Chapter 5

Ben had sat through a dull session on the quarterly accounts, a discussion on whether a new scheme on the availability of blood substitutes should be funded, and a pointless argument about whether moss grew on the east- or west-facing wall of the castle. If this was his future, he wondered if it might not be too late to find someone to stake him through the heart and pre-emptively put him out of his misery. None of it had been helped by him being stuck on the side, unable to contribute, while the rest of the Council sat at the table. He was annoyed he’d lost an opportunity to direct funds to an interesting piece of research the rest of the Council hadn’t understood. Charles was unhappy but there didn’t seem to be much he could do about it, and Ben could only hope his gamble would pay off.

The recess had been odd, no one had made comments that it might be strange for him to be here as they all knew Charles’s intention to step down, but at the same time, this wasn’t the usual practise when a successor took his seat. Another bugbear was he wasn’t party to the inside references or side discussions, which he’d thought was sort of the point of this part of the proceedings. They stood around sipping the finest bottled blood, and hopes had been raised that dinner might be a live buffet, which would be one upside to the evening. He felt decidedly put out, he could’ve been at a club now, or at a casino, or in his lab… or pretty much anywhere else. Still, he had not lost all hope. He grabbed hold of Charles and pulled him to one side. “What’s going on?”

“I’ve no idea,” Charles admitted. “I’d expected once Marchent had made the proclamation supporting my previous announcement that you’d have been welcomed and I’d have been allowed to fuck off home and be balls-deep in Timothy by now.”

He did not need the additional commentary about Charles’s sex life, he heard enough of their adventures around the hall. A gong sounded and they returned to the Council chamber, the table had been removed and the twelve chairs had been set in a semi-circle facing a solitary chair. His chair, the one without padding or armrests. Everyone else sat and before Ben could do the same Niall reappeared, but this time he had ditched the suit and had company. Two younger men flanked him, both in floor-length black robes which were a bit too ecclesiastical for Ben’s tastes. The one with a red sash was easy on the eye, brown hair, slightly tanned, and glasses, and if he was a priest then Ben would be up for spending time on his knees for confession. Ben had always had a thing for glasses and he had more than a passing desire to know what was under the guy’s robe. The other bloke wasn’t bad-looking either, his long, shiny black hair and his high cheekbones made for a lovely package. Maybe the naughty Vatican vibe was making a comeback this season, and if asked very nicely perhaps they might come as a pair to make sure he atoned for his sins, repeatedly.

Niall came to stand behind the empty chair. “Lord Crofton, if you wouldn’t mind taking your seat.”

Ben sat and saw there was a mix of confusion and concern in the Council members’ expressions. Niall and his two foot soldiers stood behind him. Whatever was going on was unnerving everyone, although he thought that was the intention. Niall Niven loved this sort of thing.

“I have had many duties in my role as Head of the Invigilators, but I have never been asked to perform the one I must do tonight. Over the centuries there have been situations where I have been called to appease or mitigate a situation, but not from an anonymous petition or to investigate an incoming Council member.”

Charles got to his feet, Ben’s sire was not happy. “What is the meaning of this? Benjamin is my choice, there is no reason to call him taking his seat into question.”

Ben turned to watch Niall, to be fair he didn’t look any happier than anyone else, he would be a lot more pissed off if he knew the truth. Ben schooled his features, he’d always been an excellent actor.

Niall clicked his fingers and a piece of parchment appeared in his hand. “If it were down to me, we’d be all toasting a new Dark Earl already, but I cannot ignore a protocol that goes back to before the formation of the Council and has never been repealed. Instead I have to inform the Council I have invoked the Vedette, meaning a full investigation into the worthiness of Benjamin Redbourn is to be instigated, the findings of which will determine if he will become the next Dark Earl of Crofton.”

“This is ridiculous,” cried Charles. “Benjamin has been my heir apparent for five years without any objection, how can this possibly be the case now?”

Ben had done his research but even in his wildest dreams he hadn’t thought this would be the outcome. This was perfect, and by the sound of it, he might be able to drag it out for a while. “What will this investigation entail?” He hoped he’d added enough concern into his tone.

Niall motioned to the black-haired man. “Mr Jack Webb is our legal counsel and is hereby appointed to oversee the investigation from a compliance and governance standpoint. The investigation itself will be conducted by Mr Ashley Niven, Senior Warlock and, like myself and Mr Webb, a member of the Warlock Ruling Committee.”

“Come off it,” snarled Charles. “This cannot possibly be allowed. You’ve put your son in to oversee this!”

Jack cleared his throat, Ben would have never pegged him as a lawyer. He came across like one of the pretty emo boys who bled easily and thought hanging with vampires was fun. “As per statute, the Invigilators, through the Warlock Ruling Committee, can instigate an investigation known as the Vedette when there are two members of the same family on the Committee. The appointed investigator and his legal aide will take up residency at the abode of the subject of interest. He will have initially three months to gather evidence and be allowed unimpeded access to all areas and documentation. A further three months can be added if evidence has been found but considered incomplete.”

He hadn’t factored in that statute, there must have been an additional clause he’d missed as he needed time to get things in order, not to have someone underfoot getting in the way and poking about.

