“More than fair,” the councilman declared, seeming amused by my answer. “And a pat down is a bit much for this setting, mostly because there are so many hobgoblins present, and they can hide very little from wolves. If there was something planned that should worry us, they would give it away.”
“The fae dogs circling the property on the other hand,” the head guard drawled.
I internally winced. Of course they were. The damn hobgoblins had to have told them what I was up to and they were worried. Loveable twits.
Zack snorted. “She feeds them. They love the hobgoblins and the hobgoblins love Tamsin. She started all of this and now all the fair folk have safe places, so of course they came when so many councils are of threat to her. I’m shocked they’re not marking their territory more.”
“Yes, especially given your bloodline with fairy grandparents,” the councilman hinted.
I smirked, but focused on the security guy. “You’re scenting me? I showered just for you then.”
That amused them, but he did, careful not to come in too close. Honestly, it wasn’t bad, and more like he was trying to catch my perfume and place it. He gave a nod to the others, and then I looked to the councilman.
“Councilman Duncan,” he introduced, holding his hand out to me. “It is my pleasure to meet you, Tamsin Vale. I’m early because I wanted to give you my genuine and heartfelt thanks for saving my cousin before the others arrive and anything else gets in the way.”
I accepted his hand and smiled at him. “I was glad to do it. Truly. Geoff is a good Alpha. He and his guys were devastated that any of their pack were hurt, so I’m glad I was there and could help.”
“You saved their lives. All of them agree. They would have been dead if not for you. There was no chance for them if you hadn’t almost killed yourself saving those wolves that day. So, no matter what happens tonight, my family is in your debt and a friend to yours for saving one of ours.”
Oh boy. Two things worried me about that.
First, I hadn’t almost killed myself to save those wolves, and should I honestly tell him that and risk outing myself?
Second… What the fuck was up with tonight that he’d said something twice that worried me?
4
I decided against telling Councilman Duncan, and not because it implied more about me, but because I didn’t know it wasn’t true. It sounded roundabout to benefit me and a bit dishonest… But wolves could sense a lot. Alpha Geoff was seriously powerful and had been right there. I didn’t know the line with my own magic a lot.
I could truly have been close to doing damage to myself that day and not even have known it, but he would have. And if he had been the person who had told people that, then I would be a total backstabbing asshole to say otherwise.
So I was pretty fucked either way and decided to leave it be. I didn’t know enough to argue the point. It seemed smarter and prudent to leave it as the answer. If I ever found it truly wrong, I would correct it.
Yeah, that was fair.
Luckily, others started arriving, and I didn’t have much time to worry about it anyways. I noted when that head guard went and talked to people from the other details, each giving me curious and surprised looks before approaching me. They politely checked before scenting me the same as he had and there wasn’t a problem.
“You’re much more reasonable than we were led to believe,” Councilman Chin said after introductions were made.
“I was also warned today by Professor Puth this was standard, so it’s easier when I know what to expect,” I replied. I quickly told them what I’d told my teacher, shrugging when they all simply blinked at me. “I’ve said this a lot, and it’s not me being a human lover or a slam on supes, but there is a whole other world out there. Being reclusive is not a good thing, as experience teaches us much.”
“You are right, and you try very hard to learn as much as you can and not offend anyone, which no one ever speaks of,” Alpha Geoff quickly interjected. “I note it every time you visit. You are never demeaning—”
“Not of you, but I can be,” I muttered. “It’s not unfair what’s said about me at times. However—”
“They leave off it’s when someone is selling a witch, like property, into a mating with a contract or won’t educate and disown her,” Mel drawled. “It’s something despicable most of us would demean. That’s what people leave off. The only times I’ve truly seen you trip is when you haven’t been fully filled in, like freaking out the dragon royals might eat you if you denied their request for help.”
I wanted to smack her. I knew she said it to lighten the mood and show the councilmen I was chill, but that had been embarrassing. Rolling my eyes, I played it off. “Yes, because that’s about all I’d learned so far in my intro classes was how telling dragon royals no on anything would get you eaten. And I didn’t know what the meeting was about. It seemed a valid concern.”
Councilman Duncan snorted. “I might worry the same if all the remaining royals sprung a meeting on me without telling me
