Chapter Seven

Ah'Taria Palace

"Good morning," drawled Jacob as he walked into the office he shared with Lucas.

Kaelen stared innocently at Jacob as he walked in, "You seem to be in a good mood." Shaking his head he looked back down at his handheld, "There is an emergency meeting of the Council; why aren't you there?"

Jacob pulled out his hand held, I didn't receive a message for a meeting." Standing up to leave he asked, "Who called the meeting?"

Kaelen frowned, "I believe it was the third or fourth seat."

Nodding Jacob looked over at the empty stations, "Where is Anton?"

"For this to be yours and Lucas's office it seems like I do a lot of work here," replied Kaelen as he sat back in his chair. Sighing he rolled his eyes, "Anton sent a message saying he would be late." At Jacob's brow furrow he chuckled, "Let me guess you didn't get that message."

"No I didn't," He snapped staring at his handheld.

"Jacob, did you have Ebony added to your staff as your assistant here at the palace," Inquired Kaelen innocently.

Sighing, Jacob glared, "Of course so that she can have access to the palace."

Chuckling he turned the hand held around, "All your messages are being routed to Ebon, and she is to review and forward the messages to you."

Jacob rolled his eyes, "Who's bright idea was that?"

Raising Kaelen stretched, "Lucas's of course."

Strolling out of the room Jacob muttered, "Of course he did."

 Strolling down the hall to the council meeting room he opened the door and smiled maliciously toward Lucas, "It appears that someone rerouted my messages to someone that wasn't expecting them."

Lucas smirked as he tapped his hand held against the table, "I have no idea who would have done that. It must have been very inconvenient for you."

Sitting in his seat he smirked, "Not as inconvenient for me as it will be for the person who did it."

Lucas stopped tapping his handheld against the desk and cocked a brow and asked cheerfully, "Are you threatening me?"

Jacob leaned back in his chair as he handed his handheld to his mother to fix, "Do you feel threatened?"

Everyone stared transfixed by their banter, as Acadia pressed a few buttons to remove the forward Lucas had added. Glancing at Lucas she laughed, "How were you able to add this?"

Lucas smiled cockily, "I–"

Acadia shook her head, "No Lucas you can barely compress a file without Kaelen or Kayla's help."

Pouting at Acadia he folded his hands over his chest and sulked, "Kae helped me."

Jacob smirked victoriously toward Lucas before giving the table a serious look, "Now that we have finished with that. Why was the meeting called?"

Third chair, Malcolm Nobles, cleared his throat while he sent information to everyone. "My people have compiled a report regarding the recent riots on Azul de Raus and they have learned that a person by the name of Julius Rockefeller is assisting in riling them up."

Isaiah nodded as he reviewed the reports, "Celeste I believe that yours and Acadia's investigation had briefly touched on this same gentleman?"

Celeste stared down at the screen and nodded, "It would appear that this man is a key player In locating the real power behind these uprisings."

Jacob sighed, "We believe that Julius Rockefeller and Dion Alexander Mace are one and the same."

Malcolm grunted as he reviewed the notes from their dealing with Medic Holmes. Sighing at what he felt was a waste of resources he glanced around the table until his eyes landed on Sonya Byrd. "Eighth seat you were placed in charge of connecting those dots what have you found."

Shrugging Sonya swiped her hand over the screen projecting to images, "After a complete analysis of the pictures and descriptions of the two men there is a 78.9% chance they are one in the same. With that said we believe they maybe relatives. Running the data with that information we came back with an 81.3% likelihood."

Lucas stared at the side by side images, "Where you able to collect any other data on the two men?"

Sonya swiped her screen and the images vanished replaced by several new details, Dion Alexander Mace was not his real name it was Nixon. His family's name can be tracked back to Mace but soon they married into the Nixon family whose status was of a higher level. Even though he used a made up name he really did exist up until the fire at Medic Holmes apartments. A lot of royals were paid to make him, his wife and two children disappear. His home planet is Rayia."

"How do you make your entire family varnish," pondered Celeste out loud staring down at the report.

"Why don't we ask Kaelen? He was able to make him and Makayla disappear for almost four years." All eyes at the table shifted to tenth seat Terry McDonald as he hurriedly added, "I meant no disrespect."

Lucas stared coldly at him, "Are you sure you didn't?"

Nodding vigorously Terry glanced at his wife for assistance. Monique smiled kindly at the table, after sending a withering look at her weevile bat brain husband, "I understand that Lord Jacob and His Grace Lucas have nominated the ward family for the fifth seat that has become vacant."

Jacob smirked as he listened to Monique try to change the subject while Lucas continued to glare down the table at her husband.

Monique seeing Lucas's anger was still high continued loudly, We would also like to nominate Clarence Ward for the third nomination for the council."

Lucas rolled his eyes as he quickly understood her ploy, but he was willing to let it go if they received the third nomination needed for Kaelen to be allowed into the sparring match.

The Ward family cannot be part of this council," Exclaimed Chanel Smoot, fourth seat. "Clarence Ward is not an Ah'Tarian and lacks the necessary abilities to be admitted to the council."

Jacob chuckled and presented her with one of his honey smiles, "I believe you didn't completely read the nomination."

When Chanel looked at him with wanton eyes he smirked, "The nomination Lucas and I put forth was for Kaelen Ward."

