I should be grateful that things are moving as planned, but there’s a sense of dread that taints what should be a moment of triumph. As far as I know, there hasn’t been a Council like this in Boston since the initial Treatises were signed. That was way before my time, back when the city was new. Now, six months after Erra was released from his prison, Order HQ is playing host to representatives from the Dearden and O’Ceallaigh vampire covens, as well as the Seelie and Unseelie Courts. As I make my way to the conference room on the sixth floor, I mull over all the things I want to voice during this meeting.
All of which are centered on Henry.
Not everyone is invited into the conference room, there’s simply not enough space, but the Technical Department has set it to broadcast locally through headquarters, with enough encryption and enchantments on the feed that there’s no chance even the most skilled mundane hacker will break in. Not that I can imagine one targeting us, to the rest of the world we’re just some bland office that does something or other with little effect on the masses. Still, there’s a sense of envy from some of my fellow Centurions I pass on my way to the conference room. I’m invited because Chief Glass is still trying to push me into his position. I know he’ll be retiring in the near future, likely as soon as Erra is dealt with. The only thing is…I don’t want his job. Chief Glass rarely gets out into the field, he’s too busy coordinating the Centurions with the Sentinel, Incantator, and Technical Departments. Besides, Chiaki Ito would be a much better choice in my opinion. She hasn’t said anything about it, but I’m sure she would agree.
I would think the Fae representatives would be the first to earn my gaze as I step into the room, but I’m too surprised to see Alejandro Castillo and Brianna Walker present that everyone else might as well not be here. Sheldon has a particularly harsh vendetta against Castillo. I think it’s less to do with him being a crime boss and more to do with the city of Boston recognizing the Alpha’s efforts in restoring South Boston. I think Sheldon thinks that Castillo didn’t deserve it, despite him funding and providing most of the laborers for the renewal.
“Well, hey there,” I say, scooting over to where the werewolves stand.
“Buenas noches, Riley,” Castillo replies.
“It’s…good to see you,” I mean it too, which is not something I could say for some people present in the room.
“I’m surprised to see you,” Brianna admits. “Here. In your headquarters. I thought for sure we wouldn’t get the invite.”
“Yeah, same here. I guess someone went behind Sheldon’s back.”
“He’s the one who contacted us,” Castillo replies.
“The mysteries continue,” I mutter. “I’m also kinda surprised you said yes.”
“For Henry,” Castillo’s voice takes an edge.
After leaving the black market half a year ago, I found myself going to Castillo’s place in Back Bay. He was surprised to see me, but he let me in. He just as quickly revoked my invitation after I explained what happened to Henry, his anger at the Order’s interference in things requiring immediate solitude so he didn’t ‘do something he would later regret,’ as he put it. I couldn’t blame him then, if Sheldon had just let me meet with Henry as planned instead of arresting him, we could have avoided everything that followed. Judging by Castillo’s hard gaze following Sheldon, I know the animosity between the two has only gotten thicker.
“Mm-hm, for Henry,” Brianna agrees. “Now you just make sure none of your Centurions get trigger-happy.”
“They…yeah, all right,” I say, noticing her challenging look. I don’t think the Order would dare attack the representatives in this setting, but I know Brianna has good reason to suspect them of violence.
Now that my initial astonishment fades, I look to the other representatives, and I’m shocked all over again when I see who answered the summons. I figured we’d get lackeys, instead I’m recognizing faces from the files the Order keeps on the supernatural community. At the far end of the conference hall, there’s a petite woman. She looks like a Disney princess come to life, with soft features, overly large eyes, and flowing silvery-blue hair. Her face sparkles, as if her features were painted with stardust, visible only when the light caught it a certain way. Her gown is laden with exotic flowers, tastefully arranged along the skirts and billowy sleeves. Upon her head she wears a golden crown shaped in the form of branches, with ivory flowers inlaid on the sides. The Queen of the Seelie Court has never ventured into Order headquarters, and yet I recognize Aine from the dossier we have on her.
