Page 42 of Last Gift: Supernatural Battle

I saw a few jaws drop at that.

“Not what we’d expected, I agree,” I said. “Not only that, they’ve been busy amongst the other covens, letting them know their stance against us. Out of ninety-seven covens, we have the support of seven.”

There was a collective low hum that was part sorrow and part fear. Frond was smirking, and I longed to wipe the fucking smile off his dial with my fist. One day.

“We must proceed as though a larger and more powerful demon force will be sent against us next time,” I continued. “I don’t say that to make you afraid or to keep you up at night. I say that because I wish to be transparent with the real danger that surrounds us. We cannot let pride or tradition get in the way of our survival. The lives of our families and friends, and of our young ones are in our hands. The demons will come and go, but this coven will remain. That I am determined to see through.”

And I fucking was.

“As many of you suspect or are aware, I have invited the leaders of the nearby Vissimo clan and Luther pack to a meeting to discuss alliance against the threat that faces our three species.”

I’d expected an uproar, but the opposite happened. Some people weren’t shocked at the news, but they were shocked the rumors had been correct. They hadn’t expected I’d do such a thing. I’d just toppled off a pedestal in the minds of some coven members.

“High Esteemed, what threat? Do you expect the demons to go for vampires and werewolves next?” a Vero magus called out.

“I believe we are the demons’ starting point to expand their territory. This coven knows I was raised outside in the human world, and I had more interaction with supernaturals as a result. I’d heard of the game played by the warring Bluff City Vissimo clans. I’d also heard of the game played between the human tribe and Luther pack in Deception Valley. I didn’t think much about these until coming here. Even then, the coincidence of this coven playing a game, too, didn’t strike me as odd. I told you that I think demons have used Caves as a means of getting a foothold of power within our walls. I’ve told you that they thrive on division and negative emotion. I suspect that the demons have used the same tactic against the Vissimo and Luthers through their games, Ingenium and Grids.

“Why do I believe the demons have attacked us first? Myriad reasons. We are more isolated than the other races, and known for shunning outsiders. We do not possess mates, and therefore may be perceived as weaker in that we don’t gain extra powers from that process. The Vissimo and Luthers are already in alliance together, and this may be knowledge available to the demon king. There’s also potential that the other races have strong intraspecies alliances that the demon king thinks shouldn’t yet be challenged. No, from what I can predict, the demon king plans to take us in the south, and then collapse from the north and south upon the other races in the west and east. This is what I foresee will happen unless we find more friends in this fight. We only have the support of seven covens, and while there will be a continuous effort to grow that number and to hold the original coven accountable for their pettiness and cowardice, we cannot rely on magus help alone.”

I’d been wandering aimlessly between the tables while talking, and Berry spoke from beside me, “But why have the original coven abandoned us?”

I considered putting Frond on the spot, but I didn’t want to acknowledge him in the slightest. “Because Wild and I didn’t obey them in joining the original coven. You may know that Spyne and Esteemed Advisor Lief came across a passage in their laws that forbids dealing in magus lives. The contract they held with this coven was null and void and illegal per their own coven laws. I forged another contract with them soon after to protect this coven, but they’ve decided not to uphold that in good will. While that is regrettable, I cannot regret that Wild and I are here with our coven during this time, and not forced to be elsewhere and unable to help you.”

Her eyes flashed. “Don’t they realize we could all die?”

I rested a hand on her shoulder. “Actions speak louder than words, Berry, so look closely at the actions of the original coven. Reflect on them. Question why they feel such comfort in behaving this way.” I lifted my head. “There will be no unnecessary loss of life in this coven. I hope there will be none. To that end, I will explore every avenue available to us. I give you my solemn word that I’ll explore everything with the utmost care. In two days, a small group of Vissimo and Luthers will arrive at the coven. They may opt to remain overnight after traveling here. They are our guests, and they are under my personal protection. I realize this will be a first for many of you, and I welcome you to the opportunity of experiencing two other supernatural races and cultures that exist freely outside of these walls.”

The murmurs were back, and they were an odd comfort. I preferred them to the leaden silence before.

I held up a hand for quiet. “Many of you have grown up on horror stories of these races from your ancestors. To that, I can only say that one encounter does not provide a good looking glass to observe an entire people. Think of the variety we see amongst magus, for instance. Be assured that I have ample experience of Vissimo and Luthers from my time outside. You will be safe, and I hope that by opening this communication, we will ensure our safety.”

Frond’s voice rang out across the eating chamber. “And what of the fact that you had contacted vampires and werewolves prior to the attack by the demons to warn them of the danger? What of that, High Esteemed?”

My focus landed on Josie, and despite her bizarre loathing of me, she quickly found another place to look. She was the culprit all right. I shifted my attention back to the real asshole. “Frond, what’s your motive behind such a question?”

“Is that a yes?”

I waited, and when he didn’t answer, “I take it you can’t think of any motive that would promote unity against demonkind.”

“My motive is transparency for the coven,” he answered.

I nodded. “That is a worthy motive. Are you certain it’s your only one? To answer your question—for the sake of transparency, as you profess to want—my aim, and that of those who surround me, is to keep everyone in this cave alive. That means that we are addressing the crucial matters at this time. Because there is much to do. Did I deliver an earlier warning to the other supernaturals? That story includes an ancient blade, the chance findings of a coven elder, and a few books, and I look forward to telling that story at a time when we have the space to enjoy such stories.”

“We deserve to know everything now.”

“I thank you for your time spent helping to govern the decisions of this coven as part of the council, Frond. If the relics had chosen you, then you would be in my shoes. I wonder if you would be so vocal about transparency, then, with the strength of your ties and loyalties to the original coven who has willfully failed to uphold their contractual obligations.”

Frond was the smirking and sneering type. The kind that swaggered with a more powerful opponent at their back. This was the first time I’d seen wisps of his power sneak out with the force of his rage.

I opened my hands, fully facing him. “I have no wish to quarrel with you or any coven member, Frond. What we must remember is that division only fuels the power of our enemy. I hope you and others”—I scanned the occupants of his table—“are able to recollect that and act in the best interest of the coven.”

I turned my back on him then. “That is the news. There will be no upset to the order of things with the arrival of our guests. Go about your day as usual. Once there is an outcome, I’ll share it with you.”

I’d ventured across the eating chamber, and I backtracked to join my friends again through the movement of magus leaving for the learning centers or various meetings.

The others watched me as I sat.

Sven was glaring daggers at Josie. “It was her, all right.”

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