Page 70 of Dance in the Stones

“The council’s delegation arrives in twenty minutes.”

Redford checked his watch again, resisting the urge to pace. The west wing’s sitting room was as perfect as any room could be. The castle had arranged the furniture just yesterday, and there was even a tea service laid out on the side table, giving a genteel look to the whole room. They had done all they could, and with the castle’s help, everything was ready for an inspection that could determine Duncarrick’s entire future.

Damon appeared in the doorway, two mugs in hand. “Stop fidgeting.”

“I’m not fidgeting.”

“You’ve straightened the couch cushions four times.” Damon crossed the room and pressed a mug into Redford’s hands. “You need to have some trust. The castle’s been stable for a week. Finn and Kara are thriving. We documented everything properly. When it all comes down to it, either the council approves us as a sanctuary, or they don’t, but either way, we’ll be fine.”

Redford took the mug gratefully. His mate was right. They’d done everything possible to prepare. But centuries of following protocol, of proving himself competent and reliable to authority figures, made him anxious about this particular evaluation in ways even confronting Magnus and his crew hadn’t.

The intruders had been easy to cope with in comparison – they were a direct threat, and protecting their home had been automatic. That wasn’t so easy to do with an organization that had the power to give them credibility in the paranormal community.

Through the stones, Redford felt the castle’s own nervousness humming beneath his feet. It had opened itself completely to them after the anchoring ritual, sharing memories, fears, and hopes for the future. The castle didn’t understand why everyone wouldn’t want to be on board protecting innocents, and now it was worrying that the council might deem it too dangerous or unpredictable.

“We’re all nervous,” Damon said quietly, reading Redford’s expression. “But the pack proved a week ago that Duncarrick is protected. The council would have to be idiots to shut this place down.”

The castle chimed agreement through the walls - a sound like distant bells that made Redford smile despite his worry. It had developed distinct personality quirks since they’d bonded with it. It was still protective and nurturing, yes, but it also had a quietly wicked sense of humor. Just yesterday it had locked Redford and Damon in their bedroom for three hours when it decided they were spending too much time on paperwork and not enough on each other. It was proving impossible to argue with a sentient castle’s relationship advice.

Three sets of footsteps crossed the courtyard. The castle’s awareness rippled outward, identifying the arrivals as non-threatening before Redford’s gargoyle senses even registered their approach.

“Here we go.” Damon set his mug down and straightened his shirt. “Try not to look like you’re facing a firing squad.”

“Not helpful – this is my regular authority face.”

“Just be yourself.” Damon grinned and winked. “This will be fine.”

Redford opened the door before the council members could knock. Three paranormals stood on the threshold - a tall vampire woman with silver hair pulled into a severe bun, a middle-aged bear shifter whose kind eyes seemed to track every detail, and a young witch whose magic crackled faintly in the air around her.

“Councilor Ivanova, Councilor Gordon, Councilor Brennan.” Redford shook each of their hands in turn. “Welcome to Duncarrick.”

“Special Agent Stone.” Councilor Ivanova’s handshake was firm, professional. “I understand congratulations are in order on your mating. And your new role as Sanctuary Keeper.”

“Co-keeper,” Redford corrected, gesturing for them to enter. “My mate Damon and I anchor the wards together.”

Damon appeared at his shoulder, offering an easy smile that immediately put people at ease. “The castle wouldn’t have anyone else, trust me, we tried delegating.”

Councilor Gordon laughed, and some of the formal atmosphere dissipated. “Lord Hades spoke highly of you both when he contacted us. He rarely intervenes directly in council matters, so his recommendation carried significant weight.”

They settled into the sitting room, the castle helpfully warming the space and adjusting the lighting. Councilor Brennan’s eyes widened slightly as a footstool slid into place beneath Councilor Gordon’s feet without anyone touching it.

“That’s remarkable,” the witch said quietly. “The sentience is fully integrated.”

“The castle responds to emotional states and physical needs.” Redford poured tea with steady hands, falling into the familiar rhythm of official briefings. “It can sense threats approaching the grounds, adapt its defensive wards, and communicate through sensation and emotion rather than words. Since the anchoring ritual, it’s developed distinct preferences and protective instincts regarding residents.”

“We’d like to hear your take on that.” Councilor Ivanova accepted her teacup. “Start from the beginning.”

So they did. Redford walked the council through discovering the hidden chamber, the crystalline structures pulsing with ancient magic, the moment they’d both touched the largest crystal and awakened something that had slept for centuries.

Damon described the castle’s initial wariness, how it had tested their commitment through locked doors and separation, how it had shared memories of betrayal and loneliness.

“The anchoring ritual was an emergency improvisation,” Redford admitted. “Magnus Kenric attempted to seize control of the wards, and the castle...panicked isn’t the right word, but close enough. It remembered Callum’s betrayal from the sixteen hundreds. We bonded our mate connection directly into the castle’s consciousness to prove we wouldn’t abandon it.”

Councilor Gordon leaned forward. “That should have been impossible. Mate bonds are sacred and personal to the people involved. It’s not like they’re something you can just transfer, especially to an object.”

“We didn’t transfer the bond.” Damon’s hand found Redford’s, their fingers interlacing automatically. “We extended it. The castle is part of us now, the same way we’re part of each other. If one of us tried to betray Duncarrick, the other would feel it through the bond before it happened. It’s the same if the castle tried to harm any of the residents. We’d know immediately and could intervene.”

“A system of mutual accountability anchored in impossible-to-fake emotional truth.” Councilor Brennan pulled out a notebook, scribbling rapidly. “That’s extraordinary.”