by Leia Stone
“Why don’t you take your mom back home and have her lie down. I’ll handle… this.” I gestured to the body.
He nodded. “Are you sure?”
There were times in a relationship when one person was hurting more than the other; this was one of those times. Sawyer needed me to step up and I was going to be there for him.
“Yes.”
Sawyer walked over to the tree and my mom and dad backed up to give him space. His mother looked up into her son’s eyes, swimming with tears, and burst into uncontrollable sobs.
“He’s gone,” she wailed.
My chest physically ached to watch Sawyer bend down and place one hand on his mother’s back and another on his father’s chest. Curt’s face was covered with my dad’s jacket, but you could make out where his chest would be.
“He’s with Nana and Papa.” Sawyer leaned down and whispered something in his dad’s ear that no one could hear but him, and then he picked his mother up into his arms like she was made of glass. She clung to him, wailing uncontrollably, and I wondered if they would need to medicate her somehow. That kind of grief was fucking soul shattering.
My mom and I wiped at our eyes as we watched them walk away, then I called Eugene over.
I had to clear my throat a few times before I could speak without my voice cracking.
“Did he have a will? A desire to be cremated or buried?” I asked Eugene.
The big brute looked absolutely broken; his eyes were vacant and yet he still stood strong. “Yes. Buried. In his family plot.”
I nodded. “Can you arrange for a funeral home to prepare his body for burial? Have his personal affects sent to Sawyer?”
We’d need to plan the funeral, but that was something we could deal with tomorrow. He nodded. “Right away.”
Then I turned to my parents. “You guys should get home, lock yourselves inside until Sawyer sends word about the next step.”
My mom frowned. “Honey, you need us, we can stay—”
I shook myself. “No, I need to know you are safe at home while I help Sawyer. Please. I’ll call you later.”
They nodded, hugging me, and my mom took one final weepy look at Curt’s body and left with my father. I sat down under the tree with my dead father-in-law as guards ran all around us barking orders and dealing with the shitshow inside. We had dead and wounded, and even though the fire seemed to be out, the building was still being fully evacuated. It was a nightmare.
I reached out, laying one palm on Curt’s chest. “I’m sorry.” My throat tightened as I swallowed back tears. “I’ll take care of him for you.”
Curt loved Sawyer, jumped in front of a bullet to save him, and I knew he would want to make sure someone was always looking out for him. I didn’t know where we went after we died. I wanted to believe in heaven and God and all of that, but blind faith was hard for me. Still, if his soul was lingering somehow, I wanted him to go in peace.
“Can I sit with you?” Sage asked, and I looked up to see her covered in signs of war and holding the present box with my cuffs in them. Blood, soot, and grime marred her beautiful face.
I nodded and she plopped down next to me.
“Thanks for having my back in there,” I told her.
She looked offended. “I always have your back.” Then she looked over at Curt’s body and swallowed hard. “I can’t believe…” She shuddered. “My dad’s been away on business. He’s going to be devastated.”
I reached for her hand. “I’m so sorry.”
We sat there in silence, guarding the alpha’s body from harm until the coroner finally turned up. He looked shaken by the news, eyes wide as he and an assistant unrolled a canvas stretcher. I didn’t want to shake him up more, but I wanted to make sure he was going to treat the body properly, with respect.
“Can I trust you with his remains?” I asked, my voice more growly than normal.
The man gulped. “Yes, ma’am. It’s my honor to serve the Hudson family in this way. Curt gave me a small business loan five years ago during some rough times.”
And now I felt like a dick. “Okay. Thanks. Sorry. I’m—”
I’m in shock and I need therapy.
“It’s fine.” He smiled sweetly as they hoisted Curt into a body bag and began to zip it closed.
“Wait,” I said.
On a whim, I reached out and pulled the silver band from his ring finger and placed it around my thumb, making a mental note to give it to Sawyer’s mother later.
