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.
“No, Josiah, I have seen how respected he is amongst the community and I know he would make an exemplary member,” I say, turning and looking at Josiah, praying it is alright to volunteer him, considering he retired decades ago.
Josiah nods, and a grin breaks out on his face at my words, before he shoots a smirk at Christopher.
“Well, that settles it, we will do the blood test and hold the challenge.”
“Unless you object to the blood test, Bianca?” Adds Mara.
“No need. I can confirm we are sisters, no point doing the blood test when I already know what you will find, Mara. Not that it will change anything. Imogen, you must be desperate to challenge me,” she says confidently.
“Well, then we shall reconvene in a month for the tests and challenge,” Mara announces.
When we step out of the council chambers, Tobias and Theo pull me aside. “Are you nuts? You can’t challenge her, she is a lot stronger than you, Imogen. And in case you’re forgetting you have no magic. You just signed your death sentence.” Theo growls, annoyed, before running his hands through his hair.
“Theo is right, you can’t go back on a challenge and we can’t help you. Why would you do something like this?” Tobias asks, and I can tell he is angry as he grips my arm tightly.
“Leave her be, she did what she had to. We will figure out a way, even if I have to train her myself,” Josiah says, placing a hand on my shoulder and squeezing gently.
Two weeks pass by quickly. Christopher still demanded the blood test to prove I actually am Bianca’s sister and Cedric’s daughter. The blood result came back as expected that we are indeed sisters. I also had to sit for a few cognitive tests, and study on community relations and ethics before undergoing the fitness of duty exam, which I passed with flying colors thanks to Josiah and his never-ending knowledge about the council.
It makes me wonder how the hell Bianca has passed, but I doubt she will have to do them anyway with the fact that the council was willing to let a murderer stand on the panel.
Josiah even questioned them about it and believes it was Christopher’s way of making things difficult for me. Theo and Tobias have been teaching me combat training, not that it is going to help much against Bianca, and me becoming weaker as time passes. I have asked and begged for them to let me use my magic, but Theo and Tobias keep saying give it time and to let them keep doing research before I make any rash decisions. It worries them that I won’t be able to control it like last time.
Caroline and Josiah have all but moved in with us. They are here daily, and I enjoy having their company and never ending help, especially when it comes to Thaddeus.
So, for the last two weeks things have been running smoothly and both Theo and Tobias have been alternating days at work and home. Poor Merida rang me to let me know they have made her their secretary until I can come back to work. She didn’t sound impressed, but not much can be done about it. She said it is better than being on the main floor as a receptionist though. Her only dislike, mainly being Theo, demanding coffee every two seconds. I then found out he is deliberately annoying her because he knows she fears him. After a firm word from Tobias, he hasn’t been hounding her constantly, and she seems a little more relaxed when he isn’t constantly in her presence, she said.