She Discovers Their Secret, She Chooses Their World novel · Chapter 17 of 24

Chapter 17: On Your Knees, Both of You

I went down the long staircase in a black dress, with my hair pinned back and my collar left off.

Sergio walked a step behind my left shoulder, and Marco a step behind my right.

The ten old men stood around the dining table, and nobody had told them to.

The chair at the head of it was heavy dark oak, carved with a crest I had passed ten thousand times without looking at.

I pulled it out and sat down.

Nobody spoke.

"The seat is yours by blood," said the oldest of the men, and he leaned on his cane. "No one at this table will dispute it."

"Thank you."

"The table may, however, vote on whether the one who sits is fit to sit." His pale eyes didn't move off my face. "A motion has been put. It will be heard on Friday night."

"By whom?"

"By the man who was kind enough to bring us photographs."

I looked at the envelope lying in front of me.

I did not open it.

"Then I'll hear him on Friday," I said. "Until then, everyone here is dismissed."

They looked at one another.

Then they bowed, one at a time, and went out to their cars.

When the last door closed, I stayed in the chair and put both hands flat on the oak.

"Upstairs," I said. "The study."

Sergio's mouth twitched.

"As you wish."

"It isn't a wish."

He lowered his head, and Marco did the same, and neither of them said anything more.

I walked up ahead of them, and for the first time in my life I did not feel that I was being led.

In the study I stood by the desk and took off my shoes.

"Close the door," I said.

Marco closed it.

"Lock it."

He turned the key.

"Now take your jackets off and put them on the sofa. Your shirts. Your belts."

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