Chapter 26
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
“Don’t worry.” Alex beamed at me. “She’ll ride with us. She won’t harm you.”
Luna twisted and writhed some more, but he didn’t even seem bothered by her efforts. She could have been a baby doll for the amount of concern he gave her, which seemed to infuriate her more.
Of course, Alex and Matthew would be heading back to the city with us. They were two of the vampire representatives, after all. There couldn’t be a council meeting without them, or at least not an official one, from what Erin had said before.
“Thank God.” Rosemary sneered. “If I had to ride in the back seat with her, I’d wind up slicing her to make things even.”
“You do realize she didn’t injure you, right?” Sierra arched an eyebrow and wrinkled her nose. “Ignore that. I have no clue why I’m taking up for her. Slice the bitch.”
“Because you enjoy arguing with me about everything.” Rosemary sighed.
“To the point of siding with a psycho,” Killian jumped in, taking up for Rosemary. He took a step closer to the angel while tsk ing at Sierra. “Maybe you’ll reconsider in the future.”
“Yeah, do you think that will actually work?” Sierra stood tall as if she were proud of having no filter. “I say what I think, and there are times when even I’m surprised by what falls out of my mouth, which is saying something.”
You guys are weird. Cyrus chuckled through the link, though not using the mocking tone I’d grown accustomed to hearing from him. It ’ s like no matter what gets thrown at you, you all bounce back together…like family. He sighed, and sadness trickled to me. I ’ m jealous of that.
Well, I have a feeling that you ’ ll fit right in soon enough , I replied. The truth of the matter was that I wanted him to be part of our team. He was important to me and the only immediate blood family I had left. If you’re open to it.
The image of Bart’s body flashed into my mind, making my smile fall.
“We’d better go before Erin and Azbogah get tired of waiting.” Griffin took my hand and turned, opening the door again to head back inside the house.
A council meeting seemed like a terrible way to end the night, but if we didn’t show up, it would cause more drama. Things were already tense between Griffin and me and most of the others on the council. That was probably why they wanted to talk to us.
“You guys go. We’ll take it from here,” Killian said as he patted Cyrus’s shoulder. “We’ll get the packs handled and bury the dead while you’re gone.”
“We’re leaving,” Matthew said as he pulled the keys from his pocket. “And we’ll meet you there.” The corner of his mouth tipped upward like he was up to something.
Alex winked at me as he followed his brother, clamping his hand over Luna’s mouth to keep her quiet.
Not even bothering to give the prince a reaction, I focused on my friends. “Let me know if you need anything.” My voice sounded thick with emotion. I wanted to help pay my respects to everyone who’d given or risked their lives for us tonight, especially Bart.
“We will.” Sierra hugged me tightly. “Just go take care of things. This will all still be here when you return.”
My side had mostly healed, so her touch didn’t hurt, and I was able to hug her back before stepping past Griffin. She was right. It would take time to heal and mourn the dead.
Rosemary’s breath caught as she turned, once again reminding me of her injury.
“Why don’t you heal yourself?” I asked and paused inside, waiting for her and Griffin to walk through. “Or can you not do that?”
“I can, but it takes even more magic.” She gently touched her chest just above her stomach, and the clean shirt she’d changed into clung to her from fresh blood. “I need to recover from healing Cyrus, but I’ll be able to do it closer to Shadow City.”
At least there was that.
I glanced over my shoulder, watching as Cyrus, Killian, and Sierra headed over to several men who were already working on moving the dead. The men listened and looked at Killian and then Cyrus with respect as each man spoke, so I knew things would be okay. Cyrus was ready to learn to be a strong beta. The role he was always meant to play.
Forcing myself to move forward, I faced the front again and headed to the car.
Rosemary groaned as we hit the bump where the land and the bridge that led to Shadow City connected. “Pull over.”
“Now?” Griffin asked as he slowed the vehicle. “We just got on the bridge, and we need to get to the council.”
“I know that,” Rosemary snapped. “But stop. I need a minute.”
She hadn’t healed herself yet, and her attitude worried me. “I thought you said—” I began, but my words died off as a bright light started to glow from the back.
The light grew brighter, and as I turned to check on her, the whole back seat lit up brighter than the sun. All I could do was close my eyes, hoping that my retinas hadn’t been burned to a crisp.
“Damn it!” Griffin bellowed as he slammed on the brakes, making the car lurch forward. “A little warning would’ve been nice.”
