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“Everyone sit down!” Areyna’s normally honeyed voice comes out clipped and firm, making everyone in the room obey. I’m not sure if it’s a good thing that she’s learning to be in charge. The moment we’re all at the table she turns her gaze on Richard. “Who and what are you and why did you fake your own death?”
“I had to go undercover to flush out the killer at the school. You gave me the perfect opportunity to disappear when you lost control.” Richard pauses before adding, “I am sorry Areyna. I came here today to tell you the truth, I couldn’t stand the thought of you thinking I was dead, even if it was for the greater good.”
Oh he’s good, but he’s lying. I don’t tell Areyna or I’d have to explain how I know that he’s lying and then I’d be the one in the dog house instead of Richard and Jason.
“Liar, we were already undercover at the school.” Jason cuts in.
Richard rubs the back of his head, taking his time before responding. My guess is that he’s thinking up some lie that will keep his story so far straight, but I’m onto him. There’s no way he’s not lying to us all. He finally answers with, “Yeah for the humans, but I was working undercover for the Vampires and part of my cover was to investigate the murders and report back on whether they’re human or supernatural.”
“What did you report?” Rourke asks, placing his hand on Areyna’s shoulder when she goes to stand up. My fist clench at my side with the effort it takes not to charge at the asshole and get him as far away from my girl as I can get him.
“That’s the reason I was supposed to go deeper under cover.” Richard says finally sitting down. “The council believes the murderer is a supernatural, but they’re unsure of what breed.” I watch with my jaw clenched as Richard leans across the table and grabs Areyna’s hand. He doesn’t hold it long before Rourke slaps Richard’s hand away and pulls Areyna’s back so there’s more distance between them.
“I’m so sorry for everything you’ve been going through.” Richard pleads, holding his hand back out to Areyna, she glares at it but doesn’t move. “I wasn’t thinking clearly and when you lost control I saw an opportunity to go deeper under cover. I should never have used you like that.”
Areyna glares daggers at Richard. I swallow the bark of a laugh that tries to escape at the look of abject rejection on Richard’s face. He deserves so much more than just rejection. I can’t believe he made us all believe he had died by Areyna’s hands. Even I know that’s a cruel thing to do. I doubt she’d ever forgive him for it either.
Curious, I tilt my head, filtering through the emotions in the room. Torren is barely containing a rage that feels so hot I can’t help shivering as I pull myself away from it. Derrin isn’t doing much better, there’s a thick layer of jealousy and anger surrounding him, the odd thing is that it’s all directed at Rourke.
Jason’s as blank as ever, now that I know he’s a witch, I understand why I find him so hard to read. His emotions are as closed off to me as his powers. The odd thing though is that I can see in his face that he’s not fairing much better than Derrin. Jason’s glare is directed at Richard, but he too keeps glancing at Areyna where Rourke’s hand is possessively grasping her shoulder.
Richard’s emotions feel odd, almost like he’s feeling multiple things and they’re all mixing together but the one that does stand out to me is the inky feeling. “He’s lying.” I state out loud realising what the inky feeling translates to.
“I know he is.” Areyna states glaring at Richard. “If he was being honest I would be more than a little surprised. None of them seem to have been honest with me. Ever.” She waves her hand around to encompass everyone except myself and Rourke.
“Hey, I’ve never once told you a lie.” Derrin says, puffing up his chest.
“Really? What do you call withholding the fact that you’re the son of one of the Supernatural Council members?” Rourke asks, giving Areyna’s shoulder another squeeze.
“That’s not important.” Derrin snaps.
“It is when it puts ir-Regina tieghi in danger.” Rourke’s hand finally lets go of Areyna’s shoulder, only to fist the front of Derrin’s shirt. I don’t know how Rourke moved fast enough to get around the table and into Derrin’s face but it’s an impressive move. “You’re more of a danger to ir-Regina tieghi than anyone else in this room right now.”
“How so?” Areyna asks, making me turn my head to look back at her. She sounds off, almost as though she’s not feeling anything. I push my power out to her, attempting to get a feel on her emotions, but there really is nothing right now. “You’re numb.” I blurt.
“ir-Regina tieghi, his father is the right hand of the Council. He’s a power-hungry fool who doesn’t care who he hurts to get what he wants.”
“That doesn’t explain how Derrin is a danger. He’s not his father.” Areyna says bluntly.
“And Derrin hasn’t even seen his father since the beginning of the school year.” I add, trying to diffuse the situation.
“He may not be his father, but his presence here poses a greater risk due to the possibility that his father’s people may come looking for him. Especially after recent events.” Rourke explains ignoring my input completely.
“Recent events?” Areyna asks.
“The Council is calling every member and heir of their ranks in for a meeting. There’s more than just unknown murderers on the loose in the Supernatural world. The Fae king died of natural causes, leaving his throne open. The Demon Prince and the Sea Queen have disappeared. The Alpha from the Shifters has fallen ill and with the Dragon throne being claimed by Ossias, the dissension within the Council is at its highest right now.”
“The Alpha’s sick?” Derrin questions, leaping to his feet.
“Sit down!” Rourke booms out. I watch in shock as Derrin, Torren, and Jason all fall to their asses where they’re standing. Derrin’s ass hits the chair he’d just vacated, but Torren was leaning against the wall and Jason was standing in the middle of the room with his arms crossed. Both Jason and Torren are now on the floor in a submissive kneel.
“What was that?” I ask, cocking my head to the side.
“Alpha power. Although I’ve never seen it affect a man-witch before. Interesting, isn’t it Remington?” Richard asks over his shoulder while watching Rourke like he’s a problem.
“Alpha-.” I start to question, then it hits me, “You’re a Demon.”
I give him a once over, trying to figure out what he’s feeling but my powers hit what feels like a shield. He glares at me as though he can feel what I tried to do then turns his odd blue and green eyes back to Areyna. “Ir-Regina tieghi, this topic of conversation is getting us nowhere, shall we move on?”
