Page 13 of A Shadow of Betrayal

“That dickwad is named Senior Drakos, and you would be wise to call him that when you are brought forward to the Seniorem,” she says softly. “And since you have the sight, you automatically fall under the jurisdiction of the Umbra Council, so he didn’t technically kidnap you.” She shrugs, and I give her a nasty look.

“He took me without my permission. That's not okay.” The woman at least has the decency to look remorseful as she nods.

“I know, dear. But hopefully, we can get everything all sorted, and we can find you a new normal. Something maybe even better than what you were trying to live with by yourself. I can't even imagine being alone for that long. It must have been dreadful,” she muses, looking at me with new curiosity.

I shrug and look back out at the snow. Now that I've calmed down, I can see snow-covered mountains just outside the window. They are enormous and stretch toward the sky, and are much, much closer than I have ever been to something like this before. Sure, there are loads of mountains in Idaho, but I never ventured near them, happy to stay in McCall for the duration of the winter months. There are pine trees and several imposing buildings that look like they are all connected down below whatever building I’m currently in, and I shiver, looking at the frozen landscape that spreads out in front of me.

I hate winter. I’m always cold and can never warm up, no matter how many logs I add to the fire in the small hearth at the cabin or blankets I throw on my lap.

“I had my Grandpa. I was fine, and I don't want a new normal. Can’t I just go? I have a home and a job. Oh crap, Milo!” My hands fly up in the air in panic, and I shake my head. “I have a cat I need to go take care of. How is it legal to take someone without their permission?” The woman walks over and reaches out slowly, brushing back a strand of blonde hair that has fallen from my messy bun. I look down at myself and realize I’m still in my uniform from the diner and grimace, wishing I had a change of clothes with me.

“I don't have all those answers, dear. But the Seniorem will.”

“Seniorem?” I ask, rubbing at my temples. Usually, I’m pretty good at going with the flow. My life has been a shitstorm since I was born, but these people keep throwing out names of things I don't know the meaning of.

“The Shadow Elders. Theo was right; you really are clueless,” she says with a sigh. “Okay, we are going to have to do this quickly,” she says, gesturing for me to come to stand by her. I move slowly, my eyes still going to all the snow outside in shock.

Freaking Canada? Really? Couldn't he have brought me somewhere warm, like Hawaii or the Bahamas?

“How much do you know?” she asks as she leads me toward the large black double doors.

“Uh, nothing? I found out last night that the monsters I see are really Demons, and now I know that the Seniorem are the Shadow Elders,” I supply unhelpfully. Or I think that was last night. How long did the dickwad knock me out for? “I—I'm still trying to wrap my mind around the Demon thing, and I'm pretty sure the dickwad did some type of magic. Is that real too?” The woman winces, but nods, tipping her hand back and forth.

“Of a sort. We have chants and protection spells to help protect us from the Demons, but it is a very new development that we are currently exploring. So far, only the Elders have been powerful enough to wield it. However, some bloodlines have stronger connections to magic than others.” My eyes widen, and she puffs out a long breath. “Right,” she says, watching my no doubt shocked and confused expression. “Let's start from the top, shall we?” At my nod, she smiles. “My name is Elaine Drakos, by the way. I’m Theo’s mom and the dickwad's wife,” she says with a small giggle, and I cringe, shooting her an apologetic look.

“Sorry,” I grumble.

I’m not sorry I called the man a dickwad, because he totally is, but I’m sorry I said it to her face. She seems nice, and now I know why those soft eyes helped calm me down; she reminds me of Theo. Even though I don’t know the guy very well, he is the only connection I have to this world that has been somewhat positive, so I’m going to cling to that as much as I can so I don’t have a panic attack. I take a moment to study the woman in front of me and conclude that Theo may look like a young version of his dad, but he has the kindness of his mother.

