8. Emma
CHAPTER EIGHT
emma
The Gathering Place
Between Bear Trees & Red Tail Territories
“Please repeat your request, Multimorph,” Torbin rumbled from his spot at the head of the table, his Scandinavian accent heavier than normal. “It is most unusual.”
I stood at the front of the Gathering Place between the council seated at their large table and the crowd seated on the tiered benches.
Someone had scrubbed the stage and the table clean of any trace of Salali’s trial.
Judging by the collection of stony expressions and the murmur of dissent among the attendees, Olivia hadn’t been kidding about the alphas and the high-ranking representatives being pissed off.
When I had gotten back to Six-Mile, I’d parked my Ducati in one of the shops and gone to find my mother.
She’d been in her cabin, had made tea for both of us, and had smiled sweetly while she caught me up on what Dr. Wise had been teaching her.
Nothing I’d said about anything surprised her.
She was convinced I could do anything successfully.
Then I’d spent the rest of my time preparing to manage this hostile host of jerks. After hanging out with the easygoing Riley and Shannon, I found shifters to be such a prickly pain in the ass with all the politicking, all the egos, and all the posturing.
Per my request, Logan had begrudgingly agreed to stay in Six-Mile, and we’d said our goodbyes before I’d left. By my decree, he still wasn’t allowed a council seat. I wanted to run the conclave on my own. He’d sent Olivia in his stead.
Now I resisted the urge to pinch the bridge of my nose before I continued convincing them to do what I wanted them to do.
“As I outlined previously, I’d like to enact a shifter exchange program,” I announced.
“We need to practice fighting together, and this is the best way to accomplish that. If each clan has the opportunity to work with the varied skills of other kinds of shifters, then we’ll be that much ahead of the game when training begins at Six-Mile. ”
“What does this look like in execution, Multimorph?” someone other than Torbin asked from the council table behind me.
I spread my arms wide. “Each clan will send six warriors, one each to six different shifter groups. This will help keep the cost on resources as even as possible. Beyond that, you can also send up to two dozen additional warriors to Six-Mile, where Olivia and Logan will begin basic weapons and battle training,” I said.
“This is in addition to any shifters who may be convalescing there already.”
“Impossible,” one of the shifters hissed from the audience.
“As a kindness, in the interest of supporting the whole, Six-Mile has offered its grounds. It is the most affluent clan, and as the home of the multimorph, it will likely remain so. There is no reason for another territory or clan to take on the expense or responsibility of housing an army in training. Six-Mile can handle the billeting.”
More grumbling.
Placing my hands on my hips, I glared at the assembly. “Listen. We are not currently ready for a direct confrontation with Acheron, and we don’t have time to wait for each of you to get used to the idea of mixing ranks. Our lives depend on the skills we build between now and the final battle.”
And it’s borrowing on hope to believe he’s not on our borders already. But I didn’t say that part aloud.
“Please recall that I do not require you to agree with my plan or even believe it is a good idea. You simply need to do it.”
Another disgruntled groan rumbled through those in attendance.
“And what will you be doing while our warriors are in Six-Mile?” the raccoon alpha asked. “What will the multimorph deign to do?”
“I will be training others in Bear Trees, as I promised. They were the next clan to send five warriors to Six-Mile per my original request. Breaking my word isn’t an option, and Bear Trees earned my time.”
The raccoon shifter chittered in response.
Torbin snuffed before growling. “Bear Trees relinquishes its right to the multimorph’s time. She is clearly needed in Six-Mile.”
I glanced over my shoulder and shot Torbin an appreciative look. Despite his offer, it was important to his clan for them to see me in his territory and for me to see his home.
“That’s not necessary, Torbin. I will come, and I’ll take as long as we need. Salali hasn’t diminished my desire to visit the homes we’re all protecting. Three clans provided the required warriors before any others, and they earned specialized training.”
Torbin ducked his head. “As you wish, Multimorph.”
Specialized training was probably an exaggeration, loftier than anything we would actually do, but the appearance was worth it—especially in the middle of a conclave of surly shifters.
At least Torbin’s audible support diminished the overt, muttering dissent about the shifter exchange program. Who knew what they’d all do once they left the Gathering Place.
Talking back and forth grew louder, and I raised my hands to still the crowd. “I have one more announcement.”
Silence fell.
