I nodded, “That makes sense.”
She shrugged, “The best way to combat that is to bypass the council, and start closer to the bottom. Carl has already sent out the briefing to all the locations, somewhere over six hundred of them in cities around the world.”
I nodded for her to continue and wondered about the prophecy. Was it possible that, the truth denied, just meant the information would be suppressed if they could do that? Denied could mean active disbelief, or the removal of access, two very different things, and I hadn’t considered the latter as a possible interpretation before last night. So far, no one I’d told the story to had said it wasn’t true either, which further advanced the new thought, but I had to grant it was still early days, and the former could be true as well.
I also noticed both Matt and Christina looked awfully grim right now. Had they been like that the whole last week? Honestly I wasn’t sure, I’d been avoiding both of them.
Leda’s voice brought me back in focus.
“You already did what you could with the witches, but we need to get to the shifters as well. Which means I want you two to talk to the alpha couple tonight before your patrol. They’ll let their pack know what’s going on, and also pass it along to other pack alphas. Eventually all shifters will know to be wary of the Fae and not to kill sane necromancers anymore.”
Matt turned away with a look of disgust, and for perhaps the first time I truly wanted to know why he hated them so much. Necromancers I mean, I remembered he’d been the only bloodthirsty one when they’d found out about me, and although he tolerated me, that’s about the best I could say for our relationship.
Carl sighed, “I can reach out to Katherine, at the very least to see if they told the council or not. If the council knows, the Fae know as well, so we’ll need to be even more careful.”
I narrowed my eyes, “I don’t think you’ll have to go far, there are four witches entering the building.”
We all shared a look, and then got up to meet them.
Chapter Four
Leda, Isaac, and Jared held back, probably because they were supposed to be dead, and there was no reason to reveal themselves to anyone outside of us just yet.
The witches weren’t alone. Besides the four coven witches, Katherine, Jo, Sally, and Karla, there was a fifth person as well. A Blood I think, one I didn’t recognize, although based on Timothy’s and Carl’s faces, they surely did. Jo didn’t look all that thrilled to be here, but the other three witches looked a bit grim and alert, and the Blood looked smug for some reason.
Carl said, “Colonel Pierce,” his gaze ran along the witches and he nodded in greeting, “What brings you all by?”
Serena whispered in my ear so low I could barely hear it, “Colonel Nathaniel Pierce is the Blood in charge of the north central United States.”
Nathaniel smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes.
“The council has come into some new information Carl. We’re here for a couple of reasons. To pick up the half-breed for questioning, and to test this bond thing he reported, and if it is truly capable of removing or suppressing the blight. We can’t move forward or allow any of this information out until we can be sure of its veracity.”
My jaw tightened, I wasn’t going to do that. I also didn’t enjoy the label half-breed. I did have a name after all.
“That could be done right here.”
Serena squeezed my hand in both warning and comfort.
The colonel however, completely ignored me, and continued, “The second reason I’m here isn’t so nice Carl, why did you break protocol? You’re all going to be coming with us too, all of you will face questioning in this matter. This… mess, must be approached carefully, who knows what parts of that pile of shit he reported are true or not? It’s a political nightmare and the Fae are rather offended by that bit of dribble. Surely some of it may be true but… most of it is obviously bullshit.”
So, carting me away for experimentation and lockup was the nice reason they were here? What the hell!
Plus, so much for my latest theory of five minutes ago. Perhaps the prophecy meant denial from both definitions? Suppression and active disbelief, at least parts of it. I wondered what else they thought was a lie. Probably the part about witches, necromancers, and shifters all really being the imperfect creations of the Nephilim. I could see where that would tweak a few noses. No one wanted to hear they were a messed up experiment, and trust me, I could relate.
I also got the idea from his comments, that they might release their miracle discovery eventually, but that the stories and truths surrounding it would be firmly suppressed.
Carl frowned, “Isn’t it a bit late for that? The information is out. The council should be focused on how to adjust to the new reality we find ourselves in, and start giving us orders related to how we should modify our approach and standing orders for the necromancers.”
Nathaniel’s smile turned smug again, “Too late Carl? I think not. You did transmit a video brief message to all sites simultaneously, that was a mistake. Do you think the council doesn’t have control of its own data network and software to watch for such treachery? Messages like that are delayed, and flagged for approval. I’m afraid your message was not approved, and most definitely not delivered.”
Oh crap. So much for most of the Blood race knowing the truth. For all I knew everyone who did know about it stood in this room, save the spirits and the council. I also wondered at the numbers, did they come here to arrest all of us with just four witches, and one Blood? Are there more of them outside? Perhaps they don’t think we’ll resist.
Leda must have been wondering the same thing, because her, Isaac and Jacob walked out and stood by us.
She said, “You aren’t taking anyone anywhere Nate.”
Nathaniel’s smile grew bigger, which for some reason made my stomach turn. Shouldn’t he be surprised?
“Ah, Leda. As lovely as ever, even after being dead so many years.”
Leda’s steps faltered in shock, the same shock I felt. How was he not surprised?
