Page 112 of Nearly Dead

I elbow my brother in his ribs.

“We shouldn’t keep them waiting.”Costin pulls open the door.

Astrid and my father are already there.They block the way inside.

“There you are,” Davis says, reaching to give me a polite hug.I stiffen at the surprise contact.“I was beginning to think you weren’t coming.”

“And miss your moment of glory?”I grumble under my breath, unable to keep the edge from my voice.“Wouldn’t dream of it.”

My father’s expression tightens, but he says nothing as he reaches to shake hands with Costin.Beside him, Astrid studies me with those ice-blue eyes that see too much.She looks elegant as always in a silver dress that complements her pale blonde hair, but there’s a tension in her posture.

“The council is ready for us,” she says.

They step aside to escort us in.The round room is dominated by a half-circle table.Twelve seats line the curve, each occupied by a representative of a major supernatural faction.Not all factions, though.I see the werewolves are not represented.

Zephronis stands near the head of the table, his ageless face impossible to read.He gestures for us to approach.We didn’t see him pass us in the hall, but I’m not surprised he beat us into the room.

“The Devine family and Lord Constantine,” announces a spectral voice.“As summoned.”

We move forward as a group, though I notice my father positioning himself at the front.Some things never change.

“Lord Constantine,” Vasilisa greets, holding his name in her mouth like a seduction.“Please, join me.”

She motions to the empty chair next to her.

“I’m where I belong,” he answers, staying beside me.

Vasilisa smirks.“Davis?”

I watch my father seat himself between Vasilisa and Elder Decimus, the same council member who questioned me during my first appearance.The image of him taking a seat of honor pisses me off, but Astrid catches my eye and gives a subtle shake of her head.

Decimus stands.“Davis Devine.You and your family have been called to account for the events of the full moon.The death of Lady Elizabeth and the disappearance of Mortimer Devine have caused significant upheaval in our community.”

My father stands, his chin lifted with practiced confidence.“Elder Decimus, honorable council members, I stand before you to take full responsibility for the actions taken that night.”

“You—” I start to protest, but Costin’s hand on my arm stops me.His slight head shake tells me to wait.

“The threat posed by Lady Elizabeth had grown too great to ignore,” my father continues.“Her alliance with my brother Mortimer represented a direct challenge to the established order.I had suspected and monitored my brother for years.”He gives a dramatic shake of his head.“I didn’t want to believe what he was capable of, but the proof became too great to ignore.As head of the Devine family and respected magic representative, I made the difficult decision to confront this threat head-on.It is my sad duty to report, Mortimer is not missing.He is dead.My son Anthony will be taking over his uncle’s responsibilities.”

Anthony takes a deep breath and lowers his head.He stares at the floor like he wants to set it on fire.

My father wasn’t even present for the battle, yet here he is, claiming credit for our victory as if it was his master strategy all along.

“And what of the hybrid?”asks Madam Britannia, her gaze fixed on me.“Your daughter’s evolution has not gone unnoticed.”

“Tamara has proven herself a valuable asset to our family,” my father says smoothly.“Her unique abilities were instrumental in our success.”

“Asset?”I can’t help but interject.“Is that what I am now?”

Davis turns to me, a warning in his eyes.“Tamara, please.The council is addressing me.”

“Actually,” Zephronis says, speaking for the first time, “I believe it is Tamara Devine who should be addressing the council.”

A murmur runs through the assembled elders.My father’s face flushes with surprise and barely concealed annoyance.

“With all due respect,” he begins, “as head of the Devine family?—”

“The events of the full moon were not orchestrated by you, Davis Devine,” Zephronis interrupts, his voice quiet but carrying absolute authority.“Nor were they merely family business.They represent a fundamental shift in the supernatural balance, one that requires an honest accounting.”

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