Those puny mortals, I thought.. Always thinking they can best each other, only to end up slitting each other's throats. I walked around the table yet again, making sure they each had my gaze. "Due to your new positions, you will now be kings…" I began, and walked over to the lady's seat. "And…queens…in your own lands, bring prosperity and plenty to your people."

I tried not to laugh. Yeah, right.

I arrived at Mr. William's seat. "All in my name," I said, closing my eyes. When I opened them again, he spoke up.

"Nicolae! What are you saying? We never agreed to this!"

I felt annoyed. I calmed myself. I began the clockwise pace back towards the two mortal's seats. "In the garden, there was a serpent." If only they knew.

"It tempted Eve, leading to man's banishment from paradise," I said, glancing at each of the delegates. "That serpent has stood between us and paradise ever since."

Cothran spoke now. "What's this about, Carpathia?" he sneered.

I chuckled inside. "It's about you two," I said. "Serpents in MY garden. Using peace and prosperity for your own gain."

Stonagal spoke now. He laughed nervously. "Nicolae…that's preposterous."

I felt even more angry now. I wished I could shoot him then and there. In fact…

"Do not lie to me," I said, steel in my voice. I scoffed. "So small…so easily manipulated. Tell me Jonathan, who is the puppet here? Look where I am and look where you are."

"Do you have any idea?! Do you know who you're dealing with?!" he said, his voice rising.

I laughed. "Do you?" Idiot. I turned back to the original subject. "I welcome all o fyou to join this great team. Do you accept my invitation?"

I sent it out. Yes, I told them to think. Accept it.

The delegates murmured various ad-libs of agreement.

Finally, Cothran spoke up. He stood, slamming his hands against the table. "We made you Nicolae. You're our creation!" he shouted.

I sighed. "Please, sit down."

An idea had formed in my mind.

I walked towards the guard. "Donald M. Alternus?" I asked him.

He seemed to brighten up. "Yes sir, that's me," he said.

"Of…Newark, New Jersey."

"Why yes sir!"

"May I call you Don?"

He nodded.

"Don…give me your sidearm."

He looked confused for a minute, then blinked and gave me his revolver.

"So begins an object lesson in leadership," I stated, and loaded the gun.

I was by the duo's chairs now. Stonagal spoke up. "Nicolae…? Have you lost your mind? What are you doing?" he asked, fear creeping into his eyes.

Chaim stood. He shook his head vigorously. "Nicolae…no. Don't do this."

Yet another distraction. "Sit down, Chaim," I said. I ordered him to sit down. Sit.

He sat.

Cothran spoke. His voice was weak. It gave me power. "Look…we all want the same thing, right?"

I smiled. "Are you sure of that?" I whispered. "Jonathan. On your knees." I pointed the revolver at him.

"No! No, I will do no such thing!"

Cothran attempted to stand.

His attempt failed.

I made sure no one got up. But Mr. Williams somehow evaded the command. "Someone has got to stop this!" he said, standing.

"Buck! Sit down." Sit, I said, but I couldn't seem to get through to him. Strange…

Jonathan got on his knees.

Time for the last words he'd ever hear in his puny little life. "These people will know that I fear no one. That I fear nothing. That I will succeed at anything I set my mind to. Without the slightest hesitation or opposition. From this day forward, no one can stand against me!" I said, my anger threatening to bust my skull. "That's the kind of power you lusted for Jonathan. Don't worry, this will be completely painless." Not. "After all, I am not a monster." Not. I laughed.

"No…please…" he said, quietly.

I got sick of all this waiting.

I pulled the trigger.

Ah, sweet revenge.