Page 116 of Rose and Shadows
Ryker shook his head. “Under a collaborative effort.”
Hugh stared at him for several moments, taking everything in.
And then he stepped forward and offered Ryker his hand.
Ryker took it and they shook firmly.
Applause and cheers erupted.
When they pulled apart, Ryker conjured one of his cards and handed it to Hugh. “Call me and we’ll discuss your seat on the Council. The same goes for anybody else here who wants to be a voice for the people.” He eyed Jaxon. “You too, Jax.”
“Us? After the war we almost started?” Hugh questioned.
“Those actions were driven by fear and anger, of not being heard. I need people like the two of you who see things differently, beyond the boundaries, those who recognize, like I do, that there are no lesser supernatural beings, that we all need to be viewed as one, and to act as one.”
“As a community,” Hugh said.
“Exactly.” Ryker gestured at the hundreds still gathered. “Now, disband your army. You have what you want, what you’ve needed for far too long.”
“Thank you.”
“Of course.”
Gabriel stepped forward and rumbled, “Keep in mind that all of you will be monitored for the next while to ensure there is not another insurrection or threat to my son and—”
“There won’t be,” Hugh assured him, before looking to Ryker. “Not now. Not with this development.”
“I’ll hold you to it, Hugh.”
Ryker gave him a chin lift.
Then Hugh turned and walked to his army, speaking with them, and disbanding them.
I suckedin a breath when the memory faded away, and I was back in immediate reality as Ryker pulled his hand and power away and regarded me.
Before I could process it fully, let alone get a word out, Ryker pulled a piece of paper from his pocket, unfolded it, then read very familiar words:
“The Guardian Movement is stretched thin, drowning in policy, borders, and politics. While you debate jurisdiction, innocents die in the cracks. I’m proposing a sanctioned strike division—hybrid-led, independent of territory andbureaucracy. Give us clearance, resources, and autonomy, and we’ll do the work you can’t afford to touch. Fast, quiet, and merciless where needed. A surgical answer to supernatural chaos.”
I swallowed. “My words.”
“Your mission statement for a proposal you were working on, the overarching higher-level goal of your vigilante activities.” He stared at me intently. “And here you had me believing that you were in it for the judge, jury, and punisher thrill of it, something led by old wounds and trauma due to Morien’s actions and you losing your family at such a young age.”
“Well, I’m rarely just singularly focused, and certainly not shortsighted. Those traits actually lead me to the conclusion that it was Kai who gave you that.”
“When you were unconscious in Aetheric Wing, Kai went with Lazriel to retrieve your serum. While searching for every vial possible, Kai came across this research you’d been conducting, this strategy you’d put together. He brought it to my attention shortly after you had your magic bound. It was his attempt to try to spare you by explaining a bigger-picture design that you had for the greater good.”
“But you were never intending to punish me or lock me up. Not beyond sending me to Wraeven Academy.” Not according to what Cassius and Lazriel had reported Ryker telling them in the aftermath of the battle at the CRS facility when I’d spared them from Morien.
“You’re not beyond redemption like those who are locked up inThe Void.And you are needed. For one, with Morien, but also to fix what you destabilized with the Valley of the Dead, something I understand you have a solution to. We’ll get to that after this proposal, after you work with me to see to Morien—a way in which we can limit collateral damage.” He pocketed the piece of paper. “But as for the proposal itself, you’ve readthe scroll that I had Lenos pass to you through Lazriel? Every detail?”
“Yes. You’re authorizing the creation of a division that will essentially bridge the gap between the Guardian Movement and The Shadowed, that will also act as a conduit of sorts, and will both check The Shadowed to an extent that won’t harm its effectiveness, but will also take pressure of Remnantandoffer him protections so he can emerge above ground. He would have influence over both, as I would with this and The Shadowed. There would be limited oversight from you, and this division would also not be knowingly affiliated with the Guardian Movement, nor known to be authorized by you personally in order to keep plausible deniability and allow you to walk the fine line that you must to project stability and confidence in the supernatural populace.”
“Yes.Requital.”
“Apt name.”
“Indeed.” He shifted his weight. “There is somebody else who will also have a role in it.”
