Page 53 of Tasteful Anarchy and Tangled Auras
“No, Filib, I don’t think you understand. That is unacceptable.”
We fan out on either side of Adi.
“Unfortunately, Priestess, I don’t have any sway here. Bryn can explain that.”
“Explain what, Filib?” I ask him directly, instead of asking Adi.
“That the lower council does not take orders from the Heads. That is, us.”
“That’s true,” I say slowly. “What actions are they considering?”
“Several representatives will be attending the Mabon celebration,” Filib answers bitterly. We had put the kibosh on him attending, and he’s obviously still salty.
My eyebrows raise. “They want to do this even knowing we’re anticipating a splinter cell attack?”
After we had taken out Jack, Scmiele, and the Leprechaun and installed me as a head of the EA, we had called off the Mabon plans. But that went over as well as expected: the more radical of the organization wanted to move forward with the plans. We overruled them, but we’re planning for the worst-case scenario here.
Filib nods. “Yes, four of them. They understand the possible risk. They desire to meet the Priestess,” and he nods at Adi.
Ossy crosses his arms over his broad chest. “Then arrange a meeting for when we come back through Glario.”
“I suggested this. They are quite set on attending the rite.”
“Fine,” Adi snaps peevishly. “I don’t want anyone from the council to complain if they end up bleeding out like offerings,” and she blanks the mirror before any of us can respond.
She turns and flops onto the bed. I feel her anger rise as she lays back and closes her eyes. Ossy, Rory, and I all share a glance.
“Is Rory up to speed?” Ossy asks.
“Enough to get the jist of things,” Rory says soberly.
Everyone is silent and Adi is rubbing her head when Rory says, “The most obvious answer here is that these four are part of the splinter cell themselves and are coming to make sure it goes off ‘successfully,’” he makes the air quotes with his finger. “The other option is that they’re innocent fools. I think the first is more likely. And if it isn’t, it doesn’t really affect the plans. I don’t think they deserve special protection just for being idiots.”
I look at him in surprise. I hadn’t expected him to have a head for strategy.
He grins sheepishly. “I took up D&D in the 90s. I’m a phenomenal Dungeon Master.”
Osmund
ONE DAY.
When I wake up two mornings from now, this will be behind us.
I’m drinking a beer with Rory, enjoying a late-night bonfire, and my mind won’t rest. It’s worn a smooth path along the same thoughts.
I’m not sure why I’m feeling so worried about the Mabon rites, but I am. Perhaps it’s seeing a kelpie nearly rip a chunk outof my mate. Perhaps it’s the unexpected blade the Leprechaun had brought. Perhaps it was the impotent rage I felt, knowing I couldn’t get to her, couldn’t protect her.
But I have to be honest with myself. It’s more.
I've fallen in love with Adelaide.
I suppose I should have expected it, being mates and all, but the fact was that I’d been trying to win her heart as much as just possessing her body.
But I’ve never felt for anyone like I feel for her. Every little smile, every unconscious touch, I absorb like the driest desert. The way I orient my body towards her when she’s near. The desire to grow, to be a better person in her presence. Her adorable temper, her silliness, the ease with which she apologizes, her goodness, all of it. I see endless possibilities for a shared life.
The only thing that makes my heart pinch more than the thought of her is the thought of a little golden-curly-haired babe at her breast.
I shake my head. I have to keep her alive to have a future.
