Holly and pine boughs decorated the hall, giving the room a festive air and a crisp, clean scent. Christmas was only a few days away, yet the atmosphere was more than just merry as people laughed and talked. It was hopeful.
While Sean busied himself with greeting guests, the polite banter was lost on Lily. Wide eyed she surveyed the room and all its regalia. The ceiling was beamed with rough-hewn boughs and dotted across its length with large, iron chandeliers. Two stone hearths graced either end of the room, both immense and fully ablaze, yet it was the center table that held her fascination.
A great, round, slab of carved oak sat at the direct center of the room. Nine wooden chairs surrounded it, each adorned with the crest representing the dual nature of the hunter elected to that seat.
“Close your mouth, Lily. You look like a codfish,” Sean said from the corner of his mouth.
“I can’t help it. This place looks like something from another time. I’m surprised there aren’t rushes on the floor or half-dressed serving wenches carrying trenchers of food.”
“Read Harlequin much?”
“Shut up. There’s nothing wrong with romance novels. You could learn something from them, you know.”
Sean’s mouth curved into a slow, seductive grin. He let his fingers drift casually along the side of her arm, deliberately grazing the edge of her breast. “Could I now?”
Lily’s breath caught in her throat. She opened her mouth to retort, but was interrupted by the sound of beating of drums.
Trumpets sounded, and nine people cloaked in red and gold robes entered through an ornately carved door to the side of the far hearth. The room fell silent.
“The Hunter’s Council,” Sean breathed in her ear.
“Shouldn’t you be with them?”
He shook his head. “I’m the Alpha Council. I sit at the head, but matters are decided amongst the nine. Only during a stalemate do I get involved. My job is to preserve the safety and security of the Compound and to protect our anonymity. It is my wish that you be recognized tonight. That’s why I’m standing here with you, instead of with them.”
Lily didn’t know what to say. The council members approached the table, each carrying a long lance. Sean explained they were the traditional weapons used to hunt Weres centuries ago. Each possessed an extraordinarily long spearhead thought to be spelled. It was believed the spearheads kept the souls of each Were whose heart it had pierced. He went on to say the council now carried them in remembrance of ancestors who died at the hands of human superstition and fear.
Lily gulped. Human superstition and fear? What about her human intolerance and hate? Suddenly she was sorry she had chosen to girl-it-up tonight instead of wearing her usual armor.
Sean wrinkled his nose at the quick spike in her adrenaline. “Relax. You have nothing to worry about. These people owe you their lives. We wouldn’t be here tonight otherwise.” He squeezed her hand. “Besides, I have my own personal reasons for wanting this,” he added whispering through her mind.
A stunned grin spread across Lily’s face. Picking up on his thread her smile grew. “You never said we could actually speak telepathically! I thought it was just imprinted memories and residual images.”
“You never spoke to anyone else this way, not even Terry?” he asked.
“No one, never…this is great! Now I can keep a smile on my face even if I’m yelling at you!”
“Ha. But you’d better watch what you say. I’m not the only one with this talent, you know. It’s just stronger between us because we’ve…” Sean trailed off growling low in the back of her mind, sending her explicit images to make his point.
Lily’s face grew hot as the sensation pinked up to her ears. “Cut that out!” she hissed.
The nine were seated, and Mitch Paris, Sean’s second-in-command stood. “Sean Leighton, Alpha Council of the Brethren,” he paused rapping his lance on the floor three times, “Make your request.”
With Lily in tow, Sean approached the table. In a loud voice, he addressed the hall. “As Alpha Council of the Brethren and Protector of the Compound, I formally request that Lily Saburi be initiated as an ally and honored member of our ranks. She has shown true compassion for our kind, even at the cost of her own sacrifice and suffering. She’s is a companion-at-arms and a friend to the pack.”
The room erupted into cheers. Even Mitch had to stifle a smile as he rapped the end of his lance calling for order. Shouting over the din, he rapped the lance again, “What say the council?”
