by Jones, L. A.
"I am actually kind of amazed that Tristan told you anything," Dax said to Aradia as he leaned against her dresser drawer.
Aradia shrugged as she tried on another sweater, this time in cranberry red. "I was too and I do suspect he's up to something but hey according to you there really is a hidden meeting going on tonight so at least he's not lying about that. Besides since I am the last witch and I have been doing a lot of controversial things lately I find it prudent to show up and meet some of the people in charge."
"Controversial things?" Dax repeated, sounding amused. "You mean like repairing injuries on all of the hidden that were deemed un-healable and throwing illegal raves to promote amelioration?"
Aradia threw him an annoyed glare. "The fact is Dax, I figure it's about time I step up to the plate and face my responsibilities."
"Why?" Dax asked, "Your people are dead so you don't need to represent them or speak on their behalf or anything."
Aradia turned from her reflection to look at him, stunned.
Slowly she said, "You know I think I am becoming a bad influence on you too."
Dax chuckled, but said nothing. After realizing he was not going to apologize for his comment, Aradia turned back to her mirror.
It was as she brushed her hair when she said, "It's like you and Tristan pointed out a while back being the last witch has granted me an enormous political advantage. Therefore, I might as well meet the others who also share political influence. Who knows? Maybe I can talk to them about promoting amelioration amongst the hidden."
Dax snorted, and Aradia wheeled around now looking as mad as hell.
"Look Dax," Aradia snapped, "If you don't really believe in my cause of promoting amelioration amongst the hiddens why the hell you bother helping me at all?"
Dax shrugged while Aradia just stared at him.
After a few seconds, Dax sighed, unfolded his arms, and leaned against her desk. "It's not that I don't believe in your cause Rai. It is just that I have my doubts about it. After all, things have been this way since before I can remember, and if amelioration amongst the hidden race cannot be possible in over two centuries what makes you think it is a possibility now?"
Aradia said nothing.
"However," Dax admitted, "The things you have done recently..."
He shook his head. "Ever since the parties first started there have been less fights amongst the hidden and less violence. So while I do doubt your theory of promoting amelioration I no longer think it’s impossible hence why I still help you with achieving your goal."
"And besides," he added flashing a sexy smile. "Helping you do this makes you happy and I like making you happy so..." He trailed off.
Aradia smiled, slowly walked towards him, and slipped her arms around his waist.
"You know something Dax?" she whispered in his ear as she hugged me, "Being around you is wanting to kiss you and hit you at the same time."
Dax laughed smartly. "I am all for the first choice you know?"
Aradia also laughed, and lifted her head to look up at him. Dax then tipped her chin up, and began to draw her lips towards his.
Suddenly they heard creaking sounds outside of Aradia's room as if someone was walking up the stairs.
"It's my parents!” Aradia quietly shrieked.
Looking around quickly, Dax saw her open window.
"I will meet you outside with my car okay?" he whispered in her ear.
She nodded as he ran, and jumped out the window. He landed softly on the ground, turned to wink at her, and dashed around the side of the house. Aradia sighed, as she watched him leave.
"Hey firecracker," her father said as he opened the door. "Dinner is ready."
"Okay," Aradia said still looking longingly out the window.
Her father paused, and looked around her room.
"Was someone in here with you?" he finally asked, "I thought I heard voices."
"So what's for dinner?" Aradia said spinning around, grabbing her father's arm, and dragging him out of her room.
It was as Aradia ate dinner with her parents that both Ross and Liza finally asked about the meeting.
"What exactly are you planning to do?" Ross asked.
"Just show my face, get the lowdown of the land, and basically see what's going on," Aradia explained without missing a beat.
Ross just stared at her skeptically.
"Honey," Liza began, "Are you sure you want to go? You don't have to..."
"Yeah I do Mom," Aradia stated, "I am a hidden now and as a member of the hidden community I have to know what is going on."
"And besides," she added, "Everyone knows I am the last witch and everyone already thinks I am the most powerful hidden and if I don't show up to the places where their leaders meet...well what kind of message do you think I will be sending out to them?"
To this, her parents said nothing.
After a few moments of tense silence, Ross finally spoke. "You know Aradia, being the last witch doesn't necessarily mean anything. If you chose to, you can turn your back on such a title, and go on living a normal life."
"I am not saying you should," Ross said holding up his hands to silence her arguments. “But keep in mind that if you choose to make a big deal about being the last witch there will be no going back. You will not be able to undo anything and your life from that point on will be very complicated. However, if you decide that that is not what you want then it will be possible for you to live your life normally (so to speak) from that point on."
"Define normal?" Aradia demanded.
"Normal as in finishing high school, going off to college, and maybe one day having a family of your own. After all, it is said in the book you told us about that if you have kids they will have no powers so it's not like it will be a constant worry in your life," Ross explained in a calm tone.
"All I am saying is you must think about it and consider what direction you want to take in your life. More importantly, what role do you want to have? A political figure whose decisions will probably have lives hanging in the balance or an ordinary citizen who is allowed to live their life in anonymity."
