The Council (Darkness #5)(4)

Stefan regarded me softly. “No. We only need permission from the rest of our clan. They must agree to follow you. I can force the issue, probably, but it would cause dissension. That would backfire on your leadership, and mine. No, we’re just here to proclaim you as a mage. It’s necessary for you to meet the Council and ensure you have the proper magical power level—they like to know all the big players.”

“Yup, Toa has done nothing but lecture me on the magical part of things.” I had to meet the Council and try to keep from getting caught in their weird power games and webs of deception. We’d be here two weeks. That was it. Only two weeks, but apparently that was plenty of time for happy times to turn ugly.

We’d passed through the outer confines of the concealment spell enabling everyone to finally see what we faced. Charles and Jonas wore equally grim expressions outside our motorhome, wearing their battle garb and ready for war. Dominicous and Toa stood near their motorhome, waiting on us to come to them. Dominicous stood firm and solid, his usually twinkling eyes or hinting smile absent. He was preparing for the worst.

Beyond them stretched a massive compound. It could’ve been two Walmarts stacked on top of each other. Two large doors marked the entrance with windows dotting the sides. It was boxy, plain, and made to house a bunch of people.

As a progression, we moved beyond Dominicous’ motorhome, Dominicous and Toa in the lead, Stefan beside me, and the rest behind. We moved in perfect order and synchronization, Stefan’s handling of his Watch—what he called his battle unit—thorough and expert.

Chest tight, breathing laborious, I tried not to fidget. “Is it not going to look strange if we all show up ready for a war?”

“We come with a black mage, a clan leader, and a Regional. We show that we are a united front, ready at arms,” Toa said quietly as we approached the doors.

No one stood outside. No cameras pointed down at the entrance. It was a dark tan building with tinted windows, seemingly unguarded for anyone to walk on through. I had no idea how they monitored their front door, or if they did, and I didn’t plan to ask. I was human—that was already a strike against me. I didn’t need to add “clueless dumb-ass” to the list of accolades.

Dominicous slowed as he neared the doors, but didn’t stop. Just as he was about to bump into the glass, the doors opened inwards, revealing a grim giant wearing a sword and gun. His dark eyes scanned the group, lingering on Stefan a fraction of a second longer than anyone else.

“Welcome back, Regional,” the man said, nodding to Dominicous.

Dominicous nodded back, continuing his straight-backed saunter. Toa glided at his side. Another huge guard stood to the other side, watching our progression silently, his gaze choosing Jonas to linger on for just a bit longer than the others. The two guards were sizing everyone up they didn’t know, and had picked out the two most dangerous. This meant they were experienced.

I had asked Stefan why he hadn’t come here when he was named leader. The answer was simple—there were a great many leaders in the world, and the Council didn’t want to bother with all of them. Only those with the most potential were brought forth. Everything else could be left to the Regionals to handle.

Since he now wanted to step up to Regional, it was time to come forth. Plus, his prowess had been noticed in whispers and stray words. And he had helped capture two huge pains in the ass. And he had discovered black level talent. And he wanted to mate a human. Pretty much, in their eyes, his visit was just as important as mine.

I wished that was a good thing.

The room opened up into a grand foyer with a long desk off to the right. Couches and chairs dotted the wide room in clusters. The layout was something I might’ve seen in a grand hotel lobby. Two men walked forward from beside the long desk. Large and lithe, they certainly did more than merely push paper and type on computers. These guys also doubled as a line of defense from intruders, I’d bet my life on it.

Actually, scratch that. I didn’t want to bet my life on anything. Not when so many people would be trying to cash in.

“Regional, hello,” said one of the men. He was suave with feathered blond hair. He bowed extravagantly to Dominicous. “I trust your journey went well?”

Dominicous nodded, gaze scanning the mostly deserted room. “Fine.”

“Splendid.” The man turned to Stefan next, his lips turned up in a welcoming style. “And Stefan, is that correct? One of our clan leaders?”

Stefan nodded, eyes scanning like Dominicous. They were both trying to be self-important and ready for an assault at the same time.

“Wonderful.” The man’s gaze flashed to me, his smile remaining plastered on his face. “And Sasha, our first human in a mage role. Spectacular. A great many will want to speak to you, I am sure. And you maintain the black power level, is that correct?”

Before I could answer or even nod, Dominicous jumped in with, “That has not been decided by the Council yet. As of now, she is merely a guest awaiting an audience.”

“Of course.” The man nodded, smile not even twitching. He was well used to strong, violent leader-types. Not good.

“Fantastic. Regional, I will escort you to your rooms. You will be stationed in the same suites as usual. My associate will escort Stefan and his entourage, who will be staying in the Blue wing.”

Dominicous’ gaze swung toward the speaker, hard and cutting. He stared for a moment, his posture tense and robust. The feather-haired attendant met the stare with his pleasant smile, something silent passing between them. Finally, Dominicous nodded and stared straight ahead. “Lead on.”