Max let out a long breath, scrubbing his hand over his face as he rested back in his chair. “I’ll reach out to everyone except for Simeon and arrange for another Zoom call. I’ll tell them what’s happened and what we suspect and then see where we go from there.”

“No, don’t.”

“Bennett, I have to tell them.”

“I know. I would just prefer you wait until I talk to Napoleon.”

“Talk to him or kill him?”

“I’m tired, Max,” Bennett said softly. “I’m tired of fighting a fight I cannot win. You said it yourself, blood is thicker than water, and it doesn’t matter if I’m your great-whatever granddaughter. Napoleon is Etienne’s son, and that holds more weight. Even if the council sentences him to a lengthy sleep, nothing will have changed when he awakens unless I give up my seat. I remove the conflict, and there’s nothing left to fight about.”

“No,” Max said, sitting straight in his chair. “I will not allow you to do that. You’re too important—”

“If you’re worried about the daywalkers, don’t be. This doesn’t have to be instantaneous. I’ll talk to them, assure them you can represent their interests, and—”

“Bennett, that would be like having a Rabbi represent the Catholics at the Vatican or a Caucasian in charge of the NAACP. It won’t work.”

“It has to work because I’m done with this, Max. I really am. I’m tired of constantly putting into place more and more safeguards so that bastard doesn’t harm someone I care about. There are a few bad apples amongst my daywalkers, but the majority only want to live their lives, so give them some credit, Max. They will accept this. It’s just going to take some time. All I ask is you give me your word that you’ll never reveal their names or locations. It’s the glue that keeps everything together, Max, and without it…without it, I’m not sure what would happen.”

“What about putting another daywalker in charge? Surely you have someone—”

“And not only rob them of their anonymity but put them in Napoleon’s and Simeon’s crosshairs, too? Is that what you’re asking me to do?”

“No, of course not. I just seriously doubt your kind will agree to this,” Max said, easing out a long breath. “But, if you want to make a few phone calls and see what they say, I suppose I’ll have no recourse but to abide by their vote. Though, I still think you’re making a mistake.”

Max became lost in his thoughts as he tried to wrap his head around what Bennett planned to do. Well over a minute passed before he realized Bennett hadn’t said a word. He looked at her and scowled when he saw her disarming grin. “I see nothing whatsoever funny about this conversation.”