Next to her stands her First Knight, Diarmuid, resplendent in light armor that glimmers like the surface of a lake in the sunshine. A bas-relief of a great tree is imprinted on the chest-piece, with smaller versions lining the pauldrons. A large sword is sheathed upon his back. Like the queen, his skin is a golden hue with hints of green, and his features are also sharply defined. He is beautiful, but alien. Both recognizable by our shared features, and yet unnervingly different too.
The Unseelie Queen is also present, and whereas Aine bolsters a sense of renewal, spring after a long winter, Queen Keyara is that winter. She looks frigid, and not just for the pale blue hue of her skin, but for the jutting chin and prominent brow that looks like chiseled ice, and the inky black of her sharp eyes. She wears a dress that looks like brambles, and her dark hair is done up in such a severe looking updo that I can’t help wondering how her scalp must feel and if that’s the main reason for the pinched expression.
Orpheus, the Knight who accompanies her, is also pretty much the opposite of Aine’s Knight. Where Diarmuid is upright and noble to a fault, the Unseelie Knight lurches slightly, quick eyes darting around the room like he’s planning a strike. His dark hair hangs loose over his shoulders, and his black armor resembles a scorpion’s shell.
Both Court representatives keep to themselves, but I see the Vampires of the Dearden Coven speaking to Sheldon and Ulysses. Their leader, Willow Greene, is stunning. She’s tall, lithe, and wears a modern cocktail dress that really accentuates her curves. She’s also wearing a pair of heels that look like they second as weapons. Chestnut brown hair rolls down her back in thick waves, while her eyes are accentuated with eyeliner and shadow and her lips are covered in a bright red lipstick. As I observe her, hazel eyes suddenly find me and she smirks ever-so-slightly before resuming her conversation. Actually, I’m not sure if she looked at me or if I only imagined it, but I’m feeling like a creep just staring at her so, with effort, I look at her companion.
I don’t know his name, and I wonder if he’s new to the coven or just low enough down the hierarchy that we don’t have a file on him. He looks every bit the vampire you’d see in a movie. Shaggy black hair, androgynous features, vibrant blue eyes, pale skin, wearing a leather jacket with patches sewn haphazardly onto it with logos of various bands. A white V-neck t-shirt that shows off the large Pentagram necklace he’s sporting, and completing the outfit with tight, ripped jeans and military boots. I’m going to guess he’s a Damien, or a Tristan.
The O’Ceallaighs look like they’ve stepped out of ancient times, but it’s not entirely the physical appearance so much as it’s the look in green eyes. Those are eyes that have seen the world turn over more than once. They’re both tall and muscular, with long red hair tied back from the face with intricate braids. While they dress in modern clothes, one in a Henley and jeans, the other in sweater and slacks, I can easily picture them in furs and warpaint. Bryn O’Ceallaigh and his brother Carwyn have been the leaders of the Coven since its inception, and I’m sure that they’ve been challenged before, but none have succeeded in claiming the title from them.
There are no representatives from the Moliere Coven.
As for the Order of Cerberus, there’s me and Chief Glass for the Centurions; Ulysses and his second Heather Rand, for the Incantatores; Chief Candance Oliver and Quinton Melville for the Sentinels; Chief Yoland Mathis and Janet Beckett for the Technical Department; and of course, Joseph Sheldon.
He concludes his conversation with the Dearden vampires and approaches the head of the long table that takes most of the space in the conference room. “Let us begin,” he says.
There’s shuffling as everyone chooses their seats. The Fae don’t want to sit near the vampires, who are known to get impulsive when they smell Fae blood, so they sit at one end of the table while the vampires claim the other. Castillo and Sheldon shouldn’t be near one another, so the werewolves sit on the opposite side of the Fae while the rest of us intersperse where there’s room. I end up sitting next to Brianna, and across from Knight Diarmuid.
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“I want to thank you for being here,” Sheldon resumes once everyone’s settled. “As we’re all aware, Erra has returned, yet I know for many of you that statement holds little meaning, and it is the desecration of Margadh Sióg that brings you here,” there’s a murmur of assent. “Erra is Pestilence, War, and Chaos. These are his aspects,” there’s something distant in Sheldon’s cold eyes now, and I wonder again at his familiarity with Erra. “Long ago these aspects nearly led to the ruin of all, just as they did six months ago in the market.”
