by Anna Lewis
“I wouldn’t have brought them up if I didn’t,” I said. I wondered just how much flesh Sophia would take out of me for what I was saying.
“Teaming up with vampires seems extreme. What about calling on the aid of other packs?” Sarai, another alpha, asked.
“Please, and have our territory taken from us? You know those northern nomads would jump at the chance to move in and overpopulate the area. Then we’ll have a war not only against the Hunters, but the vampires as well,” Ephraim said.
It was true, every time the population of wolves increased from migrant packs the vampires got all riled up. Things usually ended up in dead bodies and panic with the humans thinking gang wars were starting up.
“But teaming up with them? Are we going to be expected to hold hands with them after the war is done?” Sarai asked.
“Of course not. But these are serious times. We can’t let the Hunter threat be underestimated and go unchecked,” I said. “Sarai, with all due respect, your pack is on the far coast. You haven’t experienced the reality of what these Hunters have evolved into. Their numbers and firepower make them deadly.”
“So, what then? What are the vampires offering?” Ephraim asked.
“We haven’t gotten that far. Frankly we didn’t think the region’s vampire council and pack alphas would be open to work with each other at all,” I said.
“This is your task then Kai. Liaise with the vampires and come back to me with a proposal for coalition,” Ephraim said. “In the meantime, Blue get just enough weapons to arm each wolf in our region,” he added.
The meeting ended soon after that. I walked outside wide eyed and a little mystified.
“That wasn’t so bad, right?” Kevin asked.
“Ah…no, I guess not,” I said slowly. “Can you catch a ride with someone here? I have to get in touch with Sophia,” I said. Kevin waved me off, always understanding.
I sprinted to my truck and dialed Sophia’s number while peeling out of the bar’s parking lot to get to the Studio.
“Hey,” she answered on the first ring.
“We gotta talk when I get home,” I said. She paused before responding.
“That sounds…troubling, Kai,” she said in a measured tone.
“Just remember that you love me and you’re pregnant so you shouldn’t kill the father of your child,” I said.
“Kai—” she began, but then cut off abruptly. I couldn’t even hear her breathing on the other line.
“What? What is it?” I asked.
“My father keeps calling me. Hurry up and get here,” she said and hung up. She already sounded pissed. Our first real fight was bound to be interesting. I prayed for the first time in my life as I sped the rest of the way home.
* * *
Sophia
I stared at my phone as it buzzed with incoming text after text. Alexis, my father, Porter. They were all wondering where I’d run off to. The council was convening again and my presence was more than expected. I continued pacing around the studio. Thankfully, Kai was swift in getting back.
“What happened?” I asked him.
“I ah…well I did something. Intentionally,” he said.
“What is that supposed to mean? I demanded. His expression was guilty, but also oddly resolved.
“I told the alphas that the vampires wanted to work with us in a coalition against the Hunters in Gifford Pinchot,” he said. Those were quite possibly the worst words he could have said to me.
“But that isn’t true Kai,” I hissed.
“I know, please hear me out. You know how in the beginning you were worried about leaving your coven. Because it’s your coven? Well I feel that same sort of guilt. I realized I can’t leave when there’s a threat as big as there is out there. The packs are my extended family. I can’t live with myself if they were all wiped out when I could’ve done something to stop it,” he said.
“Yes, but the vampires won’t even listen to—”
“We have to make them listen. Sophia, we can work something out. The wolves have access to weapons just as powerful as what those elite Hunters are packing. That has to stand for something to your council,” he said. Kai held up his hands in surrender. Only then did I realize I’d begun to stalk towards him. My phone rang. I answered it, already knowing it was my father.
“Sophia, where have you been?” Wraith hissed, his tone furious.
“Father, I apologize for…disappearing. But I—I’m on the way back,” I said.
“How far away are you from the coven?” he asked.
“I’m in Portland. Look father, I know this didn’t go well the last time I mentioned wolves to the council. But they have the very thing we need,” I said.
“All this time you’ve been conferring with wolves?” he said. I pulled the phone away from my ear slightly as anger laced nearly every syllable of his words.
“Father you must believe me. I only mean to help our cause. Both our causes. The wolves want the Hunters eradicated as well,” I said.
“Get here now Sophia. We will discuss this in person,” he said and ended the call. I dropped the phone and forced myself to relax. Kai was wise enough not to say a word.
“Do you own a suit?” I asked.
“You want me to come with you?” he asked.
“What do you think? They need to hear the perspective of the wolves from a wolf!” I said. I couldn’t keep from raising my voice. I was angry with him for acting so impulsively, for not speaking to me clearly about how he was feeling. “You could have told me that you felt guilty. Then I wouldn’t have been blindsided like this. I would have dealt with the council with more delicacy, more finesse. You don’t know how the vampires work,” I said.
“I did tell you I had a bad feeling about leaving if it meant the pack would be decimated. Just after those Hunters attacked us in the city,” said Kai.
I tried to cast my mind back.
“Yes, and I remember after that you agreeing that we could leave the wolves and the vampires to handle it without us,” I said. “We had a plan to leave and you’d agreed to it!”