Nathaniel smirked, and smugly answered the unasked question, “The cameras of course, like I said, the council has control of its network. I took a peek or two before we came to collect you all. Of course, that wasn’t the only reason. We had things well in hand already, but at least some of you are loyal and filled us in.”
My stomach dropped and churned as Matt and Christina moved, to join the other side. Matt looked defiant, and angry, Christina looked icily expressionless. Serena started trembling next to me, and I squeezed her hand in support, but… my mind was frozen. I’d expected betrayal, or at least, I’d thought I had, but not real betrayal, not from those I’d truly trusted. Stupid.
I was devastated, angry, and couldn’t imagine why they’d done it, but I had only known them a little over a month now. I couldn’t even imagine what Carl, Leda, and Serena were feeling.
Nathaniel said, “Surrender, now. You will be questioned, and not harmed if you do.”
That was probably true, except for me of course, I’d be experimented on.
Leda snarled, “No. Get out.”
Nathaniel frowned, “There are seven of us, four witches, against your six. We also have reinforcements outside. This is unpleasant certainly, but do you really wish to fully rebel against the council’s wishes?”
That almost sounded reasonable, considering my mind was still churning and reeling from the betrayal. I wanted to kill Matt, Serena was really freaked out by the betrayal, I could feel her shaking. Except, I already knew if I went with them, the prophecy would fail. They’d suppress the truth, and the Fae would find someway to trick, beguile, and twist things in their favor. I’d be executed as a failed experiment, or something like that. No, if the truth failed to get out to the rest of the blood, it was critical we were free to find another way. Plus, I wasn’t the only one who thought it a bad idea.
Leda smirked, “Don’t you know me? Besides, your numbers are off, count aga
in.”
Thirty-eight Blood wights came into the room, and showed themselves, surrounding all of us. I hadn’t called them in here, so it must have been Leda, or one of her grandfathers.
Katherine spat, “That’s impossible, how are you controlling so many?”
Leda laughed insultingly, “He isn’t. It’s amazing how far a necromancer’s power will spread, when they don’t have to use up all that magic in order to control their minions. We all volunteered Kathy, the tale is true enough. After we were told by Tom’s messenger, a few of us visited the Nephilim’s corner of the afterlife, and verified it. We all died for a lie, and now we fight after death for our true purpose, and redemption for our failures. Now I repeat, get out. You can’t take Tom, you can’t take us either.”
The tension in the room went up, as Nathaniel’s face wasn’t quite so smug any longer. It was actually rather livid. We’d taken a huge hit in this exchange. No message reached the rest of the Blood, Christina and Matt betrayed us, and the council not only knew the truth but rejected it, or at least most of it. I imagined if I hadn’t taken my paranoid precautions, the game would have been up at this point.
Still, the last thing we wanted to do was fight the coven, Nathaniel, and our wayward family members. Not mine maybe, but everyone else in the room, including the wraiths, were related to Christina, and by mating to Matt.
The tension rose higher, and I slowly pushed out my necromantic shield and strengthened it as I covered Serena, Timothy, and Carl, just in case the witches started to throw spells. Using Macy’s trick, I was able to shield Leda, Jared, and Isaac separately through our links, which saved on some magic strength.
The potential for violence was thick in the air.
Carl said, “Stop this. I will come with you, and face questioning for my actions and for violating protocols, but only me. You have no grounds to take in Serena, and the dead are beyond your authority.”
Leda glared at her old mate, and then added, “You won’t take Tom either. I imagine after seeing three of us raised from dust, and thirty-eight wights besides, any testing would be a moot matter. The bond clearly protects from the taint. We will stay here.”
Nathaniel looked like he swallowed something unpalatable, but he smiled a creepy smile that didn’t reach his eyes. I realized that Carl had just sacrificed himself to give Nathaniel a way out that saved face. I was still angry at Carl, but at the same time I was scared on his behalf.
“For now, I will agree to that. Consider yourselves under house arrest, and confined to the Chicago area. But there will be a reckoning from the council for your actions here.”
He turned and walked toward the door leading up out of the sublevels, and the witches followed. My stomach turned again, as Matt and Christina followed as well. I felt… I don’t even know. Rage, disappointment, sick, and shocked all at once. I’d loved her once, and in a way I supposed I always would, though I knew now we’d have never worked out. I wanted to know why they’d done it, because it made no sense at all. I’d thought they’d at least accepted the truth, apparently not.
Then I had another thought, a horrible thought. Was that the betrayal I’d been waiting for, or just part of it?
Carl shook his head, “Leda, you’re in charge.”
He laughed at the shocked look on her face, and then followed the others out.
It would have gone a lot worse if I hadn’t prepared, but I also knew it was far from over…
Leda had shushed us all when we tried to speak. It was Timothy, myself, and Serena as the only living people in the Chicago headquarters now. Half of us gone, two from betrayal, one from an overinflated sense of honor to dishonorable leaders. Leda had led us three, along with Isaac and Jared to Carl’s office, and it was still his office. The wights had left, I wasn’t sure where they were sent, Isaac and Jared were their chosen leaders.
