by Harper Wylde
“While I’m sure you’re familiar with human Thanksgivings, our own are a little different,” Council Maldonado explained with a greasy smile. I tracked my eyes over the surrounding servants, yet their facial expressions appeared almost blank, as if they were merely shells. I swallowed hard against the bile that rose in my throat, my Phoenix shrieking inside of me, demanding I get out of there. I didn’t have to have visions like Killian to know that something here was incredibly wrong. “We’re just waiting on the rest of our guests, and we will begin,” he added, his words flowing as if coated in oil.
Before I could ask whom else they were expecting, the door was flung open with a bang, and my mates were dragged in, each being manhandled by a large number of guards. I gasped and would have pushed to my feet if a hand hadn’t clamped down on my shoulder, keeping me still. The familiar presence of Gaspard standing behind me made me feel a shred better. “Councilmen, will someone please explain this.” Gaspard’s voice snapped, and I relaxed marginally. If Gaspard was here, hopefully things couldn’t get too far out of control.
My hungry eyes searched my mates, and only Joshua was missing from their numbers, still not returned from whatever his father had shared with him before. Although they looked angry and exasperated, none of them appeared to be physically injured, and they relaxed infinitesimally seeing me under Gaspard’s care.
“What the hell is going on?” Damien’s voice rang across the room. “I demand to see my father.”
“Oh, I hoped you would,” Councilman Stepanov replied, his glowing red eyes filled with sickening glee. “But first, I think we should unveil our masterpiece of a meal. It is tradition, is it not?” At his words, a pale, blank faced servant stepped forward, removing the domed lid from the platter in front of me with a grimace.
A shriek clawed its way out of my throat, horror and disgust causing me to fall backward in my chair, the feet scraping against the ground as I retreated into Gaspard’s shaking grip—for where there should have been a fat, golden turkey, there was a large, mutilated, bloody pair of Gargoyle wings.
Twenty-Five
Damien
I couldn’t move, staring at the wings so macabrely displayed in the midst of the table. Nix was gagging, my grandfather’s gentle hands on her shoulders the only thing keeping her upright in her chair. I could feel the confusion, fury, fear, and despair battling me in a constant barrage, though where they came from was impossible for me to sort out. I was frozen, unable to pull my eyes from the repulsive sight in front of me.
My brothers were growling their fury behind me, only the hold of the Council’s chosen guards keeping them contained. It was suicide to attack a Council member, especially in their sanctuary, but from the smirk on Councilman Stepanov’s face, that was exactly what he had planned.
Nix’s head had risen, and she studiously looked away from the grisly meal set before her. Her eyes met mine, wide and fearful, as she searched me desperately for injury.
Not mine, I managed to tell her, even as panic clawed at my stomach. I held careful control over my mental barriers.
“Stepanov. Explain,” Grandfather barked, and the Councilman turned his eerie red gaze toward my grandfather.
“Do not forget the niceties, Gaspard,” Stepanov warned him. “I see that you are anxious for our other guests to arrive before you are willing to begin. So polite, as always,” he simpered. “Bring them!” he called, his voice echoing through the hall.
My mother was dragged through first, her weight held up entirely by guards as they pulled her bedraggled form into the room. My mother’s face was streaked with tears, heavy sobs racking her body as she hung limp in the grasps of the shifter guards.
I pulled against the hold of my own handlers, trying to reach her and comfort her, but the grips on my arms were firm—no weaklings had been chosen to contain us. As furious and frightened as I was, I knew better than to shift and proclaim myself as a threat to the Council in their chambers. Nix was crying now, though desperation and sorrow warred with the building anger, lashing through her as she took in the scene. “Celine,” she whispered, and Stepanov shot her an approving look, enjoyment clear on his face as he drank in her pain.
