Nigel smiled at her. “And while Maeve compromised, a Consortium operative staged a terrorist attack not four miles from here. Despite her actions afterward, Maeve’s reputation was damaged among her own people. Do not think she will risk more for these compromises of yours.”
Eorla’s eyes shone as rage flowed off her in waves. If I hadn’t been in a room with some of the most powerful fey in Boston, I would have been looking for the exit. As it was, my head started ringing with all the ambient essence. My sensing ability even kicked in a little.
When she spoke, Eorla had dropped her voice to a cutting edge. “That is a dangerous lie, Nigel Martin. That terrorist was not a Consortium operative. If you tell that tale to smear my people, you will get more than you bargain for.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Is that a threat?”
She smiled at him. “I was counseling kings and queens long before you were even born, Nigel. I don’t need to threaten. You may have Maeve’s ear on occasion, but so do I. Do not forget that the treaty made at Tara is only a start. But I have something you don’t: Donor Elfenkonig’s ear, too. You may think this Guildhouse is not important enough for me to use that influence, but you would be wrong, Nigel.”
“Please, Eorla, I am only asking that we follow the rule of law,” Gerin said.
She turned her head toward him. “Where was your precious rule of law when my husband was murdered, Gerin? You couldn’t even provide him with proper security. There is rot in this city, and the Guild must root it out instead of playing these druid games.”
Nigel folded his hands in front of himself. “We will take your concerns under advisement, Eorla. But now, this meeting, for directors only, must commence.”
She stared at Nigel for a long moment. With exacting slowness, she pivoted to Gerin, gave him an eyeful, and strode to the door. She paused. “There are those among the fey who prefer this constant strife. I do not. Continue down this path of division, gentlemen, and you will answer to me.”
MacGoren made sure to wait long enough for her to be gone before he applauded.
Gerin sighed heavily, lowering himself into a chair. “She will be a problem.”
MacGoren scoffed. “Oh, let her have the damned seat. It’s not like we allow the Teuts any real power.”
Several eyes shifted toward me, and away. Nigel cleared his throat. “Yes, well, I wouldn’t put it that way, Ryan. Perhaps we should table the motion. We do not need to rush the decision.”
Gerin leaned forward. “What better time to speak to Kruge’s ideals than now, when attention is focused here? We have a quorum, let’s install someone with whom we can work, Eorla’s wishes be damned. She’ll tire and go back home soon enough without Alvud here.”
“Grey’s only an acting director,” said macGoren.
Gerin waved him off. “Alternates can vote on any matter.”
“Except directorships,” I said. Gerin shot me a look that would have curdled cat’s milk. I shrugged. “What? I looked it up when Briallen made me her alternate.”
Nigel smiled. “Interesting. Even when she isn’t present, Briallen manages to insert herself. No matter, I cannot vote for Manus in any case.”
Gerin thrust himself up from his chair. “You planned this, Nigel, to make me the fool.”
“My dear Gerin, weren’t you just talking about rules?” He said it pleasantly, but only a fool wouldn’t hear the bite in Nigel’s voice.
“I will speak to Manus about this, Nigel. This is an opportunity squandered,” Gerin said. He leaned on his staff and left the room.
Nigel followed after more slowly, glancing at me as he neared the door. “How accidentally useful you can be, Connor,” he said as he left.
I could feel heat in my face. He knew damned well he could have said that in a sending. Disappointment in me was one thing, but publicly embarrassing me in front of macGoren was purposeful. I needed to clear the air with him.
Ryan regarded me, his great wings undulating around him, shots of gold glimmering among the veining. Powerful. One of the more powerful Dananns I had met in a long, long time. “A druid with no ability trips up the plans of the Guild. The Wheel turns most peculiarly.”
I gave macGoren a half smile. I was just a pawn in this little board game, and he had to know it. Nigel knew Gerin needed a quorum to vote for a new director, and he knew damned well I couldn’t vote as an alternate. He must have let Gerin think he was getting what he wanted—a Guild board packed with Celtic fey—only to pull the rug out from under him at the last minute. Games. Always games.
“That was a short meeting,” I said.
MacGoren rolled his eyes with a bored look. “It was supposed to be to agree on a condolence statement to the Consortium. Gerin and Eorla decided to turn it into a snit just before you arrived.”
I pulled a chair out and sat. “Is it always this pleasant?” I asked.
Ryan laughed. “This had to be the most pointless meeting yet, which is saying a lot. You were a nice surprise. Briallen seems to have thrown you into the pit. She must not like you. Evil, evil woman.” He broke into a wide grin in case I wasn’t getting the message he was joking.
“I’m sure she never expected me to need to fill in,” I said.
He pursed his lips with a smirk. “Hmmm. Briallen sees much and tells little.”
“Why the big deal about Eorla?” I asked. “Her husband was a director here, and she’s no slouch from what I hear.”
“Nigel despises Eorla. Gerin is not impressed with anyone who isn’t a druid.”
“Ryan?” a voice said behind me. Keeva stood in the doorway. A curious look traveled across her face as she took in the scene of me sitting in the boardroom, talking with macGoren.
“Ah, there you are. I told you the meeting was going to be short,” he said. He walked over to her, slipped his arm around her waist, and kissed her quickly on the temple. I sighed mentally. Any hope that macGoren and I would become friendly went out the window. Now I knew why Manus asked me to investigate him instead of going to Keeva.
“I believe you know Keeva?” he said.
I looked at her over his shoulder. “Of course. We used to be partners.”
Ryan macGoren smiled at her. “It’s great working with her.”
“I remember it well,” I said. You could have frozen water with the smile Keeva gave me.
“You shouldn’t be wandering around the building, Connor,” she said.
“I told you, sweet, we were just finishing up the board meeting. That’s why I called for you,” said macGoren.
Keeva looked from me to macGoren. “He was at the board meeting?”
I couldn’t resist a smug look. “I’m an acting director, Keeva. Let me know if I can help you with anything,” I said.
The entire day had been worth it for the expression that came over her face. Keeva and I had an unspoken competition, one that hadn’t died even when I was booted from the Guild. I have to confess a certain pleasure that she was apparently only dating a director while I had a pass that said I was one. It felt petty, yet satisfying.
She pointedly looked away from me. “I can’t leave right now, Ryan. I have a few more things to do before tonight.”
He casually ran his hand down her arm, clasping her hand and kissing it. “Of course, my dear, duty calls. If you need to meet me at the gala later, that’s fine.” At that, Keeva regained her usual composure.