All That Lives Must Die - Eric Nylund [31]
Henry had also approached the “recalcitrant” Headmistress of Paxington, the lonely and terrible Miss Westin. He adjusted the collar of his turtleneck and shuddered as he considered the price he had paid to engage her services.
“I am worried,” Lucia said, “over the lack of Infernal response to our declaration of the twins’ indoctrination. There’s typically some response from their Board—even if it is insulting negation.”
“It is the silence of collusion,” Kino said, and narrowed his eyes at Henry. “I have no doubt they are taking action against us.”
Aaron sat up. “On this I agree. We should act.”
“But what action can we take against the other family?” Cornelius asked. “Our own neutrality treaty blocks us.”
“We must cement the children’s loyalties to the League,” Audrey told them. “They are still young and impressionable. You must act to mold them before they are shaped by others.”
Kino steepled his hands as he considered this.
Henry saw an opportunity. “I suggest we show the twins how wonderful it can be to be in the League.” In a grand gesture he raised his hands to the sky. “So far—and I’m sure, Audrey, you had best of intentions—they have been saddled with nothing but rules and regulations.”
Audrey turned to him, and her short silver hair flashed like a halo. The look in her eyes, however, was anything but angelic.
“I offer my humble services to take young Master Eliot under my wing,” Henry continued. “Nothing overt, I assure you. Just the odd trip to the icecream parlor. Perhaps the occasional man-to-man chat so he has a proper role model.”
They all gave Henry a look.
“Oh, very well,” Henry said with a shrug. “I’m sure there are others better suited to being a role model. My point is still valid.”
“I agree,” Lucia said. “We have already done some thinking along those lines. Henry is a suitable choice as emissary to young Eliot.”
Henry wasn’t sure where Lucia was going with this. Her agreeing with anything he said set off alarm bells.
“Additionally,” Lucia continued, “Fiona will need someone to shepherd her, and convince her it is in her best interest to align with the League.” She looked pointedly at Dallas. “Someone with a similar youthful exuberance . . .”
Dallas had been pretending to ignore her, looking at the vista of San Francisco, but she turned and said, “Is that why I was ‘invited’ to this meeting?” She scoffed. “Leave me out of your scheming, Sister. I’m not the Council’s puppet. And I have no intention of candy-coating what it means to be Immortal—let alone a member of this League.”
“Very well,” Lucia replied. “No one is forcing you. We will find someone more willing.” She tapped one manicured nail to her lower lip. “I wonder if Ish is available.”
Dallas’s eyes widened at this, and her hands curled into fists. “That Xanax-popping harlot? You can’t be serious.”
“We do need someone,” Lucia told her. “And she is capable of having fun. . . .”
Dallas stifled a squeak of rage.
Outside the sun grew brighter, and the intense light made the metal walls ping as they heated and expanded.
Henry took a step away from both women.
It had been a mistake to collect all three Fates in one location—explosive, primer, and detonator all in one neat package.
Dallas sighed, however, and hung her head. “Very well. I’ll do it.”
“Excellent,” Lucia purred. “Do I have a second to the motion for Henry to mentor Eliot, and Dallas to bring along Fiona?”
“I will second,” Gilbert said.
Lucia looked surprised that her recently estranged lover would so readily agree to her suggestion.
Henry worried that he had overplayed their hand. . . .
Lucia nonetheless continued: “Shall we put it to a vote?”
“Wait,” Kino said, his dark, ever-skeptical eyes taking them all in. “Only with honey will you bribe the children? There is a more potent method to convince them our ways are best. With fear.”
Aaron stood, color flushing his already ruddy cheeks.
Cornelius made little calming-down motions with his hands. “Let us hear what he has to say.”
Aaron nodded and sank back down.
Kino smiled. “Show them the benefit