“Damien LaCroix. Gaspard LaCroix. Celine LaCroix.” Councilman Ishida’s voice was hard, his eyes glittering with manic anger as he studied our group. “You have been ordered before the Council today. Do you know why you are here?” My heart skipped a bit, but my walls held solidly in place, protecting the rebellion’s secret and my relationship with Nix, since I was unsure how Gaspard would react or if my father was near enough to hear me.
“Of course we don’t.” My grandfather’s voice was cool and clipped, nearly bored. “What overreaction has caused these dramatics? I’m a prior Councilman. You hold my daughter-in-law and my grandson, as well as his companions, as if they’re prisoners. Where is my son? He will sort out all of this in short order.”
“Your son,” the word was a hiss from Councilman Maldonado, “is the reason you are all in this position today. Bring in the prisoner.” I froze, my brain refusing to process what I was seeing as my disheveled and bruised father was dragged into the room and thrown at the Council’s feet. His body hit the floor with a sickening crack, and his pained gasp had me struggling to contain my Gargoyle, who pressed with uncontained fury under my skin. His fangs wanted to erupt, his claws calling for the death of those who posed a threat to our family. I pulled against the hands holding me yet again. Blood coursed in rivulets down my father’s back, making streaks and stains on the floor, causing my stomach to revolt. I nearly heaved as it dawned on me whose wings were in front of Nix, and from the broken cry that escaped her, I knew she had realized the same grim reality as well.
“What the hell are you doing?” The words tumbled from my lips accompanied by a growl as my world collapsed around me. My brothers were enraged behind me, and I could sense them struggling against their guards. You can’t pull away, not yet, I pushed at them despite my own desire to do just that. If we attack right now, we’re all dead. Nix. My mind whirled and I grasped at the threads of my sanity through my overwhelming distress. Nix has to come first. Pain radiated through me, but it was true. I would stand here and face this, face all of this, if it meant saving my brothers and my mate. I had no idea what was going on, what sin my father had committed to wind up broke and bleeding on the floor.
I struggled to keep my mental walls in place, but locking my own mind was difficult. I knew I couldn’t extend my powers past myself to lock my brothers’. Walls. As hard and strong as you can. I thrust the thought their way, trusting that they would handle their own minds and behaviors. I flung an arrow of mental thought to where my father was sprawled on the floor, desperately trying to connect us and figure this out.
“Silence, Damien. You have no privileges at the moment. Another outburst like that will be punished.” Ice could have crystallized on Councilman Khan’s words as he slid his eyes over me. Nix gasped quietly, color flushing her cheeks, and for a moment I thought she would push to her feet and run to my father’s side, but just as suddenly, she stilled.
Lock him down, father. I have the girl. Even mentally, my dad’s words were a pained gasp. The wave of power hit me before I could fight it off, and I felt my grandfather catch my mind, extending his powers beyond me to my brothers as well. I hadn’t realized how strong the old fucker had gotten over the years, never tested my powers against his. I had forgotten what it was like to be helpless against another mental manipulator, since there were so few of us, and fewer still held the power that ran in my bloodline. I could neither move nor speak as paralysis worked its way down my body, freezing each muscle, each reaction. I tried to roar, but the sound was never given life, my brain refusing to process the command. Father, I’m sorry for what’s about to come. Do not let your grasp on them slip. They’ll get all of us killed. His mental voice was shaky, his energy low. Completely helpless in my grandfather’s grasp, I could do nothing but bear silent witness to th
e proceedings.
“Raphael LaCroix, you have been found guilty of treason.” I was lucky my grandfather held me in his mental grasp or I would have hit the floor. My mother’s sobs strengthened, her body shaking so badly I was surprised her guards didn’t drop her.
I had feared this type of scenario for weeks, dreaded my body, my brothers’, or Nix’s being sprawled across the floor of the council chamber, our execution imminent. Seeing my father in that position? It had never even crossed my mind. “You have spent the last several days confessing to your crimes and your plans to overthrow members of this Council.”
