I nodded. “That’s what we find, but our customs agents warn humans atlengthbefore they are allowed into Germany.”
“And you are offering us this?” that first guy who had taken the bracelet asked.
“No,” I said firmly, everyone flinching. “I’m not offering you anything or trying to sell you us or our council. I’m giving you the truth. I’m letting you see with your own eyes what you haven’t been able to. Enough with the bullshit and lies. This is what we built and fought for. Not as rich whores or evil as demons.”
He studied me carefully but then frowned. “Your power unsettles me. You read in a way I don’t like.”
“There is a reason she is on the council so young,” Elijah said as he moved to push me behind him. “You have extraordinary pups too. It’s no concern of yours.”
He noted Elijah’s change but also how Arthur and Rita immediately went to block me as well. “I’m no threat to her. I appreciate her candor. I was simply warning you in case she gets something from me that could scare her. My wolf does not like her power.”
“Bain sensed it too,” I told them. “It might be a wolf thing, which seems really shitty given they’re the shifter species I have the most problems with.” I peeked out around Elijah. “It’s the magic to hide my power. I piss people off being powerful young, and most think that an immediate challenge. It’s time-consuming and annoying.”
He blinked at me a full minute before bursting out laughing, several others amused with what I said as well.
Good, amused was good.
We showed them a few more places, including the habitat various species of cat shifters used, admitting that one had been vandalized a few years ago. We weren’t even sure it was humans, but somehow a few of the trees inside had been cut down. Wehonestly suspected vampires not from Germany being assholes or with an axe to grind with the local cats.
Luckily, the ancient vampires of the group weren’t offended and even agreed it could be possible. It sounded like the way a vampire would get revenge, so public like that.
But we let them see there were safe spaces like that for shifters and vampires—all kinds of supes, along with humans, and tons of places they all comingled. How well it worked if everyone played nicely together and just behaved. If they focused on life being better than tomorrow instead of their past or the bad.
Yeah, that was loaded, but it wasn’t meant to be pointed, just a hope of… Fine, it was a hint.
“There is still more to this,” that wolf pushed. “There is an agenda here. We all sense it. Do not lie to us.”
I sighed, frustrated with my lack of communication skills or diplomatic abilities. I chilled a bit when Rita, Elijah, and Arthur chuckled.
“We’re not bullying her,” Rita clarified, reading the surprise of the others. “We know her well, and politics isn’t her thing. But I don’t really know the goal here either, Jasmine. So we can’t help you this time.”
Arthur snorted. “It’s also a lesson in teaching you to stop flying solo and work as a team.”
Yeah, that was definitely more of what was going on. I stuck my tongue out at them and focused on the wolf. “The agenda is you guys stop treating lust demons like trash and whores. Come see the clubs and experience what Ricco and the other leaders of Rome did. Spread the word. Get the real information so we don’t have problems later.”
I was relieved when the female leader stepped up. She was so fucking powerful that I honestly couldn’t even tellwhatshe was.She wore her power and more like a fucking cloak and shield all in one and it was… Unreal.
Her lips twitched. “You are truly a unique one. Most are unsettled when meeting me, as he is with your power, or jealous. Desire to do the same.”
I blinked at her, realizing I’d been rude trying to read her. Then what she’d said hit me and I frowned. “Yes, I would like to learn how to hide my power better and do what you can. That’s awesome. But if I have the time to be jealous, waste that energy, then I should use it to do better—better myself and push harder. You made yourself impressive. It means I can too.”
Something flashed in her eyes and she looked past me at the other demons. “She will make it to ancient. This one is a gem among so many sheep. You chose well in which young one to listen to.” She dipped her head to me. “Let me aid you in what you are trying to reach as your goal because I would like to learn more and get to the next step of your education.”
I tried to swallow a flinch, but she chuckled, busting me.
And the demons sighed.
“You are laying out long-term goals,” she said for others. “Clarifying mistakes of knowledge like we have learned ISLE was rotted in ways none of us knew. Or the lies that some had a fewwillingdemons at their sides, and it’s even reached my ears that you pulled twenty abused demons out of small locations. Some before they became demons.”
“Yes,” I confirmed, glad when that last bit disgusted all of them.
She smirked at me. “And you are letting us know that demons are no longer fractured and ripe for picking off. That you are organized—thisorganized and established that you can now come for yours even in areas that our councils do not risk.”
“Yes.” I held her gaze and let her see the determination in mine even as others around us had a slew of reactions.
“But you did not set this up to start war,” she continued.
“No.”
