The persnickety pooch was a constant reminder of her brother. He shouldn’t try to cheer her up with something he couldn’t deliver, although his gut told him they hadn’t seen the last of Lach.
“He’ll be back.”
“I hope you’re right.” She picked a stray hair off the sleeve of her deep-plum suit. “We should go. There is no fashionably late when you’re the host.”
“You’re ready. You’ll do great.”
“My power’s nowhere near as trained as it should be. I don’t want my signature to read as Nexus Lite.”
Her perfectionist tendencies were going to drive her bonkers. Bonkers? Goddess, he had it bad.
“You can’t jam six years of training into a week, and they’d probably fear you if you could. You’re already ahead of where you should be. Your goal’s to offer them hope, to promise a different approach to justice.” He wished she could see what he saw. “A fair Judex who offers something other than punishment has been a pipe dream. You will screw up, but the difference is you’ll own your mistakes. That kind of honesty will reach people.”
“I hope you’re right. I need to be at my best to support Graham. He’s got an even bigger sell than I do.”
He went to her because he couldn’t stop himself. He slid his arm across her shoulders, kissed her hair. “I believe in you.”
“Looks like it’s you and me against the Natura world, then. Let’s get going. I need to talk some sense into my cousin before she hands herself over to a madman.”
Elspeth had filled him in on the Flora situation. How that Earth could agree to give herself over to a warlock baffled the hell out of him. Elite One had little information on Samael, especially with not knowing his last name, though they had linked him to a shadow warlock group. The city had been quiet since their attack, leading Aleron to believe Samael would lie low unless Flora didn’t answer the summons.
They made the trip in the Mini Cooper in silence and had the good fortune of catching a pocket of faster-moving traffic on the FDR. As they pulled up on the Sixth Avenue side of Radio City Music Hall, two Beta Airs met them, one valeting the vehicle, the other ushering them through the main doors and then through a VIP entrance.
“Who’s your mom bringing with her?” Elspeth asked.
He held the door as she stepped into a waiting elevator.
“I have no idea. Her text this morning read, ‘See you at ten with reinforcements.’” He wished she’d given him more, but he couldn’t push. Not at this early stage. His mom might come to her senses, realize she’d made a monumental mistake, and disown him a second time.
The five lit up on the display, and the doors opened.
“Here goes everything.” Elspeth straightened, poised and regal and as intoxicating as a finely carved statue of a goddess.
Great Mother N, the woman cut a picture of pure power. Shoulders back, head held high, she walked straight through the reception room into the lounge, her gait smooth and commanding as hell in high-ass heels.
He followed at a respectful distance, picking a spot in the middle of the lounge, assuming the position that had initially been beaten into him, folding his hands behind his back. Keeping close to her. Forever close to her.
Of course, Half Gallon shot from the corner where the Water contingent camped, and he did a double take. Kazumi, or Zum, as he thought of her now since the woman was a serious Water jet, exuded colossal, oceanic potential. Her black hair slicked back, she had on a killer navy jumpsuit and chunky-heeled space boots, like she was an undersea commander straight out of a sci-fi flick.
A veil of tension enshrouded the elegant room. Twenty-foot ceilings decked out in gold. Cherry-paneled walls. He’d been to enough of these gigs with Seanair to recognize custom draperies and furniture.
He took in the groups staked out in tight camps.
Graham, Kerr, Ross, and Flora stood in one corner. Flora was nose to nose with Kerr, chin jutting, lips moving, laying down some serious law with her twin. Graham held up a hand, leaning in, while Ross put a hand on Kerr’s shoulder, achieving a moment’s détente.
Jon Costa stood at the fireplace with the Fire contingent. His daughter, Liz, looked lost, her gaze somewhere far from the conversation he was having with two other women.
The Earth Magnus would join from Germany via videoconference, which would likely be the shortest speech at today’s meeting. The Germans were short on words and long on impact.