Hands still up in front of his chest, he slowly closed the distance between us to a foot. “I’m sorry. I’ve always felt this way, but the closer we got to leaving, the clearer it was in my mind that I couldn’t just leave, that I had to help,” he said. “But can’t you admit that you want to help too?” he asked.
I fumed at him. “Don’t turn this back to me!” I said.
“I-”
“If either of us dies in this fight it’s your fault,” I said, cutting him off and resigning myself to this course of action. “Wear dark colors.”
I turned my back on his shocked expression and went to put my dress and heels back on. We dressed in silence and got into his truck in thicker quiet. I realized what I’d said was perhaps going too far, but he didn’t realize the situation he’d put us both in. Going back to the coven was as much a death sentence as dropping us in the center of the war. We might as well go back to the edge of Gifford Pinchot, lie down and wait for the Hunters.
I had to break the silence to give him directions to the coven. When we arrived, we were escorted in by four warriors.
“Tell me Sophia, is what you have to propose to the council worth betrayal?” asked one of the warriors. We’d just passed into the house and the foyer was full of a spectating crowd. I was still upset enough not to care what came of my actions. I kicked the fighter’s legs out from under him and took the knife he planned to use against me. I snatched his head back by the hair and held the edge of the knife to his throat.
“Please speak clearly, I didn’t quite catch what you said?” I asked in a deathly calm voice. The entire foyer stopped to watch and listen.
“N-nothing Sophia…please forgive my mumbling,” he said quickly. I let him go and kept his knife.
“Leave us be, I know my way,” I told the other warriors. They were wise enough not to question me. Kai followed close behind me as I quickly walked to the library. Befor
e I led him up to the second level, I studied what he wore. It was a tasteful suit, tailored to him. He wore a dark maroon shirt and black blazer and slacks. He’d do. Even though I was still upset at what he’d done, I felt my attraction for him and a bit of possessiveness.
“Should I know anything…like any etiquette before we go in?” he asked.
“Don’t say anything unless directly asked to comment,” I said. He nodded, then we went into the waiting council. There was a dramatic collective gasp. The coven leaders were already seated at the table.
“Yes, he’s a wolf. Relax,” I said.
“Is he…tame?” asked Arden, one of the coven leaders.
“Irrelevant, who gave you permission to bring a wolf into this coven Sophia?” Arya asked. My gaze slid lazily to her.
“I did. Seeing as I’ll be running it in the future. I took initiative,” I said. “It’s what’s needed every once in a while. Our kind tends to lag in stagnant ways. It takes something drastic to move us forward,” I said.
“So…take initiative Sophia, what presentation have you prepared for us tonight?” Wraith asked. His tone was a challenge, though there was underlying anger still there.
“Weapons. Of equal caliber to what the elite Hunters carry. The wolves have them,” I said. Wraith’s sharp gaze flicked to Kai.
“Well wolf, is this true?” he asked.
“It is. We have automatic weapons, grenades, bullets that can pierce through body armor, and weapons for stealth as well,” Kai said. I glanced at him briefly, we hadn’t even rehearsed and yet he was saying all the right things.
“With our combined numbers the Hunters in our region don’t stand a chance,” I told the council. They all sat in silence, the spectators as well. Everyone deliberated.
“So, the wolves have weapons, but are your kind willing to share? To work with vampires?” Paelin asked.
“I recently came from a meeting of the region’s alphas. They agreed to work with you all if you were willing to negotiate a coalition. In the meantime, we are building up the weapons and firepower needed to at least cleanse the Gifford Pinchot forest of all Hunters,” he said.
“You didn’t answer the question. Will your kind agree to procure weapons in bulk for our fighters as well?” Wraith asked.
“Yes, it’s a simple process…granted you all are willing to put forth the funds,” Kai added gently. Wraith scoffed.
“That is hardly an issue,” he said.
“So, are you their official spokesperson then? Just you?” Arya asked.
“If you’re uncomfortable with dealing with ‘just’ me, then I’m sure I can arrange something where this…unlikely partnership can be more collaborative,” he said slowly.
“Well then…if you wolves are so willing to work with us, what are your numbers to date?” Wraith asked. I had to work hard not to roll my eyes. Kai did hesitate before he answered.
“Just shy of five hundred,” Kai said reluctantly. The collective fighting force of vampires in the region, I knew, was nearly equal.
“We’d be able to completely take them out with a wolf coalition,” Arden observed. The spectators reflected his brief encouragement.
“Yes, but how can we be sure that your fighters won’t turn around and try to kill ours once the Hunters are dealt with?” Wraith asked.
“We all know how serious the situation is. Our wolves aren’t that stupid. Especially not since your fighters will have the same firepower in their hands,” Kai said. Intrigued murmurs spread through the room.
“We’ll start with the weapons,” Wraith said. “Procure enough for five hundred fighters and we’ll begin to trust this…coalition a bit more,” Wraith said. His eyes flashed to me briefly, before returning to Kai.
“Sure thing,” Kai said.
“Since you’ve already begun talks with this one Sophia, get him the funding he needs and notify us when the weapons are delivered successfully…if the weapons are delivered. You’ve fought them before, you know what guns and ammunition we’ll need,” Wraith said.
