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.