Chapter 38 #3
“Is that like having a tiger on a leash? I’m not really into accessories. Thanks though.” I smiled and turned away from the pair to find Matthew.
I noticed him sitting with his wife on a couch across the room.
Shane stood in front of them, retelling a tale where he, no doubt, was the victor.
His animation was eye-catching, and he seemed so full of life.
It made me wonder what sort of animal he turned into normally.
I slowly started to cross the room toward them.
As I drew closer, I could make out some of what he was saying.
“I spread my wings and took flight. When I did, the wind alone knocked him straight on his ass—again.”
Matthew noticed my presence first. “Joslyn, please come sit with us.” He stood up like a true gentleman as I came nearer, offering me his seat next to Heather, and I felt as though it would be rude not to accept.
“Thank you.” I looked over at Heather. “Are you enjoying yourselves? If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to let Bonnie or myself know. I am also staying in a cabin; so, I am close if you do need something. It’s so much more private than staying here in the apartments.”
“We are fine. Everything is wonderful; it always is when we visit. The cabins were a fabulous addition. Your grandfather had them built so people could have their own space and not feel dependent on other people. When you are dealing with cryptids you learn they tend to be very passionate individuals.”
“Passionate; that is a good word to use.” I smiled at the three cryptids. “I myself can be a passionate individual.”
“I can see that you attracted the attention of a vampire. A vampire that I have never seen with anyone, until now. He can’t stop staring at you.
If you are not in his sight, his mannerisms become anxious.
He doesn’t mean to hover, but he is extremely protective.
” I looked in her eyes and wondered if being a shapeshifter came with other abilities.
“Can you read minds?” My curiosity got the better of me, and I blurted it out before I could stop myself. “I’m sorry, that was rude. In fairness though you being able to read my mind without my knowledge would be sort of rude.”
The pleasant woman started to laugh. “You are a delight. No, I can’t read minds.
I don’t need to read his mind to notice that he is different, and not in a bad way.
You are a breath of fresh air; young and vibrant and honest to a fault.
So honest that you can’t even stop yourself from blurting things out. ”
My face went hot, and it felt like I was in a room full of teachers. Not that the analogy was totally off base. I would wager that everyone in this room had stories they could share that you would assume were nothing more than fantasy. I would be wise to keep my mouth shut and my ears open.
“I do apologize; I have a tendency to do that very thing.”
“It’s part of who you are, and I love it. Don’t apologize for something that is a huge part of who you are.” She placed her hand on top of mine. “I see you and I think you are beautiful inside and out.”
“Thank you.” That’s all I could manage to get past my lips. This was a sweet woman, and she reminded me of my mother.
“So, Shane and I are going to leave you and Matt to talk. I will see you at dinner; I do believe we have about twenty minutes.”
“I will see you at dinner.” I smiled and collected my thoughts before I spoke.
I turned to Matthew once they were out of earshot. “I would like to implore you, instead of only being the head of the shapeshifters, that you also become an active leader with equal say within The Order.”
“Meaning you don’t feel competent enough to do the job alone?” His words were also very much unfiltered and even though it stung, I respected it.
“I would be a fool to think I was equipped to do this job alone without any guidance from the ones who are why this order even exists in the first place. How would you suggest I rule over something I don’t understand?”
“Admitting ignorance is a powerful thing. It means you’re willing to learn.”
“Of course I want to learn. Who wouldn’t want to learn more?
I will learn with time; it’s not going to happen overnight.
However, even when I have learned the power should not only lie with me.
I don’t want to make decisions without any input from the other four leaders.
I want to know that we are all on the same page and that everyone has a say. ”
“When are you going to implement this? Giving us all an equal say in how things are run.”
“Or judged. I want us all to listen to Alexander and Scott’s version of events surrounding Xavier’s death.
I want us to come to a decision together.
We are more likely to see things from every aspect and not miss anything if we are all hearing the same thing at the same time.
