Chapter 13 The Enclave Wants Me
Brea's POV
The little girl tugged my hand. "Uncle Rayne! Is this your wife?" I froze as heat rose to my cheeks. "She will be," Rayne said evenly, not looking up.
The children crowded around, bouncing on their toes, asking questions I couldn't answer.
Then Rayne's attention shifted. His eyes moved to the edge of the field where a cloaked figure moved between the trees, dropped something at the tree line, and vanished.
Rayne stood. Whatever warmth had been in his posture disappeared.
"That's enough for today." The children quieted without argument and ran off. The field emptied.
He walked to the tree line, picked up the envelope, and brought it back. He held it out without a word. "Read it.
I picked it up as I opened it,
'Lady Brea, you are invited to the High-Density Academy for proper tutelage and preparation as an esteemed member of the human-vampire diplomatic circle. Attendance will ensure your role is recognized and respected among all highborn families.'
"They want me to go there?"
"They never make a move without a purpose behind it," he said.
I folded the letter. "What happens now?"
"Now," he said quietly, "we go to the castle."
We arrived within the hour. The court was already waiting.
The human delegation stood at the center. The man standing at the center of the court was someone I didn't recognize.
He looked to be in his mid-forties, dressed in a black suit. When his gaze landed on Rayne there was no warmth..
Then his eyes moved to me and the assessment was colder.
Rayne leaned slightly toward me. "Adrian Calista," he said under his breath. "Head of the Human Enclave."
Adrian spoke smoothly. "We propose a formal alliance. One that guarantees the continued prosperity of both our peoples."
The Queen, dressed in black and silver at the head of the throne, said nothing. She let him finish. Then her gaze moved not to Adrian, but to Rayne.
The message was clear. Speak as the prince. Rayne stepped forward. "I reject the offer."
Adrian tilted his head. "The Enclave controls the trade routes. Without our cooperation, your stability is at risk."
"Are you threatening us, Mr. Calista?" the Queen said.
"No," Adrian replied smoothly. "You already have an alliance. We simply want one too with love"
Rayne's jaw tightened. "You want control," he said simply. "Call it what it is."
The faintest curve touched the corner of the Queen's lips.
Adrian's smile thinned. His gaze shifted to me. "Perhaps, Lady Brea might see what her prince refuses to."
Every eye turned. Including the Queen's. "I will go to the Human Enclave," I said.
Even Adrian blinked. "On what authority?" the Queen asked.
"On my own, Your Majesty."
"Very well. If harm comes to what stands under my protection, your trade routes will not save you."
Rayne stepped close. "I'm trying to save you from this."
"You won't always be there," I said. "I need to learn to rely on myself." His jaw tightened. He said nothing further..
The court dispersed quickly. Nobles broke into low conversations, human delegates were ushered out, and within minutes the great hall emptied. Adrian appeared at my side before I could breathe.
"If you're ready," he said smoothly, "we should leave. The Enclave does not delay once a decision is made."
Rayne's body angled instantly between us. "She hasn't been formally released."
Adrian smiled. Not apologetically. "The Queen acknowledged the invitation. That is enough."
I stepped forward before Rayne could respond. "I'm ready."
Rayne looked at me. "Then this is where I stop protecting you," he said under his breath.
"This is where I start protecting myself," I said inwardly.
I didn't look back as we walked out. The palace doors closed behind us and outside, a line of dark vehicles waited along the stone drive, engines already running. Adrian opened the rear door himself and I stepped in.
The ride was quiet. I watched the palace disappear through the window, growing smaller until it was gone entirely.
When the car stopped, I stepped out into open air and looked up at an iron arch carved with vines and sharp geometric symbols. The gates were already open.
The Enclave was nothing like I imagined. People moved along stone paths in fitted suits, their eyes landing on me not with curiosity but assessment.
"Welcome," Adrian said as we stepped inside.
He led me into a circular room lined with dark wooden panels. A woman in a gray suit waited.
"Director Elara Vance," Adrian said. "She oversees diplomatic conditioning."
Elara looked at me once. "Sit down."
"Before we begin," Adrian said, "there is something you need to see." He led me down a narrow corridor and I followed as he stopped in front of a glass panel set into the wall.
On the other side, in a small bare room, my mother was on her knees. My brother was pressed against the wall behind her, wrists bound. Blood streaked slowly down my mother's arm where someone had cut her.
"Mom!" The word tore out of me. My hands hit the glass hard, tears already blurring my vision. "Scott..... no! " I slammed my palms against it again and again, sobbing now, my voice cracking apart. "Please... get away from them...please!"
My legs gave out beneath me. I slid down the glass slowly, palms dragging against it, until I hit the floor.
My hands were bleeding where the glass had cut into them, but I couldn't feel it.
I couldn't feel anything except the weight of what I was looking at. I sat there on the cold floor, shaking, tears running freely down my face, my breath coming in broken uneven gasps.
"Nothing permanent,” Adrian said. “Unless you make it permanent.”
"That changes depending on you." He crouched down to my level, his voice steady and low.
"The Enclave paid off your father's debts. In return, he gave us you. Your placement with Rayne was monitored from the beginning." He paused. "You are our asset."
I looked up at him through my tears, hands trembling in my lap. "You used my father's desperation. You used me." My voice broke on the last word. "And now you expect me to just obey you?"
"If you want them to live," he said, nodding toward the glass, "you will play your part. No one at the palace can know. Not Rayne. Not the Queen." He held my gaze. "Do you understand?"
I pressed my hand over my mouth, trying to hold myself together.
"Do you understand?" Adrian repeated.
"Yes," I whispered. Only because I had to.