Chapter XX
Passing the Torch
The entire coven was assembled in the Great Hall of Amelia's mansion, this was indeed a special occasion, joining the council and the New European nobleman that made up the coven was Director Holtz, who had been summoned from Europe to witness this. The platform containing Amelia's throne, as well as Eli and Nina's chair remained conspicuously empty. That only added to the uneasy feeling in the room, for every Death Dealer in the hall, stood armed with guns trained on a group of men standing in the center of the room. These men were the security personnel that had pledged their loyalty to the new alliance of Nina and Lord Duval. However, these men, now numbering at over a dozen had been stripped of their weapons and with no sign of their leader they were beginning to feel very uneasy. Finally the silence in the room was broken by the sound of David, Amelia's new lead Death Dealer. "All up standing for the Lady Amelia"
An armed Death Dealer opened the doors behind Amelia's throne; she came into the upstanding room to a hushed awe. She wore an elegant red gown that hugged her figure and trailed gracefully behind her, she was followed by her ancient viceroy Eli, and Nina. Nina again wore the gothic inspired clothes she had always worn. The suited men who were being held at gunpoint cast a worried glance towards their leader who they had begun to address as the Lady Nina. As Amelia sat she gave permission for the rest of the coven to follow suit.
"Thank you for coming" she said softly "I'm sure many of you are confused as to what is happening right now. Well this is your chance to ask any questions"
Dmitri stood up on behalf of the council and began to address Amelia "What is happening My Lady? Why have the Death Dealers rounded up these men, where is Lord Duval and why is she still sitting at your side."
"Lord Duval is dead" Amelia said coldly "He came here with the sole intention of over throwing me. At one hour before dusk tonight David took the Death Dealers and rounded up all of the men you see before you, he also allowed Lord Duval to see the sunset up close."
"And what is to happen to his men?" Dmitri asked
"They will serve me, or they will die" Amelia smiled "What is it to be?" Amelia directed her question to the lead suit. "What's his name?" she asked Nina
"Casper My Lady"
"Well Casper?" She asked
"Our lives are yours" he bowed
"I'm glad to hear it" Amelia grinned smugly "David will see to it that your weapons are returned to you when you resume your duties."
"They are to be incorporated into the Death Dealers?" hissed Dmitri
"No" Began Amelia "They will remain a separate unit, independent of Death Dealer control. Their duties will be limited they are in no way replacing the Death Dealers."
"Separate to the Death Dealers?" asked Dmitri "Who is to command them?"
"They are to fall under the jurisdiction of the coven's chief of staff"
"You have got to be joking My Lady" he said in disbelief "Tell me you've picked another Chief of Staff"
Amelia cast a glance to her left "There is no need" she smiled towards Nina
"What of the alliance? The conspiracy?" demanded Dmitri
"We've all been through a lot" she said simply
"My Lady the Council can not except this, I do not feel Nina can be trusted."
Amelia watched as Nina swallowed hard, clearly nervous "I trust her, my word is absolute! And you are to address her as Lady Nina."
"I'm sorry?" he asked in disbelief
Amelia cast a cold glance his way "from now on you are to address her as Lady Nina…" she hesitated for a moment and grinned a little "…Lady Nina or Princess"
The entire room sat in silence as Amelia announced her revelation, she rose from her throne "From this day forward the entire coven will recognize her as my Chylde, and my heir."
"Your… Your Heir" asked a member of the council.
"Yes" smiled Amelia "Someone will have to take care of my interests while I slumber"
"You plan to slumber My Lady?" asked Dmitri "when? For how long?"
"I am not sure exactly, when everything has settled down, I will slumber for fifty years at a time. Just because Viktor and Markus are dead, does not mean the covenant is." Amelia stood, as did Nina and Eli "We will take our leave now." began Amelia "See that the Lady Nina's men are equipped and ready for duty." As Amelia turned to leave David announced "All upstanding for the Lady Amelia… and… the Lady Nina."
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A few hours had passed since the meeting, and Amelia was now giving a private audience to Eli, her advisor of so many years was concerned about her decision to leave Nina in charge of her affairs.
"Are you sure this is wise My Lady?" he asked wearily "Is she to be trusted"
"Yes old friend" she replied confidently "Her actions were that of a lonely and desperate girl, she has come to realize now that I only want what is best for her."
"Why my Lady?" he asked "She already had too much power for a new breed, why make her your heir?"
"Because it was what Malachi would have wanted" she smiled "When I went to awaken Markus, my intention was to leave Malachi in charge of my affairs, now I can not do that I've picked the closest thing."
Eli paused for a moment, though he respected Amelia's wishes, he was still skeptical as to whether or not this was the right choice "Are you sure she is ready My Lady?" he said "Are you sure she is able"
Amelia raised an eyebrow "Eli, even mad with grief she was able to form an alliance and plan a coup. I think she is more than capable of handling the politics of the coven."
"The Council will not accept her My Lady."
"Yes they will" she said coldly "In time. Until then I ask only that you use all of your influence to help her, I want you to guide her, and advise her as you have guided me since I was a little girl all those centuries ago."
Eli looked his Princess straight in the eye and let out a weary smile "I think you plan to slumber a lot sooner than you previously indicated My Lady."
Amelia nodded her head slightly as she returned his smile "Yes dear friend" she admitted "I'm tired Eli, as soon as I have told Nina what she needs to know, I will slumber."
"Why only fifty years?" he asked
"It will be her first reign, consider it a test."
"What about the abomination My Lady?" asked Eli "What about your revenge?"
"He's gone Eli, killing them will not bring him back. And besides when I looked into Nina's eyes I knew that revenge would bring me no comfort."
"Then we are to cancel the search?" he asked
"Absolutely not." She stated bluntly
"I do not understand?" said Eli
"Just because I will take no comfort in their deaths, does not mean they do not deserve to die." She said with a bitterly cold element in her voice "Nina and the Director will bring them to justice."
"Very well" he sighed "When you slumber, who is to perform the ceremony?"
"I will instruct, Nina, the Director and the council" said Amelia "I'm sure they can manage it between them."
"And there is no way I can convince you to change your mind?"
Amelia took Eli by the hand "Not this time old friend. I think I've reigned long enough."
