Simon and Faine arent werewolves, so what are they? Tosh asked Delilah, who accompanied him on the trip.
Its not safe for anyone to know more than they already do. Not for any of us. And this is a public place.
Her words were severe and she must have noted that because she relaxed and took his hand, squeezing it and then, as if she were surprised by her action, letting go quickly.
After this, will you have a drink with me? He blurted it before he changed his mind.
Clearly surprisedagainDelilah started, and then she smiled. A drink drink? Like you like me as a female? Or a collegial drink?
He got caught up in the shape of her mouth as she smiled. Huh?
She rolled her eyes. Are you asking because youre interested in me romantically or is this just a drink like youd have with anyone else who served in the senate?
He blushed, he knew it. I dont feel the same way about Senator Harley that I do about you. Ive been meaning to ask you to dinner for some time, but things have been . . . crazy. I realized if I didnt move now I might lose my chance.
Its about time, Toshio. I was beginning to wonder, you know, if I was imagining things between us.
Not imagining it. So yes to the drink?
You can buy me a drink and dinner when all this is finished.
Ill even spring for chocolate cake. He knew she had a fondness for it.
She leaned in and her scent wrapped around him, holding on tight. I might just let you kiss me.
He laughed, taking her hand and kissing her knuckles before turning all business again. Two slices then. So I think with the Council, you should take the lead. Your voice is important. Theyve heard mine.
Just take my cues. Molly will be there, along with Helena, so there will be friendly faces. But this isnt human communication any more. There are things shifters do . . . Ill need to show my obeisance to my Alpha. Im here to address them not only as an elected official, but as a wolf as well.
He nodded. I understand. Were on your turf. Ill defer to your expertise.
She laughed. Well, one step at a time. The Vampires were our biggest worry. But now that thereve been two bombs in less than twenty four hours, both attacking Others, one in the den of a very powerful male? Its going to be very bad. The wolves and cats are going to follow the lead of Simon, whos older than everyone else and far better trained.
She was giving him information, what she could anyway, about Simon and Faine. That trust was important to him.
If we lose the wolves and cats as well as the Vampires, Im not sure we can stop a declaration of war by the COO. Theres only so much were going to take and were going into scary territory.
I know, believe me, I know. Im hoping you can sway them.
Im not sure I should, to be totally honest with you. Weve been turning the other cheek and were bleeding. Our children are being killed. Were not safe in our homes. Talk isnt protecting us anymore. It is not our nature to allow harm to our people to go unchallenged. Cade has been holding things together but hes out of patience.
Tosh knew he had a seemingly insurmountable task ahead of him. The Others hed met and knew were good people. They deserved to be safe in their own damned country. I understand. But if we can get them to hold back until I can convince the president to issue an executive order to declare all Others to have the same citizenship they had before, things might calm down.
Maybe. But again, thats words. I dont know if words are enough.
She shrugged and he hoped they were enough to get them through before even more people got killed.
* * *
THEYD been taken to an outbuilding on Cascadia land. Theyd been sniffed and searched and one of Helenas witches was there to examine them as well.
Theyre making sure we havent been spelled on any level. Delilah had softened in some ways. Tosh wasnt sure if it was him or the fact that she now had dual loyalties. But in other ways, her humanness had muted and that Otherness she had moved to the forefront.
She moved differently and, heaven help him, Tosh thought it was the sexiest thing hed ever seen. Other wolves cast their eyes down when she walked past, and occasionally, she was the one who did the casting of her eyes away.
Dominance politics were nothing new to Toshio. This was just a different type, but he understood it and felt more relaxed for it.
I wonder where Molly and Helena are?
Delilah looked around the huge space. I dont know, but theres something up. It might just be that Simon and Larks home was attacked and things are very bad. But it could be something else.
Great. Something else. Because we didnt have enough stuff.
A woman he recognized as Nina Warden came out, all business. She clapped her hands to get everyones attention. Please take your seats. There are cards so do sit where your card is.
Hierarchy dominance, Delilah murmured, explaining.
Not so different from how we sit on the dais in committee meetings.
She gave him a lopsided smile. True.
Luckily he was seated next to Delilah so hed be nearby someone who could save him from making a horrible etiquette faux pas.
Helena and Lark came out with several other witches. Helena gave a loud, piercing whistle to shut people up. If everyone could be quiet for a bit, were going to cloak this space and dampen the sound so we cant be listened in on.
There was an uproar as people shouted out the question on Toshs mind.
