The room was silent and brimming with tension. Finally, the queen spoke, her voice a calming balm against the raging storm within Alex.
“Why don’t you start at the beginning, sweetheart,” Osmada said. “None of us will interrupt you. And once you’re finished, we’ll come up with a plan to make everything better. Don’t you worry, Alex. Everything will be all right.”
Alex had to blink back tears in the face of the queen’s kindness. But despite Osmada’s words, Alex knew no such assurances could be made. Because unless she found a way to change the future, nothing would be all right.
Start at the beginning, Alex repeated in her mind. That was asking a lot, given the many secrets she held. But in order for them to trust her, she needed to be as honest as she could. So she took yet another deep breath, opened her mouth and began her unlikely tale.
Three
“Forgive me for being the voice of reason here,” Jaxon said, sounding anything but apologetic, “but you’ve just told us that not only are you from another world entirely, you also overcame a blood-bonding ritual that has—supposedly—left you with the same abilities as an immortal being. A ritual you claim has been performed on an entire city of Meyarins, all of whom are now under the mind control of their evil overlord.” He raised his eyebrows and glanced around the table. “Does anyone else have difficulty believing this preposterous account of teenage fancy?”
“In my defence,” Alex said, struggling to keep her tone diplomatic, “I never used the words ‘evil overlord’. You came up with that on your own.”
The advisor glowered at her. “Indeed. Though the implication was there.”
“Oh, I’m not arguing,” Alex returned. “That’s exactly what Aven is. But you already knew that, otherwise none of you would be here for this meeting.”
As promised, Alex had told them everything—or at least, everything they needed to know, leaving out her visit to the past just as she had with her teachers.
“Let’s say we believe you,” General Drock said in his gruff voice. “What exactly would you have us do? If Aven is the threat you claim he is, we’re already as good as dead.”
Alex grimaced, knowing he wasn’t far off the mark.
“I’d rather go back to the vision you saw,” Commander Nisha cut in, her focus solely on Alex. “You said the Library showed you a possible future and claimed it would come true if you—specifically you—fail to stop Aven?”
When Alex nodded, albeit reluctantly, it was Jaxon who spoke up again.
“How ludicrous.” His weathered face was filled with scorn. “The child obviously has delusions of grandeur. I don’t know why we’re listening to her when she’s clearly an attention seeker of the worst kind.”
It was only William’s warning glance coupled with a comforting squeeze from Jeera that kept Alex from lashing out at the older man.
“Whether you choose to believe me or not,” she said, keeping her voice level, “the truth will reveal itself in time. And that’s why I’m here today—so that you’re prepared when that time comes.”
Jaxon sneered his disbelief, but before he could interject, Alex continued, “Worst-case scenario and I am an attention-seeking brat, then what’s the harm in making a few contingency plans?”
“The kid does have a point,” Drock mused. “Whether or not her account is true, it won’t hurt to be extra vigilant.”
“It’s not like she’s asking us to plan an offensive attack against Meya,” Tyson put in. “She’s just suggesting we increase our defences in preparation for when Aven comes for us.”
Alex tried not to show how relieved she was by both generals’ support. Tyson in particular, she knew, was somehow connected to Hunter, and since Hunter trusted Alex, it was clear that Tyson was of the same mind.
“What would such preparations require?” asked the king, the shadows beneath his eyes further darkened by this new burden.
“The cities are already well defended, but we should send out troops to protect the smaller villages and lesser populated townships,” Tyson said.
“We should also consider increasing the number of scouts we have out on patrol, as well as extending their range,” Drock added. He tipped his head towards Jeera. “I suggest a minimum of one Sword to accompany each unit in case your Wardens detect something the soldiers miss.”
Alex remembered Kaiden telling her that only Akarnae graduates could become Swords. That meant Wardens like Jeera all had gifts—gifts that might help with reconnaissance.
“We should also set up a special task force of trusted Shields dedicated solely to investigating the threat and what we should expect to face,” William put in. He’d grown paler after hearing Alex’s news, making the scar running along the side of his face stand out more than usual. “At the very least, we should attempt to learn what Aven is planning before he decides to make any kind of move against us.”
“And how, exactly, do you plan on doing that?” Jaxon asked in a scathing tone. “Everything we know comes from a pretentious fifteen-year-old who received psychedelic visions of the future from a sentient library, of all things.”
“Excuse me,” Alex couldn’t help snapping, “but I’m seventeen. And a half.”
If she could go back and change one moment of the meeting, that would be it. But of everything he’d accused her of, it was the only part she could confirm as completely factual.
“The greatest leaders of our time are in this room,” Jaxon continued, ignoring Alex entirely. “Surely—surely—you can’t be buying into this girl’s claims.”
His statement was met with silence. Alex knew there was nothing else she could say without appearing desperate for their validation. And while she was desperate, she also knew she had to let them make the decision on their own.
“It doesn’t matter what any of us believe,” Nisha eventually said. “A threat has been assumed, so regardless of personal opinions, we are duty bound to follow protocol.” Her eyes locked onto the king and queen. “With your majesties’ permission, precautions will be carried out as suggested by the generals, and with the assistance of the Wardens, we’ll monitor the situation—both in the field and with William’s specialist team. Until we know more, we’ll remain on high alert with around-the-clock surveillance from both the Wardens and the militia.”
“Agreed,” King Aurileous said without hesitation.
Despite Nisha’s plan and the king’s easy acceptance, Alex still didn’t feel as if it was enough.
“What about the others?” she asked.
The king just looked at her. “Others?”
“The other races—the other mortals Aven will target. What will be done to warn and protect them?”
Jaxon snorted but at a searing look from the king, the advisor kept his thoughts to himself.
“Why don’t we wait and see what intelligence William and his team uncover before we discuss a diplomatic means to warn the rest of Medora,” the king said, more a statement than a question.
Alex shook her head. “They need to know. They’re in as much danger as the rest of us.”
“So you say,” Jaxon mumbled under his breath.