Eight council members stood, sending eight resounding ayes echoing through the great hall. But when the room quieted, all eyes turned to the still seated and silent ninth.
Lily held her breath feeling Sean stiffen at her side as Edward Parr, ninth council, stood and faced the hall.
“I, too, acknowledge this young woman’s sacrifice and her help. Let it be recorded that for those reasons I, too, am grateful. However, everyone here knows what our traditions allow and what constitutes sedition. It is no secret I was not in favor of this council when it was formed. Over the centuries each Were group had its own method of governance, separate from the other. Now we are thrown together for reasons of necessity, as some believe. But, I for one, believe that our individual traditions and rituals suffer by it.
“I acknowledge that centuries of change in the human world have led us to where we are now, yet I cannot and will not agree to flout tradition so much so as to allow a human to join our ranks. It has never been done, and as long as I draw breath it never will.”
Sean stepped forward with a nod to Rissa to come and stand by Lily’s side. “I can appreciate your reluctance, Edward,” he began. “However, Lily Saburi stands as an exception to our tradition. She has Were blood flowing through her veins, the same blood that has provided us with the cure for the disease that would otherwise lead to our slow, but certain extinction. While it’s true the amount is small, it still gives my request validity.”
A hushed murmur began to spread as people debated among themselves. It grew to a dull roar as dissent broadened. A gleam of triumph glinted in Parr’s eyes, knowing that council members would never vote with such unrest and indecision swarming throughout the community. He turned toward Sean. “Of course, there is a solution to this dilemma, but you already know that. It is the only acceptable one for many of us. You must turn her.”
In a clatter of books tumbling to the floor, Doctor Volkmann stood with a look of shock and disbelief on his face. “That’s not possible! How could you even make such a request? We need her to stay intact, at least until we have a vaccine that is fail-safe.”
Volkmann pointed his finger at Parr. “You are a calculating madman, sir. By demanding this, you risk the health of every Were in this community, including Ms. Saburi’s. We will self-destruct. But perhaps that is your intention!”
The little man’s voice trembled with anger. Everyone knew the consequences, not only for the Weres, but for Lily, as well. The event of a premature conversion increased the likelihood of Lily’s blood becoming tainted, and the end result was unthinkable.
Parr’s eyes held a sly glint as they narrowed. “I know full well the risks, Doctor. Then again, what good is our future survival if we have nothing anchoring us to our past?”
The room exploded as factions splintered. Fights broke out between rival groups. Old grudges and slights long buried were once again unearthed, and chaos ensued.
Sean howled, a long piercing sound that brought the room immediately to order. He looked at Parr whose white teeth flashed momentarily in triumph. His adversary had managed a stalemate, a decision required of the Alpha Council. Parr’s smile said it all, it had happened just as he wanted.
Sean knew he had been set up. He should have anticipated this, but he thought for sure that the security and health of the community at large would supersede any past disputes.
Now he knew he was wrong. Personal gain and power was at the root of this—as if they weren’t up against enough.
He how
led again, but this time the pitch was higher, resonating in multi-timbres. The community fell to its knees in shock. It was the timbre of the Alpha, and its significance unquestionable. Sean was pissed. “This meeting is recessed till midnight.” Storming out of the room he left every Were trembling in his wake, but he didn’t care, he needed time to think.
Lily went to follow, but Rissa held her back. “No Lil. He’s in Alpha mode, and he needs to be alone. This is a serious. He needs time to weigh everything, and your presence would only make matters worse. It’s going to be hard enough for him to be impartial, without you adding to it. Why don’t you let Mitch and me walk you back?”
***
Lily shut her bedroom door, slumping against the jamb. She hadn’t said a word the whole way back, but Mitch and Rissa were just as quiet, neither knowing what to say. They were just as stunned. As she stood in the dark, Lily couldn’t help but wonder which way Sean would decide. Maybe Parr was right, and she didn’t belong here.
“Why are you standing alone in the dark?”
Lily whirled, snapping on the light. “Terry! Jesus, Mary and Joseph…where have you been?”
