Chapter 81

The city of Lupinton was almost the same size as Lustrum, but it had housed the capitol buildings for the last for hundred years. Wide parks and city plazas were visible as we buzzed overhead.

I'd determined that I would do my best to stay unaffected and sophisticated throughout this trip and not give Charles something to tease me over or be embarrassed by, but all that changed at the sight of the old towers and a few ancient monuments I'd only seen in schoolbooks.

My face practically pressed into the glass as I tried to take in every sight possible, most of which I'd seen but only in photos celebrating our government.

Charles smiled at me, but I could see his eyes were clouded with seriousness as we approached the capitol building. The helicopter touched down on a wide lawn behind an enormous domed structure that shone a blinding white and black in the morning light, it's marble facade and columns smooth and slick.

The pilot helped us out and handed our luggage to two men in butler's uniforms which also had the state crest on their blazers. Before he turned to go the pilot gave me a curious look and then a small smile before he honored Charles with a small salute and hopped back into the helicopter.

"He noticed your scent," Charles said, looking at my puzzled face and smiling softly. "I noticed him looking back at you periodically as we flew."

I shook my head. This was so new to me. I'd spent decades with only one or two people noticing my scent and I still found it hard to believe people noticed despite the obvious reaction I'd recently been getting from people.

One of the butlers welcomed us and told us to follow him. He went quickly and quietly through a beautiful rose garden, past a trickling fountain whose water slanted slightly to the side as the helicopter took off behind us.

The enormous double glass doors opened from a patio surrounded by the roses into a large ballroom. It was empty and echoing, the walls lined with mirrors. The ceiling had two enormous crystal chandeliers that sparkled in the light. I looked up, smiling, and tried not to slow down.

The butler noticed and I saw him smile to himself as we went. It was a kind smile despite his cool treatment, and not one of judgement.

"It must be nice to see so much beauty every day," I offered shyly as we neared the doors at the other end.

He looked at me and I could see exhaustion and sadness in his face, but he smiled at me anyway. "Perhaps I've gotten too used to it. You have reminded me that this place can indeed be beautiful."

"She has that effect on everyone," Charles said, squeezing my hand.

He led us down a long, tall echoing hallway, then paused before a pair of large doors. his face looked tight and concerned.

"I have orders to bring you immediately without even an offer for a comfort break, let alone time to get refreshed or to have food or drinks. But perhaps, Miss, if you need anything?" he looked at me, his brow furrowed.

I noticed Charles was frowning, and the butler refused to meet his eye.

"I'm okay, thank you," I said.

The man nodded and gave a small bow. "Then if you'll be good enough to wait here for one moment."

He turned and opened the door, giving us a glimpse of a vast, open room on the other side before shutting himself in, leaving us alone in an empty hall.

Charles pulled me to him and rested his chin on my head while I leaned into his chest. He twitched a little and I looked up, surprised.

"Are you laughing?"

He smiled down at me. "Already making trouble, I see," he said.

"What do you mean?"

"That man, he was going to break his orders to make you more comfortable."

"He was?"

"Sure. He was told to bring us without offering even the bathroom. They want us to be uncomfortable, but he was going to risk going against his orders for you."

Charles squeezed me tighter. "I was so wise to have thought from the very beginning that you needed to come along."

"Silly," I said, leaning back into him. After a moment I noticed something else. "Charles, where are all the other people?"

"I noticed that too," he said. "Usually these halls have other representatives scurrying to one chamber or the other to conduct business. Today it's quiet." He looked around and sniffed. "A little too quiet."

"Perhaps they are all off entertaining the Alpha King?" I speculated and felt Charles nod.

"Perhaps you're right, my love."

The door opened and we stepped apart, looking expectantly at the butler and who motioned us in.

The room was carpeted and the sound of our footsteps, so loud and echoing a moment before, were suddenly stifled into silence. The atmosphere, despite the bright morning light, was oppressive and heavy.

There were a few people sitting at the far end of the room behind what looked like courtroom tables in front of a thick, red, velvet curtain. Any seats for jury and spectators were empty.

In the judges seat sat an older man with white hair and black eyebrows. The color combination reminded me of the exterior of the building.