Ross did not wait for a reply he merely picked up his dishes, and walked to the kitchen to set them in the sink. At first, Aradia just sat silently but as she opened her mouth to say something, her phone went off. It was Dax; he had sent her a text message that said I am outside.
The meeting was to take place deep in an isolated lodge in the woods so it was quite a long drive for Dax and Aradia. The entire time Aradia had repeated to Dax what her father had said to her.
"I think your dad has a good point. Is being involved in the hidden world what you truly want?" said Dax.
Aradia opened her mouth to argue, but Dax cut her off. "Think about it Aradia. Why do you think we are called the hidden race? It is because our ways are different from the humans. We believe in different things, and have different ways of solving our problems. Is that what you want to get involved in? Keep in mind love, you are only sixteen. Do you really want to have this much responsibility? Where either your decisions can have people applaud you or have you killed! There is only universal law that all hiddens follow: only the strongest survive and who is ever strong must do whatever it takes to keep being that strong. Is that the kind of world you want to get involved with? Is it?"
Aradia did not respond she merely turned to look out the window of Dax's car, and stare at her own dark reflection.
By the time, they reached the lodge where the meeting was being held most of the hidden were already there. Roy's family was inside, but Roy was not. He was waiting outside, leaning against a tree, and constantly checking his watch. He smiled as soon as he saw Aradia, but then frowned as soon as he saw that she was with Dax. Completely oblivious or just plain ignoring the animosity growing between Dax and Roy Aradia walked right up to Roy and hugged him.
"Hey Roy boy!" she said.
Roy hugged her back while Dax stood uneasily to the side.
Amazingly
, Dax was saved from the risk of confrontation when Tristan showed up. However, as soon as he saw Aradia hugging Roy, he chuckled, and patted Dax's shoulder. "It's like I keep telling you Dax, a leash!"
He then threw his head back, and laughed. Aradia heard Tristan's comment, and turned to glare at him with narrowed angry eyes. Roy began growling, and extending his claws.
Dax, however, just looked at Tristan and said very casually, "I really hope you are left handed Tristan, because if you don't take it off my shoulder in the next five minutes. The chances are that will be the only hand you will ever use again."
Predictably, Tristan backed off. He then went to where Titania was waiting for him, looking like a million dollars in a slinky gold and black dress. As soon as he slipped his arm around her waist, he led her into the lodge.
"Cheeky little bugger!" Dax muttered under his breath as Aradia laughed.
She then stepped away from Roy.
Hating herself for probably the hundredth time for being such a player, Aradia motioned for both of the guys to walk beside her. "Shall we?"
Ironically, the two enemies and rivals both smiled weakly and took their places on opposites sides of Aradia. Therefore, with Dax on her right and Roy on her left, Aradia strolled into the lodge.
As soon as Aradia entered all the conversation stopped, and the room became deathly quiet. Everyone's eyes turned to stare at her with feelings that Aradia was beginning to not only recognize, but get used to as well. The hidden elders sat at an elaborately carved wooden round table in the center of the lodge with their people seating separately behind them. The werewolves including Roy's family sat behind three men. One was an old yet strong looking burly man in a plaid shirt under dark jean overalls with threads of silver in both his brown beard and hair. Another was a young blonde professional looking man with a sharp chin, pointed nose, pale skin, and freckles. He wore glasses, a gray suit, and looked like he was barely out of college. The last Aradia automatically recognized with his tan skin, black goatee, and Latino appearance.
Probably Roy's dad's eldest brother, Aradia deduced, and his family's alpha. All three looked at her, but most especially Roy's uncle who seemed to be staring past her as well.
No prizes for who he is looking at, Aradia thought.
Aradia then turned her head and focused on the other leaders sitting at the table. In contrast to the werewolves, they seemed to be more individualistic. The vampires all sat behind one vampire. The shape-shifters all sat behind one shape-shifter, and so did the fae who sat behind a guy Aradia easily recognized as Tristan's father.
Speaking of the devil, Aradia thought, I wonder where he is.
She cast her eyes around at the rest of the fae crowd, and tried to suppress a giggle when she finally spotted him.
Tristan may have bragged constantly about being the crown prince, but he was seated in the front row center seat with all the other common subjects behind his father. He mouthed silently at Aradia, "bite me witch," as soon he noticed her smirking at him
Aradia laughed in the back of her throat.
None of the leaders moved as soon as they saw Aradia. They remained seated looking at her with narrowed eyes. Aradia casually approached the table, taking deep breaths to insure she neither panicked nor passed out. When she finally reached the table, however, she realized something she had no place to sit! A few awkward and very uncomfortable moments of silence passed with both Dax, and Roy standing uneasily beside her.
Finally, the vampire whom Aradia figured was the head of all the vampire clans in Salem asked her, "Well?"
"Well what?" the words were out of Aradia's mouth before she could stop herself.
The whole crowd gasped while Aradia stoically held fast to her bravado.
The vampire, however, seemed undaunted by Aradia's response. "Aren’t you going to sit down?"
