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“Just seems to me she turned from all of us a long time ago,” Aengus says. “And now she’s come running back here, some ancient evil on her heels, and expects us all to protect her?”
Murmurs run through the crowd, and I hear both agreement and snarls of disapproval.
“Tamsin has asked for nothing,” I growl. “I called you here today. And I ask you to prepare for what comes ahead. It’s true that she’s been gone from here a long time, but Highland blood still runs through her veins, and we protect what’s ours.”
“What’s ours Blake, or what’s yours?” There’s a cruel glitter in Aengus’s eyes. He’s clearly using the situation to jockey for power, as a challenge to my leadership.
Colin and Daniel both make for Aengus with violence in their eyes, but I catch their gaze and shake my head.
“You clearly take issue with my decision in this matter, Aengus,” I say, my voice steady, but holding a lash of power. “If you prefer to shrink from this threat to our land and our people, you are free to go.”
I turn my gaze from Aengus and my voice booms out across the entire room. “Anyone else who thinks that Tamsin, a witch of the Highlands clans, does not deserve our assistance can join Aengus and leave this room. Now.”
Aengus looks at me, eyes blazing with fury. Several of the men close by jostle into him, and magic flares across the room. After several moments, Aengus turns and stalks from the hall. When he reaches the exit, he turns and casts me one last hatred-filled glance. No one else joins him.
I turn back to my clan. “The rest of us know the meaning of loyalty and blood. I wouldn’t want anyone else by my side in the fight to come.”
A flash of foreboding moves through me as Aengus disappears from sight, but I don’t have time to deal with his hurt ego right now. Hopefully he’ll come to his senses soon.
“Now,” I call to my fellow warlocks, “Let’s discuss what lies ahead.”