Once they were gone and my promise to Sawyer was complete, I turned to Sage.
“I think we should elope. This did not go well.” I tried for humor, but it felt wrong in my mouth.
She gave a dry chuckle. “I think you’ll—” Sage’s phone buzzed, as did mine and everyone’s around us.
I turned to look down at the alert on my phone. It was an emergency broadcast similar to an amber alert, but this was from Werewolf City.
The vampires have declared war on Werewolf City. Active duty, reserve members and anyone over eighteen willing to fight, please report to Sterling Hill campus at 0600 tomorrow morning. From now on, a curfew is in effect. Do not go out after dark. -Sawyer Hudson, Alpha
My eyes widened. War. Like for real war?
Sage’s spine straightened and Walsh popped out from behind the building, running toward us.
“What does this mean?” I asked.
Were the vampires going to drop bombs on us or something?
“Come on, I’ll drive.” Walsh ignored my question and tipped his head to Sage and I.
I took one last look at the spot Curt had lain; the grass was smooshed, the blades broken and red from where his body had rested. I knew that I would never be able to look at the base of this tree, or any other probably, and not think of him.
Shaking myself, I ran after Walsh and Sage, and prayed it didn’t come to actual war.
Walsh drove us to a big daddy mansion that I assumed was his parents’ house. It was perched right behind the school and there were a dozen black Range Rovers outside. This must be where Sawyer was.
‘Are you in this giant mansion Walsh just drove me to?’ I asked Sawyer mentally.
‘Yes, love. I asked him to bring you to me. Come inside.’
We all popped out of the car and Sage and Walsh started to talk to the two guards stationed outside while I stood there like an idiot.
“Step inside, go left, and he’s in the office probably. Meet you in there in a sec,” Sage told me, and I nodded.
I walked up to the doors, about to knock, and then figured that was stupid since his mom was probably resting and Sawyer had just told me to come in.
The porch was large, lined with a deep oak wood, and I stepped up to the two giant glass doors and turned the handle. Walking inside the travertine lined foyer, I turned left and immediately came face to face with Roland. His eyes were red rimmed and glassy like he’d been crying. “Oh, Miss Calloway, it’s so good to see you are alright.” He pulled me into a hug and my throat tightened as I hugged him back.
Sawyer told me that this man was a member of the family, and I could tell by how sweet he was to me that it held true. “Thank you, Roland.” I squeezed him tightly before we both let each other go.
He brushed a few stray tears off of his cheeks and nodded. “Come on in. Mrs. Hudson is resting, but Sawyer has requested you join him in the war room.”
War room.
He said war room.
Shit. This was real. This was really happening.
I gulped and walked down the long dimly lit hall. As we neared, I heard screaming voices. Well, one screaming voice. My fiancé.
“Do I look like I fucking care about money right now? Just do it! I don’t care what it costs,” Sawyer growled.
Roland opened the door after a light knock, and I stepped inside.
Whoa.
The room was large and completely bare but for a huge desk made of glass that looked like it was a giant tablet. Around it stood five m
en. Eugene, Brandon, Quan, some big dude I didn’t know with black dreadlocks, and a scrawny secretary dude I’d seen follow his dad around.
“Demi.” Sawyer rushed forward and pulled me into his arms. “You okay?” He looked down at me as if assessing me for any wounds he might have missed before. “Shit, our engagement party was ruined, I’m so sorry.”
I shook my head. “I don’t care.”
He nodded. “I know but… I wanted it to be special for you.”
His freaking dad died! The last thing on my mind was a special engagement party, but I knew he was a romantic and just wanted me to feel like a queen, and was probably still in shock.
He pulled out a folded piece of paper and slipped it into my back pocket. I frowned.
“I might be up late. Read that later when you’re alone,” he whispered in my ear.
I just nodded, confused as to why he would write me a note.
“Sir…” Eugene cleared his throat. “With the witches on the blood sucker’s side, our technology will be no match. Tankers, guns, helicopters, they can all be disabled with the flick of the wrist.”
