Enemy Within (Vampire Born Trilogy, #2) (29 page)

“Some say he was assassinated,” I answer.

Zladislov glances at me. “There was much unrest. We were at war with Zao Duhs and the humans, and Radovan was uncompromising in a solution to the bloodshed. This made him many enemies.”

A good thing too. If Radovan were still ruling, I would still be considered Jelena’s property.

“And that’s how you became the Head?” Brooke asks. She’s leaning toward Zladislov, engaged in his every word.

“Yes, and that is where this maneuver to involve you comes from. Chen believed his father was next in line for the Head position, so when I received the throne, he was displeased.”

He was a lot more than displeased, but this is Zladislov’s story, so I’ll let him tell it.

“I also freed the humans and Zao Duhs, against some of the Commissioners’ wishes. Had Chen been next to rule, he would’ve kept the humans and Zao Duhs as they were. Sandor allied with Chen because he had positioned himself well with the Zao Duhs he owned. Abdul-Hakeem aligns himself with them because he likes power and they listen to him, thus giving him a position of power he would otherwise not have.”

Brooke looks to me. “And those are the three who were with Jelena when you guys came for me at the hotel?”

Zladislov continues his story. “Yes, they were the ones who orchestrated the plot against me with Jelena.”

“Okay, so that makes three, and Emerik’s dad, and you, so who’s left?”

“Florian and Anton have been long supporters of me and my ideas. I’ve already had a word with them regarding this meeting and they assured me if it comes to a vote on my regency, they will vote against my dismissal.”

“And what about Brooke?” It’s great Zladislov secured himself, but let’s not forget that Brooke’s life is on the line in this sly effort to remove him. “There will most definitely be a vote regarding Jelena, right?”

“Unfortunately, yes. Florian and Anton committed to me that if Brooke didn’t appear to be a threat, they would vote according to my right of no retaliation in this situation.”

“So how do I make sure they don’t see me as a threat?” Brooke’s scared now. She was worried about this meeting all along, but I don’t think she truly realized how serious it was for her, nor how immediate it was until now.

“You must not let them see you as the aggressor in your fight with Jelena. You must convince them it was done in self-defense. Since she kidnapped you, it shouldn’t be hard for you to make this argument. Unless they ask you, don’t mention that you killed the man she sent for you originally.”

“Dikan will tell them.” Brooke looks at me, panicked.

I ache to say something to make this easier on her. I wish she didn’t have to go through this in the first place. “And if they bring it up,” I say in my most soothing voice, “again, self-defense.”

“That’s right,” Zladislov adds. “You did not come by your knowledge about us, save for Jelena searching you out and bringing you into this. Keep reminding them of that.”

Brooke’s breathing increases and the pulse on the side of her neck quickens. She’s nervous.

I yearn to close the distance between us and hold her, to bear it all for her. My gut tells me to protect Brooke, but I can’t protect her from this.

It’s killing me, tearing up my insides and draining the marrow from my bones, leaving what feels like hollow, useless shells beneath my skin.

“What can I do?” I ask, feeling helpless. “Can I testify on her behalf?” I know I can’t but I have to ask anyway.

“No.” Zladislov tilts his head, appearing slightly regretful. “She will not be allotted any witnesses. It is her testimony the Commissioners wish to hear.”

“But that’s not fair! It’s my life on the line. Shouldn’t I be able to present a fair case?”

It is unfair. She should, but this is Pijawikas we’re talking about.

“This is not a courtroom or any trial you are familiar with. We do things differently. What we say is the way it is.”

“Well, you’re the leader of all them. Shouldn’t you be able to say how things are going to be?”

“I am more powerful than each one of them individually, but I am not all-powerful. The Commission exists to distort absolute power among our people. As long as they abide by the rules, so must I.”

Brooke pulls the sleeves of her thermal over her hands. “And now Emerik’s dad is going to vote against me. I’m sure he wants me dead as much as Emerik does.”

The library door opens and Brooke’s mom peeks her head in. “There you are.” She pushes the door open and comes in carrying a glass or water and something cupped in her other hand. “I knew you were up, but I didn’t know where you’d run off to. I figured you might want to take these soon.” She hands Brooke the glass and drops two white pills into Brooke’s palm.

“Thanks,” Brooke says and pops the pills into her mouth. She sips the water and then hands the glass back to her mom.

Annette peers at each of us. “What’s going on in here?”

“I’m preparing Brooke for her testimony,” Zladislov says.

“Oh.” Brooke’s mom takes the empty seat between Brooke and Zladislov.

Zladislov clears his throat. “I can’t have you in here for this.”

She grimaces at Zladislov, looks at me, then back at him. “I’m her mother.”

“You are also a human, and these things are forbidden from you.”

Fire flares in Annette’s eyes. “One of the things I admired about you was that you never treated me as an other. And I will not allow you to start now. Especially when our daughter is involved.”

I see now where Brooke gets her tenacity. I recognize that same tone from all the times Brooke’s used it on me. I watch Zladislov for any indication that it has the same effect on him.

He’s stoic as he meets Annette’s unwavering glare. “All right, I’ll allow it on the terms that you are her mother, since these are unusual circumstances.”