Finally, Nina frowned them all into total silence. We will explain once the process is finished. Now kindly do be quiet as youve been asked.
Tosh kept his questions to himself as he watched the sisters work. Hands moving in concert, speaking under their breath as they traced the outline of the room.
Finally, they stepped back and it was like when a plane reached cruising altitude. His ears felt the pressure and then it eased.
Helena nodded to Nina and the sisters moved to their places at the table.
Meriel Owen is going to address the committee about some new developments.
Meriel stood. Just half an hour ago I received some information that changes everything. What Im going to say is not known by many people. But its necessary now. When we defeated the Magister, several weeks later we received visitors from the other side of the Veil. They had new information for us about how the Magister works.
We didnt destroy the Magister. From what we understand, its nearly indestructible. It may as well be as no one seems to know how to destroy it. Each time the Magister manifests and is overcome, it is shoved into another world. But the people whose world it attacks dont know that. We wouldnt have known it either if those people hadnt come to tell us. Theyre jumping from world to world to find it and stop it once and for all.
The table erupted into three dozen shouted questions and multiple conversations.
Were chronicling all this information in our archives, sharing it as we can with other places on the other side of the Veil. The more we know, maybe it can help in the future. But from what we can tell, the Magister is a being of chaos. The way it comes and goes is part of it. Its beyond our ability to understand the full scope. Old magicks like that defy explanation, so were being clumsy but its not on purpose.
Tosh reeled. Other worlds? Veil?
Delilah leaned close. Ill explain later if she doesnt now.
Why didnt you tell us? one of the Vampires asked.
Because right after that visit the attacks began and weve been dealing with this brink-of-war stuff. Weve been trying to keep the existence of other worlds out of human knowledge. If theyre this rabid knowing about us, what would happen if they knew there were countless worlds on the other side of the Veil?
Meriel looked to Tosh. If the military knew, what would they do?
I dont know. He shook his head, caught in the middle. This is conjecture, understand, but some might see it as a threat. Whats out there? Can we control it before it controls us? Are they more powerful? If so can we get their technology? Some would want diplomacy.
Yeah, not the ones who have been trying to kill us since they found out we existed though. What would they do if they knew Simon and Faine came from a world of beasts who could take two forms? Where those beasts ruled their world in warrior castes? Hm? What if they knew about the existence of Fae? We could not take the risk. Meriel said this all in a calm, measured voice. Tosh understood it and he agreed. There was no telling just what might happen if and when this information got out.
Weve been investigating some leaks within Clan Owen, and the de La Vega Jamboree also had a leak. And this afternoon, Helena got a phone call. Meriel paused for a brief moment. It has come to our attention that Carlo Powers, along with Marlon Hayes and the people at Humans First, has been working with the same mages who were helping the Magister. Theyre trying to bring it back, thinking that they can either control it or wipe the rest of us out.
Total silence engulfed the room and nausea rose in a wave through Tosh. If what she was saying was true, Senator Hayes was taking part in a plot that could end in genocide.
Worse, he had no reason to think Helena would lie about it.
Owen found a leak toward the time we defeated the Magister. This is how we uncovered a network of Others giving PURITY and the mages intelligence on how we operate, who our leadership is. And some of what went down with the Magister. She paused and took a deep breath. Our people are working with the rest of the COO enforcement ranks to investigate the leaks in their groups as well. The information seems to have come from several places and we havent uncovered anything we believe could actually bring the Magister back. But it boils down to this. Weve got traitors in our midst and theyre helping our enemies to attempt to bring the Magister back.
Then chaos erupted once again.
Cade stood and all the wolves instantly got quiet. Max de La Vega stood and all the cats shut up. Another man Tosh had never seen stood and the rest quieted. Then the three sat again.
Helena spoke again. Here is what we know. The mages have been working with the anti-Other groups for some time. An outclan witch, turned witch, and her human husband were working with one of the de La Vega jamboree members. The cats took care of this issue, though the turned witch is still at large, whereabouts unknown. The mages have been working with the turned witches. Turned witches are junkies. Theyve used stolen magic to boost their own. Each time they do, they eat away at their connection to their natural magick. Until theres nothing left of that. Their ability to pull magick and use it in any type of spellcraft is destroyed. They have no ability to use the Font of their home clan because it wont recognize them as witches. They sort of lose who they were before. It changes them into something else. Most of the time a turned witch dies within six months or so of that complete termination with their magick. Some seem to have found a way to live sometimes three or five years after that.
