Page 37 of Created in Chaos

“Very well. Produce your evidence, Morningstar, if you wish to proceed with these outlandish claims.”

Lucian stalks away from the table, and I sit up straighter, uncomfortable with him moving away from us. Nox tightens his hold on my leg, keeping me in place as his brother walks unabashedly toward the dais and produces a flash drive from under his cloak.

The figure he hands it to plugs it into a white box with a large lens. In the next breath, the wall to the left of Rory lights up momentarily, and then an image of Alden emerging out of a door plays like a movie against the stone wall.

The video is crisp, leaving no doubt who the person is, yet I don’t see any proof as of yet that Alden is on Morningstar property. The image freezes on Alden’s face, then cuts to another image of him moving about a house, which I’m assuming is the beach house, as if he’s very comfortable. The image pauses again, and Lucian speaks up. “This is our beach house on the coast. There were tunnels Alden knew of, since he was once a Morningstar, that led directly to this home. They have since been sealed.”

The image rolls again, showing Alden stepping out of the house and onto the porch. I expect to see myself projected on the wall, but I’m not visible from the shot, or it’s been edited to remove me, which is a relief. The image suspends for the final time, and Lucian addresses the room again. “I don’t think there is any question that this is Alden Black, security advisor for the Umbras.”

“While that does indeed look like Alden, how can we be sure this hasn’t been edited, or that it’s even your property in the video?”

“I have a witness,” Lucian replies with an indifferent shrug. “I think you’ll know who that witness is. Would you like me to produce them?”

I suck in a gasp as I realize Lucian is offering me up. He didn’t mention it to me at all. There’s a brief standoff between the two men. Lucian is relaxed and confident, while Rory is fuming. “That won’t be necessary,” my grandfather finally mutters through pinched lips. “I’m sure there are many among us who could attest to the validity of your claims. Even I’ve heard how that house was used.”

Lucian’s lips curl in a mocking smile at Rory’s contrived insult, and I realize he knew that Rory would never call me as a witness. The last thing he would want is for everyone here to know I’m with the Morningstars. Well played, pretty boy, but I will be getting him back for not warning me later.

“Since we’ve established who the intruder is and who he works for…” Lucian gestures toward the older man on the dais. “The only thing left for us to do is put the penalties due to the Umbras up to a majority vote.”

“You will hold your tongue, young man. I am still the President of Cadieux. As such, I am the only one who proposes votes or anything of the like. You’d do well to remember that. Now, take your seat,” Rory blusters like an angry neighbor who’s had his lawn trampled one too many times. It makes him look even weaker. I almost feel sorry for him. If I didn’t know what he expected of me, I still might.

LUCIAN

If I knew I could keep my temper under wraps, I’d say something back to the old bastard, but as it is, I’m on a razor’s edge, close to snapping forward and breaking his goddamn neck, so I give him my back and return to my table.

I can feel my lamb’s eyes on me, even though I can’t see them. They slice right through all this pageantry and cut right to my bones. When I lower myself into the chair, she lets out a heavy exhale. I bet if we were alone, she would claw into me.

The sentries posted at the exits stay put, but several other custodians pass out parchments. Each vote will be read and destroyed tonight, so no one can try to discern who cast which vote. The penalties are not nearly as severe as I’d like, but any rebuke on the current first family will besmirch their legacy and name. I’ll have to accept that for now. Once I’m in the seat of power, I plan to dismantle the other families piece by piece, starting with the Umbras.

I glance at the thick paper and read the short script.

The Morningstar family has requested that the Umbra family be cited and punished for their complacency in the matter of their employee.

Please mark below which penance you deem appropriate.

?? Forfeiture of property—1 acre.

?? Financial restitution to the Morningstar family in the amount of one million dollars.

?? No penance deemed necessary.

My X through the first box is damn near deep enough to score the page, and five minutes later, when the custodian comes around to collect the sheet, I stare right into their covered face. I don’t need ambiguity, and I never will.

Once all the papers are collected, they are handed over to a figure at a small podium, who counts each vote, while a member of the last two families in power, the Quades and the Omegas, audit each ballot for accuracy. Once the final vote is tallied, the figure then makes the decree. “The Umbras are to pay one million dollars restitution to the Morningstar family.”

I’m not surprised by the punishment. These sheep bleat just like the herd they pretend to lead. They made the easy choice, but hearing Astrid’s voice read the announcement was a nice revelation. I bet the words tasted like ash and rot in her mouth.

Rory dismisses the group hastily. “Business is concluded.”

“What of Alden? We’re owed an explanation, along with his head.” I don’t bother rising. I have everyone’s attention.

“The underground has been searched. He has truly escaped. Rest assured, he won’t make it off the island.”

“That’s not good enough. How do we know you’re not protecting him?” I challenge.

“You have no option but to take me at my word.” The old man smiles faintly. “Punishment has already been tendered. There are no further actions here tonight.”

Nova’s hand curls around my wrist as I begin to rise, and it’s the only thing keeping me from ending his tenuous rule tonight with an untimely death. I don’t have protections in place for her, and I can’t risk her getting caught in the crossfire of an all-out war.

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