by Cassia Briar
What I wanted to know was if they’d help us defeat the Tromara. Josh was working on that, too. But first, we needed to destroy the Codex, and make sure Sebastian and his monsters couldn’t grow more powerful. And, make sure the remaining Council members—Isabella, Demarcus, and Mia—couldn’t become immortal like the Tromara. A headache was beginning at my temples.
Angel said, “The new moon is only a few nights away. Complete darkness will give me the most cover.”
“Why not go in daylight?” I asked. “The Tromara are supposed to be less active then.”
Josh shook his head. “I don’t like assumptions. Cover of darkness is our best bet. I still think we should plan a distraction in case anyone out there is watching.”
“What do you have in mind?” Jaxon asked, standing beside me.
Josh pointed to the main gate on the map. “I think we should make a show of force. I’m thinking some big magic, flying shifters, and a quick loop through the forest out front while Angel sneaks through this side gate, here. We could also use someone with a lot of speed…like a vampire to play bait.”
Liam pursed his lips. “We’ll have to ask for a volunteer among the vampires. As for flying shifters, in the Omega Alliance, we have Brody, Olivia, Montrell, and you, Josh. Jaxon and I will be delighted to light the place up with magic, of course.”
“All right, let’s find some volunteers and finalize this plan. I’ll bring Dean Wright in on it as well.” Josh turned toward the door as May stepped in, followed by Elena and Tyler.
“I hope we’re not interrupting,” May said.
“Not at all.” Josh closed the distance between them and captured her mouth in a kiss I was pretty sure involved tongue.
I faced Elena and her boyfriend. “Come here and meet everyone,” I said. “Guys, this is my best friend Elena, and her boyfriend Tyler, who you might remember from a couple years ago.”
Liam embraced the other fae. “Tyler, good to see you again.”
I continued, “Elena, this is Jaxon, Angel, and Liam. My mates. And, uh, Montrell—a friend.” My cheeks heated as Montrell and I exchanged an awkward glance, and Elena lifted a brow at us. “And that’s Josh over there, making out with May. He’s from England.” With introductions out of the way, I tried to relax a little. “How’d your first witch lesson go?” I asked Elena.
“So good! May’s going to teach me for two hours every day.” She bounced on the balls of her feet.
“You’re a witch?” Jaxon asked, drawing Elena’s attention. “But I thought…”
“…I was human? Yeah, I know. It’s kind of a long story.” She grinned up at him. “You’re a witch too, right?”
“Yes—”
The door opened again. Gavin stuck his head inside. “Hey Royals, Regina Chang just showed back up.”
2
Caprice
Dean Wright held the meeting in a boardroom. She took her place at one end of the table, while I occupied the other between Jaxon and Angel. Liam, Montrell, and a very insistent Gavin took the remaining seats. Regina stood against one wall.
“Why did you come back?” I asked Regina, trying to sound queenly but not pompous. I’d been thrust into the position of Council Queen before having any formal training. My guys had my back, I knew that, but it was my responsibility to lead. I had to start somewhere, and hope for the best.
Regina’s fangs poked out as she spoke. “I’m sure what you really want to know is why I left.” Without waiting for my answer, she continued, “I left with my mother. I had to know what was going on and why she’d partnered with the Tromara. Immortality and power have a certain appeal, I’ll admit. I took a few days to think it over and weigh my options. Did I want to side with the old cannibal dudes who have terrorized us for over a hundred and fifty years? Or take the lead in the vampire community by joining the new Supernatural Council?” Regina caught my gaze. “It’s time for a new generation. I’m siding with you.”
“She’s sincere,” Liam said.
“I sense the same,” said Dean Wright, the other fae in the room.
I gave a small nod. “Okay,” I said to Regina, “we’re forming a new Council, and now that you’re back we have all the royals. The only position we’re missing is the one that’s voted in. The one Richard Aimes held before he was killed.”
