“You’ve made impressive inroads in uniting this city and its factions. You’ve overcome more obstacles in the last year than most seasoned potentates face in their entire careers. Others would have balked, or at the very least, asked for assistance. You did neither, unless lives were on the line. You have been determined to make your own way, and I respect that.” She swept her gaze across the crowd. “But tonight, though you acted for the greater good, you failed to complete your trial.” She spread her hands. “The formalities must be observed, you understand, in order for our vote to be validated.”
Hope kindled in my chest, and I couldn’t stop from taking a step forward. “Do you mean…?”
“My son has dedicated years into shaping you as his protégé.” She jerked her chin higher. “Failure will not stain his name based on a coup orchestrated by vampires and their petty feuds.”
A low growl poured from Midas, but I put my foot on his and applied subtle pressure to shush him.
I didn’t care why she gave me a second chance. I was too grateful to hear I had earned it.
The Grande Dame was the sort of woman who could see no fault in her child, not because her child was faultless, though Linus was a remarkable man in his own right, but because of how those shortcomings might reflect upon her.
“Volunteers,” she called. “Take your positions. The gauntlet resumes in ten minutes.”
Exhaustion weighted my limbs, and my brain sloshed from my dunk in the lake, but I could do this.
Glancing over my shoulder, I found my mate smiling at me with such pride my chest ached like it wanted to crack down the middle. Boaz and Addie had found him too. Along with Bishop and Remy. And Linus. I had a long way to go. I had a lot left to do. But it was hard to be down on myself with so many hands ready to catch me when I stumbled.
Amusement played on her lips when the Grande Dame gestured to the starting line. “Ms. Whitaker?”
I was beyond words, hugs, well wishes. I was beyond anything but putting one foot in front of the other. I didn’t know how I would stack up against the volunteers. I might have to crawl out of this thing.
I am enough. I am enough. I am enough.
The pistol fired, the sound echoing in the utter quiet from the spectators. I limped over the line, a knot in my throat, ears ringing, and then I heard it.
Hadley. Hadley. Hadley.
The crowd was chanting my name.
Hadley. Hadley. Hadley.
Forcing my shoulders back, I entered the magical barrier shielding the gauntlet and pulled up short.
The vampires who gutted Sue had been replaced with members of Clan Morton, who inclined their heads to me as I passed without budging an inch. I kept a wary eye on them, afraid it was a trap, but they let me pass unscathed through their territory.
Palms clammy, I summoned Ambrose, but he appeared as confused as me.
The lions, which I hadn’t reached last time, came next.
Gray, alpha of the Kingsman Lions, broke from his pride to help me walk through their patch of territory.
“Thanks,” I murmured to him, confused. “Is this legal?”
“Let them try to stop me.” He kissed my cheek and released me. “Finish strong.”
I lifted a hand in a puny wave then shuffled on to the gwyllgi section. I sucked in a breath when I spotted Hank. He was on his knees, head bowed. I went to him and tugged on his shirt sleeve.
“You don’t have to do that.” I yanked harder and almost toppled myself. “Come on, get up.”
“No.” He turned crimson eyes on me. “Finish strong, beta.”
A silver sheen made it hard to see as I nodded to him and then to the others I passed, also kneeling.
As I crossed into the next section, I heard the click-clack of warg claws on pavement.
“Ambrose,” I breathed, reaching for my swords. “This might get ugly.”
But the wolves fell in line behind me, an escort, and when I crossed into what must be the final section, they tipped their heads back and howled encouragement that swelled in my chest.
The final faction was my own. Necromancers. And I almost swallowed my tongue when I saw her.
The Grande Dame carried a long sword in her right hand.
This was it. The end. I couldn’t defeat her. She was the Grande Dame for a reason.
And frak that was a massive sword. I would have to glue both of mine together to make one that long.
“I am not often surprised,” she said, strolling closer, “but you managed it, Amelie Madison.”
