Sedovin’s mate actually spoke up next, since surprisingly, both the Earthborn and the Stoneborn had been quiet for most of the conversation. “What if they have a plan for this as well?”
“I’m sure the Council has lots of plans.” Nick interjected. “Their homes will have their own defenses, their own standing armies. We’ll take them one by one until the rest of the Council understands they’re finished. Then whatever plans they have are irrelevant.”
They all considered quietly before Kit nodded in agreement. “All who agree to move on them individually?”
Mitch, Reston, and Nick stood with her, all of them looking at Balthazar, Osvald and Sedovin. The four of them were enough to make a majority, but Osvald stood up at their look, even if he didn’t look particularly happy about it. “I’m not going to be the one to break up this bunch before we even get started. I just hope this is the best option.”
Sedovin stood up afterwards, shrugging at Balthazar. “Sorry, Lord Hothead. Looks like we’re doing this brick by brick.”
Balthazar didn’t stand up for a long while as he looked up at the other six Alphas, but with a final look at his mate, he finally did stand. “We need to hit their strongest holding first. That, at least, they will not expect.”
“Agreed.” Nick said as he sighed, relieved that they were all in accord on the general strategy, even though he knew the rest of the day would still be spent arguing.
It was an interesting afternoon spent talking about how to organize all the fighters, how to accommodate more people coming in, and what to do once they all marched, as well as who to leave behind to protect the heart of the New Council. Candra was quiet the entire time, sometimes almost trembling when a disagreement would escalate, but there was never any real violence. Eventually, when the items brought up for discussion were all more or less decided upon by majority vote, Osvald’s mate looked over to where Candra and Orlando sat. “What about them?”
“What do you think?” Orlando said with confrontation and confidence in his voice. Every member of the council looked at him in shock at his comeback, and Sedovin actually laughed. Orlando quieted a little at the hushed reaction. “We’re here to fight the same as you are. And when I let loose on whoever we’re going up against first, trust me, I’ll have their undivided attention.” He looked at Mitch and Sedovin in particular. “Leaving those of you who prefer to kill our enemies by stabbing them in the back ample opportunity to do so, yes?”
Beatrice growled loudly at his last statement. “That’s assuming any of us are still alive once you’re through.”
“I haven’t killed too many of my friends yet.” Orlando shot back at her, his power sizzling around him as always. “And I don’t intend to start. Or would you prefer I stayed behind and let the Council spread rumors that I’ve actually deserted you all and switched sides? Because that’s what’s going to happen if it doesn’t look like Thor’s throwing a party every time this Council attacks someone.”
Candra, surprising everyone, actually said something before anyone else had a chance to get in on the argument. “This is why they struggle.” She said it quietly, but not quietly enough that people couldn’t hear her speaking. Candra said it with her head down, but then she looked up and looked around. “I know them. They do this. They argue, they fight, they say bad things about each other and plot to hurt each other in ways that can’t be traced back. You’re no better than they are if you can’t set aside your pride.”
Everyone was shocked to hear her voice at all, and even Mitch nodded toward her. “We’ll be glad to have you with us, Sunchild.”
Sedovin answered next. “And those of us who like stabbing our enemies in the back will be glad to have you too.” He was still smiling, completely unfazed by the insult Orlando had thrown at him.
Candra stood up and let go of Orlando to step out in front of everyone. She turned to Nick once she was up on the platform and held out her hand. “I’m told that a true leader of wolves should taste the power of the gods.” She’d read about it, and she’d been told as much by every master she’d ever had. She was a living piece of their Gods on the earth, which was why her kind were so rare, and so legendary.
She was closest to Veronica and Balthazar, and as she approached them, everyone could see an actual shadow of fear in Balthazar’s eyes. But when she laid her hand on his arm, the fear vanished, and the fire around his other hand burst into a bout of white flame so hot everyone present could feel it, and he actually closed his eyes for just a moment before he opened them again to stare at her, truly understanding for the first time the reason why Lightborn were creatures of legend. His eyes were the brilliant red of a setting sun and filled with power as she pulled her hand away, moving on to his mate beside him.
Veronica trembled as she touched the Lightborn, but her generations of descent and her obvious power from it kept her from producing a flame like her mate. She shook a little more violently, but then she settled into the heat of the Light that was given to her, and she looked up at Candra with a nod. She knew that Candra would be important to the war, if only
