“We cannot—” the president tried again.
“This call was a courtesy,” Callum bit out. “It was our people who committed the atrocities. It was also our people who bled and fell to put a stop to it. We will have justice. You will only be assured of it. And now, we’re done.”
“If this is how you intend to conduct our affairs for the future, Callum, I have grave concerns,” the president sniffed.
“And if you haven’t learned from our sacrifice that we wish harmony but autonomy, not dominance or interference, I fear for your nation’s future as that would prove you’re not a very astute leader,” Callum retorted.
The president reared back in his baronial chair.
“As you are very aware, this threat was not new. We have lost much in order to contain it for a very long time. And further, in all matters, we have kept order amongst our people for an equally long time,” Callum shared something the President knew. “We know how to govern our own. You have no idea. But regardless, at no time during the negotiations to conceive a plan to share the knowledge of immortal existence with humans was such meddling discussed. I’ve carefully gone over the minutes and Gregor’s copious notes on all of your meetings. After we, and we alone, secured a safe transition into society for our people, changing your tactics now would be foolhardy.”
The president’s brows shot up. “Is that a threat?”
“If you wish to take it as one, I’ve no control over that,” Callum replied. “However, it wasn’t one. It was simply a statement of fact.”
The president glared.
Callum finished it, “We’ll share with you when we’ve concluded the matter with Etienne before we release a statement to the press. Now, I wish you a good day.”
With that, he leaned forward, moved the mouse, and clicked, disconnecting the call.
“In the upcoming election, the candidate campaigning against him and favored to win is a much more open-minded human,” Cristiano noted.
“This is because his daughter is dating a wolf,” Callum muttered, rising from his seat. “I must go to Lucien.”
“When you speak to him, if you would, mention our invitation to join The Council,” Rudolf called as Callum moved to the door. “He’s refused, but he would be an excellent addition to our fold and your recommendation would hold great sway with him.”
Callum stopped and cut his eyes to the vampire. “Don’t you think he’s earned at least a small time of peace?”
“He’s revered, Callum, and we’re all going through colossal adjustments,” Cristiano replied. “He could be very helpful.”
He understood their concerns.
They’d lost Gregor.
They needed to fill that hole.
A hole that couldn’t be filled. Not even by Lucien. Hell, especially not by Lucien, who was absolutely no politician.
“Give him his time of peace, time with his mate, a year, five, then try again,” Callum suggested, even though he knew no matter how much time elapsed, they would fail.
The vampires nodded.
Callum looked to the queen of wraiths and the king of phantoms.
“You’ll attend?” he asked.
“Absolutely,” Gastineau replied, curling his arm around his mate to pull her close to his side.
The wraiths and phantoms had reunited.
An additional gift to Gregor’s legacy.
Callum jerked up his chin.
Then he left to tell Lucien the execution would commence as planned.
After that, he would find his queen.
* * * * *
The Three
In Speranza, Italy, at the headquarters of The Vampire Dominion, where the trial took place, they stood side by side along with Yuri but save Lucien, who stood in front of them, the shining, long, thin, lethal blade of a sword with its ornate gold grip that curled in swirls around his hand.
Serena, Gastineau, and a delegation of wraith and phantom witnesses floated behind them, off to the right.
Standing amongst them were Julian and Isobel, Lucien’s children, and Magdalene, his mother. They did not come as representatives of Etienne’s family. They came as the blood of Lucien and were there, as it was their due, to witness Lucien’s vengeance.
Beyond the phantoms and wraiths stood a five-person delegation of humans.
Regan, Ryon, Calder, Caleb, Saint, and a delegation of wolf and she-wolf witnesses stood to their back left.
Right behind them, Leah’s mother, her aunts, and a delegation of concubine witnesses stood.
Etienne, diminished of much of his strength due to the efforts of the phantoms, looking haggard and wearing an unattractive khaki jumpsuit, was on his knees in front of Lucien, his hands manacled behind his back.
Rudolf was off to the side, Cristiano just behind him. Rudolf had a tablet in hand and was reading out the charges.
And the verdicts.
The Dominion didn’t waste time. It had been only two weeks since the battle had taken Gregor’s life.
However, regardless, the evidence was irrefutable.
And unfortunately, there was a great deal of it.
When Rudolf finished, his gaze went to Lucien before he moved to him.
“Are you sure you wish it to be you?” he asked quietly. “This is unprecedented. His crimes are against all immortals and a member of The Council normally would carry out such a sentence.” He got closer and finished, “Cristiano has volunteered to take up the sword.”
“It will be me,” Lucien bit out.
“Lucien—”
Lucien turned his eyes to Rudolf and Rudolf fell silent.
“As discussed, I call this as my marker,” Lucien growled. “The Dominion’s debt to me is paid.”