Olivia gulped. "Somehow I think they've been dealing with more than just Roland Grundfest and his billionaire, art-loving friends."
"I know they have," Hernando said under his breath.
Olivia spun around. The sadness in her beloved's eyes had been replaced by a steely stare with a determined grimace.
"Can I accompany you, Caveman?" Hernando asked. "I have some pointed questions to ask our guests as well."
Caveman nodded. "Yes, let's go."
"This way, gentlemen." Annara gestured toward the door and followed the men from the library, leaving Olivia standing alone, in shock for several seconds.
"Wait! Can I come along, too?" She ran after them, but lost their trail as she turned the corner. "I guess they don't need me." Sighing, she returned to the library to curl up in an overstuffed chair and sulk.
*****
An hour later, Annara came shuffling back into the library, head down.
"Wanna talk about it?" Olivia stood and crossed to her friend.
Annara plopped onto a sofa and patted the spot beside her. "I'm not supposed to talk about it, but I think you should know... certain things."
Olivia frowned as she sat down. "Certain things?"
"Things dealing with Earth." Annara shifted in her seat and averted her glance. "It is your home world, and you should be made aware of what might happen so you can make up your mind."
Olivia felt a shiver of dread tingle down her spine. "Make up my mind about what?"
Annara, never one to prevaricate, didn't answer right away. Dressed in her favorite leather jacket and armed with her favorite hunting knife, Olivia's fellow fighter in the Resistance was the epitome of a survivor who could take care of herself and others with one hand tied behind her back. Annara never hesitated to share vital information and wasn't one to mince words or soothe nerves, but now? Her silence spoke volumes.
"You're not going to tell me, huh?" Olivia balled her fists into her lap. Not knowing would drive her mad. "Please, you must tell me. What is going to happen to Earth?"
Annara raised her gaze and sighed. "It's going to cease to exist if we don't stop them."
"Earth is under attack?" Olivia jumped to her feet and began pacing. "What are we doing sitting here then? We've got to warn them!"
"No, you've got it backward." Annara shook her head and stood. "It's not Earth under attack. It's BloodDark."
Olivia frowned. "BloodDark? Then why did you say Earth would cease to exist?"
"Because they won't let the Earthers destroy our world. They will do everything to protect it—including destroying your world."
Chapter Seven
"You won't be allowed in the meeting," Annara called out to Olivia's retreating back as she ran down the corridor toward the conference hall.
"I'll kick the door down if I have to, but I will get in." Olivia quickened her pace, summoning up her strength.
As she approached the large double doors, she noticed the other councilors and advisors were slow to arrive and file into the large gathering place. Olivia spied an opening between Councilors Kai and Winn and darted between the two former servant’s etiquette tutors faster than the older, prim and proper women could cry, "Didn't we teach you any manners?"
Olivia scanned the room to find a safe observation spot, one from which she wouldn't be noticed and ejected before the meeting began. Hernando stood in deep conversation with Caveman and Dradix in a back corner. It looked serious. She approached them without hesitation, feeling entitled to be there. Heads bowed, they spoke in a low murmur so their voices didn't carry. Thinking it best not to interrupt, she detoured at the last minute and circled behind them, placing her back against the shadowed wall and sinking down until she sat cross-legged on the floor, well below the field of vision of anyone sitting at the conference table.
Other Pure Bloods entered the room, some escorted by various security officers and councilors. Olivia was happy to see Mahvet among them, but she could feel nothing but anger when Moreau with his father and two uncles crossed the threshold. She hunched down and made herself smaller to escape their notice.
"Let us sit and begin this special meeting," Caveman announced from the podium position halfway along the immense table.
Annara rushed into the room and took a seat next to Hernando and Dradix, who had taken seats across from the podium. Olivia watched as her friend scanned the crowd, presumably looking for her, but then the first speaker took the floor, forcing Annara to sit down.
The first advisors read their dry, fact-filled reports in monotones, almost putting Olivia to sleep. A number of artworks and artifacts had been sold to concerns on Earth and duly cataloged, but an uncounted number had also been noticed in Earth's galleries and museums in recent weeks, thanks to the watchful eye of Ambassador Hernando and his staff. According to clan archivists and historians, these uncataloged items matched descriptions of those which had gone missing from Clan Alpha.
So that was why Mahvet was present. His damning testimony proved beyond doubt that it had been Clan Alpha—namely Moreau's family—selling the artworks to billionaires on Earth. Olivia bit her lip in worry. What will they do to poor Mahvet for betraying his fellow kinsmen?
Do not worry. Mahvet will be safe with his beloved, a calm voice reassured her.
Olivia perked up and looked about the room. Valori? Are you here in the council chambers?
No. I am nearby. Now listen. Watch. Observe.
Yes ma'am. Olivia did as she was told. Valori must be using Olivia's ears and eyes as a microphone and remote camera. Neither would be allowed in secret council meeting, but Olivia's boldness had given them both a window into what happened behind closed doors.
Dradix had taken the podium spot to give his technical report. Olivia thought it odd that the tall, silver-haired Pure Blood should be allowed to address the BloodDark Ruling Council, but she knew she was allowing her bias to
