“And yet he has served faithfully without the recognition he deserves,” Allison told them. “As one of the Faithful, I beseech you to at last name Jacob One True Master.”
There was complete silence in the chamber except for Jacob’s sharp intake of breath.Holy fuck.
As fear of how the wrath of the council might play out and his fury with Allison for putting them in this position wrestled for dominance, the silence stretched on. His mind raced in an attempt to find a way to downplay her request, to apologize for overstepping his bounds and for flouting protocol in pretty much the most insulting way imaginable.
Jacob swallowed hard, then smoothed one of his brows, not surprised to find it damp with nervous perspiration. “Gentlemen—”
Allison stepped forward and leisurely strolled before the dais, the sharp clack of her stiletto heels making him flinch inwardly with each step. “Before each of you is an envelope. Inside is a card bearing a single question. A simple yay or nay is sufficient—I’ll even let you write your response if you’d prefer not to speak.”
She motioned to the security detail, who immediately moved into position behind the men—with no interference from the sentinels.
What the hell?
It was their job to protect the council, to eliminate any perceived threat. So why the hell were they just standing there, passively observing the drama playing out before them without even taking a step to bar the guards from ascending to the dais?
When none of the councilmen made a move to comply, she halted and tilted her head to one side, giving them a chiding look. “Really, gentlemen. What can it hurt to grant the whim of a pretty woman, hmm? I assure you, I’d be most grateful if you’d humor me on this one tiny, insignificant thing.” She clasped her hands together, feigning a demure pose. “Please?”
God, she’s good.
Finally, one of the councilmen reached for his envelope with an annoyed sigh. The others immediately followed, except for Jacob’s grandfather. Jacob could practically feel the man’s furious glare from beneath his hood.
Oh, yeah, this isn’t going to end well at all . . .
Upon opening the envelopes, the men exchanged concerned glances with one another before turning their attention almost as one to Allison. Her smile grew at their reaction.
“You have to make a decision regarding Jacob’s future with our organization. And your response to the question on that card will determine your own future as well.”
“This is ludicrous!” Angus Stone roared, slamming his fist upon the marble. “Who the hell do you think you are, you pretentious bitch?”
Allison ignored him, instead addressing the other men, her tone particularly unyielding when she said, “What say you, gentlemen? As you can see, it is time for Jacob to ascend to the role for which he was destined. Will you offer your support?”
“Yes!” the first one cried. “Yes, of course.”
The other three also assented without hesitation, their voices raised in what Jacob would’ve called hysteria had it not seemed so absurd. His gaze flitted among them, trying to figure out what in the hell was going on.
Allison turned her attention to Angus Stone, waiting expectantly. When he still refused to respond, she sighed. “You know a vote such as this must be unanimous. If one of you votes against Jacob, I’m afraid that means you all stand against him.”
“Angus,” one of them pleaded in a harsh whisper. “Answer the goddamned question for chrissake.”
But Angus still refused to budge. “I won’t be bullied in my own inner sanctum.”
Allison huffed in a pretty pout. “Well, that’s unfortunate, isn’t it? I’d really hoped this would go differently.” She spread her hands. “I’m sorry, gentlemen. I’m afraid you leave me no choice.”
“Allison . . .” Jacob cautioned, confused by the rising panic, the desperation he sensed among the council.
But before she could respond, Allison motioned toward the sentinels. Immediately, they unsheathed the daggers at their waists.
Suddenly, Jacob realized what was about to happen. “No! Don’t!”
But before the words even left his mouth, one of the council members leaped to his feet, snatched the dagger before him and lunged forward, plunging it into the center of Angus Stone’s chest.
A wordless cry of shock and horror erupted from Jacob. Instinctively, he moved forward to stop the man, to aid his grandfather, whose hood was knocked from his head by the attack, revealing his astonishment. But before Jacob could take more than a step, his guards were upon him, holding him back.
And as another councilman leaped to his feet, plunging his own dagger into Angus Stone’s chest over and over again, Jacob realized this was why Allison had brought the extra security—to hold him back, to keep him safe as the four councilmen murdered his grandfather in a frenzy while the sentinels looked on.
“Oh, shit,” Jacob muttered, his voice catching in his throat. “Oh, God.”
Jacob tried to look away, but when he closed his eyes, Allison grasped his chin. “Do not look away, my love. This is all for you.”