Jaxon grabbed a chair so Regina could join us at the table, as part of the Council.
Gavin spoke up. “If you really want change, it needs to start with the Council. Otherwise, you’ll only perpetuate the status quo. The people need more of a voice and more influence in government. The Queen and five royals can stay, but we need five voted positions, not just the one.”
Silently, all heads turned to face me. “I suppose we royals should vote on that,” I said. “Um, everyone in favor of this change, raise your hand.” I lifted my own in the air. Gavin was right, we needed to change from the top down. In a way, over the course of last term, he’d become a moral compass for me. The problems in our leadership needed to be rooted out. This was the first step.
Jaxon, Angel, Liam, Montrell, and Regina unanimously agreed. Gavin leaned back in his chair with a satisfied sigh. Dean Wright sent me a small, encouraging smile.
“We should put together a nomination process,” I said.
“Montrell and I can take care of that.” Jaxon glanced at the shapeshifter and received a nod of agreement. “Since most people are in hiding, I suggest we fill those seats from those within our walls. We should also make them temporary assignments. Once this war is over, we’ll host a true election for each community.”
Several muttered their agreements.
“That sounds good,” I said. “Unless we need to go over anything else right now, I think we should get started. The sooner the Council is settled, the better. We can’t organize our war efforts if there’s no leadership.” We might be seen as a coup council, but we were all from the royal families.
Montrell stood. “We’ll start straight away.”
The rest of them rose to their feet and bowed to me before leaving. Gosh, this was going to take some getting used to. The dean approached and claimed the chair next to mine.
“You’re doing well, Caprice,” she said. “Leadership mostly requires confidence, faith in yourself, and delegating to those who are more knowledgeable or skilled than you.” Dean Wright rubbed my shoulder. “Remember that you didn’t break when the Tromara tortured you in the trials. That showed us all what you are truly made of—steel and fire.”
I gaped at her. Never before had she given me a compliment of any kind. In fact, she was usually telling me to stop whining and step up if I wanted to survive.
“Also,” she dropped her hand to the table, “don’t be too hard on yourself. Leaders make mistakes, and you will make plenty. A good ruler admits to those mistakes and does their best to remedy them.”
“Uh. Th-thank you. I’ll keep all of that in mind.”
“I’ve been dean of Academy Obscura for over sixty years. If you need to talk, or need advice, I am available to you.”
“Okay.”
She bowed her head then exited the boardroom, leaving me alone. What she’d just told me were the types of things I’d expected to learn from my grandma. But Isabella had betrayed me and everyone else. It was good to know I had someone with experience to turn to, however unexpected the offer.
The royals, Omega Alliance, and the rest of our friends ate dinner together in the large dining room under Sorrentino Hall. Elena, Tyler, and Flora joined us.
Of course we’d dismantled the Culling Club—a culling was never going to happen again. And since Sorrentino Hall held my name, I’d decided to make the former Culling Club space my own. Tonight the room was packed.
Tyler’s little sister looked like a female version of him. Blond, tall, and beautiful. Where he was broad she was slim, but their coloring and features marked them as siblings. Personality wise, they were quite different. Flora was much more timid, to the point of being jumpy
. I didn’t know how much of that was because of her time spent in the Tromara’s dungeons versus her natural personality.
I sat nestled between Jaxon and Liam, with Angel on Jaxon’s other side. When I first arrived here, I knew no one. Now, letting my gaze flit around the center table and the perimeter booths, I realized how much a part of this world I’d become. Friends, lovers, family, they all surrounded me.
Jaxon leaned close. “I’ve been thinking, if we want to form a new pact we should do that soon, while we’re still all on campus. If that’s what you want.”
We’d had a magical pact between the four of us until the trial chamber broke it. The guys had offered the pact to me when I didn’t trust them. It was their way of binding their loyalty to me, but I didn’t feel like I needed that any longer.
