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Marcellus sneers, clearly not impressed with Law.
“You’re worthless.”
Law laughs at his brother, not seeming to care at all how serious the situation is.
“I have a kingdom to rule, Marcellus. Show yourself out so I can get back to it.” Julian says, sounding more in control than he was moments ago.
“You’ve never shown an interest in ruling this kingdom. That’s the entire reason the Council doubts you.”
“I don’t have a choice,” Julian’s voice booms, bouncing off the walls and echoing so loudly I have to cover my ears.
Nope. He’s definitely not in control.
Julian’s fists are clenched at his sides. “Our father’s death was no accident and I will get to the bottom of it, Marcellus. If you were involved, I promise you’ll suffer greatly.”
His father died. So vampirescandie. Another piece of information for me to hold on to.
“Nowyou care about our father? Funny, you never did before,” Marcellus’s voice slithers like a snake in the grass, his lip quirked into an evil grin. If guilty had a name, it’d be Marcellus.
“No matter how I felt about him, I would never have conspired with the Council to kill him. If you did, you’re the worst kind of traitor.”
“You can’t rule, Julian. You don’t agree with our ways,” Marcellus doesn’t even bother denying the Council—with his help—killed their father. Why doesn’t Julian end things now?He is weak.
Julian’s eyes fly to mine, and I have the better sense to lower my gaze to my shoes.
“I’ll decide what’s best for our kind,” Julian says, lacking conviction. Marcellus’s cackle tells me he realized the same thing I did.
I’m on nobody’s team here, but it’s become obvious that one is worse than the other and the title of worst of all goes to the dark vamp. Julian needs to play this differently, because right now, he’s giving this Council they speak of ammunition to overturn his rule. And that would not be in the human race’s favor, if I had to guess.
“We need blood to survive and we take it. What better way is there?”
Definitely not in our favor.
Julian levels Marcellus with a glare that could burn villages. The animosity in the room is stifling and confusing all at once. Why the pissing match? Is it all about who was appointed king upon their father’s death? Jealousy, greed, power, money—those things have caused more than a few family feuds throughout the years.
“There are numerous ways to get blood, Marcellus. If you think the auction is the best way, then you’re a fool. All you’re doing is playing into the Council’s hand. They’ll throw you aside as soon as you finish their dirty work.” He sighs. “I’m doing my job in finding the best option for the kingdom.” Julian looks tired, this physical and verbal fight catching up to him.
“You dare to undo centuries’ worth of work for what? Humans?” Marcellus jabs a finger in my direction. “They’re expendable. There is nothing special about them.”
“There is a big difference between sustainability and greed, Marcellus.” His brow pinches. “You never understood the difference.”
A growl breaks through Marcellus’s throat.
“You may be the oldest, Julian, and our laws might dictate you’re the next to rule, but it’s by a mere three minutes. That hardly makes you the best option,” he spits. “You don’t have it in you.”
“Enough,” Julian yells. “Get out or I’ll throw you out.”
Julian gets back into Marcellus’s face. The only similarity is the matching glowers that could turn the world to ashes in seconds.
“I will rule, Marcellus, and if you keep getting in my way, I’ll remove you permanently. Brother or not.” Julian’s tone leaves no room for argument.
“We’ll see. The Council will be here soon. We’ll allow them to decide what’s best for the kingdom,” he hisses. Turning on his heels, he stalks out of the room.
Julian’s face goes ashen at the mention of the Council coming. Could they actually hold the power to dethrone Julian? Would they put Marcellus in his place? The thought makes me sick.
“Bash,” Julian calls out.
A large man with a tree trunk for a neck comes walking through the same door that Marcellus just exited.
