“Morgana Le Faye.” She answers and gasps are heard from a few.
“What the hell is she doing here? She is a traitor and a danger …” Uncle Stephan begins to say.
“I brought her here and she is under my protection once again. Challenge me on this like your ancestors did and this time I will not hesitate to slaughter all of you!” I roar standing from my chair. Both swords are in my hands, and I have taken a defensive stand in front of Ika. The Council looks scared, and Vlad is waiting for blood to be spilled, even Kane is looking eager to get a few hits in too.
“I am sorry Ianna, I didn’t mean to offend you.” My uncle says lowering his head.
“Like royal fuck you didn’t, just like you didn’t mean to offend me by selling me off to be married for a higher seat of power in the Council?” I ask and his head shoot up with a look of fear. “Oh yes I know all about it, good thing that Vlad’s nephew feels that I should be respected and have a voice too. That I should feel comfortable in this union also. At least he has a brain, unlike you.” I finish sitting back down with both blades in full view. Meena is smiling at me again, she knows something, and I am going to find out what.
“Well with that out now, the Council had decided against the proposal anyways as it would have meant you would be doing your Final Deviation at a much later age. Which you know is against our rules, but we don’t have a say anymore. Your title and duty as the Atlantean Battle Warrior supersedes anything we decide. It’s an important role you must fulfill.” Council member Amber says looking at my swords.
“Ianna, where did you get the second sword?” Charlotte asks with a smirk, causing concerns to fill the room. Thanks you little shit, note to self, kick her ass later!
The noise in the room was getting louder as some seem to see this as a sign of things to come. While others were arguing about where the sword actually belonged. It wasn’t until Meena slammed her hand on the table that everyone stopped talking.
“I believe in order to get answers, you all need to shut the fuck up as it were, to hear the answers. Now please Ianna can you tell us how you came into possession of the sword. We only know of you ever having just the single blade.” Meena says and that puts all eyes on me now.
“Travis Thaddeus was in possession of The Wave of Poseidon. It was still sitting in the stone that Arreon put it in during the ceremony held to honor the god of the sea. A dive team found it, during an expedition to find a lost Spanish Gallon that was carrying gold on it.” Ika says stepping in with the information and looking at each of the council members. “It was at the base of Poseidon’s statue known to be the marker for his temple on the southeastern coast of what would have been the island of Atlantis. It was then sold under the pretenses that it was the legendary sword Excalibur. Upon inspection Dr. Soren Thaddeus figured what it actually was. When we were studying it, we had several strong men both human and supernatural try and remove it from the stone. Each of them suffered severe harm…”
“What do you mean by harm? Was it physical, mental or both?” Coven Leader Natasha asks.
“Physical, they would have suffered physical affects by touching the sword.” Marcus says causing everyone to look at him.
“How would you know that?” Uncle Stephan asked. He seems to want to die earlier than I had hoped to kill him. Helix hisses at him, along with a few of the other vampires in the room. Vlad looks like he is about to rip his head off and Meena’s fangs are fully elongated, causing my Uncle to swallow loudly.
“I am to become the next Coven leader. Just like the Watchers, we are extensively trained in the history of our world. Ours though is hugely more in depth, one of my weapons trainers gave us an assignment on The Wave of Poseidon. It was hard finding out information, but I did.” He said before continuing. “In the legend of Atlantis, Arreon made this sword with someone specific in mind, but it was not Poseidon. The god of the oceans commanded him to give it to the Atlantean Battle Warrior, who at that time had not been found yet. He was also commanded to make the short blade to go with it by Ares. The leather brace was added by Artemis, it was a piece of her hunting armor.” Marcus say smiling at me, when I bring my leather brace up to touch with my other hand.