“No, I refuse.” Charles was fuming, but Ben thought there was little point in arguing, otherwise this would have already been dealt with.

“Does Benjamin Redbourn withdraw his right to become the Dark Earl of Crofton?” Niall asked.

“Of course he doesn’t,” snapped Charles.

“Then he must agree to the investigation.”

Ben suspected that would be the answer. In fact he’d been banking on it, although not at the close quarters he would now have to submit to. But it would give him three months’ respite and maybe he might be able to come up with something to extend to give him the full six.

“Has this been agreed with the Head of the House of Hewel, or any of the Heads for that matter?” Charles asked.

Ben commended him on his change of tack but from what he’d found this wasn’t the sort of thing that could be solved by calling for Dad.

“Because of the age of protocol enacted, there is no requirement for the Heads of House to be consulted or their permission granted. I appreciate this is not something that you wish to hear, but my hands are tied.”

Charles dropped into his seat, a series of mutterings broke out amongst the other Council members.

Richard Galloway, Dark Duke of Denmouth, was the first to speak. “Does the Council not have a say in this? I find it highly disturbing that this can continue without our blessing.”

“Of course, Your Grace, but if the Council were to vote against it then that could be seen as going against protocol and therefore undermining the very foundation the Council was built on,” Niall answered. “I would simply advise you to let the investigation take its course.”

With those sorts of sentiments aired there was no chance this would not go ahead. Ben cheered inwardly but remained outwardly stoic, he cleared his throat. “I acquiesce to the investigation. There is nothing to be found that will result in an outcome where I would not be considered suitable to take my place at the Council.”

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to be the next Dark Earl of Crofton, just he wanted a bit of a delay, and if he were being honest, more say in the timing, Charles could be a miserable sod sometimes. At least Charles spent a fair amount of his time away from the hall these days, Timothy wanting a change of scene, and he was the reason Charles wanted to give it all up in the first place.

Niall raised an eyebrow. “I must say, I was expecting more of a fight.”

“I daresay there are other battles in the weeks ahead that I would be better conserving my energy for. I don’t believe Mr Niven would allow me to have an easy ride.”

He smiled at Ashley who glowered back, and that was not the reaction he was hoping for. Surely he’d want the chance to put a vampire through the wringer, why did he look so annoyed at the prospect? Bloody cheek. “Rest assured, Lord Crofton. You will be treated fairly.”

“Since we have a way forward, Lord Crofton should expect Mr Niven and Mr Webb at Crofton Hall by nightfall in three days hence.”

“I’ll ensure suitable rooms are made up,” Ben said. “Redbourns are excellent hosts.”

“I’m sure they will be comfortable and well-cared for at Crofton Hall, my lord,” Niall said. “Now, if everyone would like to move to the feeding chamber, I have been informed that there is an excellent selection for you to choose from this evening.”

Matilda Vine, The Countess of Exbury from the House of Devereaux, sniffed. “I do hope you’ve got a better choice of French, last time was very poor.”

“The castle manager did receive your complaint, my lady, and assures me that all has been rectified.”

Ben knew he needed to let the Council members leave before him, and they filed out by rank, Charles talking to MacLove in a fervent whisper, and MacLove nodding in response. Ben had never met him before, and he was intrigued to get a proper introduction. The rumours around him being a vampire-fae had never been verified, but there was something about his pale blue eyes and the sharpness of his features that made Ben think it was true, and he wondered if MacLove’s long brown hair hid a set of pointy ears.

Ashley and Jack had moved to stand either side of the door and Ben expected them to leave after Niall but instead, when it was only Ben left, Ashley moved to block his exit. Warlocks didn’t age like humans, and it would be nigh on impossible to guess his age from his looks alone, but given he’d reached the rank of Senior Warlock, he had to be several centuries old and he could feel the crackle of his power. Ashley wasn’t here because he was Niall’s son, but because he was a powerful bastard in his own right. How exciting!

“Mr Niven, how can I be of assistance?”

Ashley smiled, his eyes smouldered and Ben was on the back foot given his change of demeanour. “Come now, Ben, don’t be coy.”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“There’s only me and Jack here, you don’t need to pretend.”

What was Ashley up to? “I’m not following.”

Ashley’s expression hardened. “You either think it right to pretend you don’t know me or you’ve forgotten.”

“I’ve never met you before in my life, or death.” Some of his pre-turning memories were vague, but he was sure he’d have had some sort of recall if he’d met someone like Ashley back then. He wouldn’t have been a virgin when he was turned for one thing if a specimen like Ashley Niven had shown interest in him.

Jack gasped. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, I…”

“Come, Mr Webb, I do not need to be insulted, it is a slight I will not bear well that I have been so easily forgotten.”

“I intended no slight.”

Ashley snorted. “Your intention is irrelevant. We will see you at Crofton Hall, I do hope you are better equipped to support the investigation than your memory alludes to.”

“I’m sure you have truth extraction charms to ensure that,” Jack said.

They left, leaving Ben wondering what in the name of Hades had pissed off Ashley Niven so much he thought making up silly stories would have the slightest effect on a vampire like him. He’d definitely never met Ashley before, and even during his blood lust he had an excellent memory for the men and women he’d fucked. This was an interesting development. He grinned. Let the games begin.