Deathstalker 02 - Deathstalker Rebellion

place. Can't say I've seen much in the way of results."
    "With the Church behind us, we are safe from a great many other enemies," Toby said patiently. "But if the Church ever finds out about the real you, we could
    be in real trouble."
    "Then, you'd better make damn sure they don't, hadn't you?" said Gregor.
    "I do wish you two wouldn't fight," said Grace Shreck, knowing they wouldn't listen to her. They never did. She was Gregor's older sister and did her best to look as little like him as possible. She was long, tall, and thin, with a pale, swan-like neck, and a mass of white hair piled up on top of her head in a rather precarious-looking style that hadn't been fashionable in years. She wore the same style of clothes she had when she was young, and noticed newer styles only in order to criticize them. Every now and again, fashion rediscovered her look, and for a month or so she would be the height of fashion, which embarrassed her greatly. Grace preferred not to be noticed, whenever possible.
    She'd never married, because after their parents had died suddenly, Gregor had needed her services as assistant, secretary, and general dogsbody while he was holding the Family together and making it great again. There'd been no time for romance, no chance for a life of her own. The Family needed her, Gregor needed her, and she'd had to settle for that. And if she was ever angry, she kept it to herself. Eventually, there came a time when Gregor didn't need her anymore, but she stayed with him anyway, because she didn't know any other kind of life. The world had changed during her enforced absence, and people frightened her, whether they meant to or nor. Besides, she'd always known Gregor would never let her go. He couldn't risk her marrying and moving outside the Family's influence, outside of his control. She knew too much about the Clan in general and him in particular. And the things he'd done to make the Shrecks great again.
    She came to Court as little as possible, because crowds upset her; but the Empress's edict had been quite specific, for once. Everyone in the Families was to come. No exemptions. If you were on your deathbed, bring your deathbed with
    you. So Grace came on Gregor's arm, stayed close to Toby, and tried to pretend she was just watching it on the holo.
    She disapproved of the way Gregor treated Toby, but didn't know what to do about it. Certainly, Gregor wouldn't listen to her, even if she could bring herself to say anything. Toby's father had been Christian Shreck, younger brother to herself and Gregor. He disappeared years ago, after a furious head-to-head with Gregor, and was never seen again. The Empress ordered an investigation, but nothing ever came of it. Gregor submitted to questioning by an Imperial esper and surprised everyone by passing the test with ease. He was officially cleared.
    But after that, people stopped resisting Gregor's rise to power.
    Toby came under Gregor's influence the same way every Shreck did; because he had no choice. Toby had a sister once, but the Empress took her to be one of her maids, and that was that. Grace couldn't protect or advance him, so that just left Gregor. And so now the Shreck used Toby as he'd once used Grace, and there was nothing she could do about it. Another life sacrificed to Gregor's ambition.
    That was just the way things were in Clan Shreck.
    Grace sighed tiredly. She missed Christian. He'd been the only one in the Family with a sense of humor. She realized Gregor was shouting at Toby again. Gregor was having a hard time being a public person. He wasn't suited to it. Grace looked at Gregor, red-faced and sweating as he raised his voice yet again, and suddenly it seemed to her that this was just the most recent in a long series of straws that broke the camel's back. She stepped forward and slapped Gregor smartly on the arm with her folded fan.
    "Gregor, I won't have you using that kind of language in public! Remember, we are at Court. People are listening."

    "And you can shut your stupid mouth as well," snapped Gregor without looking around. "When I want your opinion, I'll have my head examined."
    "Really!" Grace could feel herself blushing, as she always did when someone spoke harshly to her. "Why can't we all just be friends, in public at least?"
    "She's right, you know," said Toby diffidently. "The Church believes in happy Families."
    "Stuff the Church," said Gregor immediately, but in a somewhat lower tone. "I have a right to be angry. I