Elder Merrick’s gaze narrowed on the action, navy blue, intelligent eyes swinging to me. “Who are they?”
King Collins’s eyes widened. “Are they…friends…of yours?”
Elder Farrar started chuckling, muttering quietly, “You’ll wish they were.”
I cleared my throat, giving Elder Farrar a pointed glare. “All eight of you will be working together.” Tapping of my fingers. “Peacefully.”
Golden brows cocked. “Just so you know…that other Vampire I spoke of earlier…it’s him.”
I blinked, not knowing that. “My decision stands.” They were who I wanted. Eyes back to those waiting, I stated, “The others joining us will obviously be a Vampire and a Mage, so funneling can be used.” A clearing of my throat. “The Vampire is Elder Bridges.”
King Zeller muttered a curse under his breath, running his hands through his spiked hair, no one appearing too thrilled, except for Sin who glanced at me covertly, his eyes sparkling with mirth, eyebrows cocked, not knowing who I spoke of, just gauging everyone’s reactions.
Elder Farrar muttered, “Wait…it gets worse.”
“Worse than that arrogant prick?” King Collins asked in irritated disbelief.
I held up a hand, bringing the attention back to me. “And the Mage is Elder Samson.”
All stared. Some jaws were even gaping a bit.
I waved a hand, sitting back on my chair. “As I stated, my decision stands. They’ll be here in the morning.”
“Ms. Jules…” King Zeller murmured quietly into the strained silence, wearing a patient expression. “I know you met them briefly in the past, but while Elder Bridges may,” nose crinkling, “be a wise choice power wise,” he stared pointedly, “Elder Samson,”
I held up a hand. “He’s a prejudice asshole, his mind filled with ancient codes of conduct.” They stared, and my brows lifted. “And all of that aside, he’s managed to work with his group for a very long time, making allowances, and thinking rationally, when he may do so otherwise. He’s intelligent, dedicated, quick to protect, and he wants the job.”
“And…” Elder Merrick drawled slowly, black brows rising. “He’s a respected Elder in the Mage community, and if you can get him on your side, open his eyes…”
I shrugged a shoulder. “All the better for votes.” My brows rose, daring anyone to argue.
“Christ.” King Collin’s rubbed a hand over his face, appearing stressed. “Nicely done.”
My eyes moved to Elder Farrar. “I’d love to know how Elder Bridges and Elder Samson came to know of this opportunity in the first place.”
Elder Farrar shrugged a shoulder. “It wasn’t me. Elder Samson is a Mage. He may have seen it.”
My brows slammed together. “They both received anonymous spelled letters with my phone number in the message.”
His fingers tapped, his own brows coming together, just as everyone went silent. “It could have been any Mage with a vision to send it to them.” He shook his head. “After I left you today, I had a vision of who you would pick, but,” his brows stayed together, eyes glowing a bit as he stared off at nothing, “I can’t see where we’re going…”
I sighed heavily, and stared at the table for long moments as he came back to himself, effectively telling me he couldn’t see shit about our journey. “When they arrive, I’ll want you to make sure they’re not spelled. And in the meantime, I’ll think on two others just in case they’re being used somehow.” I rubbed at my forehead, pulling my notes in front of me. “For the time being, I’d like to move forward without these doubts. You’ll each be separately guarding me, but I want you to stay relatively close to your four for funneling, which will be,” I flipped my sheet, reading my scribbles, “Elder Farrar, Elder Merrick, Elder Bridges, and Sin in the first group. Elder Samson, Brann, King Zeller, and King Collins in the second.” I paused, then stared between Elder Merrick and Elder Farrar. “You two will be my point guards while Sin and Elder Bridges do…their thing. I’ll want you near at all times.”
I placed the pad of paper down, staring at it a moment. “I know none of you know what you’re stepping in to. You’re all extremely excited and can’t wait to see what lies ahead.” I cracked my neck, damn tired. “And the Temple is beautiful. Amazing. Beyond words. Each of you will be dazzled and learn a lot…but,” I ran a hand over my face, “while the Temple is almost always peaceful, I need each of you to be vigilant. You’re going somewhere unknown, their powers mostly unknown to you. Spirits can be…cunning…on a whole different level there because it is so peaceful. While I am making the show with Leric that all is well between us, I’ll need you to do what you do best because I haven’t heard of an uprising in,” I shook my head, staring at the table, “hell, I remember someone saying something like, maybe hundreds of years ago, which means if there are issues, they’re serious and have been building for some time just waiting for a catalyst.” I chuckled quietly, pointing to myself. “Me.”
Dropping my hand, I felt an enormous weight on the shoulder I shrugged. “While there are a lot of spirits who will more than likely want me dead, just because I’m the Chosen and I chose not to accept the Temple, and probably see me as a traitor, I worry more about the individuals behind any type of uprising against the peace, because they will try to kill me just to start conflict between the many who will automatically give me the respect my position affords.”
Absently, I folded an edge of a sheet, watching my work. “While we’re there I’ll want nightly meetings and will expect your complete and absolute attention, even with,” my eyes flittered on each of them, pausing a moment on King Collins, then moving on, “any issues you may be having in your current life.” I paused, eyes tracking back to King Zeller and King Collins. “I don’t expect us to be gone for an overly extended amount of time, but it could occur. I’ll give you the option right now to step away, because while we’re there, I may need you and won’t be able to risk bringing you back.”
King Zeller instantly shook his head. “I’m in. Elder Zeller and Elder Venclaire can handle business while I’m away.”
I nodded, and then met my King’s brown eyes. His were hooded, his expression utterly blank. I waited. Queen Cooper was pregnant. I couldn’t say picking him hadn’t been a toss-up because of this fact. I hadn’t not picked her because she was, my decisions on the Mages firm, but I had stumbled a bit with him, and whether he would be able to leave her…and possibly miss the birth of what appeared to be their first child.
“King Collins?” I prompted gently when he stayed quiet.
His lips pinched the barest bit. “I believe I’d never hear the end of it if I didn’t go.”
My head cocked. “That’s a yes?”
“That’s a yes,” he stated quietly. “But, hurrying has its advantages too.”
I chuckled quietly. “I’ll see what I can do.” Peering back to my notes, I yawned, covering my mouth with a hand, speaking through it. “And lastly, I’ll need you each to…appear intimidating.” There were a few snorts and chuckles, because they already were, but I waved a hand, rubbing my eyes. “We all know image can be a useful tool. If you scare the shit out of them by just your appearance, it may keep the weak at heart from attacking. You’ll already be the oddity of the Temple, you’re already going to be stared at no matter how hard you would try to blend, so just work it fashionably however is needed to get your point across your impenetrable.” Sitting back, I grabbed my Coke. “Any questions I may be able to answer?”
Brann instantly asked, “How will we be traveling to the Temple?”
“I’ll be taking all of you.” That was all I could say.
King Zeller flicked a hand, a scowl on his face. “The One said we would be bound to never communicate what we see. How is that handled?”