Although Erra didn’t attack us outright when we finally caught up to him and the Fae in the black market, we soon learned that his return was not without casualties. Our late arrival saved those in the Order who went to confront him, but many in Margadh Sióg weren’t as lucky. From my understanding, a lot of residents of the market died outright when Erra returned, stricken with a wicked affliction that choked the life out of them. And in the months that followed, we continually received reports of others suffering horrible illnesses. Their prognoses were grim.
“Our kin suffered such a fate,” Queen Aine says solemnly. “The Tuatha De Danann were slaughtered by this foul beast many ages past.”
“As were many of our clan,” Bryn O’Ceallaigh remarks. “Those he did not manage to sway to his cause were destroyed.”
“There was also the sacking of Babylon, and the many mundanes lost in that campaign,” Ulysses adds.
“His power is volatile and effective against all of us,” Keyara says. “There’s the poison of his touch, the blistering heat of the sun, the charisma that is nearly impossible to deny.”
Based on the reactions of those familiar with Erra, I’m not going to get much help in deciding how to extract him from Henry. I’m getting the feeling they wouldn’t want to risk it; immediate destruction is the route they’re angling for. Still, I can at least try.
“What about the relic?” I ask. “Can’t we trap his essence in there again?”
“The means to create it are lost,” Sheldon replies, shrewd look indicating he knows exactly why I’m asking. “And he will be wary of such a tactic after so long in the dark. I imagine he would sooner destroy everything than risk being locked away again.”
“So, he is trouble, sí? We get the picture,” Castillo cuts in bluntly. “What is he doing now?”
“He’s finally resurfaced,” Chief Yoland replies. “My analysts have been scouring the entire East Coast for movement and we got a hit just a few days ago. It looks as though he’s purchased property in New York City. The, uh, most expensive penthouse in the city. There were a few stories about it in their local papers and magazines. So, wherever he’s been these past six months, it looks like he’s done with staying completely under the radar. He’s going by Henry Stone,” his eyes find me and I’m doing everything I can not to visibly react to this statement. “And claiming smart investments were the key to his financial success, but we haven’t traced any actual investments, so I believe it’s safe to assume this is wealth Erra had in reserve.”
“If he is making waves in the mundane world, it may precede his recruiting them to his cause,” Queen Keyara says. “As he did once upon a time, he will claim the hearts and minds of all by offering them something they believe they cannot do without. When so many are dependent on the services he provides, he will reveal his true intent.”
“There’s a lot of speculation, so let me throw my own into the ring. I think he’s done more than just resurface, I think he may have something to do with the Moliere Coven,” Willow says.
“How do you mean?” Sheldon asks.
“Isn’t it your job to stay on top of these things?” Willow asks. “You are meant to protect our communities too, right?” she lets this hang there for an uncomfortable minute before she resumes. “The Moliere Coven has shut its doors; none have been seen since Charlemagne’s disappearance, which just so happens to coincide with Erra’s coming. If we want to learn what other nefarious schemes this Erra is up to, perhaps the Order can start there.”
“Charlemagne is definitely involved with Erra somehow,” I sigh. I didn’t plan on sharing what I knew concerning the coven leader and Henry, but if I want to save Henry, I need to know everything there possibly is to know, and coveting information isn’t going to help me. At the questioning looks thrown my way, I clear my throat. “Erra came back through Henry,” I look at our guests when I say this, looking for confusion if they assumed ‘Henry’ was simply the alias Erra’s using today. Evidently, they’ve been briefed on that because no one asks what I’m talking about. “Before that happened, Henry told me that Charlemagne admitted to being his sire.”
“Charlemagne doesn’t sire vampires,” Willow scoffs.
“Exactly,” I reply. “That’s what makes it stand out. He must have known that the Bishops were trying to use Henry to bring back Erra, and wanted to throw himself into the mix. I just don’t know why.”
“Power,” Castillo says darkly. His expression is neutral though, so I can’t really tell how he’s taking the news that Henry’s sire is the vampire he seems to hate the most. Castillo’s a practical man, I’m sure he won’t blame Henry for something that was completely out of his control.