I faced forward, stretching out my arms to brace myself on the dashboard. The seatbelt caught, causing my body to jerk. The light in the back seat ebbed.
“I did warn you.” Rosemary’s voice was clear now, without any evidence of pain. “I told you to stop the car.”
“She’s right.” I blinked a few times, trying to stop seeing spots. “Are you going to light up again, or are we safe?”
She huffed. “I’m healed, and I couldn’t do that again right away, even if I wanted to.”
“Are you still hurt?” I looked at her and realized that her skin was a shade darker than normal. She still looked beautiful, but she looked tan. How the hell was that possible?
She shook her head. “No, I’m not, but it took a lot out of me to heal myself.” She lifted her arms and examined her skin. “My magic is almost depleted. It’s going to take some time for it to recharge.”
Griffin glanced in the rearview mirror. “Is that why you look different?”
“Yeah, our power inside projects outwardly more than it does in other races.” She rubbed her fingers together. “You can easily see our essence, though only angels can sense it.”
Her words settled over me. “Wait, are angels able to see the intent of others, too?”
“Yeah, we are. That’s one reason why I warmed up to you so quickly.” Rosemary shifted around, stretching out her arms. “Your light was pure like Mom’s, and of course, I felt the familial bond, though I didn’t quite understand that since it was different with your wolf and all.”
She’d warmed up to me quickly ? The first time I’d met Rosemary, she was complaining about not being waited on fast enough, which I hadn’t tolerated. When I’d pushed back, I’d somehow gained her respect, despite Carter bitching about how I shouldn’t have told her off. But I wouldn’t have called her reaction… warm .
“So I can see intent, too.” I ran my fingers through my hair, pulling it away from my face. “That’s why I don’t trust certain people, especially the ones negativity clings to, like Luna, Azbogah, Saga, and Dick.”
“Yeah, the wickedness around them is probably the worst I’ve ever seen, too. Granted, I haven’t been around much in the world outside of the city.” Rosemary blew out a breath. “God, it feels good to be able to move and breathe without hurting.”
“I’m glad you’re okay.” I leaned over and touched her arm. “Seeing you get hurt…” I trailed off as my throat dried. I’d lost so many people I loved.
“Hey, I’m not going anywhere.” She patted my hand awkwardly, clearly still uncomfortable with intense emotion. “So we’re good.”
A chuckle left my throat as I slumped in my seat. Rosemary being back to her awkward self comforted me.
Griffin pressed the gas, and the car accelerated toward the large gate. “Why didn’t you do that back at the house before we got into the Navigator?”
“Because I wasn’t strong enough yet, and I didn’t want to do it in the Ridge in case any humans were close by. They didn’t need to see the light.” Rosemary cleared her throat and crossed her arms. “I waited until the witches’ spell hid us.”
The gate opened without Griffin even having to get out, just like the last time we came. “Should we be worried?”
“No, there isn’t a threat inside, so someone was watching for us,” Rosemary answered. “Mom probably put out the word to the guards on duty.”
We pulled into the city, and within minutes, we were at the council building. The lights were on, making it clear that people were already inside.
“Alex and Matthew aren’t here yet,” Griffin growled as he parked. “Good, I wanted to beat them.”
“They left before us.” Rosemary opened her door and climbed out. “That’s actually not a good sign.”
Damn it , I hate to admit it, but she’s right , Griffin complained as he got out of the car. What if they don ’ t show up? They'll say the wolves are siding with me because I ’ m their alpha.
I tried to smile like I wasn’t concerned, but the trepidation through my bond spoke volumes. It had been a shit night, and the vampires unnerved me. They weren’t known for being helpful, and they hadn’t asked for anything in return.
Rosemary marched to the front door, with Griffin and me following close behind. The city’s ever-changing colors were more muted in the darkness. They didn’t demand my attention quite like they did during the day and almost reminded me of lightning bugs in the fields in summer.
The front door opened, revealing Yelahiah. Her gaze landed on Rosemary and then me, and her body relaxed. “Ever since I learned you all were under attack, I’ve been so worried. But we couldn’t chance leaving with Azbogah being the only angel in charge, so we mentioned the war to Alex and Matthew. Are any of you harmed?”
“No, we’re good,” Rosemary answered quickly. “I got hurt, but I’m fine now.”
She glossed over her injury like it was nothing, which I found intriguing.
