Fourteen

Vali

“Another panic protocol?” Marcy asked, I nodded as we walked down the hallway back to our rooms. I couldn’t go back to the party, not after this, and I didn’t care how it looked that I had left with the newly crowned Vampire King.

“Traian has nothing to lose. And if he had a plan then he knew what was going to happen. If he planned his escape, he has a plan for what’s coming next. I’m not taking any chances.” I said, letting out a slow breath to calm myself.

“He’s not their king anymore-”

“Jackson, if he had someone help him escape, who’s to say he doesn’t have more vampires ready to help him? That the reason he’s disappeared isn’t to get to Bran Castle first and claim his throne again?” I asked as we reached our rooms and I closed the door behind us. “My position as White Wolf is indisputable, the previous one died for me to get this white hair, but if he was still alive are you going to tell me that there aren’t any wolves who would’ve followed him instead of me? Especially when I started to change things?”

“Wolves wouldn’t question the choice of the Moon Goddess. Even in instances throughout history where the transition from one White Wolf to another ended up with both alive, the current White Wolf is the one followed. You are blessed by Selene, that’s why you have white hair.” Marcy said, I shook my head.

“What if I was removed by the Summit Council and a new leader was appointed?” I asked.

“We would still recognise you as our leader.” Jackson said as he realised the gravity of the situation.

“The Draculas hold their crown because they hold the most power out of all vampires. Traian has shown his power, he has reason to be on the throne. Mircea…” I trailed off. It’s not that I didn’t feel Mircea’s power, it’s that there was no record of him ever using it. No one even knew what it was.

“He hasn’t shown power and therefore hasn’t earned the throne.” Jackson said as I began pacing the room.

“If Traian gets back first he can tell his people that the Summit tried to strip him of his crown. That Mircea took it from him and even go so far as to separate his people from the Summit.” Marcy said. Maybe she had been paying attention to the political lessons that Jackson had been giving her, couldn’t say the same for the war strategy he was supposed to be learning from her.

“Which leads to my next question. Why is Mircea doing all of this? Why is he helping us? I’m not manipulating him, he has no reason to be on our side.” I said, Jackson then looked at me in confusion.

“You’re not manipulating him?” He asked.

“You told me not to use it, so I didn’t.”

“This is either very good or very bad.” Jackson said, I tilted my head to the side as I stopped pacing the room and he began. “As I said after the initial meeting, he could sympathise with us. If that is true then we are in a good position.”

“And if it’s not?”

“Well, remember how I said that there could be counter plans to our plans?” He asked, I tilted my head backwards to look at the intricately painted ceiling. Selene, help me.

“Yes.” I responded as I levelled my head once more.

“This could be a counter plan. They knew what we would bring up and Mircea could have taken the crown from his father in such a public way so Traian could continue working behind the scenes. It could be an act.” He said, I sighed as I closed my eyes and shook my head.

“I don’t think it’s an act. I’m just questioning his motive.” I said, thinking back to our conversation in the forest. He hadn’t lied once during that conversation, his heart rate had stayed steady.

“You sure?” Marcy asked, I nodded. “Why?”

“When we talked in the forest, his heart rate never changed and his tone was genuine. I never smelt deceit on him.” I said, Jackson nodded. “I think he genuinely wants to help us but I don’t know why.”

“Again, he could just sympathise with us, see the wrong and want to make it right.” He said, I shook my head. There was something else, a nagging feeling in my brain was telling me as much.

“There’s something he’s not telling us. Something important.” I said.

“Could he know about the prophecy?” Marcy asked. It was a good question.

“It’s possible, but surely that’s not something he would keep secret. It’s got to be more personal than that.” I said, and Jackson nodded.

“Personal motivation is inconsequential in the long run, as long as it gets us what we want it won’t matter.” He said, and I guess he had a point. I just hated not knowing everything, not having every single little fact I could possibly have. Could possibly need. “Did you give him a way to contact us?” He asked next.

“Fuck.” I swore, walking back towards the door. Why didn’t Mircea stop me from walking away if I hadn’t given him my contact details? Damned idiot.

“We’ll get our bags packed so we can leave first thing tomorrow.” Jackson said as I reached the door.

“Good, and someone get in contact with whoever the hell we left in charge. Tell them panic protocol is still on.”