But theyve been working with these mages. Just recall, mages are humans who have enough natural ability to steal magick from Others to use to work spells. They dont die like turned witches do, but theyre crazy and violent . . . and addicted, just the same. So the turned witches and the mages worked together to kidnap witches and Others to steal their magick. Its how they first got the attention of the Helper, the being who procured for the Magister.
How is it they didnt get used by the Magister then? How many of them are there that they could lose numbers like we did and still be enough to be a threat? Gibson de La Vega, one of the cats, asked.
Because neither the mages nor the turned witches have their own magick. We have magick, you know, with a k. Stolen? Its not natural, its magic, no k. Its cheap and used up fast. Its not renewable. You wont recharge when you run out. The Magister only fed on Others who possess magick. It was like it didnt notice them and they were spared. I guess it didnt like or couldnt use what they had.
None of this was anything Tosh knew.
When we overcame the Magister, we also eradicated all those who were on the scene helping. We were able to kill the Helper. But their operation was worldwide. They had a network who stalked, kidnapped and transported Others to be drained. We figured theyd fallen apart after the Magister. The disappearances had stopped and in the face of the rising attacks by humans, we had to put our efforts on keeping our members alive.
One of the people at the table shouted at Helena. How could you let this threat go unchallenged? It was a mistake to let the witches head this up!
Faine growled. Helena gave him a look.
Cade stood, gaze narrowed as he addressed the wolves. We knew about this issue. The leadership of every Pack knew about this. And we all made the same decision based on the information we had. The disappearances had stopped. We had bigger threats to deal with. If you have problems with those decisions, look to me and the heads of your clans. It was the witches who saved us by getting rid of the Magister to start with. Dont forget that.
The wolf whod been so angry was just afraid. Tosh could see it. Hell, he understood it because if these people were afraid, things were far worse than hed ever understood.
Whats our next step then? What do we do?
Helena took a deep breath. Our informant tells us the mages have let Carlo Powers know about some arcane magickal texts that might help bring the Magister back. Well let him continue to think that, but Ive seen those books and they didnt have anything like that in them. However, those books contain other things we dont need PURITY or Hayes and their ilk knowing. Weve worked with the leadership of the rest of the Others here and theyre already investigating their own leaks. We need to plug up that information immediately.
Meriel stood, putting a hand on Helenas shoulder. There is a reason we remained secretive for so long. The powers we have come with responsibility. We dont know what the mages know, nor do we have the total extent of the information thats been shared with Hayes. We do know it has to be addressed before any more damage can be done.
Meriel turned her gaze to Tosh. Senator Sato, weve revealed things totally unknown to humans. Well, or so we thought. But were heading into some more controversial territory in a moment and I need you to make a choice. You can leave now and well escort you back to the airport and be sure youre protected until you get home. Or you can stay and help us.
Thats not a fair choice if I dont even know what youre going to say.
Life isnt fair, Toshio. Molly finally spoke. Meriels mother was murdered after shed helped send the Magister out of our world. We all lost people close to us. We continue to because of monsters like Powers. He is hell-bent on our genocide. He is colluding with the same people who preyed on us before the Magister and who worked with it to bring our end. We are done with peaceful attempts at problem solving when it comes to these groups.
A chill worked through Tosh at that. I understand. I do. And in your place I might very well make the same choices. But the fact remains that Im an elected official. I cant be here while you discuss illegal things. Ill continue to support you all through the legislative process. You know I believe in your right to exist safely. I am dedicated to helping you. But I cant break the law. Or know about it. Im sorry.
Ill stay. Delilah remained in her chair.
May I speak with you before I go? he asked Delilah.
She nodded.
Meriel turned her attention back to the group. Lets open this to a question-and-answer session while theyre talking.
We cant just let him leave here knowing this, one of the wolves at the table spoke up.
If Carlo Powers and Senator Hayes know this, Senator Sato can know it. He is under protection. No one is to harm him or impede him in any way. Cade Warden spoke and his tone shut all the wolves in the room up immediately.
Thank you all for the opportunity youve extended to me. My door is always open to you and Ill keep Molly apprised on the legislative developments.
He and Delilah left the room.
Molly and Helena caught up with him just outside.
Tosh! Before you go I wanted to say thank you. Your help has been immeasurable to us and our cause. Im sorry it has to end this way.
Tosh took Mollys hands, squeezing them. Im sorry too. But I understand why youre reacting the way you are. And I respect it. He hugged her and then Helena.