Aradia smiled awkwardly as the three of them continued to stand uneasily facing the elders. Suddenly a male werewolf stood up, picked up his chair from amongst the crowd, strode boldly to where Aradia stood and set the chair down.
Aradia recognized him as Phil, Lupe's husband.
"Thanks," she whispered.
He merely grunted, and walked away.
Aradia was about to sit down when she remembered Dax and Roy. She supposed that once she sat down they would go sit with their people, but Aradia thought that that would be rude. She was also not sure of the reception that each of them would receive. She placed her hand on the chair, and made two new ones grow right from the ground like newly grown trees. This time no one gasped, but the uneasy tension that was already felt in the room definitely rose. She sat down, and motioned for Dax and Roy to do the same. After they looked at Aradia's confident smiling face, they both sat down.
Aradia gazed around at the other leaders, still smiling cheerfully. The vampire had silver hair, a strong well-defined face, with high cheekbones, and long pointed chin and nose. The shape-shifter leader was a redheaded man with a thick beard, and wore glasses that resembled the ones that people wore in the eighties. Tristan’s father was like an exact duplicate of Tristan except he was older, bigger, bulkier, and much more pompous looking. On his right hand, there was a large golden circular ring with a crown in the middle of a forest, elaborately decorated with colored stones.
That must be Tristan's family crest, Aradia concluded, no doubt all the proof they think they need to prove their royal heritage.
Tristan's father spoke first. "We are so glad you could join us."
"Oh are you now?" Aradia asked.
The tension once again raised several notches in the room. I wonder if this is how President Obama feels whenever he has to make the state of the union address, Aradia thought grimly.
"Yes as matter a fact we are," Tristan's father continued, "Because you see we wish to address the issue of your parties?"
"You mean you are angry that you weren't invited?" Aradia quipped but not without fighting the temptation to kick herself.
Tristan's father chuckled dryly. "My son said you had a strange sense of humor."
Thankfully, Aradia chose not to say anything.
"Anyway," the vampire picked up where Tristan's father left off. "We wish to discuss with you these promoting amelioration parties you have been throwing?"
"Okay," Aradia responded without missing a beat.
They were all silent once again, at least until the vampire spoke. "So what exactly are these parties about?"
"Promoting amelioration,” Aradia answered simply.
"Why would you want to promote amelioration?" the vampire inquired.
"Because," she began, "There seems to be prejudice amongst the hidden race. The werewolves will not speak to the vampires, vice versa, and so on and so forth. I thought it would be better if I helped changed that."
"Why?” the vampire pressed further, sounding highly amused.
Aradia took a deep breath whether to steady herself or for dramatic emphasis, no one could really tell.
"I just don't like it when people hate each other because they are different," she answered him firmly.
The silence that now surrounded the table seemed to become one with the atmosphere itself.
This time it was the shape-shifter who broke it. "Look regardless of what you do or do not like. We wish for you to stop your strange attempts at promoting amelioration. So will you do that?"
"No sir I will not," Aradia stated firmly.
Yet another dramatic intense silence filled the room.
"What do you mean no?" the shape-shifter asked in a voice that seemed to be quivering in anger.
"Look it up in the dictionary and you will see what I mean," Aradia snapped.
Yet another silence until Roy's uncle thundered, "Look you may think that just because you are now considered the most powerful hidden in all the world we all have to cater to your needs and demands but..."
"That’s not what I think at all," Aradia interrupted him.
"Oh?” Roy’s uncle s
puttered, "Then what do you think?"
"I think we should compromise," Aradia stated.
Everyone stared at her, some in awe, others in admiration and their mouths wide open.
"Compromise?" Roy's uncle repeated.
"Yes," Aradia continued to explain. "You see all I am asking is being able to have the option of throwing these parties. I do not insist on anyone attending them. My parties are for people who want to go to them, and if anyone does not want to then fine! However, if you allow the option of continuing these parties I promise not to interfere with any other type of hidden politics."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Tristan's father snapped.
"I mean I will keep my nose out of your business. I will not give my support to anyone or participate in any leadership wrangles or anything at all. All I ask is to be allowed to do my own thing," said Aradia.
"Your own thing?" the vampire repeated.
Aradia nodded. "Yes allowing me to do my own thing as long as it doesn’t involve any of your people’s politics.”
"What if forbid our subjects to go to your 'promoting amelioration' parties?" Tristan's father asked.
Aradia shot him a very nasty expression. "Then you would be acting not like a king, but like a petty tyrant!"
"Look," she thundered at everyone at the table. "All I am asking is being allowed to throw my parties, and for your people to have the option of going to them."
"If no one comes..." the silver haired alpha wolf began.
"Then no one comes. It is their choice. Look, I know that you are all part of the hidden race, and therefore governed by different laws. But this is still America people and rule number one about living in America is having the freedom to make your own damn choices!"
After seeing everyone stare at her, Aradia fought the temptation to stomp out of the lodge in frustration.
Instead, she remained seated waiting for their response.