Ink

Chapter 44

"I'm sure you're wondering why I've gathered you here today." Cleo begins from the head of the table. Her gaze carefully sweeps over the men and women before her. "Our past two attempts at infiltrating the royal palace have been unsuccessful-"My eyes flicker to Ryder, who stares down at the table with an unreadable emotion on his face. "And the Kings power grows more and more everyday. In fact, it would seem that we're almost out of time. Surely our position will be discovered and waves of royal guards will be knocking at our door anytime now. That will surely come with damage we cannot withstand."

Way to get the people going. I think. Her opening statement did nothing more than cause a general wave of panic to sweep over the officials.

"That is why we must act now." She continues. "With such strength and ferocity, that the king will never see coming."

I raise a brow. Maybe she's onto something after all.

"You see, they assume that we're quaking with fear, and, why wouldn't we be? They've killed or captured most of our field soldiers and continue to inch closer to our base. Surely they've got us right where they want us?" She looks around again. There is a noticeable silence in the room as we all latch onto every word that comes from her mouth. "No, they do not." Her fist slams against the conference table. "We may not have that much time left, but it's just enough for what we need to do; infiltrate the castle, and destroy that monster."

My brow furrows at the mention of Mephistor. I suppose the thought of actually killing him had not crossed my mind until now.

"And, with the help of Alliana Nixon, my sister-" Cleo's eyes meet mine from across the table. "We will do just that."

I am suddenly too aware that everyone's eyes are on me. Most, I think, are surprised at what she concluded her statement with. I hear the word sister being mumbled around the table.

"Now I'm sure you've all been made aware of the fascination the Mephisor has taken with Alliana. It would appear that whatever savage beast resides within him will seek her out and cause destruction and death to anything in its path to retrieve her." I swallow hard. I know I have to trust her words, but it feels as though she's only doing a good job at getting everyone to hate me. "She is the perfect piece of the puzzle. We will send her back to Illinkus with the king, and while he is distracted, we will strike."

"How can we be so confident that he still wants her?" An official speaks up. We all turn to fit the voice to a face and find a woman with her hands neatly folded together in front of her. She's an icy blonde and has a natural frown on her lips that makes it look like she could care less about the topic but is commenting regardless.

Cleo clears her throat. "Have you not seen the broadcasts? Her name is plastered around the entire kingdom."

The woman doesn't even move her head to acknowledge her.

"Her name is plastered the same way that other vampires was, and we can all guess what's come of him." My fists involuntarily clench at my sides. "What was he wanted for again?" The woman fakes a pondering look. "Treason, right? You know what happens to those that are caught committing acts of treason against the king?"

Some others from around the table begin to nod their headset agreement.

"Death." The woman finishes. Slowly, her deadly gaze turns to me, along with the rest of those in the room.

This can't be good. I think.

"She's a dead woman walking, and we're going to risk the little numbers we have off the hope that the kings hormones aren't in check?"

She's looking directly in my eyes yet fails to acknowledge me as she speaks to the rest of he room.

Her eyes dare me to speak against her. She feels like she's already won this conversation.