The Council (Darkness #5)(53)

“Because Andris was dead?”

“Because Andris told her we’d rape and murder her anyway,” Charles said disgustedly. “She didn’t want to be defiled. She went on her own terms.”

“Well, you do rape,” Ann shot at Charles.

“They ask for it!” Charles snapped.

Ann held out her hands in a ‘See?’ sort of way. “They ask for it? That’s exactly what every ra**st says.”

“I mean…” Charles huffed. “They go for us. If I just stand still, humans will make use of my body. I don’t force anything—they come to me.”

“You use the date rape drug,” Ann scoffed. “How is that okay?”

Charles was about to retort when I said, “It isn’t. And it stops. I’m a human, I’m a co-leader, and that practice stops. Contrary to what I’ve heard, they don’t do it everywhere else—Harry can vouche that. It’s a shit practice, and it stops.”

“I haven’t even done that since I tried it on Sasha, anyway.” Charles wandered away toward the window with his arms crossed.

“Whatever happened to Harry?” Ann asked.

“He tackled Trek. Literally tackled the guy. They rolled around for a while before one of our people ended the fight.”

“How’d they end the fight?”

“We don’t have Trek to worry about anymore.”

Ann’s eyebrows crawled up her forehead. “Ah.”

“And you know what else?” I asked with a smug smile, leading the way out of the room.

“What?” Ann asked dutifully.

“Harry’s lady love mistress, some clan leader in Arizona, is coming to personally collect him and take him home. With many thanks. I totally made an ally!”

Charles huffed. “We don’t have any opposition from any clans. Why would we need an ally?”

“Oh, you talk to me when you want to crap on my parade, is that it?” I fired back.

“Don’t you have knitting to do?” Ann asked with a mischievous grin.

“Yeah. I’m working on the key to your chastity belt.” Charles squinted at her.

“It’s going to take more than an ugly hat for that. In fact, you are quite possibly making my chastity belt.”

“Gods help me, you girls are a couple of bitches.” Charles crossed his arms again in sulking distaste. His eyebrows settled low over his eyes as we laughed.

We meandered out the back of the mansion and settled on the stone bench, letting the breeze ruffle our hair. “I heard from Cato.”

“Oh my God, really?” Ann said with wide eyes. “Did he call you?”

“Yes. Personally. He called to make sure Stefan and I were okay. I told him about the battle and everything, and the other black, and he wants me to start looking for more. He thinks I’m the herald to band the two halves of magic together again. So I have a mission.”

“That’s cool. I mean, you just earned people’s respect, and are still learning names in this mansion—not to mention still learning your job. Oh yeah, and magic. But, cool. Another job. Great idea.”

Charles huffed out a laugh.

“Yeah, right?” I smirked. “But it gives me a reason to meet more humans that do magic, so I’m up for it.”

“What happened with the Council?” Ann asked.

“Mass death. Like… cut down by a third. They’re still figuring out who’s good and who’s not. But Dominicous will probably be offered a position on the Council, so that’s good. And Toa will finally be in the Clutch where he belongs.”

“And Dominicous’ old position…” Ann’s eyebrows were up near her hairline.

“Vacant. Offered. Not sure.”

“That Council is a damn mess, so let’s hope the Boss sees reason and doesn’t step up,” Charles grumbled.

“Yes. That’s the discussion that’s coming.” I shook out my hair and relished the evening air.

“How is he? Speaking of Stefan?” Ann ventured.

“Healing. He’ll be okay, but they beat the hell out of him, so… it’ll be another week, probably.”

Ann let silence descend for a while, just taking in the night.

“So now what are we going to do?” she asked after a while. “I’m tired of healing, and I have a few hours until the nurse realizes I took off.”

“Then what happens?” I asked.

“Tim gives the command that I have to rest. And then I rest. Because I do not need to be pissing him off and then getting my arms ripped off.”

“Yeah. At least he was mostly unscathed this time. He was a rock star. Without him, we would’ve taken three times as many losses.”

“We worked well, all of us. Jonas even had to acknowledge that.” Ann laughed merrily.

“Yeah, he hated it. You could tell that acknowledgement tasted like dirt in his mouth.”

Even Charles cracked a smile at that, not able to help himself.

We sat there for a couple hours, talking and relaxing, until the call came for Ann to go back. After that, I waited a while and called the witches, checking in. They were all fine, of course, just a little tired, but they’d become important to me. I liked having them close. I needed that unity.