The sound of my birth name on her lips turned my heart to a stone that plummeted into my feet, making them too heavy to lift, let alone run for my life.
“I wasn’t certain until I saw your wraith, but you’re her.”
“I am.”
I barely heard my answer. Scratch that. It was a confession.
Thank the goddess the gauntlet was concealed and muted from the spectators, or I would be toast in more ways than one.
“I’m not a fan of surprises, and this is one that could blow up in the Society’s face should you go rogue.” A frown tipped her ruby lips. “Again.”
“I can’t promise you I won’t screw up.” I trembled at the flex of her elegant fingers on the sword’s hilt. “I will. I can’t promise I will be perfect. I won’t. But I will continue to work every day to deserve the faith and trust the citizens of Atlanta have given me as Hadley Whitaker.”
“You have an understanding with my son,” she surmised. “He would never allow this otherwise.”
To speak was to incriminate him, so I kept my mouth shut and my head down until she chuckled softly.
“He will kill you if you embrace your darker nature. No matter how it hurts him, or his wife, he will do his duty.” A line appeared across her brow, faint and then gone. “You understand that, don’t you?”
“I’m counting on it.”
The Grande Dame studied me then gave a curt nod as if she had found what she had expected to see.
“The damage to my son’s reputation, should this come to light, would be catastrophic. For his sake, I am willing to overlook this deceit and allow you to ascend. With conditions we will discuss, at length, at a later date.”
I would take it. It wasn’t the win I wanted, but goddess, I would take it.
“However,” she began, and my chest contracted until breathing hurt, “I will endorse you because of your actions. Today and every day since your arrival in Atlanta, you have put these people first. You have shown me that perhaps not all dybbuk are the demons we have feared them to be, and for that reason, I will offer you a pardon for your deceit as Hadley Whitaker.”
Neck bowed until it ached, I rasped, “Thank you.”
“Kneel.”
That snapped my head up, and I couldn’t help staring at the very sharp blade on her very long sword.
“Kneel.”
From the moment I claimed Hadley Whitaker as my name, I had been living on borrowed time. Had I chosen a quiet life, I could have lived it to its completion with no one ever being the wiser. But I had chosen to step into the spotlight, to welcome inspection, to offer myself up to the public eye and tell them to look their fill as I led by example. Or died trying.
With an embarrassing amount of effort, I knelt before her and lowered my head once more, hoping the gorgeous pantsuit Neely had designed for tonight wouldn’t end up being what I wore to my own funeral.
“Show me your palms.”
The Grande Dame drew her blade across each hand before my sluggish brain processed the sting.
“Place your wounds flush with the pavement,” she instructed. “This will hurt, but it will be a brief pain.”
Following her instructions, I let my blood seep into the concrete in a crimson stain.
“Repeat after me.” She loomed over me, her shadow eclipsing mine. “I, Hadley Whitaker, claim this city and its people. I place them under my protection until such time that I am no longer called upon to defend them, eith
er by choice or by disgrace or by death.”
The last line freaked me out a little, as it should, but I got it out all in one go.
“Atlanta is mine to protect, mine to tend, and mine to caretake. Its people are mine to defend, mine to nurture, and mine to rule by the laws set down by the Society in the best interests of the people.”
She let me stumble through that bit then smiled in the faint way her son had inherited from her.
A slight pressure filled my head, and a faint presence whispered through my mind, soothing and familiar.
Atlanta.
The bond was fragile, barely rooted, but it was there, and I would help it grow.
“Hold steady,” she ordered, lifting the blade. “You won’t feel a thing.”
The tip of the blade brushed my left shoulder, and I tasted bile.
“Amelie Madison is dead.”
The sword lifted, leaving my head attached, then tapped on my right.
“Long live Hadley Whitaker, the Potentate of Atlanta.”
A hand appeared in my line of sight, and I pressed a kiss to her knuckles like they do in the movies.
“That was…unnecessary.” She wiped her hand on her pants. “I was merely going to help you stand.”
