Page 49 of Lycan and Lark
Lucas clapped a hand on Lark’s shoulder. “Give him time, mate. He’ll get over it.”
Gideon stood. “This is a small meeting today because we will be covering some sensitive subjects.”
Aria took in the gathered group. This meeting consisted of Gideon’s inner circle, Lucas, Aaron, Leah, Lance, and Darren. He had also invited Nova, Dane, and Peyton. Plus Aria and Lark.
“Let me start by addressing the rising Veil issues. We now realize the initial Dolgur attack may have been just the beginning. Several other types of demons and shadow creatures have now been spotted, some with our own eyes. Romani assures me that this many creatures couldn’t have slipped out in the brief moments Nova opened the Veil. Which means there may be some other issue at hand. Possibly another tear in the Veil.”
Shadow creatures? That’s what they had been fighting when Lark was sent in to rescue them? Aria’s mind shot back to her time in Scotland. The dark month took place after a tear in the Veil was formed and a monster escaped. It had taken them a month and hundreds had died. And that was just one creature. Peyton had been finding reports of multiple creatures in numerous places. A shudder ran through her as she thought about the implications of so many creatures being out at once.
Lark squeezed her hand, peering down with concern. “It won’t be like that,” he whispered in her ear. “They didn’t know what was coming. We will be ready.”
Aria leaned into his shoulder. She didn’t know if she would ever get used to Lark reading her thoughts.
“We must remain ready for whatever may come our way and assume more obstacles will be laid in our path,” the Alpha continued. “I am confident we can get a handle on this situation.”
Aria swallowed her nerves. She hadn’t seen any of the creatures yet, but the way Graham had spoken about them, and now Gideon, made bile rise in her throat.
Gideon’s features were a mask of uncertainty as he spoke again. Aria knew what that look meant. He really didn’t want to bring up whatever was coming next.
“I want to remind everyone we all have unique pasts. There are things each of us aren’t proud of, and things each of us would do differently if given the chance.” His gaze skimmed every person present. “Now, Leah would like to say a few things.” He nodded toward the sternly beautiful advisor. “I’ll let you take it from here.”
* * *
Lark knew what was coming. Leah’s thoughts had been a tangle of stress and anxiety since she arrived.
Leah stood as confidently as ever, but Lark noticed the fingers on her left hand digging into her suit pants. “It’s true that before I joined the Ulric pack, I was a Reaper.” Many in the room reacted with sharp inhales.Reaper.Lark recoiled at the word. He knew all about the power of those chosen and cursed. “My previous pack was…different. I was chosen for the transformation when I was a teenager. I want to be clear that it was not by choice.”
Leah cleared her throat. Lark knew if Creedin had been able to get his hands on a Reaper, Lark would likely possess the ability himself now. Reapers are created through magic and sacrifice. In order to gain access to the Veil without the natural abilities of a Veil Walker, a bargain must be struck. In exchange for a piece of their soul, the chosen Reaper is granted immunity from the effects of the creatures that dwell within the shadow world. They are given the ability to not only enter the Veil, but also the power to seal souls within the in-between forever.
Lark felt pity for Leah. The transformation to a Reaper was never by choice. The cost was too terrible. The piece of soul that is sacrificed remains in the Veil, always, like a looming shadow. And every time the Reaper delivers a new victim, that soul shadow is there to ensure they suffer endless torment and are never allowed to pass into the great beyond. Lark felt a ripple of fear pass through the group. They were right to fear Leah.
“Reaping is a power that can be used for good, under the correct circumstances. It can be used to deliver justice. But power corrupts those who wish to wield it and my pack was no exception.” This was the most vulnerable Lark had ever seen the other woman. Aria was clutching his hand tightly. Leah’s next words came out tight and shaky. “I escaped the toxicity of pack life, but reaping was all I knew. I am ashamed to say that for several years I allowed myself to be bought. As long as the price was right I would take anyone, guilty or innocent, and trap them inside the Veil.” Leah looked down at the floor. “There are many jobs that I regret, and many faces that still haunt me. But when I met Gideon and was welcomed into the Ulric pack, I left that life behind. I know you may still have questions, and while I don’t wish to revisit that chapter in my life, I will do my best to give you all the answers I can.”
She took a seat, head still pointing down at the floor. The room was very quiet, but those around her placed hands on her shoulders, showing solidarity and support. Leah had been an assassin and had used her gift to lead people to their doom.Guilty or innocent, she had said. Lark realized he and Leah were more alike than she knew. Leah’s black eyes looked up at him from across the table.
“I want to be clear”—Gideon stood again—“that I knew about Leah’s past from the beginning. The Ulric pack does not judge you for who you were, but for who you are, now, as part of this pack.” He turned his eyes toward Lark. “We have a new pack member who I believe can help us greatly. I implore you to give him the opportunity to earn your trust and friendship, the way Leah has ours.”
Aria gripped Lark’s hand beneath the table, nearly breaking his fingers. He sensed the anxiety rolling off of her. The group was looking to him, waiting for him to say something.
Lark cleared his throat and stood to address the others. “I believe Gideon is referring to the Veil and my knowledge of the creatures within.” He struggled to choose his words, not wanting to give away too much. He decided the truth was his best chance at a clean start.
“I am a Veil Walker, like Romani. It is a power I absorbed many years ago.” Lark did his best to tune out the surprised and fearful thoughts that ran rampant through the minds of the others. “I was forced into the Veil many times, and lived there for months at a time.” He swallowed back the horrific memories threatening to drag him into the past. Aria’s sad and pitying thoughts ate away at his heart. Her thumb stroked his hand soothingly as she gazed up at him. “I learned much about the shadows that reside in the Veil. I do not wish to go back there unless absolutely necessary, but I will share what knowledge I have in hopes that it will help save the lives of many, and put a quick end to the current concerns.”
“Thank you, Lark. We are grateful for your help.” Gideon sent out a wave of Alpha energy that soothed the uneasy group. That is, except for Aaron. He scoffed, pushing back from the table and storming out of the room. The door swung open and slammed shut as he left and then opened again immediately.
It was Dahlia. “Is the meeting over?” Dahlia asked, as she popped her head in the conference room and peered around.
“No, it’s not.” Gideon sighed. “Is something wrong?”
“Um...” Dahlia’s searching eyes landed on Aria. “There she is!” Then she said to Gideon, “I need to borrow Aria, for official business.”
“What official business would that be?” Gideon asked, looking almost amused.
“Wedding planning, of course!”
ChapterTwenty-One
Somehow in just forty-eight hours they had pulled it all together. The clearing by the lake looked nearly unrecognizable. Rows of white wooden chairs had been laid out in neat lines in front of the water. They ended with a large wooden trellis that would house the bride and groom during their nuptials.
