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“Maggie, help me,” I cry out in the dark. “How do I get out of here?”
Silence.
Even she can’t help me this time.
Chapter Seventeen
Julian
The place is buzzing with people as they attempt to pull together a dinner meeting for ten of the most influential members of our society—with less than twenty-four hours’ notice.
While they busy themselves setting up the dining hall, I’m walking to what feels like a death sentence. All the members of the Council have arrived and are waiting for me in the conference room. I asked Law to entertain them while I prepared. I’ll need his support today. It is imperative that the Council see that I have the loyalty of one brother. We’re stronger in numbers and Marcellus is the odd man out.
I stand outside the large wooden double doors adjusting the collar of my shirt. Everything rides on this meeting. The enormity of that fact has me damn near shaking. It’s not only my life that hangs in the balance, but our entire race. Our survival depends on the elders of the Council understanding the danger my brother presents to our kind.
“You ready for this?” Addy asks, sliding up next to me.
She isn’t going to be in the meeting because we’re not ready to tell the Council about the second part of the deal I made with Count Dupré. We need her to focus on the alternative blood source before she takes her place at my side. And it’s not the time for unrest in the Council before the auction is stopped and Marcellus is brought in. We need to form a pact and flush out the traitors.
“Not even close, but it’s past time.”
She places her hand on mine and squeezes. “You’ll do great things for vampires, Julian. I know the smart men on the Council will see your passion. Just be yourself... but perhaps bolder.” She grins and I chuckle.
“Bolder. Got it.”
Count Dupré practically runs up from out of nowhere, out of breath and sweating like a hog.
“Father? What on earth happened to you?” Addy grimaces, taking in his wild appearance. “I... overslept,” he says, not meeting either of our eyes.Strange.“I’ll see you in there.” He throws open the door and steps inside without another look back.
“That was...”
“Strange,” I supply, and Addy nods.
“Very.”
I shake off the nerves building in my core and look at my oldest friend. “Thank you for the pep talk.”
“Always.” She winks. “Where’s Marina? Maybe I’ll talk her into a drink.”
“She was headed to her room last I saw her. Please, coerce her into a girls’ night. She needs it after Seattle.”
Addy sighs. “That was tough. She’s a strong woman, Julian. She’ll be all right.”
I smile. “I have to go.”
She nods. “Me too.” She turns and leaves me to enter the lion’s den. I inhale once more and let it out before entering the room.
Ten sets of eyes stare in my direction and I stand taller, unwilling to let them see that their presence is affecting me in any way. My father ruled the entire world of vampires, but these men before me have ruled in their own right for centuries. While I was out sowing my wild oats and pretending this day would never come, they were managing businesses and overseeing territories as big as—if not bigger than—the United States. Our world is run similarly to the mafia, from what I understand of that system. Each of these vampires has claimed a territory and manages it the way he chooses, with the Crown’s approval. They keep order in their areas and pay dividends to the Crown.
The men are situated in a horseshoe with Counts Byron, Franc, and LaSalle seated on my left; Counts Dupré, Westoff, and Simone at the center of the half circle; and Counts Alabaster, Sagar, and Huntley to the right. Law sits in a corner, quietly, as his attendance would typically not be welcome in a meeting with the Council. In this instance, he’s here at my request. It’s time I show the Council who holds the power and just what will happen to anyone who comes against me.
“Gentlemen,” I greet from the front of the room. “Welcome to Bellamy Manor. I’ve called you here today to discuss matters of grave importance. It’s not lost on me that there’s a traitor in my family. One who seeks to overthrow my rule, an honor bestowed upon me by right of birth,” I state as a reminder of my place at the top. “It also hasn’t gone unnoticed that there are those of you in this room who have worked against me to help aid his cause. Let me start by saying that ends today. You will each give your allegiance to me and my crown, or you will suffer at my hands.”
Commotion ricochets around the room as protests arise at my words.I slam my hands down, drawing their attention back to me. “Quiet,” I order. “This is not up for debate. You sit on my council because my father chose you during his rule, but I am the Crown now, and I will remove and replace whomever I choose.”
“What makes you think you have the power to do that?” Count Byron sneers from his seat. His black beady eyes and long pointed face give him the appearance of a rodent. His shifty alliances seal the deal, making him the resident rat. He’s always been smarmy, and when I’ve cemented my place as Crown, he will be the first to go. For now, though, I need to make him see reason.
“You’re an advisor. Nothing more. My father’s rule is over—likely at the hands of one of you,” I say, making a point to meet each and every one of their eyes. “When I find out who it was, you’ll be dealt with swiftly. Until then, I’ll listen to your advice, but know that I do have the authority to remove you from that seat.”
