Sneaking onto the property where the President hid was much easier than it should have been.
The four of us were dressed in black fatigues and had enough firepower on us to take the White House down…if it hadn’t already been burned to ash during one particular amazing Mystical win. But instead of firing our weapons, we kept them holstered. The darkness provided by the heavy cloud cover hiding the moon was wasted. The reason we had not had to fight anyone yet was because of all the Com guards that we were currently stepping over where they lay unconscious on the ground.
Jack’s brows furrowed. “Did one of the Elders get here first?”
Pearl shook her head. “We’re the only Rulers designated for this particular Com leader.”
Ezra grunted, stepping over another Com. “Well, someone beat us here.”
“We don’t want the damn man dead,” I grumbled. “At least these guards aren’t.”
All four of us stopped abruptly, squinting as our eyes glowed softly, when a black fog seeped out of the front door, right through the crack. It wasn’t a fire, the air smelling clean. Instead, the dark fog crept down the white patio stairs and into the grass…and disappeared.
My lips pinched. “What the hell was that?”
Pearl lifted a finger. “I’ll admit that was a little frightening.”
Jack stated, “Maybe it was a shadow.”
All four of us glanced up to the sky. The moon was barely seen. We peered to the house.
“I’ll go with the shadow theory,” Ezra murmured, even though it made no sense.
I shrugged. “I haven’t eaten yet today. I’m going with blurry vision.”
“I’m about to be on my period,” Pearl grumbled. “I’m going with PMS.”
I gurgled deep in my throat, trying not to laugh.
“That’s viable,” Jack stated. Lie. “Ezra, do you hear anyone in the house?”
“I think it has a privacy spell on it.” His head tilted. “I can’t even hear a bug in there.”
I grunted. “He probably has a Mage tied up in his basement.”
But when we opened the door, the four of us felt corked Mage power.
Elder Harcourt’s magic was the privacy spell. Figured. Asshole.
“He obviously doesn’t want him dead,” Jack grumbled. He motioned for Ezra to lead the way. “Let’s go tell the President who’s boss.”
Ezra didn’t hesitate. He didn’t even walk lightly. Apparently there were no threats here.
We followed him into an office that reeked of cigar smoke.
The President sat behind his desk. His face was ash white as if he hadn’t taken a breath in a few minutes. He blinked ever so gradually as he noticed the four of us standing inside the room. As he stood, a half-hysterical laugh erupted past his lips. “I’ll be with you four in a second.” He lifted a small, red velvet bag from his desk and placed it in a safe behind his desk. He sat heavily on his chair then waved a hand. “Have the Mys Kings and Queens come to shoot me?”
I shook my head. “No, we only came to talk with you. Though someone did render all of your guards unconscious. Not us, by the way.” I eyed him, the color coming back to his cheeks. “Any clue who did that?”
He laughed again, this time more calmly. “I didn’t catch their name if they did.” Truth.
Ezra hummed softly. “You know the Coms are losing this war.”
The President sat quiet for a full minute. He rubbed his forehead. Nodded. “I do.”
Jack rolled his finger in the air. “We’re here to tell you what the Mysticals’ next step will be if the Com leaders of the world don’t back down and sign a new peace treaty.” Blue liquid rose from his hand, hovering. “The Com’s water supply? It will be gone.” The water burst and disappeared.
Pearl shrugged a shoulder. “Your crops will begin to die.”
Ezra chuckled quietly. “Your innocent people will find themselves insane.”
I smiled. “Your livestock will suddenly stop eating, and die.” I lifted a brow. “This war is done and you’re the man to make it happen with the Com leaders.”
Once more, the President didn’t speak, staying silent. He turned his attention to the window, staring out for long minutes. He lifted a cigar from his desk and lit it. “The Beasts…”
“The last farm was eliminated,” Ezra stated easily.
“What’s to stop it from happening again?”
This was…painful. But the Elders had agreed upon it yesterday through spelled letters, even after Antonio’s four had explained in truth that hybrids could perform an Awakening — not giving their contact away. The world just wasn’t ready for them after the Beasts. “The Executioner will stay.” I swallowed heavily. “Also, to make sure that no pregnancies occur, the Law forbidding mixed faction sexual relationships will continue.” Even with the four of our votes, it hadn’t been enough to change the ruling. “The Mystical community is taking every precaution to keep this from ever happening again.”
When the President stayed silent, Ezra explained, “We need you to back this treaty.”
Finally, the President nodded. He puffed on his cigar, then he stated, “I’ll do it.”