Page 10 of Addicted in Blood
I’d never asked if the human staff were considered part of the family.I decided to keep the question to myself, knowing quite well what many vamps thought of humans.Ginger, who was tearing up, had turned toward the cold hearth.It seemed selfish to be thinking of our own plight, but unless the ownership of the condo was well hidden, it was back to the apartment for us.
“If I might.”Anna took a step closer to Simone.“I don’t think we’ve considered all the options.”
Simone lifted a brow then glanced at me.“Go on.”
“I’m surprised I hadn’t considered it myself.It wasn’t until I was explaining the succession protocols that Cressa mentioned it.”
It was nice of her to give me the credit, but this wasn’t the time to seek accolades.It wasn’t always easy to read a room full of vamps.
“Yes, yes, what’s your point?”Simone must have dozens of things to worry about with finding Devon and preparing for a sanction.
“The House Trelane has two heirs—not one.”
The room went deathly quiet,and all heads turned to Anna.
“Well, Lyra of course.She is Devon’s full sister.”
The room erupted.For the first time since I’d woken to this nightmare, hope flickered.
Simone remained silent and dropped her gaze to the computer.She was as motionless as the bronze sculpture behind her.I’d seen this before.She was deep in thought, and if she heard any of the conversation around her, she gave no indication.It was best not to intervene during her musings.I instinctively rubbed my shoulder, remembering the lesson well.
While the vamps were engaged, each talking over the other, I moved Ginger to a sofa.It was best to keep her out of immediate reach of a vamp in case they momentarily lost control.My nurturing instinct, which was nothing more than a dim flame at the best of times, took over, and I stepped up to the espresso machine.A full minute ticked by before the sound of the machine interrupted their conversations.Simone’s head lifted, her gaze pinned to mine, her eyes glowing a bright yellow before they darkened to their tawny amber.The tip of her fangs extended with her smile.
“Explain.”Her single word, spoken with unquestionable authority, brought focus back to the meeting.“And continue with the espressos, Cressa.I think we could all use one.”
I turned back to the machine and smiled as I whipped up cup after cup while Anna demonstrated her knowledge of vampire law.
“The succession protocols are quite clear on the matter.If anything should happen to a House leader, whether by death, killed by an enemy, or convicted of a crime, the heir of the leader is next in line.However, if the House leader has no heir, their oldest sibling gains control of the House.”
“If an enemy kills Devon, such as Venizi, the House becomes his.”Sergi seemed quite positive about the fact, and an arctic blast of air shot through me.
Anna shook her head.“In order for the leader of a House to take over another, there would have to have been an official declaration of war between the Houses.While the Trelane and Venizi Houses have been at odds for centuries, no documented proclamation of war exists.”
“But Lyra isn’t mentally sound.”Lucas was the vamp expert on the law, but it was hard to beat Anna’s dedication to the ancient texts.“At least not sound enough to run a House.”
“It doesn’t matter.”Anna relaxed, falling quite comfortably into her instructor role about a topic in which she was well-versed.“As long as she’s not implicated in the Council member’s death, she is the legitimate heir.With a strong cadre, led by Simone, the Council won’t be able to question the health of the House.”
“Has something like this been done before, not just in the text, but in practice?”Simone tapped her fingers on the desk.
Anna grinned.“There have been multiple case laws over the centuries.The Council can’t ignore it.”
“But Lyra’s condition is part of the reason for Devon’s censure.”Sergi, ever the faithful bodyguard, wasn’t doubting Anna’s words.He was head of security, and part of that role was playing devil’s advocate.
“Only a minor reason,” Simone responded.“One that pertains to his Council seat, not leadership of the House.”Her attention returned to Anna.“What would this do to Devon’s council seat?”
“For that, we’d have to look at two different protocols, which aren’t always mutually exclusive.Since Devon isn’t dead, as far as we know, and at this time only wanted, not convicted, Lyra’s rise to leader would be considered temporary until Devon’s final status is determined.Until then, his censure would continue.If he’s convicted, the House would lose the Council seat unless Lyra can show she is mentally sound.”
“Why didn’t the Council mention this during the hearing?”Lucas asked.
“That’s an easy one.”Bella had been pacing, her hands wrapped around her cup of espresso.“We spent hours waiting for the Council members to arrive.Then Lorenzo immediately raised his motion for the House to be dissolved.No one took the time to discuss protocols.”
“It did seem rather hurried,” Sergi agreed.“Their focus was on the dead Council member, as it should be.And while Devon’s guilt seems apparent with the current evidence, there was no call for the Sentinels to investigate.”
“I found that interesting as well.”Simone closed the laptop.The tips of her fangs still showed, though she no longer smiled.“This has given us an opening we hadn’t considered.I’ll call the Council for an immediate hearing.In addition, I’ll request an investigation into the Council member’s death.”
A new energy infused the room, and Simone took the time to look at each of us.If I could only garner a tenth of her regal stature and commanding presence.“We have many things to consider.Find seats for our three guests.We need to make new plans.Then we’ll ask our new leader to come down and meet with us.”
ChapterSeven
