“There’s a lot of things we need to discuss, but the most pressing issue is the fact that Walter knowingly employed the rogue vampire who murdered my brother’s girlfriend and nearly tortured my mate to death.”
Clarice’s eyes widen and she looks between me and Walter. “Is that true?”
“He wasn’t in my employ,” Walter sighs, looking terribly bored.
“You were aware of his whereabouts. You knew he’d taken my mate, and still you refused us assistance when we came into Greenleaf to rescue Declan.”
“The council sanctioned your actions.” He waves me off. “I didn’t have anyone to spare on such short notice.”
“We wouldn’t have gotten here in time,” Clarice says apologetically before turning her sharp eyes on Walter. “Or we would have been here.”
“Same,” Alejandra agrees.
“I have no doubt. The issue I have isn’t the lack of support we received, but that Walter Stregorian knew what this rogue was doing on his land and he did nothing to stop it. He put the lives of people in all of our cities at risk.” I slam my hand down on the table.
“The people are not our concern,” Eustace says blandly.
“Just the vampires,” Ethel adds.
“Exactly.” I bite the words out through clenched teeth. “I was chained with silver and my mate has internal scarring. He’s a vampire. I’m a vampire. Show me your fucking concern.”
“You don’t even want to be here.” Walter waves his hand dismissively.
“You’re right. I’d rather be home healing. Helping Declan heal. But I’m here with you, arguing about the egregious actions you’ve taken against every person at this table.”
Alejandra leans toward John and whispers something in his ear. He nods while she speaks, then she turns to Clarice.
“No need to tell secrets,” Eustace chides. “We can hear you anyway, you know.”
“Then hear this.” Alejandra stands up, followed by John and Clarice. “This has gone on long enough. You’re unfit to govern your cities, and I’m officially requesting your leaderships be revoked.”
“Who’s leadership?” Ethel scowls.
“All three of you,” John answers. He looks to the head of the table and speaks to me directly for the first time since arriving. “Our ways are old, and with good reason. But your complacency has turned into something we can no longer abide.”
“And what are you going to do, precisely?” Walter leans back in his chair and laughs.
Alejandra offers me an apologetic look. “I spoke with William earlier, and I hope you’ll forgive us this transgression.”
“Pardon?”
There is a knock at the front door, and Walter’s eyes flicker away from Alejandra. “What have you done?”
“You should go see who’s calling.” She sits down and calmly folds her hands together in her lap. “I’m sorry about your mate, Ezra.”
“He’ll be fine.” I clear my throat. “Better every day.”
She nods, and all of our attentions are pulled to the front door when a loud commotion rings through the hallway.
“What on earth?” Eustace stands as Walter comes scampering back into the dining room. There’s three men on his heels that I don’t recognize, and not for the first time, I really wish my father or Henry were with me. Clarice’s eyes spark with clarity and a smile tugs at her lips. She takes her seat, and so does John.
One of the men reaches into the pocket of his coat and pulls out a scroll. Like an actual fucking scroll, and he tears at a red wax seal and unfurls the paper like he’s about to read a proclamation. I have no fucking idea what’s happening. I don’t know who these men are, and I have no idea what Alejandra has done.
“Eustace Williams, Ethel Wolverton, and Walter Stregorian, you are all commanded by official order of Abigail Compton to come with us,” the man says.
“On what grounds?” Ethel protests.
“You’re formally accused of conspiring to end the life of one of your kind as well as intentional oversight in regards to council matters resulting in the death of one human female, Elizabeth Griego.”