What the hell is going on? my grandfather asked, but his face hadn’t shifted in the slightest, his body barely showing more tension than it had previously. He had more control than anyone I had ever known and I envied him in that moment.
They knew, Damien. My father’s voice was tired, stroking over me. Well, Councilman Khan did. You thought you moved through Denali unseen, but you were wrong. Ishida knew as well, or at least suspected, though his mind hasn’t been stable in many years, it’s all fragments now. They’ve been watching you. You were careful, but not careful enough. He was going to execute you and your brothers—your mate. His mental voice cracked on that word. His wall slipped, however, and I heard enough.
“Mrs. LaCroix.” Councilman William’s voice was smooth and soft, though ridged in steel. “Your husband has betrayed his people and has betrayed you. He has sworn you had no involvement in this treason. What have you to say?” My mother simply hung limply, sobbing without pause.
I tried to save her too, my father continued. I knew my mother and father weren’t a love match, though they had grown to love each other in their own way over the years, but I could hear his despair even through his mental voice. The Councilmen are all strong and powerful mythologicals and I could only influence their thoughts, unable to fully change what they heard and witnessed. If I could have stripped their thoughts, if I could have saved us all this pain, I would have. Instead, I replaced myself in their thoughts, Damien. That it was me he saw in Denali, that it was me they saw and smelled in places I had no reason to be. That Ishida had followed me and seen me meeting with the known rebels. I would never let them kill you, son. I would never let them lay a hand on your brothers or your mate, your chance at happiness. I didn’t want to believe it at first, but seeing how happy you were around her, the small glances and touches you thought your mother and I missed, were all irrefutable evidence. You have a new family now, and I want you all to live a long and happy life together.
Why didn’t you run? Why didn’t you just warn us and run? I nearly screamed into his mind. My heart was thudding a million miles a minute, the ache all-consuming as what he’d done for me dawned.
Running was no longer an option, son. They believed you were trying to overthrow them. They would have executed you and anyone else they deemed a risk. Believe it or not, I’m proud of you for staying out of this life as much as you could. I wanted to see you make a difference, change the politics I could not. And now, I see that you are. It just looks different than what I had imagined your future to be. A ragged gasp slipped from his lips as he struggled to breathe. I never wanted this life. I only wanted a family. The day I held you for the first time, my world was complete. The Council needed a new member though. Someone strong. Someone with the ability to look through minds and determine who was friend and who was foe. You have to know all you’re up against, Damien.
“I see there are no objections to the charges,” Councilman Rahal declared, his oily voice washing over the room. “Now, for the reading of charges. You made a full confession. You will listen, and you will verify the charges. Then, you will face your sentence.” Holding a sheaf of papers in his hand, he began to read a litany of treasonous acts, but I focused on my father, trying to figure a way out of this. There had to be a way. Each infraction they listed off was mine and mine alone.
I’m sorry, Raphael. My grandfather’s voice held all the emotion his face couldn’t show. I had tried to keep you from having to make the same choices I did.
You forget, I’ve lived this life now. I understand that there was nothing you could do to prevent it. Damien, the Council you know is a lie. You’ve figured out some of this. Members don’t always join willingly. In my case, it was join or watch you die. They wanted my power and my lack of political leanings. All they saw when they looked at me was someone who could be molded into what they wanted.
No. Adrenaline pumped through my veins, the denial rapid and instinctive. Fear was thick in my blood. You love working on the Council. Always wanted me to follow in your footsteps. Hell, I heard you assure Khan that it was fine to kill the rebels. I heard you with my own ears.
They needed to believe it, so I made them believe it. Thick, swirling regret twined into my mind. I wasn’t strong enough when I was young, Damien. I could read minds if I knew the person. My powers hadn’t evolved far enough. I couldn’t reach long distances, couldn’t manipulate memories, couldn’t hold a person with my mind. All I could do was what I was told if I didn’t want my infant son dead at their hands. I have done horrible things, Damien. I have killed. I have allowed rape, kidnapping, and murder. I have regretted each sin, but I have never regretted choosing you over those things. Hate me if you must, but know I would do it all again if it meant getting to watch you grow up. This ending? I deserve this. You do not. The steel in his thoughts rattled me. He was truly ready to die in my place. I wasn’t ready. I hadn’t had enough time with him. I should have visited more, and spent more time getting to know him as a friend, instead of just a father, now that I was older.
