Blood and Blade (Goddess with a Blade #6) - Lauren Dane Page 0,41
that’s that.”
Clive’s mother smiled quickly and then looked to Clive. “I’m glad to hear it. But what of the House? The line itself? Your position as Scion?”
“You must act quickly and severely. No mercy to a single being in either of their houses,” his father told him.
And as old as he was, as successful and ambitious and, he knew without it being conceit, as powerful, those words from his father helped him realize what was necessary and accept it.
“His position of Scion is fine,” Rowan said and Clive sent her a sideways glance. At best it was fifty-fifty. She caught it though and shook her head, vehement. “Your position of Scion is fine. Period. I’m not saying you don’t have to bring the hammer down on a lot of people in like twenty minutes, but you do it and you handle it and things are going to be all right.”
If she thought for even a moment he’d let her get into debt with her father to save him and his position as Scion, Rowan needed a very long time to think about what a mistake that was.
“Don’t give me that face, Clive. And stop growling in your head about how you won’t let me use whatever power I have to intervene with Theo on your behalf. You can just shove that right up your behind. I do what I want. You knew that when you married me. But I don’t think I’ll have to bargain on your behalf. Not if you act swiftly and utterly. You do that and you do it right now and he’ll respect you for it. But you can’t wait any longer. I’m sorry,” Rowan told his parents. “We need to go and go very soon. We have hours before sunrise, but let’s face it, what we mean to do will take hours to do right.”
Charles stopped his pacing. “Wait here. I’m coming with you.”
Clive couldn’t believe this was all happening. It was mutiny all over the place and Rowan sowed the seeds!
“Stay here,” he said but his father just waved it away.
“Clive, they’re my brothers. This is my House. Even though you’re Scion, I am the head of House Stewart and this breach of security is my problem to solve.”
“He’s right. And the optics of it serve you as well,” Rowan said.
She laughed in his face. “Fuck off with that. You’re not the boss of me. Or of your dad. Because he’s right. This is his line to protect and serve and yes, to kill for. More than yours, as it happens. And it looks good. You can’t deny it makes the entire House look better when you and your father fight back-to-back.”
“These are my parents,” Clive said, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I cannot believe I’m hearing you advocate for him joining me in what I must do next.”
Charles scoffed in the background but before Clive could address his father personally, Rowan broke in.
“What about all that stuff you told Roderick earlier? Your father is a warrior. That he ran the line and the House with honor and strength. You need to let him do that and remember he’s not some doddering old guy. He’s an ancient Vampire. You got all that ferocity from him and your grandpa. Your mom’s no slouch either, but the battles she’s won haven’t been written about by the bards. This is more Vampire than anything else I can think of. Father and son, side by side. Protecting the future of House Stewart. This is necessary.”
Clive looked at his father. Charles Stewart. He was indeed an ancient. A full-blooded Vampire born for this. Born to lead.
Rowan gentled her tone. “I need you to survive tonight. And I need you to trust me to help you. No one on this planet knows Theo better than I do. And I’m telling you, this is the way to do it.”
He hated it when she was right and he was going to have to admit it in front of everyone.
* * *
On the drive to Arthur’s town house in nearby Mayfair, Clive conferred with Alice back in Las Vegas. In turn, she’d notify Warren to stand by for an updated action plan from Clive. Genevieve and David were still at Rod’s place running a roof to floorboards investigation. Star had elected to stay there and since Rowan trusted her judgment, she didn’t complain. She was sure David would make certain the dog had plenty