“It means that there needs to be a shit ton more checks and balances to make sure situations like Elder Albrecht and Adriel don’t happen again. Or where paladin are torturing lamia, or lamia hunting Sentinels, or any of the other fucked up things I’ve uncovered since I joined this community,” I tell him.
“None of you are paladin,” Elder Cleary announces. “You will not be allowed back in the Academy to become paladin either since you’re no longer casters.” He eyes my Chosen like he’s looking to see if that hit landed. “You have no authority to weigh in on any decisions we make or how we make them.”
“Fuck your Academy,” I tell him dismissively. “We’ll build our own if we want to.” I take a step forward and feel every paladin in the room tense. “We may not haveyourauthority, but don’t think that means shit, because we don’t need it. Feel free to test that anytime you want, we’d be happy to show you just what we’re capable of.”
“Is that a threat?” Elder Cleary asks.
“No, it’s a warning. We’ll be respectful and fair in our dealings with you, just like we will in our dealings with all supes. But if you fuck with us, you’ll start a war I promise you won’t be able to win. I want you to think long and hard about that before you attempt to flex any level of authority over us or try to tell us what we do and don’t have a say in,” I tell them, looking each of them in the eye, thejust try meclear in my defiant gaze.
I don’t want to start shit with the casters, but I can’t have them thinking they’re the top of the magical food chain anymore either. It’s like Getta said, if you’re not happy being the roots or the trunk, there’s going to be problems. We all have to figure out a way to be happy being the roots so we can all grow together and make the strongest fucking tree out there. I release a weary breath.
“We’re going to leave now. We’ve had a long trip, and we’re tired. Elder Cleary, you’re more than welcome to check your attitude and then stop by later in the week with your mate and compeers. I’ll be happy to fill you in on what’s going on with Enoch and his coven then. As for the rest of you, if you need something, send apoliterequest for a meeting. If you send paladin or attempt to escort us anywhere or limit our movements in any way, we’ll consider it fucking with us and act accordingly.”
I offer a stiff smile and turn around to leave. I pass the guys and walk toward the doors we entered through. A paladin male stands in front of them, and I watch the tic in his jaw as uncertainty flashes in his eyes. He looks past me, clearly searching for instruction. I don’t slow or falter as I close the distance. This guard and whether or not he’ll move or try to stop us is about to set the tone for our dealings with the Elders Council of the Solace casters.
I don’t want to kill this guy, but I wasn’t kidding when I told them not to fuck with us. I’m four feet away when I see the guard tense like he’s readying for a fight. I get ready to call on weapons and warn the guys to do the same, when the guard reaches for the door handle and pulls it open. Relief washes through me, but I don’t bat an eye as I walk right out the door and then out of the building to the parking garage. Thank fuck they chose the easy way. Here’s to hoping they keep that shit up.
“Fuck that was hot,” Torrez announces as we approach our SUVs.
I laugh and then roll my eyes. “Let’s go home,” I order, happiness and hope settling in my chest.
And in unison, my Chosen shout out, “Dibs!”
36
Six months later
Ipark the Jeep and open my phone to double-check that this is where I’m supposed to be. I’m in the middle of fucking nowhere, staring at a small cabin that sure enough has the correct address carved into the side. I turn off my car and hop out, gravel crunching under my flip flops. I trudge down the thin path to the front door and knock hard.
“This better really be an emergency, Mave, because I was supposed to meet Cyndol for a super-secret training, and you know how hard it is to arrange those between her overprotective dads and the Captain,” I shout out, banging on the door again when no one immediately answers.
“And this better not be another whine fest about the treaty with the Volkov pack. Tell Alpha Silas that he agreed to this months ago and they’re going to be here next week no matter what. Even if they all do look like Brun, he still has to hold up his end of the bargain,” I declare. “I should have never let the twins show him that picture of her. He’s been a little bitch about all of this ever since,” I grumble and finally hear footsteps hurrying to the door.
The door swings open, revealing my spitfire of a best friend on the other side and the shit eating grin she’s wearing on her face. I take one look at her and immediately get suspicious.
“Vinnnnnn,” she coos at me, ushering me inside the small, mostly empty cabin.
“If this is you trying to convince me to talk to Pebble about the pros of a harem, I’m leaving now,” I tell her, my tone adamant. “Once was bad enough. Never again.”
She laughs and herds me further into the cabin. “No, this is not about that,” she declares. “I already heart you fucking forever for doing that, and I have high hopes that fucker will pull his head out of his ass and embrace the ways of his people.”
I chuckle and shake my head. “Yeah, I wouldn’t hold your breath,” I tell her.
She rolls her eyes. “He’s not going to have any choice if my wolf claims another wolf. Even if we could convince my pack that a match between one of their precious females and a caster male was written in the stars, there’s still a chance that someday my wolf might find another wolf and just decide they’re hers,” she tells me with an exasperated huff.
I pull her in for a hug, and then we both plop down on two wooden chairs.
“It’ll work out the way it’s supposed to,” I reassure her.
I know Pebble is fucking madly in love with her, and I suspect Mave feels the same way about him, but their relationship is the definition of unconventional in these parts, and I don’t think it’s going to be the easiest road for either one of them. I wish I could smooth it all over, but that’s just not how life fucking works. All I can do is support and be there for her and help her navigate the boulders that get thrown in their way.
“Anyway, this is not about me, this is about you,” she tells me with a sneaky smile.
I narrow my eyes at her and lean back in my chair.
“Vinna. I am here to stage an intervention,” she announces, and she looks proud as fuck as she does. Her milk chocolate brown eyes radiate excitement, and she grins and tucks her bright pink hair behind her ears.
I snort and look at her like she’s lost her mind.
