by C. M. Cevis
“And giving him over?” Nick asked. Willow was pleased he hadn’t said who they’d given him too. Just because everyone looked human didn’t mean that they were. He was learning quickly.
“It was the right thing to do. He hurt a lot of public perception with what he did. The beings around you have worked hard to fit in and to be accepted. Not to be feared as if they are brainless, snarling beasts. He did damage, and he has to deal with the repercussions.”
Nick sighed and nodded. “Something tells me that their repercussions are much more severe than ours.”
Willow smirked. “You would be correct,” she replied. “Hey, how is your brother doing?”
“He’s gotten himself together. He’s got a good job, a nice place, a support system of friends around him. I am so proud of him,” Nick said, his eyes shining with warm, brotherly love.
“Did he call the bartender that I told him about?” Willow asked.
Nick froze, suspicion all over his face as he looked at her. “He did say something about a new mentor, a local bartender,” he said slowly. “Is that your doing?”
“He needs a pack, Nick. He has two families now—that’s how it works when you’re a shifter,” she said.
Nick’s eyes widened. “He told you that day in my office?” Willow nodded. “Why?”
Willow grinned and shrugged. “I’m a good listener,” she replied. She looked Nick over, taking just long enough to make him slightly uncomfortable. “Come see me some time, Detective. You don’t even have to pay.” She turned and walked away.
“I’m jealous, mon ami. I’ve known her a lot longer than you have, and I’ve never gotten that offer. I’d take it, were I you.” Nick turned toward the voice in time to see Ose smirk, wink, and disappear into the crowd.
30
WILLOW STOOD IN FRONT OF the familiar room once again and waited until she was pretty sure that everyone who was coming had arrived. Then she brought everyone’s attention front and center.
“I wanted to arrange one more presentation for you guys, but this one won’t be me talking,” she said. Chloe stood at the back of the room, almost blending into the wall. “How many of you have heard of the Organization?” she asked.
Hands went up all over.
“We’ve all heard of them, but no one can prove that they exist,” someone said.
“After all these years with nothing concrete, I’m pretty sure the Organization is a myth. We’re all we’ve got,” another said.
Willow smiled. “That’s what the government has always wanted you to think, my loves. But today, I’ve got something special for you.” Willow walked around the perimeter of the room as she spoke, stopping when she reached Chloe, who grinned. “If you’ve ever had any questions about the Organization, now would be the time to ask them. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you one of my closest friends, and an agent in the Organization.” Gasps and mutters met her announcement. “Ask away,” she invited.
Chloe stepped forward, and the room exploded with shouted questions.
“Okay, okay, calm down,” Chloe called out above the din. “I swear to you, I will answer every question that you have, but let me answer the big one first. Yes, the Organization does exist, and it has since long before I became an agent. You weren’t supposed to know about us, but since the preternatural community has come farther into the light, the higher ups think that perhaps it’s time that we do too.” She smiled and pointed to the first hand that she saw as Willow stepped back. This wasn’t her show today.
“Let’s start with the cute redhead in the corner. Lay it on me.”
Epilogue
IT HAD BEEN ALMOST A month since the events that led to Alex’s “disappearance,” and things were starting to calm down in the preternatural community. Kind of. Willow was in her condo with the news on for background noise when Max’s voice brought her attention around.
She focused on the screen where Max stated that his son Owen had been kidnapped a few nights before, and he was asking for the public’s help. Owen was the lead singer of a wildly popular rock band, and the hope was that if anyone had spotted him, they’d definitely remember it and call into the tip line that had been set up in conjunction with the BCPD. Willow had just enough time to think that it was odd someone even had the ability to kidnap a vampire from a line as powerful as Max’s when her doorbell rang.
Willow made her way to the door, her mind still on the news report as she strained to hear what was being said. She opened the door to reveal Chloe. Willow could immediately feel the anxiousness rolling off of her.
“We need to talk,” Chloe said. Her eyes shifted to look behind Willow, locking on the news report. Willow stepped out of the way, motioned for Chloe to come in, and closed the door behind her, locking it. Something told her that the last thing she needed was someone wandering in on whatever conversation she was about to have.
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