Chapter 14
Standing in the doorway, Brady knocked lightly before calling out. “Hello, Dylon.”
Glancing up from his monitor, Dylon smiled at his visitor. “Hey, Brady, perfect timing. Have a seat.”
Brady sat down, unsure about how to begin the meeting. Yesterday, it was apparent Jackson wanted Dylon to follow Brady’s plan, but Brady hadn’t a clue as what it was going to be. The only thing he was sure of was the Witches’ Council couldn’t be trusted.
Dylon’s face softened in response to the bewildered look Brady was trying to hide. His Alpha need to protect the weak welled up, but he pushed it back; Brady was anything but weak. Running a background check on him after their meeting with Jackson, his respect for the man had grown. He was truly a David taking on Goliath and that took guts. It didn’t matter to Dylon that Brady had lost the first round. What mattered was he was willing to enter the battlefield once more, even though the odds were against him—that was admirable. Well, this time, Dylon would make sure Brady had the full strength of the Blackwood Pack behind him. Deciding to start the ball rolling, he said, “How about we start with what’s known about the threat to Remy.”
Shrugging, Brady said, “That’s easy…Mystia said their lives are in danger, but why or how…well I think I know why, but the how is still unknown.”
“Okay,” Dylon said, “so you know the why…care to share?”
“Uhmm…” Brady’s tongue licked his lower lip, his nervousness showing. “Uhm, the members of the Witches’ Council don’t like anyone challenging their decisions. They don’t like change and they fear what the new Keeper of All Magic will do to their way of life.”
“Why would Remy make any changes? From my research, the mystic realm has complied with all the laws of the High Council. In fact, they were one of the few that received a perfect score during the last review.”
“That’s what the members want the world to think but, trust me, the Witches’ Council is one of the most corrupt governing bodies in the entire paranormal world. The Keeper of All Magic is walking into a trap. I don’t know what kind, but I’ll swear before all the gods, there is one.”
Leaning back in his chair, Dylon scented that Brady was telling the truth—at least, the truth he believed in. The question flitting through his mind was the accuracy of Brady’s belief.He was exiled by the same council he’s now accusing. If I accept what he claims, then I have to ignore the positive report about them on file at the High Council. Yet, if that report is true, then why are Mystia and Oracle insisting Carson and Remy’s lives are in danger?
Sensing the doubt Dylon had about his accusation of the Witches’ Council members, Brady’s heart sunk. It wasn’t until that moment he realized how much he was counting on the Blackwood Pack’s support, but it was apparent he was on his own. Rising, he murmured, “Thanks for…”
“What do you know about…” Dylon stopped when Brady rose. “What are you thanking me for?”
“Your time,” Brady muttered. “What do I know about what?”
Frowning at Brady’s reply, Dylon asked, “Did I do something to upset you? Is that why you’re leaving?”
“Uh…” Brady felt like a deer frozen in the headlights as Dylon’s eyes bored into his. “Uhh…no…I thought you were finished.”
Arching an eyebrow, Dylon’s mouth slowly widened in a smile. “I was just getting started.”
“I thought you didn’t believe me,” Brady said.
“But I do. Last night I reviewed what I knew about the Witches’ Council and came to the conclusion something smelled fishy. According to what I know about politics, the members should be falling all over themselves in an effort to curry favor with the new Keeper of All Magic. But Carson says not one has bothered to visit them. Granted, I’m not very familiar with the mystic realm, but I can’t believe it would be any different there…so that makes me wonder why the members of the Witches’ Council are ignoring their new Keeper?”
Slowly sinking down again into his chair, the corner of Brady’s lips twitched. Finally, someone was asking the right questions. “That’s exactly why I’m sure they’re planning a trap.”
“I agree. We need more information…like assets, business connections, deals…stuff like that about each member to find out exactly what they have to lose if Remy remains the head honcho.”
“That’ll be hard to do because the records are protected by magic. Only select members of the Witches’ Council can see them.”
“Can Remy view these records?”
“The Keeper of All Magic has access to everything.”
“Can Remy order that you be shown the records?”
“Yes…but it would immediately cause a major uproar with the Council members and I don’t recommend doing it until more is known about what they’re planning.”
“Hmm…okay, let me think about that. In the meantime, maybe Zane can turn something up that will help us.”
“Help us do what, exactly?” asked Brady.
“By finding out who’s involved and what they have to lose if Remy and Carson are not eliminated. For some reason, persons unknown don’t want the Keeper of All Magic poking around too deeply into the Council’s actions. According to Mystia, the danger began after Remy issued his first orders about low-level magic users, so it’s a reasonable assumption it has something to do with that. The trouble is, I can’t figure out what the connection is. Do you know?”
“The low-level magic users have been stripped of all rights and are, for all practical purposes, slaves. This has been going on for years. And before you think I’m blowing smoke, a careful examination of all the laws enacted by the Witches’ Council will show I’m correct. But knowing it won’t help you. Trust me, they have covered their tracks very well,” Brady said.
