Chapter 14: Film

Gabriel had watched as his father had driven off. Shade and Nathaniel took over immediately and escorted him to the limousine as soon as the police cars were out of sight. The hungry journalists were fed angry tears and Zacharias assured the hordes that a pubic statement would be made later that afternoon as Aenriques followed Gabriel out of sight. The three of them got into the passenger cabin as Shade closed the door and joined Nathaniel up front behind the screen separating the passengers from the chauffeur.

Gabriel wiped away the fake tears, straining not to let real ones emerge. He took a deep breath and controlled his breath as they drove off back to the mansion.

"You think this is going to work?" he asked and looked at Zacharias who shrugged.

"I'm sure our uncle knows what he's doing, Your Grace," he said.

"But this is not an ordinary situation," Gabriel said and glanced out the window.

"Your father knows what he's doing, Gabriel," Aenriques put up a friendly smile. Gabriel almost managed to smile back at him and nodded to show that he had heard what he had said. Zacharias frowned at Aenriques. Although he was not the lord himself, Gabriel was the heir and required the same amount of respect in public as his father did.

"Thanks, Ricky, I'm just worried, that's all," Gabriel sighed heavily. Aenriques gave him an encouraging smile and a pat on the shoulder. Zacharias coughed lightly, and Gabriel remembered the standard etiquette and brushed off Aenriques' hand. He could not allow himself to bond to closely with the Agents. He had done that too often in the past and lost more friends than he had wanted to.

A few early wagons from the TV-stations had already taken up front row seats at the mansion and the guards by the gate had to direct them away from the road to let the limousine through. Camera lenses were pushed up to the windows to get anything from inside the car. The gate opened and they drove through, leaving the curious journalists outside. When they arrived at the mansion Isobel and Vladimir stood waiting for them. Gabriel exited the vehicle and was greeted by a warm embrace from Isobel, who held him close and rocked him forth and back, his face practically buried in her warm cleavage.

"Oh, Gabriel, it's so good to see you!" she stroked his hair and kissed his temple before releasing him. He received a hard but genuine hug from his uncle.

"How're you doing, son?" he asked brusquely. Gabriel shrugged.

"Fine, I guess," he said as they ascended the stairs and entered the mansion.

"You must be tired," Isobel put an arm around his shoulders but he shrugged her off. "Do you need anything?"

"No," came the firm answer. The door to the entrance hall shut with a loud bang behind them as Aenriques closed it. He and Zacharias came up and they exchanged thoughtful glances.

"What do we do now?" Aenriques asked.

"The announcement has to be made," Vladimir said and Gabriel nodded.

"I'll be off to the office," he said.

"Do you know what to say?" Isobel asked.

"No, but Matthew gave me some lines to work with," Gabriel said and gestured for Zacharias to come along. The others hesitated before following them to the office where Gabriel settled down behind the desk and started noting down a few key words as they entered and the door was closed. He glanced thoughtfully at Zacharias.

"Video or text?" he asked. Zacharias moistened his lips before putting up the exact same smile he always gave Matthew whenever he had to answer a rhetorical question.

"What do you prefer, my lord?" he asked solemnly. Gabriel had to take a deep breath and resist the urge to punch him in the face, but he knew Zacharias was testing him on his father's orders, and Gabriel would show that he could manage a stressful situation.

"Video," he said. "It appeals to a broader audience. Also facial expressions and a voice are stronger than someone reading a text aloud with either skepticism or aversion."

"And what are the benefits of a textual announcement?" Zacharias asked. Gabriel frowned.

"It is has greater legal value," he said.

"Well, then it's your decision," Zacharias answered. Gabriel scratched his chin.

"Let's do a video then," he said and nodded at Aenriques who rigged the camera onto the tripod. Isobel and Vladimir stood behind it, both with a calm expression imploring their nephew to keep focus and state a good example. This was half an exam, Gabriel figured. A sign to show the public that he was just as capable as his father to handle conflicts and deal with serious affairs. He knew he was not as threatening, his rather bleak reputation considered, but he would be. A clean cut, straight-forward voice announcing the consequences of Lynne's actions. The reverberations in the family would be deafening when the broadcast reached each and every clan, but he was ready to face the fight. He looked Isobel and Vladimir straight in the eye, took a deep breath and nodded at Aenriques to turn on the camera.