“Oh,” I said meekly. “I was just grateful to still have my head.”
The Grande Dame laughed, a short bark that raised the hairs down the back of my neck.
“Rise,” she ordered me. “Begin your reign as you mean to go on, Hadley Whitaker.”
One at a time, I wedged my feet under me. Slowly, painfully, I stood. Then, still eyeing that sword, inched back just in case. “What about the vote?”
“As it happens, there is no written law stating the vote must occur after the trial. Only that the trial must be completed for the results to be validated.” She extended her hand. “Your mate explained the situation. We voted while you were off saving the day. It was a masterful stroke, you know. Had anyone been on the fence, they would have sided with you based on your actions tonight alone.”
After I wiped my palm clean, I took her hand. “I did what I thought was right.”
“That is why my son chose you, why these people have chosen you.”
The magic burst around us, fizzling until the gauntlet was released back into the rest of the city.
Thrusting my arm in the air, she called out, “I give you Hadley Whitaker, the Potentate of Atlanta.”
Cheers and screams erupted, their volume deafening. A chant began, picking up speed, and I wept.
Long may she reign. Long may she reign. Long may she reign.
“Thank you,” I murmured to the Grande Dame. “For your mercy.”
“Tell my son, when you see him, that he and I have much to discuss.”
Swallowing hard, I nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”
The Grande Dame inclined her head to me then made her way to a waiting crimson sedan.
Strong arms enclosed me from behind and lifted me off my feet. “Congratulations.”
Midas’s warmth at my back allowed me to relax for the first time in what felt like forever. “Thanks.”
The Remys swarmed me, prying me from Midas’s arms. They tossed me in the air and caught me.
Once. Twice. Three times…
Then I started dry-heaving, and they scattered, but the joke was on them. I had an empty stomach.
“Whoa.” Bishop took my arm to steady me. “You okay, kid?”
“Never been better.” I tackled him. “I’m your boss for real.”
“I’ve been waiting for this day.” He embraced me right back. “You’ll sign off on anything.”
“Jerk.” I shoved him, and Linus took his place. “Hey, I didn’t expect you to stick around.”
“And miss this?” A tiny smile graced his face. “Grier is with Neely, but she sends her congratulations.”
He stuck out his hand, but I flung myself at him, and his quiet laughter filled my ears.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” I chanted with my arms in a chokehold around his neck. “So much.”
“You deserve happiness.” His breath was cool on my cheek, his hand awkward as it patted my back. “Your past is just that, Hadley, your past.”
“I got snot on your shirt.” I withdrew, wiping my eyes. “Sorry about that.”
“A badge of honor.”
A laugh got stuck in my throat. It was such a Linus thing to say.
“And, Hadley?” He paused. “Don’t give me too much credit. You did this. This was your win. Not mine.”
The complete opposite response from that of his mother, which reminded me.
“Your mom told me to pass on that you guys need to talk.” I dipped my chin. “One guess about what.”
A cold mask settled over his features before he could shake it free. “I see.”
“I’ll share the details later.” I scanned the crowd to explain my hesitation. “In private.”
“That would be best.” He gave me a parting shoulder squeeze. “Enjoy your party.”
Sure enough, while I was blubbering all over people, the gauntlet had transformed into a block party.
Bishop caught my eye then pointed to Midas and waved us over to join him and Hank.
“So much for taking the rest of the night off,” I joked as I took Midas’s hand. “Any idea what’s up?”
“None.” His pride hit me so hard I had to glance away from him. “Mom will be here to congratulate you in person soon, but she had an errand to run first.”
Narrowing my eyes on him, I asked, “An errand?”
Tisdale had left during the gauntlet, part two, to run an errand.
Mmm-hmm.
Yeah.
Sure.
Pushing that aside, I braced for what news Bishop had to share. “Kitten up a tree?”
“Kitten?” Bishop eyed me like I had finally lost my last marble. “What are you talking about?”