Then we convene and come to a ruling on the matter. ”
“You have my support, and my guidance is yours whenever you require or seek it. I like you and I think you are going to take us into a new era ruled with respect and not with fear. I don’t like being feared unless it’s necessary.”
“I’m very happy to hear that. I want to do the best I can and I need as much support as possible.”
I rose from the couch and held my hand out to Matthew. He took my hand in his and shook it.
“Thank you for revisiting Xavier’s case. I think it’s far overdue.”
“I get the distinct feeling you aren’t the only one.”
I smiled and excused myself, returning to Maddox. I slid my hand into his, and he turned and placed a kiss on my forehead. He made it seem so easy for someone who didn’t show affection in public. Well, apparently, he had no one to show affection toward in public previously.
A few minutes later Bonnie clapped her hands together to garner everyone’s attention. “Dinner is served in the solarium if everyone would just follow me.”
She turned and began to lead everyone into the adjoining room.
As we entered, I couldn’t quite see over the people in front of me.
When we made it into the room, the only illumination was coming from strands of white lights that hung from the ceiling.
Everything glowed and all the windows gave the darkness outside a sense of mystery.
The scene was fitting for the group of individuals in attendance.
The tables were positioned to make a large U-shape in the center of the room.
Each table setting had a place card proclaiming which person was assigned to sit there.
As I walked along the table, the beautifully embossed names caught the faint light as I moved past. I kept walking toward the center of the table.
I had assumed correctly; Bonnie had positioned me at the head of the table.
Maddox was to the right, and Oscar was to the left.
I felt tiny seated between the two enormous men.
Dinner commenced, and our glasses were filled, and our plates were piled.
As dinner wore on, Oscar shared a few stories about my grandfather and I didn’t stop him.
I was beginning to feel like I didn’t want them to share their stories.
I honestly felt like I didn’t know that part for a reason, and the way he operated within the two very different roles of his life were completely at odds with one another.
He didn’t want me to know this part for a reason and maybe it was better left that way.
I didn’t want to tarnish my memories or to think that he was pretending with us because I don’t think he was.
He genuinely seemed to enjoy every moment we spent with him.
“So why don’t you tell me about you and your family? I would love to learn as much as I can. I feel very much inept.”
I was trying to change the subject while also maybe gaining some knowledge and building a relationship with someone who would be a powerful ally no doubt. Hopefully one day I will be able to refer to these people as friends.
His golden eyes flashed, and I could see his pride bubbling over.
“Uryah is a wonderful leader, and she has a fierce protective nature that makes others bow before her. I couldn’t be happier with the person I will be leaving in charge when I do decide to step down.
I hope the two of you get a chance to spend some time getting to know one another. ”
“You are the proud papa; that is heartwarming. I can see how much you love your daughter and how you love to see her shine.” I smiled warmly, slightly envious.
I didn’t have a father; Ray was the closest thing I had, and he wasn’t there every day once we moved out. Oscar blushed slightly, and it made the moment even more endearing.
“I love that girl; she is the perfect mix of me and mostly her mother. Lex is fierce when the situation calls for it, but she is a safe place and comfort. That woman gives me the only place I want to come home to. I go to sleep next to her every night and wake up next to her every morning. She lifts the spirits of everyone around her and most of the time she doesn’t even realize it. ”
I leaned forward slightly and looked to see if she could overhear her husband gushing about her.
If she could, she didn’t indicate it. I doubted that she wasn’t hearing at least some of it, but perhaps she was used to him talking about her.
I turned my attention back to Oscar as I saw Lex slide her hand over her husband’s on top of the table. She could indeed hear him.
“So, Uryah has her beautiful personality from her mother and her fearless spirit from you. Her willingness to protect what she loves; that she gets from both of you. I can’t wait to spend time with her and get to know her.”
I took a bite of my food and let it ignite my taste buds. Everything tasted wonderful and I thought it must be some type of magic.