“But we are willing to overlook those murders,” I went on. “As well as any the rest of the clans have committed. A clean slate so that we can move forward.”
“We are not comfortable with the thought of signing a document we had no part in creating,” Crispin said.
“All humans have to abide by the truce,” I shrugged. “And most don't even know it exists. But in this as well, we're willing to compromise. A new truce can be made, one that you will help to write. If you're willing to work towards peace.”
“And if we're not?” Jennifer Wasutke sneered.
“Then it will be war,” I said simply. “I don't want to sound arrogant or spiteful here. I've heard of your abilities and I'm certain you could hold your own against either the Extinguishers or the Wild Hunt but against them both? I honestly don't think so.”
“I don't think you fully comprehend how many of us there are,” Gabriel said quietly.
“I don't think you fully comprehend the source of your magic,” I said gently. “The power you possess is a mutation of fairy magic. I could hazard a guess as to all of your ancestors and I could also tell you that your magic is only a portion of what they possess.”
The elders began muttering angrily.
“I'm not trying to be insulting,” I held up my hands. “I admit that some of the magic has revealed interesting and powerful aspects in your kind but I want you to be aware of exactly what you're dealing with and what a good option peace would be for all of us. You say that I have no idea of your numbers. Well, let me remind you that the fey fill an entire planet, just as humans do Earth. We are not a portion of the population, we are all of it. If we needed numbers, we would have them but truly, I don't believe we'd have to resort to that.”
“You speak the wordwein reference to the fey but you are clearly one of us,” Jared said in confusion.
“I may be what your ancestors were,” I offered. “A turning point; the person whose choice of mate would determine whether her descendants became fairy or witch. But I'm not a witch. I hold both human psychic talent and fairy magic, so I am something different than you. Your fey blood has been diluted so much that all that remains of it is a trace of magic. I can't sense any fey blood in you. That being said, I view you as a new race of human and as such, you're entitled to my protection as an extinguisher and my mediation on your behalf as an ambassador.”
They all shared intense looks with each other.
“We accept your offer to become our Ambassador. You may help mediate the truce when we meet with your elders,” Crispin finally answered. “Whether peace will be achieved or not is yet to be seen but I think we are interested in working towards that goal and I believe that you are genuine in your desire to help us get there.”
“Excellent,” I wondered briefly if I had the authority to set up that meeting and then I decided to just go with it. Peace wasn't something that should be put off. “Our High Council House is located in Ireland. It's in the countryside, a nice neutral location where we can work out the details of a truce without being bothered by prying human eyes. I'll give Aidan the directions on how to reach it. Shall we set the meeting for a week from today?”
“That's acceptable,” Gabriel nodded.
“Then I'll see all of you there,” I started to pull the crystal off my neck when Crispin stopped me.
“One last thing, Princess,” he held his hand out towards me.
“Yes?” I dropped the crystal back into place.
“The prisoners you're holding,” Crispin glanced at Jennifer, who was still scowling. “I believe it would go far to swaying the clans towards peace if you released them.”
“Do I have your word that Flight will not harm anymore humans, Prime Elder Wasutke?” I countered.
“They will not use their magic to take life,” Wasutke grimaced. “But this promise lasts only until we establish whether there will be peace or war.”
“Sounds fair to me,” I shrugged. “I'll release your people.”
“Thank you, Princess,” Crispin smiled, revealing a set of small but sharp-looking fangs.
I blinked in surprise. I'd completely forgotten that he was the elder of Bite; the vampire witch clan. Vampires. The word conjured images at odds with Crispin's appearance. But then fairies weren't exactly a bunch of Tinkerbells either.
“Thank you for being open to a truce,” I said to all of them and then removed my necklace.
Chapter Thirty-Four
I was once again standing on the lawn before the Tulsa Council House, staring into Aidan's face. Grindman; the word snuck into my mind and I nearly blushed. I'm sure he was good in bed, he had the look of a man who wouldn't be satisfied until his partner was. But I wasn't interested in the alpha wolf. I already had a Lord of the Wild Hunt... and a very determined dragon to deal with.
“They'll be meeting with our high councils in a week,” I said to Aidan. “I'll get you the coordinates and directions to the Fairy High Council House in Ireland and then you can pass them on to your elders.”
“Alright,” he nodded as he took the cluster crystal back. “All went well, then?”
“Not as well as I would have liked but at least they're willing to try for peace,” I shrugged. “And Flight Elder Watsuke gave me her word that her members wouldn't harm any humans until we got this sorted out.”
