Page 25 of Burn of Obsidian

“Hmm, you can update them that we’ve just taken down a new classification of Veyn.”

A muffled curse sounded at the end of the line. “Anyone hurt?”

Jax looked down at the slice that was already partially healed. “Nothing to worry about.”

Axel flipped him the finger, so Jax turned his back.

“Good, let the cleaners deal with it. I need Axel and Luce back here.”

“What do you need me to do?” He needed to go track down his fucking mate.

“You’re with me.”

Jax frowned. He wasn’t one for politics. “Xee’s more civil.”

Riley laughed. “I don’t disagree, but that doesn’t change the fact you’re my backup.”

Fuck’s sake.

“Fine,” Jax said, resigned. “When’s the meeting?”

Chapter 11

Jax

Jax wasn’t a fan of authority. The idea that he was being dragged to a meeting he had no interest in attending pissed him off even more than he already was. Especially since he couldn’t add anything to the conversation. He’d made no progress with the pages, which meant he’d made no progress with Gideon.

“Remember to smile,” Xander said, his own face just as sullen. Xander didn’t like authority either, but as Riley’s second, he was used to the politics.

The Council was older than the treaty between Breed and humans, and while the country’s governing bodies welcomed Breed into leadership roles, the Council continued to rule from the shadows. It was the Council that made the decisions, not the figureheads that coveted the limelight. It made them beyond powerful, and Jax couldn’t care less.

Several guards waited outside the large, nondescript building, ushering them into what could only be described as a barren room. There were no windows or chairs, just a man with dark hair leaning casually against the wall.

“You’re late,” Danton said, his French accent only slight. “They’re already in the chamber, waiting.”

“We came when summoned.” Riley’s tone was less than impressed. “You didn’t tell me Valentina was in the city.”

Danton smirked, revealing his fangs. “What fun would that be? Now, If you would follow me. My Mistress awaits.”

‘Should we be concerned?’ Xander asked mentally, connecting the three of them. Danton was Valentina’s personal soldier, but his presence was unexpected since he’d taken over as the Elder of London’s Vamps.

‘Danton wouldn’t be here unless Valentina was nervous.’ Riley walked first as they were ushered through a set of double doors. ‘Keep your guards up.’

Xander followed behind, and Jax was content to bring up the rear. The Council of Six waited as they stepped into the room, each of them sat on a separate raised dais. They formed a crescent, a spotlight above the positions like some grand theatre.

“Monsieur Storm, you are late,” Valentina, the Councilwoman for the vampires said. She was usually the mouthpiece, despite looking like a prepubescent child. Her feet dangled from the throne, dark eyes sweeping across each of them, and just like the other councilmembers, she hesitated when she reached him.

Jax was used to inspiring fear from his sheer size and scar, not that the Council actually feared him. But they were clearly weary, even if he wasn’t the most dangerous man in the room. He may be larger, but there was a reason he wasn’t the Guardians leader.

Riley smiled, the expression unfriendly. “We’re here, aren’t we?” he said, forcing the attention back to him.

Jax stepped back, content to observe.

“You’ll speak to the Council with respect.” Edwards let out a displeased sound. As the Archdruid, he held the councilman position on behalf of the druids. Jax made sure to stare at him for the longest, amused when he wouldn’t meet his direct gaze.

“We should start,” Lilianna said, her voice delicate. Her limbs were elongated and elegant, with long blonde hair as straight as a curtain, and skin like crushed opals that glistened slightly beneath the lights. The throne dwarfed her slim frame, and rather than sit in the centre, she pushed herself to the side. She wore a necklace embellished with an emerald and a ruby, representing both the Seelie and Unseelie – the Light and Dark courts of Asherah. He always thought the symbols were pointless, considering the courts had zero influence on this side of the veil.

“Yes,” Xavier, who sat the furthest left, rumbled. “Let’s get on with this then.” He grinned, his smile full of sharp, pointed teeth. Not many shifters wore their animal so close, his warm skin rippling with echoes of black stripes. His left eye was damaged, an unusual burn marking the lid. Unlike Jax, Xavier purposely tilted his head to the light, showing off the scar with pride.