Chapter Nineteen #3
Their long day finally seemed to draw to a close when Zaiden moved.
“I understand with far more clarity now what the council hoped to find when they hunted my people,” Zaiden offered after silence had filled the room and no one appeared to know what to say at the vacuum of pain they found themselves in.
“My people have always governed themselves and kept apart from the shifter community for many reasons. It saddens me to say that we lost touch with most of the other populations and were blind to the struggles you’ve endured.
It should never have been this way. I believe that we all want the best for our societies.
To live in peace with our neighbors, to thrive, prosper, discover our mates, love and receive love, form friendships, build communities, and look forward to the quirky little adventures life throws our way. ”
The authority in his voice was tempered with compassion, and Arlo felt it sway the room when there were murmurs and nods from those in attendance.
“My king sent me here with his blessing, to offer the services of not only our warriors but those among us who possess abilities that allow them to glean any missing pieces that have yet to be uncovered. I believe that computer technology may have taken you as far as it is able, despite the hard work, dedication and digging that has taken place by so many.”
Zaiden’s large head inclined towards where Taggart sat holding hands with Soren.
“If you will entrust us to find and locate the remaining member of the council, determine the full scope of their experimentation, and deliver proof of their actions and those involved who have sought to use us to line their pockets. We will happily undertake bringing them to task and eliminating any and all threats that remain to Cookietown and so many other communities.”
“Why would your king allow you to make this offer?” Gabai questioned, his own mate Asher there next to him, eyeing Zaiden with a look of speculation he didn’t hide.
“Because we have been unable to locate several estranged members of our community,” Zaiden offered in way of an explanation.
The same one he’d given to Arlo when he’d agreed to attend the rushed meeting.
“Those they typically kept—even loosely contact with—have not seen nor heard from them. When Arlington initially contacted me and presented me with the information he’d gathered, some of the abilities he described, specifically the venomous traits carried in the blood and claws of the owls and the foul smelling being that he described as being able to turn into smoke, raised some serious concerns. ”
The pause was deliberate, Arlo knew it as Zaiden took the measure of those in the room. Arlo had seen him do it before. He could pick up the slightest change in atmosphere, especially if there was a threat.
His forked tongue came out and flicked at the air twice before he continued.
“These creatures, in part, they created using our genetic material. Possibly with members of my society that are missing. My king shares this concern and wants to know what has befallen the unaccounted members of our community. It is imperative for our survival. Also, to keep the records updated of every one of our kind.”
Arlo knew this was significant to Zaiden’s kind, he just had never explained the reasoning behind it.
More murmuring, more rustling as whispers tore through the room.
Where once there had only been questions about how the creation of those beings had been possible, now they had another of the missing pieces.
Would this information go against Zaiden and his kind?
The strength and power of their abilities were seldom, if ever, relayed to outsiders.
To Arlo, this revealed the depth of fear Zaiden’s people had about the ramifications of using their DNA to create monsters to rule the shifter population.
“If we’re going to agree to this, then we will need to put it to a vote,” Gabai declared loud enough to be heard over the raised voices.
Arlo looked to the head of the crash, at his nod, he spoke for them.
“The crash vote would be to allow Zaiden and the serpents to take over pursuit of the rogue council and the constructs they’ve cobbled together.
” Arlo continued before further conversation could take place.
“Don’t y’all think it’s time the shifters of Cookietown step back from this battle and continue to focus on building a safe space and a haven for those who have been affected by these travesties? ”
Thoughtful faces peered back at him, the voting took place slowly, with careful consideration and hushed conversations that eventually led to a unanimous decision to allow the serpents to handle what they’d started all those months ago.
They would move forward with Zaiden’s people providing detailed updates on all progress and any fresh revelations uncovered during their investigations.
That didn’t negate them from the obligations in Arlo’s eyes, Taggart’s biggest worry.
“We would have it no other way,” Zaiden assured them after listening to all they had to say.
Arlo felt a great sense of relief at the lifting of responsibilities that had come with the hard drives he’d given to Taggart following the vote.
Knowing that he could return home to his mates without fear of being sent on a mission that would further damage his mental health and erode his belief in the good that he knew existed in their world meant more to him than he could ever put into words.
When Bash had changed his designation from Enforcer to Security, Arlo felt conflicted, wondering how his partner in arms could make such a rapid shift so shortly after mating.
Only the events of the past weeks—months—had taught him exactly how and why, and Arlo was more than ready to embrace the change himself.
He’d done his part, never shirked his duties, and now, finally, he hoped to breathe and embrace a new chapter in his life.