Page 60 of Besieger
“The problem at hand is appointing someone to replace the All Father,” Nhalme said, raising his voice slightly, putting an end to whatever theatre August had intended to stage. “Someone who can take Ingenuar’s place.”
“We all know that any master we appoint will ruleforus, notoverus. Why not dispense the ceremonies and rule as a council?” Raffaelle asked, and Scarlett could tell how Nhalme disliked the boldness of these words and their implications.
She had the faintest inkling that this was not the first time the question of succession was brought up. Her siblings could meet among themselves or summon the Council without her, toscheme, and to plot. Of course, they would discuss a time—a world—without the All Father, and what that world might bring. Scarlett was the All Mother but the title was as much a formality, as her role as consort. She was young in vampire years; no immortal had crawled out of her womb. The Council did not owe her loyalty.
“Regents can exercise influence over the Council members. Similarly to what they are doing now.” Scarlett did not need to look at Betül or Penelope to see her sisters’ frowns at the accusation. “We need a Master. The Master and Council can keep each other in check. Hold each other accountable.”
They would have to vote then, throw names across the table and elect a vampire fit for succession.
Penelope was the first to suggest Silvio. Raffaelle cast her a look.
“And why not Silvio?” Penelope pressed. “Among the Regents, he is the safest choice, furthest from conflicts with the East. Let him come to the Coven permanently, and leave France to his consort.”
“If you are proposing a Regent, thenallRegents should be considered!” Betül exclaimed, straightening her back.
“When was the last time Gülsün stepped through this threshold? I do not recall seeing her this millennium.” Penelope laughed. She stood up and crossed to the table, taking the seat on Scarlett’s left.
At the sound of her mistress’s given name, Betül’s face grew pale. It was sacrilege enough to speak theSultana’s name, let alone in accusation.
“Silvio has no interest to rule; you have seen him,” Betül interjected, turning now to August. “The one with ambition is his mother. Our Father’s ashes have not yet settled into the earth, and she is already scheming!”
Dulior made him Regent, why not make him Master? Scarlett smiled before she could stop herself. She was fond of Silvio. Hewould not have liked the Council, nor would he wish to lose one of his kin to it, but he was trustworthy.
“What of Mihaela?” The All Mother asked, remembering the young woman.
Scarlett had always enjoyed the fledgling’s inquisitive mind. ThePatrikiahad written back, pleased with Mihaela’s visit, expressing a willingness to offer her another welcome. They could teach her so much more; to fight and to hunt, to read the stars, and to honour the Blood as only the ancients used to.
“Surely you jest.” Now Nhalme looked at her, frowning. “She is a child in mortal years, barely a vampire.”
“And Ingenuar did abandon her,” Penelope added, her words stabbing like a knife.
“Aren’t you going to petition on behalf of theBasilissa; your mistress?” Scarlett turned to her, genuinely curious.
“Oh, please.” Penelope all but rolled her eyes.
“And you—” Betül stood up and walked over to the mantelpiece. She jabbed a ringed finger into Raffaelle’s chest. “I have seen you being sweet with the Countess. Has she put you to it?”
“Dulior had ambitions to make Silvio Regent, and we all saw howthatturned against her. Silvio as Master gives her nothing, it takes everything from her. He might banish her from the Coven, and Emerick would take Béziers. Dulior holds no favour with him either.”
August made a face. “Ah, yes… The French whore.”
“That whore might become your new Regent, August. Careful.” Penelope sneered, far too amused at the prospect of seeing her brother humiliated.
“You do not want Emerick as your enemy,” Nhalme sighed. “He can turn Silvio against us. I am sure Suleiman is also waiting for an excuse to sever ties with the Coven. One word from theComte—the slightest suggestion, even in jest—and you will have Antalya against us. Athens does not care; they are practically their own Coven as is.”
“Silvio as Master could get us Athens back.” Penelope nodded, running a hand over the smooth surface of the table, as if envisioning the outlines of her homeland. “As for Antalya, let that periaptComteglibber all he wants.”
At the suggestion that Silvio held influence over the Antalya Coven, Betül turned her attention from August to Penelope. She bit her lip, fighting back the insults she wanted to hurl at the Greek woman. In recent years, a rumour had spread that Silvio had gained an audience with theSultana, that he had even seen her. The very idea that someone outside the Turk Coven might have seen theSultana’s face was outrageous. There was no proof, nor could there be. The only one in possession of that knowledge was theEmir.
Yet, Scarlett mused, Ingenuar had favoured Silvio and relied on him to accomplish the unthinkable. If Silvio wanted it, he could have Emerick scrape the image from theEmir’s mind and see theSultana’s face for himself; bring the empire of old to its knees and back under the fold of the Coven. All Silvio had to do was arrange for the two men to meet.
You are not planning on telling Gülsün and Eurycleia, are you?Scarlett leaned in and tipped her head against Nhalme’s ear, speaking in his mind.They have a right to know Ingenuar is dead.
“Not until someone is on the throne,” he whispered low, so low Scarlett had to strain her senses to catch the words.
“Nhalme,” she breathed his name, “what are you afraid of?”
“One of us, then?” Raffaelle offered, moving away from Betül and finally sitting at the table.
