That was good that we had some witches in here with us. I was going to need magical help, but Independent Society of Werewolves? What the hell was that?
Arrow sighed. “They formed after Sawyer was taken. They claim to need nor have no leader, nor follow any laws, and just want to exist harmoniously and not take sides with anyone.”
I snorted. “That’s fucking convenient.” This Rick character was about to get his ass handed to him, because I wasn’t in the mood for a bunch of freeloaders.
Arrow stopped in front of a large metal door and pulled it open, ushering us inside. Sage and I stepped into the dimly lit room, and I couldn’t help but feel like I’d just walked into a coffin. The entire feeling of being underground was suffocating.
The four leaders sat around a metal table, and quieted as I approached.
Eugene and Rab nodded to me in respect and I did so in return. Then I focused on the witch. Her long black hair was dyed purple at the tips, and she was younger than I expected. She looked about my age. Her fingernails were extra long and bright lime green, and she wore a flowing black dress that skimmed the floor.
“Hi, I’m Demi. Alpha of the werewolves.” I extended my hand to her.
“Star, leader of the Witches’ Revolution.” She took my hand and shook it with a firm grasp, which I liked. I also liked that she led the Witches’ Revolution.
“Happy to have you here,” I told her, then I narrowed my eyes on the giant man who sat with his arms crossed over his chest, making his biceps pop. He was in his late forties and wore a white crisp linen top with some kind of crystal shard around his neck. He smelled of patchouli oil and indecision, and I immediately didn’t like him.
“Hi. Rick, is it?” I pinned him with a direct gaze. “I’ve been informed the Independent Society of Werewolves has no leader and no laws, so you can leave now.”
His mouth popped open, and Star, who sat next to him, grinned.
“It’s true we don’t believe in hierarchy, or a chain of command, but I was assured we would be respected in the decision-making process of what happens to this community as a whole.” He looked at me like I was a savage, and for some reason it pleased me.
Leaning forward, pressing both palms to the table, I stared him down. “Thisis a room for leaders.Thisis a room for people who are about to decide how to end a war. This is a room for men and women who make hard decisions that later their people will benefit from.Youare not that person. Go.Now.”
He stood so fast his chair skidded backward, the metal scraping against the concrete so loud that it made my skin crawl. I missed the sounds of the birds and the bubbling creek right now.
“This is why we don’t want leaders. You’re all bullies,” he snapped.
He moved to step past me, and I snaked to the right, lining up to block his path so that he was forced to stare me down. “When we leave, you’re welcome to come and follow my command and my rules. Or you can stay and see how long the food lasts down here. It’s your choice.”
He swallowed hard, nervousness crawling into his features, then I stepped aside and he left the room.
It was a bad way to start a new leadership position, but I was inheriting a shitty situation in which I had to act extra hardcore now so I wouldn’t be challenged later. After what Rab told me had been going on in my absence, it was necessary. Sawyer wasn’t here, so I was going to have to lead two packs and take no shit lest I have complete chaos on my hands.
“Sorry about that,” I told everyone left in our group. “I just want to make sure that later on down the line, everything runs smoothly and there are no freeloaders. It’s going to take a lot of work to fit everyone in Paladin Village and live off the land.”
Rab nodded and so did Eugene.
“Witches are fine with hard work. We just want sunshine and fresh air,” Star said. “How can we help?”
I relaxed, grateful to have her so easily committing to hard work. “Rab, how did you get the thousands of Paladins in here without being seen or smelled? We’re going to need to get everyone out. Probably over multiple days, hopefully without anyone knowing until we are all back on Paladin land and in a strong place to protect ourselves.”
Rab nodded to Star. “Star and her coven helped. They did a spell that masked scent and sound, and we snuck people in through the hedge in the dead of night.”
The hedge was a godsend, but twenty-four thousand people was a lot. “We have a lot of people to get out, and I’d like to do it over a maximum of two days. I don’t think the vampires will care to even go into the Wild Lands. It’s the Ithaki we will have to contend with.”
Eugene nodded. “I can attest that most of the Magic City territories avoid the Wild Lands. As long as we lay low in Paladin Village, they probably won’t even notice we are there.”
Sage cleared her throat behind me. I’d totally forgotten she was even here. “Do the vampires know that a bunch of us survived?” she asked.
Great question.
Eugene nodded. “We overheard them saying there weren’t enough dead bodies to have gotten all of us. They know we are hiding somewhere.”
Rab tipped his head. “And you’re sure it’s safe to go back? The fungus is gone? We can grow food again? Clean water?”
I smiled, reaching out to squeeze his hand. “I promise.” I couldn’t explain my experience in the cave if I tried. Someone would have me committed. But I saw the land heal before my eyes, Astra too. “It’s time to go home,” I assured him.