Now ’ s my chance to get her back. Griffin smirked as he opened his mouth to rat Rosemary out, but I intervened.
If Rosemary didn’t want to go into detail over her injury with her mom, then we didn’t need to waste time. “Saga was the one coordinating the attacks. We had to kill her, and Alex and Matthew are bringing Luna here.”
“They aren’t here yet, and they have the one girl that can prove your innocence?” A muscle in Yelahiah's jaw twitched. “Azbogah is trying to paint you two as the culprits behind Dick’s death and the attacks tonight, saying you’re the common denominator. If you can prove that Luna and Saga were involved, that should satisfy the other council members who would side with you.”
Great, we were back on trial. I shouldn’t have been surprised. Azbogah would do anything in his power to get in a position to kill me and the others of my kind.
The door to the council room opened, and Pahaliah poked his head out. “Are you ready?” He gave his wife a sideways glance. “They’re waiting for Griffin, Sterlyn, Alex, and Matthew.”
Yelahiah replied sweetly, “We’re on our way.”
“Good.” He gave Rosemary a solemn gaze before closing the door once more.
“Uh…what did I just miss?” I asked. Pahaliah’s visuals had been a clue of some kind, but I wasn’t sure what.
The older angel straightened her shoulders. “Azbogah has already begun working the room. That’s one reason you all needed to get here as soon as possible. The longer he has to sway people, the harder it’ll be to keep those in your favor.”
I took a deep breath. I was so tired of having to prove ourselves, but there wasn’t a better alternative. The only other option was letting Azbogah weave more control through the council. I wouldn’t give the jackass the satisfaction.
“You two go first, since I’m not officially on the council.” Rosemary motioned in front of her. “Let’s get in there before the others get here.” She nodded in the direction of the parking lot.
She ’ s right. Griffin placed a hand at the small of my back and led me toward the council doors. Who knows what those two vampire idiots will say? Let ’ s at least say our piece first.
I had a feeling that if the vampires sided with Azbogah, it wouldn’t matter, but this was our best shot. We had to take it.
The four of us entered the council room. Everyone sat in the same seats as before, but each one glowered at us, clearly not happy to be there at this late hour. Ezra’s hair was messy from either sleep or stress, but the witches and vampires were all made up, proving they enjoyed the nighttime.
Is Ezra okay? In all the commotion, I hadn’t even considered the other council representative.
Griffin blew out a breath. I don’t know. When we were attacked, I couldn’t get ahold of him. Maybe he was asleep. I had to coordinate the guards, which was one reason I needed to stay close to the house and be there when they came.
I wasn’t sure how I felt about the shifter.
“ There are the troublemakers,” Azbogah spat as he stood and pulled at his oddly crumpled button-down shirt. “It’s odd that you all blamed Dick for your troubles, and yet, within weeks of his death, another deadly battle occurs with you two at the center. Maybe you were behind all of these supposed attacks and set the whole thing up for Dick and Saga to take the fall.”
Hell, he jumped right to the point, making his assumptions sound like facts. No wonder Yelahiah wanted us to get here so quickly.
“We are innocent.” Griffin tensed, his anger already bleeding through.
We needed to hold ourselves together, not come off as unhinged or easily upset. That would make us look guilty even if our words and actions rang true. We had to remain calm and purposeful. I looped my arm through his, showing our solidarity as we walked closer to the council.
Erin slammed her hands on the table, making her breasts bounce under a low-cut shirt that left little to the imagination. She leaned over the table, and I wasn’t sure how they didn’t spill out of the top. “That’s what everyone says. Now let’s vote that these two are the problem so I can get back to my date.”
Yeah, date had to be a far stretch of the word, but I forced my lips to stay shut. The woman already hated me enough. “Well, at least two of the vampire representatives are missing, so shouldn’t we wait for them?” This was a risky move, but there had to be something we could find to prove that we hadn’t been the people involved.
“If the majority here votes to get rid of the two of you, then we don’t need their votes.” Azbogah smirked cockily. He appeared so confident that this would go the way that he wanted. “So everyone who agrees to remove both Griffin and the silver wolf from the council, say aye. We don’t need people who cause this kind of drama representing the city. Gwen?”
The ivory-haired vampire flipped her hair over her shoulder, and her eyes sparkled with maliciousness. “Aye.”
Diana fluffed her hair. “Aye.”
