Page 84 of Reign of the Beast

As he started backing up what Merek was saying, going on about chain of command and the supposedlycorrectway to deal with things, I’d had enough.

Time was running out. Draco was fucking well coming!

I teleported into thespeaker’s circle.

The surprise on the face of Althalos would’ve been comical if the situation wasn’t so dire.

He jerked back, majorly caught off guard. Yeah, few vamps, even Ancients, could sense someone during teleportation state.

“Enough!” I spoke, my voice echoing around the room, thanks to the acoustics of the perfectly arranged amphitheater seating. No wonder the Ancient Greeks had been such a huge fan of the design.

“What is the meaning of this?” Merek demanded,shooting from his seat. “You do not possess seniority, thus decision-making privileges do not extend to you,youngling.”

“This isn’t about seniority. It’s aboutpower,” I tossed back.

His eyes flashed, clearly taking it as a personal insult instead of the statement of fact it was intended as. “Just because you have bedded a sorceress of Mia Snow’s caliber, doesn’t mean you can match that power.”

Althalos smirked. “Not just her, according to rumors. The Ancient, Lucian Black, too.”

A chorus of gasps mixed in with some amused chuckles erupted around the room.

“You attempt to discredit me by using my personal life against me, but this isbusiness.Plus, I was asked to come here to reinforce the protection barrier around the compound.”

Merek scoffed. “Those requests came from deluded fools, not those of us who believe in the sanctity of the Guardian Movement.” He added pointedly, “Those of us who understand it is vital to uphold our procedures and rules.Youare a wildcard.”

“Your procedures and the rest of the high-handed bullshit won’t mean shit when Draco gets here and rips the place—and everyone in it—apart!” I challenged, my anger mounting.

This was the incompetence of bureaucracy at its finest.

“Cease this quarrel, Merek!” a deep male voice rumbled all of a sudden.

Its owner rose to his feet and I was stunned to see none other than Kalen, the ruler of the Light Fae Kingdom speaking up.

I cringed inwardly as I noticed his oldest daughter, Ella, sitting beside him. She was the faery I’d messedaround with while I’d been off-realm helping out in his kingdom.

Wow, my sex life was really being thrown back in my face today.

Fae were not Guardian members, but, I figured in light of the huge threat we were facing, Kalen had forced his way here today, knowing that if we didn’t stop Draco here, in this Realm, then the threat would move to all others, including his.

When Merek moved to retort, Kalen held up his hand stiffly and cut him off, “Before you tell me that I do not possess seniority, I advise you to check yourself. I exceed your age and level of experience ten times over. To me,youare a youngling.”

The affronted expression on Merek’s face was going to live rent-free in my mind for a long time.

“Mr. Morgan is here to help. My sources have discovered it is he and he alone who is safeguarding the Covenant, the key to stopping Draco for all time. Without him taking that heavy responsibility upon himself, we would all be in far direr straights. Furthermore, theOrb of Lifethat he repaired for my kingdom has swelled in power. It is now outputting an incredible power that indicates one thing.” His eyes strayed to mine and pride shone in his eyes. “Mr. Morgan’s magic has evolved. Astronomically.”

“What exactly are you saying?” Merek snapped.

Before Kalen could respond, the mammoth oak doors to the Great Hall flew open and the monster to end all monsters strode on in.

“Fools! Your egos and insufferable officialdom blind you to the obvious. You cannot sense it? Youryounglingis the most powerful being among you.” He sneered. “Aside from me, of course.”

A deafening rumble erupted of shoes and bootscharging across stone as everyone scrambled from their seats, heading toward Draco intending to fight.

Draco didn’t seem the least bit worried about the six hundred Guardians snapping into action. The odds were crazy.

But the Beast was no ordinary opponent.

“No! Retreat!” They couldn’t best him, not with a simple onslaught. They were running to their deaths.

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