"Look, I know we haven't started off on the best foot." She blows her bangs out of her face and looks to the side. "But they are the council and can make your life a living hell."
Wow, is she really trying to warn me now? Wasn't she one of them that was making my life exactly that? "Oh, I know, or did you forget that you helped them in that not too long ago?"
"It's not like I had a choice." She stomps her foot on the ground and rubs her eyes. "All I'm trying to say is you better keep yourself in line. The council is still in charge."
"That may be so, but I'm tired of being their puppet." I take a few steps closer to her and narrow my eyes. "Aren't you?"
"It doesn't matter, don't you get it?" She shakes her head and raises both hands. "We have to obey or live with their consequences. They still make the rules. You better remember that."
But that's the thing. I don't think they should be making the rules any longer. But then that leads into a whole separate tangle of issues. If not them, who?
7
My body aches from the intense training Barley hands me. His house might look older, but when you go down the stairs and into his basement it opens into a large modern gym built for training. Since he is Fae, he uses his connection to the earth to his advantage.
I wipe the sweat from my brow and tug at my damp shirt. "Holy crap. I didn't even see you move your arm that way."
"They're demons." He tilts his head toward me and points. "They aren't going to fight the way you are accustomed to. Not even the fallen angels. Most have been down there too long and had to grow accustomed to their ways."
That makes sense, but I didn't think it would be so different. Demons move in a way that is unnatural and sudden. So how they fight is unpredictable and off putting. "Got it."
He glances at me and nods. "We've been at it for over four hours and your council wants to see you. I think it's best if we reconnect at a later date." He reaches over and touches my arm. "You learn quickly though. Most wouldn't have picked up in a month what you picked up in an afternoon."
Well at least there's that. The power inside me churns at his touch and begins to pick up speed. What the hell? Why am I reacting to him in this way? I force a smile and take a step back. "I guess that's a small blessing, and you're right about the council. I should get going." I bet they are pissed I've kept them waiting so long.
"Feel free to come here whenever you want to train." He bends down and bows. "I'm at your service."
Okay that's strange as hell, but I'm not going to push it. I'm most likely going to need his help again even though I learned a lot today. "Thank you so much. I'm sure I will see you soon." I turn and walk up the stairs ready to get this next part over with.
After I walk outside, I get in my car and start it up. The council house is less than ten minutes from here. Of course, it is. It's as if they put their place in the center of the whole freaking town. I put the car in drive and begin the short trek there.
All too soon, I'm pulling into the huge drive of the dark brown stone house. I pull around the circular drive and stop like always in front of the massive front doors. I get out of the car and climb the stairs to the entrance. I notice they planted new flowers along the stairwell. There are lilies poking through every few feet and their fragrance fills the air.
When I get to the door, it opens. The butler steps to the side and frowns when he looks at me.
Shit, I bet I smell and still look glisteny. Oh God. Please tell me I didn't wear a white shirt. I glance down and let out a breath of relief. It's black so he's not having a free show.
Trying to get ahold of myself, I glance back up and ignore his wrinkled nose. "Hi, I'm here to visit with the council."
"Yes, he is expecting you." He tears his eyes from me and turns, walking down the familiar hallway.
Wait... he? I want to ask a question but bite my tongue. It's not like it matters at the end of the day and I don't want them knowing I'm curious. I'm sure they would get a rise out of it.
He turns down the hall and makes his way to the room Margaret always met me in.
Great, this won't be weird at all. And who in the world wants to meet me? It's not like the other three elders ever paid any attention to me. As we approach the door, I get ready to stop, but I'm surprised when we keep walking past it. Okay, this is a new one. I guess we are going somewhere else.
We continue down the hallway and pass a few more doors before stopping at a door on the left. He opens it up and we walk in.
Unlike the floral tea room where I met Margaret all those times before her passing, this room is the complete opposite. The walls are a dark navy blue and there are canned lights spaced out throughout the entire ceiling. In the middle of the room there is a large table that has papers and files opened as if someone has been working there. Huge swivel chairs pull up to the table and there is a computer sitting at one end.
"He will be with you in a moment." The man turns and walks out the room leaving me to myself.
Times like this make me
