“How do you expect us to help with that? We might have the finances and can focus the Sabres on the issue. But as you have pointed out, there are insufficient numbers. We have no say over whether the Dires join the forces.”
A subtle shift of energy from the Dire side of the table. Tyrez squared his shoulders. “You have something the Dires desperately want and need.”
Mivra’s gaze sharpened. “You are speaking of our rules preventing them from accessing human females to create alphas for their packs?”
“You know I am.”
The councilors stared at him with varying degrees of alarm and hostility.
Alex rose from the circular table, and Mivra nodded to him.
The redheaded Dire alpha had a heavy accent but was perfectly understandable. “The Dire packs cannot even maintain mental stability without the alpha females. This is a situation which is growing more desperate by the day. The council has to come up with a solution.”
“We are studying the problem,” a councilor objected.
The chestnut-haired woman beside Alex rose. “With all due respect, councilor, there is only one solution that will save us,” Emily said. “We must find a way to recruit from the nonDire population. Rindek’s activities have revealed that the Cryptid blood is now prevalent among the humans. There is some evidence to suggest that such blood can ensure success with the transformation. There must be a way to screen for it. Eligible females could volunteer to be infected with the Dire virus and qualify for alpha status.”
“That would expose Cryptids to the human population,” another councilor objected. “Our secrecy mandate prevents that.”
Alex crossed his arms. “My pack is tied to the Sabres. We will fight regardless. But the others have made their conditions quite clear. If you want them to fight, the council must yield on this issue. It is that simple.”
He and Emily sat back down. Tyrez privately cheered, but by the looks on the councilor’s faces, this wasn’t going to be an easy decision.
Then another figure rose from the Sabre side. A truly big, powerfully built man. Mivra nodded acknowledgment to Kade.
“You need to ask yourselves something,” he rumbled in his deep voice. “You need to ask yourselves how you will stop the Dires from doing what they wish.”
Every member of the council stiffened, staring at him as he continued. “For generations, the Sabres have acted as the legs and arms to the council. We enforce the rules that keep all Cryptids safe among populations that know nothing of their existence. But the Sabres are dying out. Some say it is too late to save us. That even if we somehow recruited females, there are too few left to salvage the species.”
The room had gone deathly still. Kitani rose to stand with her brother. “You must know this situation is at a critical point. It is only a matter of time before the Sabres can no longer maintain order. The desperate Dires will take what they need. And there will be no one to stop them.”
One of the councilors frowned. “Are you saying the Sabres will not stop the Dires if they decide to prey upon helpless women?”
“I am saying we won’t be able to stop them,” Kade growled. “That we will die trying. We are not invincible.” He skewered the councilor with a hard look. “So you have two choices. Wait, and watch that happen. Or be proactive. Figure out a way to recruit from the population.”
“But we cannot give away the secret!” another gasped. “The humans must never know of the Cryptids living among them!”
“If you plan well, and are careful, it is possible to keep the secret. To only reveal it to the chosen few. I agree it will be difficult. But it is the only way forward.” The Sabre cast his golden glare across the entire council before both he and Kitani sat down.
A Dire alpha spoke from the table’s other side. “I am not here to name names,” he said. “But I can confirm that what the Sabre has said is, even now, being discussed by many in the Dire community. The issue is ready to explode, and you don’t have the means to stop it.” He leveled a hard stare on the council. “I am certain that if they were granted the ability to do it under the auspices of the council, many would be willing to fight for that right. You would have your army.”
The worry and confusion on the council faces confirmed that they hadn’t expected things to swing this way. They were accustomed to calling the shots. The Sabres’ words had shaken them to the core.
Mivra cast her gaze over those assembled and stood. “The council will adjourn to discuss this. I ask that you remain here until we have reached a verdict.”
“We cannot reach one that fast,” one of the councilors objected.
“Need I remind you about the Archmage and the army?” Mivra stated. “We do not have the luxury of time. We must discuss this and reach a decision within the hour.”
Eyes along the table widened.
“We will adjourn to the inner chamber.” She walked toward the door.
It took a few moments for the councilors to follow her through. The moment they left, the room split into two main groups. The Sabres on one side, and the Dires on another.
Watching them, Tyrez knew he and his brothers would have their hands full, even if the council came back with favorable news. Getting an army of Sabres and Dires to work together would not be easy.
But then again, nothing about this was going to be easy.
