All the Thorns & Serpents, page 23
‘Thank you all for coming here today.’ It was barely a whisper from Vivienne as she shifted uncomfortably in her chair. Her pale blue pant suit and braided hair not exuding the confidence she wished to display. ‘We have several forms of business to discuss today, the first will be my formal ascension. Then we will discuss the ongoing situation with the terrorist group known as the Dolls of the New Dawn, and finally we will discuss some changes that will occur owing to the change of Countess as is customary,’ she finished and for a second I could see her let out a breath longer than she should have.
‘I will start with the plans for the formal ascension if that’s ok with you?’ Lois quickly chirped in and everyone’s eyes moved to her.
I could tell from their faces that they knew Vivienne was too uncomfortable, and they were expecting others to do most of the speaking for her.
‘We will be holding this ascension in a month’s time; this will take place at the Cathedral as is customary. Everyone will be recalled to London for this. We appreciate that many will have reservations over safety concerns, but we would like everyone here to assure their families that the utmost will be done to make sure everyone is safe.’
No murmurs, no quarrels, it was just silence and stares.
‘With that out of the way we would like to discuss our most pressing concern.’ Maud stood up now and moved around to position herself behind Vivienne at the head of the table.
‘Yes, let us discuss this, considering you lied to everyone at the vote,’ Toni said making the first shot of the day.
‘It has been incredibly difficult to try and keep this to ourselves. Lying to our own families is not the easiest of tasks,’ Beatrice added, her expressionless face now struggling to contain her frustration.
‘Surely you can’t think that mass panic is a better option?’ Maud stabbed back as blunt as ever with a tut. ‘If we told everyone that the low borns have gained our most precious secret, it would destabilise the very foundations that we are built on.’
‘If we keep this from them and something happens none of us will ever be forgiven. They are like sitting ducks!’ Toni shouted now, the familiar battle scenes of this chamber starting all over again.
‘Where have they gone? Are we even on their trail? They could be creating more of an army than we can even imagine!’ Beatrice snipped to add to the fray.
‘They will be licking their wounds following the death of Gregor at the heads of one of our very own.’ Maud motioned toward Olivia, and the pride that beamed from her for all but a second quickly vanished. The memory of the repercussions of that moment must be replaying in her mind because they did in mine.
‘We will be proposing a reorganisation of the Enforcement division. We have been too lax for far too long,’ Vivienne said quietly, and all the bickering stopped.
‘More so than normal?’ Carys interjected.
‘Kathryn Byron will be stepping down as the senior figure amongst Enforcement and will instead serve to train our new recruits. She has served us well, but it is time for a change,’ Maud said, and you could almost feel the ice coming from her it was that cold.
‘She is one of the strongest leaders we have ever had!’ Gabrielle almost rose to her seat in disgust.
‘Kathryn has served gallantly, but it is customary to change over leadership in these circumstances,’ Lois interjected quickly.
‘Who will replace her?’ Gabrielle demanded banging her hand on the table.
‘We are recalling someone from the German court. The process is still underway, but more details will be confirmed at a later date,’ Maud said quickly, but again there was no chatter or murmur like normal. Gabrielle moved her hands back to her lap and stared ahead to avoid looking anyone directly in the eyes.
‘Do we even have the numbers to battle an uprising?’ Zenaida said this time.
‘We are confident, regardless of numbers, we are far more equipped and experienced than they will be,’ Vivienne replied. She was being careful to make sure she spoke even if only occasionally.
‘We cannot go to open warfare. There hasn’t been anything like this since the War. What are the mortals saying about all of this?’ Beatrice snapped back in again.
‘I have already met with the Director General. They are concerned, but we have informed that we intend to have this all under control,’ Vivienne again said quietly, but I was surprised that she had met with SD7 and again no one had told me before.
‘They must be furious; Lewis has always been rash and had a distaste for our kind. There is no way he let you go by telling him we would have it under control,’ Zenaida pressed again this time. It was odd to hear her speak so much. She was usually so silent and reserved.
‘We will handle it, but our first priority is to quash these Russian rumours. An uprising of low borns will be nothing compared to a full-scale attack from Russia,’ Maud spoke again. ‘From this day forward, there will be no more talk of the Russian court working against us, is that clear?’
‘Intelligence seems to think otherwise, Maud,’ Gabrielle said, her long hair flowing as she moved her head as if to resemble real water.
‘The Grand Duchess is aware that rumours continue. So is the Tsarina, I believe.’ I decided it was my time to interject now.
‘How exactly do you know this?’ Toni snapped at me, not being able to hide her usual look of disgust anymore.
‘She told me… apparently she has received word that there is a threat to her life whilst in London.’ This was met with a stark silence, and hushed shock.
‘What exactly did she say to you?’ Maud quickly shouted to me. We could both play the games of not telling each other what was going on.
‘Just that, I’m afraid, no elaboration.’ I was equally quick and made sure to scowl at Maud. She clearly didn’t like being played at her own game.
