by CJ Ellisson
She glanced at everyone, pausing to glare at Lily before she nodded to her sister. “Shannon…ladies. Have a nice lunch.”
Shannon exhaled watching Delia walk out. “Why do I have a sinking suspicion I made things worse.”
Rissa put her hand on her friend’s arm. “Come on, forget it. Everyone knows Delia’s a psycho.”
Celia sucked in a breath, her eyes moving between Shannon and Rissa, waiting for the explosion.
Shannon smirked. “Relax, Celia, I’m not about to take out a pregnant woman simply because she speaks the truth. Dee may be a psycho, but she’s also my sister. All I can do is muzzle her so no one gets hurt.”
Lily laughed out loud. “See, I said it before and I’ll say it again. I knew I was going to like you. Listen, I don’t know where they’re taking me for lunch, but I’m sure it involves a lot of alcohol. You in?”
Shannon grinned and picked up her purse. “Just pour the way, ladies.”
Chapter Ten
Sean stood by the open window waiting for Lily. An early winter breeze carrying the scent of snow drifted past. Filling his lungs, he exhaled. The moon had crested, and it paced back and forth behind the clouds mirroring his impatience. “What’s taking you so long, Lily? You already know almost everyone on the Hunter’s Council. Tonight is just a formality.”
The statement was true, despite the grumbling from a few traditional dogmatists. The Compound had its share of detractors, there was no denying that—still, no one in their right mind could deny the service and sacrifice Lily had given the community of Weres. She deserved this honor, and everyone knew it.
“Relax. It’s not like they can start without us. Besides, I’m almost done,” Lily called from behind the bathroom door. “Don’t you want me to look nice?”
Sean grunted. “That question is as loaded as one of your guns. I’ll tell you this, though, if you don’t hurry it up I’m coming in and carrying you out over my shoulder.”
“Hmmmff,” was her only response.
Time had gone by in a blur, so much so Sean could swear he had vertigo. Lily had gone from unknown quantity, to a possible threat, to lover and savior in just two short moon cycles. Adventure and miracle all wrapped in one petite woman.
As much as Sean hated gossip, this time the rumor mill had worked in his favor. There was no way he or his hunters could have spread the word that quickly. A test vaccine had been developed, and the initial results were remarkable, even Rissa and her unborn baby were responding well.
Thanks to Lily, this typically volatile community had found a way to rally. So far, so good. Of course, he and Mitch would never live down the havoc they caused in the clinic that day. Volkmann and his staff would certainly see to that.
Even so, people viewed Lily as a godsend, so it was only fitting the Hunter’s Council acknowledge that. Tonight they would hold a blood rites ritual—an ancient act of initiation and acceptance. Originally used to unite different clans in kinship, today it was more symbolic, a traditional ceremony used to honor and acknowledge those who had been of great service to the pack. No one had actually demanded a true bloodletting in ages.
Lily opened the door. Sean’s eyes swept the full length of her petite frame. “You look beautiful,” he said, swallowing back the comment he had waiting for her on how long it took.
She had traded her standard black leather pants and biker jacket for a creamy cotton sweater dress. The knee length, clingy knit hugged every lush curve, while a low, square neckline dropped from her shoulders to skim the top of her breasts, tiny ruffled edges highlighting her cleavage. Her dark hair was curled and pulled back, falling softly to her shoulders, and high-heeled, winter white boots replaced her usual shit-kickers.
“Too much?” she asked, doing a little twirl.
“No. You look fabulous. But who are you and what have you done with Lily?”
Without batting an eye Lily pivoted, landing a perfect spinning back kick to his solar plexus, the point of her heel nailing him dead center.
Pivoting back around she stood, head cocked to one side and her hands on her hips watching him recover his breath.
“Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf?” she teased.
Sean’s hand shot out like lightning, grabbing her around her waist and pulling her down in one fluid motion. Dipping her back, he growled low, licking her throat from her cleavage to her ear. “You should be.”
At the raspy feel of his tongue, Lily shivered but gritted her teeth. “You’re the one who told me to keep training with Shannon. Don’t presume there’s no fist in the glove just because it’s made of something soft.”
Sean straightened, keeping her body close. “So dangerous,” he whispered into a kiss, deepening his fervor until its heat threatened to take them over.
Breathless, she broke away. “I thought you wanted to get going? You’ve been sitting around grousing for an hour that people are waiting for us.”
Throwing his head back, he laughed. “Okay killer, after you.” Releasing her waist, he stepped aside, smacking her butt in the process.
Lily rubbed her backside in feigned disgust. “Just like Terry…has to have the last word!”
The two walked into the great hall. The room was enormous, big enough to host twice the two hundred guests invited this evening.
Holly and pine boughs decorated the hall, giving the room a festive air and a crisp, clean scent. Christmas was only a week 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 by rough-hewn boughs dotted with large, iron chandeliers. Two stone hearths graced both ends of the room, each immense and fully ablaze, yet it was the center table that held her fascination.
A great round slab of carved oak sat in 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 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 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 wrinkl
ed 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 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 tapped 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 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, this had happened just as he wanted. Delia appeared in the crowd and moved to Parr’s side. Her smile was punishing, and as vengeful as Edward’s was cunning.
Sean knew he had been set up. He should have anticipated this, but he thought for sure the security and health of the community at large would supersede any past disputes or personal vendettas.
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 howled 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 ‘til midnight.” Storming out of the room, Sean 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 serious. He needs time to weigh everything, and your presence will only make matters worse. It’s going to be hard enough for him to be impartial, without 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 entire 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? You’ve been gone for a week!”
“Giving you a little space, that’s all.”
“Space, really? You have no idea what 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 go home, perhaps Sean will decide to come with us.”
Terry didn’t answer. She 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 find a way to 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 make you spew such garbage? If tonight proves anything, it’s that I certainly do 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 sat, 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 squeezed her chest, and she suddenly couldn’t breathe. Standing, 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.