Sawyer sighed and I’d never seen him look so old and worn down.
He turned to face Eugene. “I know that.”
“Are all of the witches against us, or just some?” I asked, assuming Sawyer wanted me in here to share ideas and not just look pretty. Not that I looked very pretty right now covered in blood and ashes.
“Reports are that the large majority wants to side with the vampires. We border Witch Lands, and Queen Drake has promised them our land if they help defeat us in the war,” the shrimpy secretary dude said. “And our army is holding the wall at our northern gate for now, but it won’t keep. There are more of them than there are us.”
Sawyer sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.
I raised my hand and everyone looked at me. “Why not offer the witches who want to defect a place to live here? Surely we have extra land and housing we could offer to witches willing to fight on our side? Raven said it’s pretty bad over there. Everyone can’t love it.”
Raven’s family had been cast out for speaking ill of the high priestess and calling for a public vote of new leadership. The high priestess had been alive for over a thousand years, and so she stayed in power indefinably. Some of the people were ready for change.
If you spoke ill of the high priestess, your electricity would get shut off or your food rationed. They were very controlling of their people.
“Witches come live here? In Werewolf City. Permanently?” Brandon asked, scrunching up his face.
I looked to Sawyer, who was stroking his chin. He was covered in blood; his hair had flecks of soot in it, and the entire room smelled of smoke. Shit was dire but here he was war planning, trying to save his people from harm. I loved him so much in this moment.
“If we can put aside our… obsession … with having a certain territory…” Sawyer nodded. “That could work. Pull up the map. Where could we put them?”
The secretary looked like he’d been smacked in the face. “You want me to find an area in Werewolf City to move in witches?”
Mr. Dreadlocks growled. “Yes, are you deaf? Your alpha gave you an order, now make it happen.”
Sawyer placed a hand on Dreadlocks’ shoulder. “It’s alright, Commander, it’s going to take some getting used to.”
Then he looked at me. “Is there a leader of their opposition? Can we get Raven over here to consult with us?”
Holy shit. He was actually listening to my idea. I nodded.
“Tell her I’m sending a car for her and her family,” Sawyer told me, and then started barking more orders at other people.
I pulled out my phone and texted my bestie.
Me: Umm so we’re at war, the alpha is dead and I need you to come to Werewolf City for a consult… Sawyer is sending a car.
Raven: WTF! Are you okay? Okay… can my parents come?
Me: Yes. Pack for a while. Miss you.
I was hoping to talk Sawyer into letting them stay here long-term, especially if he was letting other witches come.
“Raven and her parents are packing,” I told Sawyer.
He nodded, rubbing his face and looking more stressed than I’d ever seen him.
“I think we should—”
A siren went off and a walkie-talkie at Dreadlocks’ belt squawked.
“Vampires have breached the north wall. Orders, sir?” a voice came over the line and my eyes widened.
Dreadlocks looked to Sawyer, who peeled his lips back, his canines lengthening to points and pressing in on his bottom lip. “Kill anything that steps over that wall.”
Dreadlocks nodded. “Shoot to kill. I repeat, shoot to kill.”
The siren lessened to a low wail and Sawyer paced the room.
“How many in the reserves?” he asked, just as Sage and Walsh walked in.
“Three thousand,” Commander Dreadlocks said.
Sawyer stopped dead and spun on his heel. “That’s it?”
Dreadlocks swallowed hard. “Your father wasn’t keen on war.”
Sawyer shook his head. “Well, war is keen on us.”
Dreadlocks nodded, his back going rigid. “If I may be relieved sir, I’d like to get to the front line with my men.”
Sawyer nodded and Dreadlocks left the room.
Sawyer looked at the scrawny secretary then. “Please check on my mother, make sure the war siren hasn’t woken her.”
The man nodded and scurried from the room.
