Free Twisted Sister of Mine (Overworld Chronicles) by John Corwin Page B

through a vote removing Thomas Borathen as commander of the Templars and calling for your arrest for crimes against super-humanity."
    "The Conclave can't do squat to the Templars," Shelton said. "Choosing their leaders is an internal matter. And Justin did what the vampires didn't have the balls to do to Maximus."
    The Primus folded his arms. "The Daemos are about the only supernatural nation keeping quiet about you. Then again, they prefer subtle manipulations."
    "What about the Arcanes?" I said, doing my level best to keep my voice steady and neutral even though I'd never heard anyone summarize the consequences of being me in such a methodical fashion. "What do they have to say about me?"
    "Some want to give you a medal for what you did to Maximus. They think it's pretty clear Maximus's organization, Blood Rush, committed the massacres at our schools, not the Red Syndicate." His lips pressed together in a tight line for a moment. "Then again, there are hawks who favor war with the vampires. They claim there's no evidence Maximus had anything to do with the massacres. In fact, they think he was a scapegoat and you were a willing accomplice of the Red Syndicate to frame him."
    "They just want blood, pure and simple," Shelton said. "It ain't about justice. It's about revenge."
    The Red Syndicate governed the vampire nation. During the Maximus conflict, their ambassador had approached Elyssa, asking her to put him in touch with me. "Do they want me arrested?"
    Jarrod shrugged. "It's not clear what they want. But it appears they waited too long to decide."
    I pinched my eyebrows. "How so?"
    "The Daemos," Shelton said with a sense of grim satisfaction. "The Conclave can't do jack crap to you because you're considered part of the Daemos nation now that your dad had you raised from Castratae to Cenae."
    Jarrod made an appreciative sound. "Very good, Harry. I guess you do have political savvy beneath that rough exterior."
    "I'm not a snake like you," Shelton growled. "Maybe old man Conroy will finally decide he wants your post. He might be an evil old bastard, but at least he's honest about it."
    "Would it make you happy to see me out of office?" his father said.
    Shelton's voice went cold. "I don't know that anything would make me happy at this point."
    The family drama tightened my stomach like drum. I prayed the sky car would land soon. "Do the Conroys participate in politics?" I asked, hoping to keep Shelton from inflaming the situation.
    "No, your grandfather and I have always been at odds," Sager said.
    He obviously didn't know my mom was an angel if he thought Jeremiah was my grandfather, but I played along. "Is there anything you don't know about me?"
    "Plenty." He cast a sideways glance at his son and turned back to me. "I'd like to sit down with you in a formal setting very soon. We need details on the Vadaemos and Maximus incidents, and we'd like to talk to you about your mother, Alice. She's been seen with the Conroys, but nobody has been in contact with her."
    "What do you want with my mom?"
    "First of all, she's a very powerful and respected member of the arcane community, but secondly—"
    "He's not gonna sit down and give you guys an interview," Shelton said. "So buzz off."
    I'd been thinking along similar lines as Shelton but in slightly more diplomatic tones.
    "You never learn, do you?" Jarrod said, turning to his son. "You think having a big mouth and a gut full of bravado is going to get you through life, but it's not, boy. You need to use—"
    "Manipulation?" Shelton said with a snort. "My attitude's gotten me this far."
    His father made a scoffing laugh. "Into your thirties? That's not far."
    "I'm twenty-six, Dad ." Shelton said the last word with what seemed to be unholy hatred. "But if I make it into my thirties, I'll be more than happy to invite you to my next birthday party. We can wear party hats and watch family movies. Me and you and Mom and Martin—oh wait, that's right. Martin is dead. Guess my brother