“I was hoping for a simple problem.” I rolled my hand. “Like a kitten stuck up a tree.”
The guys exchanged glances then ignored my imaginary kitten, tree and all.
“I would like to introduce you to someone.” Bishop punched Hank in the shoulder. “Meet…Milo.”
This was so much more confusing than my kitten and its tree. Maybe I really had lost my marble. “Milo?”
For the first time since I met him, Hank offered me a genuine smile that stretched from ear to ear. The transformation shook me. I gaped at him, waiting for them to give me more to go on, because this couldn’t be right.
Hank? Doorman Hank? He was Milo? My Milo? OPA Milo? Funny Milo? Warm Milo? Flirty Milo?
“No way.” I poked his cheek, but yep. He was really real and really Hank. “You hate me.”
“I don’t hate you.” He rolled his eyes, sounding more like himself. “I have to maintain my cover.”
“Did you know about this?” I spun toward Midas. “Um, no.” I cringed. “I can see you that you didn’t.”
Red was a good color on Midas, but anger mottled his cheeks until the splotches made him look like the loser in a tomato sauce fight.
“I cleared it with Tisdale.” Hank lowered his gaze a notch. “I would never endanger the pack.”
“We know that.” I squeezed his arm. “It’s a shock is all.”
“When Linus assembled his team, I wanted it to have a gwyllgi voice,” he said softly, “even if they didn’t know it.”
A more suspicious person might wonder if Linus hadn’t been setting me up to found the Atlanta Alliance. But the OPA members, aside from Bishop and Lisbeth, had been anonymous up to this point. Half still kept their identities secret.
For the sake of my sanity, I would chalk this up to great minds thinking alike.
Or I could blame coincidence, which would make Bishop pull out his hair.
Beside me, Midas took a deep breath, then he extended his arm. “Thank you for protecting her.”
“I was in it for the pack,” Hank confessed, shaking Midas’s
hand, “but it’s definitely come in handy since you went and fell in love with the POA.” He slanted me an exasperated look. “An incredibly accident-prone POA.”
“You’re supposed to be on my side,” I grumbled. “Milo.”
“I’m loyal to you and your office above even the pack.” Hank winked. “Tisdale gave me permission to switch my primary allegiance about the time you two announced your mating. Technically, I’m a lone wolf, but I’m still a member of the pack.”
“You and I will talk,” Midas promised him. “Later.”
Midas and I would also have to talk later to set down rules for his treatment of my team member.
This day could not get any weirder.
Hank was Milo.
Milo was Hank.
I couldn’t wrap my head around it.
“I have to get back to it.” Hank indicated the Faraday. “See you later, boss.”
“Hey, Hank.”
As he turned, I threw caution to the wind and tackled him. “Thank you for trusting me with this.”
“Things keep getting hotter here.” He turned me loose, still grinning. “It was more important to me that you knew OPA support was always close than to preserve my anonymity.” He rolled a shoulder. “And I trust you. Not because you’re pack. You’ve proven yourself, and I don’t mean what went down tonight.”
“I appreciate your faith.”
Arranging his features into their usual grumpy scowl, he resumed his Hank persona.
A thought occurred to me, given his workload. “How do you hold down two full-time jobs?”
“Remy isn’t the only one who can be in two places at once.”
“Oh, my Goddess.” I clutched my chest. “You have an identical twin. Which of you is the evil one?”
Not a single facial tic admitted if I was right or wrong as he set off at a lope for the Faraday.
“This explains why he’s always there when I leave or return home,” I mused. “The little stalker.”
I was so proud of him. I would have never suspected he was embedded so close to me. He did good.
His big reveal did leave me wondering who Reece and Anca might be, but that was their secret to share. Or not. I was happy either way. Curious, but content my team was a well-oiled machine.
The scent of meat hitting the grill set my stomach growling loud enough to raise eyebrows around me.
The Epilogues: Part I: Badge of Honor (The Potentate of Atlanta Book 6) Page 15