Page 36 of Sinner
“Friends,” Orson snorted. “What a skewed meaning of the word.”
“Coming from a man who helped screw over half the members at this table,” Beck replied without skipping a beat, “that doesn’t carry much weight. You don’t honestly believe the investigation into Demitrious won’t also find you culpable, do you?”
The old man glared. “As far as I see it, the person who benefits the most from having Hendrix out of the picture is you.”
“Are you suggesting I…what? Put the gun in my father’s hand and aimed it at West myself? In front of all of those people? And the video footage after? Did I delete my image from all of the filmed accounts of that day?”
West chuckled and then pretended to care enough to cover it up with a cough, but even that was forced, and they could all tell.
“My father and I aren’t on the best of terms,” Beck continued, possibly emboldened by West’s reaction. “You should understand better than most what that’s like, having worked so closely with Demitrious for so long.”
“What exactly are you implying?” Orson stiffened in his seat.
“He’s pointing out the obvious,” West chimed in. “That my dad and I hate each other, and you’ve witnessed it.”
“Save the family drama for later,” Lake ordered, tapping the table again to draw everyone’s attention.
“You’re part of that family,” Orson huffed. “Or have you forgotten? Out of the graciousness of his heart, Demitrious took you in and gave you a home when you had nothing, andthisis how you repay him?”
“Nothing? So my bloodline and the name Zyair mean nothing to you now?” The corner of Lake’s mouth turned up. “Careful, Orson. That sounds a lot like treason in the making.”
“You have no right—”
“We’re going in circles when there are bigger issues at hand,” Sif cut them both off with a sigh. While it was obvious she wanted Demitrious and his followers gone as well, she’d always been a dedicated member of the Club. That dedication was what had earned her a seat, and she’d never wavered in her responsibilities. “Demons Passing is far too close for us to allow this Hendrix complication to continue unchecked. Since we’re aware of where he is, I suggest we send a stronger team there immediately to arrest him.”
“I’ll contact the palace,” Lake said, already typing on his multi-slate. “This is official business. They’ll arrest him and bring him back for trial. The Imperial Guard are good at what they do.”
“You already have access to the Guard?” Gerty shared a glance with Orson.
“There are no other candidates in line for the throne,” Beck responded for Lake. “My father’s actions have taken my name out of the running, and that only leaves a couple of distant cousins who have no business or training to take on such a hefty position. Why wouldn’t he be given the Guard early? His protection is of utmost importance.”
“If something were to happen to him, who would the position default to?” Gerty had the audacity to ask.
“West or Yejun,” Lake stated coolly.
“What?” She clicked her tongue. “That’s preposterous.”
“I’ve already discussed this at length with the High Council. Whether you agree with it or not makes no difference.”
“And if something happens to all three of you?”
“Planning on committing treason, Gerty?” Sif quirked a thin brow.
“My Royal Consort would take command,” Lake said. “In the tragic event that all three of us are taken out of commission,Phoenix Monroe will be given the role of emperor in our stead. He has an older cousin, so I imagine, if something tragic were to then befall him, Briant would take over.”
Orson and Gerty both looked like they’d been doused with a bucket of ice water.
A hush fell over the table, some working through what they’d just learned and coming to accept it, others very obviously struggling.
“You’re saying the line of succession would shift entirely,” Iwon voiced what they were all contemplating. “That a new bloodline would take rule over the planet?”
“That’s right,” Lake agreed, steepling his fingers again. “The Monroes would be elevated to Imperial status and would be the new royal family of Tulniri. Of course, that’s only if something were to happen to me first.”
“We’ve been at peace with all neighboring planets for almost a century,” Yejun reminded them. “And aside from Hendrix, there have been no major or minor threats made against Lake or his future rule. In fact, polls from this morning suggest that since his coronation announcement, public opinion of him has only gone up.”
The planet was tired of being without a ruler, even though it hadn’t been too long a period, and the High Council had ensured everything had kept running smoothly. While it was true they weren’t currently at risk of war with anyone, a planet with no set leader was seen as weakened. Having Lake announced as the future emperor strengthened Tulniri’s standing within the galaxy. Only a fool would be against that.
Yejun smirked when Orson caught his eye. They’d effectively cut him off at the head. This plan had been in discussion for a while now, and they’d all come to the conclusion that protecting themselves and Nix required a sneaky play.
