The Council, A Witch's Memory

by J. C. Isabella

  “Come on,” Henry said, pulling me in the direction of the first door.

  “Where are we?”

  “North Dakota. This is the home of the Council. It is where we rule from.”

  I held tightly to his hand, feeling terrified, excited, and apprehensive. There were so many emotions running through me, I couldn’t believe we’d been in his house a few seconds ago, and now we were in North Dakota?

  The door opened as Henry and I approached. I took a deep breath to steady myself, praying that I didn’t say anything wrong. I mean, now that I knew Mr. and Mrs. Langley were royalty…how was I supposed to act?

  “Hey, it’s alright.” He kissed my cheek. “No need to panic.”

  “Who’s panicking? Me? I thought that was you. I’m cool as a freaking cucumber.”

  “No, that’s all you. Trust me, you have nothing to worry about.”

  I bit back a hysterical laugh as we entered a circular room and inhaled the sweet smell of roses, maybe some lavender and honeysuckle. Mrs. Langley loved her flowers. They were everywhere. On tabletops and shelves and windowsills sat small vases, large pots of plants. Dried flowers hung by the window.

  Flora looked like she was in heaven, surrounded by so much greenery. She flitted by a large window, watering can in hand. Zane hovered over her shoulder, watching the flowers bloom. Literally.

  “Venna and Henry. My dears, I am so happy you are here.” Mrs. Langley made her way across the room. I tried not to be rude and stare at her elaborate gown. She wore the black sash around her waist, over a sleek ivory silk and lace dress. The style was almost Grecian, the draping loose at her neck and shoulders. It was stunning. She looked so much younger than I remembered. Last time I saw her the hair at her temples had started to gray, and laugh lines creased her face. Now her skin was smooth, her hair the exact sandy color of Henry’s. On the top of her head was a beautiful diamond crown. It was small, just a little sparkle. But it demanded attention.

  At first I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to bow or do something formal. But she pulled me into a hug, and my nerves calmed. Mrs. Langley had always treated Zane and I like we were family; it was silly for me to be worried about acting the wrong way.

  She let me go to hug Henry, and stepped back to sigh and smile with such joy. I had to wonder if she knew there was a crazy man trying to overthrow her family.

  “It has come to my attention that you are bound to my son.”

  I gulped, “Uh, yes.”

  She smiled, “Venna, it’s alright. We all love you so much. Before you can join us in the Council, I must ask you three questions.”

  She pulled me across the room to a table. There was a jewelry box, the lid opened.

  “Wow.” A tiara glimmered up at me.

  She turned back to me “This is all very rushed, and I’ve not given you any time to adjust to the fact of who you are now. So if you would like to wait out here, we can proceed into the meeting without you.”

  It was a lot, but I also didn’t like the idea of being out of the loop. “I am bound to Henry, this comes with the territory, right? Going to Council meetings, being here?”

  “Not like you’re thinking. You will be his soul mate, but if you decide not to be inducted into the Council, you will not be his princess, and you will not be queen.”

  Oh, well Henry had left that part out. But so much had been happening, he probably wasn’t thinking about inducting me into the Council. “So I have to decide now?”

  “Only if you wish to. We can wait, but I wanted you to know the option is yours.”

  I took a deep breath, knowing I had one option. Well I had two, but only one clear one. I couldn’t be with Henry and not be apart of his life. That idea was absurd.

  I stepped closer and lowered my voice. “Do I have to say something official to tell you I want to join? Can I just say yes?”

  She trilled with laughter. “Yes works just fine.”

  “Okay, yes. I’m ready,” mostly. The rest of me was spinning, but I’d deal later. Besides, it’s not like I didn’t have time to adjust. Being queen wouldn’t happen for a really long time.

  “Venna Charlotte Greer, my dear girl, three questions I shall ask.” She cleared her throat, taking the tiara, which not only had diamonds, but also tiny sapphires, holding it over my head. “Will you forever be loyal to the Langley family?”