My people will get you back to the hotel or the airport. Whichever you choose. Helena kissed his cheek and she and Molly were gone, leaving him alone with Delilah, who frowned.
Im sorry I cant stay.
Im frowning because you smell like another female now.
What?
She leaned forward and kissed his cheek, over the spot Helena had. Then he turned his head and caught her mouth the way hed wanted to for so long. He pulled her against his body as she wrapped her arms around him.
Now you smell like me, Delilah spoke against his lips before stepping back. I approve. Will you stay at the hotel? Ill come back once Im done here. I dont know what will happen after I hear whatever I hear. But Id like that drink and dinner you promised me.
What if they propose violence?
I hope they do. Toshio, they want to eradicate my people. To think they can control something like the Magister is insane. It doesnt just endanger us. Theres no way to stop a cancer like Carlo Powers, not when hes dead set on destroying us. Not with words. This is my family. These are the people who have suffered with me after the Magister killed so many of us. And Powers and Hayes, for that matter, have been working to bring that creature back? No. It ends here. Its time to make a real stand. I understand that you cant take that step. But if you would fight in a war against a nation that threatened ours, you should be able to get why my choice is different.
He blew out a breath. Put that way . . . yeah, I understand, and yes, Ill go back to the hotel. Come to my room when you finish up.
He left with a heavy heart.
Chapter 14
HELENA had been thoroughly shaken by the phone call from the witch whod uncovered the leak to Hayes office. Worse, what theyd found in the mans computer had exposed a network of Others whod been working with the anti-Other groups and the mages.
To bring the Magister back.
Why? Why? Whod want that after what had happened?
One of the witches theyd uncovered had been a male whod known the location of the haven in Indio. A Gennessee witch. Someone Helena knew on a casual basis had sold out innocents to the Magister.
She was sick about the entire thing.
The witch whod been the leak in Owenthe one Lark had uncovered just before the Magister had attacked the final timehad compatriots spread across different groups of Others across the country.
Helena had seen a lot in her time. Had dealt with stupid people, selfish ones. Greedy ones. But this was something she could not comprehend at all. What Other would cooperate with beings who wanted to eradicate them from existence?
Lark was handling the questioning of the witches thatd been identified as leaks. Money seemed to be the main factor for them. But if there was more to it, Lark would find it.
Helena blew out a breath. It was over and done. All they could do was root out anyone left and tighten up their security.
Delilah Sperry came back in and Helena nodded to Meriel, who rapped her knuckles on the table to get everyones attention.
Clan Owen, along with Gennessee and our confederation of covens and Clans, proposes a declaration of war.
Lycia has declared war and will sit on your council. Simon spoke, his voice rumbling through the hall.
Helena narrowed her eyes at Faine. Clearly thats what hed gone and done while shed flown back to Seattle. That he hadnt just told her was an issue theyd have to work through, because right then she wanted to punch him for it.
Not the going back home part. Not even the declaration of war part. But the not telling her what he was up to part. Partners her ass.
I have been declared a Liaison between Lycia and your Council, Simon said.
Why? Whats your involvement here? Rebecca Gennessee spoke from her place via the video screen.
My mate has been threatened on multiple occasions. My homemy den was attacked while my mate, my brother and his protected were there. The male who shot Lark is dead. My honor is satisfied there. But this is not to be taken lightly. No one threatens my family this way. I can be part of your solution or not. But war has been declared and regardless of how you all choose to move, we will not stop until Carlo Powers and those hes working with are no longer a problem.
Larks gaze shot to Helena a moment and then back to Simon. She hadnt known either. Simon was in trouble too. Ha. Helena looked to Faine, who sat, back straight, regal and strong.
Helena realized shed forgotten that Faine was a prince. A Lycian wasnt a werewolf. He was something entirely different and shed lost sight of that. This underlined it. His protected? What did that mean?
She didnt want to look too closely at the way it had made her feel when Simon had said it. She liked it, damn it. She shouldnt. Faine was a handful and hed decided she was his before shed even agreed to it. Though, frankly, she obviously had because he wasnt maimed and shed let him sex her up. Ha, let him. Shed sexed him up right back and she knew before hed touched her that hed had some imprint thing happening. Hed been up front and shed been playing with fire like a fool.
But it wasnt the time to obsess on that because there was more to do.
Fair enough. Rebecca shrugged slightly. Lycia has been a solid ally. We welcome your assistance.
Cade Warden nodded. Earlier today the wolves also made their declaration of war.