‘Well, this is just horrendous. If they believe that threats are coming from us this leaves us in a terrible situation,’ Maud said more to herself than anyone else.
‘We must do all that we can to repair this. Roman, you are charged with especially focussing on good relations with the Grand Duchess,’ Vivienne said more firmly than I had expected.
‘I suppose I should also say that her Tsarina has ordered her recall back to Russia, but she hasn’t left yet. I am hoping to convince her to stay a little longer.’ It was true, partially. I had no idea whether I could convince her to stay or not, but I certainly would try.
‘Excellent, you must make sure that she stays for longer, so that by the time she leaves this all will have blown over. Russia will no longer believe we are trying to pin something on them or threaten them.’ Maud almost smiled as if this had been her plan all along.
‘You can’t be serious!’ Beatrice shouted again. ‘She is a danger to us all. Never mind someone here threatening her. She should leave as soon as possible.’
‘It is better to keep her close than to watch her go now when she believes we are the enemy,’ Milena said this time, her dark hair pulled back away from her face.
‘It has been decided so we should stop going round in circles.’ Maud commanded the room again and everyone returned to silence. ‘Thank you all for attending today, updates will be delivered in due course.’
To say this was one of the strangest Council meetings I had attended would be an understatement, and I could definitely feel the power shift since Vivienne was elected. Even if people did still bicker and snipe it was nothing like what it once was.
As I was heading out of the room, careful to ensure I was far enough behind the others to avoid any direct conflict, it happened just as we started to wind down the corridors towards the staircase.
‘Do you have a minute?’ It was Olivia.
I wasn’t sure what to do at first other than stand there in silence, totally taken off guard.
‘Sure.’
She walked towards the library. It had been a while since I had been in here, and it was one of the only places in this house that I had actually liked. Sitting on the sofas next to the large fireplace which used to always be lit, but today was out cold, I couldn’t help but feel nervous. I tensed my body ready for another heated exchange.
‘I suppose you are wondering why I have asked you in here?’ she said not looking at me for very long.
‘I’ll be shocked if this is a warm-hearted apology and a reconciliation,’ I said trying not to sound as sarcastic as it may have been.
Olivia smirked. ‘Yes, you will be waiting for that for quite a while longer I expect. Have you met my new pets?’
Before I had a chance to stew on the odd question, the patter of paws came through the library and two large dogs appeared and sat protectively at Olivia’s side.
‘Dobermans, cute?’ I went to reach my hand out to pet one of them, but it snapped at me and then they both started to growl.
‘Lovely as they are, they are definitely not intended to be cute. You see, Roman, you are not the only one who has been learning more about your Gift.’
The way she said it was laced as a bait, but I wouldn’t rise to it and instead just stared at her.
‘What are you saying?’ I could feel my eyebrow raising further up my head.
‘My Gift means I can control more than just people. I can even control animals among other things,’ she said with another smirk.
‘How interesting for you.’ It was blunt but with the growling hounds staring at me I was starting to think she had done all of this to try and scare me.
Olivia started to mutter something. It was too fast and quiet for me to hear but then suddenly the fireplace roared into life.
She had been practicing.
‘I’m not sure what this little demonstration is about, to be honest with you?’ I was tired of this now.
‘You aren’t the only with power here, brother, never forget that.’ It was cutting, and she stood up and her trusty hounds followed. ‘The council may be in your favour now, but it won’t be forever. The question of us sharing our seat will be coming up soon, and I don’t think your allies can find a suitable solution for that.’
With everything else going on, I hadn’t really thought about the technicality of it all. Maud had just said she would sort it so that I was safe. If Olivia and the others started to raise the question, I didn’t honestly know how Vivienne or Maud could get around it.
‘Maybe you should concern yourself with your own situation. Staying shacked up with an exiled former Countess won’t do you or your ambitious prospects any favours.’ I was right that she was still with the Russells and must know that by staying with them it would only impact her further now that Claudia was out of the picture.
Olivia made her way for the door but then turned around with a laugh.
‘Sadie will be taking the Russell seat soon, and if you must know I’m moving into my own place in a couple of days,’ she said triumphantly. ‘I’m surprised you warned me of that when you know I can turn my hand to any social situation.’
Olivia was right, of course. She could do that and probably would, but the longer she squirmed knowing I had the upper hand the better.
‘How could I forget?’ I said rolling my eyes.
‘Goodbye, Roman,’ she said without looking, her dogs following behind her as she left me in the library. I was going to take her speaking to me as a positive step, though.
Chapter Thirty
Of all the people I thought I would be sitting in a coffee shop with, Luis Castro would be the last person. By the text message that Grayson had sent when I told him where I was and who I was with, I knew it probably wouldn’t be long before he turned up here anyway. I had decided to entertain Luis on this occasion.
‘How does it feel to have won then?’ Luis said staring at me with his cool brown eyes.
‘I find it odd that you asked to see me, or how you even got my number in the first place to be honest with you.’ I wasn’t about to be taken down the garden path by him.
