding out what Sebastian and the child she was to raise were had not mattered to her. No, for Lola, taking care of others was her calling.
It was not until Gabriella was eleven and Harmony was turning twenty-one that Lola had fallen sick. The woman who had become his friend and confidant had seemed to fade away before Sebastian’s eyes. He had brought in every specialist. He’d had second, third, and fourth opinions. Still, the diagnosis had been the same. Lola had cancer. Lola would not make it. For him, it had been unacceptable. He was a vampire. He could change this for her. He had offered. For the longest, Lola had refused. It was not until her time was almost over that her daughter Harmony had pleaded with her not to leave. The love of her daughter, as well as the love of the child she had raised alongside her, had changed her mind. Lola became the only vampire Sebastian had ever sired.
“You seem lost in thought,” a voice called out, startling Sebastian. Lola made her way into the room, smiling. “Is something wrong?”
“No, nothing you should concern yourself with. But know that, once again, your daughter blew myself and everyone else at the meeting away.”
“Of course she did,” Lola agreed as she made her way over to the window by his desk. With a sigh, she ran her fingers through her dark hair. Each time she did this, he could see the streaks of grey that had stayed with her since her turning.
“What is on your mind, Lola?” he asked.
“It is nothing really, but Gabby has been asking questions, a lot of them. She wonders who her parents are. Sebastian, I do believe she should know the truth. The story of your aunt is no longer holding up as we had hoped it would.”
“Aye, I assumed she would begin to question things as she grew older. In time, I shall talk to her. I promise, Lola. Please do not worry yourself.” He stepped over and squeezed her shoulder. “I just do not think she is ready to know the truth.”
“Nor do I, but I don’t want her doubting you.” Lola sighed.
“I will deal with that. You go on and brag on your daughter. If I know her she is waiting on it,” he said.
“You are probably right.” She turned, then hesitated, like she wanted to add more. Instead, she shrugged and made her way out of the room.
Watching her go, Sebastian poured himself a drink and killed it. He was not ready to have this conversation with Gabriella. No matter what Lola thought, in his mind, it would indeed wait. Seeing the time, he got up and headed upstairs.
***
Bloodstone Island, Winthrop House
Appearing at his home, Richard let out a roar of anger. He had anticipated Sebastian’s move. However, he had not anticipated the total lack of backing he had received from the others on the council. It was Arthur’s fault. Now that he was growing strong once again, they were hesitant to act against him.
“You seem upset,” a voice called out from the corner.
Crouching as he turned, Deacon leveled his eyes on Anton Fontenay. Easing his stance, he glanced back at his father. “This is the ally you spoke of arriving soon,” he stated with a roll of his eyes. “How disappointing.” He strode out of the room.
“Nice to see you as well, Deacon,” Anton called out. Looking at Richard, he stood. “What has happened to upset you so much?”
“Nothing we weren’t expecting. The Athertons will be receiving their council seats. Arthur and his mates are backing them, no questions asked,” he answered as he poured a scotch. “The reapers?” he asked.
“They are nearing the islands. A few of them are close enough to begin the attacks. Our mutual friend has ordered them to prey on the weakest first. Taking a few humans, maybe one of the keepers, that should get their attention,” Anton said. “All the while we lay the groundwork to turn the vampires against the Athertons. That has already begun. A few who have already ascended to the darkness have begun attacks on others of the race, claiming they have been sent by Ryden and Ryder. They have yet to engage the wolves. With pack telepathy, word would travel fast, so I thought we would wait until an agreeable time.”
“After the Gathering. At the ceremony, we will reach out to the others. We will instill doubt about their perfect Atherton twins, perhaps even in their own brother,” Richard said. “Then all hell breaks loose.”
“And that is the part I am waiting on,” Anton said gleefully. Glancing at the door, he shook his head. “You have not told Deacon of your plans. Why?”
“Deacon is loyal but only because it is his place. I do not know how much I can trust him when it comes to making his own decisions. Therefore, I make them for him. He will do as his is told when he is told. Beforehand knowledge is none of his concern,” he answered as he poured yet
another drink and tossed it back.
“And Tessa?” Anton asked with a smile.
