"Yes, why would you not break the curse if you could do so?" Mercy asked Brenon.
I turned to Brenon and raised my eyebrows, encouraging him to speak.
"If we had opened the gates and broken the curse, Terra might have been able to gain the strength she needed to take over both our realm and earth. She's limited in her ability to grow her power because she has access to so few magical beings."
"You were protecting both realms?" Mercy asked.
Brenon nodded. "It was too much of a risk."
"That's why we need to work together to eliminate Terra before she can figure out a way to open the gates," I said.
"Seems to me like if we were to eliminate you, the risk would be gone," one of the male elders said.
"You think she won't eventually figure out another way?" Aunt Kay said. "If what Brenon has told us is true, Terra has been building up her power over the centuries by stealing magic little by little. What's to say she can't eventually open it herself? Sure, it might be after we're all dead, but do you want that on your conscience? Our sacred duty is to protect the earth. Letting Terra continue to threaten our home is irresponsible of us."
"Look, I don't care how much you hate the Fae. They don't deserve the kind of terror that Terra is bringing to them. She's hunting them down. Have you ever even met a Fae before? Just like humans, there are some bad apples, but they're mostly good, and they deserve to live and be happy, just like we do." I took a deep breath and set my hand on Brenon's arm.
"Joe's right, Brenon has saved me more than once. And he has people watching over my brother to keep him safe. He didn't ask for my help in return. I offered it because that's what you do for a friend." I could feel my cheeks redden, and dropped my hand.
"So your proposal?" Mercy asked.
"I say we combine forces. Sayge and the Fae Circus. We take down Terra once and for all." I maintained eye contact with Mercy as I watched her fidget in her seat. She seemed to be struggling with the idea of helping the Fae.
"This is going to be a hard sell," the other woman said. "We have generations of hatred for the Fae."
"We have something in mind that may make it easier," Aunt Kay said.
Mercy and the other elders turned to Kay.
"After Terra is gone, Ara can open the gate back to Faerie. Once they have returned, they'll close them again to keep all the magical creatures in. Earth will be purged of magic that isn't Sayge. Balance will be restored."
"How do we know they'll keep the gates closed?" Mercy said. "What will stop them from letting things out?"
"You have my word," Brenon said. "I will personally ensure that the gate is guarded and well protected from any intruders - from either side."
"What good is the word of a Fae?" the male elder asked.
"Ask Ara. I've kept every promise I've made." Brenon set his hand on top of mine, sending a tingle up my arm.
The elders tried to cover their distaste at the closeness between the two of us, but I could read it on their faces. They didn't approve of Brenon even being in the same room as us, let alone touching me. What must be running through their heads right now? For a moment, I considered pushing his hand away, then I thought about his statement. He was right. He'd never broken a promise to me. Tricked me into joining the Circus? Yes, that he'd done, but never failed to do what he said he'd do.
Interlacing my fingers in his, I squeezed his hand. "He's right. Despite everything, I trust him."
Chapter 16
"It's time to focus on the real bad guy here." Adam stood and walked to the middle of the room, pausing in front of the elders.
He'd been so quiet lately, I'd forgotten he was here.
"Brenon isn't the dangerous creature we were taught about as children. He hasn't tried to hurt any of us since he arrived last night. Maybe this feud is outdated? Ever consider that? Times have changed."
Mercy stood, the other elders following her lead. Adam lowered his head in what almost looked like a bow. Was that what you were supposed to do with the elders?
Brenon tugged on my hand, then lifted his chin as he stood. Understanding his meaning, I stood up next to him. Aunt Kay, Adam, Maggie, and Gia all stood, joining in with the little nod-bow. I joined them, feeling awkward about bowing to someone, but the last thing I wanted to do was make her mad because I wasn't following protocol.
Mercy seemed pleased with the display. She nodded her head in a bow of her own. "We'll take it to the council leaders tonight. We'll have an answer for you by morning. I will present both sides, and I can't make any promises. It will go to a vote. Majority will decide if we get involved."
"Thank you," I said.
The elders made their way out the front door, Aunt Kay holding the door for them. After she closed the door, she turned to all of us in the room. "I think we have a chance at this working."
She glanced down at my hand, still clasped with Brenon's, then looked away. I dropped his hand. There was no reason to be holding on to him while we stood there.
"Thanks for calling them," I said. My insides perked up at the prospect of a phone. "Hey, could I use the phone to call Ryder?"
Aunt Kay smiled. "No phone here, too much magic. You'd have to go into town."
"Where's town?" I asked.
"Twenty miles south."
"I can drive you there," Joe said. "Might be nice to explore a bit."
I looked at my Aunt, half expecting her to object to me leaving the house while we waited for the Elder's response.
She shrugged. "Take Maggie or Joe in case anything happens."
"I'll go with her," Brenon said. "I'm sure you don't want me hanging around here."
Aunt Kay looked down at my hand and let out a sigh. "There's a phone at the gas station. And you might as well go to the market and pick up something for dinner."
"Got it," I said. "You ready, Joe?"
He was halfway to the door when I asked, obviously ready to get away from here for a while.
"Can you pick up some Tequila while you're in town?" Adam asked.
"And limes," Maggie added.
"Sure, no problem. Shots tonight?" I raised my eyebrows, surprised at the request.
"You'll see, we might need the distraction while we wait," Adam said.
He had a point. The night was going to be long while we waited to find out if we were going to have any support. I elbowed Brenon as we walked to the car. "Guess we should pick up some vodka for you, too. Right?"
"You're getting the hang of being around me," he said.
Joe got into the driver's seat, and I slid into the passenger seat, Brenon situating himself in the back.
We were on the road for a few minutes before Joe broke the silence. "So, what is going on between the two of you?"