Elizabeth frowned. "But you said there were two threads."
Kendrick nodded. "That means there is still one more rogue witch in Council Manor, and we have no idea who it is."
"Well, fuck a duck," Meryn exclaimed, throwing herself backward on the sofa.
Kendrick couldn't have agreed more.
*****
"I'm telling you it has to be that douchebag, Réne!" Meryn said, coming to her knees on the sofa.
Elizabeth pulled her back down. "Meryn, we have to look at this from every angle."
Meryn gave her friend a flat look. "Douchebag vampire is evil bad guy. We kill evil bad guy, save the day, come home, and eat cake!"
Kendrick found himself siding with Elizabeth. "Meryn, we have to go in with an open mind. I'm all for getting rid of the bad guy, but I want to make sure that we're getting rid of the true evil one, not the guy that just acts like a douchebag. Besides Réne is a vampire, not a witch."
"I think it's Daggart," Elizabeth suggested.
Meryn became thoughtful. "Damn, now that's difficult. He was a douchebag, too. I bet they are in on it together."
Anne cleared her throat. Kendrick looked to her immediately. "I know I'm new here, but do you think that's why Adalwin wanted to know if the ferals would accept anything else in trade for the hostages? What if they never really expected the perimeter to be lowered? It's like when you're a kid--you ask for something completely outrageous, so when you're told no and suggest something reasonable, the parent is more inclined to say yes, since they shot down your first idea."
"Gods, I did that to my uncle so many times!" Elizabeth exclaimed.
"Réne backed the idea to give up the necklaces," Colton growled.
Gavriel tuned to Aiden. "What do we do?"
Aiden stood and reached for his phone. "I'm going to request a council meeting with just father, Rowan and Celyn. Since Réne was picked up to be the Lycaonian committee member, we can justify his exclusion since his loyalties are divided. Gavriel get on the phone. I want Beta and Delta here at the house guarding the women, and I want Gamma to go in with us. They've been included in every meeting thus far; we can use that as an excuse to get them into the council chambers."
Gavriel stood and pulled out his cell phone as Aiden made the call to his father, requesting a meeting.
Anne went to him. "I'm not going to ask if you'll be safe, because I know you won't be. But I am going to make you promise to come back."
Kendrick stood and pulled her close. "Not even death could keep me from you," he whispered in her ear.
Grinning, she pulled back. "I know you meant that to sound romantic, but after all these talks about souls and mummies, it was kinda creepy."
"I can always rely on you to keep me grounded." He kissed her forehead.
"I'll be waiting right here for you to come back. That means you walking up those stairs unhurt and very much warm and alive. None of this 'not even death could stop me' stuff." She shuddered. "You know how I feel about zombies."
"You have my word," he vowed.
Aiden tucked his phone away. "Gamma will be here in five minutes. Let's get our gear on."
Kendrick kissed her forehead again and joined the men as they headed to the door.
"You gonna gear up?" Colton asked.
Kendrick shook his head. "No, but it's always amusing to see how much stuff you manage to cover yourselves with to go into battle."
Behind them, the women giggled. Colton gave him a grateful smile and a thumbs up.
Keelan, I swear, we'll all make it home this time.
*****
Heads turned and people whispered as the two units jogged from the parking garage to Council Manor. Kendrick's long legs ensured he was able to keep up. Elder McKenzie met them at the door, a grave look on his face. "What's this all about, son?"
"Let's talk inside, Father." Aiden walked side-by-side with his father through the halls. They passed the normal meeting chambers to a smaller room meant for more intimate conversations. Sascha closed the door behind them, and Kendrick cast a soundproofing spell.
The Gamma Unit arranged themselves toward the back of the room while Alpha stood in front of the three council member chairs. Elder Vi'Ailean was already seated when Elder McKenzie sat next to him.
"We're just waiting on Rowan; he had to talk Daggart out of the rafters when Adalwin, uh, petrified." Elder McKenzie explained.
"Elder McKenzie, I ..." Kendrick stepped forward.
The elder held up a hand. "Please, Kendrick. While we're in this room, let's not be so formal. I've had enough of formality to last me into the next century," Byron said sourly, referring to the recent meeting with the Committee.
"Of course sir. I..." The door to their right opened, and Elder Airgead hurried forward. Kendrick watched as he made his way to his chair. His normally dark hair looked lighter at the temples and there were more lines on his face than when they had met earlier.
Kendrick recalled how haggard Adalwin had looked as Aiden's voice rang through his mind.
We've already broken a few. One by accident and the others because they were hurting Amelia.
Kendrick felt his heart stutter as he stared at the witch elder. The second trace had been to him! Rowan must have been the creator of at least one of the necklaces he had broken earlier, that's why he looked older.