She waves a daintily gloved hand in the air with a smile. “Laurent isn't always the nicest person and tends to take his job far too seriously. Theo told me what happened, and since he is now grounded in the Ranger barracks with Jordan until training starts again tomorrow, I came up here to help at his request.”

“I can tell,” I mutter under my breath just as the doors open, and a short, stout man comes out, nodding to Elaine respectfully before glaring at me.

“They are ready for the rogue, ma’am,” the man says in a high, nasally voice. Elaine sighs and then tuts at the man.

“Patrick, this young lady isn't a rogue. Now use your manners and open the door for us, please.” Patrick keeps his glare in place as Elaine reaches for my hand and tugs me toward the door. She pulls me close, taking me a little off guard as we walk, and tips her head in my direction. “Umbra Hunters or mercenaries are people with the ability to kill Demons,” she explains quickly. “The gift of the sight is passed down through family bloodlines, which you will probably be asked about.”

I open my mouth to tell her I don’t know what mine is, but she only nods and keeps whispering into my ear as we step into a massive room with a raised dais at one end and a single chair sitting in front of several men.

“I know; you have no idea what your family line is. Theo told me before he sent me up here to save you. So be honest and let them know that, dear. Be firm, don't back down or show weakness, but stay respectful. And Meyer,” she pauses, pulling me to a stop about ten steps into the room. “Whatever you do, do NOT lie. They will know if you do, and there will be consequences. Tell them the truth, but don't let them push you around too much. It will all work out in the end,” she whispers, her eyes flicking to where the dickwad is sitting on the raised platform, and she frowns at him. Theo’s dad shifts in his seat like he's nervous, and I smile at Elaine.

She squeezes my hand, then steps back and pushes me forward when I don’t move. I stumble a little, but catch myself quickly before slowly walking to the center of the imposing room. Looking at the men, I find most of them are elderly; one of them is even holding a cane as he narrows his eyes in order to see me. Two others are middle-aged, while there are another three who are younger than the others; one, in particular, catches my eye when I find him watching me with a guarded expression.

I can't help but stare at the man. His long black hair is pulled away from his face, letting the bulk of the length trail down his back in silky waves. His dark olive skin tone is beautiful, giving him an almost sun-kissed look that makes his striking features stand out even more. But what holds my attention the most is his startling green eyes; eyes I have seen before. They are lined with thick black lashes that I almost mistake for eyeliner.

Dark facial hair covers his jaw. It’s on the longer side but well groomed, with a few small braids running its length, giving him a seductive Viking look. A glimmer of light reflects off him, and I squint my eyes, trying to see him a little better. Is that a… holy shit, this guy has a nose ring too. I instantly wonder if he has any other piercings as my eyes rake over him coming to rest on his full lips. My fingers twitch with the unreasonable need to reach out and feel that they are indeed as soft as they look. I feel my already thumping heart pick up pace, and I swallow hard, trying and failing to pull my attention away from him.

For some reason, this man looks familiar to me, which makes no damn sense at all since I know I have never met this man before. Almost like a magnetic pull, his eyes suck me in, making me unconsciously take a small step in his direction.

“Miss Meyer,” the older man with a cane says, startling me out of whatever trance this man has put me under and pulling my attention away from the sexy-as-sin Viking. “That is your name, correct?” he asks, looking down at a folder he clutches in his twisted hands. I notice that all the men have rings on, just like Theo and Jordan did, and begin to feel a little foolish.

Why hadn't I thought of turning the onyx stones into jewelry?

“Yes,” I breathe out, the word almost sticking in my throat. I blink and try to focus my eyes in the dimly lit room while the older man looks up and scowls at me.

“Do speak up. Some of us aren't as young as we used to be,” he chides cooly, raising a thick gray brow that reminds me of a caterpillar. I swallow hard and straighten my back. Elaine said not to show weakness, so I really need to step it up here.

“Yes, sir. My name is Meyer,” I confirm, feeling a little better when the old man dips his head in acknowledgment.

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