AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I follow Steph through the massive sanctuary, then she pulls open another door and steps into a meeting room, her head held high. There’s a murmur of greetings, then dead silence from the long, rectangular table when I step in behind her.
Following her earlier instructions, I move to the wall and try to make myself as unobtrusive as possible. Regardless of my attempts, though, every eye in the room save for Steph’s remains on me. I keep my gaze locked on her, not wanting to meet any of their stares.
I’m sure they’re not happy, welcoming glances, and I don’t want to let anyone intimidate me in any way. I deserve to be here. But more than that, I need to be here.
I need answers.
I remain perfectly still when Steph calls the meeting to order and thanks the group for agreeing to meet on such short notice. She shows a humble, yet confident façade when she asks them to help guide her through the meeting since she’s never attended one before. The feeling of eyes on me slowly dissipates as she speaks, and I finally allow myself to look at the other council members.
It’s a mishmash of old, young, male and female witches. Much like the cars outside, some are dressed with obvious wealth while others are wearing clean, yet less expensive clothing. The one thing they all have in common is that they’re focused on Steph with pleased expressions.
They’re glad she’s here, even though it’s obvious they miss Bernadette when Steph calls for a moment of silence for their deceased leader. I see wet gazes and trembling chins during that few seconds, then a few throats are cleared as they get down to business.
The discussion drones on for a long time, with coven leaders sharing petty squabbles with other covens, requests for aid, and warnings of vampire populations in the towns in which they live now that the vampires have revealed themselves to the humans.
A few gazes dart my way when those issues are discussed, and I force my expression to remain blank. I may be a vampire now, but I’m a witch, too, and fully aware of the troubled history between the two races.
I’m just not sure if they see me as a part of the problem, or proof that witches and vampires can coexist. I mean, I am proof, obviously, but is that how they see me? Or am I just the abomination to them, a creature that should never have existed?
“On to new business,” Steph says, her voice ringing around the room just before her gaze lands on me. “I motion to add a chair at the table for the Grundelier coven…to be occupied by Eden Walsh, the last surviving member of the Grundelier bloodline.”
“I have something to say,” a man in a three-piece designer suit calls out.
Steph nods toward him, giving him permission to speak before saying, “Go ahead, but keep it respectful, please.”
“Having a vampire in the council, regardless of his or her bloodline, is a travesty. We cannot accept the hybrid into our ranks. She can and will report all of our business back to her bloodsucking lover.”
Okay. That wasn’t really all that respectful, but I do see his point. As much as I know these witches can trust Jesse and his rule over our kind, they don’t know that. They only have a thousand years of history to go off of. They don’t know the man, himself, his principles, or his morals.
A few heads nod in agreement, then another witch raises her hand. When Steph acknowledges her, she folds her hands in front of her on the table and speaks in a loud, clear voice.
“The Grundelier coven deserves a seat at this table. As distasteful as it is, the vampire is the only witch left who can take the seat.”
Well, that was certainly a backhanded way to support me, but I’ll take it. Not because I desperately want to be on the council. I couldn’t care less about the position. But I need them for information. And whether they know it or not, they need me.
I raise my own hand, requesting permission to speak. Steph’s eyes widen like she’s convinced it’s not a good idea for me to address the group before I’m officially sworn in, but I feel like there’s no alternative. Finally, my best friend nods, giving me the floor.
“I’m aware that my presence here is unorthodox and probably uncomfortable for some of you,” I say in slow, measured words. “But I really feel like I can be an asset for all of you. My unique position as a witch, vampire, and as Jesse Belloy’s mate gives you a bridge to peace you’ve never had before. I can negotiate and advocate with the vampires for all of us.”
A few heads nod as they stare at me, and I can practically see the wheels turning in their heads. For most of them, this is the first time they’re seeing me as an asset and not some interloper destined to tarnish their sacred council.
“She’s right,” another witch calls out. “If any of the covens have issues with the vampires in their area, Eden can work with her mate to bring peace.”
“If he’s not actively trying to eliminate us, himself, that is,” someone grumbles under their breath, but of course, I hear it.
“Jesse is a good man and an even better king,” I call out, pinning him with a narrowed gaze. “He wants peace for his people and is sympathetic toward humans and witches, alike. He will protect us all.”
“We don’t need some bloodsucker’s protection,” the man says, then snaps his mouth shut when Steph glares in his direction.
“I think what Eden means,” she says, no small amount of grit in her voice, “is that Jesse will keep his people in check and swiftly deal with anyone who threatens any humans or witches.”
“Of course,” the man concedes with a nod, though it’s obvious he’s only placating Steph.
“Then let’s get to it. All in favor of adding a chair for the Grundelier coven and bringing Eden into the council?”
Ayes fill the room, and she nods with a satisfied expression.
“Any opposed?”