“As I told you before, she is at your and your brother’s disposal. You must, however, keep that part of our partnership from Deacon. He will kill the lot of you over her,” Richard warned him.
“I have no problem with that.” Anton breathed in, catching the lingering of Tessa’s scent in the room. “Send her by the house tonight. I plan on making an appearance for the Athertons early in the evening. We should be home by midnight, and she would be quite the entertaining distraction.”
“She will be there,” Richard told him. “We will speak again tomorrow or the day after.”
“As you wish,” Anton agreed.
With no more words between them, he left the room, leaving Richard to plan his next move.
***
Obsidian Island, Langford House
Standing outside the Langford house, Kane remembered back to the first time he had entered the massive manor. Audra had died, and he had come to pay his respects to Arthur. So much had changed in that time. Putting the memories behind him, he knocked on the door, hoping Arthur would be well enough to take visitors.
Hearing someone at the door, Raymond rushed to greet the guest. He opened it and smiled brightly, seeing it was the Supreme Alpha. “Hello, sir. Please come inside.”
“Thank you, Raymond.” Kane smiled at the little man as he came into the foyer. He had been so angry about the attack on Jasmyn that he had not noticed how the house had remained unchanged since his first visit all those years ago. “Is Arthur available?” he asked.
“Yes, he is. Please follow me.” Raymond led the way into the library. Going over to the bar, he poured whiskey straight and turned to the alpha. “I still remember your drink.” He smiled as he handed it to Kane. “Please take a seat, and I will bring the master down.”
Kane nodded. “Thanks, Raymond,” he told the man as he rushed out. Taking the seat he was offered, he took in the room. This had been where they had tried to console Arthur that night. It had been Kane’s first time of seeing the pain of one losing their mate.
Entering the room, Arthur smiled as he reached out his hand. “Hello, Kane, what brings you by?”
“I wanted to let you know what happened today,” Kane told him as the two of them shook hands. “A reaper appeared on the islands.”
Shocked, Arthur stared at him. “It has been so long. I had hoped that would not change.”
“You and me both,” Kane told him as he finished off his whiskey. “Jason is having the pack guardians begin patrols to watch for rogues. I have contacted my pack on the mainland. They are going to start trying to intercept them.”
“I will talk to the council. We will get our guardians out to help. I will need time to contact everyone, however,” he explained.
“That is fine. We have things in hand for now,” Kane told him as he set down the glass. “Thank you for your time.”
“Thank you for keeping us informed,” Arthur told him as he watched the impressive wolf walk out of the room. Taking a seat, he shook his head. “Dammit.” He sighed in frustration as he killed his drink. Now is not the time for the enemy to be advancing, he thought as he debated on the best way to reach out to the council about what to do.
Chapter 19
Obsidian Island, Atherton Estate
Sebastian glanced around the spacious den as he waited on the Atherton brothers to grace him with their presence. He had stopped by to inform them of what had happened at the meeting. Unfortunately, he had caught the three of them busy and was having to wait. As he did so, he thought back to the meeting earlier. He had expected Richard to be upset. However, he’d had no idea he would act as he did in front of everyone. Admittedly, he had loved every moment of his outburst.
“Sebastian, it’s good to see you, old friend,” Ryden called out as he entered the room.
Smiling at the sight of his oldest and dearest friend, Sebastian stood and extended his hand. “It has been far too long.”
“That it has,” Ryden agreed as he shook his friend’s hand, then pulled him in for an embrace. “I do hope you have been well.”
“I have. There has been quite a bit to keep me busy over the past few years,” Sebastian said as he watched Ryden make his way to the bar.
After pouring them both a drink, Ryden made his way back over. He handed a glass to Sebastian and took a seat. “Anything you’d like to fill me in on?”
“Aye, that there is.” Sebastian sighed as he began to tell his friend the true tale of his finding of Gabriella. As he spoke, he stared down at his clasped hands. He knew he could trust Ryden with the truth. There was never any doubt in him of that. Still, he hated to burden anyone else with the secret he kept.
Once Sebastian finished, Ryden leaned forward. “There is more, isn’t there? She was no mere orphan.”
