Page 112 of Warrior Unraveled

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Still worried that whatever Wesley had experienced with the demon in the portal could have a lasting effect, Virginia opened the door to the small conference room where the meeting with her fellow council members was taking place.

Everybody was already assembled when she and Wesley entered.

Samson, Amaury, and Gabriel were standing near the head of the table, while Cinead and Barclay were waiting close to the door. They looked relieved when they saw her.

“Cinead, Barclay, I’m so glad you came,” she greeted them.

Barclay nodded and glanced at Wesley. “We didn’t really have a choice. I’m happy to see that you’re okay.” He motioned to the three vampires. “We’ve been introduced. Your, uh, new friends have given us more details about what happened.”

Cinead seemed on edge, his voice shaking slightly, when he spoke. “There’s so much I can’t quite grasp yet. Deirdre… she must be frightened…”

“She’s being taken care of,” Virginia assured him.

“She hasn’t come out of it yet,” Samson added. “We’ll know more in a few hours. My people are making sure she has everything she needs when she comes to.”

Cinead nodded gratefully. Then he took a step toward Wesley. “I suppose I owe you and your friends a debt of gratitude.”

“You owe us nothing,” Wesley said quickly. “All we want is a chance to meet with you and make a proposal.”

“Shall we sit?” Samson asked and pointed to the table and chairs.

Cinead turned toward the table when Wesley suddenly put his hand on his shoulder. “Counselor?”

Cinead looked over his shoulder, a surprised look on his face. “Yes?”

Wesley pointed to Cinead’s hip. “This dagger. I’ve seen it before.”

Virginia followed Wesley’s gaze. On Cinead’s hip, an ancient ceremonial dagger was sheathed.

“I doubt that very much. Only the counselors have this type of dagger. And the last time you saw me, we were all seated. You wouldn’t have been able to see the daggers. You must be mistaken.”

Wes shook his head. “No, I’ve seen it. I remember the nine intertwined rings on the hilt. They look like they’re made of seashells with gold inlay. I’m sure I’ve seen a dagger like this before.”

Virginia put her hand on Wesley’s arm and made him look at her. “Like Cinead said, that’s not possible. Only nine of those daggers exist. They were made especially for the original members of the Council of Nine and then handed down from counselor to counselor.”

He sighed, looking confused and almost disappointed. “Then I must have seen you with one when you arrested me and brought me before the council. That’s it.”

He turned toward the table, but Virginia stopped him. “I never had the same dagger as Cinead and Barclay and the other council members.”

“But—”

“She’s correct,” Barclay said and stepped closer. “Virginia’s predecessor’s dagger was never recovered.”

“Was that Finlay?” Wes asked.

Barclay jolted. “How do you know about Finlay?”

“Doesn’t matter now. But if Virginia never had the same dagger, then I couldn’t have seen it on her. But I know I’ve seen it. Somewhere. Broken apart.” He looked away from Barclay and sought Virginia’s eyes. “You have to believe me. I’ve seen this exact dagger.” He lifted his hand to the healed wound on his head. “It’s in here. I know it.”

She stared at him, recalling his words from earlier. “The demon…”

“I think so,” Wesley said.

“But you can’t remember where it was?” she asked.

“No. But I saw it break apart. The demon saw it.” He turned to the three vampires. “When I was in the vortex with the demon, I saw things. I felt and heard things that I couldn’t possibly have seen or heard or felt. But I did. Something happened to me when the demon tried to invade my mind. I tried to repel him with witchcraft, but somehow I must have accessed his memories instead.”