  “Yes,” I said, feeling some of the tension fade when Henry settled his hand at the small of my back.

  “Do you vow to take your place in the Council, beside Henry James Langley, and rule to the greatest and fairest, of your ability when the day comes?”

  Really? Do I? Crap, what a time to freak out. “I do, yes.”

  “Do you love my son?”

  “Yes,” I glanced up at Henry. I hadn’t told him yet. Not out loud. I knew he knew how I felt, but saying it was so much more important. “More than you can imagine.”

  She sniffled, setting the tiara on my head. “Then I welcome you, Venna, to the Council and to our family.”

  “Wow.” I breathed.

  “You will do fine. Don’t worry,” she insisted, hugging me again.

  Henry winked at me, “Are you ready?”

  “For what?” I asked as he took my hands and lead me across the room.

  A door opened behind him that I hadn’t noticed before.

  He stepped back into the room, pulling me with him.

  Chapter 25

  It was pitch black. I held tightly to Henry. He maneuvered me around, and I stood where he put me next to the wall by the door. Not daring to budge an inch. I could see out into the other room fine. Everyone filled past us, Zane, Flora, Mrs. Langley, and Dmitri came last with Quinn. He helped Henry shut the door. It was stone, and it slid into place. I gasped, all light extinguished, wishing Henry still had hold of my hand. I couldn’t see at all. Nothing. But then he was there again. Arm slipping around me and urging me forward. Light filled the room suddenly. Torches on the walls crackled with life. The room was a perfect circle, and so was the massive table in the middle. Its white marble gleamed in the dim light. I noticed that Henry’s father and two other men were in the room, already seated. Henry sat me next to his mother, and then he sat beside me. Followed by Flora and Zane.

  “It is grave we gather here. I had hoped a meeting like this would never have to happen.” Mr. Langley said. His voice shook with anger. “I am in shock, furious one of the men I trusted was working for the Resistance. Davy will temporarily take Fulk’s place until a suitable candidate for the job is found. Even if it takes a few years.”

  Maybe it was me, but I could have sworn Mr. Langley looked appraisingly at my brother when he said this.

  My brother didn’t catch his meaning though.

  A man with gold eyes looked at me. “Before we speak of more business and war, we would like to welcome you Venna.”

  Henry whispered in my ear. “He is Andrew Brighton, the Werewolf King.”

  I smiled. “Thank you, uh, Your Majesty.”

  He inclined his head.

  Then another man, an older version of Dmitri, spoke. “I too welcome you, child. But we must cut these pleasantries short. I motion that the Council split.”

  Mrs. Langley gasped, as well as Flora. Henry shifted beside me, restless. I could feel the tension building inside him. I slipped my hand into his, giving a reassuring squeeze. He didn’t look at me, but he did squeeze back.

  Mr. Langley nodded, “I agree.”

  There were more murmurs of agreement. I didn’t know what a split meant.

  “What is it you wish the heirs to do?” Dmitri asked.

  His father spoke. “You will distance yourselves from us. Henry, Dmitri, and Quinn, you will go back to Capeside until we have any further information. If danger to the crown is imminent you will proceed to France. Wait there until you hear word.”

  “And if you need backup?”

  “Your job is to stay alive, to take the throne. And you will follow our orders.”r />
  Dmitri bowed his head. “Yes, sir.”

  Henry eyed the vampire king. “The palace is compromised. Fulk probably relayed the building plans—hell, who knows how many of our enemies are now familiar with our home.”

  A wicked smiled flickered across the vampire’s face. “We wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  I trembled, wanting to shrink away from the menace in his eyes.

  “Zane, you will of course go to back to Capeside.” Mr. Langley said. “Davy will stay here. Flora…your mother requests you come home or go to your grandparents with Claire.”

  Flora shook her head. “I want to go back to Capeside, Uncle James. Please.”

  “But, my dear, in such a dangerous time, you need to be with your family.” Mrs. Langley urged.

