Page 114 of Sinful Mates

“Imogen, right?”

“Yes ma'am,” I say politely.

“She isn’t part of the council or a community member, she can’t add anything,” Christopher says, sending a glare my way. I glare back, holding his gaze, refusing to be intimidated by him.

“Well, isn’t she the woman the crime was committed against? I would like to know what she has to say,” the blonde woman says.

Christopher shakes his head and goes to speak before the Irish man speaks up.

“What can it hurt, Christopher? Let her speak if it won't change anything?” Christopher sits and I turn to them.

“Well, you said it was Bianca's birthright?” The Irish man nods, and I see Bianca out of the corner of my eye suddenly looking nervous. She knows where I’m going with this.

“So wouldn’t it also be my birthright to challenge her for the position?” I ask turning to Bianca and her face drops. I knew I was right.

“I don’t understand, how would it be within your right to challenge her for the position?” the man asks, leaning forward and between the pair of us. I realize that not once did Josiah actually tell them I was her sister, just stated her crimes and what she did.

“Bianca is my sister, isn't that right, Bianca? We have the same father. You remember, Bianca, right? The father you killed,” I say, turning to her.

“This is nonsense. Cedric only had one child not two,” Christopher says, standing.

“Not true, I am his daughter, and I am also the reason she killed my mother. She blames me for destroying her family. When Cedric left her mother for mine, she killed herself,” I say. It feels strange knowing my father’s name I hadn’t bothered to ever ask. I can tell Caroline doesn’t enjoy talking about the events that lead to her life of immortality.

“Have you got proof?” Christopher asks, raising an eyebrow.

“A simple blood test will do if they are sisters,” says Mara with a smile.

“I smile back at her.

“You know nothing about the council. Why would you challenge for a position you know nothing about? You are a newborn vampire and new to this way of life?” asks the Irish man. I think for a second. I’m not sure what challenging her means exactly, but I know from what Josiah was talking about earlier that a challenger has to undergo a series of tests before one-on-one duel against the opponent.

Quite a barbaric way if you ask me and I doubt I would win, but I have to try.

“I don’t want the position, but you said she handed the title over to Alaric. So, if I win, I also want to hand over the title.” I tell the Irish man.

“To whom Theo or Tobias?” he chuckles.

“No. Josiah. I have seen how respected he is amongst the community, and I know he would make an exemplary member,” I say turning and glancing at Josiah, praying it is alright to volunteer him, considering he retired decades ago. Josiah nods, and a grin breaks out on his face before he shoots a smirk at Christopher.

“Well, that settles it, we will do the blood test and hold the challenge.”

“Unless you object to the blood test, Bianca?” said Mara.

“No need. I can confirm we are sisters, no point doing the blood test when I already know what you will find, Mara. Not that it will change anything. Imogen, you must be desperate to challenge me,” she says confidently.

“Well, then we shall reconvene in a month for the tests and challenge,” Mara announces.

“When we step out of the council chambers, Tobias and Theo pull me aside.

“Are you nuts? You can’t challenge her, she is a lot stronger than you, Imogen, and in case you’re forgetting, you have no magic . You just signed your death sentence,” Theo growls annoyed before running his hands through his hair.

“Theo is right, you can’t go back on a challenge and we can’t help you. Why would you do something like this?” Tobias asks, and I can tell he is angry as he grips my arm tightly.

“Leave her be. She did what she had to. We will figure out a way, even if I have to train her myself,” Josiah says, placing a hand on my shoulder and squeezing gently.

Chapter Forty-Two

Two weeks pass by quickly, and Christopher still demands the blood test to prove I actually am Bianca’s sister and Cedric’s daughter. The blood results came back as expected, showing that we are indeed sisters. I also had to sit for a few cognitive tests and study up on community relations and ethics before undergoing the fitness of duty exam, which I passed with flying colors thanks to Josiah and his never-ending knowledge with council. It makes me wonder how the hell Bianca passed, but I doubt she will have had to do them anyway with the fact the council is willing to let a murderer stand on the panel.