“The sword though was stolen, who by no one knows except the Fates. It wasn’t until just before the island began to sink that it was found again, in the stone. There was a person who lay beside the stone dead. He had many physical injuries that were caused by the sword, this is known because his blood was still on it. When Poseidon commanded Arreon to make the weapon, he also gave him some of his blood to infuse to the metal, as did Ares. That is how the weapons know who is worthy of carrying them into battle. So anyone who handles the weapons that are not worthy, they either become useless objects or they inflict physical harm, almost like one of the gods is wielding it to do so.” Marcus finishes.
“So then how did you get it out of the stone Ianna? How did it feel when you put your hand on it? It wouldn’t have the same memory as your short blade or brace.” Vlad asks looking at me with great interest.
“It hummed, like it was vibrating. It actually feels the same as when I handle the short blade. I stood on the top of the stone it was in and pulled it up. Like it was a piece of dough being stretched, it was very easy and fluid to pull out .” I answer him. The smile only seems to grow on his face, seriously I need to find out what they know.
“So now we need to know why has it been found now and why did both Dr. S. Thaddeus and Dr. T. Thaddeus have it?” Council member Adam asked.
“They both have been reborn like I was.” I say causing everyone to whisper. “As soon as I walked in the lab and saw Dr. Travis Thaddeus, I knew he was Hyda’s husband, General Thaddeus reborn. I think his Grandson, Dr. Soren Thaddeus is Theron. He looks too much like Ares and I would have known right away if it was Ares.” I say looking at the sword in my hand. It feels fluid, and cuts amazingly. I feel complete now that I have the sword, like the extensions of my body have been brought back into me.
“That you would, as I have never hid from you Aretha, after all you share my name.” A man says from the doorway. His black hair is messy, like he just rolled out of bed messy. His skin is tanned to perfection and his deep blue eyes pull you into their depth, his strong chiseled jaw and cheek bones help with the affect.
“Uncle, I suppose you are here to bind her weapons to her for the war to come?” Kane asks as he goes and embraces Ares forearm to forearm, the god returns the gesture and gives Kane a slap on the shoulder.
“You are correct Nephew, but I also came to tell Aretha, that this will be your last life. So try not to get yourself killed please. Your services are not needed, so the gods would like you to have a quiet life for once after this threat is gone.” Ares says.
“I’m sorry my lord, but I do not believe you. That has been said before and yet here I am going through the same shit just different century.” I say to Ares after he walks over to me. He chuckles a little at my comment, but even I can see that he doesn’t believe the words himself. The god of war takes my hand and slices my palm with the short blade. The blood covers the blade and then runs down my arm to the brace, I hold my bleeding palm over the sword and let my blood drip over it. As if on cue, all three pieces dawn in the blood, sucking it up like a sponge. Ares finishes reciting the ritual in ancient Greek and then give me a nod of approval.
“Charlotte please come heal Ianna’s hand if you can. We have a lot of vampires in here and I like for them not to go blood thirsty.” Vlad asks looking at the others in the room. He has had a lot of practice in restraining himself with the scent of blood in the air. Charlotte makes short work in healing me, and even makes it so there is no scar.
As soon as Charlotte is done, Marcus comes over and quickly places my palm to his lips. I watch as his tongue slips out and he licks the remaining blood off. I watch him and smile, forgetting there is a room full of people watching. His hands then go to my waist as I stand in front of him, both the long sword and the
short blade come to my hands in their smaller size for concealment in my boots.
“Interesting.” I suddenly look to Ares, who is smiling at me and then looks to Vlad. It’s like they are having a private conversation without speaking.
“Is there anything else that needs to be discussed when it comes to Ianna Foster and her role in the supernatural community?” Council member Adam asks. Seeing Marcus’s display of affection doesn’t seem to affect them, not that it would matter anyways.
“I would like to speak to Ianna about a private matter, other than that no there is not.” Council member Sophia says. This is the first time I have heard her ever say anything, she is known as a quiet woman but when she does speak you listen.
“So be it. Then there is only one other thing that needs to be taken care of. Guards! Arrest Leader Maxum, Francesca Delarosa and Watcher Stephan Foster!” Council member Amber orders. There is yelling, a bit of fighting and a lot of hissing.