  “I am with my family, Aunt Irena. Besides, I hardly think my mother is any match for the Resistance. I’d rather be surrounded by highly trained Council members.” She pointed at Henry. “You can kill someone by looking at them. Don’t deny it, cousin. Dmitri can rip out a man’s throat with his teeth. Quinn can claw through concrete and steel with his claws. Honestly, I can’t think of a safer place to be.”

  Dmitri snorted with laughter, eyes glowing. “I can’t argue with that logic.”

  Mr. Langley rolled his eyes. “Child, your mother is going to have a fit.”

  “She usually does.” She sighed.

  Mrs. Langley frowned, “I’ll talk with my sister.”

  “Davy,” Mr. Langley said. “Has Samuel said anything else?”

  “More riddles, but they all seem to point to Craven, and that the time draws near for his attack.”

  “I know this seems silly to have you all here, to tell you the Council is splitting,” Mrs. Langley said. “We had to make provisions,” she smiled sadly at me and I understood her meaning. If something happened to her, and to the king, Henry and I would be able to take their places. “We wanted to see all of you together one last time. We are family first, royalty second. Always remember that.”

  Everyone said goodbye. Hugging, whispering words of hope and reassurance, and Mrs. Langley almost burst into tears. I heard the werewolf king tell Quinn to fetch his younger brother, and that they would both be in Capeside tonight. Then the waiting, at least on our end, would begin.

  When we left the compound, Henry phased us into his bedroom, and he left me to change. He had some business with Dmitri, and he told me he’d come and find me when he was through.

  I changed into jeans and a tee, then went down to the conservatory and slipped out the backdoor. I needed fresh air.

  Me, a princess…future queen?

  I could hardly believe any of it was real.

  But it wasn’t too much, yet. As long as we won the war, and I could spend the next few years getting used to the princess part. I’d have to get over it and march forward. It was all any of us could do at this point. It was about survival.

  I wouldn’t think about the years, or that it would be centuries before I became queen. For now I would just be me, I’d love Henry with every ounce of energy I possessed.

  Although I was scared and overwhelmed, this felt natural. No culture shock, not like I had expected a normal person would experience. I mean, it was new. But with the memories I had of my past, came familiarity. When I was a kid, this was normal to me. Magic, flashing lights as people appeared. I was used to it then, and getting used to it again, while regaining my memories, lessened the blow of unfamiliarity.

  Strolling the yard, I went to the edge of the rose garden and picked a few flowers, being careful of the thorns. Content to think about nothing important for the time being. Henry felt pretty relaxed too, which was good for us. For one person to be upset was hard enough. To have two sets of emotions surging through me was still foreign.

  The springy grass smelled fresh, clean. I sat in a small clear spot, away from trees and flowers. I enjoyed the midmorning breeze, listened to the sounds of birds chirping. I closed my eyes and lay back, intending to relax for a few more minutes before I went back inside.

  Chapter 26

  Henry

  I hung up the phone and rubbed my temples. My grandparents were in high sprits, but ready for us to join them in France should the danger draw too close. It was likely we would end up there. We—

  “Venna?” I stood, feeling a tug at my chest, almost like an invisible string pulled at my heart.

  I l phased, following the pull instinctively, and appeared in the backyard. I looked down to find Venna at my feet, lazing back in the grass. “You called?”

  She smiled. “I was just thinking about you. Not actually calling.”

  “We need to work on our communication skills.” I held out my hand and pulled her up, brushing the blades of grass out of her hair.

  She held my hand as we walked back toward the house. “So, I heard Flora talking about Davy’s wife…er, mate.”

  “Yes.”

  “She said Marianna was a vampire. How does that work exactly?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, do all magical beings bind?”

  “Ah, yes. Not in the same way. Vampires and werewolves base it on sense and smell.”

  “So Mari likes how Davy smells…how is that the deciding factor? What about likes and dislikes?”