My eyes wanted to well with tears but my body had no control. All I could do was ache, panic, and listen to the Councilman read a list of activities—a list of my activities—and know my father would die shortly in my place.
You’ll need to run, Damien. You know the law. I did. I knew it was rarely used, but I knew it. Treason was not forgivable. He would die. My mother would die as well, if only for the crime of sharing his home and not paying enough attention to warn the Council.
I will go with him. My grandfather’s voice had hardened, mimicking the ice over the tears I could feel in his mind. I will go with them all. I tried to end it in my time, hoped that the younger Councilmen could be guided. I was wrong. So wrong. Dark will always find dark. And now, my son… My grandfather paused and I felt him controlling his emotions, though the ice cracked minutely. My boy is paying the price for transgressions that bleed back for generations. There are those on this Council who are too power hungry, and the others are too afraid to listen to reason. Those who had doubts at first came to enjoy the control, the pain they could inflict, and the power that was theirs to take.
Train him. Make him stronger than I did. My father sounded full of remorse. I wanted to run to him. I tried to move, but my muscles held still, the power holding me captive and throbbing painfully, creating a growing headache that became worse the harder I pushed back.
I promise, Raphael, I will. Your son won’t be without guidance. I will not fail him as I have failed you. Agony ripped me apart one molecule at a time. I could barely breathe.
I couldn’t wipe everything, Damien. He had seen too much before I could get to his mind. The holes would cause suspicion from his associates. I know you’re working on a rebellion. I hid as much of it as I could. You will need to be more careful than ever. Don’t linger. Express your disgust for me and leave, son. Don’t make me waste this. I’m not very good at sacrifice. Even at the end he was trying for humor. Even if Ryder could get to him and heal him, it would be a bloody uphill battle that I doubted my father would survive. His wounds were far too grievous, and I assumed they’d completed a partial healing on his back so he would live long enough for their sick little puppet show.
“Damien LaCroix. Gaspard LaCroix.” Councilman Ishida’s voice was nearly sulky. “No evidence has been found that you have participated in these actions. His,” he smirked, �
�questioning did not reveal any hidden agenda. You do not share his household.” Turning to face my grandfather, he added, “Gaspard, you are aware of the law. I know your grandson is as well. Do you so condemn your son and swear fealty to this Council, not giving objection to the necessary punishment under the law?”
“I have no son.” My grandfather’s voice was cold. Though I knew the freeze was directed at the Council, the smirks and brightened eyes seemed to indicate they believed his disgust was for the figure at their feet. “The Council’s judgment is sound, as ever. The law must be upheld. I do not object.”
“Damien LaCroix.” Councilman Ishida’s attention turned toward me.
I will release you if you believe you can do what you must. Elsewise, I will enter your mind further. Choose, boy, quickly, Grandfather ordered.
I let my Gargoyle harden me, smothering the fire and shattering the ice, blocking out emotions for the time being, leaving only stone inside me. I was a guardian. I could, and would, do this. I would honor the sacrifice my father and mother never should have had to make. I would protect my mate. I would save my grandfather and my friends—my brothers. I would see this Council destroyed. I would set the shifters free.
Release me, I commanded.
“Do you so condemn your father and swear fealty to this Council, not giving objection to the necessary punishment under the law?” Councilman Stepanov was nearly rocking in his excitement. Whether he was hoping I would fight or enjoying our denial of this man, I didn’t know.
“My father is dead. I will honor the Council’s decision. The law is the law.” My voice was cool and smooth, the pristine mountain before the avalanche.