“No, she was not. It was clear the moment I saw her she was guardian-born,” Sebastian said, shaking his head. “You know what Richard and his cohorts would have done had they gotten their hands on her. I made up the story of my aunt, quickly using one that had passed. I claimed she had gone into hiding but died while having the babe. To be honest, Tessa’s mother, Isabella, is where the story came from.”
Nodding his head, Ryden leaned back in his chair. For a moment, he remembered the pain they had all watched Deacon, and even his brother Edmund, endure at the loss of their mother. They had been so young. “I am glad you were the one who found her, my friend. At least there is another guardian out there safe.”
Smiling, Sebastian shook his head. “She lives here on Tempest. As much as I travel for the council, as well as other things, I wanted her to have a stable life. A dear friend, Lola, has raised her alongside her own daughter Harmony.”
“Ah, the infamous Harmony. Word has even traveled to Ryder and me of her intelligence as well as her eagerness to prove council members wrong,” Ryden said.
“She is something else,” Sebastian agreed with a shake of his head. “She is the main reason I am here, to be honest. Harmony found all the ancient bylaws that pertain to the council. There are two council seats with your and Ryder’s names on them.”
Staring at his friend, Ryden shook his head. “Richard allowed this?”
“That was the question I was about to ask,” Ryder said from the doorway as he and Rian entered the room. “Sebastian, it is good to see you.”
“It is good to see you as well,” Sebastian said as he stood and shook Ryder’s hand. “You as well, Rian,” he added, doing the same yet again.
“I can’t believe you got this over on Richard,” Rian said in shock. “How did it happen?”
Smirking, Sebastian told them of the goings on at the latest meeting. “The look on Richard’s face when Arthur declared there would be no vote was priceless.”
Ryden shook his head. “I am sure it was. I am in no hurry to occupy a seat on the council, but I know all of you need help to ensure Richard’s downfall.”
“That we do.” Sebastian sighed. “He is a constant annoyance and relishes upsetting Arthur as well as Aric and me.”
“The numbers may not be even,” Ryder began with a shake of his head. “But perhaps once we are all working together, the vampire race will see to voting leaders in who can assist in ending his tyranny.”
“That is the hope,” Sebastian said as he killed the rest of his drink. He made his way over to pour himself another. “Now, what is the latest in the goings on of the Athertons?” He watched the looks that crossed each of their faces. “What has happened?”
Letting a smile light his lips, Ryden motioned for Sebastian to sit down. “It is a long story, my friend. It ends with quite the addition to the Atherton family, however,” he began as he told Sebastian of Draven and Giana. After answering his friend’s questions, he sat back and waited.
“I… well hell, I am in complete shock,” Sebastian said with a chuckle. “I suppose now you have even more reason to take on your counci
l seats. You have more futures than your own to look after.”
“This is true,” Ryden said, and he found himself remembering back to when his parents served on the council. Their father and Richard’s debates were legendary. Their mother had always attempted to play peacemaker among the council members, especially with her family and the Winthrops. But it had never come to pass. Now he and Ryder would be attempting to do the exact same things, as would someday his children.
“Ryden, are you all right?” Rian asked, noticing how his brother had drifted into his own world.
“Yes, I was just thinking about the future,” he told them, seeing Ryder glance his way. His twin knew exactly what was on his mind.
“I do believe the race’s future will be in much better hands now,” Sebastian told them as he stood. “I will take my leave of you now. I see you have plans for the night,” he added, grinning. “Do not do anything I wouldn’t do.”
“So you are saying we are clear to do anything we please.” Ryden asked as he walked his old friend out. He returned to the room and stepped over to the window.
Watching his brother, Rian stepped over to him. “You never wanted the council seats before. Are you all right with taking them now?”
“I still do not want one. However, I feel as though I must do what is required of me. Richard and the rest of the council need to be dealt with. He holds them in the palm of his hand. Aric, Sebastian, and Arthur are always outnumbered. We will help with that,” he told his brother. “Not to mention, now I have more reason for wanting to set things right within our race.”
“The children will be proud of you, brother,” Rian told him with a smile. “Both of you.”
“All of us,” Ryden added. “I plan on asking Rayne if we can spend the day with them tomorrow, if that is agreeable to both of you?” He smiled when they both agreed. “Our family is growing. It is time we take our rightful places and do what is best for future generations.”