Page 92 of Nearly Dead

“New order?”

“The old ways are dying,” she says.“The council is nothing but a bunch of lazy relics high on their own myths.Leviathan’s attack exposed how vulnerable we truly are.He should never have been allowed to gain so much power.They should have known how many souls he collected over the centuries and what that would mean to a necromancer’s magic.”

She pauses as if she’s waiting for me to argue.What can I say?The bitch has a point.

“The werewolves have a new Alpha.The magics are scattered and leaderless, for now, isn’t that right, Mortimer?”She glances toward my uncle’s smug face.“Change is coming, whether we embrace it or not.”

“And you thought kidnapping my family was the way to convince me to embrace it?”I can’t keep the skepticism from my voice.“I mean, Mortimer you can have.I could care less what betrayal you have in store for him.The other three are coming with me.”

“I prefer to think of it as creating an opportunity for dialogue,” she replies.“Your family is enjoying my hospitality while we discuss the future.”

“Some hospitality,” I mutter, noting a flash of subtle magical bindings around Astrid’s wrists.

Elizabeth leans forward, her expression suddenly earnest.“Tamara, I’ve watched you since your transformation.You’re something entirely new, a hybrid that shouldn’t exist, yet does.Your power is growing, evolving.I can feel it from here.Your vampire blood is settling.You feel it too, don’t you?That cool, perfect chill.”

I say nothing, but inside, the ice spreads a little further.She’s right.Whatever happened in the crypt with Conrad and the freed spirits has changed me.

Costin glances at me, frowning.

“You need guidance,” Elizabeth continues.“Control.Understanding.Who better to help you than someone who’s lived for centuries?”

I look at Costin.

“I could tell you stories about my brother’s help,” she says.“You need someone who knows both vampire and werewolf nature intimately?Someone who won’t try to oppress you.”

“You tried to kill me,” I remind her.

She waves a dismissive hand.“Ancient history.Maybe I was just testing you, proving to you what you are capable of.The question is what we do now, moving forward.”

“She’s right about one thing,” Mortimer interjects, his face alight with ambition.“The supernatural world is changing.Those who adapt will thrive.Those who cling to the old ways will perish.”

“Like you adapted by making deals with necromancers?”I counter.

Mortimer’s smile doesn’t falter.“Leviathan served his purpose.A necessary distraction while Elizabeth secured her position.”

I know he’s lying.It’s so obvious.How am I the only one who appears to see it?He’s an opportunistic prick.He probably has deals going with Leviathan, Elizabeth, Thane, and gods know who else.

“You want me to believe you two planned all this?You sent Leviathan after us so Elizabeth could make her move.”

“Clever girl,” Mortimer approves.

“Go fuck yourself, Morty,” I answer, drawing laughter from some of our audience.“This is your backup-backup-backup plan.The Freemont betrothal failed.Your rebellion failed.Leviathan failed.Now you’re here.It’s pathetic.”

“Tamara,” my father states, standing.“That’s enough.Let’s keep things civil so we can come to an understanding.”

It’s then I realize he’s not being held prisoner like the others.What a sad, pathetic man.How did I think so highly of him?

The cold creeps deeper.I’m so tired of this crap.

Elizabeth grins.“I wouldn’t say planned.More like we seized an opportunity.When Mortimer found himself suddenly without allies, we discovered our interests aligned.”

Costin puts a hand on my shoulder.“And what exactly are those interests?”His voice is dangerously soft.

Elizabeth stands, descending the three steps from her throne to approach us.She moves with grace, every gesture formed of centuries of habit.

“A new hierarchy,” she says.“One that acknowledges the changing balance of power.Vampires at the top, naturally.Werewolves will be offered their place as our martial force, guided by their new Alpha, who I understand has a certain fondness for our hybrid friend here.”She gives me a knowing look.“Magics will retain their place as advisors and record-keepers.All under my leadership, of course.”

“And where do I fit in this grand vision?”I ask.

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