“I don’t want to reform it,” I said. “I trust you all completely.” My fingers drifted to my back, to the white scars left by the silver-tipped, magic-infused scourge. “And you know that I’ll never betray you or reveal your secrets.”
Jaxon’s mouth formed a grim line. “I do know that, though I would have taken that beating in your place if I could have.”
“It’s done now.” I took his hand in mine. “I want to move forward with real trust, not trust forced by magic.”
Liam said, “We’ve certainly earned that with each other. We might revisit this when you find a fourth mate.”
Angel growled low. Good. He was listening to this conversation, too.
“Do you all agree then? To not reform the pact?” I asked.
“Yes,” said Jaxon.
“I do.” Liam took my other hand.
Angel nodded.
I resisted the urge to look at Montrell, who was busily shoving stew in his mouth next to Liam. He had excellent, freaky keen hearing, and I was sure he was eavesdropping. But he wasn’t one of my mates. I had no reason to include him in this decision. My inner dragon sulked.
“Listen up, everyone,” Josh said, rising, “I’ll be holding combat lessons in the gymnasium starting tomorrow evening. Come learn to defend yourselves.”
Murmuring filled the room. We were at war, and although we’d driven the Tromara from campus with our surprise attack during the culling, we weren’t warriors. Hopefully, Josh would be enough to ready us for the fight ahead. Turning us into warriors would help, but I was the key to defeating the Tromara. I needed my full dragon form—before it was too late.
The next evening, I entered the gym to find it quite crowded. I’d liked to have lingered in a back corner and watched, but that wasn’t very queenly. Also, not an option, as the crowd noticed me and parted, forming a wide pathway. Many bowed their heads. Heat crept up my neck as I purposefully strode forward.
Josh’s attention was on me immediately. “Ah, Council Queen, I’m glad you’re here. Come here, let me introduce you to some people who fought in the last rebellion.”
My brows rose. Survivors from almost twenty years ago? Sure enough, clustered around Josh were nearly thirty men and women, who all surveyed me as I approached. Half of them were wolves. Witches and fae made up the other half, with a single vampire. Power radiated from all of them, even though their bodies were weakened from decades of imprisonment.
A tall, broad shouldered werewolf stepped forward. He had dark hair and intense eyes. “Council Queen, I am Heller Vargas, alpha of the Rogue River Pack.” His sweeping gesture encompassed those behind him.
I extended my hand for him to shake. “Caprice Sorrentino. Nice to meet.” My dragon perked up at the physical contact and the dominating energy bursting from him. Heller was a dangerous, powerful man—just the kind she liked. Even though I was technically seeking a fourth mate, I didn’t think two alpha werewolves had the slightest chance of sharing. Shame.
Josh introduced me to the rest of them while our audience restlessly waited. “They all have combat experience,” he said. ”We’re going to divide everyone up and teach them in groups.” Josh chose group leaders and seconds, then gave them pupils.
Most of those who’d shown up to learn to fight were also wolves. They were divvied up among the werewolves of Heller’s pack. The second largest group were vampires, who left with the stern, older vamp, Olin. The witches went off with a woman named Wynter, and the fae followed Itzel. Josh took the shifters.
I lingered near the back of Josh’s group for a while as he lectured on the strengths and weaknesses of different shifter types. Across the gym, one unit of wolves morphed and their leader put them through drills. I ventured outside, where the rest clustered across the lawn. Witches dueled, fae flew while tossing magic at one another, and the vampires practiced some kind of hand-to-hand combat. If only we had weapons to use. The Tromara fought with swords. How were we supposed to fight them using our bare hands?
Intently watching, I startled at a sharp inhale at my side. Heller gazed down at me, his dark eyes evaluating.
“So, you’re the mate of a powerful wolf,” he said, it wasn’t a question. “Our soon-to-be Supreme Alpha.”
Unconsciously, my thumb brushed the mate mark low on my neck. “Yes. Angel Cortez is one of my mates.”
“One of?” Heller’s brow creased. “What do you mean?”