A three-toned chime sounded, and a panel slid back into the wall. Aleron’s mother emerged in a dark blue dress, her hair swept back in an elegant, tight twist. Not the maker of lemon cakes he remembered. Two others he didn’t know followed closely behind her, along with a tall, blond, young man with round glasses, whose dark suit did little to hide his lanky frame.
Pressure shoved at the back of his eyes. His breath slowed. Time stopped, flashed back, spearing him with the youthful intelligence that remained rooted in his brother’s eyes.
Emeric crossed the room, threw his spindly arms around Aleron, and squeezed.
“Big bro. Brawn of the family.”
The heat of the words pushed through the sweater into his shoulder. He folded his arms, awkward and leery, around Emeric, sure his brother would recover from this temporary madness.
“You’re not a little nerd anymore.”
“Almost as tall as your bulked-up ass.” Em stepped out of the hug and mirrored Aleron’s pose, standing shoulder to shoulder, his hands behind him.
His mother looked to Graham, who gave a nod and stepped forward.
“Good morning, everyone.” Silence filled the room, everyone waiting to see if Graham could command the space like Seanair had. “Thank you for coming. We’ll adjourn to the dining room for business in a moment, but first I’d like to cede the floor to Ada Foussé, lieutenant-elect of the US southern region for Air.”
What? That tidbit hadn’t been included in any Elite One intel Aleron had seen.
Or maybe Seanair had ensured it hadn’t.
“Good morning,” his mother said. “I’ll be brief and direct. Many of you know my son Emeric, who’s recently taken on the role of chief data scientist at the Global Natura Archives.” She gestured to Em, who gave a slight bow. “You may not be aware of my firstborn son, the one I denounced twelve years ago.” She took a step forward, her gaze locked on Aleron. “I disowned him to save his life from the tyrant who is no more. I love Aleron with all my heart. I never stopped loving him, and I’m humbled to the foundation of who I am at the horrific sacrifices he has made for the safety of our family. I am honored to be his mother and am proud of the man he’s become. I’m absolutely certain his father, Goddess bless his departed Fire, feels the same.”
His heart had to be beating. His lungs inflating. He still stood, though his leg muscles threatened to revolt. He cut a cautious gaze over the room and locked on Elspeth, whose eyes glistened.
“I request my son’s name be reinstated in the family’s archive and that he be listed as executor of the Foussé estate and holdings.” She placed a hand over her heart and looked to Graham.
“By the Mother, make it so.” Graham bowed.
They bent forward in sync, the rest of the room following suit. A symbol of acknowledgment, admiration, and respect.
“Please adjourn to the dining room,” Graham invited, and the crowd made their way to a massive round table through a square archway.
“Welcome back to the fold.” Em hung back with Aleron and nudged his arm. “We prayed for your safety every night. Mom’s become quite the mover and shaker in American Air politics. She’s even gaining ground with the Canadians, which is something Seanair never achieved.”
“I don’t know what to say. I can’t think.”
“Job security for me as the family’s brain.” Em’s face grew serious. “You were never far from our hearts. Never. I missed you more than you’ll ever know.”
Em reached into his jacket and pulled out a flash drive. “I’ve been in my new positi
on for only a few weeks, but I pulled everything I could find in the database on a Nexus. There’s not much digitized information, but I’m sure, somewhere in the world, there’s a book in someone’s library. Someone knows something. We’ll just have to figure out who.”
As Aleron listened, he cast out his power, making sure Elspeth was fine. He sensed her beside Kazumi, and his worry disappeared.
“You don’t hate me?” He couldn’t tear his gaze from the drive, afraid of what he’d see in his brother’s eyes.
“By totally focusing on Elite One and rising through the ranks, you saved us. There’s a whole lot more to this situation than you know. Next time you’re home, you need to read Dad’s journals.”
“I never imagined Dad as much of a write-it-down kinda guy.”
“There’s a lot you haven’t had the chance to learn. He took the one shot he had to try and fix Fire, but sadly he failed. That left you to earn Seanair’s trust and keep the rest of us off that bastard’s radar.”
“I didn’t think you knew, or could know.”
