Refugee (The Captive #3)(40)
“There isn’t truly a need for a leader.” Braith stared at Gideon, silently warning him to back off.
“There is always a need for a leader. A leader will have to carry out the results of any vote, and they will have to squash any inner squabbling. A leader will be needed to make sure that justice, fair justice is carried out. And everyone, people and vampire alike, will need someone to follow. There is a need for a leader, a strong one that can rule and see over what will be a difficult time of transition for everyone involved. They will be required to put an abrupt end to the uprisings I am sure will follow this overthrow, and to make sure that all traitorous persons are hunted down and dealt with appropriately.
“There is a need for a leader if what you envision, what we all envision, is to be successful. We will need the strongest among us to carry out this vision. Someone who is just and not simply seeking power, someone who knows how government and politics works, someone that is recognizable to everyone, as there are many of us that would not be known among the humans anymore. ”
Braith was silent, astounded by the fervor of Gideon’s speech, frightened by the sway he felt in those words. Aria gazed at Gideon for a long moment before turning slowly to Braith. It was the pride gleaming from the bright depths of her beautiful eyes that caused his gut to clench. He knew what she expected of him, but if he rose to power she would never be accepted, never be welcomed at his side.
He would give up anything for this cause, except for her.
Beside her, William looked just as amazed as she did. His gaze moved slowly from Gideon to Braith and then finally to his sister. An almost painful look crossed his face before he turned away.
“We should select a new leader, a new king so to speak, here, now, amongst the leaders that our people have elected to speak for them.”
“Not all of them are here,” Braith reminded them, unable to keep the aggravation from his voice as Gideon tried to railroad him.
“Either I, or William, can vote for our father, for now,” Aria amended quickly. “I’m sure he would trust our judgment, and if he doesn’t then he can have his say when we reunite.”
He wanted to tell her no, that there would be no vote now, but the others were already nodding their agreement. A cold chill swept down his spine. He was not a coward, he had never shirked his responsibilities but he did not want this. Maybe he was getting ahead of himself though; they had not elected him yet. Gideon had just given a rousing speech that had swayed everyone in the room. After Braith, he was the most elder vampire within this room. They all knew Gideon well, had worked well with him over the past hundred years. All Braith had was his older age, his power, and his pedigree.
“I think that’s fair,” Xavier said. “They came as representatives for their father after all.” His gaze fixated on Braith. “I’m sure he would respect their vote.”
“He would,” William confirmed.
“Jericho is also an option as a leader,” Braith reminded them. “My brother has lived amongst David’s rebel faction for the past six years. He is part of the royal bloodline, David’s people trust him.”
Saul chuckled as he shook his head and spread his hands before him. “I’m sure Jericho has matured greatly over the years Braith, but I do not believe he is up for this responsibility. Nor was he ever groomed for it. We represent our families now because most of our family members are dead. Barnaby’s youngest cousin, and my sister, are the only others that survived the war, subsequent slaughter, and exile. Neither of them is prepared to lead, and neither is Jericho.”
“That is yet another thing we can discuss when we’re all united,” Xavier said. “I’m sure that Jericho is not the boy we remember, and if there is to be true equality amongst us than we should consider him. If he wishes to be considered.”
“Then we are in agreement, for the most part,” Gideon asserted. “We’ll vote now. Ashby?”
Ashby was pensive as his eyes flickered briefly between Aria and Braith before his shoulders slumped a little. “Braith started this, he has led us this far, united us, and defeated most of your enemies. He’ll see us to the end; he’ll take down his father. My vote is with him.”
Braith remained silent, unmoving, his body becoming steadily colder as Gideon went through the room. He somehow managed to remain impassive and unflinching every time his name was said. William and Aria were second to last. They spoke briefly with each other before Aria quietly said his name. It was like a stake to his heart, she didn’t know what she had just done.
“It seems as if we have had our first unanimous vote.” There was no satisfaction in Gideon’s tone. In fact he seemed resigned, saddened yet sturdy as he met Braith’s gaze. “Will you accept the decision to run the form of government that you would like to see carried out in the future?”
Braith’s jaw clenched, his teeth ground as he slowly nodded. “I will.”
He left out the words “for now” as he gave his response but they were there and Gideon and Ashby were well aware of it. He would lead them into this war, he would help to see them established, and then he would disappear with Aria leaving Jack or even Gideon in his place. They may be unsure of his little brother; to a certain degree so was he, but Jack would at the very least be a fair king.
“You have two days to gather your people. We’ll move out on the third to rejoin with David.”