Shadows of Doubt by Mell; Corcoran Read Free Book Online

“We’ve been mulling things over for well over a decade now. I need you all to be thinking and preparing for that time. Whether or not it is now, it is coming.”
    â€œWe know that Max, but its not something we really are looking forward to.” Niko shifted in his seat uncomfortable with the topic.
    â€œWe have a tight ship here.” It was stating the obvious but Max felt it bore acknowledging. “Abby has this administration running like a dream, as she continually reminds us. If we find that Los Angeles is necessary, seating a new council could play in perfectly with the longevity issues.”
    The implication of Max’s words had them sitting up in their seats, muttering and looking at each other in shock. The normal course of seating a new council meant splitting them all up, the two senior lieutenants being assigned to the new council and a new Dominor, which meant someone that was not Max.
    â€œSplitting us up? But we are the Aegis! No, we are family!” Connor looked sad as he admitted the weakness they all shared. There was more then camaraderie, there was true family and admiration among them and that was a precious thing in their world.
    â€œDominor! A new council?!” Niko struggled to find the appropriate words. “Max, I pledged my fealty to you! You cannot expect me.... us...”
    â€œWait, wait!” Max interrupted him even though it did his heart good to see the loyalty and care in his First Lieutenant’s face. “It may not be necessary to split the council.” The four men looked at him curiously. “At least not permanently. There are a few provisions in the Law that actually work in our favor here. I won’t bore you with specifics right now but the bottom line is I will petition the Senatus to allow me to preside over both councils. In similar fashion to what was done with Canada. If that is acceptable to you all. It must be unanimously agreed by each of you, of course.”
    â€œHoly crap don’t do that to me bro! Of course we agree!” Finn stood up and went straight to the bar across the room, pulled a large decanter from the fridge and poured himself a drink.
    â€œNo shit man!” Connor rose from the couch and followed Finn to the bar. “Pour me one of those, would ya?”
    Finn grabbed four more glasses as he saw his comrades approach. “I think we all could use a drink after that little hiccup.” He pointed a finger at Max and motioned for him to join them.
    â€œYou all realize it will be more work for all of us, not just me. I also need you all to keep a lid on this until the time comes. Abby will freak out a thousand times worse than any of you just did and she won’t calm down unless my petition is granted.” All four of his lieutenants nodded in understanding and with that Max rose from his chair and strode to the bar. “And I am sorry. I obviously didn’t articulate my thoughts very well. I should have opened with the provisions rather than the way I did.” Although he was their leader, they were very much his brothers after all these years and all they had been through. It couldn’t have been any other way. He raised his glass to them. “Brothers, aeternitas!”
    â€œAeternitas” The men echoed his words, clanked their glasses together then drained them dry. They all slammed their glasses down just as Abby and Frank entered the office, securing the doors behind them. Abby skipped up to the bar and looked at the empty glasses with a pout.
    â€œAww, I missed a toast!” Looking at Finn behind the bar with puppy dog eyes, he grabbed a pair of fresh glasses and poured her and Frank a drink.
    â€œMy Dom, my Lords.” Frank greeted the men with the formal fist-over-heart salute and bowed his head respectfully before stepping up to the bar stoically. He was a well built man of six feet, two inches and