He doesn’t show it, but I’m certain he’s soft for her still. I tuck that away for later. “Where does that leave Ivan?” Ivan is the remaining Commissioner Zladislov hasn’t mentioned yet.

“Ivan may vote either way.” Zladislov turns his focus to Brooke. “He’s the one you will want to persuade. You’ll know him as the tall one who is partial to pinstriped suits. If he finds you interesting and not posing a threat, he’ll vote to dismiss you.”

Brooke swallows and lifts her eyelids, peering through her top lashes. “But even if I can persuade Ivan, that means four against four if Orell votes against me. What happens then?”

“In the event of a tie, the weight of the Head, my vote, becomes the deciding vote. However, if it does come down to a vote about my position as remaining the Head, my vote cannot be weighted because it is in direct benefit to me. In that case, the vote will lean toward the solution that causes the least amount of bloodshed to Pijawikas. Keeping my position as the Head of the Commission would cause less bloodshed for Pijawikas than if I were removed.”

“Won’t your vote in favor of dismissing Brooke be in direct benefit of you as well?”

“It does benefit me, but the vote is not in regards to me.”

Brooke chews on her sleeve. “But if we can convince Orell to continue to forfeit his votes, things would be more likely to go our way, right?”

“Yes.”

“But how do we do that?”

“Is that why you let Emerik go?” I ask Zladislov.

“Partially. Killing him would ensure his father’s vote against us. I also couldn’t do it because we have been friends for over seven centuries. I could not see his life come to an end by my hand.” He looks down and brushes lint off his suit pants.

I don’t believe it. A Pijawikan betrayal is a serious offense, and Zladislov is not that soft, or weak. I stare at him until he looks up. I lock his blue gaze in challenge. “There’s something else, isn’t there?” If he knows something that could help us, to help Brooke, I need to know about it.

He inhales deep, as if considering what to tell me. “When you have been as close to someone as I have to Emerik, for so long, you become aware of … secrets about one another.”

I consider that for a moment. I’ve never doubted Emerik and Zladislov have been through a lot together, but now I’m curious as to what Emerik has on him. I’m even more interested in what he has on Emerik as he’s now my enemy. “So, if Emerik were to die, your secrets would no longer be safe? Is that what you’re saying?”

“You could put it that way.”

Now I can understand why Zladislov let Emerik go.

“There is one more thing. When we go to the meeting, only Pijawikas are allowed inside the auditorium.”

This is bullshit. “I can’t go in with her?”

“But I’m her mother!” Annette shrieks.

“I can’t do this—” Brooke starts, but Zladislov cuts us off.

“Both of you can go, but neither of you will be allowed inside the room as Brooke testifies.” He angles toward Brooke. “I will be there with you the whole time, so don’t fret.”

How can he tell her not to fret? I’m not even the one on trial here and I’m fretting the fuck out!

Brooke scoots toward the edge of the couch. “Let me make sure I have this straight: I can’t have any witnesses, I’ll answer the questions as they ask them, I have to appear non-threatening, and I basically don’t get anyone there with me for moral support.”

“Yes, yes, yes, and I said I’ll be there with you.”

Brooke exhales. “I hate this. Are we done here?”

“Yes, that was everything essential you need to know.”

Brooke gets up. Annette follows her out.

I stand but linger. “What happens if Orell and Ivan vote against Brooke?”

“At this point, I don’t see Orell doing that.”

“But what if he does?” I say sternly. I don’t care what he
sees
happening. I need to know what we’re really up against. “Or if Orell nullifies his vote, but Ivan votes against her?”

Zladislov stands and takes two strides across the rug, stopping in front of me. “If it comes to that, I will resort to Plan B.”

“Which is?”

“Something so terrible I won’t even discuss it.”

That should alarm me. Whatever it is, it’s bound to carry vast repercussions. And even knowing that, I still feel better that Zladislov will do whatever he needs to keep Brooke safe.

Because that’s my plan, but he’s much more powerful than I am.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Brooke

Today’s Monday. We only laid David to rest four days ago, but Jaren and I have to go back to school. I’ve missed so much lately that it may take me getting held back to catch up. School seems so insignificant now. Something to take up hours of my days when I should be preparing to get out of this mess.

I have yet to hear from Kaitlynn as to whether she
’ll be coming today. I have yet to hear from her regarding anything. She’s closed herself off from me. She takes my calls, but she doesn’t speak. When I ask to come over, she says she wants to be alone. I know she’s grieving, but I’m worried. Mirko has had Ace, Hawk, and Bruce switch off keeping an eye on her, so she’s physically safe, but I’m worrying about much more than that now.

Someone knocks and opens the door as I stand in front of the mirror and stare at my quiet phone.

“You look stunning,” my father says, sitting down on the edge of my bed.

Stunning isn’t really what I was going for. I picked my outfit because of its dark tones; black fits my mood lately. “Thanks,” I say. I turn and sit next to him on the bed.

My dad reaches behind me and pulls a strand of hair to drape over my shoulder. “Your mother tells me David’s was your first funeral.”

“Yeah.” I drop my eyes. “We’ve never stayed anywhere long enough to see anyone pass away.” I mean old people. It’s what the old me thought. Only old people pass away. Death doesn’t touch the young. It won’t happen to me and it won’t happen to my friends. At least not until we’re old and it’s our time.