‘My family funds most of the technology and data companies in the UK and the US. There isn’t much we can’t find when we need it,’ he said with a smirk.
The bustle of the coffee shop meant that we could speak more freely. No one else was paying any attention to us. I also thought it safer to meet somewhere like this in public.
‘Why do you think I have won?’ I asked stirring the spoon into my cup.
‘Vivienne was elected, your group is in charge now. I think I would say that means you won, don’t you?’
I didn’t like people who never spoke plainly, and that summed Luis up to a tee.
‘You must be disappointed that your mother wasn’t chosen?’ I tried to divert the questions back to him. He must have been frustrated by it and for a second, he froze as if he wasn’t sure what to say.
‘I was surprised that Vivienne was chosen, yes,’ he said simply. ‘Then again my mother is too busy to be dealing with the Countess role anyway.’
‘Busy doing what?’ It was obvious now he was goading me, so rather than go in circles we may as well get straight to what he wants.
‘Our businesses take up a lot of time. We have our fingers in many different pies you see.’ Another smirk. ‘You must feel proud to be the only male ever seated on the Council though?’
‘Is that jealousy I detect?’ I stared over at him now. I wasn’t sure what his obsession with the point was.
‘Good god no, not of your position. People may have their things to say about me, Roman, but it’s nothing like what you get. It must be so nerve wracking for you anytime we are all together.’
Luis had no emotion again, and whether that was purposeful or not I couldn’t decide.
Luis had always been such an enigma. Everyone had warned me to stay away from him ever since the first time I had met him, but I still wasn’t sure why. Not that Luis gave off a warm, be my friend kind of vibe anyway, but the reluctance from everyone still baffled me. It was then that I thought back to the shouting at Claudia’s removal. I knew it was him in the crowd even if no one else had cottoned on.
‘Why were you shouting those things in the crowd that day?’ I asked.
‘What day?’ His voice suddenly went a lot deeper than it normally was, and the look in his eye meant that he wasn’t expecting my question.
‘The day that Claudia was removed in the cathedral, I knew it was you in the crowd.’
‘Well, you mustn’t have said anything to the Council, or my mother would have told me, and no doubt I would have been called before them.’ It was non-combative, but I was glad I had his attention now.
‘Should I have mentioned it? Why were you trying to rile everyone?’ I pressed trying to gauge any sign of his true intent.
‘You are cleverer than I expected, Roman.’ He smirked not taking his eyes off me, but I was starting to feel uncomfortable. He still wasn’t answering any of my questions. ‘You know that it is all a power play in this grand game we call life, don’t you?’
‘Is everything a game to you, Luis?’ I needed to get more out of him.
‘It is, and the quicker you learn that the easier your life will become. It’s about not being too emotional about things; it clouds your judgement. You need to do what is best for you and your family,’ he said with the smirk vanishing.
‘You are doing what is best for yours then by riling everything from the shadows?’ My fingers started to tap against the table.
‘You may think you are hard done to, but my family is always treated at arm’s length. Worse than the Russells in some ways. No one will admit that, of course, but it’s true.’
Grayson warned me to be wary of his stories, especially about his feelings on how his family are treated.
‘Why do you think that is?’ I said trying to entertain him more.
‘In the old times, my ancestor had nothing. She didn’t get any of the money from the king like the rest of them did. You all have old money, but old money often runs out in some form or another. So, we have always had to be creative in how we expand our fortunes. That is why we invest so heavily in technology. Can you imagine the faces of someone like Maud dealing with new tech?’
He was revealing more now, but I had to hold back a laugh as I could imagine what Maud would think of new technology, and that did make for a funny scene.
‘That still doesn’t explain why you feel you are treated differently?’ I said again. He was very good at avoiding answers to questions.
‘We just are, Roman. Who knows why? They all come knocking on our door when they need money, though. Funny how cycles work, we had to beg for money in the war and now everyone comes to us for it instead.’
I could feel the sense of pride in him for that, as if he was happy that people had to come to his family for money. It was a sense of some kind of retribution to him.
‘I wasn’t aware you were so involved with things in America. How does that work with the others over there?’ I knew there were different courts across the world, but America had always mystified me, even though they were supposed to be our closest allies.
‘Americans are funny, they can all trace their families in some form or another back to our families, but then there are others over there that are new. We have married the Synod into America for years now, it’s how we keep relations going. They don’t have the same requirements of Descent and stuff that we have, to a degree. They are more heavily regulated though and tend to stick to military, or shadow political roles.’ Finally, he was saying something interesting.
‘Sounds cool, I wonder if I’ll get to go to America one day,’ I said dreamily imagining a less formal world than the Synod.
‘Who knows, my feeling is that they will keep you on a tight leash, though.’ Again, with another smirk as if he enjoyed goading me. ‘They already know about you, though. You came up in conversation when I was there the other month.’
People in America were talking about me? ‘What do you mean? How would they even know me?’
‘Everyone in the world will be talking about you. It’s not as if you have been kept a secret from the world.’ Luis looked generally confused at my reaction at this point.
