20. Slobozia

Chapter 20

Slobozia

T he consulate meeting is going to last far longer than most tonight with so many things to discuss. Everyone can use a break and Descallia is wise enough to know it. He slams the gavel in front of him. "Take ten and then let's regroup. There is much to be done yet, and I for one would like to go home and relax."

Descallia glances over his shoulder at me as we take the stairs down toward the men's room. "We're going to meet the ladies after the meeting. Lucianna told me everyone's there, including your lady friend and Embry."

I shake my head. "Another night. I'm heading back to my estate after the meeting. Lots to do and to think about."

"If you don't want to talk to Taylen, then don't talk, but I wouldn't let her keep you from a celebratory night with the group." Descallia waits as a couple others pass us on the stairs. His dark eyes meet mine, but he remains quiet, as though waiting for me to explain.

"Maybe you're right, but it's not being with her that's bothering me. We're both adults, we'll manage the awkwardness."

"The only one who won't be there will be you."

I shrug. "Given the meeting tonight, there's much to do to prepare for the upcoming candidates and string of interviews that will surely follow. I have a feeling there may be more interest in the position Lucas held than we think. Others who want to be your second in command. I'm surprised you didn't want to hand select someone?"

"We'll let the process play out and see what happens. On a different note, I got the email you sent regarding your concern about Taylen not getting a fair chance. You're probably wondering why I didn't bring it up at the meeting yet, and let the discussion about the warriors happen without adding your thoughts, and asked you to run point given the conflict and without discussing it with the group."

"I am."

He shrugs. "I didn't bring your note up in the group because I wanted to speak with you alone. When I received it, I had already made the decision to select you to gather the applications, organize the group interviews, and make the final recommendation to me. Something in the Vade Mecum guided that decision. Lucianna and I both interpreted the passage in the same manner. You'll work through the conflict of having Taylen as one of the candidates with honor. We trust you."

A deep breath escapes me. "You're putting a lot of trust in me to do the right thing as one of the few people who know how I feel about her."

His eyes flicker red. "You'll do the right thing. We all will. Of that, I have no doubt. When the time comes and the right people present themselves for the jobs, we'll know."

"You're so confident, but I'm grappling with the fact that she's a damn good fighter, battle trained and has proven herself, yet it didn't sound like some of the masters viewed her as a real potential candidate. That will be hard for her to take, and I don't think it's giving her a fair shake, but I'm not supposed to be biased. Well, I am biased."

He contemplates what I've said. "You don't think the masters will be fair to her in an interview?"

I shrug. "I honestly don't know, but after the conversation tonight, it's not a far stretch to think they won't. I don't even know if I should be the one putting the candidates together given her and my history. No matter that the relationship's under the bridge, I still want her to win a seat on that team. She's earned it, not just by saving Embry, but for so many reasons."

Descallia is known to rule the vampire community with an iron fist, but he is a fair and a principled vampire leader who sees much and contemplates deep "She'll need to prove herself to the other masters without your interference or bias, but she will have that chance. You are right, she has earned it after the battles she's fought on our behalf. I will clear the way with the vampires, but you will do the rest and accept whatever decision the group makes in the end."

My tense muscles relax a little. "That lifts the weight from my shoulders. Thank you. It's more than fair." Now, Taylen will be in control of her path forward to reach her goal of becoming a mighty vampire warrior. An elite team who the consulate has now given us the go ahead to resurrect. Now that I know Taylen will not be counted out due to my involvement with her, I can breathe a little easier. But still, she needs to find her own way, without me. She's made that clear.

I head to the restroom and then back to the meeting, sliding into my seat just as Descallia hits the gavel to call the meeting back to order. His eyes look dark, stormy, and intense. "Let's plow through the rest of the agenda. We have a lot to get through."