And…the files were slowly set on the table.
I put the gun in my left hand away, which didn’t appear to make him too happy as he stared at the one with the silver bullets still aimed at his heart. “Now, while that whole little battle of testosterone was really entertaining, I have to admit that, even though I do respect you as an Elder, I’m even more intrigued by the fact you think that you have final say over signed documents by the two ruling individuals of King Shadow, which, if you aren’t aware, are myself and King Zeller.” I raised my own eyebrows. “I would love to hear your explanation because, if you are also unaware, King Zeller and I — again, the ruling individuals of King Shadow — are fully within our power to reject anyone in this camp if we see them unfit for any reason, such as insubordination…not excluding Elders.” A few ticks of silence went by, and I nodded my head at him. “Please, don’t let me stop you.”
Oh. He was mad. Or maybe more like enraged as he stared back at me, his cheeks rosy red. I even began to feel the tingle of Mage magic prickle at my skin.
My eyebrows rose even further. “You are not that stupid.”
He stood with such force his chair fell to the rug behind him, but I did feel the intimidating Mage magic retreat as he leaned over the table, fists supporting his body as he inched forward. “I had heard the runner-up Queen Shifter had become a frigid bitch, but I hadn’t believed it until now.”
My lips twitched even as I saw a few of the men stiffen at his words. “If you were meaning that as an insult, then you need to work on it since I am the runner-up Shifter Queen, and I am a frigid bitch to those I don’t like.” I pointed at the files with my free hand. “I want a simple yes or no from you. Are you going to handle the transfers regardless of what you think of our picks?”
Fuck, the man could really glare. “If I say no?”
Simple. “Then King Zeller and I will discuss your importance here at King Shadow and decide whether you’re really needed.” I paused, then stated truthfully, “If you hadn’t pulled that higher-than-thou bullshit, I never would have questioned your loyalty to us…in fact, I would have probably asked for your input for any future recruits. But you did test us, so now one of the two Rulers with the final say — not you — is asking you a damn question, and she wants a fucking answer.” I paused. “Please.” A little sugar with the spice never hurt.
His reply was seriously a long time coming, in fact, it was so long my trigger finger began to cramp in the hostile quiet, but eventually he stated, “Yes, I’ll handle these four transfers as you and King Zeller have designated, despite any misgivings I may have.” Truth. I nodded once and watched as he picked up the files, moving woodenly. “And I…apologize for acting as I did,” borderline truth, “It will take some getting used to not being in charge as the four of us have been for the past year at our previous camp.” Truth.
“Thank you, and I accept your…apology,” I stated evenly, holstering my gun.
He turned to leave, but suddenly I felt a wave of Mage magic brush along my right side, floating out from Antonio’s lazy position on his chair, and Elder Nelson froze in mid-stride. He visibly flinched, held his position for a few moments, then glanced over his shoulder as the pulse of magic abruptly stopped. His gaze found mine while he said steadily, “And I’m sorry for that little stunt I started to pull.” Truth.
I nodded once, watching as he glanced at Antonio before exiting the conference room. I tilted my head in Antonio’s direction, our gazes meeting, and his lips curved cruelly, belying any of the laziness he was pretending so beautifully. “Do I want to know what that little tingle of magic would have done to me?”
He shrugged a careless shoulder. “It wouldn’t have done a thing.” Truth. Again, his lips tilted at the edges just the barest bit.
“Well,” Elder Kincaid stated, breaking the silence everyone else was still under, “now that the fun time of redirectional reigning is over, how about we try to figure out why the fuck Elder Harcourt is placing so many damn chiefs under this one roof, which as was just shown is never a great fucking idea.” He spread his arms wide. “Why the hell bring us all here? It doesn’t make sense to have so much power in one place. And Kansas? Did I miss the memo where this state became a huge threat to the worldwide war?”