Chapter 24 #2
“Hmm…” mused Jackson. “Evil loves the dark and, in this case, ignorance makes it easy for Zohar to work unopposed…which is why he’s suppressed the news that there’s a new Ruler and Keeper.
If it became widely known about Remy’s ascension, do you think it would lessen Zohar’s power and weaken his plan? ”
“Brady and I talked about it after Zane couldn’t find any announcements about Remy,” Dylon replied, “and I suggested having Zane leak the information on the web, but Brady thought it would only drive Zohar and his buddies underground. And he had a good point. Right now, our greatest advantage is Zohar’s confidence he has thought of everything.
My third concern is we don’t know who we can trust to do the right thing by giving their allegiance to Remy.
The last thing I want is a magic war to break out because then, instead of only a few magic users against Remy, we might end up with half or more magic-users throwing their support to Zohar. ”
“I agree,” Jackson said. “Let’s go back to who may be in the greatest danger. The ones I’m most worried about are Remy’s brothers. As long as they’re in danger, Remy and Carson will be focused on protecting them…and then they’ll be at greater risk of missing any would-be attacks on themselves.”
“My thinking exactly,” Dylon said. “Which is why they should come here until the threat against them has been eliminated.”
“I think you’re gonna have a hard time selling that idea to Remy,” Steel said. “According to Carson, his mate placed a protective dome over the vineyard that prevents any magic user from getting close to them. He’ll have to be persuaded why it’s better here than there.”
“I considered that,” Dylon said, “and decided it would be best for Cody to convince Carson about it first because Remy trusts Carson to do what’s best for the boys.”
“Fine,” Jackson agreed. “Keep me informed. If Cody needs any help persuading Carson, let me know.”
“Will do,” said Dylon.
“Now,” Jackson continued, “regarding everyone else…Jimmy has agreed to stay here…”
“No hardship there,” Jimmy drawled, grinning. “It’ll give me time with my grandpups.”
“You mean spoil them, dontcha?” Steel smirked.
Chuckling, Jimmy said, “Same thing.”
“It is with you, darling,” Mystia said, smiling.
“Don’t be comin’ at me when you’re just as guilty,” Jimmy murmured, leaning over and kissing his wife before continuing. “Please be careful and come back to me, sweetheart.”
“That only leaves the members of this pack,” Jackson said.
“Just to bring you up-to-date, Fionn has agreed to meet Alex, so he, Sawyer and Glenn will be leaving for France early tomorrow morning. If Carson and Remy agree, the boys can come back here on the plane the next day. Kieran, Logan and Quin intend to stay for at least a week. I’m not sure what Oracle’s plans are, but I can find out.
And of course, Remy and Carson will remain in France. ”
Steel, who’d been deep in thought, turned to Dylon. “I told Groose to move the threat level to the highest, so you can coordinate with him regarding your plan for keeping the pack safe.”
“Good, that was my next step,” Dylon concurred.
“Okay…now that leaves the problem about the low-level magic users.” Looking at Mystia, he asked, “Zohar wants them moved within the next three days, right?”
“That’s correct, however, I can’t narrow it down any more than that,” replied Mystia.
“How many do you think there are?” asked Dylon.
“Maybe two to three hundred,” Mystia said. “I saw a number of rooms in the basement of the Council building that have new, powerful magic locks and I believe that’s where they’re being kept.”
“Can you open those locks?” asked Jackson.
Shaking her head, Mystia said, “No, even though I’m a first-level magic user, they’re beyond my skill.”
“Can Remy do it?” asked Dylon.
“Certainly…his magic is powerful enough,” Mystia replied.
“Perfect!” Dylon grinned, his mind already assembling a plan to save the low-level magic users. “Just one other question…how will they move that many magic users at once? Will they use magic to do so?”
“Nooo…I don’t think so, because it would leave a magic signature that could be traced and Zohar is too clever to expose himself that way. My guess is the old-fashioned way, using trucks. It will also probably occur at night when the Council building is empty except for a few guards,” Mystia said.
“Good to know,” said Dylon, before sweeping his gaze over everyone in the room. “So if you all have nothing else to add…”
Waving his hand to end the meeting, Jackson said, “Go…but keep me informed about what’s happening.”
“Will do,” Dylon said, as he left the room.
Steel turned to Mystia. “I’ve put you and Jimmy in the suite next to my parents, if that’s okay.”
Nodding, Mystia was grateful for Steel’s thoughtfulness.
Knowing that Jimmy would be close to Oracle’s husband, Maximus, while she was away, eased her worries about not being with him.
“Thanks, that’s just perfect.” After giving Jackson a hug, Mystia followed Steel and Jimmy out of the Alpha’s study.