Wild Darkness

“But we are righteous and none can harm us. We must unite to take care of this threat. And make no mistake, these creatures are a threat. They will breed into our communities until there are no pure humans left. They will eradicate our way of life, the very thing written into the soul of this country. Every last one of these abominations must be rounded up and dealt with. However that needs to happen. No American should ever have to tolerate sharing the same air with these things. Go to your phones and your computers right now and tell your elected officials what they need to do. Our very soul as a nation depends on it.”

He stepped back and after the two waved one last time, they were hustled from the room as reporters shouted questions.

Molly, Meriel and the rest of the folks up in Seattle showed up on the video screen. “Why was this even allowed? That wasn’t a press conference, that was a speech! They just gave those fascists free airtime for their hate message.”

“Did they just say they were going to kill us?” Gage nearly growled the question.

“Yes.” Rebecca took a steadying breath. “Molly, what’s the plan?”

“I’ve got some airtime of our own in the making right now. I’m going to one of the local stations and that will feed to the national affiliates too. I’m going to do some televised remarks that will also be broadcast on the radio and Internet. I’ll reiterate the talking points we’ve already discussed. Just remember this is exactly what we expected. We’re as prepared for it as we can be.”

Helena broke in. “I’m going to advise that all hunters be on heightened alert. This will spill over into violence against Others. Both men just called for our deaths. We’ll need to step up our security and the security at all the enclaves and our offices.”

“Definitely,” Lark agreed.

“Make it happen.” Rebecca nodded in Helena’s direction and Meriel did the same up in Seattle.

Meriel spoke again. “I’m going to check in with the COO to see where they’re all at and I’ll update when I get that information.”

Rebecca made quick notes and then looked back to the screen. “Thanks, Meriel. I’m going to issue a press release here as well, denouncing the hateful speech of Hayes and PURITY. Of course we have no idea what they’re talking about regarding the disappearance of these Others who were supposedly cooperating with them. If there was such a thing, how could one trust the word of a being who’d do that anyway?”

“Exactly. I’ll do the same, as will other covens and clans.”

The call ended.

Helena waited for a quiet moment with Rebecca. “Sasha will coordinate with your assistant on the details of all your appearances. We can handle the pre-recorded message here, but I’m adding two more people to your personal security and more to your home.”

Rebecca’s mouth tightened a moment.

“I know you’re an incredibly powerful witch. I’m personally totally sure you can handle pretty much whatever comes your way. But you have a family. You have a right to be safe in your home, as do they. You’re our public face and you need to be as safe as possible. Don’t make me frown at you, it’ll give me wrinkles.”

Rebecca’s mouth curved into a smile, and not for the first time, Faine realized how good she was at gauging people and how to approach them.

“And what about you? Hm? Who protects you, Helena?”

“I do.” Faine bowed to The Gennessee.

One regal brow rose. “Is that so, Lycian?”

“Yes, ma’am, it is my honor.”

“You and I clearly need to have a long lunch and catch up, Helena. In the meantime, I will assent to more security and I appreciate your attention to detail. It’s a weight off my shoulders to know how adept you are at this.” Rebecca paused. “I’m going to need you to come up with some contingencies to eradicate Hayes and Powers. They’ve declared war and we already have. We will not allow this nonsense to continue.”

From the corner of his eye, Faine watched Helena square her shoulders and stand straighter.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Keep me posted on that and everything else. This eradication is on a need-to-know basis. Keep it quiet.”

Helena nodded.

The room emptied and Helena turned to Faine with a sigh. “I was going to see if you wanted to grab a coffee. I can see that is not in the cards now.”

“Do your work. I’ll bring you some shortly.” He pulled her close and held her for long moments. She sighed, holding on, and he felt better.

“Thank you.”

“Your wish is my command, so keep that in mind when you want really dirty stuff.” He kissed the top of her head and stepped back, heading for the door.

She blushed and he liked it a lot.

* * *

TOSH waited to see President Sullivan. He’d met her on many occasions, and while he wouldn’t say they were friends, he thought her heart was usually in the right place.

She had a big job, he knew that. But this situation was far overdue her guidance and presence.

Joe Porter, her chief of staff, stepped into the room. “I’m sorry, Toshio, but she’s been called away and asked me to take the meeting on her behalf.”

Tosh stood. “I’m afraid that’s not going to work for me, Joe. You know why.”

Porter sighed. “It’s Marlon Hayes. The damn fool has just done a public statement. She’s got to put out some major fires. Tens of thousands of calls have just crashed the phone lines and the servers are overwhelmed. She’s got to deal with all that.”

“What on earth did he say?” Tosh had turned his phone off when he’d come into the room as was polite. He had no idea what had happened.

Joe blew out a breath. “He’s taking the Domestic Safety Act to the floor this week. He urged people to call in to get their senators to support it. Off the record?”

Tosh nodded.

“There were some very thinly veiled calls to execute Others. The president is concerned about violence and retaliation.”

Tosh scrubbed his hands over his face. “Is she going to take a position at least?”

“She’s going to call for calm and nonviolence. She wants the people to be heard on this. If she takes a position, she’s cutting that off.”

“Oh bull. Come on, Joe! The time for that has passed. She’s the president and this is her job. This is insanity. A United States senator calls for extermination of American citizens? And she’s not going to get on television right away and condemn that as un-American? He’s whipping up violence. She needs to be a leader right now.”

Porter’s mouth flattened into a line and Tosh knew he’d overstepped, but he didn’t care.

“I want a meeting with her. Please call my office when time opens up. And pray it’s not too late.”

“Senator Sato, you can tell me your concerns and I’ll forward them to the president.”

“No offense intended, Joe, but I don’t want to meet with you. I want her to look me in the eye when she tells me she’s got no intention of protecting the citizens of this country she was duly elected to represent. This has gone on long enough. Time is running out. I’ve got to go and deal with my constituents. Please do let me know when she’ll be available.”

He turned and left before Joe could argue, anger coursing through him as he did.

The hallways were far busier than usual. There was an undercurrent of not just gossipy Did you hear what Hayes said, but anger and, he was sad to hear, not all of it directed at Hayes and PURITY.

His assistant started to speak when he got back to his offices. “I know. I want to see the footage right now.”

“It’s queued up in your office. Go on in and I’ll get you some coffee. You’ll need the caffeine.”