The Blessed Curse (The Elder Blood Chronicles, #4)(34)

“They have invaded my land and I will kill them all. You may think you know them, child, but I doubt you have the knowledge of them that I do. They are unthinking bloodthirsty brutes. If you try to reason with them they will devour you.” Nicoli’s voice had grown cold and by his expression Neph guessed the man was hoping she would insist on visiting a Blight Hive herself.

“Emily, show them,” Jala spoke so softly that Neph almost missed her words. The black Bendazzi stared up at her impassively and yawned. “Emily, your entire race depends on you now,” Jala’s voice rose a bit as she stared down at the Bendazzi who simply regarded her with indifference. “Emily!” Jala snapped as she kicked the Bendazzi lightly in the butt.

A snarl erupted from the cat as it moved back from the table and shifted to the human form Neph had so rarely seen. On the few occasions he had managed to spot her, Emily had been ragged to say the least. Typically the Blight was dirty and naked, but today she was clean and well dressed. Emily glowered at the assembly who simply stared at her in dumbfounded shock.

“Emily has lived with me since I attended the Academy. She is Blight and she is not a monster. They can be reasoned with and they are intelligent creatures, not bloodthirsty brutes. If not for Emily, I would have been dead long before I ever marched against Avanti,” Jala informed the room quietly.

“You brought a Blight into this council room?” Nicoli roared as he rose from his chair.

“Actually, I didn’t. I left my Bendazzi at home. I didn’t bring them until Lord Faydwer requested to see them,” Jala replied loudly as she rose from her own chair, her expression filled with resolve. “I don’t want to fight you, Lord Blackwolf, but if you take one step toward Emily, I will kill you,” she warned.

“Both of you sit down. You are in my home and you will not behave like hot headed fools while you are here,” Elijah Arovan commanded and Nicoli had the grace to look at least a little chagrined.

“You have my sincere apologies,” Jala said with a bow of her head to Elijah before she once again took her seat. “Emily is under my protection as much as I am under hers. I asked her to reveal herself and I will not allow her to be hurt because of it.”

“May I ask exactly what you want from us on the account of the Blights, Jala?” Arjuna spoke up before Nicoli had a chance to open his mouth again.

“I ask that this council grant me thirty days to make contact with them and attempt to reach a compromise. I don’t ask for any help on this matter. I simply ask that you do not attack them during this time,” Jala explained. “Out of the question,” Nicoli snapped.

“I’m afraid I agree with Nicoli on the matter. We have limited time to retake Glis before the council in Sanctuary is held, and Nicoli must have his position as High Lord back before then. We cannot wait for a peace that might not come,” Elijah added with a frown.

“They are in Faydwer as well and I will not even consider hesitating on their removal. They are a threat to my people that must be dealt with quickly,” Lord Faydwer chimed in.

“I am content to allow Jala her attempt,” Jin Han’shy announced as he leaned back in his chair. His gaze flicked to Nicoli Blackwolf and a small smile played across his lips as he regarded his fellow High Lord’s outrage.

Neph watched them both for a long moment and stored the knowledge away. He hadn’t realized there was enmity between the two men, but it was knowledge that could be useful later.

“That’s because your own lands aren’t in jeopardy!” Lord Faydwer stormed, his bright green eyes narrowing with anger.

“Even if we save them now, at the rate they reproduce and grow they will be a threat in the future. My vote is to burn them out while we can,” Arjuna sighed, with an apologetic shrug to Jala.

“That leaves Delvay, Oblivion, and Goswin to vote. At the present we have four to two,” Elijah regarded the remaining Lords as he spoke and raised an eyebrow in question.

“The Blights are no threat to my lands, but I respect the danger my allies are in. Thirty days is a very long time to wait when people may die from your delay Lady Merrodin.” Zachary Dark spoke softly and slowly shook his head. “I won’t ask my allies to wait thirty days.”

“The matter is settled then. Even with the remaining two votes, you lose,” Lord Faydwer announced with a smirk.

Jala watched them silently and sighed heavily. “I will ask again for the Lords present to please reconsider their votes. Slaughtering them for simply existing, is wrong.” She watched everyone at the table for a long moment and then nodded sadly. “I see. Well then, the other approach that I didn’t want to use…” She turned to Neph and he could see the question in her eyes. Are you with me? He smiled and nodded in return and she closed her eyes for a moment before looking back to Elijah. “Before I continue there is another matter I would speak with you about.”

Elijah frowned with an expression of doubt on his face and nodded slowly. “If you feel it is important enough to bring up at the present moment, then please speak.”

“It is along the same topic. Monsters or innocents and all,” Jala said with a faint shrug. “You have a girl in your keeping. Her name is Zoelyn, I believe. I want her.”

“You what?” Elijah stammered, glancing from Jala to Nicoli as if trying to determine if he had heard her correctly.