Page 26 of Burn of Obsidian
WE TAKE HIM, Jax’s beast growled, sensing Xavier’s cat. WE BIGGER.
Xavier moved in his seat, leaning back to throw his legs over the armrest. Shifters were generally autonomous, self-governing within their packs or groups, except for extreme circumstances. Then Xavier was their judge, jury, and executioner.
Riley cleared his throat. “You’re treating us like we’re on trial.” He pointedly stared at each councilman in turn.
“You’re not on trial,” Ivy, the newest member of the Council said. She represented the witches and mages. It was the first time Jax had seen her in person, her eyes such a pale green they were striking. They contrasted against the darkness of her skin, drawing attention to her broad nose and sharp cheekbones. She was tall, over six feet with such defined muscles they wouldn’t look out of place on a marble statue.
“No, but they should be,” Edwards said with an arrogant tone, sitting forward in his seat. “It’s their job to take down Daemons, and yet one is coveting a seat amongst us.”
“Don’t throw stones, Eddy,” Xavier chuckled, his claws piercing through the tips of his fingers to knead against the wood of the throne. “The druids are supposed to govern the Daemons.”
A rustle as Cassiel stretched his copper wings, his seat specifically designed for him. He represented the celestrials. “Then what are the Guardians?” he asked.
Edwards huffed. “They’re the – ”
“I wasn’t asking you,” Cassiel interrupted, never removing his attention from them.
Riley pursed his lips, remaining calm. “My father, the old Archdruid, made a deal with a Fallen for soldiers who are capable of destroying Daemons.”
Cassiel tilted his head. “Hadriel isn’t Fallen, he has yet to lose his wings.”
“Then why ask a question already knowing the answer?”
“This is ridiculous,” Edwards added, pointing towards Riley. “It’s your duty to take care of this, and you’re failing.”
Jax growled, unable to stop the sound. “Gideon broke free of the Nether when the veil fell. I don’t remember seeing you on the battlefield, defending the realm.”
Cassiel’s eyes settled on him like a brand, a frown marking his brow.
‘Perfect timing, as usual,’ Riley said between them.
‘He’s a prick,’ Jax replied the same way, not wanting their conversation to be overheard.
“Oui, when the veil fell.” Valentina sat unnaturally still, nothing but her lips and eyes moving. “Tell me Monsieur Storm, how is your mate? She has yet to visit me.”
“Gideon will be dealt with,” Riley said, ignoring her pointed question. It was Alice who fought beside the Guardians, her ancestry a curse in its own right. “We’re already in the process of tracking him down.”
“So, the Daemon wants to take a seat amongst us.” Xavier scratched another line along the armrest. “Makes sense, considering we’re the voice of all Breed.”
“I see he’s spoken to you, too,” Lilianna said with a curl of her lips. “As the doorways continue to be closed by order of both the Light and Dark courts, he’s promised me a new path to Asherah.”
“He promised me nothing.” Xavier stretched, a cat in a man’s skin. “Because I want nothing.”
“Let’s not pretend like you don’t already pass between the realms easily, Lilianna.” Ivy shook her head with disgust. “The doorways are only closed to those deemed of lower castes.”
“Accusations like that will get you killed.” Lilianna straightened her shoulders, barely giving the witch a cursory glance. It was an open secret that those high enough could still find doorways back to Asherah of Far.
“Is that a threat?” Sparks brightened Ivy’s fingertips.
Lilianna simply wrinkled her nose, as if the conversation was beneath her.
“You’re a fool to believe in anything he’s offering,” Riley said, trying to diffuse the situation. “Gideon doesn’t want to take a seat.”
Ivy looked towards him with a raised brow. “Then what does he want?”
“Control,” Cassiel replied before Riley could, his wings snapping sharp to his spine. “More control than we could ever offer him. Daemon magic is far too unpredictable, and that’s because it’s the closest to Chaos.” His eyes still remained on Jax, unmoving even when he met them.
“There are not many that can wield Chaos magic without succumbing to it,” Ivy said, her fingers tapping against her knee.