Leda sat behind the desk, and we sat in silence across from her. If I was angry and miserable, Serena was falling apart, and I hated to see it. It made me want to break things, but all I could do was hold her hand and be there. Some things just couldn’t be fixed.
Leda typed at the computer for several minutes, and I had no idea what she was doing. Except, she was obviously worried anything we said might be heard. If they could access the cameras remotely, I imagined they could get the microphones as well.
Leda sighed and sat back, “I shut down all internal surveillance. They might be able to turn it back on, except I shut down the security server that processes it all, so I don’t think so. Just to be sure, I’ll go down to sub-level five and unplug it later, in case they can do a remote start up. The question is, what do we do now?”
I frowned, “You three could work on a method of letting the other Blood locations know the truth, and Serena and I will go meet up with the alpha couple as planned. I don’t think we need to change our goals, we just aren’t as far along as we’d thought we were.”
Leda nodded, “Take stock, Adapt, focus on the plan. Good idea. You’re right, I just didn’t expect…” she trailed off uncertainly.
I wasn’t sure if she was referring to being in charge, Carl’s sacrifice, or her daughter’s betrayal. Maybe all three. I also kept my mouth shut, and tried to make sense of it, but I still couldn’t. Christina was fickle about emotions maybe, but before an hour ago I’d have trusted her with my life without hesitation. Matt was even harder to discern, he’d never warmed up to me, merely tolerated me.
Except… I knew Matt despised necromancers, a lot more than most. That still didn’t explain Christina.
Leda finally said, “Alright, go do that, I’ll work on the other problem with gramp and gramps, and we’ll come up with something.”
Isaac snorted, “The problem is kind of clear, we just need a method of communication the council doesn’t control, and then we send the briefing again.”
Jared said, “It’s not that easy, how do we communicate to the others to even get them on a new way? Chicken and egg old man.”
Serena and I got up, and left them to it. We had our own mission.
Chapter Five
It was another cool October evening as we headed to the Metra station to meet up with James and Terry Anson, the alpha couple for the Chicago area Shifter pack.
Serena squeezed my hand, “What are we doing? I mean us.”
I replied, “What do you mean?”
She said, “This, us. We like each other, obviously. But we’ve never really talked about where we’re going, or what we want. I…”
I’d thought we had.
“I thought we were taking things slow, to get to know each other, to see if we work together as well as we believe we will, to see if we should take that final step together. What do I want? I want us to be as perfect together as I believe we are, fall deeply in love, and mate for the rest of our lives. That’s like… step ten though, we’re on step two.”
She giggled, “That’s what I thought, and that’s what I want too, very much, but suddenly I wasn’t sure you felt the same. I thought maybe I’d assumed wrong, that you maybe just wanted… a fun distraction?”
I wrapped an arm around her, and stole a quick kiss on the move, “Nope. That’s not me. What made you wonder that?”
Serena shook her head, “I thought I knew my sister too. I just… needed to hear it. Do you think we… you and me I mean, this, had anything to do with what she did?”
I frowned, “I don’t know, if it did though, that isn’t our fault. I don’t think it’s that simple though. It might have been a factor, but…” I trailed off uncertainly.
She squeezed my hand, “It wouldn’t change how I feel, or how much I want you as my partner in all ways, but I need to understand. Why would she betray us?”
“I wish I knew, but I don’t think she would betray your parents, and you, for her issues with me. There’s got to be more to it than that.”
She nodded, and asked in a slightly teasing lilt laced with sorrow, “So… you think we’re perfect together
?”
“I do. You’re perfect for me at any rate, hopefully you at least tolerate me.”
She laughed, “More than tolerate. I also wanted to thank you. I know it isn’t why you did it, but I was really young when my mother died. Last night… I finally got to know her as a grown woman. She’s pretty amazing, isn’t she?”
I laughed at the irony of that.
She poked me, “What’s so funny?”
I said, “She is pretty amazing, and she’s a lot like you, although I suppose it’s the other way around.”
She blushed. Damn, I loved making her blush.
“Do you really think so?” she asked in an obviously flattered voice.
I nodded, “The only major difference is she has authority and carries it more confidently, but that’s just age and experience. She has the same wiseass joyful sense of humor and outlook on life that I find delightful in you.”
She narrowed her eyes dangerously, “Wiseass?” she asked in a tone of voice that set off alarms in my head.
Oh, good job Tom, way to turn a flattering compliment into an insult, I berated myself.
I cleared my throat, “Perhaps mischievous is a better word?”
She snorted, and then let me off the hook. I guess she really did like me…
We met them in the same place as last time, the first time I’d met the alpha couple I should say, right outside the pretzel place. It was still early evening, and the Metra station was packed with people passing through for their commute home.
“Alpha.”
It seemed a little rude not to say hello to Terry, but that was a human thing. In the Shifter world, the men did the talking, which I was sure grated on Serena, but she dealt with it well enough on the outside. It wasn’t so much that females should be silent and not heard, at least not in a misogynistic way that a human might perceive it as being. It was simply a very patriarchal society, and when two men were present, the men spoke. If I hadn’t been here, the alpha would have spoken to Serena with the same amount of respect.
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