Blood Legacy: The House Of Alexander Part 6

One-by-one, the members of the Grand Council began to file into the room. Those bearing witness watched expectantly, curious as to how those of the Grand Council would view this breach of etiquette. It was not what they expected.

The first through the door, an exceedingly handsome and distinguished Asian man, stepped forward and stopped in front of Ryan. Clothed in the white robes of the Council, he gazed intently at the black garbed figure in front of him. The two stood eye-to-eye, expressionless. Then, in a gesture that completely surprised Edward, Ryan clasped her hands in front of her and bowed deeply from the waist. In a gesture that completely surprised everyone else in the room, Kusunoki clasped his hands and returned the gesture, bowing just as deeply. He stood for a moment longer, gazing at his former apprentice, then stepped to the right to stand before his seat.

Ryan turned her attention to the next One coming through the door. A gorgeous, earthy, immense woman entered the room, moving with the grace and dignity of a queen. She stopped before Ryan and an exotic sensuality filled the s.p.a.ce between them, snaking out with tendrils that seemed to wrap around Ryan's torso and pin her arms to her sides. The woman was overwhelming in every way, with ebony skin and startling green eyes that burned into Ryan. Ryan heard a deep, throaty voice in her head.

My name is Ala.

Ryan shrugged the imaginary tendrils from her arms as the woman extended her hand. In a gesture that again completely surprised Edward, Ryan took the woman's hand in her own and bowed in a chivalrous manner. She brushed her lips lightly on the back of the extended hand, lingering perhaps just a moment.

There was amus.e.m.e.nt in the green eyes, amus.e.m.e.nt at the impudence of this One. Ala withdrew her hand slowly, brus.h.i.+ng the girl's cheek. Her thoughts were her own as she, too, went to stand before her seat.

Ryan turned her attention to the third member of the Council. Although she had expected Abigail's presence, she still felt the wrench of her magnetism, causing her equal parts pleasure and irritation. It caused Abigail only pleasure. Stunning, elegant, and possessing a motherly sensuality that was both alluring and disturbing, Abigail moved to face the girl. She raised her hand for Ryan's kiss.

But Ryan would have none of the formalities with One she knew so well. As Abigail raised her hand, Ryan stepped forward, taking the hand and resting it lightly on her chest. She leaned forward and Abigail complied with the implied request, brus.h.i.+ng her lips on the girl's cheek.

If Ryan was to take liberties, however, then she would take her own. She continued her kiss, moving forward and brus.h.i.+ng her lips on the veins on the side of the girl's throat. It was all Ryan could do to suppress a shudder.

Abigail took her place at the table, an enigmatic smile on her face. She sensed Ala's amus.e.m.e.nt, although Kusunoki was as inscrutable as always.

The fourth member of the council entered, and Ryan inwardly sighed. Marilyn. Of course. The woman conveniently forgot to tell her pertinent details, for example, that she herself was seated on the Grand Council. Marilyn's eyes flashed wickedly, reveling in Ryan's discomfiture. Ryan inwardly sighed again. Clothed so inappropriately in white, Marilyn was as bewitching as ever.

True to form, Marilyn did not bother with a formal greeting but rather grasped the girl by the collar and pulled her firmly forward. There were shocked looks from the gallery as the dark-haired woman kissed the indicted One firmly on the mouth. Even those at the head table cast sideways glances as the kiss lingered. Finally, Marilyn pushed the girl away, unrepentantly pleased. She took her a.s.signed place at the head table.

The twelve witnesses, with the possible exception of Edward, shook themselves as if awakening from a stupor. The commencement of proceedings had been quite unlike any other, the sensual greetings between the Grand Council and the One summoned unheard of. In fact, few had seen anything like this under any circ.u.mstances, let alone in such a formal setting.

Ryan turned to step off the dais, and then stopped, as if a thought had suddenly occurred to her. Her back was to the Council Members, and to the entrance from which the Council emerged.

"Only four Council members? And yet there is a place for a fifth." She paused, as if for effect. There was complete silence in the room, as beings who had no need for air held their breath.

"And who will take my father's place?"

There was a long pause, and then a voice emerged from the shadows of the entranceway.

"I guess that would be me."

The voice was smooth, melodious, mesmerizing. It possessed an amused malevolence and sensuality that wrapped itself around every person in the room, but most tightly about Ryan.

Ryan did not turn. "You wish," she said sardonically, under her breath. She turned, and to the amazement of everyone in the room, there was amused recognition in her eyes.

Aeron stepped from the shadows. A pleased smile tugging at the corner of his mouth as well. The other four council members all turned to glance sideways at the dark-robed figure. Abigail's surprise was evident and even Kusunoki uncharacteristically raised an eyebrow. There had been no previous indication that these two had ever met. And yet now it was as if they were old friends, sharing some great private joke.

