Chapter 95 The Council of Vultures
SERA
I dressed Kael for the council meeting like preparing a corpse for viewing.
His body moved, but there was a delay. A hesitation before each action. Like his consciousness had to remember the body existed before commanding it.
"Stop fussing." His voice was steady. The stimulant Isolde had given him was working. "I can dress myself."
"You put your boots on the wrong feet twice." I adjusted his collar. "How do you feel?"
"Like I'm watching myself through glass. Everything's muffled." He looked at his hands. "But functional."
"Functional isn't capable. If Cassian pushes—"
"Then I respond. I'm still king." He met my eyes. I saw determination. And exhaustion with no bottom. "I won't let him win."
A knock. Marcus entered. "They're assembled. Cassian brought supporters. At least twenty nobles backing him now."
"Twenty out of how many?"
"Forty-three in attendance. You're losing ground."
"Then I gain it back today." Kael stood. Steadier than before. "Sera. You're coming."
"Of course."
"Nyx stays here. Protected."
"She'll hate that."
"She's four days old and exhausted. She gets to hate it from safety." He paused. "Morvenna's watching. If you see me struggling, signal me."
"You won't retreat."
"Then stop me before I do something stupid."
We walked to the council chamber. Every step was a performance. Nobles watched from alcoves. Servants pressed against walls. Everyone wanting to see if their king was truly back.
The doors opened. Forty-three vampires turned. Half with hope. Half with ambition.
Cassian stood at the center. Golden. Perfect. He smiled.
"Your Majesty. How wonderful to see you upright."
"I've been busy. Containing an ancient vampire queen. King things." Kael sat. "Make it quick."
"That's the issue." Cassian gestured. "You've been catatonic for three days. And rumor says you're not entirely present even now."
"Rumor says garbage." Kael leaned forward. "I'm here. I'm functional. Unless you have proof otherwise, we're done."
"Proof? Guards witnessed you collapse. Healers confirmed your heart stopped. You were dead for four minutes." He looked around. "A king who exists partially in some mental prison. That's liability, not fitness."
Murmurs spread. Nobles calculating.
"I contained Morvenna." Kael's voice was ice. "Something none of you could do. I sacrificed my stability to save this kingdom. And you repay me with this?"
"We repay you with honesty." Lady Isabeau stood. Kael's aunt. My stomach dropped. "Nephew. I love you. But Cassian isn't wrong. You're compromised. Split between realities." Her voice was gentle. Devastating. "Perhaps it's time to consider a regency. Temporary. Until you've mastered this."
"A regency." Kael's laugh was bitter. "Ruled by who?"
"Ruled by council. Until you've recovered."
"I'm not injured. I'm adapted."
"Is there a difference? Can you prove it?" Cassian moved closer. "Can you demonstrate that you're still capable?"
In the vessel, I felt Kael's attention split. Morvenna was moving. The dual focus was killing him.
"What kind of demonstration?" I spoke up. Drew attention away from Kael.
"Combat trial." Cassian said it casually. "Ancient vampire law. When a king's fitness is questioned, he can prove himself through combat. Defeat a challenger and his rule is affirmed."
"You want to fight him? Now? While he's recovering?"
"I want him to prove he can fight." Cassian met Kael's eyes. "Unless you're afraid?"
The trap was obvious. Fight and risk losing while split. Refuse and look weak. Either way, Cassian won.
"I accept." Kael stood. "Right here. Right now."
"Kael, no—" I grabbed his arm.
"It's fine. I can handle him." But I felt him struggling. Felt the vessel demanding attention. Felt Morvenna's laughter echoing through our bond. "One quick fight."
"Your Majesty!" Theron pushed through the crowd. "Let me fight as your champion—"
"This is my throne. My fight." Kael descended the steps. Faced Cassian. "Rules?"
"First blood. No void magic. Just blade and skill." Cassian drew his sword. Beautiful. Ornate. Deadly. "You taught me everything I know. Let's see if you remember your own lessons."