Two people, a man and a woman, sat on either side of him, both looking grim. Down below another man sat posed with a pen and paper, ready to take notes.

The man in the judges seat was scowling down at us, his narrowed eyes glittering black as they took in first Charles and then me.

"Mr. Rafe," he said in a booming voice. "This is highly irregular. Is this a vacation that you would bring your girlfriend?"

Charles was not intimidated by the Governor who did his best to loom over us. Charles stood tall, his shoulders squared. Despite the oppressive atmosphere he radiated power.

"Ms. Laurentia is also a trusted member of my staff and the most sought-after reporter in our city right now. She is here both as my companion but also in her professional capacity."

I inhaled and felt my nostrils flare. There was a scent in the air that seemed strangely familiar, and yet I couldn't pinpoint where it was coming from. It made me feel both dread and strangely awake.

Governor Kruck, I could tell, smelled like motor oil. It wasn't coming from him.

Charles turned to me. "Elena, since none of these people are polite enough to offer you a seat, I will do so. Would you like to sit here?" He indicated a seat near him.

"Thank you," I said, smiling at him, happy to hear a scoff from the judge's bench.

I was not impressed with the lack of common curtesy so far. Even if Governor Kruck thought I was a nobody, I was still a constituent he was supposed to serve.

"I assume you know why you're here," Kruck started.

"Honestly, Governor, I don't. Unless it is to commend the way our city has handled a crises we've unearthed, then I'm baffled."

Governor Kruck leaned forward, his face turning purple with anger. "You are as arrogant as your father."

Charles nodded "I am an Alpha. Arrogance is our primary trait, as is our capacity to smell rats."

Kruck growled and put both hands on the wood in front of him. "You are here because you are a traitor. You have committed treason on the highest level."

"Not I," Charles said, unconcernedly flicking a piece of lint off his jacket sleeve. "We have, however, uncovered evidence of some of your closest allies in our city who have."

"A set up!" Kruck roared. He pointed a thick finger at us. "You are plotting to take control of your city and others with puppet leaders you've set up around the states and you're using your media company to sell lies to the public."

Charles looked at Kruck, his blues eyes dangerous. It was a look that made even Governor Kruck sputter for a moment.

"Trying to pin a failed coup on me will not work," Charles said softly. "There is too much evidence in my favor. But I will tell you what I am trying to do. I am trying to find who is responsible for the death of two of my employees. When I find that out, there will be hell to pay."

His words struck a chill in the room and Governor Kruck was speechless for a moment. Then he sprang back to life.

"You'd threaten me? You come here with the nerve to deny everything, to deny you are setting yourself up to be the next king and your girlfriend your queen? And then you threaten me?"

"Only if you are admitting guilt," Charles said calmly.

There was another horrible pause, and then a rasping sound like a small cough. I looked at the other two individuals who had remained silent and watching the entire time, but they also were looking around.

Kruck stood staring at Charles, his eyes narrowed. Then he turned away abruptly. "Excuse me," he grumbled and walked to the end of the table, pulled the curtain aside and disappeared.

I felt my eyebrows raise and looked over at Charles who looked equally surprised. Evidently there was a room behind the curtain.

My mind went to a movie I'd seen as a child where there was a loud, frightening voice speaking to the main characters like a ghost from thin air, but then they discovered a man standing behind a curtain working a special effects machine.

Despite myself, I smiled, wondering if there was indeed a special effects machine behind the curtain controlling Kruck.

Maybe Kruck needs an adjustment, I thought. He wasn't doing a very good job accusing Charles.

And yet it seemed like Charles was indeed in trouble. I didn't like it, and it was all I could do to stay seated and not stand and yell back at the silent people that this was all a ridiculous and obvious lie.

The curtain moved and Kruck reappeared, looking grim. When he got to his spot, he cleared his throat and looked at Charles. His face began to stretch horribly and I realized he was trying to smile.

It was a harsh, ugly, straining smile, as if it were against his face's will.

"I think perhaps we've started out on the wrong foot," he said.

He turned and suddenly looked at me with his glittering black eyes. "Elena Laurentia?"

I stood, surprised. "You know me, Governor?"

"Oh, I know all about you, Ms. Laurentia."