“Just giving you a little space, that’s all.”
“Space, really? You have no idea what just happened. I could have really used someone on my side tonight.”
“I gather it didn’t go as Sean expected.”
“To say the least...” Lily exhaled, flopping down on the couch. “Sean honestly thinks this can work, but I don’t know, Terry. I’m starting to think I don’t belong here after all. Maybe we should just go home, perhaps Sean will decide to come with us.”
Terry didn’t answer. She just looked at her friend, a bittersweet expression on her face.
“What’s the matter? Don’t you want Sean to come? I thought you liked him.”
Terry laughed, her eyes shining with unshed tears. “Oh, Lil, I love Sean, and I know whatever happens you two will be happy. It’s just,” she paused, struggling to find the right words. “It’s time for me to say goodbye.”
Lily sat straight up. “Goodbye? What do you mean goodbye?”
“I finished what I stayed to do, Lily. You don’t need me anymore; you’re going to be all right.”
Lily was speechless for a moment. She didn’t need this bull right now. “You’re full of it, you know. What could possibly make you spew such garbage? If tonight proves anything it’s that I certainly do still need you. Don’t be an idiot, Terry, you’re not going anywhere.”
Her friend smiled sadly. “You don’t understand. You’ve grown so much, and you don’t even see it. You’ve learned to let go, Lily. You’ve gotten past it all and learned to forgive. Especially yourself. You’re going to be okay, no matter what.”
Lily just sat there stunned. “You’re right, I don’t understand. Where are you going, then? Does Sean know?”
“Yeah,” she nodded. “I told him this morning, but I asked him not to say anything to you. I wanted to tell you myself…say goodbye just the two of us. It’s funny. I thought sticking around was my choice, but it looks like God was in on it the whole time, and now I have to go. So you see, I’m not actually going anywhere, I’m just moving on to where I should have gone in the first place.”
Lily finally understood. She’d heard all the clichés about spirits going into the light, but in all her years as a psychic she’d never been witness to it. A deep ache began to squeeze her chest, and she suddenly couldn’t breathe. Standing up, she gripped her own arms against the pain. It was like losing Terry all over again. “When?” Her words were barely a whisper.
“Anytime now.”
The door to the bedroom opened quietly. “I figured you might need me right about now,” Sean murmured, walking toward where Lily stood hugging herself in stunned silence. She looked so fragile he slid his arms around her shoulders as if trying to hold her together.
Soft tears trickled down her cheeks. “It’s not fair,” she mumbled burying her face in Sean’s chest.
“I’m sorry, Lily. I know the timing sucks,” Terry said, her voice echoing with regret, but she had no more control over this than anyone else.
The air in the room changed. It sparked as if suddenly overflowing with static electricity, and a tiny light winked into existence, swirling swiftly behind Terry.
It grew in its brilliance until she was entirely immersed. Divine radiance filled her as she took her first step into the vortex.
“Terry, wait!”
She looked back, her translucent hair whipping silently around her. “I can’t sweetie, even if I wanted to,” she said, with a shake of her head. “Only happy tears for me Lil’…this is as it should be. Remember, I love you…always,” she whispered and then was gone.
Lily just stared at the empty space where Terry had just been, and an even emptier feeling crept across her heart.
“You okay?” Sean asked, wiping her cheek.
Blinking back the rest of her tears, Lily shook her head. “Not really.”
Sean pulled her close. “Terry’s right, you know. She’s where she should be, and it’s a better place than you or I will ever know here on earth.”
Lily’s breath hitched in her throat. “You’re right, and I know what you said is true. It’s just going to take some time for my heart to catch up to my head.”
Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and rested her head on Sean’s chest. This had been some night, but upset as she was, she wasn’t giving Sean lip service. Terry was right. Though her heart was breaking, she knew she was going to be okay. A month ago she would have either fallen to pieces or beat the crap out of someone—probably both.
Lily sighed and snuggled in further beneath Sean’s arms. She loved his strength, and how he made her feel when they were together, like she’d never have to put up a wall again.
