Page 44 of Secrets of the Six

My father fought the perpetrators while my mother woke me and my cousin, Cassius, dragging us from our rooms and ushering us to a secret small opening in a wall in King Armando's office. She pushed us both inside and told us to follow the pathway until we found Pillar Ollivander. She would ensure we would be kept hidden.

I sometimes think back on that night and wonder if my mother knew this would happen one day. She was extremely calm and had a plan already set in place should we boys need to be protected if something were to happen to her.

"He is our only hope."

That was the last time I saw her face. As much as I wanted to stay and fight alongside her and my father, I was ten, and there was nothing for me to do except obey her last command to protect Cas.

Doña Otero helped me create Rafael Canoso financially and left me to forge a path into the Soberano's trust and ultimately his high council. The atrocities I've committed to have a seat at his cursed table, to feast with my enemies and break bread with the men responsible for my parents' executions, has slowly but thoroughly hardened me.

I have a job to do. I will not allow one woman to distract me when I'm so close to having sweet revenge.

"Don Rafael, how is the planning coming along?"

The Soberano's throaty voice cleaves through my thoughts and brings me back to the present moment: sitting in our weekly council meeting. Suddenly twelve sets of eyes swivel toward me. The Dons representing all the districts in Orlencia are present and though I have the coveted position of being seated on the Soberano's left, it places me directly across the table from Severo Murrieta who is currently watching me like a predator hunting prey. Little does he know, he's but a serpent I plan on crushing beneath my boot.

I grin, donning the charming persona Don Rafael is known for – the persona that lulled the Soberano into a false sense of admiration, granting me access into the belly of the beast – and say, "Soberano, you will be most pleased with what I have planned. All the people in Orlencia will gather to praise your mighty reign."

The Soberano claps like an excited toddler, clinking together the finely crafted and expensive rings that are a bit too small for his chubby fingers. "Excellent! This is a big year to celebrate. Fifteen years of peace in Orlencia."

"Fifteen years since you supplanted those winged demons!" Don Felipe pounds his fist on the table, riling the other Dons into grunted agreement.

Severo, however, remains uncharacteristically quiet. Although the Soberano led the charge against the Venturans, it is a well-known fact that Severo Murrieta was the bloody hand that did the deed. He, possibly more than the Soberano himself, hated my people and he was all too eager to see their heads severed.

"Don Severo," the Soberano casts a concerned glance to his right. "Is something troubling you during this time of celebration?"

"Forgive me, Soberano," Severo's forked tongue hisses. "Keeping Orlencia safe and free from criminals seeping in from the Brogratto has me distracted."

The Soberano rolls his eyes and huffs like an overgrown child, used to Severo's consistent lamentation of crime in the city. "Just throw them all into the prison until after my fifteen-year jubilee. I won't have those little miscreants ruining my celebration."

"Of course, Soberano." Severo readily agrees, though I see the wheels of his mind churning. "I will see to it no one dare interrupt your revelry."

"Good." The Soberano smacks his hand against the long table and stands, signifying the end of the meeting. "We shall convene here next week."

Every member rises and bows their heads in respect as the Soberano struts out of the room, his long flowing red cape strewn over his shoulder a constant reminder of the blood that stained the city streets years ago.

Their restless ghosts haunt me, their unending screams claw inside my mind, and every week when we meet in this stifling room, it takes every bit of resolve I have not to plunge my dagger in his chest. If I truly wanted to, I could easily massacre everyone here, but then I would only be solidifying the lies the Soberano spread against the Venturans. He said we were blood-thirsty, we wanted to overthrow the Orlencian government, and we sought to claim the crown for ourselves. What the people did not realize – and still don't entirely understand – was the Soberano was speaking of himself.

If I murder everyone here – assassinate the Soberano – I will prove him right. No, this will have to be done the right way. Whispers already circulate of the Soberano's cruel policies, his increasingly burdensome taxes, and how they were safer and more prosperous when King Armando ruled with the Venturan Wings by his side. Slowly but surely, we will sow seeds of discord against the true villains and soon, when the time is right, we will strike. Then everyone will know the truth and all those who were responsible for the slaughter of my people will be brought to justice.

As always, I gather my belongings and retreat from the council room, hoping none of these pompous Dons will stop and bore me with their rich privilege drivel. It takes entirely too much effort to pretend to care but Don Rafael is everyone's friend. Don Rafael is the life of the party, and the one who the other Dons want to entangle their daughters with believing my coffers will be within their sticky-fingered grasp. In hindsight, I despise how entirely likeable and agreeable I fashioned Don Rafael to be, but it has indeed served me well because none of these idiots suspect I will be their undoing.

"Don Rafael, a moment."

I halt my departure and take a deep breath before turning around. I suppose there is one idiot who has never particularly cared for Don Rafael, but then again, my hateful sights have always been pinned on him.

"Of course, Don Severo," I summon a charming smile. "How can I be of service?"

Severo eyes me head-to-toe with a raised brow, his attempts at disguising his obvious contempt of me long gone. "Do you have plans this evening? I want to discuss a joint effort in the Soberano's jubilee."

"What a marvelous suggestion," I hate the sound of my own voice. "Unfortunately, I do have plans this evening, so perhaps we can meet another time. There is still plenty of time before the celebration."

He appears unconvinced of my unavailability.

"I will be attending Doña Otero's inaugural ball this evening." I purse my lips and press a hand to my chest. "You were invited, of course?"

"Of course." It pains him to admit. I know his hatred of me pales in comparison to his hatred of Ana Otero, which makes me all the happier. "I had forgotten that was tonight."

"You should come!" Rather, he needs to come. I won't have him fucking up my plans. "I am sure the party will be stuffy and reminiscent of past traditions, but Doña Otero is highly respected in Orlencia and I dare not insult or risk her wrath by withholding my presence."