Max de La Vega lifted a finger. The jaguars as well. And through us, the other cats are also on board.
Franco Pendergast lifted a finger before he spoke. As you all know, the Vampires declared war the moment a car full of Elders and our protected was blown up. We have been holding off as a courtesy as these last steps were being explored. The Magister is a threat we cannot take lightly. If they find a way, they cant be allowed to continue to draw breath.
Cade spoke up. More than that, that theyd plan it means they are a threat we cannot continue to let go unanswered. PURITY will stop at nothing short of our total annihilation and the human government is doing little to stop it.
If you all have questions, Helena, can you speak to the issue of our safety steps in general? Meriel asked.
She stood. Our people are working on the investigation of spies in our groups. Ive been in touch with various enforcers, hunters and law enforcement. Our efforts will bring to ground these traitors and they will be dealt with. She knew the shifters had rough justice for this sort of treason. As did The Gennessee.
At the same time, we need to move forward on several fronts. The witches are urging their members to relocate to guarded enclaves. The designer of several enclave communities already in existence has volunteered to speak to you individually. Weve tried to work with the situation already in place but the fact is, we cannot protect people. Not from the threat as it is now.
Many nodded heads.
There will be no return to the way things were. There will be a new normal. Im sorry, but we cant ignore it any longer. Meriel sighed heavily.
At the same time, well need to create a militia. Our own army. We can get patrols up to protect our communities as well as enforcement groups to show up at crime scenes. The human police are not getting the job done in about fifty percent of calls now. Theyre not protecting us so we have to.
We need to train our people. If we can create teams that include fighters from different backgrounds well be better off. Investigation, magick, defensive magick and also fighters.
Why shouldnt we just go back and do our own thing? After all, it was one of your people who gave them the information they might be able to use to bring the Magister back, one of the Vampires said.
This network of spies and traitors seems to span across many Other groups. Money is a powerful motivator apparently. Max de La Vega spoke. My own brother Carlos was one of these spies. Vampires can do what they want, but the cats are happy to work together with other shifters and witches to create a militia and enforcement teams. Its the only way. If were going to make a stand, lets make it so strong the first bloody lesson can be the last. Or at the very least, make it painful enough theyll think twice before attempting it again. They can fear us, or hate us, as long as they leave us alone.
I can help train soldiers. Faine gave Helena a look and she nodded. His help would be important.
The Vampires will join this militia.
Well, that would be really good. Vampires kicked ass and they were practically indestructible. All right then, lets break down into groups and get some work done.
* * *
SHE was very quiet on the ride back to the hotel. But he knew hed have some answering to do when they got back. He bided his time through the checkpoints and didnt speak until he turned into the parking garage and headed to their assigned spot.
You did a good job tonight. I know it wasnt easy.
She kept her gaze roving. Constantly assessing. It shouldnt be easy to plot the possible assassination of someone.
Hm. Terse.
But also correct.
Yes. Its never anything that you should do lightly. Youre making the right choice though. He cant be allowed to survive. Anyone who could look at the evidence of the Magister and think to bring it on purpose isnt someone safe for the rest of the planet to be around.
She shrugged. Killing him in a battle is one thing. This is another. I hate it. But I dont see a way around it.
If it was easy, it would happen more often. You make tough choices to protect the people who need you to make tough choices. He pulled into the space and killed the engine.
She turned to him, her eyes narrowed. Dangerous, his woman. Is that what you did? By sneaking off to Lycia behind my back to have your daddy declare war?
Thats beneath you.
Is it? You dont know me very well after all to think thats below me. You should have told me. She got out, slamming the door extra hard. He followed, pocketing the keys.
But she didnt head to the doors leading into the hotel. Instead she pulled her magick to herself. He saw the shift in her aura as she did. The surge in her scent held him fast as she began to work a spell.
There was something so fierce about her when she worked magick. It was one thing to watch her in battle, but this was something else. Otherworldly.
She walked her way around the car as he watched, impressed. She spoke under her voice but he heard the words anyway. Felt the brush of her power as she moved. The air in the space seemed to warm all around them.
His beast wanted to eat her up.
Until she drew a pocketknife out and sliced into her skin. The scent of her blood filled the air as she drew runes on the car.
Enraged that shed harm herself, he barely managed to hold his tongue until she stood again, her eyes clearing as she let her magick go and it misted into the air around her.
What the fuck did you just do? He growled instead of yelling, figuring it would be better received.