AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“She’s right, Count. We aren’t meant to be together. A marriage between us would be for an alliance only. Love wouldn’t factor in. Adèle deserves love. I deserve love. Marriage is not what I have in mind,” I admit. “There are other ways to align our families.”
“Another way? What could you possibly offer, other than marriage?” Dupré scoffs, sounding annoyed.
“I’ll name you my chief of council.”
“There’s no such position,” he snarls, growing angry.
“There will be. I’m the Crown. I can rearrange the Council as I see fit.”
“Preposterous. You don’t have the authority.”
It’s my turn to gain control. Jumping to my feet, I slam my hands down on the table. Addy squeaks in surprise and her father jerks back.
“This ismyrule. My father allowed you and the other Council members too much say in matters over which only the first Borns have the right. You say he was strong. I say he was weak. He should’ve demanded the respect he deserved.”
“Your father respected us,” he seethes.
“And where did that get him?” I ask, leaning menacingly over the table. “Someone within his own council consorted with witches to end his life.”
Dupré gulps. “Witches?”
“Black witches,” I grit through my teeth.
“Julian, I—”
“Enough,” I shout, cutting him off. “This isn’t about my father. That’s a conversation for another day. Right now, we’re discussing a change to the Council.”
“How are you going to enact such a change?” he asks, but his voice doesn’t carry the same condescending tone as before. Now it’s filled with curiosity.
“It only requires three Born votes. My vote is one and Lawrence has already pledged his vote. With yours we have three.”
“But the other councilmen won’t allow it. How will we stop an uprising?”
“Anyone who dares to go against the Born laws will die. There are only three Born families, Count. I don’t need to remind you that of the ten Council families, only three seats are Borns. Which means only three seats are made up of immortals. The rest can be disposed of with one bite from me.”
Dupré’s hands come to his neck. “You’d kill them?”
I nod. “Only if my hand is forced.”
“What if the other Born family doesn’t agree? What if they join with Marcellus?” he asks, voice pitching.
“I fight fire with fire. The traitors aren’t the only vampires with access to witches.”
Dupré gasps at my declaration. “You’ll use black magic?”
“I’ll do whatever I need to in order to save my people and the human race.”
“Julian. You can’t be serious,” Addy barks, joining the conversation.
I don’t answer her, because I garner the reaction I needed from Dupré.
He nods, but it’s clear it isn’t enough to gain his full loyalty.
The fact is, I would do anything it takes to keep humanity safe. Even selling my soul wouldn’t be a price too high. I only hope that won’t be necessary. Surely, if black magic can kill a Born, white magic can do something similar. It’s a conversation I’ll be having with Shante very soon.
“Fine,” Addy snaps, coming to the realization that we’re moving ahead, with or without her buy-in on traitor deaths. “But while we’re negotiating, I want a seat at the table.”
My head and Dupré’s both snap to her.
