Chapter 41 #3
Suddenly all hell breaks loose, and they are all standing, arguing with each other.
I can’t but help think if they act like this, how the hell does anything get done?
They are all acting like children, screaming at each, and not letting anyone speak.
One thing irks me though, and it doesn’t click when she says it, but having a few moments to process her words, I realize what she says.
That it was Bianca’s birthright because of her father, yet he is also mine.
So, didn’t that give me the right to the position as well?
Standing up, I see Theo peer up at me. I walk to the front, standing in front of the bench.
Theo and Tobias both stare at me, wondering what the hell I’m doing.
Tobias mouths for me to come back, but I shake my head.
I stands there for a few minutes listening to them argue amongst themselves until the blonde-haired woman notices me standing there and waves her hand, silencing them.
Everyone takes their seats and the blonde haired woman with black eyes cocks her head to the side, examining me before speaking.
“Would you like to add something?”
I nod, wondering how to start.
“Imogen, right?”
“Yes ma'am,” I say politely.
“She isn’t part of the council or a community member, she can’t add anything,” Christopher says, sending a glare my way. I glare back, holding his gaze, refusing to be intimidated by him.
“Well, isn’t she the woman the crime was committed against? I would like to know what she has to say,” the blonde woman says.
Christopher shakes his head and goes to speak before the Irish man speaks up.
“What can it hurt, Christopher? Let her speak if it won't change anything?” Christopher sits and I turn to them.
“Well, you said it was Bianca's birthright?” The Irish man nods, and I see Bianca out of the corner of my eye suddenly looking nervous. She knows where I’m going with this.
“So wouldn’t it also be my birthright to challenge her for the position?” I ask turning to Bianca and her face drops. I knew I was right.
“I don’t understand, how would it be within your right to challenge her for the position?” the man asks, leaning forward and between the pair of us. I realize that not once did Josiah actually tell them I was her sister, just stated her crimes and what she did.
“Bianca is my sister, isn't that right, Bianca? We have the same father. You remember, Bianca, right? The father you killed,” I say, turning to her.
“This is nonsense. Cedric only had one child not two,” Christopher says, standing.
“Not true, I am his daughter, and I am also the reason she killed my mother. She blames me for destroying her family. When Cedric left her mother for mine, she killed herself,” I say.
It feels strange knowing my father’s name I hadn’t bothered to ever ask.
I can tell Caroline doesn’t enjoy talking about the events that lead to her life of immortality.
“Have you got proof?” Christopher asks, raising an eyebrow.
“A simple blood test will do if they are sisters,” says Mara with a smile.
“I smile back at her.
“You know nothing about the council. Why would you challenge for a position you know nothing about? You are a newborn vampire and new to this way of life?” asks the Irish man.
I think for a second. I’m not sure what challenging her means exactly, but I know from what Josiah was talking about earlier that a challenger has to undergo a series of tests before one-on-one duel against the opponent.
Quite a barbaric way if you ask me and I doubt I would win, but I have to try.
“I don’t want the position, but you said she handed the title over to Alaric. So, if I win, I also want to hand over the title.” I tell the Irish man.
“To whom Theo or Tobias?” he chuckles.
“No. Josiah. I have seen how respected he is amongst the community, and I know he would make an exemplary member,” I say turning and glancing at Josiah, praying it is alright to volunteer him, considering he retired decades ago.
Josiah nods, and a grin breaks out on his face before he shoots a smirk at Christopher.
“Well, that settles it, we will do the blood test and hold the challenge.”
“Unless you object to the blood test, Bianca?” said Mara.
“No need. I can confirm we are sisters, no point doing the blood test when I already know what you will find, Mara. Not that it will change anything. Imogen, you must be desperate to challenge me,” she says confidently.
“Well, then we shall reconvene in a month for the tests and challenge,” Mara announces.
“When we step out of the council chambers, Tobias and Theo pull me aside.
“Are you nuts? You can’t challenge her, she is a lot stronger than you, Imogen, and in case you’re forgetting, you have no magic . You just signed your death sentence,” Theo growls annoyed before running his hands through his hair.
“Theo is right, you can’t go back on a challenge and we can’t help you. Why would you do something like this?” Tobias asks, and I can tell he is angry as he grips my arm tightly.
“Leave her be. She did what she had to. We will figure out a way, even if I have to train her myself,” Josiah says, placing a hand on my shoulder and squeezing gently.