I stopped myself from worrying my lip. “Dragons are a bit different when it comes to mating. We take four.” I shifted my weight away from him.
“I wouldn’t have expected the Supreme Alpha to share.” He watched those training in front of us, but I could feel his full attention on me. “Some may see that as a weakness.”
“There’s nothing weak about Angel. My other mates are Jaxon McIver, and the new fae royal, Liam Kavanagh.”
“All royals. I thought you said four mates?”
Was I really discussing my love life with a complete stranger? I steadied my gaze on his extremely handsome face, and squared my shoulders. “Not that it’s any of your business, but I’m still looking for my fourth.”
A slow smile spread his lips. “I’m glad to know our new queen is not easily intimidated.”
“Is that what you’re doing? Taking my measure?” I asked.
He leaned in close. “I’m not the only one. Everyone, everywhere you go, will be sizing you up. What can we expect from this new queen? That’s what they’ll be asking.” With that, he turned and lumbered away to rejoin the werewolves.
I already knew everyone was watching me intently. Watching and waiting. What I did over the next few weeks, and how we went about winning this war, would determine my reputation for decades to come. No pressure, right?
3
Caprice
Montrell and Jaxon, with the help of Omega Alliance members, had spent the past two night gathering nominations after the dean sent out a notice of the new election. The nominees had been posted and votes cast.
Tonight the largest room in Sorrentino Hall had been returned to its assembly configuration for the voting result announcement. The six of us royals stood on the stage with me in the center. Jaxon, Montrell, and Regina at my right. Angel and Liam to my left. Tonight, five more leaders, one from each supernatural type, would join us for the duration of this war. Votes had been cast last night and counted earlier this evening. It was time to announce the winners.
The hall was packed, so full that people stood in the aisles and along the back and side walls. I hovered over the podium and magical microphone, waiting for the last few attendees to find their place. Public speaking had never been one of my strengths. At least this situation was straight forward. If I got stuck, I could always imitate Dean Wright.
I cleared my throat. “You’re attention please.” My words echoed through the cavernous space and the crowd quieted. “Voting… We’re here to take the first step toward more equal leadership. And this is done through voting.” I took in a deep breath before continuing. “I don’t want to repeat the errors of the past. And I believe a council of stagnant leaders, with little input from the community, was a great error. For now, I’d like to experiment with keepi
ng the royals as a stabilizing influence, as they rule for their entire lives. While adding in an elected position for each supernatural type who would give voice to their people for five years.”
Lifting the five sealed envelopes from the podium, I said, “Today is the beginning of that experiment. Those you have chosen today to represent you will serve through this war, however long that will be. After that, you will choose their successors from the entire supernatural community.
“And I call this an experiment because that’s what it is. It will bring change, justice, and equality to all of you. If there is a better way to do something, I aim to find it and implement it.”
The audience clapped, as did the royals on either side of me. I hadn’t expected to say so much, but if felt right to make my intentions clear.
When everyone quieted down, I continued, “Now, let’s see who you’ve chosen.” I picked an envelope at random and broke the seal, then slid out the single sheet of paper. A cursive scrawl blazed to life in golden magical ink. “The vampire council member is…Olin Vagle.”
The crowd cheered as Olin stood and made his way to the stage. We weren’t doing any speeches at this point, but the new members, as well as our coup council would be sworn in after the announcements.
I chose the next envelope. “The fae representative is…Itzel Perez.” More cheers, as she gracefully climbed the steps to join us. I wasn’t surprised that the winning votes were going to those who’d fought during the last rebellion and lived to tell about it—even if they’d been captives for almost twenty years.
“Representing the werewolf community is Heller Vargas.” A slight thrill went through me as he approached and his gaze locked with mine. Angel rested a possessive hand on the small of my back. I tore my attention away from the other alpha and pulled the next name. “From the shifters, your new council member is,” a smile lifted my lips, “Gavin Noss.”