With everything happening in his world tonight, it meant so much that he thought to be with her, even though she knew he would have to leave again. More than just her fate lay in the balance, and the weight of the heavy burden was clear in the air around them.
“Aren’t you supposed to be somewhere else? It’s almost midnight, you know.”
“I know, but I also knew you needed me.”
“I did,” she admitted wrapping her arms around him tighter. She inhaled, waiting for the familiar suffocating feeling, but it didn’t come. Being able to confess that she needed someone, so easily, and without the usual self-loathing, stunned her. Terry was right, again. She’d learned to let go. Only problem now was she didn’t want to let go of Sean, afraid if she did it would be the last time she’d hold him like this.
Neither one spoke, but his tension was evident nonetheless. “You should probably get back; they’re all waiting for you,” she whispered along their shared mind path unable to speak the words out loud.
“I know. Lily, whatever happens tonight…”
Lily opened her eyes to stare up at him, putting her finger to his lips. She shook her head slowly. “I love you, Sean. I know you’ll do what’s right. Not just for me, but for everyone. Do what you have to, and don’t worry. I’ll be fine.”
Through the window, they heard the sound of the drums starting again. Their cadence was slow at first, but as it increased in urgency, Lily clutched the back of Sean’s shirt. They were out of time.
Resting his head on top of hers, he murmured, “It’s time.”
Beneath his chin, all she could manage was a nod. Squeezing back tears, she opened her mind, flooding his with love and reassurance. “Whatever you decide, I’ll never regret this…or you.”
Sean stepped back, and it struck her then how his eyes searched hers. “You sure?” he wondered aloud.
With a steadying breath, she smiled bravely. “Surer than anything else in my life.”
Sean didn’t say a word. He kissed her instead, leaving quickly without saying goodbye. Standing at the window, she watched him cross the courtyard, keeping her mind linked with his until he closed the door between the
m.
Anger boiled up in Lily’s mind, knowing this whole thing was nothing more than a ploy orchestrated by Edward Parr. But for what reason? In her frustration, she wanted nothing more than to send the bastard a mental bitchslap. A rueful smile tugged at Lily’s lips at the thought, but she knew it wouldn’t serve their purpose, regardless of how much she’d enjoy it.
She watched Sean disappear into the great hall, his shoulders squared for battle. He was the Alpha Council. All she could do was love him, and pray he’d find a way to make this work. If anyone could, it was Sean.
Chapter Nine
***
Sean opened the door to the bedroom, boots in hand. Across the room, Lily was asleep, or at least that’s what she wanted him to think. A small smile crept across his lips at the narrow lump beneath the covers. She had been through so much in such a short time, and now this. How was he going to explain? Well, you see sweetheart, Weres are a fickle bunch and as a group no better than sheep to the slaughter, laughing the whole way about how smart they are.
“Jesus, help me,” he sighed silently. There was no getting around it. Politics were politics. Since the beginning of time, there was always someone trying to feed Kool-Aid to the masses. In this case, it was Edward Parr.
The clock ticked on the desk next to his walk-in closet, with Lily’s rhythmic breathing keeping pace. Her dark hair fanned out against the white cotton sheets, and what remained of the moonlight peeked through the curtains accentuating her creamy skin and the swell of her breasts above the sheet.
As tired as he was, a pang of desire swept over him, but Sean squelched it. On so many levels, it had been a long, trying night for both of them. Terry may have moved on, but here on earth nothing had yet to be accomplished. Nothing significant, anyway.
He yawned, wanting to crawl into bed and feel Lily’s warmth beside him, close his eyes and not think about the mess he had to deal with.
The hunters were not happy with him, especially Mitch, even though Sean managed a hard won moratorium. Tonight they tried to convince him to force the issue with Parr. To reestablish dominion and the power of the Alpha and set the ruling, regardless of dissent. Even now, Sean shook his head at the idea. The whole point to the council of Weres was for diplomacy to reign, not the will of one man.
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