  “When a vampire catches the scent of their mate, worrying about whether they prefer the same music or not is useless. That’s it, game over. It is the same with werewolves too. And Davy told me he’d known Mari was destined to be his since she was sixteen.”

  She wrinkled her nose. “I’m glad we don’t sniff each other. But how did Davy know if he wasn’t smelling around?”

  “I’m sure you felt it with me, that pull, similar to being dragged toward the person. Then the closer you get the harder it is to leave them.”

  “Like a magnet.”

  “Yeah,” I kissed her, loving that we could relate and express our feelings so openly now. Being guarded about my powers and my feelings for her took a lot of time and energy. I reveled in the newfound freedom of being able to use them for other things now. “Exactly, now on to the third floor.”

  She clapped, “I’ve always wanted to go up there, and what’s in the basement?”

  “Storage, nothing special. Why, do you want to check it out?”

  “Nope, just curious.”

  A grin spread across my face. “It sounds like a good idea.”

  “Really?” she wondered, as we walked down the third floor hall.

  “Yes, it’s dark and secluded, very private…” I trailed off, holding her closer to my side. “No one ever goes to the basement.”

  “Oh, of all the—we are going to go make out in the basement!” she was comically exasperated, face deep red, hands clenched at her sides, and then she started giggling.

  I couldn’t seem too keep my hands off of her and slid my fingers through her springy red curls. “Actually, I was going to suggest we find the limited edition Monopoly game.”

  “You are absolutely—”

  I kissed the pout off her lips before she could start yelling at me. “What were you saying?”

  She turned on her heel and ran down the hallway.

  I knew this game quite well. “You want to play chase?”

  I heard her gasp and giggle from somewhere up ahead. The lights flicked off on my command, plunging the long hall into blackness. She squeaked, and then held her breath, or she tried to.

  Creeping slowly, I waited for her to give away her hiding spot.

  “I always won this game when we were kids, babe.” I said. She didn’t answer, not a peep. She was getting good at being quiet.

  I pushed open a door to my left and the room was empty.

  She went further down the hall than I thought.

  Playing this game with her as a child had always excited me. We usually played in the woods, using the old mill; it had plenty of places to hide. Now our game was different. When I found her I wouldn’t be content to ta
g her and run for a hiding spot, and I’m sure she knew that. She wouldn’t have initiated the game otherwise.

  “Venna?” I called, slipping silently down the hall. I checked each room I came across, nothing.

  I walked on, not trying to be quiet, since I didn’t want to scare her. I made it to the very end and stopped in front of the last door. It stood partly open. The room was black inside. I pushed it open the rest of the way.

  As I stepped through the doorway my foot hit a small object lying on the floor. I bent to pick it up. It was one of Venna’s beaded sandals. I found the other a few feet away.

  She was giving me a hint.

  I had her cornered now.

  Letting the shoes drop to the floor with a loud thud, I shut the door behind me. She knew I’d found her hiding place. I felt her excitement growing as I inched deeper into the room. I could turn on all the lights, expose her easily, but where was the fun in that? Besides, I had something I wanted to give her. Letting her figure out what it was in the dark would be much more entertaining, too.

  She picked one of the better rooms to hide in. Old furniture clumped in the center was covered in sheets, plenty of objects to slip behind or under.

  I heard fabric rustling in the corner and moved stealthily towards the sound.

  When we were little this was one of my favorite pastimes.

  The hunt.

  More often than not Venna was the one fleeing for cover, which I preferred. As a boy I never understood why I loved it so much. Now though, I realized the prize I found at the end was the reason for my rush of excitement. Hearing her squeal and seeing the shock on her face, the red in her cheeks when I found her, always pleased me.

  I spied purple toenails peeking out from under a sheet covering an old grandfather clock. I stood off to one side and waited. After a minute or two, the sheet moved. Venna poked her head out to squint around the room. Her powers weren’t strong enough yet to allow her to see in the dark.