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Christopher stiffened, then he met her eyes. “That’s a damn good point.”
Marshall and Aiden were discussing increasing patrols and who they would send to check out Blood Moon pack when Christopher interrupted, “William, why is it that you decided this conversation required a personal visit? The council is in Washington state, isn’t this a long way for something you could have told us over the phone?”
She figured he added their location for her benefit since everyone else in the room would already know where they lived. She was watching the two council members closely as he asked so she noticed Corine’s slight flinch and how William sat up just a bit straighter.
So, something had them both nervous. They glanced at each other for a long moment and seemed to come to some silent conclusion. She assumed they were talking.
When they turned back, it was William who answered, “It seems that the council has a leak. We found several bugs and recording devices throughout the compound, including all our offices. We did not feel this was something that we wanted everyone to know.”
Corine shifted in her seat, showing unease for the first time, “We can of course, count on you keeping this to yourselves.”
It was not a question.
Marshall gave a stiff nod, “You know we can be trusted. Do you have any idea who could have done it?”
Corine shrugged and William answered, “We have ideas. For now, we will leave it there. Now, I believe there is a party about to start.”
Marshall held up a hand to stop them as they had all started to stand, “One last thing.” He pulled something from his pocket and set it on the coffee table in front of them.
Almost as one, everyone leaned forward to take a closer look at the object.
It looked like a stone of some sort on a leather strap, it was rough like someone had just picked it up off the ground and made it into a necklace. It was a brownish tan color with swirls of black through it. She thought it was kind of beautiful.
But she could feel something coming from it, like a pulse, “It’s buzzing.”
Marshall nodded, “Yes, I could feel it too. We removed this from the neck of the wolf Aiden killed. I believe this might be how they were able to cross the protection around the grounds and why we didn’t sense them. It has magic but none I’ve ever seen before.”
William leaned forward and picked up the stone, weighing it in his hand then studying it closely. Then he looked up and met Marshalls eyes, “I believe we have a bigger problem. This is a dark talisman.”
Christopher hissed in a sharp breath, “Sorcerers.”
William nodded, “Yes. It seems this problem is bigger than we thought. Put this somewhere safe. We will deal with it tomorrow. For now, we will speak no more of this trinket until we know what it can do. Now, let’s join the party and get some food.”
William and Corine both stood and headed for the door, efficiently ending the conversation. Marshall looked to Christopher, “Dad, what if it is one of the other factions? Bugging them is basically against The Accords, isn’t it? It breaks the treaty. And this..”
Christopher nodded and cut Marshall off before he could mention the stone, “Yes. I do not think we are ready for what it could mean. As for that, you heard them. We will not speak of it now.” Christopher stood up, “I’m starving. Let’s go see what delights Marilyn and Antonio have cooked up for us.”
Guess it was time for a party.
Chapter 12.
Aiden
Aiden was still thinking about all the implications of what William and Corine had told them. Of course, they hadn’t brought them any good news. It also wasn’t much information to go on.
Coming all this way for that small amount of information didn’t seem normal, even if there was a leak. He had a feeling there was more going on, but it wasn’t his place to question them.
He would speak with Marshall later, about the information the council brought and the stone. Something like that could be very dangerous to them. It made all their defenses practically useless. They would need to find a way to block that kind of magic.
They were all now standing in the buffet style line, filling up their plates as if nothing had happened. Marshall was talking quietly with Christopher, and Kenzie was silent next to Aiden. He looked over to ask if she was okay, only to laugh instead.
Apparently, she was hungry because she was munching on a biscuit while waiting for the line to move. He reached onto the table and grabbed her another one.
It surprised her when he plopped it onto her plate, making her jump a little, “Trust me. Marilyn made her roasted chicken with gravy. You’re going to want a biscuit to dip in the gravy. I don’t know how she makes it but it’s incredible.”
With a grin, she thanked him and took another bite.
“Hungry?” He asked.
