“Very good.” Wraith nods as he glances at Declan, who taps his earpiece before switching on a monitor in front of us that shows every angle and access point Plasma has. Then my wicked prince looks around the room and steps into a role I have yet to see him fully play. “Now then.”
All of the chatter stops. Everyone goes completely silent as they turn to face my mate, and it causes my breath to catch in my throat.
There has to be close to seventy pairs of eyes on us, so many people that give Wraith their undivided attention the second he asks for it, and that truly says something. Vampires and humans alike who have traveled from all over Louisiana, from different perishes and counties, cities and villages. From what I understand there are even several from just across the state borders and they all came here on the drop of a dime because their leader—theirsavior,in so many ways—made the call and demanded their presence.
And this is only a small fraction of the army my wicked prince has been building behind the High Elder’s back.
“I appreciate that so many of you were able to get here on such short notice. I know how difficult and dangerous a day of travel can be and your devotion has not gone unnoticed.” Wraith scans the crowd again, stopping briefly on the members of the inner circle, the ones I met the night of our mating before he continues. “In light of new information, the need to congregate became rather urgent and when you leave here tonight it is imperative that you reach out to your sectors and share it.”
“Does this mean the ban on meetings has been lifted?” a short and stocky male asks as he pushes stubby fingers back through thinning dark hair.He must be older than Wraith.
My mate nods. “It does. The ban has been lifted, and I fear the need to organize them soon has become urgent.”
A human female with white blonde hair and pale eyes steps forward a bit, the woman dressed like she’s already been leading a militia through the trenches of war, and crosses her arms against her chest with a nod. “Battle ready?”
“Yes,” Wraith says slowly. “If you mean we need to ready everyone for battle.”
A low rumble of voices erupts from the crowd, multiple questions being asked at the same time.
“Are we going to war?”
“When do we move?”
“Has Atticus already planned an attack?”
They come from all angles, from unfamiliar faces painted in concern or a readiness that is as unwavering as it is unnerving.
Seeing what I have through my contact with Atticus and Drusilla, knowing what we do now after Wraith interrogated that couple, it was only a matter of time before the fight my mate has been planning came to fruition but right now, here in this moment, the reality is finally sinking in.
And the many possible outcomes are making me lightheaded.
“Silence!” Wraith barks as he spins toward me, gripping my elbows gently to steady me on my feet. “Zephyr, my love—”
“I’m ok.” I nod and swallow hard as I close my eyes for a moment. It’s not just the uproar from the group, it’s the emotions I can feel coming off of them as well as the way…oh my god, I’m hearing their thoughts, too.
My mate ducks his head to meet my eyes as they open, those obsidian pools swimming with concern while they search my face. “Do you need to sit? Water? What is it, love?”
Shaking my head, I straighten my posture and hold onto his forearms. “I can hear them.”
“Who?”
“Everyone. I feel their emotions, and I’m beginning to hear their thoughts.”
“Hear their thoughts? The way I do?”Wraith frowns as Orion places a hand on my back and starts rubbing small circles.
“Z, you ok?”
I nod to my cousin and force a smile in his direction but keep talking to my mate through our link.“I’m not sure if it’s the same way you do, but I can hear them. It’s jumbled and unclear but it’s the only explanation for all the noise in my head.”
“It must be our bond. It’s possible for us to share abilities, though it doesn’t generally happen so soon.”
“You’re a Descendant, so I’m sure the rules don’t apply here. I’m fine, it was just surprising.”
“Are you sure?” he asks as he looks to Orion then Declan. “If you’re not up to this…”
“I’m ok, really.” I take a shaky breath then exhale roughly.“I’m not leaving. We’re a united front, remember? My weakness is yours, and I won’t have anyone thinking either of us are weak.”
“Cheeky female.”Wraith smiles a little before pressing a kiss to my forehead.“After the meeting, I’ll teach you a few tricks to keep unwanted thoughts out of your pretty head, yeah? Show you how to turn it off and on, so to speak.”