“If any more traitors are discovered, they will be detained and brought to me,” I said.
“After Salali’s unfortunate treachery, I’ve decided it’s unfair for the shifters to sentence one of their own.
Additionally, not all punishments are the same from clan to pack to flock or herd.
Traitors will be brought to me, delved appropriately, sentenced by me, and then punished by me. ”
It was as though they all gasped with one breath. Even the council members behind me inhaled.
“If I can’t be reached, bring them to Six-Mile, and Logan will detain them until I can be reached. I will be the judge, jury, and…” I swallowed to steady myself. “…executioner from today forward. No arguments will be entertained, and this is not up for discussion. I am the multimorph.”
“Sure.”
“Heard.”
“Understood.”
“Yes, Multimorph,” many, but not all, murmured.
It was enough.
“Thank you for being here on such short notice, and we will reconvene beneath the Cold Moon in December. Unless Acheron rears his ugly head before.” No doubt he will.
“What about the Beaver Moon?” This came from the blasted raccoon shifter.
“We have no official or current plans for a meeting beneath the Beaver Moon.” I grinned, hoping I seemed friendly and not stressed.
“Unless you want to throw a Thanksgiving party in Six-Mile. If that’s something you would like to do, follow up with Olivia, the Six-Mile beta, and she’ll let me know. ”
A strained chuckle rippled through the group. So much for lightening the mood.
Jasper Sionnach tossed me two thumbs up from his spot next to Olivia.
He was the brother of Flynn, the Red Tail alpha, who sat on his other side.
Where Jasper was dark red, Flynn was lighter in a peachy way.
They both nodded along with everything I said.
At least they had bought into the idea of my overseeing all aspects of shifter life and culture.
The meeting concluded without applause, and I crossed to Torbin before he stepped down from the dais. “I’ll follow you to Bear Trees from here. Phil will bring my bags later.”
“As you wish, Multimorph.” He stepped down and eased closer. “How do you fare since the beheading, Emma?”
I blinked rapidly, unaccustomed to hearing my given name from the tough old bear’s mouth. “I’m fine.” The lie came out without much forethought, but I didn’t correct it or change it. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
“That is doubtful.”
“It’s the answer I have, Torbin.”
“What of Logan? Have you seen your mate? Spent time with him, reforging your bond?”
My cheeks flamed at his poetic description. Discussing my sex life with Torbin hadn’t been on my to-do list today. “We… We… have had a… an… interlude.”
He nodded deeply. “Ah, yes, then that is the source of your strength and the steadying of your soul.”
“You’re… not… wrong,” I finally agreed. What else could I say?
“If you are ready, Multimorph, we will return to our homes. You will stay in my hollow, Multimorph. It is the biggest in Bear Trees, and I have promised Logan to keep my eye on his mate. Personally.”
“Ha! Are you kidding me?”
“I am not, Multimorph. When your summons reached me, he had sent his own missive as well.” Torbin bowed slightly. “Come, Multimorph, let’s tour your temporary home. It’s not far. No need to shift. It’s a brisk walk.”
After we crossed into Torbin’s territory, he led me to a five-tree grove of old-growth cypress trees. Jasper had followed us over, but he’d filtered back into the forest once we’d made it within eyeshot of Torbin’s place.
I peered up into the thick, drooping branches above. The oldest tree had to be a thousand years old. Incredible. In the widest trunk, in the middle, a large opening gaped between the cypress knees with dirt mounded around it.
“This is home,” he said in his gravelly rumble.
“How did those grow here?”
“It is old growth and old magic.”
“Okay…” I frowned. “But these usually grow in or near swamps.”
“Several hundred years ago, this area used to be a swamp. It is in a floodplain, but we have not yet had enough rain to refresh the waters beneath the surface. Over the years, I built the ground up around the trunks of these trees to take advantage of their wide bases.” He poked his head into the hollow, took a deep breath, and then turned back to me.
With a slight bow, he gestured for me to go in. “It is safe. Please be welcome.”
I passed by him and stepped into the hollow. Magic warding brushed over my skin, raising goose bumps all over me. “You’ve warded the place.”
“You’ll find all homes are warded in Bear Trees, Multimorph.”
“How close together are your homes?”
“Not close,” he said. “We are spread out. Our warriors will be here for training by tomorrow’s daylight.”