Page 40 of Last Gift: Supernatural Battle

“Why is that, Opal?” Varden asked in his mild voice.

“Because a coven doesn’t need outsiders to survive,” she lashed back. “They have no respect for the Mother. They have no reverence in them. No celebration of life. No?—”

Varden’s lips quirked. “You have never met them, Opal. How do you know so much about them?”

“Vampires are the creatures of death. I know what my ancestors told me.”

“And had they met Vissimo and Luthers for more than five minutes?” he asked her.

She narrowed her gaze. “A coven doesn’t need the help of outsiders.”

Humans did a similar thing—passed down racism like it was a family heirloom to guard and protect. Such a mentality worked best in small communities with limited outside exposure—like a coven. These ideals held little basis in logic and fact. And as a result, logic and fact weren’t effective in convincing these people that they sounded like idiots.

“Are there any other ideas on how to gather a large amount of support in a short time?” I asked, not directing my question at Opal in particular.

Silence.

A shame. I wouldn’t mind another avenue to pursue. Not that I’d give up on this one. “I’m all ears if anyone should think of something. Until that time, this is an opportunity we won’t turn from despite the way things have always been done. We proceed with caution. The alliance may not be for us. This alliance may also be the only thing that saves our coven and prevents unnecessary loss of life.” I glanced at Opal. “Your grandchildren included. This will be uncomfortable for some coven members—you won’t be alone in that. We’re backed into a corner, Opal. You don’t need to like it, but I do ask that you open yourself to the possibility it may be the difference between life and death. If you believe Vissimo to be the creatures of death, then who better to kill the demon king?”

Opal was white-lipped again, but she dipped her head.

Winona, having gained her composure, asked, “They’ve already replied?”

“Faster than expected. The human in the bar is the sister of the Deception Valley leader.”

Wild felt my pang of hurt at the mention of a sister. He sent a sorrowful acknowledgment back down the line.

I read the letter aloud,

High Esteemed Tempest Corentine of the Buried Knolls Coven,

We are pleased to accept your invitation at a time and date of your choosing. We look forward to hearing your warning in full at this meeting.

I read the four names listed at the end.

“The vampire princess and crown prince,” Ruby said. “Why not the king and queen, assuming they have those?”

“No idea.” I lifted a shoulder. “But a fairy in Frankton Gorge told me the princess and crown prince were better to deal with.”

I could see that the mention of fairies was too much for Opal today. I should stick with Luthers and Vissimo.

“Andie and Sasha,” Barrow echoed. “Which one is which?”

“Andie is the sister of the human I spoke with. Sascha is the pack alpha. He and Andie, and Basilia and Kyros, are mated, I believe. The human, Rhona, seemed very certain that one wouldn’t come here without the other.”

“Mated,” Delta said. “That means they’re stronger and have more powers.”

If they were anything like me and Wild, then yes.

I leaned back on the hard authority. Must get a cushion for the fucking chair. “I’d like to invite them here in three days’ time. They will be offered the option of staying overnight. The Buried Knolls is out of the way, and they do not possess the kind of magic we do to easily return home.”

“The coven will be in an uproar,” Barrow said warily. “They’ve already had to deal with so much. Perhaps this should occur at a later date?”

Varden shook his head. “We can’t delay. Demons could attack again tomorrow.”

“I agree with Varden. I’d hold the meeting tomorrow if I thought I could get them a reply and enough time to get here. With that said, I see your point, Barrow. This coven has had exposure to one type of supernatural in centuries—and the demons were anything but friendly. I’m about to invite two other races, and I wish to be transparent with what’s going on instead of sneaking the leaders in and out. What are the ideas on how best to present this to the coven?”

There was almost a collective exhale by all of us—a derisive one from Opal.

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