“Dude, you’re counting Mom short. Me, I understand, but wait until you get a load of Mom.”
He looked at the woman sitting coolly in her place at the table, neither overly confident nor remotely arrogant.
“My memories of her are more dessert maker than ass kicker.”
“Just hang on. She’s totally dialed in to our people, and her radar’s all over the place with this witch thing. She’s sure proud you’re protecting our Nexus.”
“This sounds suspiciously like you’re not planning to double down on disowning me.”
Emeric’s genius must have shorted out his common sense.
“One and done, bro. My goal’s to make sure you have all the information you need to be successful. We’d better go in.” Em nodded toward where the Earth Magnus’s image appeared on a large flat-screen. “Word of warning. Guard your nads when you see the twins. I’m sure they’ll tackle you.”
He followed Em and stood just inside the room, facing Elspeth, who spoke with Kazumi and another Water he didn’t know. Masako Fukada eyed him with reservation, as if measuring his worth. Her gaze shifted to Elspeth, to him, and the smallest of smiles curled the corners of her mouth. She gave a barely perceptible nod. A gentle wave of Water washed over him.
He returned the nod, not quite believing what he’d seen and felt.
Had the global Water Magnus seriously just visually shipped him and Elspeth and given an elemental thumbs-up?
An image flickered to life on a second television monitor. The Air Magnus. Trace Lima.
Graham stood at the head of the filled sixteen-seat table. “My apologies for the technical difficulties. I’ve asked everyone here today to assure you of the stability of the North American continent presidency and the Fire element.”
As if it’d heard its name called, the cuff heated beneath the sleeve of Aleron’s shirt.
“I realize many of you don’t know me,” Graham continued, “but several weeks ago, my grandfather commenced succession plans with me. He also entrusted Jon Costa with his vision for my ascension.”
Jon stood. “I bore witness to Seanair’s decision to choose Graham Lennox as his successor. I motion to accept.” He retook his seat.
Hildegard Hoffman’s face enlarged on the monitor. The Earth Magnus had one green eye and one brown, denoting the ground-to-garden magnitude of her power. “You, Graham Lennox, have no leadership experience, and it’s common knowledge both your physical and spiritual commitments to your Fire and Air are lacking. This is no time for placing the world’s most powerful economy or an element known for its instability in the hands of an academic. At the next Continental Congress, in one year’s time, Earth will move to launch a search for your replacement.”
The monitor went black.
Shit. If Graham were actually wearing the Fire cuff, taking the presidency and Fire Magnus role from him would be a death sentence. Once a cuff passed from emissary to its bearer, it had to be worn for life.
Masako Fukada stood and waited for the murmurs to silence. “I respect Earth’s conservatism; however, Water hopes for young leadership. With a willingness to learn and a respected mentor, Graham Lennox may be the fresh approach Fire and North America so desperately need. Moreover, with proper training and patience, Elspeth Lennox may put the ‘just’ back in our justice system.” She scanned the table, and an undercurrent of power rolled through the room. “Until you prove me wrong, both Elspeth and Graham have the full global support of Water.”
A spark of hope ignited deep in his gut. Waters around the world had megarespect for Ms. Fukada. Holy shit. This was huge. He cut his gaze to Elspeth, who clearly recognized the enormity of that level of backing.
His mother stood.
“I speak today with the blessing of Trace Lima, global Air Magnus. Air will take a cautionary step and lend the full support of the United States only. At the Continental Congress, we will determine whether to pledge our full support or withdraw it.” His mother’s gaze shifted between Graham and Elspeth. “I will assume my regional role in six months. During that time, I will lend you my full assistance, along with my staff’s.” She indicated the two people sitting to Emeric’s right.
“Very well. Good luck and Goddess-speed to you both.” Trace’s screen went black.