“Most likely,” Bryn agrees. “The bond between maker and child runs deep. Be that as it may, however, we can surmise his plans failed since it would appear he’s been destroyed. This is yet another reason the Moliere Coven should be investigated.”
“I could head up a team,” I volunteer.
Sheldon looks irate at my decision, or maybe he’s just irate that I didn’t immediately tell him about Charlemagne and Henry. I also hear Chief Glass groan quietly, suggesting that my quick response is a mistake. I don’t care, I need to get out there and the Moliere Coven seems to be as good a place to start as any.
“Very well, I’ll assign a team after we conclude this meeting,” Sheldon replies, doing an impressive job of sounding impartial over the whole thing. “What’s important now is that we maintain communication with each other. Erra has not declared war yet, but if we want to survive, we need to work together.”
“Hey, you’re the ones who like to shoot first and ask questions later,” Brianna scoffs. “Think we forgot about what happened in South Boston?”
There’s another murmur of agreement from our guests.
“We have no time for this!” Sheldon replies sharply. “Now more than ever we need unity. We will discuss perceived transgressions when this threat is eliminated.”
“Perceived,” Brianna grumbles to herself, shaking her head.
Castillo’s expression is also cold and I’m suddenly uncomfortable being in such proximity to him when it looks like the beast may burst forth at any moment. His dark eyes find mine, there’s a question in them, but one he’s not going to ask in front of the council. I know it’s a question about Henry, and I try to convey with my look alone that this elimination Sheldon speaks of is not what I’m after. Enough of it gets through, because that bristling energy recedes from the werewolf.
“We should have representatives in a neutral meeting ground,” Queen Aine says. “Since Margadh Sióg isn’t viable any longer, I suggest establishing a safehouse here in the city.”
“Agreed,” Queen Keyara adds.
“Works for me,” Willow says. “Just let us know where it is when it’s done.”
Bryn, Castillo, and Sheldon also agree to using a safehouse. In the meantime, Sheldon explains that the Technical Department will continue analyzing the situation in terms of the mundane world, while the Sentinels will focus their efforts on seeing Erra. Both Fae Courts will have eyes and ears on the lookout to ensure Erra isn’t gathering an army on the sly, while the vampires will consult with one another and share old resources that might illuminate more weaknesses in their foe. Castillo offers wolves to also watch the mundane world from the streets, while another portion of his large pack will track Erra’s activities in the supernatural realm. All told, it makes for a decent alliance and while there’s obviously mistrust in the Order, it seems our guests are more interested in Erra than trying to air grievances. Sheldon opens the floor for any further questions, and while a bitter part of me wants to ask what his relationship with Erra is, I hold off. This isn’t the time for it. With that concluded, the representatives are respectfully escorted from headquarters by some of our fiercest Centurion warriors.
“Averline, stay a moment,” Sheldon orders as the rest of the council disperses.
I sigh inwardly, but remain in my seat. When the room empties, Sheldon laces his fingers together on the table. “You were more reserved than I anticipated,” he admits.
“You said it yourself; this is a time for unity,” I reply.
“I appreciate that, Mr. Averline. Now, as for your investigation…I insist you bring an Incantator and a Sentinel with you to the Moliere Coven.”
“I will,” I’m not sure how I feel about this tenebrous civility, but I’ll take it over him trying to limit what I can do. “I’d like to assign Centurion Ito to the team as well.”
“Very well. A few more Centurions too, to be safe. We do not know what awaits you at the coven house.”
I nod, wondering suddenly if he’s seen something and is knowingly sending me to my demise and that’s the reason he’s being so cooperative for a change. No. He’s a bastard, but I don’t think even he would go so far as to purposefully get anyone in the Order killed.
“Well? See to it, Mr. Averline. You’re dismissed,” he concludes, standing up and leaving me in the conference room.
I shake my head, still feeling like I’m caught in a whirlwind. Focus on the now, I tell myself. Right now, I only need to speak with a Sentinel and an Incantator. After that, I’ll gather a couple Centurions and we’ll all go to the Moliere Coven. Hopefully to get answers rather than more questions.