Two dark figures stood in the doorway, shadow creatures like Varkolak, but not him. Their outlines were sharper, more formal somehow. One was taller than the other, both rigid in their posture.
"Aya Fletcher," the taller one said. Not a question.
"Where's Varkolak?" I demanded, my voice stronger than I felt.
"The Council requires your presence," the shorter one replied, ignoring my question.
I backed until I hit the counter. "The Council? Why? Varkolak isn't here."
"That's precisely why we've come now." The taller shadow moved forward. "You will dress and accompany us. Immediately."
My heart hammered against my ribs. "And if I refuse?"
The temperature in the room plummeted. The shadows didn't move, but somehow they seemed to grow larger, darker.
"That would be unwise," the shorter one said.
I swallowed hard. "Let me get dressed."
They didn't leave the room, just turned their backs. I dressed quickly, hands trembling as I pulled on a simple tunic and pants. No time to brush my hair or wash my face. The night of passion with Varkolak felt suddenly distant, a dream dissolving in morning light.
"I need to leave a note," I said. "So Varkolak knows where I am."
"No," the taller shadow said flatly. "Come."
They flanked me as we left the house, moving in perfect synchronization. Outside, the village was quiet, too quiet. People peered from windows but quickly disappeared when we passed. No one would meet my eyes.
"What's happening?" I asked.
Silence.
We walked toward the sacred mountain, to a place I'd never been before. A massive stone structure with no visible entrance emerged from the rock face. The shadows approached it, and suddenly an opening appeared, not a door, but as if the stone itself had parted.
Inside was a circular chamber lit by strange blue flames. Seven tall chairs formed a semicircle, five of them already occupied by shadow creatures more substantial than any I'd seen before. Their darkness seemed to have weight, to pull at the surrounding air.
The two shadows who'd escorted me melted into the background, leaving me alone in the center of the room. Standing there in my simple clothes, hair tangled from making love, I felt exposed. Vulnerable.
But I wasn't about to show it.
I straightened my spine and lifted my chin. "I understand you wanted to see me?"
A shadow in the center seat leaned forward. "Aya Fletcher. Human. Mate-claimed by Varkolak of the Eastern Ridge."
"Yes," I said. "And he by me."
A ripple of what seemed like displeasure moved through the council members.
"Do you understand what you've done?" asked one to the right.
"I've fallen in love," I answered simply.
The central shadow made a sound like cracking ice. "Love. A human concept with no place here."
Another figure rose from behind the council, smaller, hunched, moving with a shuffling gait. A hood obscured their features, but their hands were visible as gnarled, ancient, with long fingers that constantly twisted around each other like restless snakes.
"The seer," whispered a voice behind me.
The hooded figure approached me, circling slowly. I fought the urge to step back.
