Page 15 of Chosen, Eternally
“Holy shit,” James whispers when I show him the file. “That motherfucker seriously signed off on this. Your own Handler fucking betrayed you and your entire operation.”
I swallow and nod. “Ian and I have always butted heads, but this is…”
With the ire and fire of a thousand suns, I pull my phone out of my pocket, take pictures of the report, and message The Society requesting an emergency meeting without giving many details as to why.
I anxiously pace around The Society’s headquarters—an old Victorian home that looks practically condemned on the outside but has everything needed to manage a tactical operation and probably even an apocalyptic event, CCTV of the entire town, weaponry, ingredients for any type of potion you can dream of, and an underground library so large it rivals the Library of Congress—all while wondering how the hell I was going to break the news to everyone that we had a traitor in our midst. A traitor who, for some inexplicable reason, has been working with the vampires. I don’t know why the hell Ian did what he did, but I know he double-crossed us, and it’s vital we figure out why and put an end to it.
A restrained James stands beside me as we whisper to each other what the plan should be. No one who passes by can see or hear him but me, so I look psychotic, but that’s fine.
“Catie.” Matilda, my friend and one of the members of The Society’s Council, interrupts our conversation. “What’s going on? What’s the emergency?”
James tenses beside me, but I’m so relieved to see a friendly face that I sigh.
Matilda and I used to be very close—though not as close as James and I have been. During our early childhood years Matilda and I spent almost every second together, especially since our moms used to be best friends. When my mother killed herself after my dad left and I had to move into my aunt’s house, Matilda came over to check on me every day. Unfortunately, we’ve grown apart since college, but there has never been any bad blood between us. There isn’t a doubt in my mind this woman had nothing to do with any of this.
“I think it’s best to tell everyone at once, Tilly,” I say, glad for her arrival. It gives me the final confidence to walk into the main office where I spot the leaders of the council seated around the round table.
Tilly walks over as head representative of her family beside my aunt Cybil, who, as Keeper of our History, was probably already in the office to begin with. It’s where she volunteers on days the shop is closed.
As Handler of the Chosen Protector, Ian is seated at the head of the table. I take my assigned spot at the other end while James stands beside me, undetected.
Bringing in a vampire into our headquarters is madness, it’s true. I’m just glad no one else can see him but me.
“This is highly irregular of you to call for an emergency meeting, Hecate. I’m surprised you didn’t come to me first before triggering our emergency comms policy. You know these protocols are reserved forrealemergencies, correct? Not one of your silly dramas.”
I suppress the urge to roll my eyes at him and instead settle for smiling tightly in his direction. After, I greet all twelve members, calling each one by their first and last names, doing my best to show them some kind of respect and admiration.
To be honest, if there were a “Most Respectful and Obedient Protector Award” I would not be the one winning it. I am the first to admit that over the past year, I’ve been surly and despondent. Definitely a tad rebellious. A particularly gigantic pain in The Society’s ass. However, because I’ve done a fantastic job at fighting vampires and keeping the supernatural order in Salem, The Society hasn’t given meas muchshit as I deserve.
Still, it makes me nervous for what I’m about to say. Because what if they don’t believe me? What if it’s a miss, and this whole thing gets turned around on me? After all, I’m the one harboring a fucking vampire. I’m the oneliterallysleeping with the enemy—though they definitely don’t need to know about the multiple orgasms James just spent the last twelve hours giving me (who knew vamp sex was so fucking hot, anyway?).
“This isn’t asilly drama. And I don’t think bringing this concern directly to you would’ve been a good idea—especially when it’s in regard to your traitorous behavior.”
There’s a collective gasp around the table, and if I weren’t so nervous, I’d almost laugh.
Ian narrows his eyes at me. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about you working with the vampires. About you creating some sort of fucked up alliance and lying to this entire council.”
Rex Shepherd, one of the oldest members of the council, speaks up first. “What’s the meaning of this, McCaffrey? What is she talking about?”
Ian scoffs. “I don’t know what she means. I have dedicated my entire life to The Society and its cause—unlike Miss Goode, here, who didn’t even want to accept the Protector role to begin with.”
NowI allow myself to roll my eyes at him. “As if. Sorry for havingonegoddamn moment of hesitation while I decidedwhether or not to take a fucking life-changing responsibility on. But that was a year ago, and you and I both know that as soon as the Initiation ceremony was complete, I have been nothing but dedicated to my role as Protector.”
“I wouldn’t have hesitated for a singlesecond. In fact, no one at this goddamn table would’ve thought about it twice.” He grits his teeth like he’s holding so much more back.
“I find ita bithard to believe that in the past three hundred plus years, not a single Protector candidate has ever thought, ‘Oh, hey, maybe Idon’twant to spend the rest of my life fighting vampires and giving up my future in order to keep the city safe. Maybe I want to think of my own happiness.’”
Out of the corner of my eye, I watch Cybil’s face drop in her hands, while some of the older members shift uncomfortably in their seats. The younger members and I, on the other hand, remain a bit lost.
Ian’s eyes brighten with an evil smirk on his face, as if to say,‘I’ve got you now, kid.’
“Oh, there was definitely one other person who thought of rejecting the role. But she crumbled under the pressure of it all before she could even formally decline. See, the Goode family is made up of weak blood,” he sneers.
Cybil’s head snaps up and glares at Ian. “You shut your mouth before speaking another word against us.”
He laughs darkly. “Fine. I won’t say much more except for this: you know I respectyou, Cybil, but your family is a disgrace. The Magicks selectedtwoChosen Protectors from the same bloodline—who the hell knows why—and both have ended up being massive disappointments.”