“Aye!” Erin yelled gleefully and then glared at the dark-headed witch, who seemed to like to cause problems for her. “Now, Breena, tell them aye.”
My heart sank when I realized that if Breena and Ezra voted in favor of Azbogah, we would be removed from the council, and then the dark angel would come after me. Strong wolves always wanted a higher rank, so if Ezra were the one who could make the final decision, I wasn’t sure what he’d decide. No wonder the witch put Breena on the spot.
The young witch sighed dramatically and leaned back in her chair. She opened her mouth to cast her vote just as the chamber’s double doors crashed open.
Alex cruised into the room with his hand clutching a now human Luna’s arm. Matthew trailed in after them, wearing a smug look on his face.
“I can’t believe you started without us,” Alex chuckled, but there was a glint in his eye. “The whole council wasn’t present, so I don’t understand what’s going on.”
“We have your sister here,” Azbogah explained, pointing to Gwen, “And if six people here want Griffin and Sterlyn removed, then your two votes wouldn’t matter. It’s not like you would vote for these wolves. You know better than that.”
“Actually, we vote in favor of Griffin and Sterlyn staying,” Alex said as he jerked the wolf toward him. “Luna and her mother attacked them in their very own home.”
“Are you serious?” Diana hissed. “You’re going to side with shifters?”
“No, I’m siding with the truth.” Alex shrugged. “I mean, Azbogah seems a little too eager to get the wolves off the council. To me, it sounds like he has a vested interest in discrediting Sterlyn, maybe for his own selfish reasons.”
“Hey, now!” Azbogah growled. “I’m for all races having representation. I have worked across races for centuries now.”
“Yeah, you’re a saint.” Matthew shoved his hands into his pockets and stood on the other side of Luna. “But we can prove that Luna and her mother were the aggressors. Tell them, Luna.”
She jerked her head, refusing to say a word.
“Well, then we will,” Alex said, and winked at me. “We saw the fight, and actually, I’m the reason Sterlyn is standing here. I saved her from Saga, who was about to shoot her to death to avenge her husband. Dick and his family have been causing all the problems in the city and outside its gates, and Luna here can’t say otherwise because we’d all know it was a lie.”
“Tell them the truth,” Rosemary hissed at Luna. “Tell them what happened. Remember what happens to those who need to be forced. We can torture it out of you. I wouldn’t feel bad about it at all. One of your men stabbed me.”
“No, you wouldn’t.” Luna’s bottom lip quivered, and she shook her head back and forth.
Yelahiah played the part with her daughter. “We’re angels. We’re willing to do whatever it takes for the truth to be set free. If you’re honest, you know the punishment won’t be nearly as bad.”
Luna swallowed hard.
“Now listen here, you don’t get to threaten people,” Azbogah shouted.
But Luna nodded her head. “It’s true. Mom organized the attacks. All of them. Even the ones outside of Shadow City, with shifters fighting each other. She wanted to make Griffin look weak so Dad could take control. They had plans to take over the entire city.”
“What?” Pahaliah said in shock. “Then that settles it. If she were lying, we’d all know it, and that means these two aren’t guilty of anything.”
Azbogah’s face dropped in such disappointment it was almost comical. “Fine. Then what do we do with her?” He jerked a hand at Luna.
There was only one option that would work. It was the option that would hurt her the most. “Put her in jail and let her live out her days in solitude,” I said.
“What?” Luna jerked her head toward me. “No. You don’t get to make that call.”
“I second the motion,” Yelahiah stated, followed by Pahaliah, Griffin, Alex, Matthew, and then Ezra, even though the wolf shifter didn’t seem too thrilled with that decision.
But that didn’t matter right now because we managed to get the majority.
Before anyone else spoke, I stepped in, wanting to drive the knife deeper into Azbogah’s chest. “That’s seven votes right there, a majority rule.”
The dark angel scowled at me as Luna screamed, “You bitch. I’m going to kill you. You wait and see!”
“Ugh. Take her to the prison.” Erin waved her off. “Now I’m going back to my date.”
“And we’re going to head back to our packs to help bury our dead,” Griffin said tightly. Azbogah and Erin hadn ’ t counted on a real council meeting. They wanted the vote done quickly, thinking there was no way we could come out of this ahead.
I know. They had made that clear.
As we walked past Alex, he whispered just loudly enough for me to hear, “That’s three favors now, silver wolf. Remember that.”
My stomach dropped at the implication.