The Kingmakers(76)

“Don't say that,” she said.

His gaze lifted to stare into her dark eyes. “Now Cesare has started another war, born of that same fear. Fear of the humans. But this war won't just drive us mad. It will finish us. How odd that I, of all people, should develop some messianic desire to save my father's people, my people.”

“I understand.” Adele paused to let him gather his emotions. She was battling her own. There was such a change in him that it was infectious. But she had to have the more sensible head. “Gareth, I'm not saying I approve of this idea, but if it were to happen, how would you do it?”

Gareth took a deep breath. “It won't be easy. A clan coven is a peculiar thing.”

“How so?”

“All the clan lords gather, along with whatever foreign kings wish to participate, usually few, but I suspect Cesare will have his allies like Draken and Ashkenazy. The lords sequester themselves without outside contact for a few days while they make a decision. I would strike Cesare once the clan lords went inside. That would leave me as Dmitri's only heir. But even so, that's not sure enough, so I need to arrange for Flay to use her packs to overawe the clan into naming me the king.”

Adele stood and began to pace. “Certainly I fully support the goal of killing Cesare. It creates confusion among the clan allies, and protects your people in Edinburgh. However, this whole subterfuge with Flay is too perilous. The risk of playing it through and placing you on the throne is very precarious. Why should we take that chance?”

He stepped in front of her, bringing her up short. “We both know with Cesare on the throne, the war will have a bloody and miserable end. I may be able to affect it otherwise.” His fingers entwined in her hair. “This war is wearing on you, and you are paying the price every day. You need my help, and this is how I can do it. You can't save the world by yourself.”

“Well played, my dear,” she said with a deep breath. Then Adele suddenly froze as another thought occurred to her. “What about Flay?”

“What of her?”

“Whatever shall you do with her? You're going to use her to gain the throne, and then what? You've said yourself she's the most dangerous creature you know.”

“So she is.” Gareth stroked his chin. “I don't know for sure. I'll need her to consolidate my rule, as I have no packs of my own. With time, I can create my own loyalists to replace the more troublesome clan lords. But you're right, I'll have to deal with Flay eventually. And so I shall. I'll destroy her.”

Anhalt noted from the side, “You said you couldn't beat Flay.”

Gareth nodded. “Not in a straight fight. I'll have to think of something else.”

As he was talking about the fearsome Flay lurking next to the British throne and his obligations to the clan lords, an idea swirled into shape in Adele's mind. She saw it with amazing lucidity, and even though it was surrounded by ill-defined shades of risk, it was a plan that she, and only she, could accomplish. It allowed her to play a role in safeguarding Gareth during his dangerous journey, potentially removed Flay from a formative role in the coup, and it relieved any others from taking a terrible risk, which was the sort of plan she preferred.

Gareth settled on the arm of a chair and leaned back, watching her obsessive gaze with uncertainty. “Whatever you're thinking now, I'm against it.”

“I'm thinking of all the damned clan lords and all the kings of the vampire alliance trapped together under Buckingham Palace. All in one place. I'm thinking of a way that you wouldn't need Flay's packs to launch your reign.”

Anhalt stood. “No, Your Majesty.”

Adele didn't listen. “I can eliminate them all. Every bloody one of them. They will never see it coming.”

Gareth rose also and took her by the shoulders. “Now you're talking madness.”

“Was it madness in Grenoble?” she argued.

“Yes, it was. But it happened to work.”

“I could kill Cesare and every significant enemy leader. And just them.”

“It isn't your place to kill Cesare,” Gareth said stiffly. “It's mine.”

“But don't you see? I can end the war with one stroke. I have that power!”

“At Grenoble, you had the support of an army. You're talking about London far to the north.”

“I've been there before and survived, you may recall.”

“Adele, I pray you listen to me. If you use your…ability, your power, again on that level, it could kill you.”

“Oh, you don't know that!” she dismissed. “You're just trying to protect me. How can you be such a mother hen toward me when you're going up to face your entire clan alone? And you expect me to wait here for a telegram that you're just fine?”