Page 29 of Huntress and the Splintered Court
“Isabel?” Reed swallowed hard looking every bit as pale and nervous as the gatekeeper had been. “We thought the wolves were holding you prisoner for the next several months.”
“Did you? Well I guess you missed the call about my early release due to good behavior. Now on what grounds are you dismissing my father?” My father still stood in the room, but he was remaining silent as Reed made his case to the rest of the Order.
“We’re deeming him unfit to rule.”
“Why? What has he done that warrants this?”
Reed twitched just slightly, proving he wasn't prepared for the question.
“It’s not what?” I recognized the hunter who stepped up for Reed. His name was Chad and I met him the night he and Reed had beaten some teen werewolves for nothing more than sport. “It’s what he hasn’t done. He’s not been a proper leader. He let the wolves take his heir.”
I waited but nothing else came. “That’s your big reason? Let’s get something straight he didn’tletthe wolves take me. He bartered to keep the peace. I’ve been in no harm under Gideon’s roof, that was until you sent vampires in to kidnap me!”
The room erupted in chaos. Different voices yelling “what” and “that’s not true” bounced off the walls. I moved to my father while the room was in an up rise.
“What are you doing here?” my father asked taking me into his arms.
“I had to come help, Dad.”
“It was a mistake. Your place isn’t here anymore. You belong with him.”
If his words had been said by anyone else, I might have taken them as spiteful, but my father had given me his blessing. He wanted me to be happy. By being there, offering to take up his mantel he knew I was depriving myself of happiness.
“If I can’t save your position then I can at least take it until the wolves are out, then it won’t matter.”
“You have to know that’s why he’s pushing for my dismissal. He knew, but I don’t know how.”
“Reed is working with the vampires in an attempt to over throw Gideon and you. It’s power and to keep the supernaturals from moving into this century.”
A loud whistle pierced the air grabbing everyone’s attention. “Silence,” Reed called out before narrowing his eyes at me so quickly I almost missed it. “Isabel, that’s a crazy accusation to throw at me. I understand you want to save your father’s position but at what cost?”
“It’s not an accusation. It’s true. I questioned the vampires myself. They described you to a T.”
“Oh, so you have these vampires as witnesses?”
Gritting my teeth, I began seeing him turn the tides on me putting me on defense. “Not anymore.”
“Well perhaps we can reach out to the vampires then and ask for their corporation in finding them. If someone is spreading lies about me, I think I have the right to face my accuser directly. I can make the call.”
“They’re dead.”
“Dead?”
“Well yes, after one of them tried raping me, I ended him before he could attempt it again.”
“Did that really happen or is it something you’re making up much like these allegations that I’m working with the vampires.”
“I’m not making anything up.”
“Either you are or you unjustly killed, how many vampires was it again?”
I stood there glaring at him unable to open my mouth without making the situation worse. Already there were murmurs echoing around the hall.
“I don’t think you’re in any position to take over your father’s mantel. You’ve been a captive for months. Perhaps you truly believe the stories you’re making up and if that’s the case we can’t have you ruling us at less than your full self.”
The voice grew louder the longer I remained quiet. Reed seized the opportunity to close the distance so that only I could hear him. “You think I don’t know that it was you that pulled your father’s support to those beasts’ cause? You’d pick up right where he left off. As it is the crown will fall to me until you’re fit to rule and I can make it so that never happens. Perhaps you’ll suffer from PTSD for the trauma you experienced under the wolves’ care.” It was taking everything in me not to pounce on Reed and pound his face to mush, but I’d only be proving his point. “I’ll relinquish my hold if you agree to be mine. We’ll rule side by side. Partners. Neither of us can make a decision without the other’s approval.”
“You think you can take what’s mine, my family’s?” The rage was bubbling inside me. Reed must have seen it because his gaze narrowed. “If they’re stupid enough to believe your stories than that’s on them but I can guarantee you’ll never hold the power not as long as my bloodline is alive. No one will ever see you as the true heir.”