Perhaps not friends. The intensity between Ryan and the Council Head was not entirely cordial, and there was a predatory aspect to it on both their parts. The proximity of the two created a sudden influx of sensations that swirled through the room, dark, complex, and unfathomable.

Ryan gazed up at the man who had so brutally seduced her centuries before. Even now, she could feel his influence settle over her, his persuasion circling, seeking prey. He had been overwhelming four centuries before; the years had done nothing to diminish that advantage.

Aeron stared down at the creature in front of him, captivated. He knew that the "boy" he had met centuries before would grow more powerful. But he had no idea the child would grow into the being in front of him.

"I've missed you, my dear. I had no idea that you and I would have so much in common."

Ryan knew instantly to what he was referring. "Ah, but you were wrong. Despite my best effort to consume him, Victor lived."

Aeron smiled as if the thought gave him great pleasure. "If I had known you wanted to kill him, I would have joined you for the meal."

There was dark humor in Ryan's reply. "Attempts on my father's life are my privilege." She paused, and there was warning in her voice. "And mine alone."

Aeron did not miss a beat. "Ah yes, your 'father'." His emphasis on the word left little doubt to his meaning. Aeron had not been present at the trial, but the facts of Ryan's birth were now well-known. "Another little impossibility that we shall have to examine in greater detail. Another time."

He took his seat, as did the other four members of the Grand Council. Each of the four was intrigued by the exchange between Aeron and Ryan. None was aware of any previous contact between them, and it was now evident that something substantial had occurred. Abigail and Marilyn, who knew Ryan as well as anyone could, were surprised and fascinated by the dark eroticism between the two.

Aeron raised his hand, indicating the twelve witnesses could be seated.

Or they could try. All but Edward made the attempt. He knew better.

Ryan stared insolently at Aeron as the twelve stood at involuntary attention. She very slowly settled into her seat, smoothing non-existent wrinkles from her clothing. Without breaking eye-contact, she crossed one long leg over the other, then casually raised her hand. The subtle influence she was exerting over the witnesses was withdrawn, and several stumbled as they were released. There were confused murmurings as the twelve took their seats.

Aeron was unsurprised, more amused than insulted by the display of power. The more the girl revealed her strength, the more it excited him.

Ala gazed down at the creature in front of her. She had been curious about this legend, this extraordinary crown prince of their Kind. Thus far, she was not at all disappointed. In fact, she was strangely pleased at the girl's insolence, although none of these thoughts were revealed in her impa.s.sive expression.

Kusunoki's expression was also inscrutable, his emotions and thoughts as closed to the room as his body language. His pupil had changed much over the centuries, and he had yet to determine if that change had been good or simply exceedingly dangerous.

Ryan turned her gaze to Abigail, who gazed at her intently.

Be careful Little One.

Ryan inwardly smiled. She was aware of the undercurrents pa.s.sing through the room. She was rarely in the presence of so many Old Ones, especially at this proximity, and she was enjoying the subtle push and pull of power. But Abigail was correct, this was a very dangerous situation.

Aeron quickly underscored that fact. "So," he said, pausing for effect, "How is your father?"

Ryan did not react, but it was rather the force of her non-reaction that attracted the attention of all members of the Council. It was as if a huge shutter had slammed downward, closing all access to her mind. Where there had been a current and constant flow of emotions, now there was nothing.

"He sends his regards," Ryan said evenly.

Aeron smiled his shark's smile. "I'm surprised he let you come here alone."

The insult was apparent, although whether it struck its intended mark was less so. Ryan's demeanor was tightly controlled.

"It is only due to his insistence that I came at all," she replied.

The implication was obvious; she was not here at the behest of the Council. Lest there be any doubt as to her meaning, she continued. "I am here because my father wishes it."

Aeron gazed at her thoughtfully. There was something there, something he could not quite get a hold of. He turned to Abigail, who had leaned forward slightly. She, too, had felt something. Not so much a glimpse of something hidden, but a glimpse of the act of hiding. He turned back to the girl, intrigued.

"And did your father tell you why you were called before the Council?"

Ryan did not reply, although her jaw clenched.

"Of course not," Aeron said smoothly.

He surprised Ryan by standing, and it was all she could do to keep from standing as well. She felt at a disadvantage in her seated position.

Abigail drew the girl's attention. "Do you remember many years ago when you were a child, you asked me why there were not more of our Kind?"

Ryan nodded. "I remember the conversation."

"And what did I tell you?"

Ryan thought back to the exchange that had occurred centuries before. "You told me that few survived the Change, because it was a difficult and painful transformation."

Abigail nodded, and Ryan continued.

"You told me that our Kind are predators, and that we like to kill our Young, so that few survive."

Abigail again nodded.

"And you said that only those occupying the middle ground were able to reproduce. That Young Ones were not powerful enough to initiate Change and Old Ones were too powerful, their blood was toxic."

Abigail was thoughtful. "Yes, that is correct."

