Filed to story: Sinful Mates (Imogen) Book by Jessica Hall
When Christopher says his decision remains, the dark-haired woman stands up and glares at him. She is very intimidating when angry, and she looks on the verge of jumping across the counter and attacking the other council members.
Josiah is standing now too, also angry as he shakes his head before saying it is unjust and they should strip her of her new title.
The man next to the woman stands up. His red hair and smattering of freckles make him look younger, around Tobias’ age, but age doesn’t really matter in this world; chances are he is probably centuries old. He has an Irish accent.
“Nothing can be done, Mara, she has every right to the position. Alaric only held the position because she handed it to him. It is her birthright to take back the position now that Alaric is dead.” He tries to tell her.
“She has broken our laws. Laws you helped to write, and you’re going to let her take a seat back at the council just because of who her father is?” She screams in anger.
Suddenly, all hell breaks loose, and they are all standing, arguing with each other. I can’t help but think if they act like this, how the hell does anything get done? They are all acting like children, screaming at each other and not letting anyone speak. One thing irks me though, and it doesn’t click when she says it, but having a few moments to process her words, I realize what she said.
That it is Bianca’s birthright because of her father, yet he is also mine. So, doesn’t that give me the right to the position as well?
Standing up, I see Theo look up at me. I walk to the front, standing in front of the counter. Theo and Tobias both look at me, wondering what the hell I’m doing. Tobias mouths for me to come back, but I shake my head. I stand there for a few minutes, listening to them argue amongst themselves until the blonde-haired woman notices me standing there and waves her hand, silencing them.
Everyone takes their seats and the blonde haired woman with black eyes cocks her head to the side, examining me before speaking. “Would you like to add something?” I nod my head, wondering how to start. “Imogen, right?”
“Yes, ma’am,” I say, politely.
“She isn’t part of the council or a community member, she can’t add anything.” Christopher says, sending a glare my way.
I glared back, holding his gaze, refusing to be intimidated by him.
“Well, isn’t she the woman the crime was committed against? I would like to know what she has to say,” The blonde woman adds.
Christopher shakes his head and goes to speak before the Irish man speaks. “What can it hurt, Christopher? Let her speak, it won’t change anything.” Christopher sits down, and I turn to face them.
“Well, you said it was Bianca’s birthright?” The Irish man nods, and I see Bianca out of the corner of my eye, suddenly looking nervous. She knows where I’m going with this. “So wouldn’t it also be my birthright to challenge her for the position?” I ask, turning to Bianca, her face drops and I know I’m right.
“I don’t understand, how would it be within your right to challenge her for the position?” The man asks, leaning forward between the pair of us. I realize then that not once did Josiah actually tell them I’m her sister, just stated her crimes and what she did.
“Bianca is my sister, isn’t that right Bianca? We have the same father. You remember Bianca, right? The father you killed,” I say, turning to her.
“This is nonsense. Cedric only had one child, not two!” Christopher shouts, standing up.
“Not true, I am his daughter, and I’m also the reason she killed my mother. She blames me for destroying her family. When Cedric left her mother for mine, she killed herself,” I explain.
It feels strange knowing my father’s name, I hadn’t bothered to ever ask, and I can tell Caroline doesn’t enjoy talking about the events that lead to her life of immortality.
“Have you got proof?” Christopher asks, raising an eyebrow.
“A simple blood test will do if they are sisters,” says Mara, with a smile on her lips.
I smile back at her.
“You know nothing about the council. Why would you challenge for a position you know nothing about? You are a newborn vampire and new to this way of life?” Asks the Irish man.
I think for a second. I’m not sure what challenging her means exactly, but I know from what Josiah was talking about earlier that a challenger has to undergo a series of tests before a one-on-one duel against their opponent. Quite a barbaric way if you ask me, and I doubt I will win, but I have to try.
“I don’t want the position, but you said she handed the title over to Alaric. So, if I win, I also want to hand over the title.” I tell the Irish man.
“To whom, Theo or Tobias?” He chuckles.
