Page 87 of Deadly Alliances

He narrowed his eyes at me, setting down his fork and knife, and my pulse began to race. “Do you know something you’re not telling me?”

I swallowed to loosen my throat. “That depends. Can I trust you?”

His brows creased upward like I’d just hurt him. “Of course, you can. I’m your father first, and everything else second.”

The sincerity in his eyes touched my heart, calming its rapid beat, and I knew without a doubt that, even if he rejected the idea, he would absolutely keep it in confidence with me.

I blew out a breath. “Prominent figures from several shifter species have already come forward to volunteer as representatives,” I whispered. “And we’re waiting on responses from a few others. It has been suggested thatyoube the phoenix rep.”

Surprise and genuine humility smoothed his features as that all sank in. Could this really be happening? Did I really get through to him?

Then he cocked his head, his brows furrowing again. “Wait, ‘we?’”

My heart skittered in my chest. “Um, yeah. A few of us students have been meeting in private to get this thing going. We already have John Phalen to represent the weres and Queen Anali to represent the mer. Ma—er, a respected harpy who shall not be named as of yet, is considering taking the harpy seat on the council. We’re still waiting to hear back from the dragons, nagas, and kitsunes. And if Caesar ever comes back, I’m sure he’d gladly take the gryphon seat, seeing as he’s the last one.”

He stared at me intensely for a long moment, and I shrank as I feared I’d way overshared too soon. “You did all that?” But it wasn’t accusation in his voice. It almost sounded like…admiration.

“Y-yeah, me and some other students,” I replied nervously.

He shook his head, a smile inching its way across his lips. “Ashlyn… I don’t know what to say, only that I’d never been more proud of you—or more terrified for you. Do you realize how dangerous what you’re doing is?”

I straightened, determination filling in for my courage. “Yes, and I don’t care. It’s not in my blood to stand idly by in the face of tyranny and do nothing.”

Humility weighed down his eyelids, and he nodded. “You’re right. You’re absolutely right. But I can’t allow you to continue to do this.”

Panic struck my heart, and my eyes nearly popped out of my skull all over his mashed potatoes.No, no, no.

“Not by yourself,” he added. “Not without me to back you.”

I choked on a sharp inhale. “Wait, what?”

“If you’re going to stand up for what’s right, then I’m going to stand right next to you,” he professed.

Emotion flooded over me, and tears of joy and gratitude stung my eyes. “Oh, Dad. Thank you.”

“But, please, no more secret meetings without informing me first,” he cautioned. “If you were to get caught—”

“I know. And, okay. I’ll keep you in the loop.”

“Good.”

For a long moment, neither of us said anything. We just sat there and smiled at each other, finally on the same wavelength, finally a team.

Eventually, we both started eating and fell into trivial banter, and I felt the safest I had in a long time. Ignaeus really was the man I always hoped he was. I just hoped I wasn’t putting him and everything he cared about at risk by bringing him into this.

Chapter 33

Shea

“Shea, are you with me?”

I blinked a few times to rouse myself at Arya’s question. “Yeah, sorry. It’s been a long…ugh, life.” I ran my hands over my face, trying to rub the sleep away.

I was so tired. After everything that had happened yesterday and a full day of sitting through classes today that mostly focused on propaganda about how the vampires were so great and the shifters were weak and inferior, I had very little energy left in my reserves.

Sitting in Arya’s room didn’t help where that was concerned. Not only was her bed over-the-top comfy, but this room was actually heated! Only the best for the dick-tator’s daughter. The cozy warmth, while blissfully welcomed, only exacerbated my exhaustion.

“I know,” Arya sighed with a nod. “But we have to focus on ironing out our plan.”

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