“This is all your fault you little bitch! If you had of just died when Soren tried to kill you yesterday then everything would work out!” Franny yells, before the vampire guards with Vlad and Meena can get her under control she lunges for me. Marcus steps in front of me, but Franny stops just short of Marcus and I because King Roglan has her by the neck. I look to see that King Dagdred is standing in the doorway with Jackson from Thaddeus’s lab, Rabbit, and the others that were on our train ride to and from the museum. Roglan just holds Franny by the throat and looks to the council to finish their rulings.
“Leader Maxum, you are under arrest for the tampering of the Royal Betrothal of Demon King Roglan and Francesca Delarosa, for the attempted kidnapping and rape of former Watcher Ianna Foster while she was in service and for High Treason against the supernatural community. Your sentence is death!” Council Member Amber finishes. We don’t do trails when there is a mountain of evidence proving the charges, and obviously there was more evidence then what Charlie originally told us.
With Maxum being a vampire, it will be Marcus to carry out punishment as coven leader, and it’s Vlad who completes the transfer of power. He has the final say in who takes over leadership of any of the vampire covens, he’s basically their King. Vlad forces Maxum to his knees and uses compulsion to do the blood rights of passing leadership to Marcus. Afterwards Marcus detaches his father’s head and heart from his body. Kane then has his crew clean it up and then the body is placed to be burned. It may be seen as overkill but better safe than sorry.
“King Roglan of Milthgar and King Dagdred, it is your choice as to what happens to Francesca Delarosa. As it is, her crimes are more severe in regard to your kingdoms than they are in the Watcher community. So that you know our ruling is life for her but death to her unborn child. It’ll become a rogue without its sire around and there would be a lot of unnecessary death.” Council member Bram says. Franny starts flailing in Roglan’s hand with hearing the Watcher Council’s ruling.
“Unfortunately, we take things like this very seriously and it’s considered treason. If she’s willing to bed another man now, then she will later also. In our court the ruling is death.” King Dagdred says. Franny’s eyes grow huge, and she starts to fight even more.
“King Dagdred, is the High Witch Elianna still visiting?” King Roglan asks looking at the other demon king.
“Yes, she’s here for another two days. What are you thinking brother?” King Dagdred says.
“Can she preform a transversion ritual? I will take Francesca as my wife like intended, on our consummation of our union, she takes the blood of Maxus from the child and replaces it with mine. The child will still be a vampire because of her being one, but then it is tied to me instead. As for Francesca, she will be place in Alden, and I will be the only man she will ever come in contact with for the rest of her very long life.” Roglan says and smiles at me when the look of shock comes across my face. Alden Institute is a prison for women, and he isn’t kidding when he says he will be the only man she comes in contact with. It will be during the visitations he bargains with the Warden for, which can be almost impossible to get.
“What does the Watcher Council say to this option? I agree that this would be a better route then having to have a tournament for a new King if anything were to happen to King Roglan in the upcoming war. I have secured my throne, his is the last one left. I can contact the High Witch and the union and consummation of it can happen tonight at midnight or tomorrow at the latest.” King Dagdred says. The fight Franny was putting up has lessened as she loses energy, with Maxum’s death, the child is consuming just from her now. When both parents are alive, a developing vampire child feeds from the energies of both parents.
“If King Roglan is happy with this, then it’s a vote of confidence from the Watcher Council.” Council member Amber says. The other members all nod their agreement with this action.
“I second that vote of confidence since she’s of my coven, you may also take her as soon as you wish King Roglan. I will have her belonging sent to you immediately.” Marcus says and bows with respect to our Demon King. The king also bows to Marcus, for respecting the rules of the Demon kingdoms. Most times vampires and demons do not get along.
“Perfect, we will be leaving now. The sooner we get the ritual done the better for both mother and child.” Our demon king says, and all demons turn to leave. Franny’s asleep now and Roglan’s carrying her out the door. She’s going to be in a killing mood when she wakes up, wonder how he’s going to deal with that.
