Chapter 25: Assisting The Council Leader

I gasp at Finlay while Oleksander swears in Ukrainian, something he rarely does.

"You're certain?" It's a silly question, but I don't blame him for asking. I'm in such shock it seems a logical one to me, too.

Gwendolyn glares at her partner a moment before nodding with sympathy. "We are," she says.

"Revenants are popping up all over Eastern Europe," Finlay continues, like it's no big deal. "Just a handful, but we don't need to remind you creating werewolves is illegal." I take it from his tone he has questions for us, but I try not to take his suspicions personally. He's an Enforcer, only doing his job.

My grandfather isn't so gracious. "Are you accusing us of something?" He looms larger, as tall as Finlay. "And why is it, if such creatures are, as you say, springing up all over Eastern Europe, is it we are only now hearing of their appearance?"

Actually an excellent question, as it turns out.

Gwendolyn smacks Finlay firmly with one little hand. "Of course we're not accusing you," she says. "Not in the least. We are simply here to ask your help in uncovering the perpetrators of such a heinous crime." She glances at her partner again. "Leader Svennson has been holding off, though I don't have the reason for her hesitation. You'll have to ask her personally why she's kept this from you."

I shudder and nod, remembering the revenant the Black Souls killed, wondering what Femke was thinking.

"Council Leader Svennson would like your assistance at this juncture," Gwen went on. "She requests the presence of Charlotte to investigate this matter more fully and hopefully put an end to the situation sooner rather than later."

I nod immediately, ignoring Oleksander, knowing if I give him a crack to slip into he'll make an excuse to keep me here, especially now. But he surprises me by turning to me with a sad frown.

"I know you will make me proud," he says before turning back to his throne. I rankle at the implication of his words, as though I need the reminder. He can be disappointed all he wants. I'm done caring. "Please, keep me informed."

Is he apologizing with his final parting words, offering an olive branch to soothe our past clash? Possibly. But I'm not in the mood to decipher his feelings or my own.

And maybe I do care, just a little bit.

"Give me a moment," I say, "and I'll be right with you."

I feel better dressed in my familiar dark jeans and leather jacket, my button up snug around my ribs. My boots ring a single step on the stone as I escort the pair of witches to the lawn. When the blue power of Finlay's magic lifts me, I fight the urge to struggle, knowing it will only make his job harder. But he has a firm hand and I feel trapped until the blue light flares and he releases me into Femke's office at Oxford.

She sits behind her large desk, scowling down at some paperwork, but when she raises her head, her ice-blue eyes meeting mine, they are smiling.

Femke rises, coming around the heavy mahogany desk, the moonlight over the yard outside her office reflecting from the leaves left on the trees. I hug her as she opens her arms to me, tall, lean body powerful in magic. Her blonde hair, cropped short, tickles my nose when I pull away, the soft scent of her soap and the gentle smell of her skin lingering.

"Thank you for coming." Always gracious, Femke gestures for me to take a seat before smiling at her witches. "Well done, you two. Have our other guests arrived?"

The air flickers with shadow and two vampires appear as if in answer to her question. I wave at Sunny who bends and kisses my cheek, then at Sebastian who bows over my hand, brushing his lips across my fingers. He's a delicious specimen and had Syd married him I would have been hideously jealous. As it is, I'd considered talking to him, except he is so deep into using his newfound abilities to save his people, I know Sebastian isn't a choice for me.

Not to mention the sweet-faced blonde who hovered behind him. Syd's former best friend, ghost turned who-knew-what, seems to have the Sebastian market cornered anyway. I smile at Alison Morgan and she tentatively smiles back.

"Only one left," Femke says as she shakes Sebastian's hand.

"Are you waiting for me?" Piers appears from a black tunnel, grinning like he's been waiting to make his entrance. For all I know, he has. I certainly don't put it past him. He bends and kisses my cheek, the same spot Sunny did, though the whisper of his breath feels far different than her cold caress. I can't think of Piers as he sits next to me, trying to take my hand. My fingers curl inward as I cup them in my lap. He has to know something has changed since he saw me last, but I don't have time to tell him. Or the heart.

If I think of Piers, I will think of Sage and I simply cannot.

"Thank you all for coming," Femke says, sitting informally on the edge of her desk as the rest of the group takes seats around her. "You know why you're here?"

"Revenants," I say. "Someone is making werewolves." I can barely speak the words, the idea is so repulsive to me.

She nods slowly, hands rubbing up and down her thighs. "We've encountered five so far," she says. "All spread through Eastern Europe, though never in the same area twice."

"Is there any evidence as to who is creating them?" Sunny's soft voice takes the sting from her words. I know they are all looking at me, though I stay focused on Femke.

"There is not," the Council leader says. "That's why I've asked Charlotte to come. If anyone can identify the creator, it's her." She holds up one hand as my anger spikes. "You know the physiology of your people far better than any of us," Femke says. "Am I right to think if some rogue is making more of himself you can figure out how to track him?"

I relax, forcing myself to calm. I know better than to jump to conclusions. Femke has been nothing but fair and honest with me from the beginning, respecting the werenation's need for our own rule and autonomy.

"I should be able to," I say, even as I hesitate. Should I mention the sorcery which blocked Isabelle? But that will raise more questions I have no desire to answer right now, stirring a story I'd rather forget.

"Excellent." Femke stands, gesturing for us to join her. "I invited you all because I want this to be an open investigation. It is my belief we need to work together, not separately, and, to that end, I plan to keep you all informed of every issue that might affect us all."

"Well said," Sunny murmurs. "I'm more than happy to do the same." Sebastian nods while I stay silent. I have no say over what they learn. That's my grandfather's job. And when Piers doesn't speak either, I know he's probably thinking the same thing.

"Considering this affects the werenation," I say, a hint of irritation emerging, "I would think you would have alerted us long before now."

Femke sighs, nods. "I know," she says. "I'm sorry. I didn't purposely keep you in the dark. Please, follow me." She rises from her desk, face pinched in a frown. "I'll explain everything."



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