Between Shadow & Ruin (Fangs & Fae Saga Book 2)

four.

Anna's ceremony to become the Imperator came quickly. She wanted us all to attend, but I was weary about bringing Odie around a bunch of vampires that I didn't know. Zane assured me that Odie wouldn't leave his lap and to just take care of Anna. We drove to New York and were almost driven crazy by Odie asking questions the entire drive. He finally fell asleep long enough for us to get into our suite at the hotel. Zane stayed with Odie in the suite while Chris and Val followed me to the meeting hall.

At the ceremony, I saw all of the Magisters from the meeting and a few of their Sheriffs. All we were waiting for was Alphonse. As I expected, he showed up after the meeting was supposed to start. He headed towards the front of the room with a few Sheriffs trailing behind and gave a speech.

"My fellow Magisters! I would like to thank you all for having given me the opportunity to lead you all for such a long time, however, there comes a time when all great leaders must step down from their positions or be forcibly removed." I scoffed. Alphonse looked at me before continuing. "At this time, I would like to welcome Anna Carpenter, the Magister of America, and congratulate her on being my successor."

Anna walked towards him from across the stage. He put his hand around her waist as she towered over him. She cleared her throat, and he moved his arm. I couldn't wait for Alphonse to be done.

"I have known Anna for quite some time, and I couldn't think of a better successor!" The entire crowd clapped and whooped. She nodded her head. "Anna, I wish you the best of luck!" Anna raised her hand in the air and the crowd silenced.

"Thank you, Magisters! I appreciate your support, really! I promise to do right by you, and I promise to uphold the laws that many of us have worked hard to create!" They clapped and whooped again. "With that being said, there is something I must take care of, and I would like to start off on the right foot!" The crowd grew silent as Anna slowly walked over to Alphonse. She bent down to his ear and whispered just loud enough that the vampires in the room could hear. "I suggest you take your sorry excuses for being a Magister and go back to England. I have half a mind to replace you at this moment, meaning your services will no longer be required, Alphonse. You have one more strike... you step one more toe out of line... one more bout of ignorance? And you're done." No one spoke. Alphonse stuttered.

"M-madame Im-Imperator! Y-you cannot be s-serious! After s-so many y-years of – of service a-and this is how y-you tr-treat your p-predecessor!?" Anna stood up and addressed the crowd.

"Alphonse had a clan of vampires feeding on children in his jurisdiction and he did nothing about it until confronted with no options! I refuse to allow my era to start with the tolerance of law breaking!" Alphonse was escorted out of the meeting hall. The remaining Magisters took a minute to comprehend what happened. "If anyone has a problem with my ruling, you know where the door is..." No one moved a muscle. "Good. Enjoy the night everyone. I hear the liquor is quite good." Soft music began to play in the background as Anna walked back towards us.

"Thank you for being here, Liz," Anna said, giving me a hug.

"You're welcome. I got you something," I said. "Give me a minute." I walked towards the back of the room where Anna's assistant stood, speaking to another vampire. "Hey, Sofia? I think Anna wants to talk to you." I led her back towards Val. Sofia excused herself from her conversation and fixed her blouse.

"Sofia!" Anna said, excitedly. "What's this, Liz?" I pulled her to the side.

"I'm not going to lie to you. You and Sofia are attracted to one another and keep dancing around the subject. I think you should give it a shot."

"I am not attracted to her. What makes you think that?" Anna said, pulling me aside.

"The woman you were eyeing at the bar looked exactly like her."