“A mystery I very much want to know.”
Rowan paused. “Morgan believes Vlad was behind the recent deaths of female Wizards. Do you think that’s the reason he wants her dead?”
Hunter replaced the arrow in its quill and slung his bow over his shoulder, using the time to quiet the currents of his growing anger toward Vlad. At first opportunity he would alert his brother Air Wizards. They would not be pleased. Killing a female Wizard was forbidden. “That is an interesting piece of information. Like you said, curious. What’s our next move?”
Rowan crossed his arms over his chest. “Your change in allegiance is rather sudden. I’m grateful, because we need all the help we can get if there is war, but you need to give me a reason I’ll believe.”
“Air Wizards are loyal to female Wizards, first and always. So know this, Fire Wizard—If I, or any of my brother Air Wizards, suspect you mean to harm them in any way, we’ll tear you apart.”
“Awesome! I feel the same. What do you think would happen if we confronted Vlad with our suspicions and encouraged him to confess and repent?”
“He’ll kill you.”
“Correction. He’lltryto kill me.”
“It’s not going to be easy,” Hunter said.
Rowan held out his hand toward Hunter. “Welcome to the opposition. Like my brother, Stryker, likes to say, that’s what makes a battle so much fun.”
Chapter Forty
The warmth of the morning sun streamed through the panes of leaded glass in the mansion’s great room on the Trolls’ compound, as its light bathed those gathered within in pale gold. Morgan stood by the window and adjusted the wool shawl over her shoulders, chilled despite its thickness. She had awakened this morning to a cold bed, only to discover Rowan, with the help of the Air Wizard, Hunter, was gathering an army. But it was the message from Cassandra alerting her to the arrival of Connor O’Hara, the representative of the magical community on the Grey Council, that had her filled her with dread. How had Connor learned she was here?
She pulled the wool shawl closer around her as she nodded toward one of Cassandra’s guards. “Please inform Connor O’Hara that we will see him now.”
Cassandra and the old woman, Danu, sat beside the fire, each dwelling in their own private thoughts. Danu was bent over her knitting, the needles clicking in a controlled rhythm as her weathered fingers created intricate patterns with the yarn. Cassandra was quiet and subdued, her expression a mask, lacking emotion of any kind.
Even now, from Morgan’s vantage point in the mansion’s great room, she could see a small band of men gathering around Rowan. He stood on the stage, the location of the play they had watched yesterday with so much joy and promise. It seemed like a lifetime ago. So much had happened between them. She had felt they’d reached a new level of understanding. And then the dawn of a new day threatened to change everything.
Footsteps echoed over the polished wood floors, then stilled as Connor entered the room. He stood patiently, his face grim. Whatever comfort she might have gained from Cassandra and Danu was negated by the fact that their thoughts were hiddenfrom her. Were they as concerned as she was about what Connor was here to say?
She straightened, hoping to arm herself against what was to come. It did not bode well that Vlad knew she was here. The moment the Trolls had learned of Connor’s arrival, they’d hidden the female Wizards and Wizardlings, hoping it was not already too late. Bad news was reflected in Connor’s unusual eyes. Like many Half-Bloods and Shapeshifters, he guarded his lineage. Like a true chameleon, a possible indication of Elven blood, his eyes reflected certain colors found in nature. Outside, his eyes might reflect the shades of blues or greens, while inside they would take on the hues of the wood paneling, parquet floors or furniture. Right now, they looked as dark as aged mahogany.
“Milady,” Connor said with a slight bow, the tone of his voice as deep as the color of his eyes. “I will come straight to the point. The Grey Council and the Talons have voted to offer Zephra the position on the Council that Caitlan once held. Their wish is that you, and the other female Wizards, will consider this a step toward mending relationships and they invite you to attend Zephra’s installation ceremony.”
Morgan moved away from the window with the pretense of removing her shawl and draping it over a chair near the fire. If Danu or Cassandra had heard Connor’s announcement, there was no indication. The old woman kept her gaze on her knitting, while Cassandra’s concentrated on watching the flames in the fireplace as they rolled in golden curls over the logs.
Morgan did not trust the Council, and the moment she had the thought, Cassandra raised her eyes and gave a slight nod of agreement. It was a trap. She kept her voice devoid of emotion. “A great honor, and one we will consider with care. I have to say, however, this is very sudden.”
Connor’s eyes darkened to polished ebony as he clasped his hands behind him. “Yes, milady. Very sudden.”
The chill of his gaze matched the cold she had felt all morning and sent shivers of dread over her arms. She wondered how candid he would be with her. He was the magical community’s representative on the Council, and many said he disapproved of many of their decisions. But it was unclear which side he was on if a war was declared.
“To what can we attribute the Talons’ and the Grey Council’s sudden decision to elevate Zephra to the vacancy? They must know that it will take the full membership of female Wizards to approve the nomination.” She hesitated. “Ah. Of course. The council believes this will force us to return to the island to approve her nomination.”
Connor shifted his feet, noticeably uncomfortable. As a shapeshifting werewolf, he was uncomfortable indoors at any time. But she sensed his unease now had more to do with his offer to her than with his confinement inside.
He cleared his throat. “My thoughts as well, milady. Although the Council does not acknowledge it publicly, it is my belief they felt pressure from the magical community. When the female Wizards and young Wizardlings left the island during Bealtaine, it took them by surprise.”
“We left because female Wizards and our young Wizardlings were in danger. That has not changed. It did not seem to bother the Council that three female Wizards died the first night of the festival.”
“Not exactly true. Vlad’s hold on the Grey Council is tenuous, at best, despite the president’s support. The Talons would abandon Vlad if they felt their power slipping away.”
The rhythmic click-click of Danu’s needles stilled as she bent to pick up a ball of yarn that had fallen to the floor. Cassandra and Danu melded their thoughts together, directing their silent message to Morgan’s mind. “With chaos comes defeat.I foresee an opening.”
Morgan returned a message of her own. “Theirs? Or ours?”
“Connor, if what you say is true, how do they view the killing of the Fire Wizards? The murders are unsolved.”