“Now for your ruling Watcher Stephan Foster. For your part in the attempted murder of your niece by means of Werewolf and Ogre, the forced resignation and marriage of a Watcher, the bribery of Count Dracula and finally high treason against the Supernatural community in which you serve, your punishment is banishment with a total memory wipe.” Council member Bram says. Honestly, I am surprised he is not getting death since the one charge is against the man who rules all of the vampires, but that could still come in the near future as I am sure he will somehow manage to get out of custody, and I hope to be the one to take his head from his shoulders.
“It doesn’t matter what you do to me, there’s still someone out there helping to start this war. Such power should never have been given to a weak, pathetic girl and in the end it will be taken…” Uncle Stephan starts to say before Meena cuts him off.
“Stephan it’s your greed and the greed of others that helps the weapons choose Aretha every time she is reborn, and although I wish my father would give her the chance to experience the truest pleasures in life. I know that there is someone other than Ianna, that is going to royally fuck up your intentions with this war.” Meena says as she gets up and walks over to my Uncle who is being held by vampires. “I for one strongly disagree with the Council on your ruling, so I am going to help ensure that this war never gets past the battle to come once Ianna steps foot onto Crimson Star Coven’s territory.” With her last words, Meena sinks her fangs into my Uncle’s throat and begins to drain him. With the scent of fresh blood in the air, the other vampires join her taking a different spot along my Uncle’s body. The council jump and move away from the feeding vampires, and hunters have come in to take place the place of the vampire security members currently feeding.
When they finish feeding, many of the vampires look sedated and content. I think they needed to feed was the problem, and Meena fixed it. Once Meena fully pulls away, she violently rips Uncle Stephan’s head from his body, and then cuts a symbol in his forehead and his left palm with her clawed finger. I watch with great curiosity, as this is something we don’t learn about in the history books or in any of our ritual classes.
“Meena, what does that symbol represent? The one you put on my Uncle’s head and hand?” I ask trying to get a better look. The vampire looks at me and smiles, again there is a calming effect, and I am not sure if I should be praying for a very quick death or hope she is finished playing.
“It is the mark of the forsake. Meaning he will never be reborn.
Not many are given this mark because of the power it takes to create it.” Ares answers my question. I forgot he was even here; everything seems to be happening so fast.
“Well with all matters taken care of for now, it’s time that we all return to our stations and prepare for the war that is coming. Council member Sophia, please don’t take to long in talking with Ianna. Both of you will need rest and time to gather strength and strategies to secure a victory with as few casualties as possible. Thank you everyone for coming to this meeting and thank you Hunter Clan Leader Kane for hosting us. It is appreciated.” Council member Bram says. As he rises from his chair he bows to each leader in the room, and then leaves. Each of the council does this before leaving, until it’s only Council member Sophia that is left.
“We all best be going as well; this meeting is between the two ladies. If you need anything please just text one of us Ianna.” Kane says getting up and coming over to give me a hug.
“Oh no it’s ok, you are all welcome to stay. The matter was not for the Watcher council to hear of that’s all. Not everything is known to them, and I would like to keep it that way.” Sophia says looking at all of us. Kane puts his finger to his lips to signal a quiet motion as one of the other hunters runs a wand over the seats the council members were sitting in. The machine starts to beep frantically when it goes across Council member Adam’s and Amber’s chairs. Both are stripped and when I say stripped I mean taken down to the frame. There is a device is both seats cushions that is blinking. They are transmitters to record conversations. The Hunter crushes both under his heel and then puts it in a metal container that he places in a vacuum tube. It goes shooting down and out of the room. A quick second sweep it done and nothing else is found.
“Thank you, I should have realized they were trying to get other information.” Sophia says.
“So what is it you needed to talk to me about Council member Sophia?” I ask, I am getting past the point of being hungry. This meeting took way longer than expected and I haven’t eaten since lunch.
The Call of War: The Watchers Chronicles: Book One Page 8