The Shadow Kingdom

Chapter 11i

"What kind of intervention are you suggesting?" Samir asks.

"The obvious kind." William replies. "We need to prepare a coalition military force and crush the skirmish. Think of it as supernatural peacemaking." They all chuckle.

"Diplomacy is still possible." Augustus interjects. "We can take a portion of that military force you were talking about into Moscow. It is possible that Lilith can be intimidated into stopping her campaign against Matthias or at least keeping the noise down. She is not unreasonable."

"The woman... the creature is five thousand years old." William replies. "She went mad long before any of us even existed. There is no reasoning with her or Matthias. Their two species are natural enemies. The desire to kill each other is built into them biologically." He stares at Augustus as if they are natural enemies. "If this situation were happening in your backyard, you wouldn't think twice about killing them all yourself, Augustus."

Adrian leans closer to me. "House Ashcroft controls Europe. Their primary business is smuggling weapons from the Eastern Bloc into Africa. The war is interfering with their quarterly earnings." I grin.

"I agree with William. We need to at least make preparations. Now, can we move on to other issues?" Esteban asks.

"Very well. Ortega Majesty, you have the floor." The adjudicator says.

"Thank you. Firstly, I must point out that in the past year, there have been ten attacks against my lieutenants in Mexico and the United States. Someone has been deliberately targeting our operation, and I believe that someone is in this room." I glance over at Diana, and she notices me as well. The two of us exchange smiles.

"Esteban, my friend, you wound me." William speaks. "Such an act would be a declaration of war. I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say that no one in this room would risk such a thing. Nor do any of us have the intention of harming your business."

"Do you have any evidence that one of us is involved?" Augustus asks.

Esteban scowls at him. He knows that Augustus is responsible. "No, I do not. But when I do, I expect the Consortium's support in making the proper amends."

"You can rest assured that it will if the evidence appears." Augustus answers.

It is clear that this whole council is a farce. These men aren't just ruthless; they are shameless. They would cannibalize each other in order to make a profit and then complain about the meat being undercooked.

The four men continue to deliberate issues, all of which have something to do with money. I start to grow bored of this charade when William raises a hot topic. "Finally, there is the issue of House Shang's continued monopoly on the life-giving blood."

"Where is the issue in that?" Augustus hisses through his teeth.

"In the past ten years, House Ashcroft has generated more than half a billion dollars in arms sales alone. This is wealth that is hard-earned," I snort, "and which we share with the Consortium. We pay our taxes just like the Ortegas and Hassans. House Shang however, seems to think it is fair for them to charge the taxes.

"The overwhelming majority of their revenue comes from the sale of life-giving blood. They profit by selling their drugs to the rest of us. This should not be allowed to continue."

Augustus drops all pretence of civility. "Speak plainly, William. Tell me what you want right to my face."

William's demeanour remains stoically unchanged. "I am proposing that the Consortium create a special law mandating House Shang to provide a constant supply of blood to the Consortium for a reasonable price. It would be like the standardized price of oil. And it would be in the best interests of all."

"You are talking about my son's blood! My son! He grants you your immortality by his own free will, and nothing will ever change that! If you want to claim him, you will do so over my dead body!" Augustus stares William down viciously.

"Augustus, calm yourself. I am talking about the good of the Shadow Kingdom as a whole. Your son is not just your son; he is our lifeblood – literally." Esteban and Samir watch the tug-of-war in quiet amusement.

"I don't give a damn what any of you decide. I will burn this place to the ground before any of you lays a hand on my family! And don't think I'm above using your bastard daughter against you, Ashcroft Majesty." Augustus said the word "majesty" with a sneer.

"What the hell are you talking about?" William furrows his eyes, feigning ignorance.

"I'm talking about the prostitute you raped nineteen years ago in Pittsburgh! And the waterweaver daughter who looks just like you, sitting next to my son!" Augustus shouts. A room full of golden-ringed eyes centre in on me harshly. Adrian wraps his arm around me as if to shield me from their accusing stares. If not for him, I would feel completely naked in front of these monsters. Powerless.

"Augustus, you are letting your emotions run wild. The words coming from your mouth are nonsense." William speaks plainly.

"Oh, they will make perfect sense soon enough. The next time we meet, it won't be in another year. And you will be welcoming a new daughter into your household." Augustus rises from his seat and snaps his fingers, creating a small, bright spark. I think that is the warlock equivalent of giving someone the finger. He turns around to leave, and all of us follow him naturally. Tiberius quickly glances at Nathaniel before he leaves with very smug grin on his face.

We return to the vehicles, and once inside, I notice that I am shaking. Adrian hugs me tightly, and by that point, I am sobbing outright. "I know. I hate going to these things too." Adrian says as the convoy begins to leave.

Along the way, I try to pull myself together. "What if I'm not his daughter? We haven't done the test yet. Your father may have counted his eggs before they hatched."

"I saw the way he looked at you. You're both waterweavers, and he was in Pittsburgh around the time you were conceived. Plus, you have his eyes. I don't think there is any doubt."

"The man is a psychopath!" I curse.

"I don't think there is any doubt about that either." After we cross the Brooklyn Bridge, the convoy splits in two. It takes Adrian and me back to 101 Park and the rest of them to the Carlyle hotel. I begin to calm down. "That thing you said about being my girlfriend..."

I giggle and look up to meet his gaze. "What about it?"

"Was that real?"

"Do you want it to be real?"

An enamoured smile slowly appears on Adrian's face. "You are my first real girlfriend – ever. You will have to teach me what a proper boyfriend is."

"Don't worry." I kiss him gently. "I'm sure you'll get the hang of it."