“Of course, father,” I said. He dismissed us with the flick of his hand. I didn’t take a deep breath until Kai and I left the library.
“Well?” I asked him.
“What?” Kai looked at me curiously.
“Wasn’t that what you hoped for?” I asked. Kai glanced around at the vampires walking about. It was only two in the morning after all. I sighed and gestured for him to follow me outside, back where he parked his truck.
“It was…I mean—we did it,” he said. He laughed with relief. “I thought there was a good chance I’d die in there,” he said.
“There was a good chance you’d die in there,” I said. Kai sobered.
“Sophia, you have to know that I did this because I won’t be able to live with myself otherwise,” he said.
“What happened to all that you said when I was having my hesitations?” I challenged him.
“I hadn’t let myself fully grasp the reality of the situation,” he said. I rolled my eyes.
“You can’t be unclear about your feelings then change your mind without telling me and make plans without telling me the way you did,” I said.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
“I doubt that, you’re getting what you want,” I said.
“It’s not like that. You’re angry at me and we’re not living in the peace I still want for us,” he said. “This is because of my screw up, not my manipulation. Sophia you have to believe that,” he urged.
I took a deep breath and then rubbed my temples. “I’m going to change into something more comfortable, then we’re going to get the money for whomever procures the weapons,” I told him. He nodded and unlocked the truck to sit and wait on me. I changed quickly, but before I could leave the house, I was intercepted by Wraith.
“We must speak,” he said in a grave tone.
“Father I don’t have much time…” I said. He turned, expecting me to follow him to his room either way.
“That child in you. Is it truly Damien’s?” he asked. I blinked at him in shock. “Do not look at me like that Sophia. Answer the question,” he urged.
“Why would you question me?” I asked.
“Because, I saw the way that wolf stood behind you, I saw the way he looked at you,” he said.
“It’s none of your concern how he looks and stands. We’re working with the wolves for one reason. Once the Hunters are eradicated and we have our weapons, you won’t have to give them another thought,” I said.
“You aren’t answering my question Sophia,” Wraith said angrily.
“I must go,” I said and turned towards the door.
“Once this fight is over I hope you’ve lined up arrangements to leave,” he said. I didn’t look at him. I left and met Kai in his truck.
“What happened?” he asked, his voice soft. I shook my head.
“We have to get to Portland,” I told him. Kai started the truck and started down the drive.
“We can’t start this already. The being mad and not talking things out cycle,” he said. I took a deep breath.
“My father figured it out. Who the father of the baby really is. He…essentially he just disowned me. He said that after the fight, I should leave.” I said. My gaze was on the passing trees outside.
“Shit…” Kai said. I nodded.
“It’s fine…at least he didn’t order me executed,” I mumbled.
“It’s not fine, that’s your father. As tough as he is, I saw a little bit of pride in his gaze back there,” Kai said. I turned my head and looked at him incredulously.
“Please, you don’t have to lie to make me feel better,” I said.
“I’m not lying,” he said. Of course, that only made me feel worse. As unflappable as Wraith was, I had probably hurt him, if what Kai said was true. The rest of our ride was quiet. I drifted in and out of sleep. I’d need to feed again soon, especially before whatever great battle we were steamrolling towards.
When
we reached my coven, I went in discreetly, got some money out of our vault and put it into two duffel bags. The money surely was more than enough. I also stopped by my room for some clothes and shoes. When I got back to Kai’s truck, he was on a call.
“Just call your people back Blue, the whole combined effort is contingent to the vampires having weapons as well,” Kai said.
“Have you spoken to your father about this?” the gruff voice shot through the car’s speakers.
“Just make the order Blue. Ephraim’s already on board with this,” Kai said.
“Get back to me after you’ve talked to him,” Blue said. Kai huffed and ended the call. We idled in the car a block away from my coven. It was likely the last time I’d see it.
“Is it cool if we go back to the studio?” he asked.
“Yeah, it’s fine,” I said. “I don’t think I’ll be coming back here,” I added.
* * *
Kai drove back to what had become our temporary home. I went right to the bed and lay down, staring at the ceiling.
“You need blood,” he observed.
“Call your father. We need to make this deal quickly,” I told him. Kai called his father and paced around as he spoke. Finally, after twenty whole minutes, he convinced him that a vampire with a gun in his or her hand wouldn’t turn around and kill a wolf with it. I hoped fervently that would be truly the case.
“Do you want to come take these bags to Blue with me?” Kai asked. “You don’t look so good.”
“Can I drink from you just a bit before we go?” I asked. Kai sat down next to me and offered his wrist. I took a couple of long draws from his vein, then felt okay enough to go back out on the seemingly never ending mission.
“Are we just giving the money to this Blue person directly?” I asked.
“Yeah, he’ll count out the money and tell us if we’re good to go,” Kai said. I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. I’d never dealt with anything relating to the black market directly. It’d be interesting to see how the wolves handled it.
Kai drove away from the city, to a nice house on a decent plot of land. There were three various SUVs parked in the drive. Kai took one duffel bag of money and I grabbed the other. He walked right into the house. We heard voices as soon as we stepped into the front room.