“We’ll go help at the north wall. Sorry again about your dad.” Quan and Brandon both gave Sawyer a quick bro hug and then left. Now it was just Walsh, Sage, Eugene, Sawyer, and I to stare at the map of Magic City that stood open on the tablet. He’d set up an imaginary battle where all of the magical races turned on us, and it didn’t look good.
“Someone give me some good fucking news,” Sawyer growled, rubbing the bridge of his nose.
Sage pulled out her phone and showed him something. “I’ve gotten at least a thousand responses from the emergency text you sent out of wolves wanting to enlist,” she told her cousin.
“It’s not enough! I need at least ten thousand more.” Sawyer reached up and pulled at his hair.
My eyes flicked to his the moment he said ten thousand.
The Paladins had ten thousand warriors and we’d just done them a favor.
“I know where we can get a couple thousand more warriors,” I said boldly.
“No,” he growled, as if he could read my thoughts.
Everyone in the room looked confused.
I swallowed hard, stepping up to kiss his cheek. “Sawyer, I can get you thousands more warriors.”
He grabbed the sides of my face, peering into my eyes. I saw so much emotion there. Anger, agony, possession. “Not in a million fucking years, Demi,” he growled.
“How?” Eugene’s voice came from behind me and I stepped back from Sawyer.
“Paladins. They are over ten thousand strong. I can ask for warriors and they will give them to me.”
Eugene looked impressed. “Do it. With those kind of numbers we could actually have a chance to win this thing.”
Sawyer spun on Eugene. “The Paladin don’t have phones and I have an ankle bracelet on. That means she would have to go there alone. NO.”
His eyes went yellow and I waited for Eugene to lower his head in submission.
He didn’t.
Eugene shouted, “Son, if we don’t secure these walls, we are looking at total annihilation within two days, and they’ll steal your fiancé and drain her blood!”
The veins in Sawyer’s neck bulged. “Or they find her on her way to the Paladin lands and just drain her there!”
I cleared my throat. “No one is draining anyone, okay. I can handle myself! I’ll go and be right back. I will meet you at the school with thousands more men by morning,” I declared.
If I really was the Paladin alpha, then they would come with me and
help me out, right?
Sawyer shook his head. “No.”
There was a finality in his voice, and I could hear his teeth clamp together and nearly crack as his jaw set.
I sighed. “Trust me. I’ll be right back.”
He needed to see reason or my parents and everyone we cared about were going to get killed.
“No,” he growled again, and this time alpha power lashed into the room wildly.
“We have to put our people first, Sawyer. Before our own needs.” I stepped closer to him.
“No.” This time it was a whimper. With a sigh, I slipped his dad’s ring off my thumb and then I stepped forward and placed it on his ring finger.
“I’m going to be back by morning, with warriors, and we’re going to win and get married.”
He clamped down on my fingers, a sob forming in his throat.
I didn’t want to do this to him. He’d just lost his father and he was vulnerable, but the north gate had already been breached. Soon it would be the east and the south, and what about when the vampires recruited the Ithaki? We were no match for the entirety of Magic City.
I looked to Walsh and Eugene, who’d been watching our passionate display from the sidelines.
They knew what this look was and they both nodded.
I nodded back.
They rushed forward and pulled his hands behind him, pinning him back as I stepped away from him. His eyes went wide at the betrayal.
“I’ll be right back,” I told him, heading for the door. “We’re going to win this fucking war.”
Then I did the hardest thing I’d ever done. I ran down the hall and left him there screaming my name.
‘Not again, don’t do this to me again. I can’t follow you with the ankle bracelet on!’ Sawyer yelled desperately in my head.
‘I got this. You have to trust that I am capable without you. I love you and I’m coming right back,’ I told him as I reached the front door and burst out into the night.
‘Demi, I swear to God if I cannot be there to protect you, I will die from heartbreak. Don’t do this to me. I already lost my father, I can’t take losing you.’
My chest constricted at his words, but I pressed on.
