Page 21 of Elemental Healer

“There are more of you now with Lady Water’s sons,” Nash said. “Why are you not able to use them and be powerful enough?”

“The boys have not reached the peak of their powers. To do that, all must have a mate. Jeff and Adam are still single.” Lady Life just had to throw that out there, didn’t she?

“So, here is what we do.” Borgman pounded the table with his finger while he laid down the law. “We find the two most qualified warriors, the two best fighters, and bring them here for Jeff and Adam to bond with. Then we get our Light military on the job. Problem solved. Pardon me, Lady Life, but I don’t think we need the help.”

Mouths stood agape around the room.

“Councilman,” Aunt Mercy spoke slowly, “I will not be forcing my nephews into a bond with any random woman. An Elemental bond is permanent. It can never be abolished. They will spend the rest of their lives with the woman they choose. I will not make them bond with a woman they do not know. We are not yet to that point.”

“But if it were to come to that point?” I held my stomach, but it didn’t stop the rolling.

She looked at me seriously. “I told you that you all would need mates before we could beat the Mindolin. Be patient. We are not yet to the point where I choose for you.” She looked around the room again. “Keep in mind that while my nephews are guarding each race, they are also to be under your protection. If even one brother or mate falls, the Mindolin has already won. And onto your concern, Councilman Borgman, all the races must be brought together for this to work. This is unlike last time. The creature has become more cunning and powerful in his prison. There will be dissension from every race in this world when he returns. He will promise them glory and power. Those who fear for their lives will join him as well. The races will fight back against him, but unless it is a unified front, we will fall.”

She left that to hang in the air, and Borgman looked put out. Silvia Nash looked a little nauseous. I knew the feeling. Only the cause of my nausea was from poison. Hers was fear.

“So what’s the plan, then?” Damian asked.

Victor raised his hand. “If I may, my Lady.” Life nodded, and Vic continued. “We have kept our races apart for so long. The Light, Dark, Neutrals, and Witches will have an easier time integrating with each other than my people and Damian’s will. We drink blood to live. Why don’t we learn about each other, or our races, to find out what will work best to integrate the already-signed Accords into practice?”

I was surprised when Tessa’s hand rose.

Lady Life nodded to her and smiled. “Ms. Carver?”

“I think we’re missing a race here.”

Murmurs were heard around the table, and Life hushed them. “What race, dear?”

“The Neutrals.”

Borgman scoffed. “Neutrals are governed by the Light.”

“Governed by you, but they are not Light. They do not have the same talents and powers as a Light, Dark, or Witch, so they have been barred from all military establishments. They deserve to have a say and to fight for their freedom, don’t they? No doubt the Mindolin will use them. I’m going to assume he will use any means necessary.”

“I agree with Tessa.” I hated to say the words. They tasted foul in my mouth after what she’d done to me, but she had made a good point.

“So, if we do this,” Jonas began, “how do we choose what Neutrals to bring in here, and what kind of protection will they have?”

A throat cleared, and we all looked at Adam, who appeared a little uncomfortable. “I happen to know a Neutral couple I believe would be a good addition to this meeting, and I will protect them.”

Where in the world had Adam met a Neutral couple to bring to our meeting? Of course, where had Dalton heard of Grace Bishop to bring her in when we needed her? And when had Drew built an entire house without us knowing? Seems I didn’t know my brothers as well as I’d thought I did. It wasn’t fair. They knew me. I could keep no secrets.

“Ask them, Lord Fire, and bring them tomorrow if they agree to help,” Life instructed. “Now, I think this is enough for the first day. Let’s adjourn and think about what we’ve learned and decided. Victor, Damian, tomorrow you will tell us more about your people’s needs. Nathaniel, if we have time, so will you. Tonight, dinner will be held in a private dining room downstairs. Your protector will know how to get there. Adam, if your contacts would like to attend, we’d love to have them.”

Borgman pushed himself out of his chair and flew out of the room as if being there with the rest of us would contaminate him. Nash flushed a little.

“He really is a nice guy.” She sounded like she had a schoolgirl crush. Borgman was married. She needed to move past it. But how could a man like that have a wife and also have a woman with a crush on him? And I was still single!

Nate and Tessa stood, my cue to lead the way to the door. I moved slowly so as not to upset my stomach. The hall was already clear, and I moved us to the elevator. Dalton, Grace, Damian, and Uriah followed behind us, and Dalt’s gaze grew concerned.

You good, Jeff? Want some help?

Take Nate home. Tessa will drive my jeep.I didn’t want her near me, but my protective instincts toward my brothers said to keep her away from them as well. She intended to kill them, but I would stop that from happening, even if it killed me.

I can do that.

In the elevator Dalton told everyone the plan as I leaned against the walls in a corner. Everyone agreed it was the best plan even though they had no say in the matter.

At the cars, Tessa gave Nate his paperwork in case he needed it at the gate and then climbed behind my steering wheel. After adjusting the seat and mirrors, she backed the jeep out slowly to follow Dalton from the garage. We’d received some weird looks from cadets and warriors in the parking garage since we’d first arrived, but I had to admit, I wasn’t much of a protector today if they’d decided to do something stupid.

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