Page 98 of Honorable Convictions
“We can’t attack without provocation. They should know enough about our structure to understand that it takes a Council majority to approve of an offensive act or to declare war,” Mitchell commented.
“I do not think these wizards are as politically savvy or nearly as intelligent as they believe they are,” Skeleton Lord Ducarius Daray stated. “I do not say that to demean them. They do not have a streamlined process. Their day-to-day agendas fluctuate wildly as if they get an idea and run with it.”
“But you still think they’re organized enough to possibly build with the dragons some kind of military or political force?” Pierson asked.
“We do. From the perspective of their people, I wish for them to have some kind of police. Lawlessness abounds, and it cannot be easy to live in such chaos,” Ducarius responded.
“Trust me, the humans there would agree with you. They’ve talked plenty to the emperors and other racial leaders when we get the rare transfers from Europe,” Drystan said.
“I think King Varius is eventually going to get what he wants,” Alaric remarked. “It’s not the only bridge the Giles Tribunal is potentially constructing. They’re sending out missives to the other pockets of magickind and shifters in Europe and in Asia.”
“Asia?” Drystan asked.
“We know there are shifters there,” Alaric stated. “There are Japanese, Vietnamese, and Chinese dragons who’ve immigrated to the Council who speak of small pockets of their people who remain on their ancestral lands. We’ve yet to find them, which tells us that the populations are not large and that they live in isolation.”
“They have gorgeous beasts,” Conley enthused.
“The Asian shifters are led by the Qilin with the dragons in hiding and the phoenixes—who once roamed Europe but disappeared to what we believe was Asia—being wiped from the planet or so we’re told,” Drystan remarked. “They refuse to join the Council even though Chrys and Elf have encouraged them that if they did so, we could spread our government over more than one continent. Are the Qilin interested in a proposal from the Consilium?”
“No, they have refused to speak with them. They have sent many missives telling them not to send additional letters,” Ducarius commented.
“Not that the Consilium is listening,” Eduard muttered. “They’re getting some responses from people closer to home. It might be a matter of time before the Consilium officially consists of more than wizards and a single dragon court.”
“We’ll continue to keep an eye on the situation and keep you updated on any changes. I spoke with Chrys and Elf prior to this meeting. While they don’t want to be pests to the Qilin, they’re going to contact them as well. If the Qilin decide they want to discuss the structure of the Asiatic shifters and perhaps join a government, we’d prefer it to be our own,” Alaric remarked.
“Absolutely,” Drystan said. “What about the other continents?”
“As you know it’s only been in the last two hundred years that any form of real cooperation on the shifter side has existed. Previously, it was everyone relying upon the dragons in Europe but without contributing to a greater governing body. With most beasts, we still see isolation. They want to live as they always have without combining forces. As for magickind, they are better at hiding. Who knows how many are scattered around the world or how many types there are. Other realms exist as well. I imagine a number higher than anyone would ever guess,” Alaric responded.
“Kind of scary to think a giant group of beings with powers we can’t conceive of could waltz in, changing our entire way of life simply by existing,” Pierson remarked softly.
“Don’t think about it or your brain will hurt,” Conley advised. “We can’t predict the future, and we may never know what’s out there. All we can do is work hard to benefit the Council.”
After they went through the stack of cases that overlapped, Mitchell waved good-bye and rose. Happy that it was the end of the day, he grinned at Pierson. “Ready to head home?”
They passed the front desk with friendly waves for the office managers and went out the doors. Pierson stopped and the pair waited while the hall cleared. Then Pierson embraced Mitchell tightly. “Don’t get the wrong idea.”
“What, that some of Chand’s demonic friends are going to fall from wherever the hell their realm is and destroy us all?”
Pierson’s eyes went wide. “I was going to say, ‘no snuggles before dinner,’ but thanks for giving me something to worry about.”
“You heard Conley. There’s no sense in worrying about unpredictable events and powers.”
“You think there’s a race out there that could actually kill some of us dead guys?”
“If you think about it, we’ve got a little piece of demonic magic, and the sentinels were created by two different kinds of sorcery too. I wish any damn race good luck. You know, as long as you and Tucker aren’t at the front lines fighting.”
“Tucker would fall right over the front line,” Pierson mused.
“I’d still cuddle you in front of the world.”
“You make that sound cute and romantic, but I know what’s on your dirty mind,” Pierson said. After a quick kiss, he pulled away to take his hand as they strolled to their headquarters, which was right next to the Sentinel Brotherhood. There was a door inside that connected the two, but they preferred to go past and visit with Evergreen and Dudley if the opportunity arose. “I know what you really want is to fuck in front of an audience.”
Mitchell laughed. “Nope, nobody sees my Blondie naked but me.”
“So territorial.”
“I think we were shifters in our past life.”
