Page 71 of The Silver Ones
"How'd they getyou, then? The shifters, I mean?"
Mavis's nose flared, and she sucked her lips to her teeth, straightening her back. She blinked languidly and looked away for a moment before admitting in defeat, "I got cocky and went out on my own. I had plans to go the hunters, as our witch foresaw good weather for travel. I got caught by Marcus. Now, I just want to get home. Tomypeople.”
"So, if I do what you ask... Then what? How do I find you?" Rem asked.
"You don't. They'll find me. I just need the message sent. Marcus never lets me or the other roam alone. This is the only chance we got, since the Elders are taking us... So, you'll help me then, Rem?" Mavis asked.
Rem looked down. "Like I said, I will think about it."
Mavis was about to say something, but they were interrupted.
"You! Girls! Come over! We can barely smell you next to that trash." A woman dressed in red robes shouted to them through an accent. Rem recognized that style and her tattoo of three moons. An Elder.
Deacon came in behind the Elder, his eyes fuming. “Why did you run off?”
They both walked over.
Rem said, “I got pulled aside with this Silver. Sorry.”
Deacon looked as if to respond, but the Elder held up a hand to silence him.
The stern-faced woman grabbed both of their arms. "We need to dress and paint you for your formal presentation. Running off will receive punishment, next time. We don’t have time for that right now.”
"Wait, I have to be presented?" Rem's stomach grew queasy, hating to be on display. She didn't want everyone watching, as she was nervous enough as it was. The Elder dragged them through the crowd, shoulders bumping into shoulders.
"It is necessary," the Elder said, looking over her shoulder. "Go on, Deacon. She is with us now.”
Mavis protested, “Why do we have to do this?”
“Our kind is too pack driven to allow outsiders, no matter the promise of your blood. So, you have to become a part of the pack. The goddess approves of it, even if you two ran off."
Rem wondered how on Earth a goddess could show her approval for such a thing.
"You mean your kind knows how to show decency?" Mavis asked bitterly, knocking hard into another.
The Elder shouted for the shifters to move before saying in English, "We always have known decency. It's you humans that didn't for ages, threatening us with silver and enslaving us before casting us away to the Exiles. If we hadn’t seen the threat of wars and devastation to these lands, your kind would have raped the Earth." Many moved aside as they saw the Elder, but some remained oblivious, and nearlyallgazes lingered on the two Silvers. "You don't need to look immaculate, but youdoneed to stand out for this. The Alphas will be watching.”
The Elder was determined not to let anyone stop her as she shouted for those to move.
L O T H A R
In the form a man,Lothar sat atop a roof, watching from afar as Rem was led into a building along the street. Many guards surrounded it. Ronan had given Lothar orders to trail Rem at all times. The Alpha didn’t care if the Royals even requested her alone; Rem would no longer travel without the wolves of Warden in her shadows.
If the sovereigns had a problem with that, they could go directly to Ronan.
Lothar thought it wise to send him, as Deacon lost Rem so easily. Why was that wolf not treating her with more care? Then again, the Callons were not themselves as of late.
He paused in pursuing Rem when he saw the other Silver pull her into an alley. He nearly revealed himself, ready to harm the other Silver if necessary. But he had to remind himself that all Silvers were to be treated carefully, so he watched.
It didn’t help that she reeked of Marcus, which made his hackles rise in distrust.
He’d ensure to inform Ronan of that as soon as he could.
15
THE CLAIMING OF THE SILVERS
R E M
