After a very long time, the Court of Owls was assembled for a meeting. Samantha had not been able to gather them all as often as the previous Head and that was due to the recent challenges she had had to face.

With Lavina's disappearance from the Court's meetings for almost a month, most of the members had started to suspect her being behind it. And then there was also the case of the Gray Son that somehow never let her take a rest.

If she did not do anything about it, the Gray Son or rather Batman would continue to keep causing trouble for the Court. If she sided with the other members to put a stop to him, it would end up terribly for her first and foremost because unfortunately, Richard now knew that she was a Talon.

She couldn't shake off the piercing cold look in those blue eyes and a shudder passed through her once again.

Richard Grayson was truly not a man to have on the opposing side.

And even if she didn't want to keep following Lavina's orders, right then accepting her demand of leaving the Gray Son alone seemed to be the way with the least damage. If only she could manage to persuade the Court not to pursue Richard anymore, not only would she be safe from him but also from the members who supported Lavina.

For the time being, she had to side with the elder woman.

Almost all the members had arrived but Samantha's eyes flickered towards the seat on her right that was still empty. But it did not remain for long as the gate parted and the member who hadn't shown up for weeks stepped in.

"I'm glad you showed up today," she spoke up, seeing the last member who had entered the meeting hall.

"So am I," that voice was saccharine as always and though the owl mask hid her features, it was evident that a small smile was playing upon her lips, "I hope I wasn't too late today."

"No, it's alright. Please be seated," Samantha kept up the formal barrier but her eyes were locked onto Lavina cautiously.

For her to show up all of a sudden after weeks of not coming meant there was something up her sleeve. And knowing Lavina, she was certain that whatever the woman was planning could be very unexpected.

Lavina took the empty seat and her eyes swept over the remaining members who had all gone extremely silent and curious to see her there.

Of course, most of them suspected she had finally been pushed out of the way by the new Head of the Court but that wasn't the case. Samantha did not want to give air to such rumors so she directed the attention of all members toward the meeting.

"As you all know, we have been unable to hold a meeting in the past month due to some issues I had been facing. I apologize for that before starting the meeting." The members cordially accepted the apology as per tradition by nodding their heads slightly so she resumed shortly after. "This meeting has been called to discuss a very important issue that has been directly and indirectly affecting all of us."

She saw Lavina stiffen in her seat because the woman was well aware of what Samantha had referred to as an important issue. It could be none other than the Gray Son.

The rest of the members also had the same idea because there was pin drop silence in the hall, as everyone was waiting for her to resume.

"The Gray Son has been posing threat to us ever since he claimed the identity of Gotham's protector. Not only has he made it difficult for the Court to overlook matters of the city and to any place we send our Talons, he also shows up as a major distraction..."

There were some murmurings of agreement because it had become difficult for the Talons to freely execute their tasks in Gotham. With a vigilante out on patrol, they were bound to be met with opposition. 

Samantha knew that very well because her Talon, Calvin Rose, was the one very recently under threat from Batman regarding the Reginald Jenkins murder case. Somehow he had figured out that it was her doing, or rather the man had been killed on the Head's orders.

Lavina looked ready to object if she made any statement to vanquish Richard. But that once Samantha had no intentions of choosing the opposing side.

"But after considering the entire situation very carefully, I have come to the conclusion that it would be best for us to not interfere with him. True, he will keep posing threat to us but I can work something out if we refrain from provoking him. I'm sure the Grandmaster would agree with this decision too. But as Head of the Court, it was my duty to inform all of you and make sure that neither of you have any objections. please feel free to comment on this decision, I would love to know what you all think."

Lavina was surprised to hear that because she did not expect Samantha of all people to let go of the Gray Son so easily. Her eyes flickered towards Calvin Rose who was seated on the left of the Head's chair, thinking that perhaps he had something to do with Samantha's changing decision.

"Ma'am, I believe you must have considered all outcomes," one of the Talons spoke up and Lavina recognized the voice to be Francis Elliot, one of the descendants of the five oldest Gotham's founding families."But if the Gray Son continues to interfere, would it not create trouble for us in the future? He attacks outright upon seeing a Talon, considering us to be his enemy. Why should we not do the same?"

"Your argument is very valid," she answered calmly, "and I know most of you would have the same concern. But I can work out a negotiation with him to stop interfering with our matters if we promise to not interfere with him. It might take a lot of convincing and time but I believe it is possible."

The Talons did not seem convinced as many were facing Lavina, waiting to see what she had to say on the topic. When no one else spoke up and even Samantha had turned to look at her, she took in a deep breath.

"I believe the Head is right. I agree with her decision," her voice addressed them all in a composed yet authoritative manner, "provoking him would only put us in a compromising situation."

Elliot did not speak up again because he did not wish to oppose the Grandmaster. Neither of the Talons did in fact.

"Then if no one has any further points to make, we should conclude this meeting," Samantha felt a slight burden lift off her, "thank you for coming today. You are all free to leave now."

One by one the seats emptied as the members stood up and left, albeit murmuring among themselves at the abrupt change of stance. Of course, they had their suspicions regarding the Head's sudden decision to stop chasing the Gray Son.

Eventually, only Samantha and Lavina were left in the hall and that was when the elder woman stood up, taking off her mask. Samantha did the same and turned to face her.

"Sam darling, it's good to see you've come to your senses."

She stiffened at the chills that her voice inflicted on her but managed to keep herself calm and steady before her, "thank you for helping me out with the Talons earlier. I don't think they would have agreed if you hadn't spoken in favor."

Lavina nodded, taking out a sealed envelope that she handed to her, much to her surprise, "I was not mistaken when I said you were the one fit to be the Head of the Court after your father. Since you have made the right decision today, let me help you out once more."

Samantha had a feeling that she wouldn't like to hear whatever would come out of Lavina's mouth but she nodded and took that envelope, waiting for her to resume.

"I don't want you to come to any harm, whether you believe it or not," Lavina reached out to her cautiously, taking her hands in her own when Samantha did not pull apart, "I know I put you in a very trialing position and I am to be blamed for all that you have had to go through after becoming the Head. But trust me, I don't want you to get hurt due to me and if I can prevent you from ending up in danger, I would do that. Even at the cost of my life."

Samantha was shocked, to say the least. She did not retrieve her hands from her but she couldn't bring herself to believe those words either.

"Lavina, what exactly are you up to? Why don't you just tell me once and for all without keeping me running after riddles," she sighed wearily, head lowered and eyes locked onto their hands entwined together. "You say you want me safe but you target the Court at the same time, knowing full well that as the Head, I will be the one to get the most impact from it."

"Sweetheart, that's not..."

She did not give her time to explain as she retrieved her hands from her grip, "I'm sorry. I can't trust you and I won't believe anything you say. Until or unless you prove it yourself that you truly don't mean me any harm."

"And how would I do that? What do you want me to do to prove that I am not your enemy?"

"Tell Calvin that the only way he would be able to keep the Gray Son safe is by eliminating the Court. All the Talons, including me," her voice was muted but her eyes flashed with an unfathomable spark, "and if at that time, you are able to give your life to protect me, then and only then will I believe that what you are saying right now is true."

***