The basement landing consisted of ancient looking hardwood, all manner of dust and debris strewn about the floor, but it opened up to a much larger space than I’d expected. Flickering lights cast in cobwebs illuminated the space, as if the electricity down here was faultier than that of the upper levels. The space separated into three different options: one, a long, winding hallway to my left, two, a dusty sitting area with furniture draped in white drop cloths to my right, and three, straight ahead of me a row of rooms with closed doors that stretched on as far as I could see. I furrowed my brow, wondering what James had built this level for and why he’d let it go to waste. Sure, he’d built this estate over a hundred years ago, but that was no reason to be wasteful.
I took a few steps toward that row of doorways, curiosity prickling my senses on what they might hold. Storage perhaps, or maybe they were intended to be staff rooms, but they hadn’t gotten around to cleaning them up yet?
A loud bang sounded ahead of me, like iron slamming against iron, halting my steps near the sitting area next to the basement landing. I slowed my breathing when I heard voices. Two of them.
“I’m simply explaining my lack of understanding,” James said, his footsteps heavy as they headed right for me. “You’re conceding everything to the princess—”
“As I will continue to do,” Samuel cut him off, both of them coming into view as they exited the long hallway of doors. They paused not ten feet from me, both of their suits stained with dust and dirt. Whatever they’d been doing in one of those rooms had marred all the graceful elegance they constantly strived for.
“But why bother at this point? We’ve already earned their allegiance. And you know our number of supporters has doubled since the last attack. We’re the change this kingdom needs. We shouldn’t waste time with posturing.”
I glared at the little weasel of a vampire. He was making light of all my efforts to keep my family safe. What an asshole.
Samuel shifted where he stood, his massive frame angled toward the spiral staircase, blocking it effectively so I had no chance of slipping by them now. Not that I would risk it. Samuel may very well be familiar enough with my scent to catch it, and the last thing I wanted him to know was the truth of my power.
I didn’t trust him enough yet. He hadn’t earned the right to know all of me like that.
“You keep saying we are the change the kingdom needs,” Samuel said, eyes narrowing on his uncle. “The last time I checked, Uncle, you are not marrying the princess. And you don’t have the experience or patience of a Hunter like me. You wouldn’t last two seconds in the royal court without the alliances I’ve bled to forge.”
“Of course,” James hurried to say. “I only meant—”
“I heard you the first ten times.” Samuel’s tone was sharper than I’d ever heard it before, but he was defending our choices, in a way, so I couldn’t totally blame him. Plus, his uncle was a rat with the way he practically spit on my brother’s boots. He deserved a little sharpness from Samuel.
“Understood,” James said, straightening a bit. “And you have everything you need for the ceremony tomorrow evening? All lining up according to plan?”
“Yes,” Samuel said, wiping some of the dust off of his arms. “Everything will happen as we’ve discussed.”
As we’ve discussed, meaning all the demands I’d made regarding the ceremony? The lines I’d slipped into our contract about him supporting Alek’s claim to the throne, as well as exhausting every effort to bring Saint to justice. Or something they’d discussed? God, I hoped they weren’t planning some over the top surprise for the ceremony. The party would be hard enough to get through as it was.
“Just breathe until then, Uncle,” Samuel said, clapping him so hard on the shoulder James flinched. “You’ll see. Everything will be as I said it would.”
Samuel moved toward the spiral staircase, proceeding up and up the steps until I heard his footsteps on the floor high above us. James followed shortly after, an even deeper scowl on his face as he stomped up the stairs.
I waited a good thirty minutes before I even moved, having done this whole sneaking around thing a time or two. It was always best to wait longer than comfortable before making a move so close to others.
Everything would be as Samuel said. The proposal he’d offered me when being held at that unknown location with him and Saint. The solution he’d offered to save my family and my kingdom. It was everything I agreed to and everything that hurt my soul.