A heavy sigh from Antonio. “About the Beasts.”
“Ah.” Elder Harcourt drummed his fingers on the table and stared at his thumping digits, humming quietly. “As they are, they age faster than Mysticals but slower than Commoners due to their mixed heritage. They pledge no allegiance to Mystical or Commoner because they are insane from the day they are born. As they are absolute killing machines, only thoughts of hunger — all kinds — hold their attention.” He paused, his gaze snapping directly to Antonio. “They aren’t easy to control with our powers, due in part to their mixed blood, which creates a sort of immunity. Only silver fully moderates their behavior, making what the Com said that much more truthful.”
Cahal’s chest expanded and slowly lowered. “What do you two know of hybrids? If they exist, we need to know everything you do since that’s where the original problem lies.”
I pressed my leg harder against Ezra’s, thanking God that Ezra was here to give me the support I needed to keep my heart rate lowered and common sense flowing.
Elder Harcourt continued tapping his fingers on the table. “Hybrids live as long as any Mystical, so it wouldn’t take many banding together to create an army of Beasts and control them with silver.” His head cocked. “A hybrid’s duel bloodline causes a reaction to occur biologically. They may have two different faction’s powers, yes, but it is the extra power within their Core that causes a slight breakdown of their reproductive system — something has to give when they’re born with more than what a Mystical’s biological make-up allows — thus allowing them to breed with a Commoner.”
“But…why would hybrids do it? Create Beasts such as that?” an Elder Elemental, another one of the four who had been speaking with the Kings earlier, whom I was guessing had also aided in the peace treaty, asked into the tense silence. “It makes no sense.”
No one spoke.
To me, the answer was obvious, so I spoke quietly, “Their nature itself would give them the perfect motive to wage war against the Mystical community, since the Executioner kills their kind just for being born. They use the Commoners’ fear to fuel their motives because the Beasts may be killing machines, but they’re not controllable and not the perfect soldier to create the destruction they want. Not like the Commoners would be.” An absent nod of my head. “The Beasts are only the pebble thrown into the center of the lake. The ripples, what disturbs the entire surface of our world, are the Commoners.” I rolled my shoulders. “Really, it’s fucking genius retribution.”
Every single man…stared.
Elder Harcourt chuckled softly. “Fierce, beautiful, and intelligent.” He bowed his head to me. “You’re going to make one miraculous Queen.”
The Elder Shifter who had spoken before stated, “No Commoner, especially any in power, will want to believe they’re being manipulated. Their pride won’t allow it. Plus, we didn’t tell them the truth when the treaty was signed. Now that we’ve lied to them, even if unknowingly, their trust in us is diminished.” He sighed, his head of dark hair falling back onto the leather chair. “What the hell do we tell them to stop a full-fledged war?”
No one had an answer for that, myself included.
Elder Camden’s lips pinched, and he finally sat, turning his attention to Antonio and Cahal. “In light of our current situation, it would be best for your four to be whole.” Everyone understood that for what it was: the definite possibility of the coming of a second world war between the Commoners and Mysticals. “Elder Merrick and Elder Jacobs need to be here.”
Both Antonio and Cahal nodded.
“I’m assuming we’re the ones who will be speaking with the Com politicians of the world, since we collaborated the peace treaty, correct?” the Elder Shifter asked.
Elder Harcourt confirmed, “Yes, Elder Townsend. You,” he nodded to the Elemental, “Elder White,” a head tilt to a Mage, “Elder Samson,” eyes to a Vampire, “and Elder Bridges will be conducting the current political aspects and discussions with the Commoner politicians worldwide, as before. You four will keep us updated with your progress. We trust you to push for peace any way you can,” he paused, “legally.”
The Vampire, Elder Bridges, cursed quietly under his breath.
Elder Harcourt’s wicked grin reappeared. “Peace needs to be lasting, not temporary, Elder Bridges, which is all it would be if you used your power on this group of Com leaders, since the next in line will be ready for war, like the current ones are.”