Chanel licked her lips as she stared lustfully at Jacob for several minutes. She blatantly disregarded her husband, Tyrese Who sat beside her watching her display with everyone else at the table.

"Chanel," remarked Joshua as he took his wife's clenched hand. "If you are done ogling my son I believe we were speaking of the nominations for the fifth seat."

Looking down at her device she flicked her brown eyes at Jacob once more, "There are enough nominations for him to be considered." Smiling at Jacob she continued, "With one more nomination he can bypass the sparring match."

Jacob stared at her and chuckled, "It doesn't take a mind reader to know what you'd like for your nomination and I'm going to have to decline. I like Tyrese enough not to sleep with his wife," rolling his eyes at his own lie he cocked a brow at Lucas.

Lucas leaned forward, "Does your nomination go to Kaelen Ward, tenth chair?"

Terry remained mute as he nodded praying that he would forget his momentary lapse at reminding him of the years his now wife had been gone.

Lucas continued, "Does anyone below the fifth seat wish to spar for the position or nominate someone else."

Acadia smiled as she interrupted, "I believe that we should open the council spot for anyone willing to spar for it."

Isaiah rolled his eyes as he nodded, "I agree. The last sparring match for outsiders took place over a hundred years ago. The council has become weak and corrupt since then."

Seventh seat, Houston Wilde, stared blankly at the table, "Will everyone be participating?"

Isaiah beamed as he leaned back in his chair, "Why not it'll be fun."

Jacob smirked at the table, "Does someone here have a mind to try to take the first or second seat?"

Everyone from the third seat down looked around the table puzzled before their gazes landed on Lucas and Jacob. But no one said anything.

"Since that's the case I see no reason for us to participate," replied Joshua on a long drawn out sigh. Looking at his handheld he moped, we can't even participate because they are afraid of dying. Pressing a few buttons he sent the banners announcing the sparring event.

Jacob rose on a yawn and stretched, I have an appointment with Kayla in less than an hour. I should mentally prepare." Starting to exit he shot Lucas a smile that said he was in trouble.

Lucas stood up quickly and started after him, "What for?"

Jacob snickered as they exited the room, "

"There were a few things I wanted to remind her about."

Lucas followed rapidly, his last statement was heard before the door closed, "I need to go also."

Acadia stared at the closed door wandering what Jacob was about to do with Kayla that had Lucas intent on stopping him. Giggling she sent a message to them, "I believe you should be going to inform Kaelen of the sparring event for him to join the council." Smiling brightly she continued, "Joshua has already ran the announcement. I believe a lot of Ah'Tarians will be interested in seeing if they have what it takes to join the council."

I still disagree, Kaelen Ward is not an Ah'Tarian therefore should be unable to join the council." Malcolm stared at them angrily. "No non Ah'Tarian has ever been allowed to participate."

"Kaelen is part Ah'Tarian," said Acadia proudly. "He is a descendant of Keven Jacob Lawson."

Chanel stared at her unbelieving, "That is impossible."

Celeste giggled, "Wouldn't that explain how Kayla was able to have Lucas's children."

Lavett, wife of third chair Malcolm Nobles face flushed with anger, "Can it be proven that either of those two have a drop of Ah'Tarian blood? To claim they are Keven Jacob Lawson's descendants is ridiculous."

Acadia clicked her tongue as she smiled evilly at the woman. "Are you calling me a liar, Lavett?"

Malcolm stared at them unbelieving. If Kaelen was actually a new branch of the leading family his third seat was in Jeopardy. Staring knowingly at Isaiah, Celeste, Joshua and Acadia he slammed his hand on the table, "I know what your game is and it will not work!"

Increasing his power level Malcolm growled, You will not give that upstart my seat."

Acadia arched an eyebrow at him in amusement, "Are you now threatening us?"

Malcolm and Lavett glared at Acadia, "As a member of the council I have all rights to question you, the first chair and his wife, as well as, your demonic off springs. I am not someone to be trifled with."

Acadia leaned back in her chair as she stared at him and his wife. "When did we imply you were not essential to the council. It is your own thoughts that are making you feel this way. We have never said anything about Kaelen being made third seat."

Celeste rose signaling an end to the disagreement, "Malcolm, I fear you believe your position is in danger," Turning to exit the room she laughed Maliciously, "If you continue with your train of speech your life will join your position."

Gasping Lavett slapped the table, "How dare you!"

Turning and staring at her, "I dare whatever I want! you and your simpleton husband are working with my patience and stopping me from going to visit my grandchildren."

Lavett waved her hand toppling the chair Celeste had just sat in, "We challenge the Ward family to a right of succession."

Acadia laughter rang in the large room as she stared past her to Malcolm's drawn face. "Did you consult your husband before you came to that stupid decision?" Seriously she stared at her, "Do you not realize that the Ward family falls under the Sinclair and Lawson family tree? Kaelen can request two other family members to join him in this event." Rising from her seat she smiled sinisterly, "Who do you think he will choose?"

Lavett stared at her with her chin raised, "I am fully aware who Kevin Lawson was and I do not believe he is a descendant of that man. For Lucas and Jacob to be allowed into the match it would have to be proven."

Isaiah shook his head as he pressed a button on his hand held and a projection displayed for all to see, "Lavett I believe you need to rescind your challenge now."

Staring in disbelief at concrete evidence Malcolm touched his wife's back, "We humbly rescind the challenge."

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