Page 190 of Gift from the Source
“Remove them,” Aurora announces and the palace guards behind them quickly jump into action.
“We haven’t done anything. Release us this instant,” Reny Tealwaters shrieks.
“If my daughter felt the need to call you out at a time as important as this, there is a reason and that’s all I need to know. By the Elementra-blessed power bestowed on me, I hereby strip you and the entirety of your line from their council seats. Take them to a holding cell.”
Her unwavering belief in me simmers my anger. I feel absolutely nothing but disappointment in them and their righteousness as the guards transport them out. The outraged shrieks falling from the Primaries echo through the room and I shake my head in disgust.
When my eyes meet the Drovers once again, their shoulders have straightened, but their minds speak their truth. My disappointment dissolves as their thoughts are the opposite of those I just heard. I don’t have to say anything, just a small bow of my head tells everyone, even them, they’re in the clear.
Those tense few seconds held all my attention, but now peering behind the last remaining family of five, my throat begins to close. I look over the familiar faces that have become so important to me that now stand there proudly. I hadn’t realized they’d begun piling in here.
There’re so many people. It’s like the ball once again, but deadlier.
I recognize the faces of palace E.F. leads I’ve had the opportunity to get to know by name since living in the south wing.
I could laugh and face-palm myself as I look at Vince’s fierce glare. The first thought that comes to mind is how I thought he was a little kitty when we first met. We’ve come so far since then and he means so much more to me now than just some shifter instructor or mentor. He’s a friend, family.
Trex and his brothers. Everything we’ve been through. Our destinies have been tied for years.
I nearly crack as the gathering crowd parts and my sister leads the horde of our family toward me. I look her over from the tight topknot of purple hair, down her battle armor to her boots. She looks like a badass.
I want to command her to go away with Gaster.
She’d never listen to me. She’d snort, roll her eyes, and say, “Yeah, okay.”
I hide my sharp inhale as she, Ry, Nikoli, San, Jamie, Aria, Lyker, Lennox, Kyan, and Zane come to stand around us. When they’re all silently situated, Aurora speaks.
“What’s coming our way?”
“The entire society of the Mastery. They’ll be here before dawn,” Tillman announces, gaining the attention of everyone in the room. His gift caresses my mind and I take that as my sign.
I latch onto every mind here and show them all the nightmare of a vision.
“The time has come,” Aurora announces loudly, breaking the tense silence after my gift releases everyone. “For longer than any of us could’ve imagined this society led by Malvolio Choice, has plagued our realm, our people. It ends now. We’ve all known of this possibility and have prepared for it. Now is not the time to doubt anything. It’s time to unite and protect our people. How long until dawn?”
Before anyone can respond, a dark cloud appears in the corner of the room and out step Cas and Keeper. The looks on their faces speak a thousand words that I don’t need interpreted.
This just went from bad to worse.
“Forty vampires will accompany their army. The ward is still intact and it wasn’t him, but a Mastery member who used a relic to slice an opening for those that have decided to be loyal to him to exit. It was sealed back once they left. The remaining vampires will stay there and want nothing to do with this war,” Keeper informs us. His eyes are fully crimson, and his bloodthirsty rage is potent.
“We only have one hundred vials of the Bane of Essence,” Jamie says from behind me.
“It’s easier for the shifters to track their movements in our animal form. Exclude us from those who need a vial,” Lyker volunteers instantly and bile collects in my throat.
“Sir,” a palace guard calls, gaining Tillman’s attention. “Exclude those of us who accompanied you on the Forest mission. We’ve been trained and prepared more on what to expect from them.”
With a fist to his chest, Tillman nods to him pridefully. “Jamie and Nikoli, take point on distributing the vials. Start with the newest members, any who have never been on a mission before. Go retrieve the vials now. Keeper, what’s your plan?”
“I’ll use my compulsion to slow them down. If you have eyes on them, kill them. Don’t hesitate. Beheading is the only option. The Keep will not accept traitors on the return home,” he growls.
“What about the Charm?” Corentin asks.
“The Charm will compel any here who don’t have the mental strength to fight it off. It would put far too many of our people at risk,” Oakly answers and Keeper nods.
“Oakly’s correct.”
“Then you all heard him. If you have eyes on a vampire, kill on sight. If you can’t get close enough to them, use an element to hold them until you can,” Tillman barks.
