“They are weakening,” she admits, and a chill washes over the group.
A few don’t look surprised. The mayor. Samantha. But others gape. Not everyone knew then. Did Georgiana?
“Verona and Marney were strong protection witches, but after they passed a year back, we haven’t been able to fully re-create what they accomplished.”
I never got to meet the mated witch couple who kept casting a safety net over this town until they were in their nineties. In the final years of their lives, they stayed holed up in their woodland cottage on the edge of the Folk Haven boundary.
“We appreciate the coven’s work,” Owen says, and I’m pleasantly surprised at how much like a leader he sounds. I’ve only known him as a goofy guy who runs the local recycling company. But he’s from the same founding family as Moira, and he obviously cares deeply about this town. “But weak wards leave us vulnerable, and we’re a feast if sorcerers ever discover what exactly Folk Haven is. And hunters are equally as risky.”
He names the group that doesn’t bother to siphon the magic, but instead get paid by trapping mythics and delivering them to sorcerers.
In the town where my siblings and I were raised, we never had to worry much about either group. Multiple warding witches lived in the area. I’m tempted to offer that we could send word, requesting their help. But large wards need to be renewed continuously and are stronger if the caster is nearby. Plus, there are people in my hometown I don’t want visiting Folk Haven.
Bad players in a different way.
“Then there are the threats we’ve yet to comprehend,” Owen continues. “All I’m saying is, I would rather be anticipatory as opposed to reactionary. If we put plans in place that we never need to use, then great. But if we do nothing and something terrible happens, I could never forgive myself.” His hands drop. “I’m not powerful. I know that. What selkies are is cautious, and that’s because we always live with the fear of half of us being stolen away.” He refers to the pelts his kind use to shift into their other forms. If stolen, selkies are slaves to whoever has their second skin. “Now though, I choose to look at that instinctual fear as a good thing. It is a warning that as much as we hope our world is kind, often, it isn’t. To live safely, let us prepare defenses against the evil in the world.”
The mayor steps forward. “That was well said, Owen.” She turns to the group, hands clasped in front of her. “Most of us recall the story of how Lake Galen was created. Folk Haven itselfis proof that there is evil we need to watch for, and I believe that Owen’s proposal makes sense. In addition, our town needs to stop erecting divides and instead find more ways to work cohesively.”
“Sounds like you’re looking to build a town of monsters,” Juan grumbles.
Levi glares at the werewolf beta. But he’s not the only one. Most of the gathering throws scathing looks the wolf’s way. Does he not realize that in addition to the monsters present, there are a decent amount of mythics mated to others not of their kind? Hell, the pregnant selkie has a monster in her belly.
Read the room.
“I am trying to build a town that is a haven for mythics.Allmythics.” Mayor Nightson faces the group. “Now—without insults—please, let’s discuss what this emergency team might look like.”
Owen takes the stage again. “First and foremost, it’ll have to be a group that works well together. If something bad is going down, there can’t be arguments and sniping about who is in charge.”
“So, basically, everyone has to listen to you?” Veronica, alpha of the Lake Galen pack, asks, a note of judgment in her voice. Tensions are high there, with pressure for her to meld her pack with the Folk Haven one and give over control to Baron Moonson—Jack’s father.
Owen doesn’t let her tone rattle him. “No. Not me. I suggest The Council choose a leader. I’m here as a consultant. Offering up my recommendation for mythics who should be included on the team.” He steps into the middle of the group. “Ones who are cunning.” He waves toward Selena. “Fast.” Griffith. “Stealthy.” Satine. “And of course, muscle.” His grin starts out directed toward Mahon, the bear shifter, but then he shifts to face Bo.
That’s right. If they want true muscle, then they’ll need my monster.
40
Bo
Owen sailsthe four of us back to the library, the return trip quiet, but not just because the wind stops conversation. We all appear to be sitting with the idea of a protection team for the town.
A month ago, I might not have cared. But now?
Now I have people I want to protect.
Mor cuddles into my side, and I angle my body to block most of the wind.
We left without any official decisions having been made, other than Owen being required to write up a detailed proposal of what this team would look like, to be presented at the next Mythic Council meeting. I got the sense he hoped for more forward movement, less bureaucracy, but he agreed.
When we approach the library’s dock, Owen slows the boat to a crawl, skillfully docking it, while Jack and I help with the ropes. The witches head up to the house, Jack on their heels, and I’m about to push Owen off when he stops me.
“I’m going to get The Council to sign off on this, Bo. And when I do, I hope I can count you in. Mor’s right; you’d be an asset in a fight.”
Owen doesn’t know that I’ve spent my entire life trying to do as little damage as possible. That joining some battle team would be going against every lesson I’ve lived by.
Make myself small.
Make myself unnoticeable.
