Meryn waved her hand. Gavriel smiled at her. "Adriel has told you that you do not have to rai
se your hand."
She shrugged. "It's kinda a habit now. Any who. What about Warrick? He's a DuBois we like. But instead of making him take that douchebag's last name, we change the Founding Family to his name. Only since he was just disowned from the DuBois family he can use his mom's name or something." When no one spoke she ducked her head. "It was just a suggestion."
Leana turned to Beth. "She is brilliant."
Beth preened. "I know. She shows so much promise."
Javier looked from Simon to Gavriel. "Can we get away with it?"
Gavriel smiled. "It will work out perfectly, especially considering who his mother was."
Beth thought about it for a moment this smiled. "You are right. It is perfect." She turned to Meryn. "Did you know about his parents?"
Meryn looked lost. "What about his parents?"
Leana turned to Meryn. "His father of course was Gerald DuBois' older brother. But his mother was a Fortier." When Meryn just blinked at her, she continued. "After the Great War when the collective council elevated Ambrosios and Rioux, they offered to make the Fortier bloodline a Founding Family. The Fortiers are very altruistic. They believed that they should only serve a higher purpose, so they declined the elevation."
Meryn started nodding. "Let me guess. DeLaFontaine was elevated instead."
"It's almost as if we are putting things the way they were meant to be," Beth said. Her words hung in the air.
Kendrick recovered first. "Either Fate has a more intricate weave than I can imagine, or she just likes to roll the dice."
Vivi couldn't shake Beth's words. Did that mean she was always meant to be here too? Across the room she met Meryn's eyes. The small human just shrugged as if to say 'what can ya do?'.
Vivi stood needing a break from the headache of politics. "I have hit my quota for royal stuff." She looked at Gavriel. "Whenever you're ready."
He looked confused for a moment then nodded. "Of course. Give me just a few minutes to set things up with Javier and Simon to get the ball rolling to elevate Warrick."
Kari clutched at her iPad. "You are serious?" She swallowed hard. "My baby brother. My innocent, sweet, baby brother will be a Founding Family head?"
Meryn winced. "Sucks to be him."
Kari grabbed at her chest. "He needs guards. Lots and lots of guards." She reached for her walkie talkie. "Law, I need you."
A moment later, Law answered. "I'm in the infirmary at the moment."
Kari's knuckles turned white from grasping the handheld. "I do not give a flying fuck where you are! I need you here now. There better be warriors heading your way now to relieve you or so help me gods!" Viktor ran from the room.
"Oh dear," Beth said watching her friend unravel.
Law strode into the room a minute later. The air around him pulsing with magic. "Who has upset you?" he demanded.
Kari just stared at him from the center of the room her chest heaving. She pointed to Gavriel then Meryn. "They said...she suggested that they... and they are serious. He... he... Founding Family..."
Law was at her side in a moment rubbing her back. "Sweetheart, you're having a panic attack. Just concentrate on your breathing."
Law looked around the room. "The only thing that sets her off like this is if something happens to Avery. So will someone please tell me what the hell is wrong with my little brother and sister!" he roared.
Vivi waited for someone to speak up but everyone was simply looking at each other as if asking how they should respond. Vivi sighed. "Basically, we arrested DeLaFontaine for possibly being the one to distribute the virus." She paused. "I say possibly, but there's a ninety-nine percent chance he's guilty as hell. Anyway, since he doesn't have any heirs Warrick is being elevated to Founding Family head under his mother's name." She pointed to Kari. "She began to meltdown when she realized that Avery would be a new Founding Family head right along with him."
Law's mouth dropped. "Avery. Our Avery will be a Founding Family head in Noctem Falls?" Kari just pointed and waved as she tried to catch her breath.
A door slamming against the wall had everyone turning to see Declan and Rex snarling in the doorway. "Kari!" Declan shouted moving furniture to get to her side.
Law held up a hand. "She's fine. What has upset her is a good thing but overwhelming. She just needs some time to process." Declan and Rex seemed to shrink in size as they began to calm down. They stayed close to Kari whispering encouragements and trying to get her breathing under control.