The murmur faded slowly, until a tense silence prevailed.
“Explain yourself, Maximilian,” Agar demanded. Santiago, seated to Conall’s right, and Dominic, seated to his direct left, had their eyes on Conall as well, while Drako alternated between looking at Conall and watching Maximilian.
***
“Of course, Elder. Vivienne and Cassandre Bordeaux are two witches who have been living as humans for the past years. They are the grand-daughters of Annabel, my covenant-sister, whom I loved as my own blood.” It was a lie, but he was so practiced in the art that even the most trained of creatures would be unable to tell. “Five years ago, I learned of their existence, and searched them out. It was one of my reasons for relocating my covenant to New York. I owed Annabel that much.” Agar’s expression softened, and Maximilian continued. “A few days past, I learned of their locations, and sent my most trusted trackers to bring them home.” He turned from Agar and looked accusingly at Conall.
The wolf looked ready to jump across the table at him, and Maximilian hoped he would. It would start a fight that would transcend this meeting, and if he could manipulate it, things would go back to the way they were before these useless laws were implemented. “My people were attacked by Conall Athelwulf and his pack, and the girls were taken.” He looked around the table once more. “I appeal this Council on the grounds of kinship to demand that Athelwulf return both Vivienne and Cassandre Bordeaux to my covenant, where they belong.” Leaning back, he nodded once to indicate he’d said his part.
Agar, and the rest of the Council members, shifted their gazes to Conall. “What have you to say?”
***
Conall called on every higher power for control, and almost sighed when the beast retreated slightly and he could put together coherent words in his head. Maximilian obviously didn’t want the Council knowing that Vivienne and Cassandre were actually druids, not witches, and he didn’t care to find out how the Council would react to the existence of two druids, particularly when one was his mate.
Cracking his neck, he leveled his eyes on Maximilian and spoke. “Maximilian Cronin cannot claim kinship over Vivienne or Cassandre as their mother is still alive, and has already claimed it herself—”
“I claim kinship over Evelyn as well. She is always welcome to return to her covenant,” Maximilian interjected quickly.
Conall held onto his control, reminding himself that outside of the Council meeting, he could kill Maximilian Cronin as he wished, but right now, his only recourse was to persuade the Council that Maximilian had no grounds for kinship.
He relaxed his voice, leaned back, although his back was still ramrod straight, and looked around the room. “The last I checked, gentlemen, it was not mandatory to join a pack,” he looked to the werewolves, “a covenant,” he looked directly at the witches, “or a clan,” his gaze lingered on the vampires. “Evelyn was never inducted into Maximilian Cronin’s covenant. In fact, her mother, Annabel, left the covenant years before Evelyn was born. Neither Evelyn, Vivienne, nor Cassandre have met Cronin.” Conall paused for that to sink in. Kinship was an old but fickle law. “And Vivienne and Cassandre, despite being referred to as girls, are both adults and capable of deciding for themselves if they wish to join a covenant. They do not.”
Another round of murmurs went around the room and Maximilian pressed his lips together tightly. “They are unaware of the dangers that exist outside of a covenant—”
Agar slammed his hand against the table once more and gave Maximilian a pointed stare. Conall continued as if he hadn’t been interrupted. “I counter Cronin’s claim of kinship over Vivienne—”
Maximilian pushed forward in his chair and shook his head. “You have no grounds for that.”
“—as her mate.” He snapped his teeth together and pressed his body forward. Santiago shifted closer, getting into position to haul him back if there was need, and Conall forced himself to relax. Relaxation was getting to be something he remembered vaguely, like a vacation he’d taken hundreds of years ago. “Vivienne is my mate, and I will challenge anyone who tries to take her from me.”
***
Maximilian shot from the chair, sending the piece of furniture flying. Immediately, Conall stood. Agar brought his hand down on the table, and when that didn’t work, he stood and said in a loud, commanding voice, “Gentlemen! Please take your seats. This matter will be discussed and resolved. Remember that you are on sacred ground.”