Raul is in a heated argument with our Mother.
“Have you gone insane?” he explodes. “Incinerating a human slave is one thing. But attacking, and killing, a member of your Royal Court! It’s unthinkable! It’s maniacal. It’s—”
“Necessary,” she says smoothly. “I had to remind the Court who remains in control. It was a similar demonstration with the humans. The Haven is being threatened from the Outside, my son dearest, and I cannot have discord amongst my people.”
“Well, you’re going to have it now,” Raul snarls. He flings a finger at Bradley’s body. “Word’s going to reach all of the other vampires in minutes. Bradley was right. If you thought a human uprising was bad—”
“Raul.” She says his name calmly. “From one murderer to another, tell me… do you really care so much for Bradley’s life?”
My head swings to my brother. Suddenly, he looks a little pale.
“…What?” he murmurs.
“Come now.” Mother fixes him with a sweet smile and glides to his side. “Did you think you could hide the truth of my four most loyal guards’ death from me?”
Raul’s eyes flash. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Oh really?” Mother seems amused. She glances at Eleira, who’s watching all this with an unreadable expression on her face. “Did you think you could hide the fact that you murdered Andrey and his three companions from me forever?” She shakes her head. “How small your mind is if you thought you could.”
Disbelief washes through me. “You’re accusing Raul—” I begin.
“Yes, I’m accusing him!” Mother snaps. “It’s the only explanation that makes sense. He was always so jealous of James’s friends. Why wouldn’t he take the opportunity to do something about it, to prove his strength, in the commotion that he himself caused?”
“Raul…” Eleira says. Her voice is hoarse. “Is this true?”
Raul locks eyes with her. He looks caught, stricken, fraught with indecision. If I know one thing about my brother, it’s that he’s rarely undecided.
That makes his guilt plain as day.
Before he can speak, I step forward. “You placed those same deaths at Patricia and Jacob’s hands!” I say. “You already carried out their sentences! Jacob’s soul is locked in one of your horrid paintings for eternity because of what you did!”
Mother gives a casual shrug. “Better there than left running around unrestrained throughout The Haven.”
“You really are mad,” I whisper. “Do you understand the things you are doing?”
“Yes, I understand quite well, Phillip,” she snaps. “I’m tired of you and Raul second-guessing me. If you could be more like Eleira… my sweet, precious Eleira…”
She walks to the girl. Raul steps in her way. “You will not,” he growls, “approach her, Mother.”
“I am Queen. I will do what I want.”
“Your rule has gone too far,” he says. “The powers have gone to your head. You are openly killing vampires sworn loyal to you! You condemned your own son to become one of The Convicted. You throw chains on your other—” he points at me, “—to force your will onto the third! No—I will not let you use Eleira. Not while I am here.”
Mother steps back. She gives a coy and dangerous smile. “Given all that you’ve seen,” she whispers, “are you sure it’s wise to challenge me? Right now?”
“Somebody has to stand up to you,” Raul says. “Somebody has to have the courage to tell you when you’re wrong. I—”
He stops when Eleira puts a gentle hand on his shoulder. He looks at her.
“Is it true?” she asks softly
Raul looks ruffled. “Is what true?”
“Did you kill the guards?”
Before he can answer, Mother walks to both of them and puts an arm around their shoulders. “Yes, it’s true,” she says. “I found a witness.”
Raul’s eyes narrow. “Who?”
“The human slave you spared in the fight.”
Chapter Thirty
JAMES
Hours pass and none of the vampires stir. None make conversation. They all sit in their spots, waiting for Dagan to give the next command.
All of this rubs me the wrong way. With every minute that goes by, my anxiety about being this close to The Haven increases. We’re just sitting ducks out here. We should be moving!
At one point, Dagan stirs. I look at him, hopeful that it’s time to move. But he simply rolls over to change his position on the rock.