Jon Costa rose from his seat, the strain of Rob’s loss still lining his face. “If I may, I wish to make a personal statement. I have known Elspeth and Graham since they were babies. You may be surprised that I didn’t always agree with Seanair, but when Elspeth and Graham’s parents were killed, Seanair called me. He said he hadn’t been a good father to his own boys, that he’d neglected his duties. Seanair asked me how to be a good father, and my answer was simple. Love them. Support them when they need it. And do something with each of them that they enjoy. Seanair supported Lach’s work as a painter, continued to buy Graham chemistry sets even after he blew up the garage, and he read to Elspeth nightly.” Jon turned to Elspeth. “I know he changed after your Mathair’s death, but when he discovered you were Passive, he worried for your safety. He always loved you, even when it seemed he didn’t. You have my love as well. What you did for my family, I will never forget.” He took a moment and looked to Graham. “You will have the support of every lieutenant in North America. We will see to your success. You have my word.”
Aleron’s gaze locked with his mother’s. A slow, tight smile pulled across her face, and she winked.
Her go-ahead. Do it. Get the girl.
Elspeth didn’t need more alliances than the several she had in this room.
The spark of hope ignited into flame. They could be together. It’d still have to be secret for a while. Young, inexperienced leadership would be all the Natura world could handle. A high-profile pairing between two different social classes would be too much. For a while. Then things had to change.
All he cared about was that when they closed her apartment door at the end of the day, or wherever they ended up living, she wouldn’t be the Judex, and he wouldn’t be her bodyguard.
She’d be his Elspeth. His everything. His sweet tastier than lemon.
And he’d be a man in love.
The meeting adjourned. Everyone made their way into the lounge and toward the elevator.
Kazumi strode toward him, all Ms. Business in her power jumpsuit.
He gave her a what-up chin thrust. “Good news, Half Gallon. I’m calling you Zum now.”
Man, she sure could knit those brows down tight. He’d never had a sister, but that look sure seemed satisfying for a brother.
“Careful, or you can refer to me as Your Future Excellency of Water. Only E calls me—” Her expression softened, her smile pulling into a smirk. “Easy-B, I’m glad that Bic brain of yours is finally flicking. If anyone deserves to live out a bodyguard fantasy, it’s her.”
“Please. Bodyguard extraordinaire is the least of my best skills.”
An eye roll. Yep. Her frustra
tion equaled total brother satisfaction. He might have to adopt her.
“She is my best friend in the whole wide world. I love her.”
He looked to the elevator, where Elspeth was waving at him to join her and Graham.
“I do too.” He gave the kickass Water a nod, then headed toward his love, ready to take her home and see if she was up for taking a chance on forever with him.
“My family has pulled together in a way I hadn’t expected.” Elspeth stretched out on the sofa, her feet in Aleron’s lap as he kneaded away the pain of four-inch heels. “Kerr stopped being an ass long enough to grab every book he could out of Seanair’s library to see if he can find something on being a Nexus. He’s not convinced Seanair didn’t know anything. Graham and Ross are holding videoconferences to reassure the other continent presidents we have things under control, and it made me realize how much my grandfather depended on Ross. He’s giving Graham the credibility he needs right now.” She looked down at her hands. “Flora’s…well, no one could change her mind. Not even Kerr.”
Aleron’s thumbs pressed at the squishy base of her toes, and she knew, for sure, she was about to melt into the couch.
“We don’t deal with witches at Elite One. They police themselves, and when it comes to oaths, if a witch breaks the moral code they’ve made with the Goddess, they’re held accountable. If Samael didn’t vow to kill Flora, he won’t without paying an extreme price. He wants something. Maybe Flora can figure out what it is.”
She pulled her feet from his lap and sat up. “Why are you making light of this? Flora’s in real danger going to Samael as a spy for us.”
His mouth pinched together. “The man damn near killed me, so I don’t underestimate the risk Flora’s taking.” His warm hand rubbed her knee. “We can’t make people do what we want, even when we feel we know what’s best for them. It’s the same for Lach. He’s handling the situation he’s been dealt in the way he thinks best.” His hand stilled, his grip gentle but firm. “Your devotion to your family is one of the things I love about you. Have a little faith. If they need your help, they’ll ask because they know they can count on you.”
The Call of Fire: A Natura Elementals Novel Page 34