Aeron materialized behind Ryan. "In theory," he amended. "With one quite fascinating exception."

Ryan's hand sought the sword that wasn't at her side. Aeron caught the reflex gesture and smiled.

"That didn't help you before," he whispered in her ear.

Ryan stared solidly forward. Her eyes caught those of Kusunoki. Out of everyone in the room, perhaps only he understood the depths of her current struggle, the itch in her palm to be holding a weapon. He held her gaze and it calmed her.

Abigail watched Ryan, knowing her temper and knowing that Aeron was deliberately provoking her. It was as entertaining as it was dangerous.

"There is one more reason why there are so few of us," Ala proffered, as if to expedite the proceedings. She, too, was entertained, but she looked with some disapproval at Aeron. She turned her attention back to Ryan. "Are you familiar with the Cleansing?"

Edward glanced over sharply. This could not possibly be what this was about.

Ryan frowned. "No, I am not familiar with that."

Abigail was incredulous. She had expected some degree of ignorance since the full extent of the Cleansing was known only to a few. But once again the whelp knew nothing of their Kind.

Marilyn was amused. "It is truly amazing the things your father keeps from you."

Ryan's anger was obvious. "And others, as well. It is not as if you have taken the opportunity to educate me."

Marilyn let her eyes linger on the girl. "You have a standing invitation for instruction, my dear. You have availed yourself of it only once."

This piqued Aeron's interest. Without removing his gaze from Ryan, he addressed Marilyn. "Really," he said in his clipped, aristocratic accent, "We shall have to compare notes sometime."

Marilyn raised an eyebrow, "Indeed."

Ryan raised her eyes to the ceiling in exasperation.

Abigail brought the discussion back to the matter at hand. "In order to keep the strength and purity of our Kind, we conduct periodic purges, a controlled 'hunt' if you will."

Aeron leaned down toward Ryan again, his tone intimate. "Quality control, of course."

"I see a few have slipped through," Ryan replied without missing a beat.

Aeron merely smiled and stepped away.

Kusunoki interjected before the conversation could again degenerate. "A hunter is chosen to cull the weak."

Ryan raised an eyebrow. "A single hunter? And how is this hunter chosen?"

Abigail again took up the thread of conversation. "It depends on the level of the cleansing. There are the short-term, which take place once a decade. And there are the 100-year purges which take place at the century mark. A hunter of suitable ability is chosen each time to fulfill the purpose of each hunt."

Ryan was growing wary. This sounded barbaric even for their Kind. "And again, that purpose is?"

Aeron settled back into his high-backed chair. "The decade purges are primarily to cull Young Ones, to weed out the weak." He examined his perfect finger nails. "In a century purge, a hunter would perhaps target some of the older of this group, some just prior to the age of reproduction." He raised his eyes and Ryan felt the coldness of his gaze penetrate her, hold her captive. He was pleased that her gaze did not waiver, and more pleased when she queried him in even tones.

"And how does the hunter determine who will survive?"

There was suddenly much s.h.i.+fting in the room behind her. Aeron smiled. "You see, that's the beauty of it," he said, savoring the words. "There is no judgment involved."

Ryan found herself holding her breath, an act that had no physiological significance to her anatomy, but was a carryover from an ancient human existence.

"It is the job of the hunter to kill every One of our Kind that he is capable of."

The words echoed, and then silence filled the great hall. Ryan pondered the meaning, unable to grasp what this had to do with her. They could not possibly be warning her. She would destroy any hunter that came near. She had no offspring to protect, and her father, at least in their minds, needed no protection at all.

Aeron could see that Ryan was still not grasping the intent of the Council and he was enjoying her puzzlement. He spoke quietly, matter-of-factly in his clipped, aristocratic accent.

"This is a millennial purge. There has only been one other in the Memories of our Kind."

Ryan began to comprehend.

"-And Victor was the hunter chosen at that time."

Ryan did not speak. It was all beginning to make sense, pieces falling into place. The eyes of all the Council members were upon her, as well as those of the witnesses. The silence in the room was absolute, broken only when Aeron delivered his final p.r.o.nouncement.

"And we have chosen you as his successor."

Ryan's reply was as quick as it was abrupt. "Then you are insane."

There was an explosion of murmuring behind her, both at Aeron's unexpected announcement and Ryan's cutting reply. Aeron did not respond, but simply gazed at Ryan with obvious pleasure.

"Why would you choose me?" Ryan demanded, "You know that I would decimate the population of our Kind."

"Exactly our reasoning," Aeron said smoothly, "Quality control, my dear. Remember?"

Ryan did not bend and her words were sharp. "As much as I might enjoy a little killing spree, especially given the opportunity to weed out some of the undesirables amongst our Kind," her emphasis on the last word and her glance at Aeron gave little doubt as to whose offspring she was referring to, "This is not a good time for me."