Chapter Thirty-Eight
Sawyer
I grind my teeth from the shadows as Harold drones on and on about what an honour it is to get into The Order, how the hard work starts now, how those chosen to join now have to start proving themselves. What an asshole.
In an interesting turn of script, he insists that all members – new and old alike – should remember that their loyalties lie with the board. Interesting, as until now we’ve always been told our loyalties should be to The Order itself. Why is he suddenly demanding loyalty to himself?
Does Harold realise that we are on to his plans? Most likely. Does he realise that I know the depths of his corruption? Unlikely. Does he suspect we might be moving to overthrow him? Possibly. Probably.
I’m frustrated. I wanted the new board of replacements set up and ready to go tonight, but Baxter’s grandfather was unable to attend, and the person I had in line to represent the Kessler family mysteriously disappeared.
I had banked on Amelie representing the Rossi’s, and so if I switch her to the Kessler seat, I don’t have a Rossi.
Her brother straight out refused. I can’t figure out a way around this.
It’s our father’s generation all over again.
Our parents – our real parents – should all have been able to take their seats on the board when the grandfathers and other old rulers hit sixty.
However, Baxter’s father, the twin’s and my own, all died in mysterious ‘accidents’.
Amelie’s dad won’t touch The Order with a barge pole.
I suspect the same unfortunate incidents might have happened to me and my brothers if Monty hadn’t adopted us. Is that why he was so keen to marry Laura? To bring Amelie under his protection? I’m unsure, though I’d like to believe his motives are pure.
My attention is drawn back to the room by a commotion.
“This is bullshit!” The asshole – that Bastian character – who hurt Amelie has just realised he didn’t make the cut. The table full of crystal and silverware goes flying as he flips it, I smile. He’s taking it well. I have to hand it to Onyx, he set him up to fail spectacularly.
It’s not enough, though. He’s a dead man walking. He just doesn’t know it yet.
I watch in satisfaction as Bastian storms from the room, shouting and cursing as he goes. Harold is frowning, the other members of the board shaking their heads disapprovingly.
Dirk steps forward to take the mic and congratulates everyone who made it in.
His praise is warm and genuine, and I find myself liking the guy.
I’m not entirely sure, with everything that’s going on, that Amelie has put two and two together and realises that Dirk is actually her great uncle.
I’m pretty sure he’s one of very few remaining relatives left on her mother’s side.
I hope they’re able to salvage a relationship when all of this is over.
Of course, allowing Dirk to remain on the board would solve my problem, but I’m not entirely sure I trust him yet. I like the guy, sure, but he has been very friendly with Harold in the past. That all seemed to change when Amelie came onto the scene though, but I’m not sure it’s enough.
“And finally, I am beyond proud to announce that The Order of The Snaidhm is ready to welcome it’s first official female member, and my great niece, Amelie Rossi!”
There’s more applause than I expected, my brothers jumping to their feet, whooping and cheering Amelie on like crazy. Onyx isn’t there though, or my father. Odd.
Amelie looks shell-shocked at Dirk’s announcement. Probably because he just outed himself as her relative, because surely she knew she made it in?
Even across the room I can tell how overwhelmed she is. I watch, helpless, as she gets to her feet and flees from the room. Damn it! I wish I could get to her. Thankfully, Slate and Kalen race after her, and the applause dies down.
Before Dirk can say anything else, I notice two things simultaneously: Harold has disappeared from the stage, and a dark shadowy figure passes quickly out of the corner of my eye.
Confused, I turn to investigate but I’m blinded by a light so bright my retinas burn and I see stars.
Heat unlike anything I’ve ever known before sears me, and a silent blast throws me back off my feet.
I crash into the ground as an almighty boom shakes the very foundations of the mansion, and the ceiling collapses, showering me in rubble.
The last thing I see is the room in disarray and panic, people scurrying like ants in all directions, a cacophony of silent screams failing to reach my ringing ears. I fear for Amelie’s safety, then all goes black.