Page 9 of Addicted in Blood
“And the House?”
“Would stay intact until that time, assuming the House was structured to support its continuance.Some Houses don’t plan for these things.It’s shortsighted, but since vampires live a long time, many don’t worry about it.”
“But Devon would have a succession plan.”
“Oh, yes.That’s why Simone immediately stepped in.But it’s also why it will be difficult to keep the House.Many on the Council don’t believe a woman should lead.”
“But there are women who lead Houses, though I was told not many.Aren’t there any women on the Council?”
“There are several Houses led by women, and there are three women on the Council.One is quite powerful.Her vote sways many.”
“Does she like Devon?”Ginger asked.
Anna smiled.“I would say she’s his only hope, but she also follows the rule of law.It’s difficult to say which way she’d lean, and Lorenzo has been gaining his own followers.”
We all growled at that.
Then a thought occurred.
“How did those women become leaders if it’s unusual to have a House with a woman master.”
“Through succession if there are no male heirs.”
A hysterical laugh burped out.It couldn’t be that easy.Surely, Simone or Sergi would have considered it.“What about Lyra?”
ChapterSix
If someone thoughtvampires could move quickly, they would have been impressed by Anna, a mere human, and her march to Devon’s office.She was known to practically fly through the manor, even when weighed down by heavy tomes, and this time was no exception.Ginger and I huffed and puffed to keep up.For my part, it might have been the wine.
The mention of Lyra as a possible successor had lit a fire under Anna.She’d stared at me for several seconds with her head tilted and eyes unfocused.It was a bit unsettling.Then she’d sprinted from the room.When we reached Devon’s office, she stopped long enough to knock.Not in her normal timid manner, but a robust knock that made me jump.
I was surprised to find not only Sergi but the rest of Devon’s cadre already there.I hadn’t known they’d returned, and I gave Anna a withering glare.She’d been sent up to babysit.My glower went unnoticed because she never dropped her gaze from Simone.
“Ladies.”Simone leaned back from the laptop she’d been staring at.Sergi, Lucas, Bella, and Jacques were seated in a semi-circle around Devon’s desk.“I’d wanted another hour before calling for you.”This was Simone, the business manager for Oasis and Devon’s pick for successor, and she left no doubt who was in charge.I attempted a step back, but Ginger blocked my exit.
Anna bowed her head in deference.“I’m sorry to interrupt, but something came up that I’m sure you’re aware of…” She glanced at the other vampires then cleared her throat before continuing.“But Cressa asked about succession within a House.”She hesitated, then straightened her posture, her chin raised.“I explained my knowledge of the protocols, but I’d been thinking about it from the position of you being the most logical member of the cadre to step in.”
“We’re already aware of Devon’s succession plans.”Simone’s tone was even, though she looked past Anna to me, and her expression was clear that she wouldn’t put up with any of my shenanigans.
Not one of the cadre glanced our way.Whatever happened at the Council meeting hadn’t gone well.The situation was serious, the tension brittle enough to snap the most resilient in two.Somebody cue the dirge.
“The Council didn’t it see it the same way,” Simone continued.She sighed and waved her hand for the three of us to draw closer, and the vamps shifted their chairs to include us in their discussion.Their expressions were so grim, I had to look away.
The three of us remained standing.Anna, stiff as a board, took a spot to the left of Bella and Jacques.Ginger followed me to the bar where I leaned a hip, ready to run if needed.A room of high-strung vamps wasn’t the best place for humans.
“Lorenzo came prepared, which I don’t think anyone in this room finds surprising.”Simone steepled her fingers, her gaze split between Anna and me.“His recommendation was simple.He wants the House Trelane sanctioned.”
When Anna sucked in a breath, I didn’t have to be told what that meant—we were hosed.
Simone’s expression was somewhere between angry enough to kill and tired beyond comprehension.“The sanction is being held in abeyance until Devon’s capture and conviction.We provided the Council a copy of Devon’s succession plan since he has no direct heirs.The Council was split, and the deciding vote came from Council member Isabella Stanton, breaking the tie in our favor.Until Devon is convicted, I will remain the leader of the House, which remains intact with all of its privileges.We have two weeks to bring Devon in.If that doesn’t happen, the sanction goes into effect.”
“What does that mean?”I asked.
Simone’s gaze didn’t falter, but I could see the pain behind her stern expression.“The papers accusing a House leader of a High Crime will be filed and Eliminators will be given an arrest order for Devon.Sentinels will be sent to ensure all House activities and finances are frozen pending dissolution of the House, including the manor, all property and assets, even the family itself.Each of the family members will be given a choice of going rogue or being assigned to another House, which is typically not one of their choosing unless they’ve aligned with a House willing to absorb them.”
A chill ran over me.This was worse than I’d imagined.Two weeks to find Devon and discover who killed the Council member.Was Oasis safe from the Council and the Sentinels, and if so, how long could an entire family of vampires be hidden?
“It’s as dire as I’d assumed.”Anna had gone pale, and her shoulders slumped.