They circled. The nobles backed away. Created an arena.
I watched Kael's eyes. Saw them flicker. Consciousness jumping between vessel and body. Between Morvenna and Cassian. Between two battles.
Cassian struck first. Fast. Precise.
Kael blocked. Barely. His response was slow. Delayed. The split costing him speed.
Another strike. Another sluggish defense. Cassian was faster. Sharper. Fully present while Kael fought on two fronts.
"What's wrong? You seem distracted." Cassian pressed the attack. "Perhaps you should focus more on the man trying to kill you."
Kael rallied. Pushed back. His blade work was still brilliant when he could focus. But the moments of distraction were growing longer.
In the vessel, Morvenna was attacking. I felt it through the bond. She was throwing everything at the collective. Trying to break free while Kael was vulnerable.
He couldn't maintain both. Couldn't fight Cassian and hold Morvenna and keep his body coordinated. Something had to give.
"Yield." Cassian's blade was at Kael's throat. I hadn't even seen the final exchange. "Yield and I'll let you live."
Kael's eyes were completely unfocused. Lost in the vessel. Fighting Morvenna. Unable to process the physical threat.
"He yields!" I shouted. "Kael yields the match!"
"Does he? I didn't hear him say it." Cassian pressed the blade closer. "Speak. Do you yield your throne to me?"
Silence. Kael wasn't there. Just a body standing empty while his consciousness battled elsewhere.
"Very well." Cassian pulled back. Raised his sword for a finishing blow. "Then I claim this throne—"
Kael's eyes focused. Snapped back with terrifying intensity.
His hand moved. Faster than possible. Caught Cassian's blade. Broke it.
Then his fist connected with Cassian's face. The golden vampire went down hard.
"I don't yield." Kael's voice was wrong. Layered. Multiple consciousnesses speaking through one mouth. "And I don't appreciate being attacked while I'm busy saving your lives from the monster in my head."
He stood over Cassian. Eyes flickering between red and black. Void energy crackling around his hands.
"You wanted proof I'm still strong? Still dangerous?" Power exploded from him. Every noble stumbled back. "Here's your proof. I'm containing an ancient vampire queen. Fighting her every second. And I'm still more powerful than any of you combined."
Cassian scrambled backward. Blood streaming from his broken nose. "You said no void magic! You cheated!"
"I didn't use void magic in the fight. I used it after. When you tried to execute me." Kael looked around. "Anyone else want to challenge?"
Silence. Absolute. Terrified.
"Good. Then this council is over. You all continue serving. I continue ruling. And the next person who suggests a regency gets to join Morvenna in the vessel. Understood?"
Forty-three heads nodded.
"Excellent. Now get out. Before I remember why I used to execute traitors for sport."
They fled. Cassian helped out by guards. Isabeau lingering just long enough to mouth "I'm sorry" before following.
The doors closed. Kael collapsed.
I caught him. Again. "That was stupid. Reckless."
"I know. But it worked." He was shaking. "Morvenna almost broke free. Had to throw everything at her. Lost focus on Cassian completely."
"How did you snap back?"
"Isolde. In the vessel. She took over fighting Morvenna. Gave me the seconds I needed." He looked at me. "We can't keep doing this. Can't keep relying on last-second saves. Eventually our luck will run out."
"Then we find a better solution."
"Such as?"
I didn't have an answer. We'd won the council. Proven Kael's strength. Kept the throne.
But at what cost? How many more times could he pull himself back before he fell completely?
"Your Majesty." Marcus appeared. Again. Always with more problems. "We have visitors. From the Shadowlands. They say they have information about Morvenna. About what she's really planning."
"Of course we do." Kael pushed himself upright. "Because today wasn't complicated enough. Show them in."
Three figures entered. Cloaked. Hooded. Moving with predatory grace.
They pulled back their hoods.
I recognized one of them. Pale skin. Dark eyes. Beautiful and terrible.
Elena.
She smiled. "Hello, husband. We need to talk."