His friends talked quietly about simple things, no one wanting to relive the trauma they’d endured. Not yet.
Elizabeth was certain that David would feel much better if he spent some time swimming with her in Llyn y Fan Fach and insisted that the water would be much warmer now that they were in the middle of summer. Kay was mouthing, “No,” shaking her head, and widening her eyes as she mimed shivering until they all laughed.
Eventually, David’s eyes started to droop, and the conversation faded. Bryn was putting away the tea things, preparing to let David rest, when Zach’s phone buzzed, interrupting the peaceful camaraderie. He frowned down at it before shoving it back into his pocket.
It buzzed again.
Then David’s phone rang on his side table. He turned it off. But even while he was doing so, Elizabeth’s phone started to ring.
Kay huffed out a chuckle. “Will one of you please answer the phone and check whether there’s another catastrophe for us to deal with.”
Zach took his phone out with a beleaguered sigh and scrolled through his messages, his expression growing increasingly strained. “The Order is in chaos,” he muttered. “Someone spoke to Diedre, who told them Gordon is gone—that his Council has fallen apart. The news is spreading faster than I could have imagined. They all want reassurance.”
“We’ve been like this for too long,” Elizabeth muttered. “So willing to be guided by the Council. Now that the Council is gone, everyone wants to be told what to do.”
“I don’t know why they’re bothering me about it.” Zach shrugged as if the subject was already closed. “I’m out of it.”
Kay rolled her eyes. “Because you did half the work for the Council, Zach.”
Zach scowled back at her. “Clearly not, since I had no idea about any of the things Gordon was doing.”
“You managed the investment teams, the training programs, the Circle administration, and the property portfolio,” Kay objected. “You are the reason the Order has funds and any kind of structure.”
Zach cast a worried look at Emma. “That still doesn’t make me responsible. Anyway, I already handed in my resignation. I’m going to work in the Holly Tree.”
“There is a vacuum that needs to be filled,” David said, wrapping his arm around Elizabeth once more. “Someone needs to be responsible. Someone who can do the work needed to bring the Order into the present. To make the Dru-vid far more accountable for themselves… and to start thinking about how we can reveal ourselves and truly become part of the world. We don’t want any of Gordon’s supporters to see this as an opportunity to become Archdderwydd and drag us back hundreds of years.”
James agreed. The Council had been stagnant. Mired in secrets, prejudice, and self-fulfilling prophecies even before Gordon had corrupted it. He, Zach, and Kay had discussed the problems many times. And there was an obvious solution. A solution James could already see coming, but by the look on Zach’s face, he hadn’t.
David narrowed his eyes, considering. “By tradition, the Council selects its members… and I’m the only person left on the Council with any kind of validity.” He focused his gaze on Zach. “Would you join me, Zach, if I selected you? Would you help to take the Order forward with love and humility, with the understanding that it’s time to let go of the past and create a better future?”
Zach was quiet for a long moment as he looked at Emma, all his attention on her. Then, in a low voice, he replied. “Thank you, David. That really means a lot to me. But… I don’t know. I’m not—” He shook his head, deep frown lines furrowing his forehead. “—I’m not sure I’m the same person I was before. If you’d asked me this a year ago, I would have been thrilled. I would have been certain I could do exactly what was needed to drag the Order into the light. But now….” He chuckled wryly. “Now I’m less arrogant. And, even more importantly, I promised Emma I’d help her with her bakery.”
“You’re exactly the right person to do this, Zach,” David insisted. “Being less arrogant is a good thing. You have integrity and courage as well as an in-depth understanding of the Order. People know you. They like you. That’s why they’re calling you now. But youshouldthink about it and discuss it with Emma.” He cast a small smile at Elizabeth. “Definitely don’t do what I did.”
“Okay,” Zach agreed reluctantly. “We’ll talk about it, but—”
Emma twisted to face Zach directly. “You should do this, Zach. There’s no one in the world I trust more to lead us now.” She reached a hand up to settle it on his cheek. “I can open a branch of the bakery here in London. I’ll focus on that while you focus on the Council. We’ll still be together.” She grinned. “And I won’t have to roll out your scones for you.”
Zach didn’t smile though. “I don’t want to let you down, Emma, sweetheart. I promised we’d be together and that’s more important.”
Emma pressed a kiss to his jaw, her face so full of love, they all could feel it. “We will be together. We’re making this decision together, just like you promised.”
“I’ll even listen to you, Zach,” Kay offered with a grin. “Sometimes.”
Everyone laughed, easing the heaviness in the room, and Kay waited for them to settle before continuing, “You’ve earned this, Zach. Take it.”
James couldn’t help the grin that spread over his face. He remembered when Zach was a grieving teenager, using his loss to fuel his dedication. Promising to change the Order and make things different. Make them better. Now he would.
He clapped Zach on the shoulder. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Kay’s right about something.” He chuckled as she rolled up a ball of Shadow and threw it at his head. “You are the best person for this, Zach. And all of us will support you.”
“Thanks, James. I appreciate it,” Zach said seriously before turning to Emma. “Are you absolutely sure?” he asked her softly.
“I’m certain. You’re the leader the Order needs.” She spoke quietly, but they could all hear the conviction in her voice.
Zach paused with his eyes closed for a long moment. But when he opened them, James could see the resolve glittering in them. Zach wrapped his arm around Emma’s shoulder, holding her close. “In that case, I accept. Thank you.”
“You will be brilliant, Zach.” Elizabeth gave him a proud grin.
